Article June 8, 1940 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons.]

"The horn of my salvation" (Ps. 18:2)—The term "horn" is one which is constantly employed in the Old Testament, and sometimes also in the New Testament (for instance, in Luke 1:69), in the figurative sense of power or strength, the symbolism being derived from the horns of certain animals which are used for offensive purposes.

"Abram" and "Abraham" (Neh. 9:7)—The meaning of the term "Abram" is apparently "exalted" (ram) "father" (ab). The suggestion recorded in Genesis 17:5, to the effect that Abraham means "father of many nations," or of a multitude, is now generally taken by scholars to be a play upon words rather than a definite etymological note, for such a play upon words occurs often in the Old Testament. There is found to be no such word as "raham" in Hebrew, but the word for "multitude" is "hamon," which appears to have suggested the change from "Abram" to "Abraham," and the sense which is attached to the latter of the two names by the Biblical writer.

"Ur of the Chaldees" (Neh. 9:7)—The word "Chaldees" is simply a synonym for "Babylonians," and this helps us in establishing the position of Abraham's birthplace. It is now usually identified with the Ur (also known as Mukayyar) which is situated some six miles south of the river Euphrates, and at a distance of about one hundred and twenty-five miles from its mouth. Ur is known to have been the center of moon worship; indeed, remains of a temple to the moon god are still to be seen there; but Abraham broke away from this pagan background to found the Hebrew race and establish monotheism for himself and for his descendants.

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