Why were the words "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?" of Matthew (27:46) falsely translated as "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me"?
The phrase "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?" appears in the New Testament in Matthew 27:46 and is a quotation from Psalm 22:1. The translation "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" is consistent with the traditional rendering in many English Bibles, but the question of whether this translation is "false" depends on various factors, including theological, linguistic, and contextual considerations.
Key Points to Consider:
- Language and Translation:
- The phrase is in Aramaic, and its translation into Greek (the original language of Matthew) and then into English involves interpretation. The Aramaic "Eli" means "My God," and "lama" means "why." The term "Sabachthani" can be translated as "have you forsaken me?"
- The translation captures the essence of the original words, conveying a sense of abandonment and despair.
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