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similar meaning is also common: “He hath remembered his mercy [
] and his truth
[
$
] toward the house of Israel.…” This emphasis is especially appropriate when
God is the subject, because His
is stronger and more enduring than man’s.
Etymological investigation suggests that
primitive significance may have been
“strength” or “permanence.” If so, a puzzling use of
in Isa. 40:6 would be
explained: “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.”
The association of
with “covenant” keeps it from being misunderstood as
mere providence or love for all creatures; it applies primarily to God’s particular love for
His chosen and covenanted people. “Covenant” also stresses the reciprocity of the
relationship; but since God’s
is ultimately beyond the covenant, it will not
ultimately be abandoned, even when the human partner is unfaithful and must be
disciplined (Isa. 54:8, 10). Since its final triumph and implementation is eschatological,
can imply the goal and end of all salvation-history (Ps. 85:7, 10; 130:7; Mic.
7:20).
The proper noun
B
(1 Chron. 3:20) is related to
The name of
Zerubbabel’s son means “Yahweh is faithful/gracious,” a fitting summary of the
prophet’s message.
B. Adjective.
(
$
, 2623), “pious; devout; faithful; godly.” The adjective
, derived
from
, is often used to describe the faithful Israelite. God’s
provides the
pattern, model, and strength by which the life of the
is to be directed. One
reference to the “godly” man appears in Ps. 12:1: “Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth;
for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” Usually a suffix or possessive
pronoun referring to God is attached to the word, indicating His special attachment to
those who pattern their lives after His: “O love the Lord, all ye his saints [literally, “His
pious ones”;
NASB
, “His godly ones”]: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully
rewardeth the proud doer” (Ps. 31:23).
Following the Greek
and Latin
$
, the
KJV
often renders the word
“saint”— which must be understood in the sense of sanctification [dependent upon
grace], not moralistically [of native goodness].
M
TO MAGNIFY
A. Verb.
(
$%
, 1431), “to become strong, grow up, be great or wealthy, evidence oneself
as great (magnified), be powerful, significant, or valuable.” This verb occurs elsewhere
only in Ugaritic and Arabic; it is not attested in biblical Aramaic or post-biblical Hebrew.