A484 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. VII.
9. Rev., rightly, habitation. Compare otxov, a house, ver. 47, and 2 Chron. vi. 18.
48. The Most High. In contrast with heathen gods, who were confined to their temples.
Temples made with hands (xecporroujrors vaois). The best texts omit vaots, temples. The meaning is more general: a things made with hands. ‘The expression is, however, used of a sanctuary in Isa. xvi. 12: “ Moab shall come to his sanctuary (ra yerporroinra).” The phrase work, or works of men’s hands, is common in the Old Testament of idols. See Deut. iv. 285; 2 Kings xix. 18; 2 Chron. xxxii. 19; Ps. exv. 4. Compare Mark xiv. 58; Eph. ii. 11; Heb. ix. 11,24; 2 Cor. v. 1.
49. What house. Rev., more correctly, “what manner of house ” (7rotov).
5{. Stiffenecked and uncircumcised (cxAnpotpaynror Kat arepituntot). Both only here in New Testament.
Resist (dviimimrere). It is a very strong expression, imply- ing active resistance. Lit., to fall against or upon. Used of falling upon an enemy. Only here in New Testament.
Ve have been (yeyévnaSe). More correctly, as Rev., ye have become.
58. Who (oftwes). Stronger than the simple relative who, and emphasizing their sin by contrast with their privileges: a- asmuch as ye were those who recewed, ete.
By the disposition of angels (els Suatayas ayyédov). Lit., unto ordinances of angels. Eis means with reference to. Dis- position (Ssatayn) is used by A. V. in the sense of arrangement, as we say a general disposed his troops. The word occurs only here and Rom. xiii. 2, where it is rendered ordinance. The kindred verb dvatdcow occurs often, and mostly in the sense
Cu. VIL] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 485
of command or appoint. See Matt. xi.1; Luke iii. 18. In 1 Cor. xi. 84, it is translated set in order. The reference is most probably to the Jewish tradition that the law was given through the agency of angels. See Deut. xxiii. 2. Compare Ps. lxviii. 17. Paul expressly says that the law was administered by the medium of angels (Gal. iii. 19). Compare the word spoken by angels (Heb. ii. 2). Render, therefore, as Rev., as ¢¢ was or- — dained by angels.
54. They were cut. See on ch. v. 33. In both instances, of anger. A different word is used to express remorse, ch. ii. 37.
Gnashed (é8pvyov). Originally to cat greedily, with a noise, as wild beasts: hence to gnash or grind the teeth.
55. Being (izrdpyav). See on Jas. ii. 15.
Looked up steadfastly. Compare ch. i. 10; iii. 4, 12; vi. 15; and see on Luke iv. 20.
Standing. Rising from the throne to protect and receive his servant. Usually Jesus is represented in the New Testa- ment as seated at the Father’s right hand. See Eph. i. 20; Col aiisisaHen. 4.3,
56. | see (Jewpa). See on Luke x. 18.
The Son of man. A title never applied to Christ by any of the apostles or evangelists, except here by Stephen. See on Luke vi. 22.
57. Stopped (cuvécyov). Lit., held together.
58. Stoned. According to the Rabbis, the scaffold to which the criminal was to be led, with his hands bound, was to betwice the size of aman. One of the witnesses was to smite him with a stone upon the breast, so as to throw him down. If he were not killed, the second witness was to throw another stone at
486 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Ca. VII.
him. Then, if he were yet alive, all the people were to stone him until he was dead. The body was then to be suspended till sunset.
A young man (veaviov). Which, however, gives no indica- tion of his age, since it is applied up to the age of forty-five. Thirty years after Stephen’s martyrdom, Paul speaks of him- self as the aged (Philem. 9).