Article October 27, 1934 Issue

Bible Notes

"Him that reproveth in the gate" (Isa. 29:21)—In Old Testament times the "gate" of a city formed the center for business transactions as well as for the administration of justice, and in many passages the "gate" is virtually a synonym for what we would call "the law courts" or "the bench," while "him that reproveth in the gate" would be the magistrate or officer of justice. Hence Moffatt's rendering: "Judges on the bench." It may be recalled that Zechariah wrote, "Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates" (Zech. 8:16).

"They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine" (Isa. 29:24)—It may be noted that the phrase translated "shall come to understanding" means literally, "shall know understanding," while "lekach" (doctrine) can also be rendered "learning or instruction." Moffatt offers the interesting translation: "The erring will gain insight, and murmurers will accept the truth;" while Smith suggests: "Those who have erred in judgment shall arrive at understanding, and those who murmured shall learn instruction."

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8)—In the best editions of the Greek text this verse does not form a separate sentence, but is joined to the preceding verse. Hence Goodspeed has: "Such a man must not expect to get anything from the Lord—an irresolute person like him, who is uncertain about everything he does;" and Weymouth (5th edition): "A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes."

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