Article August 31, 1935 Issue

Bible Notes

"Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity" (Ps. 24:4)—The Hebrew word "shavé," here rendered "vanity," means more exactly "emptiness, nothingness, worthlessness" and is sometimes used in the sense of "lying" (Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon, p. 996). Moffatt suffests the rendering: "who never sets his mind on what is false;" and Smith: "who has no desire for falsehood."

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

"I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways" (Isa. 45:13)—The verb rendered "direct" (yashar) has the primary meaning of "to make smooth" or "straight," but is sometimes used in the sense of "to lead straight along" and so "to direct" (Brown, etc., op. cit., p. 448). The Revised Version renders: "make straight." Moffatt contends that the verse has reference to Cyrus, King of Persia (mentioned in Isa. 45:1), and translates: " 'Tis I who have raised Cyrus of set purpose, smoothing the path for him;" continuing, " 'Tis he who shall rebuild my city, and set free my exiles" (see Ezra 1:2f.).