An interesting parallel to the Oriental custom mentioned on page 250 may be found amongst the boys on the foundation at Winchester, the sleeves of whose gowns, fastening above the elbow, always contain their handkerchief, and frequently other articles. G. A. K.
We may mention that we shall now be glad of some more “Notes from Bible Margins” from our readers. We feel sure that many of them must have in their Bibles and note-books rich stores of these gleaned at many a Bible-reading, which only want to be made known to be of profit to many. We trust those of our readers who have them will not grudge the time spent in copying them out and sending them to us, as we find they are much appreciated.
We are glad to find that the plan of allowing the Bible Class to select their own subject works well; but we trust each member will use still greater diligence to send in his or her paper regularly. Even if nothing can be found in the portion allotted, the paper ought to be sent in just the same, stating the fact, and thus obviating the necessity of a further search in these cases a negative result is often as valuable as a positive one.
In B.S., vol. 1. p. 65, Q. 301, “ Zurich” asked “Please explain ‘So shall he sprinkle many nations.’“—Isaiah 52:1515So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. (Isaiah 52:15). The answer was, “That we should be glad to know the exact force of sprinkle ‘ from our readers.” In reply we have received the following remarks from W. T. H. which we have not inserted in “ Notes on former Queries,” as we wish to confine such to those of the current year, but we give them here in the hope that some of our critical readers may also be able to throw further light on this interesting passage:” Two words are used in the Old Test. in connection with the sacrifices, and both are translated “sprinkle” in A. V. First “nazah,” which is always used in connection with expiation, or cleansing for sin. The Septuagint translates it to sprinkle, besprinkle, &c., except in Isaiah 15, where it gives to wonder, or admire. Second, eared, which is used, too, in connection with sacrifices, but the Sept. renders it with but one exception to pour, as out of a vessel. It is mostly applied to the blood of sacrifices which was poured upon the altar; so the one would be used for sprinkling, as with the finger, the other for scattering as from a vessel. (Exodus 29:20, 2120Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. 21And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him. (Exodus 29:20‑21)).
“Many, I am aware, in Isaiah 15, follow the Sept. in preference to the A. V., objecting first, that ‘to sprinkle’ does not agree with the parallel verb ‘to astonish’ (v. 14); secondly, that ‘nazah’ is in every other case accompanied by the object sprinkled upon. With regard to the former, I think instances may be adduced where the antithesis is equally strong. Taylor, in his Hebrew Concordance, says ‘nazah’ means to sprinkle, but in Isaiah 52:1515So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. (Isaiah 52:15) it seems to have a peculiar meaning, which is not easily collected from the other places where this word is used. The antithesis points to regard, esteem, admiration; thus (v. 14) as many were astonished at thee, so shall he sprinkle—engage the esteem and admiration of many nations. But how to deduce this from the sense of the word I know not. This is honest at any rate, and surely sufficient evidence that the objection is untenable.
“The second objection, I think, is weak in the extreme. Adding to this, that the Syriac, Vulgate, Luther, the Spanish of de Valera, and many other versions, agree with ours, one may safely conclude the A. V. is correct, and that the word means ‘to sprinkle,’ or ‘make expiation’ for many nations.
The word translated astonied in verse 14 is more expressive of hatred than astonishment. Might it not be translated loathe, ‘or detest,’ and did not the Jews loathe and detest the Lord Jesus when on earth? Was it not on account of their hatred that His visage was marred “—wounds received in the house of His friends? And so through their rejection of the Messiah, grace went out to the Gentiles, and will do so yet more fully in the time that is not far distant.”