SOS Hermeneutics: “What Does this Mean?

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love is better than wine. – Son 1:2

Any study of Scripture must begin with a study of words. Define your terms and then stick to the terms defined. What does “propitiation” mean? Who is an “Advocate”? And what does “manger” mean? Really.

This is the area where we need to remind ourselves that the scriptures were not written in King James’ English but in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament).

Our standard English Bibles are, of course, faithful translations of the original terms; but once in a while we get to be reminded of nuances and thoughts that are “lost in translation”. A popular example of this is the fact that the Greek Bible uses several different terms that are all translated as “love” in the English. The Hebrew language, too, has several terms for “love”, (ALL appearing, of course, in Song of Solomon), that includes a broad spectrum of meanings.

The Canticles, however, is probably not a good place to practice this discipline; considering that our ‘poor’ English translation of its words already makes uncomfortable reading.

Or maybe it is.

Because when the original denotation, sense and thought of the Bible author is explicitly spelled out, it becomes even more difficult to wrest the clear message out of scripture in order to twist and turn it to give it some fantastical, esoteric meaning.

The English say we should call a spade a spade; good hermeneutics says we should call a “kiss on the mouth” exactly that – a kiss on the mouth.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN