Revisiting the Burning Bush: Are Christians Unknowingly Worshiping a Mistranslated God?

The vast majority of Christians believe they are worshiping the God revealed in the Bible, a deity who spoke directly to prophets and guided their actions with divine wisdom. However, what if the God that most Christians worship is a product of centuries of translation and rabbinic manipulation? What if the true essence of the Hebrew scriptures, particularly the interactions between God and key figures like Moses, has been obscured by layers of interpretation that distort the original meaning?

This article argues that the traditional translations of the Hebrew Bible, influenced heavily by rabbinic traditions, have prevented a clear understanding of the original texts. To uncover the true message, we must strip away these layers and engage directly with the original text by first converting it into a phonetic translation and then into English. This method allows for a closer, more direct interaction with the text, revealing nuances and meanings that have been lost in translation.

One particularly striking example is the encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush. When the text is approached without the usual interpretative filters, the scene presents a much different picture—one that may lead readers to question whether Moses was truly speaking to God or being manipulated by a powerful magician.

The Problem with Translations:

Throughout history, the Hebrew Bible has undergone numerous translations, starting with the Septuagint in ancient Greek, followed by the Latin Vulgate, and eventually, various English versions. Each translation was shaped by the theological and cultural contexts of its time, with translators often imposing their own interpretations on the text.

Moreover, rabbinic traditions have played a significant role in shaping the way the Hebrew scriptures are understood. Rabbinic interpretations, recorded in the Talmud and Midrash, often added layers of meaning to the text that were not originally present. These interpretations were then incorporated into translations, further distancing readers from the original Hebrew.

As a result, most Christians today are engaging with a version of the Hebrew Bible that has been filtered through centuries of rabbinic thought and theological interpretation. This raises a crucial question: Are Christians truly worshiping the God of the Hebrew Bible, or have they been led to worship a version of God shaped by centuries of translation and interpretation?

The Importance of Phonetic Translation:

To truly understand the Hebrew Bible, it is essential to bypass these layers of interpretation and engage directly with the original text. For those who do not speak Hebrew, the next best approach is to convert the text into a phonetic translation that can be read and understood in English. This method preserves the original sounds and structure of the text while making it accessible to those who do not know the language.

By converting the Hebrew into a phonetic translation and then into English, readers can experience the text in a form that is much closer to the original. This approach allows for a more authentic interaction with the Hebrew Bible, free from the interpretive filters that have shaped traditional translations.

The Case of the Burning Bush:

One of the most iconic scenes in the Hebrew Bible is the encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush, as described in Exodus 3 and 4. This passage is often interpreted as a divine calling, where God reveals Himself to Moses and instructs him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. However, when approached through the lens of phonetic translation, the text takes on a different tone—one that raises questions about the true nature of the encounter.

Below are the 17 verses from this passage, presented with their phonetic translations, followed by an English translation based on the phonetic reading. Readers are encouraged to examine the text closely and consider whether this encounter reflects the actions of a divine being or the manipulations of a magician.

The 17 Verses:

Verse 1:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer od Elohim el-Moshe: Koh tomar el-bnei Yisrael, Yahweh Elohei avoteichem, Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak, ve’Elohei Ya’akov, shelachani aleichem. Zeh shemi le’olam, ve’zeh zichri le’dor dor.

English Translation:
And God said further to Moses: Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.

Verse 2:

Phonetic Translation:
Vaya’an Moshe vayomer, “V’hein lo-ya’aminu li v’lo yishme’u b’koli, ki yomru, lo-nir’ah elecha Yahweh.”

English Translation:
And Moses answered and said, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘Yahweh has not appeared to you.’”

Verse 3:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer elav Yahweh, “Mah-zeh v’yadecha?” Vayomer, “Mateh.”

English Translation:
And the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”

Verse 4:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer, “Hashlichehu artzah.” Vayashlichehu artzah, vay’hi lenachash; vayanos Moshe mipanav.

English Translation:
And He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Verse 5:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer Yahweh el-Moshe, “Sh’lach yadcha v’echoz bizznavo.” Vayishlach yado vayechezik bo, vay’hi lemateh b’chapo.

English Translation:
But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and take it by the tail.” So he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand.

Verse 6:

Phonetic Translation:
L’ma’an ya’aminu ki nir’ah elecha Yahweh Elohei avotam, Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak, ve’Elohei Ya’akov.

English Translation:
“That they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Verse 7:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer Yahweh lo od, “Havo-na yadcha b’cheikecha.” Vayavei yado b’cheiko vayotzi’ah, vehinei yado m’tzora’at ka’shaleg.

English Translation:
The LORD furthermore said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow.

Verse 8:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer, “Hasheiv yadcha el-cheikecha.” Vayashev yado el-cheiko vayotzi’ah mecheiko vehinei shavah kiv’saro.

English Translation:
Then He said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh.

Verse 9:

Phonetic Translation:
V’hayah, im lo ya’aminu lach v’lo yishme’u l’kol ha’ot harishon, v’he’eminu l’kol ha’ot ha’acharon.

English Translation:
“If they will not believe you or heed the first sign, they may believe the second sign.”

Verse 10:

Phonetic Translation:
V’hayah, im lo ya’aminu gam lishnei ha’otot ha’eileh, v’lo yishme’un l’kolecha, v’lakachta mimei haYe’or v’shafachta hayabashah, v’hayu hamayim asher-tikach min haYe’or v’hayu l’dam bayabashah.

English Translation:
“But if they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”

Verse 11:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer Moshe el-Yahweh, “Bi Adonai, lo ish d’varim anochi, gam mitmol gam mishilshom, gam mei’az dabeircha el-avdecha, ki ch’vad peh u’ch’vad lashon anochi.”

English Translation:
Then Moses said to Yahweh, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

Verse 12:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer Yahweh elav, “Mi sam peh la’adam, o mi yasum ilem o cheresh o pikei’ach o iver? Halo anochi Yahweh?”

English Translation:
Then Yahweh said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, Yahweh?”

Verse 13:

Phonetic Translation:
“Ve’atah lech, v’anochi eheyeh im picha v’ho’reiticha asher tedaber.”

English Translation:
“Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Verse 14:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayomer, “Bi Adonai, sh’lach na b’yad tishlach.”

English Translation:
But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.”

Verse 15:

Phonetic Translation:
Vayichar af Yahweh b’Moshe vayomer, “Halo Aharon achicha ha-Levi? Yadati ki dabeir y’dabeir hu. V’gam hineh hu yotze likratecha, v’ra’acha v’samach b’libo.”

English Translation:
Then the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Moses, and He said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. And behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.”

Verse 16:

Phonetic Translation:
V’dibarta elav v’samta et ha-d’varim b’fiv, v’anochi eheyeh im picha v’im pihu, v’ho’reiti etchem et asher ta’asun.

English Translation:
“You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you both what to do.”

Verse 17:

Phonetic Translation:
V’et ha-mateh hazeh tikach b’yad’cha, asher ta’aseh bo et ha-otot.

English Translation:
“And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”

Conclusion:

In this extended encounter between Moses and the divine figure at the burning bush, the text presents a series of signs and wonders, including turning a staff into a serpent, making Moses' hand leprous, and turning water into blood. These acts, traditionally viewed as divine miracles, could also be interpreted as acts of a powerful magician manipulating Moses.

By examining the original text and converting it into a phonetic translation and then into English, we can engage more directly with the text and its implications. This method allows us to see the text with fresh eyes, free from the interpretive layers imposed by centuries of rabbinic and theological traditions.

The question remains: Was this truly an encounter with the God of the Hebrew Bible, or was it a magician wielding extraordinary power to convince Moses of his divine mission? Readers are encouraged to reflect on the text and draw their own conclusions.

References and Citations:

1. Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible - The original source text from which the phonetic translation is derived.
2. Septuagint and Vulgate Translations - Early translations of the Hebrew Bible that influenced later versions in Greek and Latin.
3. Talmud and Midrash - Rabbinic interpretations that have shaped much of the traditional understanding of the Hebrew Bible.
4. Phonetic Hebrew Guides - Resources used to accurately convert the Hebrew text into phonetic English.

This article invites readers to reconsider their understanding of key biblical passages by engaging directly with the text, encouraging a deeper exploration of the scriptures that goes beyond traditional translations and interpretations.