2 Corinthians 12:4

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ὅτι ἡρπάγη εἰς τὸν παράδεισον, καὶ ἤκουσεν ἄρρητα ῥήματα, ἃ οὐκ ἐξὸν ἀνθρώπῳ λαλῆσαι.

Transliteration

That hērpagē into the paradeison, and ēkousen arrhēta rhēmata, which not exon anthropō lalēsai.

Grammar Details

*hērpagē*: aorist passive, 3rd singular - he was caught up/snatched away
*paradeison*: accusative, masculine, singular - paradise/garden
*ēkousen*: aorist active, 3rd singular - he heard
*arrhēta*: accusative, neuter, plural - inexpressible/unspeakable
*rhēmata*: accusative, neuter, plural - words/sayings/utterances
*exon*: neuter participle used impersonally - permitted/lawful
*anthropō*: dative, masculine, singular - for a man/to a person
*lalēsai*: aorist infinitive, active - to speak/to utter

Word Meanings

*hērpagē*: was caught up/was snatched away/was taken up
*paradeison*: paradise/garden/place of blessing
*arrhēta*: inexpressible/unspeakable/unutterable
*rhēmata*: words/sayings/utterances/declarations
*exon*: permitted/lawful/possible
*lalēsai*: to speak/to utter/to declare

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Luke 23:43 : 43 And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.
Rev 2:7 : 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the {G3319} Paradise of God.
Ezek 31:9 : 9 I made it fair by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

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1 Cor 4:6
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2 Cor 11:16-17
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2 Cor 12:10-11
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