1, Decree (doyya). Wyc., mandment. From Soxéa, to think. Hence, strictly, a personal opinion ; and, as the opinion of one who can impose his opinion authoritatively on others, a decree.
The world (77v oixoupévnr). Lit., the inhabited (land). The phrase was originally used by the Greeks to denote the land inhabited by themselves, in contrast with barbarian countries ; afterward, when the Greeks became subject to the Romans, the entire Roman world ; still later, for the whole inhabited world. In the New Testament this latter is the more common usage, though, in some eases, this is conceived in the mould of the Roman empire, as in this passage, Acts xi. 28; xix. 27. Christ uses it in the announcement that the Gospel shall be
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preached in all the world (Matt. xxiv. 14); and Paul in the prediction of a general judgment (Acts xvii. 31). Once it is used of the world to come (Heb. ii. 5).
Be taxed (aroypadec3a). The word means properly to register or enter in a@ list. Commentators are divided as to whether it refers to an enrolment for taxation, or for ascer- taining the population. Rev., enrolled, which may be taken in either sense.
2. And this taxing was first made (airy 1) aroypady mpaTn eyéveto). Rather, this oceurred as the first enrolment ; or, as Rey., this was the first enrolment made ; with reference to a second enrolment which took place about eleven years later, and is referred to in Acts v. 387.
3. Went (érropevovto). The A. V. and Rev. alike miss the graphic force of the imperfect tense, were going. The prepara- tion and bustle and travel were in progress.
To his own city. The town to which the village or place of their birth belonged, and where the house and lineage of each were registered.
4. House and lineage. According to the Jewish mode of registration the people would be enrolled by tribes, families or clans, and households. Compare Josh. vii. 16-18, Rev., house and family.
5. To be taxed with Mary. We may read either, went up with Mary, denoting merely the fact of her accompanying him; or, to enrol himself with Mary, implying that both their names must be registered.
Espoused. Not merely betrothed. See Matt. i. 20, 24, 26 ; also on Matt. i. 18.
Great with child (éyxciw). See on Ch. i. 24. Only here in New Testament.
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7. Her first-born son. The Greek reads literally, her son, the first-born.
Wrapped in swaddling-clothes (éc7apydvacev). Only here and ver. 12. Naturally found often in medical writings. Swaddle is swathel, from the verb to swathe.
In a manger (év datvy). Used by Luke only, here and xiii. 15. Wye. has a eracche, spelt also eratch. Compare French créche, a manger. Quite possibly a rock-cave. Dr. Thomson says: “I have seen many such, consisting of one or more rooms, in front of and including a cavern where the cattle were kept” (“ Land and Book”).
In the inn (€v 7@ xatadvpars). Only here, ch. xxiii. 11; Mark xiv. 14, on which see note. In both these passages it is rendered guest-chamber, which can hardly be the meaning here, as some have maintained. (See Geikie, “ Life and Words of Christ,” i., 121.) In that case the expression would be, they found no catddupa, guest-chamber. The word refers to the ordi- nary khan, or caravanserai. Tynd., hostrey. “A Syrian khan isa fort and a mart; a refuge from thieves; a shelter from the heat and dust; a place where a man and his beast may lodge ; where a trader may sell his wares, and a pilgrim may slake his thirst. . : . Where built by a great sheikh, it would have a high wall, an inner court, a range of arches or lewans, an open gallery round the four sides, and, in many cases, a tower from which the watcher might descry the approach of marauding bands. On one side of the square, but outside the wall, there is often a huddle of sheds, set apart from the main edifice, as stables for the asses and camels, the. buffaloes and goats. In the centre of the khan springs a fountain of water, the first necessity of an Arab’s life; and around the jets and troughs in which the limpid element streams, lies the gay and picturesque litter of the East. Camels wait to be unloaded ; dogs quarrel for a bone; Bedaween from the desert, their red zannars choked with pistols, are at prayer. In the archways squat the merchants with their bales of goods. . . . Half-