Basic HTML Version
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is “a kind of perfume,” or olive oil mixed with certain odors to make a
perfume, in passages such as Song of Sol. 1:3: “Because of the savor of thy good
ointments [
NASB
, “oils”] thy name is as ointment poured forth.…”
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sometimes modifies “wood”: “In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim
of olivewood, each ten cubits high” (1 Kings 6:23,
RSV
).
A related noun
appears 4 times. It means “stout or vigorous ones” (Isa.
10:16) and “fertile spots” (Dan. 11:24).
B. Verb.
The verb
which appears 5 times, has cognates in Aramaic, Syriac, and
Arabic. The word means “to grow or be fat” (Neh. 9:25; Jer. 5:28).
C. Adjective.
The adjective
, which occurs 10 times, in Ugaritic cognates means: “fat”
(Ezek. 34:16); “rich” in the sense of fattening (Gen. 49:20— the first occurrence);
“fertile” (Num. 13:20); “robust or muscular” (Judg. 3:29); and “large” (Hab. 1:16).
TO OVERLAY, SPY
A. Verb.
(
!
, 6822), “to overlay, spy, keep watch.” This word is found in both
biblical and modern Hebrew, and some scholars suggest that it exists in Ugaritic.
is found in the text of the Hebrew Bible about 37 times. It occurs for the first time in the
Old Testament in the socalled Mizpah Benediction: “The Lord watch between me and
thee …” (Gen. 31:49). The meaning in this context is “to watch” with a purpose, that of
seeing that the covenant between Laban and Jacob was kept. Thus, the statement by
Laban is more of a threat than a benediction. Similarly, when God’s “eyes behold the
nations” (Ps. 66:7), it is much more than a casual look. Perhaps in most uses, the
connotation of “to spy” would be the most accurate.
B. Participle.
The participial form of
is often used as a noun,
, meaning “watchman,”
or one whose task it is “to keep close watch” (2 Sam. 13:34).
TO OVERTAKE
(
,*
, 5381), “to reach, overtake, attain.” This verb is found in both ancient
and modern Hebrew. It is used in the text of the Hebrew Old Testament approximately 50
times, the first time being Gen. 31:25: “Then Laban overtook Jacob.” Often it is used in
connection with the verb, “to pursue, follow,” as in Gen. 44:4: “… follow after the men;
and when thou dost overtake them.…”
:
is sometimes used in the figurative sense to
describe “being overtaken” by something undesirable or unwanted, such as war (Hos.
10:9), the sword (Jer. 42:16), or curses (Deut. 28:15, 45). Fortunately, blessings may
“overtake” those who are obedient (Deut. 28:2).
:
may mean “to attain to”
something, “to come into contact” with it: “The sword of him that layeth at him
[Leviathan] …” (Job 41:26). Used figuratively, “The ransomed of the Lord … shall
obtain joy and gladness …” (Isa. 35:10). Jacob complained: “… the days of the years of