Posted by Turkish Delight from 64-66-217-191.stkn.bigvalley.net (64.66.217.191) on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 at 9:09PM :
Yahweh Creates Evil
by James Buckner
The following verses show that Yahweh CREATES evil, that he THREATENS people with evil, and that he SENDS evil spirits, among other things. As you read through these verses (and please don't skim quickly over them), note that these verses make it very clear that Yahweh is RESPONSIBLE for evil, and not simply a passive bystander "allowing" evil to happen.
In the verses that follow, I have substituted the god's name, Yahweh, for "the LORD" and "Elohim" for "God."
I quote the first set of verses in several versions, because the newer translations try to soften the conflict by translating the Hebrew "ra" (evil) as "disaster" or "woe" or "calamity." But it doesn't really matter what English word is used. The hideous effects are the same, and Yahweh claims responsibility for them all.
Isaiah 45:7
NIV: I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and CREATE DISASTER; I, Yahweh, do all these things.
NASB: The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and CREATING CALAMITY; I am Yahweh who does all these.
RSV: I form light and create darkness, I make weal and CREATE WOE, I am Yahweh, who do[es] all these things.
KJV: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and CREATE EVIL: I Yahweh do all these things.
DBY: forming the light and creating darkness, making peace and CREATING EVIL: I, Yahweh, do all these things.
YLT: Forming light, and preparing darkness, Making peace, and PREPARING EVIL, I [am] Yahweh, doing all these things.'
Lamentations 3:38
NIV: Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both CALAMITIES and good things come?
NASB: Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ILL go forth?
RSV: Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and EVIL come?
KJV: Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not EVIL and good?
DBY: Out of the mouth of the Most High doth not there proceed EVIL and good?
YLT: From the mouth of the Most High Go not forth the EVILS and the good.
Jeremiah 26:3
NIV: Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the DISASTER I was planning because of the evil they have done.
NASB: "Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the CALAMITY which I am planning to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.'
RSV: It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the EVIL which I intend to do to them because of their evil doings.
KJV: If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the EVIL, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
DBY: Peradventure they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the EVIL which I purpose to do unto them because of the wickedness of their doings.
YLT: If so be they hearken, and turn back each from his evil way, then I have repented concerning the EVIL that I am thinking of doing to them, because of the evil of their doings.
Additional Citations
Well, I have shown you enough examples of how the modern versions try to soften the original Hebrew word for "evil" by translating it in various ways. I will quote the remaining verses from the RSV, unless otherwise noted, and you can look up what your modern version says if you like:
Jeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the EVIL which I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Jeremiah 32:42 For thus says Yahweh: Just as I have brought all this great EVIL upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them.
Amos 3:6 Does EVIL befall a city, unless Yahweh has done it?
Jeremiah 11:11 Therefore, thus says Yahweh, Behold, I am bringing EVIL upon them which they cannot escape; though they cry to me, I will not listen to them.
Jeremiah 14:16 And the people to whom they are prophesying, Are cast into out-places of Jerusalem, Because of the famine, and of the sword, And they have none burying them, Them, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, And I have poured out upon them this EVIL. (YLT)
Jeremiah 18:11 Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: 'Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I am shaping EVIL against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.
Jeremiah 19:3 You shall say, 'Hear the word of Yahweh, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the Elohim of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such EVIL upon this place that the ears of every one who hears of it will tingle.
Jeremiah 19:15 Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the Elohim of Israel, Behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the EVIL that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words.
Jeremiah 23:12 Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall; for I will bring EVIL upon them in the year of their punishment, says Yahweh.
Jeremiah 26:13 Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of Yahweh your Elohim, and Yahweh will repent of the EVIL which he has pronounced against you.
Jeremiah 35:17 Therefore, thus says Yahweh, the Elohim of hosts, the Elohim of Israel: Behold, I am bringing on Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the EVIL that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered.
Jeremiah 36:31 And I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their iniquity; I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the EVIL that I have pronounced against them, but they would not hear.
Jeremiah 40:2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, "Yahweh your Elohim pronounced this EVIL against this place;
Jeremiah 42:10 If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I repent of the EVIL which I did to you.
Jeremiah 42:17 All the men who set their faces to go to Egypt to live there shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; they shall have no remnant or survivor from the EVIL which I will bring upon them.
Jeremiah 44:2 Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the Elohim of Israel: You have seen all the EVIL that I brought upon Jerusalem and upon all the cities of Judah. Behold, this day they are a desolation, and no one dwells in them,
Jeremiah 45:5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not; for, behold, I am bringing EVIL upon all flesh, says Yahweh; but I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.
Jeremiah 49:37 I will terrify Elam before their enemies, and before those who seek their life; I will bring EVIL upon them, my fierce anger, says Yahweh. I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them;
Jeremiah 51:64 and say, 'Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the EVIL that I am bringing upon her.'" Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
Ezekiel 6:10 And they shall know that I am Yahweh; I have not said in vain that I would do this EVIL to them.
Micah 2:3 Therefore thus says Yahweh: Behold, against this family I am devising EVIL, from which you cannot remove your necks; and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be an evil time.
1 Kings 21:29 Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the EVIL in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the EVIL upon his house.
2 Chronicles 34:24 Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will bring EVIL upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which was read before the king of Judah.
2 Chronicles 34:28 Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the EVIL which I will bring upon this place and its inhabitants.'" And they brought back word to the king.
1 Samuel 16:23 And whenever the EVIL spirit from [the] Elohim was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the EVIL spirit departed from him.
1 Samuel 18:10 And on the morrow an EVIL spirit from [the] Elohim rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;
1 Samuel 19:9 Then an EVIL spirit from Yahweh came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing the lyre.
1 Samuel 16:15 And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, an EVIL spirit from [the] Elohim is tormenting you.
1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an EVIL spirit from Yahweh tormented him.
Micah 1:12 For the inhabitants of Maroth wait anxiously for good, because EVIL has come down from Yahweh to the gate of Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 12:11-12 Thus says Yahweh, 'Behold, I will raise up EVIL against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.'
Judges 9:23 And [the] Elohim sent an EVIL spirit between Abim'elech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abim'elech;
1 Kings 14:10 therefore behold, I will bring EVIL upon the house of Jerobo'am, and will cut off from Jerobo'am every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will utterly consume the house of Jerobo'am, as a man burns up dung until it is all gone.
2 Kings 21:12 therefore thus says Yahweh, the Elohim of Israel, Behold, I am bringing upon Jerusalem and Judah such EVIL that the ears of every one who hears of it will tingle.
Isaiah 31:2 And He also [is] wise, and bringeth in EVIL, And His words He hath not turned aside, And He hath risen against a house of evil doers, And against the help of workers of iniquity. (YLT)
Conclusion
So you can see that the Bible credits Yahweh with responsibility for EVIL. Next time you hear of or personally see or experience a calamity or disaster, or woe, or any other kind of EVIL, the biblical thing for you to do would be to credit Yahweh with it. Disease, starvation, natural catastrophes of all kinds are claimed by Yahweh. According to the Bible, he often sends these pestilences out of revenge, but sometimes he sends them for no reason at all except his caprice.
The old Christian ruse that Yahweh simply "allows" evil to happen cannot stand up to these biblical citations. For the Christian to deny this, he also has to deny the subject-verb grammar of Yahweh's "Word," which is said to have been inspired down to the detail of the individual words chosen by the holy spirit.
So, either the Bible is not inerrant, or Yahweh is responsible for evil, creating it and putting it to use regularly.
-- Turkish Delight
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