Article September 26, 1936 Issue

Bible Notes

"Vanity of Vanities" (Eccl. 1:2)—The Hebrew word "chebel," here translated "vanity," means literally "vapour or breath," and then, figuratively, what is "evanescent, insubstantial, worthless" (Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon, p. 210).

"All is vanity and vexation of spirit" (Eccl. 1:14)—The Hebrew word here translated "vanity" is the same as that found in verse 2 of this chapter; while the term translated "spirit" can also mean "wind"; consequently a literal rendering would be, "All was vapour and pursuit of wind" (Brown, etc., op. cit., p. 210; and compare the Revised Version). The Septuagint has: "vanity and waywardness of 'pneuma,' " meaning either spirit or wind; while Moffatt suggests: "It is a vain, futile affair." The margin of the Revised Version suggests: "vanity and a feeding on wind."

"The testimony of God" (I Cor. 2:1)—The manuscripts are almost equally divided between the reading "marturion" (testimony) and "musterion" (mystery). The Revised Version translates, "mystery"; and Moffatt, "secret purpose"; though Weymouth (fifth edition) prefers, "testimony." It may be noted that the word "musterion," used here as in verse 7 of this same chapter, rarely, if ever refers, in the New Testament, to what is inexplicable or even unexplained. It is that which "was once hidden but now is revealed"—"hidden to ungodly and wicked men, but plain to the godly" (cf. Thayer: Greek Lexicon, p. 420).

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