A Fine Eye
We thread needles daily... Its difficult and takes patience to do it correctly.
Needle-threading is actually thousands of years old… and is mentioned in Scripture.
Jesus used the term to explain how challenging it is for people with great material wealth to not allow their possessions to hinder their spiritual lives.
We don’t notice his exact statement because this is how it is translated in Western Bibles:
“…It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” [Matt.19:24 / Mk. 10:25 / Lk. 18:25]
Translators mistook the word ‘camel’ for ‘thread’… HOW???
⚪️ In Aramaic (Jesus’ language) ‘camel’ = ܓܐܡܠܐ (gamlo); ‘thread / rope’ = ܓܐܡܠܥ (gamla)
⚪️ In Greek ‘camel’ = κάμηλον (kamilon) ; ‘thread / rope’ = κάμιλος (kamilos)
Their mistake is understandable - takes a fine eye to see the difference (like it takes a fine eye to thread the needle.)
The text reminds us to not allow material possessions hinder our spiritual lives.
But the translators innocent mistake also reminds us that studying Scripture requires an eye for details, so that our perceptions don’t alter what The Scriptures say…
“Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of your accurate handling of the Word of Truth, has no reason to be ashamed of your workmanship.” [2 Tim.2:15]
Anothen🐫
Needle-threading is actually thousands of years old… and is mentioned in Scripture.
Jesus used the term to explain how challenging it is for people with great material wealth to not allow their possessions to hinder their spiritual lives.
We don’t notice his exact statement because this is how it is translated in Western Bibles:
“…It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” [Matt.19:24 / Mk. 10:25 / Lk. 18:25]
Translators mistook the word ‘camel’ for ‘thread’… HOW???
⚪️ In Aramaic (Jesus’ language) ‘camel’ = ܓܐܡܠܐ (gamlo); ‘thread / rope’ = ܓܐܡܠܥ (gamla)
⚪️ In Greek ‘camel’ = κάμηλον (kamilon) ; ‘thread / rope’ = κάμιλος (kamilos)
Their mistake is understandable - takes a fine eye to see the difference (like it takes a fine eye to thread the needle.)
The text reminds us to not allow material possessions hinder our spiritual lives.
But the translators innocent mistake also reminds us that studying Scripture requires an eye for details, so that our perceptions don’t alter what The Scriptures say…
“Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of your accurate handling of the Word of Truth, has no reason to be ashamed of your workmanship.” [2 Tim.2:15]
Anothen🐫
