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 August 24, 1969.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Ex. 20:3)

The Hebrew idiom used at this point implies a prohibition even more specific than is indicated in the King James Version, as is well suggested in Moffatt's translation, "You shall have no gods but me."

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Ex. 20:4)

The Hebrew noun pesel (graven image) means literally "that which is carved or hewn into shape," and so "a carved idol or image." Moffatt offers this rendering: "You shall not carve any idols for yourselves."

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (Ex. 20:16)

Christ Jesus' interpretation of the ninth commandment was clearly even wider than that suggested in the Mosaic rule. Instead of merely forbidding false witness, the Master goes so far as to warn his followers against judging others in any respect (see Matt. 7:1) or judging "according to the appearance" (John 7:24).

By faith Moses, when he was come to years (Hebr. 11:24)

A more strictly literal rendering of the Greek would be, "when he had become great"; but since the word megas (great) was often used with special reference to stature, height, or age, Weymouth suggests, "when he grew to manhood,' and The New English Bible, "when he grew up."

The children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 13:18)

The Hebrew chamushim (harnessed) is one of uncertain meaning; but there is good reason to suppose that it is akin to an Arabic word meaning "army," perhaps indicating that "armed" or "in battle array" may suggest the sense intended by the Biblical writer. Moffatt suggests, "The Israelites left Egypt in orderly array."

And thou shalt teach them diligently (Deut. 6:7)

The single Hebrew word-form translated "teach diligently," which includes both a prefix and a suffix, is weshinnetam. It comes basically from the verb shanan, meaning strictly "to whet" or "to sharpen" and so, in this context, the meaning "teach them incisively" might come nearer to the sense intended than "teach them diligently."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit