A remarkable array of 20 Hebrew and 6 Greek words is so translated. In the King James Version 15 of the former and 3 of the latter are used only once with this rendering. The originals most frequently in use are chadhal, "to leave off"; shabhath "to rest from" (labor); pauomai, "to make to cease." Few words illustrate better the fertility of the Hebrew in expressing limitless shades of meaning, impoverished by the use of one English word. This extensive variety is, however, well expressed by "cease": i.e. stop, come to an end, e.g. ceasing of tears (Jeremiah 14:17); work (Ezra 4:24); grinders (Ecclesiastes 12:3); thunder (Exodus 9:29); the wicked (Job 3:17); anger (Psalms 37:8). The significance of shabhath lies in its being the Hebrew for Sabbath, implying complete cessation: as of manna (Joshua 5:12); strife and ignominy (Proverbs 22:10); occurs with negative to show the ceaseless Providence of God in Nature: "summer and winter .... shall not c." (Genesis 8:22). In the New Testament it illustrates Christ's power over Nature; wind and raging sea ceased (Luke 8:24); over a sinner's heart: "not ceased to kiss my feet" (dialeipo) (Luke 7:45); devotion of the early disciples, "ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42); the eternity and blessedness of the believer's sabbatic rest (apoleipo) (Hebrews 4:10 the King James Version).
Dwight M. Pratt
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