Kimhi is important both as a grammarian and exegete. His exegesis, which owes much to predecessors, especially to Abraham ibn Ezra (1092-1167 A.D.), is remarkable for its clearness and sobriety, and its adherence to the plain and literal sense of the Scriptural text. Kimhi was a well-trained philologist for his time, and was an exact grammarian. Though he notices the old Midrashic interpretations in his commentary, he always sets exact and literal exegesis in the forefront. His work has exercised profound influence on later generations, not only of Jews, but of Christians. His commentary on the Prophets, as well as those on Genesis and the Psalms, are accessible in the Rabbinical Bibles, and have also been printed in separate editions. Latin translations of the more important parts of Kimhi's work were also made for Christian use. The Rabbi's influence on Christian circles is reflected in the English Bible, especially in the Authorized Version (AV) of 1611, where, it has been said, it can be traced "on every page."
(Quoted from "The Longer Commentary of R' David Kimhi on The First Book of Psalms", by R' David Kimhi, translated from Hebrew by R. G. Finch, B.D., 1919)
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Why Psalm 12:7 is not a 'preservation' verse for the Word...
As a start, we will look at the verse itself in the KJB -
"Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
The KJB being based on the previous 'version' of 1568, called the Bishops Bible, which in its text says -
"[Wherefore] thou wilt keep the godly, O God: thou wilt preserve every one of them from this generation for ever."
"Heb., 'him', i. every one of them."
Most "pro-KJB/KJV-only" Christians of the Baptist realm will refuse to believe such a thing, especially from one who does not follow their 'belief'.
Next we will see who Kimhi is, and who Abr. Ezra is.
"Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
The KJB being based on the previous 'version' of 1568, called the Bishops Bible, which in its text says -
"[Wherefore] thou wilt keep the godly, O God: thou wilt preserve every one of them from this generation for ever."
Evidently the KJB translators believed the 'them' in the (a) part of verse 7 to mean 'the godly', as per their note in the gloss of the original 1611 printing - which reads as follows -
"Heb., 'him', i. every one of them."
Most "pro-KJB/KJV-only" Christians of the Baptist realm will refuse to believe such a thing, especially from one who does not follow their 'belief'.
In the 1537 Matthews Bible, there is a curious note in its gloss that might have started this whole thing. The note for the word 'them' reads as follows -
"That is, 'such and such men', after Kimhi. But after Abr. Ezra, 'thy words'."
Next we will see who Kimhi is, and who Abr. Ezra is.
Trim your lamps, brethren.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
The creation in order?
Amos 9:6 - He buildeth his spheres in the heaven, and hath laid the foundation of his globe of elements in the earth: he calleth the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the open earth: the Lord is his Name.
Very few verses speak of the world and planets we know about now days.
And 454 years ago God put it in his English bible for clarity and wisdom.
God is interested in facts, not guesses, and this section of verses proves that our Earth was, and was amongst, 'round' globular planets.
Which, as we know today, are a layered system of elements and such, that represent God's blessing for mans eventual use: of minerals, that would, and do, produce some of our common fuels; and various wonders that mankind now enjoys.
God has produced a real wonder, just in the planet we inhabit.
And as a result, the people that we share our planet with should know, by our testimony about the exactness of his written word, that he means everything he says.
And he says in 1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he loved us first.
Sharing God's love is top priority in our mission here.
Accuracy is important.
It all began at creation, and it ends with us believing the exactness of his word.
Trim your lamps.
Very few verses speak of the world and planets we know about now days.
And 454 years ago God put it in his English bible for clarity and wisdom.
God is interested in facts, not guesses, and this section of verses proves that our Earth was, and was amongst, 'round' globular planets.
Which, as we know today, are a layered system of elements and such, that represent God's blessing for mans eventual use: of minerals, that would, and do, produce some of our common fuels; and various wonders that mankind now enjoys.
God has produced a real wonder, just in the planet we inhabit.
And as a result, the people that we share our planet with should know, by our testimony about the exactness of his written word, that he means everything he says.
And he says in 1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he loved us first.
Sharing God's love is top priority in our mission here.
Accuracy is important.
It all began at creation, and it ends with us believing the exactness of his word.
Trim your lamps.
Monday, October 13, 2014
God is soooo good!
Yes it is evident, God is soo good.
As we seek to please the Lord, let us be sober on this fact, God doesn't have to be good to us.
But he wants to be.
God wants what is best for us, and wants us happy.
Romans 8:28 says, "Also we know that all things work together for the best unto them that love God, even to them that are called of his purpose."
But from our view, it doesn't always look that good.
God has the 'best' way to accomplish what we need.
And if we don't think it's right to our specifications, well, guess what?
We are wrong.
Yes, God is soo good.
Let us strive to enter into his 'circle of wisdom' in his word, and know he is in control, and we aren't.
Be at peace, and remember... trim your lamps!
As we seek to please the Lord, let us be sober on this fact, God doesn't have to be good to us.
But he wants to be.
God wants what is best for us, and wants us happy.
Romans 8:28 says, "Also we know that all things work together for the best unto them that love God, even to them that are called of his purpose."
But from our view, it doesn't always look that good.
God has the 'best' way to accomplish what we need.
And if we don't think it's right to our specifications, well, guess what?
We are wrong.
Yes, God is soo good.
Let us strive to enter into his 'circle of wisdom' in his word, and know he is in control, and we aren't.
Be at peace, and remember... trim your lamps!
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