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wind-stretched canvas of the craft on the Lake of Galilee” (“ Expositor,” iii., 272).
Knit (Sedeuévov). If this is retained, we must render bound, or attached ; but the best texts omit, together with the follow- ing and. Render, as Rev., let down by four corners. Compare Chee xa
Corners (apyais). Lit., beginnings ; the extremity or corner,” marking a beginning of the sheet. “We are to imagine the vessel, looking like a colossal four-cornered linen cloth, letting itself down, while the corners attached to heaven to support the whole.” The word is used in this sense by Herodotus, describ- ing the sacrifices of the Scythians. The victim’s forefeet are bound with a cord, “and the person who is about to offer, taking his station behind the victim, pulls the end (apyiv) of the rope, and thereby throws the animal down” (iv., 60). The suggestion of ropes holding the corners of the sheet (Alford, and, cautiously, Farrar) is unwarranted by the usage of the word. It was the technical expression in medical language for the ends of bandages. The word for sheet in this passage was also the technical term for a bandage, as was the kindred word 63oov, used of the linen bandages in which the Lord’s body was swathed. See Luke xxiv. 12; John xix. 40; xx. 5, 6,7. Mr. Hobart says: “ We have thus in this passage a technical medi- cal phrase—the ends of a bandage—used for the ends of a sheet, which hardly any one except a medical man would think of employing ” (‘‘ Medical Language of St. Luke”). °
12. All manner of four-footed beasts (ardvra ra TreTpdzroda). Lit., all the four-footed beasts. Without exception, clean and unclean. Not, of very many kinds.
Wild beasts. The best texts omit. 14. Not so (undauds). Stronger: by no means. “ With
that simple and audacious self-confidence which in his (Peter’s) character was so singularly mingled with fits of timidity and
500 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. Oraexe
depression, he boldly corrects the voice which orders him, and reminds the divine Interlocutor that he must, so to speak, have made an oversight ” (Farrar, “ Life and Works of Paul”). Com- pare Matt. xvi. 22.
Common (kowor). Unholy.
15, Call not thou common (ad yp Koivov). The thought " goes deeper than merely styling “common.” Lit., do not thou defile. Do not profane it by regarding and calling it common. - Rev., “make not thou common.”
17. Doubted (Sun7dper). See on Luke ix. 7.
In himself. On reflection, as compared with his ecstatic state.
Had made inquiry (dcepwrjcavres). “Having inquired out ;” having asked their way through (61d) streets and houses, until they found the dwelling of the tanner, who was an obscure man, and not easily found.
18. Called. A general summons to any one within, in order to make inquiries.
19. Thought on (dvevIupovpévov). Was earnestly (8a) pon- dering.
22. Was warned (éypnuatiodn). See on Matt. ii. 12.
24. Near (dvayxaiovs). The word originally means neces- sary ; hence of those who are bound by necessary or natural ties ; blood-relations. But as relatives or kinsmen is expressed by ouyyeveis, this must be taken in the sense of intimate friends, a meaning which it has in later Greek writers.
25. Worshipped (apocexv’yncev). An unfortunate transla- tion, according to modern English usage, but justified by the
Cu. X.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 501
usage of earlier English, according to which to worship meant simply to honor. Worship is worthship, or honor paid to deg- nity or worth. This usage survives in the expressions worship- Sul and your worship. Inthe marriage-service of the English Church occurs the phrase, “ With my body I thee worship.” So Wycliffe renders Matt. xix. 19, “ Worship thy father and thy mother;” and John xii. 26, “ If any.-man serve me, my Father shall worship him.” Here the meaning is that Cornelius paid reverence by prostrating himself after the usual oriental” manner.