![]() ![]() ![]() ‘This does not refer to the perishing of churches with inactive planning committees (a fact which may be true on grounds other than those presented here in this text). 1 Sam 3:1, which speaks of the ‘rarity’ of the Lord’s word in those days.Īs pointed out in HSB, the word translated ‘perish’ in the AV has also led to misunderstanding: It refers to the prophetic vision, revelation which comes as the word of God.’Ĭf. Instead, it is a synonym for the prophetic word itself. ‘However, the word vision does not refer to one’s ability to formulate future goals and plans. And many have taken just that meaning from this text. ‘For many years this proverb has been misinterpreted, probably because the KJV translates it “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” One can infer from that translation that wise groups must have a five-, ten- or twenty-year plan for the future if they do not wish to become defunct as an organization. ‘Social harmony and restraint cannot be achieved without the exhortations of the prophets and the teaching of the law.’ Garrett (NAC) notes that this verse places God’s revelation through the prophetic vision and through the Mosaic law side by side: Put simply, ‘a nation’s well-being depends on obedience to divine revelation.’ (EBC) On the other hand, they certainly would not have understood the word in terms of the modern meaning of ‘an ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.’ It seems more probable to me that the translators presupposed the idea of ‘prophetic vision’, precisely as found in the ESV. I’m not convinced by the argument that the word ‘vision’ has fundamentally changed since the days of the AV translation (as words such as ‘conversation’ certainly have). ‘Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.’ Quoting the entire verse in the ESV helps us to see the true meaning and intent of this proverb: HCSB – Without revelation people run wildĮSV – Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraintĪMP – Where there is no vision, the people perish NKJV – Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint NLT – When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wildĬEV – Without guidance from God law and order disappear NIV – Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint Johnson)Ī glance at a range of modern translations suggests that the true meaning of this verse is rather different: I have been criticized for such statements by people who think I raised hopes that can never be fulfilled, but I believe in the wisdom of the Bible-“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Pr. What matters is that the home be a place for a family to live in health and grow in dignity. ‘Every family in America deserves a decent home, whether a farmhouse or a city apartment, rented or owned, modest or splendid. “Without a vision the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18.’ To accomplish anything you must first have a mission, a goal, a hope, a vision. In other words, your dreams determine your destiny. ‘My imagination influences by aspiration. If people are not focussed on the common goal and are all doing their own thing because of a lack of clarity of vision, you have a tough time getting to the “promised land”.’ It binds those involved in any process together, like the band would bind the hair in the wind. ‘…A clear vision brings focus and direction. In life, people without a vision, do stuff, go home and drift aimlessly in the winds of life through to death. In sports teams without a vision, people come to training, they train, the go home. ‘In companies without a vision people come to work, they do stuff all day, they meet, they go home. With it we baptise and bless our dreams, our plans, our ‘visions’. As Jared Wilson remarks, this verse (in the wording of the Authorised Version) is widely misunderstood and misapplied in the evangelical world. ![]()
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