Biblical translation error: Is this the tip of a scriptural iceberg?

Question

"The deaf adder stoppeth her ears, and will not hearken to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely” (Psalm lviii. 4, 5)

Snakes have no external ear to stop, and ZERO tympanic activity. It seems unlikely that snakes can hear airborne sounds at all, though doubtless they are sensitive to ground vibrations transmitted through the bones of the jaw.

So the Psalm has clearly been mis-reported-- mistranslated or badly transcribed.

I wonder how the real, original, uncensored Bible would have it rendered? We may possibly never know. Until one is discovered in crypt or cave, we shall have to make due with the current Bible, flawed though it clearly is.

Answer 1

Deaf adder refers to the hearing impaired girl at the temple money changer check-out who wouldn't flirt with Jesus, knowing he was gay.

Answer 2

it is true that many of the words written in ancient aramaic have been mistranslated because it is a very contextual language and whatever creature was trying to be used as an analogy was confused....just goes to show that literal interpretations of a complex poetic historical work such as the bible are fraught with problems...it was intended to convey meaning to the contemporaries it was written for and the writers were not anticipating its translation and interpretation by a modern day foreign language

Answer 3

Now you don't know any of what say to be a fact. You don't know snakes can't hear. You are repeating what you have been taught based on your understanding today. They may be more advanced than you are aware. So, I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket.

Answer 4

I think " the deaf adder " is just a metaphor and
not to be taken literally

Answer 5

There are very few, if any, genuine scholars who consider the bible to be much more than a book of mythology.

Bible thumpers are not scholars, they are self-promoters.

Answer 6

Be ye wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove ...

Answer 7

FAIRY-TALES written by lonely
Goat-Shepherds, with poor Education AND
GRAMMAR.

what do you expect ?

Answer 8

It's a metaphor. Here is that scripture, in context, from The Message:
3-5 The wicked crawl from the wrong side of the cradle;
their first words out of the womb are lies.
Poison, lethal rattlesnake poison,
drips from their forked tongues—
Deaf to threats, deaf to charm,
decades of wax built up in their ears.