Article December 27, 1941 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. The Notes in this issue are related to the Lesson Sermon designated to be read in Christian Science churches on January 4, 1942.]

"The Lord is nigh ... to all that call upon him in truth" (Ps. 145:18) —Besides its meaning "truth," the Hebrew word thus translated implies by its derivation "reliability, firmness, stability, sureness." Smith suggests the translation: "The Lord is near ... to all who call upon him sincerely;" while Coverdale (1535) read: "The Lorde is nye unto ... all soch as call upon him faithfully."

"Graven image" (Ex. 20:4) — The Hebrew word "pesel," which is here rendered "graven image," means properly that which is "carved or hewn into shape," and so, "a carved idol or image." Moffatt's translation is: "You shall not carve any idols;" while Smith has: "You must not carve an image for yourself."

"Hear, O Israel" (Deut. 6:4) — In the original Hebrew, the word for "hear" is "Shema," and for this reason the passage from Deuteronomy 6:4—9 has been termed "the Shema," from time immemorial. It is constantly repeated in the synagogue services to this day, and every Hebrew child is expected to memorize it at an early age.

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