Article April 27, 1940 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons.]

"So will we render the calved of our lips" (Hos. 14:2)—This is a literal rendering of the Hebrew original as it stands, but since in the Biblical period the "calf" was regarded as symbolizing "sacrifice or offering," one might well render: "So will we render the offerings of our lips" (verbal offerings, offerings of praise). Hence Smith renders: "We will ... requite thee with the fruits of our lips."

"He shall ... cast forth his roots as Lebanon" (Hos. 14:5)—If the Hebrew text as it has come down to us is correct, the allusion is doubtless to the roots of the mighty cedar trees, whose aromatic scent is referred to in the following verse, and which were so constantly associated with the Lebanon ranges to the north of Palestine. However, some authorities contend that the Hebrew word "Lebanon" was at some time inadvertently substituted for the term "libneh," which means "a poplar tree." Hence Dr. Brown renders: "He shall ... cast forth his roots as a poplar tree;" and Dr. Moffatt has: "He shall ... strike roots down like a poplar."

"The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way" (Prov. 11:5)—The Hebrew verb which is here translated "direct" can also mean "to make straight, even, or level." As a consequence, Delitzsch suggests: "The righteousness of the blameless smootheth his way;" and Moffatt: "The path of a right-minded man is cleared by his own goodness."

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