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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

DW


DWARF

dworf: The rendering in English Versions of the Bible of the Hebrew word dak, "thin," "small," in Lev 21:20, where a list is given of physical failings which forbade man of the seed of Aaron to officiate at the altar, though he might partake of the sacrificial gifts. The precise meaning of the Hebrew word here is uncertain; elsewhere it is used of the lean kine (Gen 41:3) and blasted ears (verse 23) of Pharaoh's dream; of the grains of manna (Ex 16:14), of the still, small voice (1 Ki 19:12), of dust (Isa 29:5), etc. Septuagint and Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) suggest defective eyes; but "withered" would perhaps best express the meaning.

See PRIESTS AND LEVITES .

F. K. Farr


DWELL

dwel:

(1) In the Old Testament "dwell" is a translation of 9 words, of which by far the most frequent is yashabh, "to sit down," translated "dwell" over 400 times (Gen 4:20; Josh 20:4; 1 Ch 17:1,4,5, etc.); also very frequently "sit," and sometimes "abide," "inhabit," "remain." Another word often rendered "dwell" is shakhan or shakhen ("to settle down"), from which is derived the rabbinic word shekhinah (literally, "that which dwells"), the light on the mercy-seat which symbolized the Divine presence (Ex 25:8, etc.). In order to avoid appearing to localize the Divine Being, wherever God is said to "dwell" in a place, the Targum renders that He "causes His Shekinah to dwell" there.

(2) In the New Testament "dwell" most frequently stands for oikeo, or one of its compounds; also skenoo, and (chiefly in the Johannine writings) meno, which, however, is always translated "abide" in the Revised Version (British and American), and generally in the King James Version. Mention may be made of the mystical significance of the word in some New Testament passages, of the indwelling of the Father or of the Godhead in Christ (Jn 14:10; Col 1:19; 2:9), of the believer in Christ (Jn 6:56 the King James Version; Eph 3:17), and in God (1 Jn 4:15 the King James Version; compare Ps 90:1; 91:1), and of the Holy Spirit or God in the believer (Jn 14:17; the King James Version 1 Jn 3:24; 4:15 f).

D. Miall Edwards



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