JMNT(i)
8 In like manner, indeed, these dreaming ones (folks continuing in sleep, or with imaginary experiences)
also pollute flesh (= their or others’ bodies; or: = the estranged human nature).
They are continuously setting aside lordship (or: ownership systems)
and are repeatedly blaspheming (speaking injuriously of and slandering; vilifying; obscuring the light of; misrepresenting)
reputations (or: opinions; notions; glories; manifestations which call forth praise).
9 Yet Michael (The One Who is like God),
the ruling agent (the first, chief, or original messenger),
when making a distinction (a discernment; a thorough separation)
to the adversary (or: the slanderer; the one who thrusts things through folks or situations, and thus causes divisions; the “devil”),
reasoned (deliberated; spoke thoroughly; discoursed [as in using the Socratic dialectic method])
concerning the body of Moses. He did not assume to bring a blasphemous or villainous judging upon [
him]
(or: to bring in addition a judging characterized by an abusive distinction or a slanderous decision; or: bring an added evaluating which hindered the light),
but rather, He said, "The Lord [=Yahweh]
might hold you in added honor (or: set a value upon you; put respect upon you; award you).
" [note: this word is from
epi, upon, and
timao, to hold in respect, to honor, to value, to award. It is also used in negative connotations, and thus can mean, to assess a penalty upon, to chide, to respectfully reprove or admonish. As this passage is contrasting Michael's actions to the negative actions of those who "came in unobserved," I chose the positive translation of
epitimao. In his
Word Pictures in the New Testament, A.T. Robertson notes that both Clement of Alexandria and Origen said that Judah here quoted the
Assumption of Moses. (This latter is an early first century Jewish work of apocalyptic literature. Recall that Paul cites Hellenistic literature in
Acts 17:28)]
10 Yet these folks constantly blaspheme (slander; speak injuriously of; villainize; hinder the light of)
what indeed they have neither seen nor understand (or: know; perceive),
but what they naturally (instinctively; by generation; by sprouting and growing)
are continuously acquainted with (or: are versed in; became masters of),
in these things they are progressively being corrupted (spoiled, ruined).