This is particularly true of the Old Testament. It was written in Hebrew then into Greek then into Latin and finally into modern languages such as English. I have learned Hebrew and read the OT in Hebrew; it's quite revealing how mistakes can be innocently be added just due to lingual differences. There are no vowels in the written Hebrew language for example. The numbering system uses the same characters as words. Adam's name literally means dirt or clay. Most names in the Bible have more than one meaning, perhaps this is the code that is talked about.
Individuals reading the Bible and interpreting themselves is a practice that largely started right about when Gutenberg invented the printing press. Before that religions would be the sole source of both the text and interpretation of the passages.
I would bet that I had the upper hand on assholery in public. I mean I can be friendly but it takes time to reveal who and what I am below the surface and randy random randos just do not get this time unless I feel a need to focus attention and if this happens most times there is a lasting "relationship". Usually its a smile, a wave and a gtfo.