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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For, as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is the Christ;
Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Now I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy; and greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edifying.
Wherefore, let him that speaks in a tongue, pray that he may interpret.
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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And, while thinking of these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take to yourself Mary your wife; for that which was begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit.
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel," which is, being interpreted, God with us.
And, having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed by another way into their own country. And, they having departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Having risen, take the Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there till I speak to you; for Herod is about to seek the Child to destroy Him."
And, Herod having died, behold, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream in Egypt, saying,
But, hearing that Archelaus was reigning over Juda instead of his father Herod, he feared to go thither; and, having been divinely warned in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee;
And, about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "My God! My God! Why didst Thou forsake Me?"
And, having taken hold of the child's hand, He saith to her, "Talitha cumi;" which is, being interpreted, "Damsel, (I say to you), arise."
And they bring Him to the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, "The place of a skull."
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with aloud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI!" which is, being interpreted, "My God! My God! why didst Thou forsake Me!"
And Jesus, turning and beholding them following, saith to them, "What are ye seeking?" They said to Him, "Rabbi," (which, being translated, means Teacher), "where abidest Thou?"
He first finds his own brother Simon, and says to him, "We have found the Messiah," (which, being translated, is Christ).
And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is interpreted, "Son of Consolation"), a Levite, a Cyprian by birth,
Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, (which being translated means Dorcas): this woman was full of good works and alms which she was accustomed to do.
but Elymas, the sorcerer (for so his name is interpreted) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
and to another, workings of mighty deeds; and to another, prophecy; and to another, discerning of spirits; to another, various kinds of tongues; and to another, interpretation of tongues.
Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Now I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy; and greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edifying.
Wherefore, let him that speaks in a tongue, pray that he may interpret.
What is it, then, brethren? When ye come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edification.
knowing this, first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of one's own interpretation;