Chapter 19: Myth—Sexuality Doesn’t Matter

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“Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given

understanding to the heart?” Job 38:36

If you’ve ever wanted to identify a controversial Bible verse in terms of varied translations, Job 38:36 is an interesting choice and the diversity of

translations is mind boggling to me. For example, the NIV and NRSV have “understanding” in the mind. The NIV has “wisdom” in the heart and the NRSV has “wisdom” in the inward parts. The NLT refers to “intuition and instinct.” Other translations like the NJB use a bird analogy, “Who endowed

the ibis [long slender bird related to the herons] with wisdom and gave the cock his intelligence?” Where did that come from? The meaning of the Hebrew appears somewhat unclear, but The Stone Edition Tanach 1 reads:

“[Do you know] who placed wisdom in the innards? Or who

imbued the heart with understanding?” Job 38:36 TAN

You might have thought that this Hebrew translation would settle the issue of where “understanding” resides, but the Jewish Study Bible reads:

“Who put wisdom in the hidden parts? Who gave understanding to the mind?” Job 38:36 JSB

Is it important to know where wisdom and understanding reside? Yes, because God is questioning Job about his human intelligence and what he understands. You should be aware of these translation nuances. I’ll use the NKJV for several reasons. First, it is a known fact that true understanding

never occurs unless an issue actually leaves our mind and gets down into our heart. The heart is where our true belief [understanding] resides and that is why the old adage “take it to heart” gets its common sense meaning.

The NKJV translation is spiritually consistent with Apostle Paul’s teaching on salvation to “Believe in your heart unto righteousness.” Paul knew if you were saved, your actions would change because of a changed understanding in your heart. The NKJV is also consistent with God’s

teaching that the heart is “inclined” [action oriented] towards evil from its youth and Jesus’ teaching that evil [action] comes from within our heart.