The Lying Pen of the Scribes

An Analysis of Jeremiah 8:8

Many believe the Bible is the infallible Word of YHWH, yet Jeremiah 8:8 warns that the scribes have falsified the Scriptures. This is a challenging topic because it can feel like an attack on the Scriptures, but that’s not the case. The goal isn’t to reject YHWH’s true Word but to recognize where human hands have tampered with it.

We’ve all seen the contradictions in the Bible that skeptics point out, and sincere seekers of truth can’t ignore these issues. Some have even lost faith because they were taught the Bible is perfect and without error, only to find clear contradictions.

However, the problem isn’t with YHWH’s truth—it’s with the “lying pen of the scribes” who have added to and taken away from the Scriptures.

1. Jeremiah 8:8 – The Warning of Falsified Scriptures

Jeremiah 8:8 directly states that scribes have corrupted the Scriptures:

“How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of YHWH is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.” – Jeremiah 8:8

This warning is echoed throughout Scripture. The Torah itself cautions against altering YHWH’s words:

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it.” – Deuteronomy 4:2

“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” – Deuteronomy 12:32

“Every word of YHWH is pure... Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” – Proverbs 30:5-6

Even in Revelation, we see a strict warning:

“If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life.” – Revelation 22:18-19

These verses make it clear that human hands have altered the original writings, and we must be vigilant in seeking the truth. We cannot afford to be naïve and assume that the Scriptures have remained untouched, ignoring the historical evidence of deliberate changes.

To blindly accept everything as it has been passed down without examination is to disregard the very warnings given within the Scriptures themselves.

YHWH calls us to test all things and to measure every teaching against His Torah and the Prophets. If we do not, we risk following doctrines shaped by men rather than the pure Word of YHWH.

2. The Removal of YHWH’s Name from Scripture

One of the most significant changes in the Scriptures was the deliberate removal of YHWH’s name. Originally, the name YHWH appeared around 7,000 times in the Hebrew texts, but scribes replaced it with titles like "the LORD" (YHWH), "Lord" (Adonai), or "God" (Elohim).

The term "Lord" is often used in English translations to replace the divine name YHWH, but this substitution has serious implications. In Hosea 2:16-17, YHWH explicitly warns that His people will no longer call Him Ba‘al (בַּעַל), which means "lord" or "master," because Baal was the name of a pagan deity. By replacing YHWH’s name with "Lord," scribes have introduced confusion, as Baal was also called "Lord" in ancient times. This deliberate replacement further distances people from the true name of the Creator and aligns with Jeremiah, where YHWH rebukes those who cause His people to forget His name.

"Who think to cause My people to forget My name by their dreams which they tell one another, just as their fathers forgot My name for Baal." – Jeremiah 23:27

This was a deliberate deception meant to distance people from calling upon the true name of YHWH. The Torah explicitly forbids the removal of His name, as written in:

"You shall destroy the names of their gods from that place. But you shall not do so to YHWH your Elohim." – Deuteronomy 12:3-4

By removing His name, the scribes created a barrier between YHWH and His people, making it easier for false teachings to take root.

This act of manipulation not only distorted the Scriptures but also gave people a false sense of security, as if they could approach "God" on their own terms rather than on His. Understanding this deception is crucial to restoring the true relationship between YHWH and His people, calling upon His name as He intended.

3. Did Yashua Say “Forgive Them” or “Do Not Forgive Them”?

Another important example is the passage of Luke, which raises many questions regarding salvation.

Most modern translations of Luke 23:34 render it as:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34

This suggests Yashua was asking for forgiveness for those crucifying Him. However, examining the Greek text, the word order suggests a different meaning:

Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.Pater, aphes autois, ou gar oidasin ti poiousin.

Word-for-word translation:

Πάτερ (Pater) = Father

ἄφες (aphes) = forgive

αὐτοῖς (autois) = them

οὐ (ou) = not

γὰρ (gar) = for / because

οἴδασιν (oidasin) = they know

τί (ti) = what

ποιοῦσιν (poiousin) = they do

Please also be aware there are no commas in old Greek and Hebrew. They are also placed by translators and scribes.

Therefore the literal rendering would be:

“Father, do not forgive them, for they know what they are doing.”

This interpretation aligns better with passages in the Psalms, where David prays that the wicked should not be forgiven. And we need to keep in mind when reading the Psalms they are are a foreshadow of the Messiah and what he will do and say.

Here it clearly states:

“Add iniquity to their iniquity, and do not let them enter into Your righteousness.” – Psalm 69:27-28 (LXX 68:28-29)

And in Psalm 109 again:

“May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before YHWH, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.” – Psalm 109:14

Additionally, some of the earliest Greek manuscripts (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus) do not include Luke 23:34 at all, suggesting this verse may have been added later to align with Christian theology.

Thus, the “lying pen of the scribes” have altered this passage to shift the meaning from divine justice to universal forgiveness.

This change has profound implications. If Yashua indeed said, “Do not forgive them, for they know what they are doing,” it underscores the gravity of their actions. Crucifying the Messiah was not an act of ignorance but a deliberate rejection of YHWH’s plan.

Forgiving such a sin without repentance would set a dangerous precedent, essentially giving people a free pass to sin without consequence.

4. Historical Evidence of Scripture Manipulation

Throughout history, human hands have altered and modified sacred texts, sometimes to fit theological agendas or cultural influences. While YHWH’s Word remains eternal and unchangeable, the Scriptures we have today have undergone various transmissions, translations, and even deliberate edits. The warnings in Jeremiah 8:8 remind us that scribes have corrupted certain writings, and historical evidence confirms this reality. To understand the full extent of these changes, we must examine how scribes, translators, and religious authorities influenced the texts we now possess.

• Scribes and Translators Had Great Influence:

  Jewish scribes interpreted and modified texts, leading to new readings. Translators often inserted interpretations that became part of the text.

  
  

• Church Councils Decided Which Scriptures to Keep:

  The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and others determined which books were included and how they were edited. Theological disputes led to intentional modifications to support certain doctrines.

  
  

• Early Christian Scholars Acknowledged Changes:

  Justin Martyr and Eusebius noted that scribes altered texts. The Nestle-Aland textual criticism work shows that later editors made intentional changes.

  
  

• Old Manuscripts Show Differences:

  The Codex Bezae (5th century) contains many longer and shorter variations, suggesting deliberate alterations.

5. How Do We Identify the Truth?

Since Scripture warns us against corruption, how do we ensure that we are following the true Word of YHWH?

The answer is simple: We must test everything against the Torah and the Prophets, just as the noble Bereans did (Acts 17:11).

"Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so."  – Acts 17:11

The Torah and the Prophets are the foundation of truth, and everything must be measured against them. If a teaching contradicts YHWH’s instructions, it must be rejected. YHWH’s Word is pure and complete, as it is written:

“Every word of YHWH is pure... Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”  – Proverbs 30:5-6

Additionally, Yashua promised that the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”  – John 16:13

We must judge all things by the fruits they produce, as Paul reminds us:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  – Galatians 5:22-23

Most importantly, we must listen to the voice of our Messiah, for YHWH Himself commands us to do so:

“This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”  – Matthew 17:5

By holding fast to the Torah, the Prophets, and the words of Yashua, we can discern what is truly from YHWH and what has been manipulated by the lying pen of the scribes.

Conclusion

Jeremiah 8:8 reveals that scribes manipulated the Scriptures, and history supports this. The Torah of YHWH remains unchanged and eternal, but human hands have tampered with copies and translations. The removal of YHWH’s name is one of the clearest examples of this deception. Additionally, Luke 23:34 may have been altered, changing Yashua’s words from divine justice to forgiveness.

The truth can still be found by seeking YHWH sincerely, studying His Torah, and following the guidance of His Spirit. Let us strive to discern His voice amidst the noise of human error.

"For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law." – Proverbs 4:2

Consider learning more here:

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