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.]

"The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Ps. 16:6)—The Hebrew term "chebel" can mean "line" (in the sense of "measuring line"), but the sense was often extended so as to include the "territory" which could be enclosed or measured by the "line." Thus "chebel" often means "measured portion, part or region," or, in a metaphorical sense, "portion or lot." Hence Moffatt's rendering: "Fair prospects are allotted me."

"My heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth" (Ps. 16:9)—Since the words "my glory" seem somewhat strange in this context, commentators suggest that at an early period in the history of the text—which at first consisted solely of consonants—a copyist set down KBWDY (my glory) instead of the original KBDY, meaning literally "my liver." the Jews often considered the liver as the seat of the emotions—compare the modern use of the word "heart." Moffatt translates: "And so my heart and soul rejoice."

"My flesh also shall rest in hope" (Ps. 16:9)—The Hebrew word rendered "hope" means more literally "security" or "safety." In view of this the American Standard Version has: "My flesh also shall dwell in safety;" and Smith renders: "My flesh also dwells in security."

"At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Ps. 16:11)—Scholars contend that the word translated "pleasures" is clearly here employed with reference to what they call "spiritual delights." Moffatt's rendering of the complete verse is: "Thou wilt reveal the path to life, to the full joy of thy presence, to the bliss of being close to thee for ever."

"Hold up my goings in thy paths" (Ps. 17:5)—The word translated "goings" is the regular Hebrew term for "steps"; while most authorities feel that as originally written the verb was in the indicative rather than the imperative. Dr. Briggs translates: "My steps hold fast to Thy tracks."

"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness" (Ps. 17:15)—In Hebrew, the word which is here literally rendered "face" often means "presence" or even "favor," while in Hebrew idiom "thy face" is often equivalent to "thyself" or "thee."

"We . . . were in bondage under the elements of the world" (Gal. 4:3)—The Greek term which is here translated "elements" can, like its English equivalent, refer to what are sometimes described as "the material elements of the universe" or, alternatively, to the "elements" or "rudiments of knowledge." The Riverside New Testament has: "We . . . were enslaved under the elementary lessons of the world."

"Thou compassest my path and my lying down" (Ps. 139:3)—The Hebrew word rendered "compass" means literally "sift or winnow," and when used figuratively, as here, the "sifting" doubtless suggests careful, minute examination, as in our phrase "to sift evidence." Moffatt well brings out the sense by rendering: "Walking or resting, I am scanned by thee;" while the Septuagint has: "Thou hast traced my path and my bed."

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" (I Cor. 2:11)—Weymouth offers the following rendering of this somewhat involved passage: "Who among men knows a man's thoughts, except the man's own spirit within him?" The Twentieth Century New Testament suggests: "For what man is there who knows what a man is, except the man's own spirit within him."

"Arise, shine" (Isa. 60:1)—The Hebrew term "or" means literally "to be bright or radiant, or to shine," but it was often used in addition in the sense of "to be happy or cheerful." Compare the English word "bright," which can mean either "shining" or "cheerful." Dr. Whitehouse suggests that the general sense of the passage is: "Greet the morn which has arisen with a glad heart;" while Moffatt renders: "Arise, be glad."

"Thy God thy glory" (Isa. 60:19)—It may be noted that the primary meaning of the word "teparah," which is here rendered "glory," is "beauty," and that is the translation which is suggested in the Margin of the Revised Version.

"They shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting" (Isa. 60:21)—Moffatt, assuming a slight change in the text, suggests the rendering: "They shall always hold the land, planted there by the Eternal's hand," and continues, "his own work, for his own glory."

"The Pharisees . . . took counsel with the Herodians against him" (Mark 3:6)—This temporary alliance of Pharisees with Herodians proves the depth of their common enmity against Jesus, for ordinarily the two parties had little in common. The Pharisees were protagonists of Jewish nationalism; while the Herodians were the political aides of the Herods, who ruled only by consent of Rome. In short, the Herodians supported the Roman power, which was persistently opposed by the Pharisees.

"The word of God is quick, and powerful" (Hebr. 4:12)—A literal translation would be: "The word of God is living and active." Thus Weymouth renders it: "The word of God is full of life and power."

"Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me" (John 17:11)—The Jewish people often used the word "name" as we would use "reputation" or "character"; while the preposition rendered "through" is literally "in." Hence the general sense may well be: "May those that you have given me retain your own character" (that is, the character of God).

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

Christian Science found me when I was very miserable

August 31, 1940

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit