Does gender mismatch equal gender confusion in Hebrew Revelation? When I discovered the grammar anomalies, I believed it to be true. The Benai Emunah Gospel Translation Team has been working diligently on translating the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) into English. Two of the manuscripts we worked on are the Cambridge Oo.1.16.2 and the Gaster 1616. The Gaster 1616 is a copy of the Cambridge and together we refer to them as the Cochin manuscript since they were found in Cochin, India in a synagogue of the Black Jews.
The Secrets
Interestingly, the Hebrew title for the Cochin manuscript book of Revelation, is הסודות (hasodot), meaning The Mysteries or The Secrets. Although the Hebrew Revelation contains many mysteries, the translation team discovered some anomalies appearing to correlate with today’s world events, specifically with gender confusion.
Notice that Revelation 17:7 tells us there are secrets to be revealed.
“The angel said to me, ‘From what there be this amazement? I want to tell the secret of the woman and the beast she sat upon, and for what reason there are seven heads and ten horns.’”1 Revelation 17:7
At first glance, it appears the “secrets” were revealed from verses 15 through 18 with the explanation of the seven mountains being the seven angels the woman dwells upon. However, Revelation 17:9 says, “it is a word that needs complete wisdom and understanding.” In other words, we need to study these verses and grammar carefully in prayer.
Two Secrets Revealed
Next, consider that John the Revelator is describing two secrets to be revealed, (1) Secrets about the woman and the beast, and (2) why there are seven heads and ten horns. One of the points I make to the translation team is the mysteries are hidden in the Hebrew grammar; this proved true when translating Revelation chapters 13, and 17. Specifically, verses 13:2, 13:12,13-17, 13:19, 17:3-6, 17:8-9, 17:11, 17:15, and 17:18 have gender mismatches between the noun, verbs, and adjectives. Other places in the manuscript, the scribe demonstrates he is able to adjust the verbs and nouns appropriately.
והאשה היה לבוש במלבוש אדום כמראה שושנים ועליה היה הרבה זהב ואבנים טובות ומרגליות וכוס של זהב בידה מלא טמאות׃
“And the woman (he) was clothed in red garments like the appearance of lilies and upon her was much gold and goodly stones of gems and a golden cup in her hand, (he was) full with uncleanness.”1 Revelation 17:4 (emphasis mine)
Notice the verb (לבוש – lavush) is a Qal participle passive, masculine singular verb meaning, “clothed” or “one who was clothed” and also (מלא – male) is a Qal participle active, masculine singular verb meaning “full” or “One who is full”. Both verbs are masculine singular and do not match the gender of the noun it reflects (i.e. the woman). The first time I read Revelation 17:4, I laughed because I envisioned a woman wearing men’s red garments!
The Woman – Who Is He?
Secondly, consider that Revelation 17:9 tell Yehovah’s servants that we need wisdom and understanding to perceive the mystery.
ובכאן יש דבר שצריך שכל וחכמה ותבונה השבעה ראשים המה שבעה הרים שהאשה יושב עליה ואילו המה שבעה מלאכים׃
“And here is a word that needs complete wisdom and understanding: the seven heads are seven mountains which the woman (he) dwells upon and which are the Seven Angels!”1
Again, the word for dwelling (יושב – yoshev) is a Qal active participle, masculine singular verb does not match noun, the woman. And this pattern is repeated again in Revelation 17:15 שישב הזונה – “…the whore (he) dwells…”
Nevertheless, my instinct is to never call an incorrect grammar gendering an ‘error’ until I have another witness with a second manuscript to confirm that it is, in fact, an error. However, it appears the scribe is either struggling with Hebrew gender matching or this was purposeful. When I revealed this information to my friend Kay, she said, “This appears to be a gender confusion problem!”
Gender Confusion In America
Meanwhile in America, we are facing challenges with the LGBQTIA ideology imposed upon the population. Could the Cochin Revelation be describing events we see today? Were these Hebrew gender mismatch spelling errors, or were they directed by Yehovah to reveal mysteries of future events? You be the judge.
More importantly, Yehovah gave John the vision in Revelation as a message to the future servants of God (Rev 1:1) as a warning and as encouragement. Misgendering in Hebrew is not always a concern. However, in this particular case there appears to be a prophetic picture of the days we face with the LGBQTIA ideology being imposed upon the people. Yehovah clearly does not want his people endorsing such ideals.2
Furthermore, Yehovah wants His servants to know the mysteries; but more importantly, the victory of the Lamb of Yehovah! Does gender mismatch equal gender confusion? This could be the reason for the anomalies identified in the Cochin Revelation, or perhaps, it’s coincidental. Personally, I consider the grammatical anomalies as warnings and diligently seek Yehovah. And may Yehovah’s people seek his secret counsel, for the victory is Yehovah’s!
Shout outs:
English editors: Pam Lutzker, Juli Ocean and Janet Flores
Hebrew/English translation editor: Jenny Webster
[1] Quotations of the verses in Revelation are taken from the Benai Emunah Team translation of the Cambridge Gaster 1616 and Cochin Oo.16.2 manuscripts, collectively referred to as the Cochin manuscript, currently unpublished.
[2]What Does the Bible Say About Transgenderism? (thegospelcoalition.org)
Very interesting article. To claim the message was a mistake is like saying the writer, at that time, was sloppy and not investing respect for the accuracy and value
of the document.
Thank you for sharing. Elaine
It is an interesting thought. Thank you for your comment.
Do you think the wide spread ‘gender confusion’ is connected to Dan. 11:37?
Shalom, Anita. Thank you for your response. After doing a more thorough analysis of the Cochin Revelation, it appears that John is not a skilled writer. I will have more coming out soon, but according to Acts 4:13, Peter and John are not educated and most likely is not skilled in the Hebrew grammar. Stay tuned for more details!