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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The Chaldeans spoke in the Syrian language: O king, may you live for a very long time. Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many and are one body, so also is Christ.
Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
I would like it that you all speak with tongues, but I prefer that you prophesy. The person who announces (teaches) (preaches) God's Word is greater than the person who speaks with tongues. The person who speaks with tongues should have an interpreter so the congregation may receive understanding and knowledge.
Let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret what he says.
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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The king was upset the next morning. So he called his magicians and wise men and told them what he had dreamed. None of them could tell him what the dreams meant.
They did not know that Joseph understood. There was an interpreter between them.
When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.
In the time of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his friends, sent a letter to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, writing it in the Aramaic language.
Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
Your first ancestor sinned, and your priests rebelled against me.
The king summoned the magicians, enchanters (conjurers), sorcerers, and the Chaldeans and commanded them to tell the king about his dreams. They came in and stood before the king.
I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon that they might explain the dream to me.
Joseph had this in mind when God's angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him: Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by Holy Spirit.
The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means: God (God-like one) is with us. (John 1:18)
God warned the astrologers in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they departed for their country by a different road. When they left, the angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: Herod is looking to kill the young child. Arise, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to leave.
After Herod died God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph who was in Egypt.
When he heard that Archelaus succeeded his father, Herod, as king of Judea, Joseph feared going. Warned in a dream, he left for Galilee instead.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? Which (translated) means: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
He took the child by the hand and said to her: Talitha cumi. Which means when interpreted, little girl I say to you arise.
They brought him to the place called Golgotha. This means the place of a skull.
At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Interpreted it means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Jesus turned and saw them following. He asked them, What are you after? They asked him: Teacher, where are you staying?
He found his brother Simon first. He said to him: We have found the Messiah (Christ).
Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, (this meaning: The son of consolation,) was a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus.
A disciple named Tabitha was at Joppa. Her name, when translated means Dorcas. This woman did many good works and gave gifts of mercy.
But Elymas the sorcerer opposed them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
To another the workings of miracles and to another prophesy. To another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
I would like it that you all speak with tongues, but I prefer that you prophesy. The person who announces (teaches) (preaches) God's Word is greater than the person who speaks with tongues. The person who speaks with tongues should have an interpreter so the congregation may receive understanding and knowledge.
Let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret what he says.
How is it then, brothers? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, and has an interpretation. Let all things be done to clarify and offer understanding!
Know this first that no prophecy of scripture is for private interpretation.