It is contrary to the culture for women to be “given in marriage.”

Actually, no, at least here in the UK. It is a standard part of the marriage service for the officiant to ask “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” The person who answers is usually the bride’s father, or another man taking his place, who has just led her up the aisle. At the wedding I went to on Saturday, for the first time I remember, a woman took this part, the bride’s mother because her father had died.

Of course this idea of giving away the bride is purely nominal in most modern practice (although perhaps not in very conservative complementarian homes), but this does show that the concept is not an unknown one.

It’s the same underlying Greek but it’s talking about a completely different matter depending on what translation you read. The main word in question is Strong’s G1061, which means to be GIVEN in marriage, not to marry.

Obviously there is a cultural reason behind the misrepresentation of this passage’s teaching in so many popular Bibles. It is contrary to the culture for women to be “given in marriage.” Nevertheless, this is what the Greek says.

Καθὼς γέγραπται ἐν τῷ Ἠσαΐᾳ τῷ προφήτῃ as “just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet” is a fairly literal translation, and I for one think that Michael has a good point. The phrase is essentially shorthand for “just as it is written in THE SCROLL of Isaiah the prophet.”

The NLT better reflects the original meaning, or at least avoids confusion from literalism, with “just as the prophet Isaiah had written.”

Mark 1:2a (TNIV)
as it is written in Isaiah the prophet
(Καθὼς γέγραπται ἐν τῷ Ἠσαΐᾳ τῷ προφήτῃ)

Am I the only one whose ears don’t like ‘in Isaiah the prophet’? It sounds like something is written inside of him, rather than in the book that he wrote.

Why can’t the ‘ἐν’ be taken as instrumental? – ‘as it is written by Isaiah the prophet’.

Or ‘as it is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet’.

As it is written in Paul or As it is written in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians?

Those fateful words, written in Tolstoy or Those fateful words, written by Tolstoy?

How about this: instead of playing rope-a-dope with the gender issue, embrace it. “Hey all you women out there, this translation actually acknowledges you’re a part of the Kingdom and were considered important to the church in the 1st Century.

Blitz the folks. Come up with a paper back edition that could be given away and then actually give it away! Every person that I have suggested check out the TNIV, has liked it better.

Go Apple on the NIV. Listen folks it’s time to upgrade, we have a better edition and support for the old one is over as of December 2009.

Go on Offense – It is high time to confront Dobson, Grudem and the gang – they were guilty of bearing false witness against a brother. The TNIV would be helped tremendously if even one of them came and admitted they were wrong.