<P> My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me . </P> <P> Critics of the NIV, New Living Translation, and similar versions contend that the translation used for Acts 22: 9 is inaccurate . The verb used here--akouō (ἀκούω)--can be translated both "hear" and "understand" (both the KJV and NIV translate akouō as "understand" in 1 Cor. 14: 2, for example). It often takes a noun in the genitive case for a person is being heard, with a noun in the accusative for the thing being heard . More classically, the use of the accusative indicates hearing with understanding . There is indeed a case difference here, with Acts 9: 7 using the genitive tēs phōnēs (τῆς φωνῆς), and Acts 22: 9 using the accusative tēn phōnēn (τὴν φωνὴν). However, there has been debate about which rule Luke was following here . On the second interpretation, Paul's companions may indeed have heard the voice (as is unambiguously stated in Acts 9: 7), yet not understood it, although New Testament scholar Daniel B. Wallace finds this argument based on case inconclusive . </P> <P> A similar debate arises with the NIV's use of the word "sound" instead of "voice" in Acts 9: 7 . The noun used here--phōnē (φωνῆ)--can mean either . </P> <P> The New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, and English Standard Version maintain the "hear" / "understand" distinction while using "voice" in both passages . On the other hand, the Holman Christian Standard Bible has "sound" / "voice" with "hear" in both passages, and The Message adopts a similar translation, but with "sound" / "conversation ." The French La Bible du Semeur distinguishes between entendaient ("heard") and compris ("understood"). </P>

Who was blinded on the road to damascus