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 30, 1962.]

Holy Ghost (Rom. 5:5)

The word translated "Ghost" at this point is pneuma, so often rendered "Spirit" in other portions of the New Testament.

Before many peoples (Rev. 10:11)

The Greek preposition epi (before) not only meant "in the presence of" (as suggested here) but had a wide variety of senses, including "about" and "against." Hence Weymouth renders it "concerning" in this context; while the Twentieth Century New Testament has "about." It may be added that the word rendered "tongues" in the same verse can also be translated "languages."

Latchet (Luke 3:16)

This word, which means "the narrow strap, thong, or lace ... by which a shoe or sandal is fastened upon the foot," well represents the Greek word which it translates, but it is considered archaic today.

Candlestick (Zech. 4:2)

The word thus translated means more strictly "lampstand," and in view of this the reference in this verse to the "lamps thereon" follows more naturally, as does that to the two "olive branches," the olives of which apparently supplied oil for the lamps (cf. verse 12).

My messenger (Mal. 3:1)

The Hebrew word translated "my messenger" is male'achi. Many scholars contend that originally the prophecy was an anonymous one, which at a very early date came to be known for convenience as the book of "my messenger," hence the name "Malachi." Jesus himself indicates that John the Baptist was the messenger foretold in this verse (see Matt. 11:10, 11). Where the word "Malachi" occurs in Malachi 1:1, the Hebrew consonants can be read to mean either "my messenger" or "his messenger" (that is, the messenger of the Lord).

Shadow of death (Isa. 9:2)

The original Hebrew consonants can be read to mean either "shadow of death" or "darkness; deep darkness; deep shadow," according to the vowels presupposed by the translator.

Abstract

(ab'strakt—both a's as in add). Considered apart from any application to a particular object. Ideal; abstruse; difficult.

Influx

(in'fluks—i as in is, u as in up). A flowing in; inflow; as, an influx of light or air; hence, the accession of anything the coming of which may be likened to a stream; an inpouring.

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