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.]

"I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit" (Isa. 48:17)—This is a strictly literal translation of the original, but Smith suggests the alternative rendering: "I the LORD am your God, who teaches you for your profit;" while Moffatt has: "I am the Eternal your God, training you for your good."

"I will . . . give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth" (Isa. 49:8)—The word translated "covenant" can also mean "pledge," while an alternative rendering of the word translated "earth" is "land." From the context it would appear as though the primary reference were to the land of Palestine, whose "desolate heritages" were to become fruitful once again, when the stern experience of Israel's exile in the land of Babylon came to an end.

"Neither shall the heat nor sun smite them" (Isa. 49:10)—The Hebrew word "sharab," here translated "heat," means literally "a mirage," which is largely caused by the waves of shimmering heat arising from the desert sands. Whitehouse suggests the rendering: "glowing sand"; while Moffatt, taking the word as referring to a hot wind, renders: "Never shall sun or sirocco plague them."

"Thou maintainest my lot" (Ps. 16:5)—Dr. Kirkpatrick points out that a literal translation would be: "Thou holdest fast my lot;" in other words, "My welfare is in Thy hand; no man can rob me of it" (Commentary on Psalms, Vol. I, p. 75). The form of the phrase found in the Hebrew as we now have it is unusual, so some consider that, as originally written, the meaning was: "Thou art the possession of my lot." Compare Moffatt's rendering: "Thou thyself art my share."

"Marvellous things did he . . . in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan" (Ps. 78:12)—Zoan was a great city in lower Egypt—also known as "Tanis"—and is thought to have been a favorite residence of the Pharaohs. It may even have been at one time the capital of the country. Hence, "the field of Zoan" is virtually a synonym for "the land of Egypt."

"The LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob" (Ps. 78:21)—The historical incident here referred to occurred at a place called "Taberah" during the wanderings of the children of Israel in the wilderness (see Numbers 11:1—3).

"He . . . forgave their iniquity" (Ps. 78:38)—The term here rendered "iniquity" comes from a Hebrew root meaning "to bend" or "twist," sin, in this instance, being conceived of as a perversion of the moral nature, or as a turning away from right thinking or activity.

"Thy name shall be called no more Jacob" (Gen. 32:28)—While the derivation of Jacob's name is somewhat uncertain, it appears to be taken in Genesis 27:36 as meaning supplanter or deceiver, thus implying the thought of duplicity; for in that verse we read: "Is not he rightly named Jacob [Y'KB]? for he hath supplanted me [WYY'KBN] these two times."

"Jacob called the name of the place Peniel" (Gen. 32:30)—The term "Peniel" means literally "the face of God;" while in Hebrew idiom it could be understood as meaning "the presence of God."

"I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me" (Gen. 33:10)—Moffatt suggests the following rendering: "I have had access to your presence as to the presence of God himself and found a welcome."

"Make them sit down by fifties in a company" (Luke 9:14)—Weymouth (Fifth Edition) renders: "Make them sit down in parties of about fifty each;" and Moffatt: "Make them lie down in rows of about fifty."

"The children of the bridechamber" (Matt. 9:15)—The phrase "children [more literally 'sons'] of the bridechamber" was applied to the companions and friends of the bridegroom—corresponding closely to the best man and ushers at a modern wedding; but the phrase was sometimes extended in its meaning to include any of the wedding guests, or any of those who took part in the bridal procession.

"A certain ruler" (Matt. 9:18)—The name of the ruler is not here given, but it is clear from the parallel accounts given in Mark (5:22ff.) and in Luke (8:41ff.) that it was Jairus, "a ruler of the synagogue." His position was one of considerable importance, corresponding closely to that of a trustee or a director of a modern church.

"Jesus . . . saw the minstrels and the people making a noise" (Matt. 9:23)—Dr. Smith, in his "Bible Dictionary," contends that the "minstrels" here mentioned were "the flute-players who were employed as professional mourners," and who are alluded to in various Old Testament passages, including Jeremiah 9:17—20 and II Chronicles 35:25. In Matthew 9:23, Weymouth renders: "Jesus saw the flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing."

"As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem" (Isa. 31:5)—The Hebrew term which is here rendered "defend" can also mean to "cover over" or to "surround." The American Standard Version has: "As birds hovering, so will Jehovah of hosts protect Jerusalem;" while Moffatt's rendering is as follows: "Like a bird fluttering above its nest, shall the Eternal ward Jerusalem."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

Christian Science was presented to me when I was in the...

December 7, 1940

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit