1. Then said the high-priest. “ The glorified countenance of Stephen has caused a pause of surprise and admiration, which the high-priest interrupts by calling upon the accnsed for his defence ” (Gloag).
2. Brethren. Addressing the audience generally. Fathers. Addressing the members of the Sanhedrim.
Of glory. Outward, visible glory, as in the shekinah and the pillar of fire.
Appeared (#3). See on Luke xxii. 43. 5. Inheritance («Anpovouiav). See on 1 Pet. i. 4.
Not so much as to set his foot on (0vdé Biya robes). Lit., not even the stepping of a foot. From the original meaning, a pace or step, which occurs only here in the New Testament, comes the sense of a step considered as a raised place or seat, and hence a trzbune or gudgment-seat, which is its meaning in every other passage of the New Testament.
Possession (xatdayeow). Only here and ver. 45. See on keep, Luke viii. 15. It denotes a permanent possession.
8. The covenant of circumcision. There is no article, and it is better omitted inrendering. He gave him a covenant, the peculiar character of which is defined by the next word—
478 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. VIL
of cireumeision ; i.e., of which circumcision was the completion and seal.
9. Moved with envy (fmA@cavtes). Compare Jas. iv. 1; and see on envying, Jas. iii. 14.
10. Afflictions (Srtpewv). See on Matt. xiii. 21.
11. Sustenance (yoptdcwarta). For their cattle: fodder. See on shall be filled, Matt. v. 6.
12. In Egypt (év Alyirrm). But the best texts read eis Aiyurtov, into Egypt, and construe with sent forth: “he sent forth our fathers énto Egypt.”
13. Joseph’s race. Note the repetition of the name. “A certain sense of patriotic pride is implied in it.”
14. Threescore and fifteen. Lit., “mn (év) threescore and fifteen ;” the idiom expressing the sum én which all the in- dividuals were included.
17. When (xa9@s). Rev., more correctly, as; the word being not a particle of time, but meaning in proportion as.
18. Another (érepos). Not merely a successor, but a monarch of a different character.
Knew not. As sixty years had elapsed since Joseph’s death, and a new dynasty was coming to the throne, this may be taken literally: did not know his history and_ services. Some explain, did not recognize his merits.
19. Dealt subtilely (xaracopucdpevos). Only here in New Testament. Lit., to employ ewnning against. See on coos, wise, Jas. iii, 13.
So that they cast out (rod zoveiv éxdeta). Lit., make ea- posed. The verb é«ri9nus, to set out, or place outside, is not
Cu. VIL] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 479
uncommon in classical Greek for the exposure of a new-born child. Thus Herodotus, of Cyrus, exposed in infancy : “The herdsman’s wife entreated him not to expose (é€xdetvat) the babe” (i., 112). The rendering of the A. V., “so that they cast out,” is correct, expressing the result, and not Pharaoh’s design.
Young children (8pédn). Incorrect. See on 1 Pet, ii. 2. Reyv., rightly, babes.
Live (fwoyoveic9ar). Or, be preserved alive. See on Luke XVii. 33.
20. Time (xaipé). Better, season or juncture. “Sad, seasonable ” (Bengel). See on Acts i. 7.
Exceeding fair (doreios ré Oecd). Lit., fair unto God: a Hebrew superlative. Compare Jon. iii. 3: great unto God ; A. V., exceeding great. Gen. x.9, of Nimrod: amighty hunter before the Lord. 2 Cor.x.4: mighty unto God; ie., in God's sight. *Aareios, fair (only here and Heb. xi. 23), is from dou, a town, and means originally town-bred ; hence refined, elegant, comely. The word is used in the Septuagint of Moses (Exod. ii. 2), and rendered goodly. The Jewish traditions extol Moses’ beauty. Josephus says that those who met him, as he was ear- ried along the streets, forgot their business and stood still to gaze at him. ;
21. Took up (aveinero). Used among Greek writers of taking up exposed children; also of owning new-born children. So Aristophanes: “TI exposed (the child) and some other woman, having taken it, adopted (avelrero) it” (“ Clouds,” 531). There is no reason why the meaning should be limited to took him up from the water (as Gloag).