Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons.]

"He . . . gave them power and authority over all devils" (Luke 9:1)—In Christ Jesus' day there was a common belief to the effect that all or almost all disease was due to the activities of supposed "devils" or demons; hence the reference to the disciples' reception of "power and authority over" them, at the outset of their healing ministry.

"The Lord . . . sent them two and two before his face"(Luke 10:1)—It is supposed that the disciples were sent out "two and two" that they might have companionship, support in their new endeavor, and mutual protection; while "before his face" represents a Greek idiom meaning simply "before him" or "ahead of him."

"If the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it" (Luke 10:6)—The Greek phrase rendered "the son of peace" means literally "a son of peace," words often idiomatically used to mean "one worthy of (or, inclined to) peace." In Luke 10:6 Weymouth (Fifth Edition) has: there is a lover of peace there;" while Moffatt has: "If there is a soul there breathing peace, your peace will rest on him."

"He hath filled zion judgment and righteousness" (Isa. 33:5)—The Hebrew word "mishpat," which is here translated "judgment," can also be rendered "justice, law, right." Hence the American Standard Version suggests: "justice and righteousness;" while Moffatt gives: "Justice and equity he pours on Sion."

"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation" (Isa. 33:6)—The word "emunah," here rendered "stability"—which comes from the same root as the familiar term "Amen"—is elsewhere rendered "faith" (Hab. 2:4), and can also mean "security"or "honesty." The American Standard Version has: "And there shall be stability in thy times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge."

"The fear of the Lord is his treasure" (Isa. 33:6)—The Hebrew text as we now have it does refer to "his treasure," but many scholars feel that as originally recorded there was a different possessive pronoun, closely similar in appearance to the one now in the text. Thus the American Standard Version has: "The fear of Jehovah is thy treasure."

"His place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks" (Isa. 33:16)—The Hebrew term translated "munitions" means literally "fastnesses or strongholds," and especially "mountain fastnesses." Smith suggests: "His stronghold will be rocky fastnesses."

"A tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken" (Isa. 33:20)—The metaphor used here is seen to be peculiarly vivid when we recall that "tabernacle" simply represents the Hebrew term for "tent," and that the writer goes on to mention the stability of the "stakes" (tent-pegs) and the strength of the "cords" (guy-ropes).

"He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about" (Ps. 32:10)—Since the Hebrew word rendered "mercy" also means "kindness, goodness, love," one might translate: "He who trusts in the Lord, shall be surrounded by love."

"Spiritual wickedness" (Eph. 6:12)—Some light is thrown on this seemingly strange phrase when we discover that the term "pneumatika, rendered "spiritual," is derived from "pneuma," which means "breath" or "wind" as well as "spirit," and so in this context it might be rendered "intangible" or "illusive."

"Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name" (Ps. 61:5)—The word "me" is not represented in the Hebrew, and many scholars feel that, as originally composed, the passage included a term meaning "desire" or "wish," which is all but identical in appearance with the word for "heritage." Moffatt has: "Thou grantest the desire of reverent men."

"The power of the Lord was present to heal them" (Luke 5:17)—Some of the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament, including the Vatican and Sinaitic codices, give a text which may be literally translated, "The power of the Lord was present that he should heal." This is accepted in substance by most modern translators.

"What reason ye in your hearts?" (Luke 5:22)—The Greek word "ti" can also be rendered "why," which follows the more naturally after the statement that "Jesus perceived their thoughts." Hence, the Revised Version (Margin) has: "Why reason ye?" and Moffatt: "Why argue in your hearts?"

"Feed them also, and lift them up for ever" (Ps. 28:9)—The verb here translated "feed" refers properly to the feeding, shepherding, or tending of a flock of sheep. Thus Moffatt translates: "Shepherd them and carry them for ever:" while Smith suggests: "Shepherd them and carry them evermore."

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits" (Ps. 68:19)—The words "with benefits," being italicized in our Authorized Version, are not represented in the Hebrew, having been added by the translators to complete their concept of the sense. Moreover, the Hebrew verb rendered "load" also means "to carry a load." Thus an alternative rendering would be: "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden."

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