Responsibility vs Accountability: Defining Terms - Hebrew Greek

Now that I have defined the terms we are using in the discusion in the previous post here, I want to look at how these terms are used in English Bible translations. I will do this looking at how many times the word is used in the New American Standard and King James Version translations, what Greek and Hebrew words were the words translated from, give the Strong's number, and the definition of the source words from lexicons. My goal is also to make mention of any textual variants. 

Responsibility: shows up 418 times in the KJV Bible. Here is a link to all of them. Hebrew is very different than English. I am having the a problem finding a Hebrew word equivalent to the English word "responsibility". Multiple words from Hebrew was translated to "responsibility". The Hebrew word שָׁמַר ("shamar") has Strong's number 8104. It is used in the Hebrew Bible 462 times. This means the word has a broad number of translations. I can tell that the meaning at times can be used to convey "responsibility" such as in Numbers 3:28. Strong's Concordance has:

A primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc. -- beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).

As for Greek, the word "responsibility" is not used in the New Testament in either the KJV or New American Standard translations but the idea and the command to be a responsible human being, as I have defined it, is throughout the Bible. I never realized that until I actually looked. I thought that of course the Bible would have the word "responsibility"  all over it. But the Bible does not teach that we are responsible for our salvation. Jesus takes responsibility for our salvation. I used Microsoft Copilot to see if there are any Greek or Hebrew words for "Responsibility" althought they are not in scripture.

Hebrew:

• The term "אחריות" (Echriut) is used to convey responsibility. It emphasizes the idea of being answerable for one's actions.

Biblical Greek:

• The word "εὐθύνη" (euthynē) can be used to denote responsibility, implying accountability and being held accountable for one's actions.

Accountability: Amazingly this word is not used in the Bible. Not that Biblical Hebrew and Greek do not have equivalent words but they do not appear in the Bible. I used Microsoft Copilot to try to find the equivalent word in Greek and Hebrew.

In Hebrew, the word for "accountability" is "אחריות" (Echriut). It conveys the idea of responsibility and being answerable for one's actions.

In Biblical Greek, the term often used is "ἀπολογία" (Apologia), which means "defense" or "vindication." However, in a broader sense, it can also imply being accountable or giving an account of one's actions.

Strangely, Hebrew use the same word for "responsibility" and "accountability".  

Ability: There are Greek and Hebrew equivalent words for "Strength" or "Ability". I found this from Microsoft Copilot

Hebrew:

• The word "כֹּחַ" (koach) means "strength" or "ability." It is often used to describe physical strength or power but can also refer to other types of abilities.

  • Exodus 15:6: "Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy."

Greek:

• The term "δύναμις" (dynamis) translates to "power" or "ability." It is used in the New Testament to describe both physical and spiritual abilities.

  • Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

 Predestination: This idea is in the Old Testament but not an equivalent Hebrew word.  But in the New Testament does have  an equivalent word.

Hebrew:

• While the specific term "predestination" is not used in the Old Testament, the concept can be seen in the understanding of God's sovereign plans. The Hebrew word "גָּזַר" (gazar) means "to decide" or "to decree," reflecting God's determined purposes.

Greek:

• The Greek term "προορίζω" (proorizo) translates directly to "predestine" or "predetermine." This word appears in the New Testament and is associated with the divine determination of events and outcomes.

Biblical References:

1. Romans 8:29-30 (Greek: προορίζω - proorizo):

   • "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

2. Ephesians 1:5 (Greek: προορίζω - proorizo):

   • "He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."

3. Ephesians 1:11 (Greek: προορίζω - proorizo):

   • "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will."

Destiny: The concept of  Destiny and Purpose is found in Scripture. I found the following in Microsoft Copilot.

Hebrew:

• The word "גּוֹרָל" (goral) means "lot" or "fate," and is used in contexts that imply destiny or divine determination.

  • Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."

Greek:

• The term "πρόθεσις" (prothesis) means "purpose" or "plan," often used to describe God's predetermined plans for individuals or nations.

  • Ephesians 1:11: "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will."

These terms reflect the biblical understanding of destiny as something that is shaped by divine will and purpose.

Providence: Both Hebrew and Greek makes a difference between "providence" and "destiny" because they have different equivalent words. Following I got Microsoft Copilot

Hebrew:

• The term "השגחה" (hashgachah) refers to "providence" and specifically divine guidance or oversight. It signifies God's active involvement in the world.

  • This concept is evident in stories like Joseph’s, where God's providence is seen in his rise to power in Egypt (Genesis 45:5-8).

Greek:

• The word "πρόνοια" (pronoia) means "forethought" or "providence." It signifies God's foresight and care.

  • A related concept can be found in Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

These terms and their biblical contexts reflect the understanding of divine providence as God's continuous involvement and care in the unfolding of human history and individual lives.

Free Will:  The concept of "free will" is expressible in Hebrew and Greek. I found the following from Microsoft Copilot.

Hebrew:

• The concept of "free will" can be expressed using "רצון חופשי" (ratzon chofshi), which means "free desire" or "free will."

  • Deuteronomy 30:19 - "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." This verse emphasizes the ability to choose, reflecting the concept of free will.

Greek:

• In Greek, the phrase "ἐλευθέρα βουλή" (eleuthera boule) can be used to convey the idea of "free will."

  • Galatians 5:13 - "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." This verse talks about the freedom to choose how to use one's liberty, aligning with the concept of free will.

These passages highlight the biblical basis for the concept of free will, emphasizing the importance of human choice and the responsibility that comes with it.

Choice: The concept of "choice" is very present in Hebrew and Greek. I found the following from Microsoft Copilot.

Hebrew:

• The word "בְּחִירָה" (bechirah) translates to "choice" or "selection."

  • Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." This verse emphasizes the ability to make choices, a central theme in the Bible.

Greek:

• The term "ἐκλογή" (eklogē) means "choice" or "selection," often used in the context of God's choosing or election.

  • Ephesians 1:4: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

These words and their contexts illustrate the importance of choice in the biblical narrative, reflecting both human decision-making and divine election.

Philosophy: The term is found in the New Testament. In Hebrew, there is no cultural tradition but there is a love and exaltation of Wisdom. And "philosophy" literally means  "love of wisdom".  I got the following from Microsoft Copilot:

Hebrew:

• The concept of "philosophy" isn't explicitly present in the Old Testament. However, the pursuit of wisdom, which can be considered a form of ancient philosophy, is a recurring theme. The Hebrew word for wisdom is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah).

  • Proverbs 4:7: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Greek:

• The term for "philosophy" in Greek is "φιλοσοφία" (philosophia), which literally means "love of wisdom." This term does appear in the New Testament.

  • Colossians 2:8: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

The concept of philosophy in the New Testament is generally presented with caution, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s beliefs with the teachings of Christ rather than human traditions or deceptive philosophies.

There is such thing as Christ-Centered philosophy. I will write a post about the difference in an upcoming post.

Person: The concept of "personhood" is present in both Hebrew and Greek. I found the following from Microsoft Copilot.

Hebrew:

• The word "אָדָם" (adam) is used to refer to a person or human being. It appears numerous times throughout the Old Testament.

  • Genesis 1:27: "So God created man (adam) in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them."

Greek:

• The term "ἄνθρωπος" (anthrōpos) is commonly used in the New Testament to mean "person" or "human being."

  • Matthew 19:26: "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men (anthrōpos) this is impossible; but with God all things are possible 

Being:  In Hebrew and Greek, "being" and "existence" is a concept that also permeates the scriptures.

Hebrew:

• The word "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh) is often translated as "soul" or "being," indicating the essence of life or a living being.

  • Genesis 2:7: "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (nephesh)."

Greek:

• The term "οὐσία" (ousia) refers to "substance" or "being," often used in philosophical contexts but can also denote essence or existence.

  • While "ousia" itself is more philosophical, the concept of being is expressed through terms like "ψυχή" (psyche), which means "soul" or "life."

  • Acts 17:28: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being (ousia); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."

These words and passages illustrate the biblical understanding of existence and being, capturing the essence of life and the nature of human beings in relation to God.

Identity: The modern concept of "identity" is  NOT in scripture. In the Hebrew and Greek language, does have a concept but it is grounded in God.

Hebrew:

• The word "שֵם" (shem), meaning "name," can often convey identity, as names were deeply significant and tied to one's character and destiny.

  • Isaiah 43:1: "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

Greek:

• The term "ὄνομα" (onoma) also means "name" and is used in the New Testament to denote identity.

  • Revelation 3:12: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

While these terms might not translate directly to "identity" in the modern sense, they reflect how identity was understood in biblical times—often tied to one's name, heritage, and relationship with God.

Another good example is how the Scripture illustrates identity is how God changes the names of the patriarchs from "Abram" to "Abraham"; from  "Jacob" to "Israel"; from "Sarai" to "Sarah". In all of these examples their names were changed when God radically changed their lives and redirected what they thought their destinies would be. Jacob name's mean "trickster" but when God brought him into his role as the next steward of the promise made to his grandfather Abraham, God marked the change in Jacob's life and purpose - his very identity - by changing Jacob's name to "Israel".