Dilemma in Translation

"I am a friend to all who fear You, to all who keep Your mandates" (Psa 119:63).

That possessive noun I translated "Your mandates" [פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ / PIQUDEYKHA] is from the same Hebrew root word [פ-ק-ד / P-Q-D] as the verb often translated "visiting" in Exo 20:5 --

"... visiting [פֹּ֠קֵד / POQED] the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me ..."

The NIV wrongly translates this verb "punishing."

So what is the connection between the word I translate "mandates" and the verb of Exo 20:5? The verb that is often translated "visiting" there in the Ten Commandments speaks of "an official visit." The picture is of a government official or representative "visiting" a person or group of persons to *inspect them* and what they've *done.* It may be that a complaint was lodged about road conditions or travelers' accommodations in a certain town or area. And the "official" "visits" that area with an aim to access the situation, to see if something should be done to improve things. He would "visit," access, and, if need be, give a time-frame for improvements to be complete. Then he would "visit" again, to see if the "mandates" he gave were implemented and the improvements made. If all was done, then the people "visited" would be praised. But if not, then the person or group of persons "visited" would be rebuked and possibly punished.

This is why the NIV gives the wrong impression with its rendering of this Hebrew word as "punishing." That's not the first recourse of God at all! He doesn't punish the children for the sins of their ancestors per se (Deu 24:16; Eze 18:20). He revisits the children, to see how they're doing -- better, worse, or the same as their ancestors. Improvement is both possible and expected in this word, and the scenario it is based on. If they hate God and don't improve, then they get rebuked, possibly punished. But if they love God and improve, they get praised.

So it is with God's "mandates." They're both possible to be obeyed and expected. They help us improve. They are God's "official" pronouncements for how we may improve. The Hebrew word for "clerk" is פקיד, from this same root word. What is a clerk? A person who records, accounts, and administrates on behalf of a company. He / she also accesses needs, areas for improvement. Not to push the shared etymology too far, but we may view God's "mandates" as His "clerk commandments." They represent Him to us and our response to them in terms of improvement demonstrates our "fear" of Him, in terms of respect for His authority. He can praise us or He can punish us, depending on our responses. That is His "official" prerogative and position. All who "fear" God this way are our friends.

-Michael Millier