Article July 4, 1942 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in these columns can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons. The Notes in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon designated to be read in Christian Science churches on July 19, 1942.]

"This commandment ... is not hidden from thee" (Deut. 30:11)—The term rendered "hidden" means more literally "to be surpassing, or extraordinary," or, alternatively, "to be beyond one's power; to be hard, or difficult;" and when followed by the preposition here translated "from" (though it has also a number of different meanings), the phrase may be legitimately translated, in accord with a familiar Hebrew idiom, "This commandment ... is not too difficult for you." Smith suggests: "This charge ... is not beyond your power."

"I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil" (Deut. 30:15)—The term here rendered "good" can also mean "welfare, prosperity, benefit, or happiness;" while that translated "evil" has an equally broad meaning signifying also "distress, misery, calamity, or injury." Hence Smith suggests: "I put before you today life and prosperity, along with death and misfortune;" while Moffatt has: "Here have I put before you this day life and welfare, death and misfortune."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

It would be impossible to express...