People
J. RICHARD CHASE
ish translator (A.D. 200), selected the Latin term peculiaris to translate the Hebrew word frequently used as the concept of "a special people.” The well-known trans lator of the Latin Vulgate, Jerome, picked the term up, and it found its way into our English versions. Peculiaris, or peculiar, is a good term if properly understood in its original sense. A latin dictionary will show this term was used to designate property set aside for the exclusive use of the one controlling it. Psalm 135:4 uses the word in this sense when it refers to Israel as the Lord's “pe culiar treasure." Adding all the elements together, we re joice in the knowledge that in Christ we are abundantly blessed and special objects of His love. We are His, and He is ours. A Christian is not peculiar in the sense of being odd. He does, however, enjoy the implications of being "special children” of God. The life we live will, indeed, seem strange—and attractive—to those about us.
honored that he is to be envied — not a sfit pitied by the world.
Let us look at this word translated, culiar. At the heart of the Greek family words, from which this particular adjec- e in Titus 2:14 comes, is the idea of undance. It was often used to indicate 'arge sum, a surplus, or even superiority, e word spoke of a soldier’s abundant ■tune at being able to return home with t shield instead of on it! This was more in he had hoped for. It was victory in- )ad of defeat: life instead of death. When Paul used the special Greek phrase nslated, peculiar people, he was echo- I an important theme from the Old Testa- •nt where the Septuagint * used the ve Greek concept. Exodus 19:5; Deuter- omy 7:16; 14:2; and Ezekiel 37:23 refer the Jewish Nation as God’s own treas- , His very own people. This is a tremen- us concept. It speaks of honor and posi- n, of the abundant wealth of God’s love His own.
hy the use of the word peculiar in the g James version? Symmachus, a Jew-
»Hebrew Old Testament translated Into Greek.
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