Q: Below I have two different Bible versions of the same scripture. The one says `that had” the power of death while the other says `who holds” the power of death. Can you tell me which one is correct or are they BOTH correct? Thank you for your help. `Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14 King James Version `Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14 New International Version
A: The differences that you see in these two versions of the same verse may have something to do with the translations of those who put each Bible together. The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is what is known as a "formal equivalence" translation. That means that it attempts to translate the text word-for-word from the original language. Sometimes when using this method you can lose a bit of the natural expression of the language the document is being translated into. For example, the King James Version uses outdated and archaic language that is not used in this day and age. There are many instances where words like "Thee," "Thou" and "ye" are used. Also, many words end in "eth" and "est" like stinketh or doest. I am not aware of anybody who speaks like that anymore. While use of such language may contribute to the poetic beauty of the King James Version some of the words are now obsolete and others have changed meaning entirely. There are even biblical scholars who have questioned some of the manuscripts used for the King James Version because they are believed to not be as accurate as some earlier-dated manuscripts recently discovered.
The New International Version (NIV) is a "dynamic equivalence" translation. A dynamic equivalence is more of a thought-for-thought translation. Because of this it has been deemed not as accurate as a word-for-word translation. This has lead to people questioning the use of the New International Version as a quality study Bible. However, one of the benefits of this New International Version is that is a very readable translation with good literary quality. Unfortunately, many Christians have divided over the issue of which translations to use because of the debate over the origins of each one. Some Christians will swear allegiance to the King James Version and deem the use of any other Bible translation as wrong. However, we must remember that they are all translations and not the original texts. Personally, I would say use the translation you find the easiest to use. And at the same time keep other translations on hand, if possible, to help you with issues like the one you're asking about regarding Hebrews 2:14.
As for the verse itself, I don't see much of a problem between the two versions. The use of "that had the power of death" in the King James Version gives the indication that devil no longer has the power of death. While the New International Version's use of "who holds the power of death" makes it look like the devil still has the power of death. I think you can make the argument that both versions are correct. In Genesis 3:4, the devil said to Eve, "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman." The devil was tempting Eve to sin which eventually lead to the Fall, the spiritual death of mankind. To this day the devil has the power of death in that he still causes people to sin on a regular basis. This is reiterated in passages like, "The soul who sins is the one who will die (Ezekial 18:4)", "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— (Romans 5:12)" and "For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)." In this way, the devil holds the power of death because of his influence on mankind.
On the other hand, because of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, the devil, in many ways, no longer holds the power of death. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting (1 Corinthians 15:55)?" One of the glorious hopes of a believer is the fact that death is not the end for us. In fact, death is something that many saints look forward to with anticipation. That is because we would prefer to be "away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8)." This world has enough trouble as it and then we die. Without Christ what do we have hope in? The Apostle Paul said, "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13)." When a believer dies it is a glorious occassion. That doesn't mean we don't mourn their loss, but that we are comforted by the fact that they are in the presence of the Lord. As a believer, I don't desire to have one who dies in Christ back, but rather I long for the day that I can go be with them in heaven. That is why believers do not grieve like the lost who are without Christ and, thus, without hope. Death is not the end for a believer, it is a continuation of the eternal life we already have in Christ. That is something the devil has no power over!
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