WORDS OF CURRENT INTEREST

[The words in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly designated to be read in Christian Science churches on December 11, 1960.]

"Converting the soul" (Ps. 19:7)

The verb translated "convert" in this verse is the same as that rendered "return" in such a passage as Jeremiah 33:7, while it can also mean "restore" or "refresh."

"Enlightening the eyes" (Ps. 19:8)

Briggs gives the meaning of this phrase as "the eyes of the mind, so that they may see and understand"; while Moffatt has, "The Eternal's command is clear, a light to the mind."

Baal-shalisha (II Kings 4:42) (ba'al-shal'i-sha—first a as in ace, second as in account, third as in add, fourth as in sofa, i as in is).

Victuals (Matt. 14:15)

(vit"lz—i as in is). Food for human beings, especially when prepared for eating.

Province

(prov'ins—o as in odd, i as in is). One meaning is the proper or appropriate business or duty of a person or body.

Destruction (Ps. 103:4)

The Hebrew word means literally "the pit," a term used by the Hebrews to describe the supposed subterranean dwelling of the departed: and so, in more modern terms, "the grave" or "death."

"I will" (Mark 1:41)

It may be noted that "I will" as used here means more than "I will do so"; for the Greek verb thelo definitely implies active volition on the speaker's part. It is the same verb used by the leper in verse 40 ("If thou wilt"). One might translate it, "If you choose ..." followed by "I do choose ..." in verse 41.

Hierarchies

(hi'er-ar'kiz—first i as in ice, second as in is, e as in maker, a as in arm). A hierarchy is basically a body of officials disposed organically in ranks and orders each subordinate to the one above it; a body of ecclesiastical rulers.

Monad

(mon'ad—o as in odd, a as in add; or mo'nad—o as in old, a as in add). In Greek philosophy a unit; individual; atom. According to Leibnitz and others, an individual elementary being, psychical or spiritual in nature, but constituting the underlying reality of the physical as well.

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