Article January 9, 1943 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 January 24, 1943].

"Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates" (Zech. 8:16)—In the Old Testament period, justice was generally administered at the gate of the city (compara Deut. 21:19f., etc.), while we read: "Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates" (Deut. 16:18). Thus "the gate of the city" is often a phrase used as practically a synonym for "courthouse" or "judgment hall"; while the Hebrew word rendered "peace" can be alternatively rendered "welfare, prosperity, health, friendship." Smith suggests: "Give true and just decisions in your courts."

"Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour" (Zech. 8:17)—While the Hebrew verb "chasab" can mean "imagine" or "think," it was often employed in a more definitely purposive sense, with the meaning of "plan, devise, charge, or impute." Consequently, Smith has: "Let none of you devise evil in your thoughts against your friend;" while Moffatt prefers: "Plot no evil in your hearts against one another."

"The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, abd the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth" (Zech. 8:19)—This passage refers to four fasts instituted and observed during the exile of the Jews in Babylon. The fast held on the ninth day of the fourth month ("Tammuz") recalled the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; and that held in the fifth month ("Ab") was in memory of the burning of the city and its temple about the same time. The fast of the seventh month ("Tishri") recalled the passing of Jeremiah's friend Gedaliah (Jer. 41:1f.); while that of the tenth month ("Tebeth") commemorated the opening of Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem.

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