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 January 15, 1967.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee (Prov. 3:3)

Moffatt has, "Never let kindness and loyalty go," continuing, "Tie them fast round your neck." Smith has, "Let not kindness and good faith leave you."

Continuity

(kon'ti-nu'i-ty—o as in odd, first i as in is, second as in charity, u as in cube. y as in sleepy). The quality or state of being continuous; uninterrupted connection or succession; close union of parts; cohesion; coherence. The quality or state of continuing without essential change.

There shall no razor come upon his head (I Sam. 1:11)

The fact that Hannah offered this vow with regard to her child, Samuel, as yet unborn, indicates that he was to be raised as a Nazirite rite. This implied special dedication to the service of God and strict abstention on Samuel's part from wine or strong drink.

Perpetuity

(pur'pe-tu'i-ty—first u as in urn, second as in cube, e as in event, i as in charity, y as in sleepy). Endless time; eternity. The quality or state of being perpetual: duration without limitations as to time.

The word of the Lord was precious in those days (I Sam. 3:1)

The Hebrew word yaqar (precious) was also used in the sense of ' rare"; while the word rendered "open" later in the verse can also mean spread abroad, in the sense of general or frequent.

Accretion

(a-kre'shun—a as in account, e as in eve, u as in circus). The process of growth or enlargement. Organic growth; continued development from within. Increase by external addition or accumulation (as by adhesion of external parts or particles).

All Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba (I Sam. 3:20)

Dan was in the far north of Palestine, and Beer-sheba in the far south: so "from Dan to Beersheba" came to be a synonym for "throughout the land" or "from north to south."

Baalim and Ashtaroth (I Sam. 7:4)

The term "Baalim" (ba'a-lim— first a as in ace, second as in account count. i as in is), the plural of "Baal," was used to describe the pagan gods of the Canaanites. Their goddesses were often styled "Ashtaroth" (ash'ta-roth—first a as in add. second as in account, o as in odd or as in soft).

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