Article August 10, 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.]

"All ye that fear God" (Ps. 66:16)—Here, as in so many Biblical passages, the verb rendered "fear" means rather "revere, reverence, worship," or "stand in awe of." Hence Moffatt renders: "all ye worshippers of God;" while Smith has: "all you who revere God."

"The first rain and the latter rain" (Deut. 11:14)—"The first rain," called in Hosea 6:3 and other Biblical passages the "former rain," came in October or November, according to our calendar, and was of importance to the Palestinian farmer as making ready the ground for the fall sowing, while it marked the commencement of the rainy season. "The latter rain," coming in March or April, was considered as equally necessary for the nourishment of the growing crops.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him" (Ps. 62:5)—The Hebrew verb which is here rendered "wait" would appear to be connected with an early root meaning "be silent" or "rest." The American Standard Version renders: "My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; for my expectation is from him;" while Moffatt suggests: "Leave it all quietly to God, my soul, my rescue comes from him alone."

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