Article December 18, 1937 Issue

Bible Notes

"Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation" (Isa. 33:6)—It may be noted that word "emunah," here translated "stability," is connected with our English word "Amen," and is identical with the term rendered "faith" in Habakkuk 2:4. Other translations of "emunah" are "security" and "honesty" (Feyerabend: Hebrew Dictionary, p. 20). The American Revised Version offers the interesting alternative rendering; "There shall be stability in they times, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge."

"The fear of the Lord is his treasure" (Isa. 33:6)—As the Hebrew stands at present, the reference is to "his treasure," but various translators presuppose a slight change in the text, giving a different possessive pronoun—one, moreover, more in accord with the context. Hence we find: "The fear of the Lord is thy treasure" (American Revised Version); and, "He pours on Sion, ... godly reverence as our treasure" (Moffatt).

"His place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks" (Isa. 33:16)—The Hebrew term "metsadoth," here rendered "munitions," means literally "mountain-holds, castles, strongholds, fortresses" (Feyerabend: op. cit., p. 191). The Septuagint suggests: "He shall dwell in a high cave of a strong rock;" and Moffatt; "He shall dwell far out of reach of harm, as in a stronghold on the cliff, secure."