Article November 20, 1937 Issue

Bible Notes

"My righteousness is near" (Isa. 51:5)—While the Hebrew term "tsedeq" is very often rendered "righteousness," it was also employed by the Biblical writers in the sense of "rightness, what is right, just, normal;" or, again, in that of "righteousness as vindicated," and so " 'justification' in controversy with enemies and troubles, 'deliverance, victory, prosperity' " (see Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon, p. 841f.). In consequence, we find that Smith translates: "My deliverance shall draw near in a moment;" and Moffatt: "Swift and soon is my redress."

"Mine arms shall judge the people" (Isa. 51:5)—In the Bible and particularly in the Old Testament, the "arm" is often employed metaphorically to represent "influence, power, means of support, or conquest," and more particularly of "the power of God to redeem, judge, protect, punish" (see International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, p. 246). Compare also verse 9, where we read: "Put on strength, O arm of the Lord."

"Wisdom crieth without" (Prov. 1:20)—The term which is here rendered "wisdom" is really in the plural (literally "wisdoms"), a fact which, by a familiar Hebrew idiom, appears to intensify its meaning. Hence, the note found in the margin of the Authorized Version: "Wisdoms—that is, Excellent wisdom." According to one of the marginal notes appended by those who prepared the Genevan Version: "This wisedome is the eternal Word of God."

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