"He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it" (Isa. 42:5)—The word translated "that which cometh out of it" has usually the meaning of "its offspring," but can also be rendered "its produce" (Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon, p. 425). Smith renders simply: "who made the earth and its fruits;" and Moffatt: "who made the earth and all it bears."

"The inhabitants of the rock" (Isa. 42:11)—The Hebrew word "Sela," here literally translated "the rock," is taken by the Revised Version and various modern commentators as a proper name, and as designating the famous Edomite city of "Sela," which, in turn, is usually identified with what was later called "Petra." Petra was situated some fifty miles to the south of the Dead Sea.

"Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth" (Isa. 45:9)—The Hebrew term here translated "potsherd" was the usual name given to the earthenware utensils which the potter made from his clay. Since the words "let" and "strive" (which appear in the Authorized Version) are not represented in the original, the Revised Version and Kent are justified in giving the literal rendering: "a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth!" It may be noted that the Hebrew word for "earth" is " 'adamah," which is generally considered the root of our word "Adam."

"Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me" (Isa. 45:11)—The original text of this verse is somewhat uncertain, but a number of translators feel that a question is implied, rather than a command. Consequently, Moffatt reads: "Would you question me about the future? Would you dictate to me about my work?" and Smith: "Will you question me concerning my children, or give me orders concerning the work of my hands?" while Kent's rendering is along closely similar lines.

"Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true" (John 8:13)—The verb translated "bear record" means more literally "to bear witness" or "testify"; and the noun rendered "record" means more exactly "witness or testimony." Goodspeed translates: "You are testifying to yourself, your testimony is not true;" and Moffatt: "You are testifying to yourself; your evidence is not valid;" while Weymouth (5th edition) has: "You are giving evidence about yourself, . . . your evidence is not valid."

"I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me" (John 8:16)—While this represents a literal rendering of the original Greek, the translation offered by Goodspeed gives the sense in more idiomatic English: "I am not by myself, but the Father who sent me is with me." Moffatt suggests: "I am not by myself—there is myself and the Father who sent me."

"Wonderful works" (Matt. 7:22)—These two words translate the single Greek term "dunameis" (literally "powers," the root of our English words "dynamic, dynamo," etc. "Dunameis" was a term regularly employed to describe the "miracles" of Christ Jesus (cf. Matt. 13:58, etc.), which were done, we are told, through the "power of the Lord" (Luke 5:17).

"There went out a fame of him through all the region round about" (Luke 4:14)—The Greek word here rendered "fame" means more literally "report or rumor" (Souter: Greek Lexicon, p. 274). Compare the Latin "fama," meaning "rumor." Moffatt suggests: "The news of him spread over all the surrounding country;" and Goodspeed: "News of him went all over that region;" while Weymouth prefers: "His fame spread through all the adjacent districts."

The Lord will do great things" (Joel 2:21)—Literally, "The Lord hath shown greatness in doing." The verb is in the past tense, but it has been pointed out that "it is the 'prophetic past,' describing in reality what Jehovah will do" (Driver: Joel and Amos, p. 60). Compare Isaiah 65:24 and Jesus' statement: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me" (John 11:41).

"The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month" (Joel 2:23)—The "former rain" (coming in October or November) was needed to prepare the ground for fall sowing, and marked the beginning of the wet season; while the "latter rain" (in March or April) marked its close, and was equally necessary to nourish the growing crops. "The first month" (Nisan) would correspond to the time of "the latter rain"; but the word "month" is not represented in the original; hence, the margin of the Revised Version has "at the first"; Moffatt and Smith, "as of old." (See J. A. Bewer: Commentary on Joel, p. 116; Driver: op. cit., p. 61.)

"The floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil" (Joel 2:24)—As often in the Old Testament, "the floor" is the name given to any broad surface on which grain was threshed (generally in the open, that the chaff might blow away); moreover, the Hebrew word here rendered "fats" might rather be translated "vats." Thus Smith renders: "And the threshing-floors shall be full of grain: and the wine-vats shall overflow with wine and oil."

"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty" (Isa. 44:3)—The Hebrew word rendered "him that is thirsty" can also be translated "that which is thirsty" or "the thirsty (earth)"; and this would seem to be a logical parallel to the second clause of the verse: "and floods upon the dry ground."

"I am the Lord . . . that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself" (Isa. 44:24)—The Hebrew consonants here translated "by myself" can also be read as meaning, "Who (is) with me?" a rendering supported by the evidence of the Septuagint and the Vulgate Versions. Consequently, Moffatt has: "I am the Eternal. . . . I spread out the earth; who aided me?"