Matthew 2 Updates
Matthew 2:1
KJV: 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
KJVu: 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem,
Matthew 2:2
KJV: 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
KJVu: 2 saying, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. "
Matthew 2:3
KJV: 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
KJVu: 3 When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all of Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:4
KJV: 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
KJVu: 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where the Christ would be born.
Matthew 2:5
KJV: 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea : for thus it is written by the prophet,
KJVu: 5 And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judaea , for so it is written by the prophet,
Matthew 2:6
KJV: 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda : for out of thee shall come a Governor , that shall rule my people Israel.
KJVu: 6 'And you Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, are not the least among the princes of Juda . For out of you shall come a Governor that shall rule my people , Israel. '"
Matthew 2:7
KJV: 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
KJVu: 7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, diligently inquired of them what time the star appeared.
Matthew 2:8
KJV: 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
KJVu: 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child, and when YOU find him, bring me word, that I may come and worship him also. "
Matthew 2:9
KJV: 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
KJVu: 9 After they heard the king, they departed; and, behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
Notes: "Lo" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G2400 with a Strong’s definition of "look, behold." "Behold" will be more recognizable to the modern reader than "lo", and conveys what they are seeing is more impressive than "look."
Matthew 2:10
KJV: 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
KJVu: 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:11
KJV: 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down , and worshipped him : and when they had opened their treasures , they presented unto him gifts ; gold, and frankincense , and myrrh.
KJVu: 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary , his mother, and fell down and worshipped him . They opened their treasures and presented to him gifts of : gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:12
KJV: 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
KJVu: 12 Having been warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed to their own country another way.
Note: "Into" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1519 with a Strong’s definition of: "to or into (indicating the point reached or entered, of place, time, purpose, result)."
Matthew 2:13
KJV: 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word : for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
KJVu: 13 After they departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word , because Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. "
Matthew 2:14
KJV: 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt :
KJVu: 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt ,
Matthew 2:15
KJV: 15 And was there until the death of Herod : that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet , saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
KJVu: 15 and was there until the death of Herod , that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying, "Out of Egypt I have called my son. "
Matthew 2:16
KJV: 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
KJVu: 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been deceived by the wise men, was furious. He sent orders to kill all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
Note:
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"Mocked" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1702 with a Thayer’s definition of: "to delude, deceive, (Sophocles Ant. 799); in passive Matthew 2:16 (Jeremiah 10:15)." In modern English, "mock" is more of a verbal ridicule. In this instance, "deceived" better fits the circumstances.
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"Exceeding" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G3029 with a Thayer’s definition of: "greatly, exceedingly." "Wroth" Strong’s G2373 means "to be very angry." In modern English, "exceedling, greatly or very angry" is to be "furious." defined as "full of fury, violent passion, or rage; extremely angry; enraged:" on dictionary.com
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"Forth" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G649 with a Thayer’s definition of: "to order (one) to go to a place appointed;" In this instance, "orders" will be more clear to the reader.
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"Enquired" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G198 with a Thayer’s definition of: "to learn exactly, ascertain," or put in modern English "determined."
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As an aside, many translations added "male" or "boys" when describing the children killed, but I did not add it since it was not in the KJV.
Matthew 2:17
KJV: 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
KJVu: 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
Note: "Jeremy" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G2408 with a Strong’s definition of: "Jeremiah, an O.T. prophet." I am not sure why KJV used "Jeremy?" Ἱερεμίας (Ieremias) was translated as "Jeremy" twice (Mat. 2;17 and Mat.27:9) and as "Jeremias" in Mat. 16:14. He is know as "Jeremiah" and I have updated the KJV, as such.
Matthew 2:18
KJV: 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping , and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
KJVu: 18 "In Rama a voice was heard, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are dead."
Notes:
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Most translations change "Rama" to "Ramah," based on Strongs G4471. I chose not to update it and leave it as presented in the KJV since it would not add to the understanding of the verse.
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There is not a direct path via Strong’s from "not" to "dead." However, prescendance is set for "not" to mean "dead." When Joeseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and deceived their father into thinking he was dead due to blood on Joseph’s coat. They then described their brother as "one is not" in Genesis 42:13 and Genesis 42:32. Also, there is the link between the children killed by Herod and the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. The word "dead" was used to add clarity to the verse.
Matthew 2:19
KJV: 19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
KJVu: 19 When Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Matthew 2:20
KJV: 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel : for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
KJVu: 20 saying, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel , for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”
Matthew 2:21
KJV: 21 And he arose , and took the young child and his mother , and came into the land of Israel.
KJVu: 21 And he arose and took the young child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.
Matthew 2:22
KJV: 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee :
KJVu: 22 But when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judaea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee .
Notes:
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"Room" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G473 with a Strong’s definition of: "over against, opposite, instead of." The updating "room of" to "instead of" greatly clarified the meaning of the sentence.
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"Thither" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1563 with a Strong’s definition of: "there, to there." As such, "thither" was updated with "there."
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"Notwithstanding" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1161 with a Strong’s definition of: "but, and, now, (a connective or adversative particle)." In this instance "and" was the most appropriate choice.
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"Aside" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G402 with a Strong’s definition of: "to go back, withdraw." In this instance "withdrew" was used.
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"Parts" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G3313 with a Thayers' definition of: "with the genitive of a province or country, the divisions or regions which make up the land or province, Matthew 2:22; Acts 2:10;." In this instance "region" was used.
Matthew 2:23
KJV: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth : that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
KJVu: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth ; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene. "