Genesis 17:16 - he/she?

[Soldier4Christ]

In my New American bible, Genesis 17:16 says “I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations, and rulers of peoples shall issue from him.” But in most other versions of the bible, it says “I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”

The reason I ask is that this could be seen as prefiguring Mary’s birth to Jesus. The first version is similar to Rev 12:5, “She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all nations with an iron rod.”

Admittedly, my knowledge on Scripture is somewhat limited (working on it) and I would like to see if someone has some (name removed by moderator)ut as to which one is the “right” one, if indeed there is a right version/translation. Thanks.

 

[Verbum]

Hi Soldier,

I have two edtions of the French Jerusalem Bible, published decades apart, and they both have the feminine pronouns. I have looked up a Hebrew/English Bible published for Jews:

mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0117.htm

and this translation also has the feminine. I cannot for the life of me understand why the NAB should be different and not see fit to explain this in a footnote.

As for Sarah being a type for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, it is all right to think of her that way, but not necessarily meant that way by the Sacred Text.

Verbum