Re: what is sin?

fergus wrote:
On Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:37:10 +0100, Alec Brady <alec.brady@xxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Because the English word "sin" implies a conscious act..

It certainly never used to. It meant missing the target, as in
archery. Something which could be done while trying one's best to hit
it.

Besides, it is not the translators who are at fault. It's what the
Hebrew says.

Where does the Hebrew say "sin"?

The Hebrew word "chet" has the same idea of missing the mark. There
are other Hebrew words which imply deliberate rebellion or
disobedience.

It is better transliterated as "hata" or "chata", I think.
Strongs defines it thus:
A primitive root; properly to miss; hence (figuratively and generally)
to sin; by inference to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively)
lead astray, condemn: - bear the blame, cleanse, commit [sin], by
fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend (-er), offer for
sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin
(-ful, -ness), trespassive

Brown-Driver-Briggs says this (though I don't understans all of what
follows!):
1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify
from uncleanness
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to miss
1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty
1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to bear loss
1b2) to make a sin-offering
1b3) to purify from sin
1b4) to purify from uncleanness
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to miss the mark
1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin
1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way
1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness

It would seem that the English meaning of sin as missing the mark means
that "sin" is an excellent translation of "chata."

If, subsequently, we English speakers have developed the word to mean
something different, we can hardly blame the Bible for that. Equally if
the Church in its teaching has determined a different definition for
"sin". In that case the church would have departed from Scripture.
.

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