Article April 16, 1938 Issue

Bible Notes

"Verily, verily, I say unto you" (John 5:25; cf. Mark 9:1)—In the Greek, the term "verily" is represented by the word "amen," which in turn is borrowed from the Hebrew, and is derived from a root which signifies "to be firm or steadfast;" indeed, it is this same Hebrew root which gives us the word "emunah," which in our Common Version of the Old Testament is variously translated "faith, faithfulness, steadfastness." When used at the beginning of a clause or sentence, as in the present context, "amen" means "surely, of a truth, verily;" while the repetition of the term (verily, verily) gives additional impressiveness and weight to the statement which follows it. Moffatt, in John 5:25, has: "Truly, truly I tell you;" and Weymouth (fifth edition): "In very truth I tell you."

"There appeared unto them Elias" (Mark 9:4)—"Elias" is, of course, simply the Greek form of the name "Elijah" borne by the famous Old Testament prophet.

"A lively hope" (I Pet. 1:3)—The word rendered "lively" is the regular Greek term for "living" (zosan). Consequently Weymouth renders: "a living hope;" while Moffatt and Goodspeed have: "a life of hope."

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