I am on the Common English Bible Advent Blog Tour, which has afforded me a great opportunity to dig into this new translation more carefully. Overall, I love the freshness of the language. There is a fresh clarity to some phrases that I find helpful. Using a new translation always keeps me on my toes as I read very familiar passages. It’s like getting a set of fresh eyes on the subject matter.

One such passage is today’s Advent reading in Genesis 3:15. This, of course, is a passage that is almost universally used to be the first prediction of Messiah. The CEB takes an interesting turn here.

First, the NIV:

¹⁵ And I will put enmity 
   between you and the woman, 
   and between your offspring^[a] and hers; 
he will crush^[b] your head, 
   and you will strike his heel.

And the CEB:

¹⁵ I will put contempt
   between you and the woman, 

   between your offspring and hers. 
They will strike your head, 
      but you will strike at their heels.

The question here, for me, is why the CEB went to the plural. Can you great Hebrew scholars help me with this one? Thanks!