The truth about a lying baby

Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: [kjv]

και εγενετο ως ηκουσεν τον ασπασμον της μαριας η ελισαβετ εσκιρτησεν το βρεφος εν τη κοιλια αυτης και επλησθη πνευματος αγιου η ελισαβετ [gnt]

2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [kjv]

και ηλθαν σπευσαντες και ανευραν την τε μαριαμ και τον ιωσηφ και το βρεφος κειμενον εν τη φατνη [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "βρέφος" ≈ "unborn baby, baby, infant". Notice that the Greek word does not distinguish between a fetus in the womb and a baby that has been born.

The modern Greek word "βρέφος" (VREH-fos) ≈ "baby, infant" has the same meaning today as in Bible times.

Luke 1:41

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KJV: And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Greek: και εγενετο ως ηκουσεν η ελισαβετ τον ασπασμον της μαριας η ελισαβετ εσκιρτησεν το βρεφος εν τη κοιλια αυτης και επλησθη πνευματος αγιου η ελισαβετ

Latin: et factum est ut audivit salutationem Mariae Elisabeth exultavit infans in utero eius et repleta est Spiritu Sancto Elisabeth

Wessex: Ða waes ge-worðen. þa helisabeth ge-herde maRie gretinge. þa ge-fagene þaet chyld on hire innoðe. aend þa warð elisabeth halgen gaste ge-fylled.

Luther: Und es begab sich, als Elisabeth den Gruß Marias hörete, hüpfete das Kind in ihrem Leibe. Und Elisabeth ward des Heiligen Geistes voll

Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. [kjv]

ιδου γαρ ως εγενετο η φωνη του ασπασμου σου εις τα ωτα μου εσκιρτησεν εν αγαλλιασει το βρεφος εν τη κοιλια μου [gnt]

Luke 1:44

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KJV: For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Greek: ιδου γαρ ως εγενετο η φωνη του ασπασμου σου εις τα ωτα μου εσκιρτησεν εν αγαλλιασει το βρεφος εν τη κοιλια μου

Latin: ecce enim ut facta est vox salutationis tuae in auribus meis exultavit in gaudio infans in utero meo

Wessex: Sone swa þinre gretinge stefne on minan earen ge-worðan waes. þa fagenede min chyld on minen innoðe.

Luther: Siehe, da ich die Stimme deines Grußes hörete, hüpfete mit Freuden das Kind in meinem Leibe.

The the Old English word "cild" ≈ "fetus, infant" meant a unborn or newly born person. The Old English word "child" ≈ "fetus, infant" was a variant spelling.

The Latin word "infans" ≈ "baby, infant" is used here and elsewhere in the same sense as the Greek.

The English military term "infantry" for "foot soldier" comes from the French word "infantrie" ≈ "infantry, foot soldiers" which comes from the Spanish word "infanteria" ≈ "infantry, foot soldiers" which comes from the Latin word "infantem" ≈ "infants".

The previous Middle English word for infantry was "going folc" ≈ "foot soldiers" meaning, literally, "going folk".

The Middle English word "folc" ≈ "people, folk".
The German word "das Volk" ≈ "people, folk".

With the date change from December 5 to December 24 (Christmas Eve), many Christian leaders of Europe, especially Martin Luther, did not want Saint Nicholas overshadowing Jesus at Christmas. In Germany parents were to use terms like "Christkindl".

The German word "das Kind" ≈ "the child". A "kindergarten" is a "garden for children". The lowercase "L" at the end of "Christkindl" is a form of diminutive.

Going through Dutch, "Kriskind" becomes "Kris Kringle".

[grammatical gender]

More: Diminutives

More: The doctrine of Santa Claus

Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [kjv]

και εγενετο οτε ετελεσεν ο ιησους τους λογους τουτους εξεπλησσοντο οι οχλοι επι τη διδαχη αυτου [gnt]

Matthew 7:28

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KJV: And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Greek: και εγενετο οτε συνετελεσεν ετελεσεν ο ιησους τους λογους τουτους εξεπλησσοντο οι οχλοι επι τη διδαχη αυτου

Wessex: Ða waes ge-worðen þa se haelend þas word laerde & ge-endode. þa wundrede þaet folc. hys lare.

Wycliffe: And it was doon, whanne Jhesus hadde endid these wordis, the puple wondride on his techyng;

Luther: Und es begab sich, da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte, entsetzte sich das Volk über seine Lehre.

The above uses are for an unborn baby. The next uses are for the newly born baby.

Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [kjv]

και τουτο υμιν σημειον ευρησετε βρεφος εσπαργανωμενον και κειμενον εν φατνη [gnt]

… infantem … praesepio [v]

… chyld … binne … [wes]

… yong child … cratche. [wy]

… Kind … Krippe … [lu]

The Latin word "praesepio" ≈ "manger, stall" but can also mean obstacle or barricade.

The Old English word "binne" ≈ "bin, manger".

The Middle English word "cratche" ≈ "manger" (other meanings relate to "scratch").

The German word "Krippe" ≈ "crib" and is related to the English word "crib".

Luke 2:12

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KJV: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Greek: και τουτο υμιν το σημειον ευρησετε βρεφος εσπαργανωμενον και κειμενον εν τη φατνη

Latin: et hoc vobis signum invenietis infantem pannis involutum et positum in praesepio

Wessex: And þis taken eow beoð. Ge findað an chyld raeglen be-wunden. & on binne aleigð.

Wycliffe: And this is a tokene to you; ye schulen fynde a yong child wlappid in clothis, and leid in a cratche.

Luther: Und das habt zum Zeichen: Ihr werdet finden das Kind in Windeln gewickelt und in einer Krippe liegen.

Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [kjv]

και ηλθαν σπευσαντες και ανευραν την τε μαριαμ και τον ιωσηφ και το βρεφος κειμενον εν τη φατνη [gnt]

[shepherds leaving the sheep, compare 1 of 99 sheep leaving the man/shepherd]

In English, commas can be important. In the above verse, without the commas one might interpret the verse as meaning that "Mary, Joseph and the baby were (all) lying in the manger".

Luke 2:16
Strong	Used	Unique	Word	Part of speech
G2532	8954	8954	και	conjunction
G2064	624	7	ηλθαν	verb 2nd person aorist active indicative 3rd person plural
G4692	6	1	σπευσαντες	verb aorist active participle nominative plural masculine
G2532	8954	8954	και	conjunction
G429	2	1	ανευραν	verb 2nd person aorist active indicative 3rd person plural
G3588	19706	1518	την	article accusative singular feminine
G5037	214	214	τε	participle
G3137	54	28	μαριαμ	noun Primary
G2532	8954	8954	και	conjunction
G3588	19706	1561	τον	article accusative singular masculine
G2501	35	34	ιωσηφ	noun Primary
G2532	8954	8954	και	conjunction
G3588	19706	1690	το	article accusative singular neuter
G1025	8	4	βρεφος	noun accusative singular neuter
G2749	23	3	κειμενον	verb present middle or passive deponent participle accusative singular neuter
G1722	2735	2735	εν	preposition
G3588	19706	878	τη	article dative singular feminine
G5336	4	3	φατνη	noun dative singular feminine

Luke 2:16

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KJV: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Greek: και ηλθον ηλθαν σπευσαντες και ανευρον ανευραν την τε μαριαμ και τον ιωσηφ και το βρεφος κειμενον εν τη φατνη

Latin: et venerunt festinantes et invenerunt Mariam et Ioseph et infantem positum in praesepio

Wessex: & hyo efstende comen & ge-metton marian & Ioseph aend þaet chyld on binne aleigd.

Wycliffe: And thei hiyynge camen, and founden Marie and Joseph, and the yong child leid in a cratche.

Luther: Und sie kamen eilend und fanden beide, Maria und Joseph, dazu das Kind in der Krippe liegen.

John 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. [kjv]

και παρακυψας βλεπει κειμενα τα οθονια ου μεντοι εισηλθεν [gnt]

John 20:5

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KJV: And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Greek: και παρακυψας βλεπει κειμενα τα οθονια ου μεντοι εισηλθεν

John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, [kjv]

ερχεται ουν και σιμων πετρος ακολουθων αυτω και εισηλθεν εις το μνημειον και θεωρει τα οθονια κειμενα [gnt]

John 20:6

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KJV: Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Greek: ερχεται ουν και σιμων πετρος ακολουθων αυτω και εισηλθεν εις το μνημειον και θεωρει τα οθονια κειμενα

Thus, the ending used disambiguates, to use a Wikipedia term, the intended meaning.

The Greek «κειμενον» is 3rd person singular.
The Greek «κειμενα» is 3rd person plural.

Thus only one of Mary, Joseph or the baby were lying in the manger. The closest noun is "baby". In English,

Since English uses the same word sense of "lying" for both cases, the comma helps disambiguate the intended meaning, limiting the mis-interpretation of the text.

Matthew 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? [kjv]

μωρο ι και τυφλοι τις γαρ μειζων εστιν ο χρυσος η ο ναος ο αγιασας τον χρυσον [gnt]

Matthew 23:17

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KJV: Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Greek: μωροι και τυφλοι τις γαρ μειζων εστιν ο χρυσος η ο ναος ο αγιαζων αγιασας τον χρυσον

Latin: stulti et caeci quid enim maius est aurum an templum quod sanctificat aurum

Wessex: Eale ge desigen & blindan hwaeðer ys mare ðe þt gold þe þt tempel þe þt gold halgað.

Wycliffe: Ye foolis and blynde, for what is grettere, the gold, or the temple that halewith the gold?

Tyndale: Ye foles and blinde? whether is greater the golde or the teple that sanctifieth ye golde.

Today, the modern Greek word "μωρό" (mo-RO) ≈ "baby, infant" is more common and is the origin of the English word "moron" as someone who (originally) exhibited "baby" or "infant" behavior. This was the meaning in Bible times.

The ancient Greek word as "slow", "dull", "foolish" is possibly related to the Sanskrit word "मूर" (mu-ra) ≈ "slow, stupid, foolish" which is the source of the Hindi word "मूढ़" (woodh) ≈ "foolish".

Here are some English words related to the ancient Greek "μωρός" for "foolish".

"moron" as someone who is slow and not very bright and often considered a synonym of "fool".,
"oxymoron" as "sharply stupid" as in a contradiction of terms, where the "oxy" is the source of the "oxy" in "oxygen"
"sophomore" as "wise fool" as the second year student (high school, college) who knows enough to appear foolish

The ancient Greek words "μωρός" (mo-ROS) ≈ "dull, stupid, foolish" and "σοφός" (so-FOS) ≈ "wise" appear together in a verse in two places in the Bible, the second in a negative sense as "not wise".

Might the Greek word for "moron" which became "baby" have any relationship to an understanding of the kid goats in the parable of the sheep and goats?

More: Matthew 25: 31-46 Parable of the sheep and goats

1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [kjv]

οτι το μωρον του θεου σοφωτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν και το ασθενες του θεου ισχυροτερον των ανθρωπων [gnt]

1 Corinthians 1:25

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KJV: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Greek: οτι το μωρον του θεου σοφωτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν και το ασθενες του θεου ισχυροτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν

Latin: quia quod stultum est Dei sapientius est hominibus et quod infirmum est Dei fortius est hominibus

Wycliffe: For that that is foli thing of God, is wiser than men; and that that is the feble thing of God, is strengere than men.

Tyndale: For the folishnes of God is wyser then me: and the weakenes of God is stronger then men.

1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. [kjv]

μηδεις εαυτον εξαπατατω ει τις δοκει σοφος ειναι εν υμιν εν τω αιωνι τουτω μωρος γενεσθω ινα γενηται σοφος [gnt]

1 Corinthians 3:18

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KJV: Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Greek: μηδεις εαυτον εξαπατατω ει τις δοκει σοφος ειναι εν υμιν εν τω αιωνι τουτω μωρος γενεσθω ινα γενηται σοφος

Latin: nemo se seducat si quis videtur inter vos sapiens esse in hoc saeculo stultus fiat ut sit sapiens

Wycliffe: No man disseyue hym silf. If ony man among you is seyn to be wiys in this world, be he maad a fool, that he be wijs.

Tyndale: Let no man deceave him silfe. Yf eny man seme wyse amonge you let him be a fole in this worlde that he maye be wyse.

Luther: Niemand betrüge sich selbst! Welcher sich unter euch dünkt, weise zu sein, der werde ein Narr in dieser Welt, daß er möge weise sein.

Deuteronomy 32:6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? [kjv]

ταυτα κυριω ανταποδιδοτε ουτω λαος μωρο ς και ουχι σοφος ουκ αυτος ουτος σου πατηρ εκτησατο σε και εποιησεν σε και εκτισεν σε [lxx]

Deuteronomy 32:6

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KJV: Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

Hebrew: ה ליהוה תגמלו זאת עם נבל ולא חכם הלוא הוא אביך קנך הוא עשך ויכננך׃

Greek: ταυτα κυριω ανταποδιδοτε ουτω λαος μωρος και ουχι σοφος ουκ αυτος ουτος σου πατηρ εκτησατο σε και εποιησεν σε και εκτισεν σε

Latin: haecine reddis Domino popule stulte et insipiens numquid non ipse est pater tuus qui possedit et fecit et creavit te

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. [kjv]

προ του με πλασαι σε εν κοιλια επισταμαι σε και προ του σε εξελθειν εκ μητρας ηγιακα σε προφητην εις εθνη τεθεικα σε [lxx]

… formarem … utero … vulva … [v]

When does life begin?
When does life end?
What exactly is time?

More: Infinity beyond experience