[supercat]

1. Do you concede that "rather than" means "and not" in biblical translation?

Given that, from what I've read, Hebrew is not clear and unambiguous with such things, I'm not sure I'd concede that. While the cited passage most likely means what it says, any authority therefor rests with the translator and not with the original Word of God.

[Ken H]

My point was that biblical tranlators have used the terms "rather than" and "and not" interchangeably. I also provided an authoritative English usage source which says the same thing:

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition: "rather than"--

CONJUNCTION: And not
PREPOSITION: Instead of

In the context of Madison's letter on the power to regulate interstate commerce, do you think "rather than for the positive purposes of the general government..." means the power can be used for positive purposes of the general government?