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A mania for confusing commotions
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640
1. A mania for confusing commotions
How might "confusion" relate to "peace"?

This is not the "confusion", or "confounding", of tongues at Babel in Genesis 11.
2. The original Babel and Babylon
The original Babel was at the tower of Babel after the flood of Noah. It was here that the Lord confused their languages.

Verse routeGenesis 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. [kjv]
Verse route … בבל … בלל … [he]
Verse routeδια τουτο εκληθη το ονομα αυτης συγχυσις οτι εκει συνεχεεν κυριος τα χειλη πασης της γης και εκειθεν διεσπειρεν αυτους κυριος ο θεος επι προσωπον πασης της γης [lxx]

From the Tower of Babel, somewhere in ancient Mesopotamia about 2200 B.C., groups of people spread throughout the world.

Information sign More: The original Babel and Babylon
3. A mania for confusing commotions
At the Tower of Babel, God confused the tongues of man. The name "Babel" means "confusion". This becomes clear in the LXX (Septuagint) where the word for "Babel" is the ancient Greek word "συηχυσις" ≈ "confusion".
Verse routeGenesis 11:9 On this account its name was called Confusion, because there the Lord confounded the languages of all the earth, and thence the Lord scattered them upon the face of all the earth. [bs3]

(Brenton Septuagint translation)
4. Genesis 11:9
   Genesis 11:9 
 All 
KJV: Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Hebrew: על כן קרא שמה בבל כי שם בלל יהוה שפת כל הארץ ומשם הפיצם יהוה על פני כל הארץ׃
Greek: δια τουτο εκληθη το ονομα αυτης συγχυσις οτι εκει συνεχεεν κυριος τα χειλη πασης της γης και εκειθεν διεσπειρεν αυτους κυριος ο θεος επι προσωπον πασης της γης
Brenton: On this account its name was called Confusion, because there the Lord confounded the languages of all the earth, and thence the Lord scattered them upon the face of all the earth.
Latin: et idcirco vocatum est nomen eius Babel quia ibi confusum est labium universae terrae et inde dispersit eos Dominus super faciem cunctarum regionum
Wycliffe: And therfor the name therof was clepid Babel, for the langage of al erthe was confoundide there; and fro thennus the Lord scaterede hem on the face of alle cuntrees.
5. A mania for confusing commotion
Verse routeActs 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. [kjv]
Verse routeταυτα δε αυτου απολογουμενου ο φηστος μεγαλη τη φωνη φησιν μαινη παυλε τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει [gnt]
Verse route… insaniam … [v]

Can too much learning actually make one "mad", as in a "maniac"?

The confusion of interest here is not exactly a mania. Is it? The ancient Greek word "μανία" ≈ "madness, frenzy" and appears to have a PIE root prefix of "man" which relates to the mind (e.g., "mental", etc.). How does it fit in the following verses?

The modern Greek word "μανία" (ma-NEE-a) ≈ "mania"
6. Acts 26:24
   Acts 26:24 
 All 
KJV: And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Greek: ταυτα δε αυτου απολογουμενου ο φηστος μεγαλη τη φωνη εφη φησιν μαινη παυλε τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει
Latin: haec loquente eo et rationem reddente Festus magna voce dixit insanis Paule multae te litterae ad insaniam convertunt
Wycliffe: Whanne he spak these thingis, and yeldide resoun, Festus seide with greet vois, Poul, thou maddist; many lettris turnen thee to woodnesse.
Tyndale: As he thus answered for him selfe: Festus sayde with a lowde voyce: Paul thou arte besides thy selfe. Moche learnynge hath made the mad.
7. Strongs - mania
8. Strongs - mania
Word usage per chapter Words: μανιαν

*G3130 *1 μανία (man-ee'-ah) : from G3105; craziness:--(+ make) X mad.
9. Commotion
Verse routeLuke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. [kjv]
Verse routeοταν δε ακουσητε πολεμους και ακαταστασιας μη πτοηθητε δει γαρ ταυτα γενεσθαι πρωτον αλλ ουκ ευθεως το τελος [gnt]
Verse route… seditiones … [v]

Here we are more interested in the idea not of confusion or mania, but of commotion, turmoil, etc. The modern Greek word "ακαταστασία" (a-ka-ta-sta-SEE-a) ≈ "commotion, turmoil".

Whenever a word has many variations of translation, there may be some interesting concepts and/or meanings in the underlying text.

Jesus uses this word in the Olivet Discourse where he talks about the "end times".
10. Luke 21:9
   Luke 21:9 
 All 
KJV: But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Greek: οταν δε ακουσητε πολεμους και ακαταστασιας μη πτοηθητε δει γαρ ταυτα γενεσθαι πρωτον αλλ ουκ ευθεως το τελος
Latin: cum autem audieritis proelia et seditiones nolite terreri oportet primum haec fieri sed non statim finis
Wycliffe: And whanne ye schulen here batailis and stryues with ynne, nyle ye be aferd; it bihoueth first these thingis to be don, but not yit anoon is an ende.
Tyndale: But when ye heare of warre and of dissencion: be not afrayd. For these thinges must fyrst come: but the ende foloweth not by and by.
Luther: Wenn ihr aber hören werdet von Kriegen und Empörungen, so entsetzet euch nicht. Denn solches muß zuvor geschehen; aber das Ende ist noch nicht so bald da.
11. Commotions
The various translations of the Greek word «ακαταστασία» indicates that the term may need some clarification.
12. Situation
Verse route1 Samuel 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι ειπεν εν εμοι κυριε ζη η ψυχη σου εγω η γυνη η καταστασα ενωπιον σου εν τω προσευξασθαι προς κυριον [lxx]

The modern Greek word "κατάσταση" (ka-TA-sta-see) ≈ "condition, situation" as in a stable condition or situation.

The LXX meaning of the word is of "standing by", in the past tense in the following verse.

Negating the root with a prefix of «α» has the meaning of "not a stable condition" or "not a stable situation" resulting in translations of "commotion", "tumult", etc.
13. 1 Samuel 1:26
   1 Samuel 1:26 
 All 
KJV: And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
Hebrew: ותאמר בי אדני חי נפשך אדני אני האשה הנצבת עמכה בזה להתפלל אל יהוה׃
Greek: και ειπεν εν εμοι κυριε ζη η ψυχη σου εγω η γυνη η καταστασα ενωπιον σου εν τω προσευξασθαι προς κυριον
14. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Peace and confusion
Chess piecesThe word "peace" can be hard to define and is left for another time. Perhaps that can "appease" you for the time being. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:33, contrasts "peace" with "confusion" as in "commotions". The Greek is, literally "not standing down".

Verse route1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. [kjv]
Verse routeου γαρ εστιν ακαταστασιας ο θεος αλλα ειρηνης ως εν πασαις ταις εκκλησιαις των αγιων [gnt]
Verse route… dissensionis … pacis … [v]


The meaning of "not following the established rules" as in "making one's own rules" could be used for the term "lawlessness" - which in English can mean "anarchy" or "commotion" or "confusion". However, there is a Greek word for this idea (and is associated with the opposite of "peace" by Paul) in 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Information sign More: Against the law: out-law or in-law
Information sign More: The original Babel and Babylon
15. 1 Corinthians 14:33
   1 Corinthians 14:33 
 All 
KJV: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Greek: ου γαρ εστιν ακαταστασιας ο θεος αλλ αλλα ειρηνης ως εν πασαις ταις εκκλησιαις των αγιων
Latin: non enim est dissensionis Deus sed pacis sicut in omnibus ecclesiis sanctorum
Wycliffe: for whi God is not of discencioun, but of pees; as in alle chirchis of hooli men`Y teche.
Tyndale: For God is not causer of stryfe: but of peace as he is in all other congregacions of the saynctes.
Luther: Denn Gott ist, nicht ein Gott der Unordnung, sondern des Friedens wie in allen Gemeinden der Heiligen.
16. Strongs - commotion
17. Strongs - commotion
Word usage per chapter Words: ακαταστασια ακαταστασιαι ακαταστασιαις ακαταστασιας=2

*G181 *5 ἀκαταστασία (ak-at-as-tah-see'-ah) : from G182; instability, i.e. disorder:--commotion, confusion, tumult.
18. Strongs - peace
19. Strongs - peace
Word usage per chapter Words: ειρηνη=47 ειρηνην=25 ειρηνης=19

*G1515 *90 εἰρήνη (i-ray'-nay) : probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
20. Tumults
Verse route2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; [kjv]
Verse routeεν πληγαις εν φυλακαις εν ακαταστασιαις εν κοποις εν αγρυπνιαις εν νηστειαις [gnt]
Verse route… seditionibus … [v]

In several places, the word "tumult" is used as a translation.
21. 2 Corinthians 6:5
   2 Corinthians 6:5 
 All 
KJV: In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
Greek: εν πληγαις εν φυλακαις εν ακαταστασιαις εν κοποις εν αγρυπνιαις εν νηστειαις
Latin: in plagis in carceribus in seditionibus in laboribus in vigiliis in ieiuniis
Luther: in Schlägen, in Gefängnissen, in Aufruhren, in Arbeit, in Wachen, in Fasten,
22. Tumults
Verse route2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: [kjv]
Verse routeφοβουμαι γαρ μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας καγω ευρεθω υμιν οιον ου θελετε μη πως ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι καταλαλιαι ψιθυρισμοι φυσιωσεις ακαταστασιαι [gnt]
Verse route… dissensiones … seditiones … [v]

The same word is used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:20.
23. 2 Corinthians 12:20
   2 Corinthians 12:20 
 All 
KJV: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Greek: φοβουμαι γαρ μηπως μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας καγω ευρεθω υμιν οιον ου θελετε μηπως ερεις ζηλοι μη πως ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι καταλαλιαι ψιθυρισμοι φυσιωσεις ακαταστασιαι
Latin: timeo enim ne forte cum venero non quales volo inveniam vos et ego inveniar a vobis qualem non vultis ne forte contentiones aemulationes animositates dissensiones detractiones susurrationes inflationes seditiones sint inter vos
24. James
Verse routeJames 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. [kjv]
Verse routeοπου γαρ ζηλος και εριθεια εκει ακαταστασια και παν φαυλον πραγμα [gnt]
Verse route… zelus … contentio … inconstantia … [v]

James uses the same term in James 3:16, using the same word for "strife" as Paul uses in the above verse.
25. James 3:16
   James 3:16 
 All 
KJV: For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Greek: οπου γαρ ζηλος και εριθεια εκει ακαταστασια και παν φαυλον πραγμα
Latin: ubi enim zelus et contentio ibi inconstantia et omne opus pravum
Wycliffe: For where is enuye and strijf, there is vnstidfastnesse and al schrewid werk.
26. Socialism
Socialism can be considered a humanistic and atheistic attempt to replace God with human rule. So are these aspects of "commotion", "tumult", etc., the opposite, or antithesis, of "peace" (in a Biblical sense).
27. Proverbs
Verse routeProverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. [kjv]
Verse routeγλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας [lxx]

Finally, there is an interesting verse in Proverbs 26:28 where the LXX appears to have a different content than the KJV (King James Version) which is based on the Hebrew. This may be the result of an idiom but it is still interesting.
28. Proverbs 26:28
   Proverbs 26:28 
 All 
KJV: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Hebrew: לשון שקר ישנא דכיו ופה חלק יעשה מדחה׃
Greek: γλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας
Latin: lingua fallax non amat veritatem et os lubricum operatur ruinas
29. First part
Verse routeProverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. [kjv]
Verse routeγλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας [lxx]

Both parts of the verse in the KJV vary from the LXX.

The first part reads as follows: "A lying tongue hates the truthful mouth" with the contrast between "false" and "true" and between "tongue" and "mouth".
30. Latin
For "flattering" the Latin word "lubricus" ≈ "slippery, slimy" which is the source of the English word "lubricate".
31. A peace of the mouth of the sword
Verse routeRevelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εχων εν τη δεξια χειρι αυτου αστερας επτα και εκ του στοματος αυτου ρομφαια διστομος οξεια εκπορευομενη και η οψις αυτου ως ο ηλιος φαινει εν τη δυναμει αυτου [gnt]

Sword horizontalThe ancient Greek word "στόμα" ≈ "mouth" and could mean the "face", source of a body of water, opening in the earth, the front opening of something, etc. An interesting idiom in the Greek is that of letting the "mouth of the sword" do the talking. This might be similar to saying "let my sword do the talking".

The "sword" here is, literally, a "two" "mouth" "sword".

Information sign More: A peace of the mouth of the sword
32. Second part
Verse routeProverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. [kjv]
Verse routeγλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας [lxx]

The second part of the LXX appears to say the following. This could be an idiom as the KJV from the Hebrew is not clear here.

The verse may be an idiom of the form of "a mouth without a roof makes instability".
33. Roofs
HouseMany words for "roof" or "covering" come from the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "*STEG, *TEG" ≈ "cover" such as the English word "deck", the English word "thatch" and the English word "toga".
34. End of page
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640