Now, and Then
Posted: April 6, 2008 11:47 pmFiled under: Kevin, Uncategorized, reflection
While reading again in the Genesis, I was impressed with several findings.
Consider that in chapter four, beginning with verse one, it reads in part (the New King James version), “Now Adam knew Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain.”
I was curious about why it read, “Now Adam knew Eve.” Why, for example, does it not read ‘”Then Adam knew Eve’”?
In a light-hearted fashion, I can imagine her winking at him, and perhaps saying, ‘come here, big boy… I want you NOW!’
Perhaps that could account for why it is rendered “Now Adam knew Eve.”
But then, I wondered. Why did it not instead read, ‘Then Adam knew Eve’? (As if to imply that he knew her after he did something else.) But perhaps, knowing Eve was the principle thing, and everything else could wait!
I can imagine that I hear the strains of the song which lyrics are in part, “if you don’t know me by now, you will never, never know me…”
When we talk about time, we often use the words, ‘now,’ and ‘then’ to denote the relationship of one event to another, and when they occur. For example, I have now typed these words. I will then continue to express my thoughts.
In the previous sentences, I used the words ‘now’ and ‘then’ to describe action and when it occurred, or will occur, and the two events’ relationship with each other. (The phrase “will then continue” would be the future perfect tense.)
Most would agree that the euphemistic use of the word “knew” by King James translators would or does indicate ’sexual intercourse’. So today, it might read, ‘Now Adam had sexual intercourse with Eve his wife, and she became pregnant.’
Again, I wondered why it did not read ‘then Adam knew Eve’. Perhaps Adam had a difficult day at work? Why the sense of immediacy which is implied by the use of ‘now’?
The Hebrew word which is translated as “knew” is transliterated as “yada”. (Kinda’ gives new meaning to the Seinfeld routine wherein the female character Elaine’s line started the now somewhat common article of speech which is “yada, yada, yada…” meaning that the speaker continues, ad infinitum, or perhaps ad nauseum).
According to Strong’s concordance, the Hebrew word “yada” is a primitive root and conveys a very broad meaning. And, in fact, it does not in any way connote sexuality or sexual behavior, except perhaps, only in a very broad sense. Hence, KJV’s translators use of the word.
Strong’s states in part that “yada” is to know, more properly, to ascertain by seeing, and is used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.), and is multiplied in the senses with acknowledgement, acquainted with, advise, answering, appointing, assuredly, being aware, comprehending, cunning, declaring, being diligent, discerning, discovering, being endued with, familiarity as with a friend, a kinsman, knowledge, having respect, being skillful, understanding and further multiplied by a sense of will and regard or prognostication.
Again, a very broad sense of terms is indicated by “yada”.
As I reviewed further, I observed that numerous chapters in Genesis (in the NKJV) began with either “Now,” or “Then.”
What is the sense of immediacy which is indicated by the use of “now”?
When we use the term “now” we typically mean that it implies a sense of immediacy, or urgency - that an action is being performed. Of course, since the telling of the action, it is that is HAS been performed. However, when we tell stories, we want to convey a sense of presence, of being there in the moment of the occurrence. That’s why we use the word “now” when we tell stories. We want to involve the audience, we want to draw them into our story so that they too can experience what we experienced.
Therefore, we use “now” to convey a sense of, not only immediacy, but of presence at the time of the occurrence.
‘Now’… that we have that cleared away….
Then, we should proceed!
But, where do we go from here?
Now, I was hoping you’d ask that question!
But then, we’ll have to take it moment by moment.
Regards,
Kevin
