Words often have uncertain meanings. I remember studying Latin and being perplexed about how the word “cornu” could mean both a horn and the flank of an army. Colloquialisms can be difficult for someone learning a second language. This is definitely the case with the Bible. I don’t think I need to go into an extended discussion of how the interpretation of the words “parthenos” and “adelphos” has shaped biblical discourse.

Allow me to demonstrate with a lighter example of this I recently came across:

1 Kings 14:10 in the NIV:

Therefore, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam; I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel…

Same verse in the Vulgate:

Therefore, behold, I will bring evils upon the house of Jeroboam and cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall….

The Septuagint has:

οὐροῦντα πρὸς τοῖχον (ourounta pros toichon) – [everyone] urinating against a wall 

I guess that was one way to show you were male. Definitely not a term that you would want to use in polite company these days.