Reference: Interpretation
American
Revealing the true meaning of supernatural dreams, Ge 41; Da 2:4, unknown tongues, etc., 1Co 12:12,30; 14:5,13.
For the right interpretation of the word of God, the chief requisites are, a renewed heart, supremely desirous to learn and do the will of God; the aid of the Holy Spirit, sought and gained; a firm conviction that the word of God should rule the erring season and heart of man; a diligent comparison of its different parts, for the light they throw upon each other; all reliable information as to the history and geography, the customs, laws, and languages, the public, domestic, and inner life of Bible times. Thus to study the Bible for one's self is the privilege and duty of every one.
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Upon this the Chaldeans answered the king in the Syrians' speech, "O king, God save thy life forever. Show thy servants the dream, and we shall show thee, what it meaneth."
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of one body though they be many, yet are but one body: even so is Christ.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
I would that ye all spake with tongues: but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, except he expound it also, that the congregation may have edifying.
Wherefore, let him that speaketh with tongues, pray: that he may interpret also.
Hastings
This word and its cognates are found throughout the Bible with a wide variety in their use. 1. In the earlier stages of the history of mankind dreams were looked upon as manifestations of Divine intervention in human affairs, and it was regarded as of the first importance that their mysterious revelations should be explained for those to whom they were vouchsafed. From the story of Joseph we learn that a special class at the court of the Pharaohs discharged the function of interpreters of dreams (cf. 'magicians' Revised Version margin 'sacred scribes'] and 'wise men,' Ge 41:8), A similar body of wise or learned men is mentioned in the Book of Daniel, for the same object at the court of Babylon (Da 2:2 ff; Da 4:6 f.). The idea that dreams were a means of communication between the Deity and men was also current amongst the Hebrews from a very early date. In the NT we find that dreams occupy the place of direct visions or revelations from God, and no difficulty seems to have been experienced by the recipients as to their precise meaning (Mt 1:20; 2:12-13,19,22).
2. Turning again to the history of Joseph, we find there an incidental remark which leads us to believe that there was an official interpreter, or a body of interpreters, whose work it was to translate foreign languages into the language of the court (cf. 'the interpreter,' Ge 42:23). The qualification to act as interpreter seems to have been required of those who acted as ambassadors at foreign courts (cf. 2Ch 32:31). That prominent politicians and statesmen had this means of international communication at their disposal is seen in the translation by the Persian nobles of their letter from their own language into Aramaic (Ezr 4:7). As the Hebrew tongue ceased to be that of the common people, interpreters were required at the sacred services to translate or explain the Law and the Prophets after the reading of the original (see W. R. Smith, OTJC [Note: TJC The Old Test. in the Jewish Church.] 36, 64n, 154). In the NT, examples are frequent of the interpretation in Greek of a Hebrew or Aramaic phrase (Mt 1:23; 27:46; Mr 5:41; 15:22,34; Joh 1:38,41 f., Ac 4:36; 9:36; 13:8); and in this connexion it is Interesting to recall the extract from the writings of Papias preserved by Eusebius, in which Mark is called 'the interpreter of Peter' (see HE iii. 39)
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When the morning came, his spirit was troubled. And he sent and called for all the soothsayers of Egypt and all the wise men thereof, and told them his dream: but there was none of them that could interpret it unto Pharaoh.
They were not aware that Joseph understood them, for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
But when the ambassadors of the lords of Babylon were sent to him to enquire of the wonder that chanced in the land, God left him: to tempt him, that all that was in his heart might be known.
And in the time of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the others of their counsel wrote unto Artaxerxes the king of Persia. But the scripture of the letter was written in the Syrians speech, and was interpreted in the language of the Syrians.
Now if there be a messenger, one among a thousand sent for to speak unto man, and to show him the right way;
Thy first father offended sore, and thy rulers have sinned against me.
Then the king commanded to call together all the soothsayers, charmers, witches and Chaldeans, for to show the king his dream. So they came, and stood before the king.
Then sent I out a commission, that all they which were of wisdom at Babylon should be brought before me, to tell me the interpretation of the dream.
While he thus thought, Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: For that which is conceived in her is of the holy ghost.
"Behold, a maiden shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is by interpretation, God with us."
And after they were warned of God in a dream that they should not go again to Herod, they returned into their own country another way. When they were departed, Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying,. "Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt, and abide there till I bring thee word: For Herod will seek the child to destroy him."
When Herod was dead, Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Jewry in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, after he was warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli Eli lama sabacthani?" That is to say, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
And took the maiden by the hand, and said unto her, "Talitha, cumi," which is by interpretation, "maiden I say unto thee, arise."
And they brought him to a place named Golgotha: which is, by interpretation, the place of dead men's skulls.
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani," which is, if it be interpreted, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
And Jesus turned about, and saw them follow, and said unto them, "What seek ye?" They said unto him, "Rabbi," which is to say, by interpretation, "Master: where dwellest thou?"
The same found his brother Simon first, and said unto him, "We have found Messiah," which is by interpretation, Anointed.
And Joseph, which was also called of the apostles Barnabas - that is to say, the son of consolation - being a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
There was at Joppa a certain woman, which was a disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: the same was full of good works and alms deeds, which she did.
But the sorcerer Elymas - for so was his name by interpretation - withstood them, and sought to turn away the ruler from the faith.
to another, power to do miracles; to another prophecy; to another, judgment of spirits; to another divers tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
I would that ye all spake with tongues: but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, except he expound it also, that the congregation may have edifying.
Wherefore, let him that speaketh with tongues, pray: that he may interpret also.
How is it then brethren? When ye come together, every man hath his song, hath his doctrine, hath his tongue, hath his revelation, hath his interpretation: Let all things be done unto edifying.
So that ye first know this: That no prophecy in the scripture hath any private interpretation.