News coverage is heavily biased toward the activities of criminals, politicians and activists, a minority of people. Yet this minority report can have an exaggerated influence on the socially constructed reality of a majority of people, especially if they are sequestered at home. It seems worthwhile to mention that I drove through Richmond and Washington on the Fourth of July, New York and Boston on the fifth, and Atlanta on the eleventh without incident. People along the way in hotels, motels, gas stations, restaurants and rest areas from Orlando to Boston and back again were as kind and courteous to one another as ever, maybe a little more overtly kind since we all hide our smiles behind masks now. Granted, I’m still associated with the travel/tourism industry but no longer stay or work at resort hotels.
Paul characterized those filled by the Spirit as (Ephesians 5:18b-20a NET):
speaking to one another in[1] psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord [Table], always giving thanks to God the Father for all things…
Accepting this as valid description of literal phenomena, I’ll continue to explore Psalm 22 as the music in Jesus’ heart as He endured the cross.
Septuagint | |||
Psalm 22:6 (Tanakh) | Psalm 22:6 (NET) | Psalm 21:7 (NETS) |
Psalm 21:7 (Elpenor English) |
But I am a worm (תוֹלַ֣עַת), and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. | But I am a worm (tôlâʽ, תולעת), not a man; people insult me and despise me. | But as for me, I am a worm (σκώληξ) and not human, a reproach of mankind and despised by people. | But I am a worm (σκώληξ), and not a man; a reproach of men, and scorn of the people. |
At first blush the idea that Jesus called Himself a worm (tôlâʽ, תוֹלַ֣עַת; Septuagint: σκώληξ) is so repugnant I’m tempted to abandon the whole project. The beauty of it only becomes apparent studying the Scriptures. Yes, the first occurrence was worms [Table] in the manna left over until the morning:
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Exodus 16:20 (Tanakh) | Exodus 16:20 (NET) | Exodus 16:20 (NETS) |
Exodus 16:20 (Elpenor English) |
Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms (תּֽוֹלָעִ֖ים), and rotted; and Moses was wroth with them. | But they did not listen to Moses; some kept part of it until morning, and it was full of worms (tôlâʽ, תולעים) and began to stink, and Moses was angry with them. | And they did not listen to Moyses, but certain ones left some of it to the morning. And it bred worms (σκώληκας) and stank, and Moyses was irritated with them. | But they did not hearken to Moses, but some left of it till the morning; and it bred worms (σκώληκας) and stank: and Moses was irritated with them. |
The twenty-six other occurrences in Exodus were translated scarlet in the KJV. Here, as an example, is part of the offering for the Tabernacle:
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Exodus 25:4 (Tanakh) | Exodus 25:4 (NET) | Exodus 25:4 (NETS) |
Exodus 25:4 (Elpenor English) |
and blue, and purple, and scarlet (וְתוֹלַ֥עַת and שָׁנִ֖י), and fine linen, and goats’ hair; | blue, purple, scarlet (tôlâʽ, ותולעת and shânı̂y, שני), fine linen, goats’ hair, | blue, purple, double scarlet (κόκκινον διπλοῦν) and twisted linen and goat’s hair | and blue, and purple, and double scarlet (κόκκινον διπλοῦν), and fine spun linen, and goats’ hair, |
According to Strong’s Concordance the rest of the occurrences of וְתוֹלַ֥עַת (tôlâʽ) in Exodus are accompanied by שָׁנִ֖י (shânı̂y) and translated scarlet in the KJV. It is interesting that this word combination was translated κόκκινον (a form of κόκκινος) διπλοῦν (a form of διπλοῦς) in the Septuagint, double scarlet in English. But I only found that translation one other time in Exodus 35:6 in the Septuagint.
The five occurrences in Leviticus are similar. Here is one example from a cleansing ritual.
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Leviticus 14:4 (Tanakh) | Leviticus 14:4 (NET) | Leviticus 14:4 (NETS) |
Leviticus 14:4 (Elpenor English) |
then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two living clean birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet (וּשְׁנִ֥י and תוֹלַ֖עַת), and hyssop. | then the priest will command that two live clean birds, a piece of cedar wood, a scrap of crimson (shânı̂y, ושני) fabric (tôlâʽ, תולעת), and some twigs of hyssop be taken up for the one being cleansed. | and the priest shall give orders, and they shall take for the one who has been cleansed two living clean fowl and cedar wood and scarlet (κόκκινον) spun thread and hyssop. | And the priest shall give directions, and they shall take for him that is cleansed two clean live birds, and cedar wood, and spun scarlet (κόκκινον), and hyssop. |
It is similar for the two occurrences in Numbers, one of which follows.
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Numbers 4:8 (Tanakh) | Numbers 4:8 (NET) | Numbers 4:8 (NETS) |
Numbers 4:8 (Elpenor English) |
And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet (תּוֹלַ֣עַת and שָׁנִ֔י), and cover the same with a covering of sealskin, and shall set the staves thereof. | They must spread over them a scarlet (tôlâʽ, תולעת and shânı̂y, שני) cloth, and cover the same with a covering of fine leather; and they must insert its poles. | And they shall put over it a scarlet (κόκκινον) cloth and cover it with a covering of blue leather and insert the carrying poles through it. | And they shall put upon it a scarlet (κόκκινον) cloth, and they shall cover it with a blue covering of skin, and they shall put the staves into it. |
So the Hebrew reader gets a subliminal allusion to the furnishing of the Tabernacle and purification rituals. Both Hebrew words occur in the offer/promise given through the prophet Isaiah [Table].
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Isaiah 1:18 (Tanakh) | Isaiah 1:18 (NET) | Isaiah 1:18 (NETS) |
Isaiah 1:18 (Elpenor English) |
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet (כַּשָּׁנִים֙), they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson (כַתּוֹלָ֖ע), they shall be as wool. | Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red (shânı̂y, כשנים), you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet (tôlâʽ, כתולע), you can become white like wool. | So come, and let us argue it out, says the Lord: even though your sins are like crimson (φοινικοῦν), I will make them white like snow, and though they are like scarlet (κόκκινον), I will make them white like wool. | And come, let us reason together, saith the Lord: and though your sins be as purple (φοινικοῦν), I will make them white as snow; and though they be as scarlet (κόκκινον), I will make [them] white as wool. |
All subliminal allusion aside, the more important connection is God’s promise to the worm.
Septuagint | |||
Isaiah 41:13, 14 (Tanakh) | Isaiah 41:13, 14 (NET) | Isaiah 41:13, 14 (NETS) |
Isaiah 41:13, 14 (Elpenor English) |
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. | For I am the Lord your God, the one who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am helping you.’ | because I am your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, “Do not fear, | For I am thy God, who holdeth thy right hand, who saith to thee, |
Fear not, thou worm (תּוֹלַ֣עַת) Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. | Don’t be afraid, despised insignificant (tôlâʽ, תולעת) Jacob, men of Israel. I am helping you,” says the Lord, your Protector, the Holy One of Israel. | O Iakob, O small (ὀλιγοστὸς) Israel.” I have helped you, says God who redeems you, O Israel. | Fear not, Jacob, [and thou] Israel few in number (ὀλιγοστὸς); I have helped thee, saith thy God, he that redeems thee, O Israel. |
Here the rabbis translated תּוֹלַ֣עַת (tôlâʽ) ὀλιγοστὸς in the Septuagint: small (NETS), few in number (Elpenor). Who is to say they were wrong? This may well be the author’s intent, though ὀλιγοστὸς disguises the relationship to Psalm 22:6 for the Greek reader, and hides the significance of Jesus’ meditation on תוֹלַ֣עַת (tôlâʽ) as He endured the cross. Of course, it offers another indication why Jesus’ may have preferred to meditate on this Psalm in Hebrew or Aramaic rather than in Greek.
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Psalm 22:7 (Tanakh) | Psalm 22:7 (NET) | Psalm 21:8 (NETS) |
Psalm 21:8 (Elpenor English) |
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, | All who see me taunt me; they mock me and shake their heads. | All who saw me mocked at me; they talked with the lips; they moved the head: | All that saw me mocked me: they spoke with [their] lips, they shook the head, [saying], |
The Greek words translated “they moved the head” (NETS) or they shook the head (Elpenor) were ἐκίνησαν (a form of κινέω) κεφαλήν (a form of κεφαλή). Matthew wrote, Those who passed by [Jesus’ crucifixion] defamed him, shaking (κινοῦντες, another form of κινέω) their heads (κεφαλὰς, another form of κεφαλή).[2] Mark recorded the same, Those who passed by defamed him, shaking (κινοῦντες, another form of κινέω) their heads (κεφαλὰς, another form of κεφαλή).[3]
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Psalm 22:8 (Tanakh) | Psalm 22:8 (NET) | Psalm 21:9 (NETS) |
Psalm 21:9 (Elpenor English) |
He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. | They say, “Commit yourself to the Lord! Let the Lord rescue him! Let the Lord deliver him, for he delights in him.” | “He hoped in the Lord; let him rescue him; let him save him, because he wanted him,” | He hoped in the Lord: let him deliver him, let him save him, because he takes pleasure in him. |
Matthew recorded (Matthew 27:41-43 NET):
In the same way even the chief priests—together with the experts in the law and elders—were mocking him: “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the king of Israel! If he comes down now from the cross, we will believe in him! [Table] He trusts in God—let God, if he wants to, deliver him now because he said, ‘I am God’s Son’!”
A note (75) in the NET described He trusts in God—let God, if he wants to, deliver him now as an “allusion” to Psalm 22:8. A table comparing them in Greek follows.
Matthew 27:43a (NET Parallel Greek) |
Psalm 22:8 (Septuagint BLB) |
Psalm 21:9 (Septuagint Elpenor) |
πέποιθεν ἐπὶ τὸν θεόν, ρυσάσθω νῦν εἰ θέλει αὐτόν | ἤλπισεν ἐπὶ κύριον ῥυσάσθω αὐτόν σωσάτω αὐτόν ὅτι θέλει αὐτόν | ἤλπισεν ἐπὶ Κύριον, ῥυσάσθω αὐτόν· σωσάτω αὐτόν, ὅτι θέλει αὐτόν |
Matthew 27:43a (NET) |
Psalm 21:9 (NETS) |
Psalm 21:9 (English Elpenor) |
He trusts in God—let God, if he wants to, deliver him now | “He hoped in the Lord; let him rescue him; let him save him, because he wanted him,” | He hoped in the Lord: let him deliver him, let him save him, because he takes pleasure in him. |
The differences—πέποιθεν instead of ἤλπισεν, τὸν θεόν instead of κύριον, νῦν instead of αὐτόν and εἰ instead of ὅτι—persuade me that Matthew didn’t quote the Septuagint. The missing phrase—σωσάτω αὐτόν (let him save him)—causes me to doubt that he did his own translation from Hebrew, which leaves me with the impression that this was something actually heard in the crowd by Matthew or another witness as Jesus endured the cross.
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
Psalm 22:9, 10 (Tanakh) | Psalm 22:9, 10 (NET) | Psalm 21:10, 11 (NETS) |
Psalm 21:10, 11 (Elpenor English) |
But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. | Yes, you are the one who brought me out from the womb and made me feel secure on my mother’s breasts. | because it was you who drew me from the belly, my hope from my mother’s breasts. | For thou art he that drew me out of the womb; my hope from my mother’s breasts. |
I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. | I have been dependent on you since birth; from the time I came out of my mother’s womb you have been my God. | On you I was cast from the womb; from my mother’s stomach you have been my God. | I was cast on thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. |
Only the Son of God could say this truthfully. The rest of us come to such confidence through faith in Jesus Christ at some point later in our lives. Paul wrote believers in Rome (Romans 5:1-11 NET):
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God (Galatians 5:22-6:5) has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly [Table]. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath (Romans 1:18-32). For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.
I’ll pick this up in another essay.
Tables comparing Psalm 22:6; Exodus 25:4; Leviticus 14:4; Numbers 4:8; Isaiah 41:13; 41:14; Psalm 22:7; 22:8; 22:9 and 22:10 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing Psalm 22:6 (21:7); Exodus 25:4; Leviticus 14:4; Numbers 4:8; Isaiah 41:13; 41:14; Psalm 22:7 (21:8); 22:8 (21:9); 22:9 (21:10) and 21:10 (21:11) in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.
Psalm 22:6 (KJV) | ||
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. | But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. | But I am a worm, not a man; people insult me and despise me. |
ἐγὼ δέ εἰμι σκώληξ καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος ὄνειδος ἀνθρώπου καὶ ἐξουδένημα λαοῦ | ἐγὼ δέ εἰμι σκώληξ καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος, ὄνειδος ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἐξουθένημα λαοῦ |
But as for me, I am a worm and not human, a reproach of mankind and despised by people. | But I am a worm, and not a man; a reproach of men, and scorn of the people. |
Exodus 25:4 (KJV) | ||
and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair; | And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, | blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, |
καὶ ὑάκινθον καὶ πορφύραν καὶ κόκκινον διπλοῦν καὶ βύσσον κεκλωσμένην καὶ τρίχας αἰγείας | καὶ ὑάκινθον καὶ πορφύραν καὶ κόκκινον διπλοῦν καὶ βύσσον κεκλωσμένην καὶ τρίχας αἰγείας |
blue, purple, double scarlet and twisted linen and goat’s hair | and blue, and purple, and double scarlet, and fine spun linen, and goats’ hair, |
Leviticus 14:4 (KJV) | ||
then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two living clean birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. | Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: | then the priest will command that two live clean birds, a piece of cedar wood, a scrap of crimson fabric, and some twigs of hyssop be taken up for the one being cleansed. |
καὶ προστάξει ὁ ἱερεὺς καὶ λήμψονται τῷ κεκαθαρισμένῳ δύο ὀρνίθια ζῶντα καθαρὰ καὶ ξύλον κέδρινον καὶ κεκλωσμένον κόκκινον καὶ ὕσσωπον | καὶ προστάξει ὁ ἱερεύς, καὶ λήψονται τῷ κεκαθαρισμένῳ δύο ὀρνίθια ζῶντα καθαρὰ καὶ ξύλον κέδρινον καὶ κεκλωσμένον κόκκινον καὶ ὕσσωπον |
and the priest shall give orders, and they shall take for the one who has been cleansed two living clean fowl and cedar wood and scarlet spun thread and hyssop. | And the priest shall give directions, and they shall take for him that is cleansed two clean live birds, and cedar wood, and spun scarlet, and hyssop. |
Numbers 4:8 (KJV) | ||
And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of sealskin, and shall set the staves thereof. | And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put in the staves thereof. | They must spread over them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of fine leather; and they must insert its poles. |
καὶ ἐπιβαλοῦσιν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὴν ἱμάτιον κόκκινον καὶ καλύψουσιν αὐτὴν καλύμματι δερματίνῳ ὑακινθίνῳ καὶ διεμβαλοῦσιν δι᾽ αὐτῆς τοὺς ἀναφορεῗς | καὶ ἐπιβαλοῦσιν ἐπ’ αὐτὴν ἱμάτιον κόκκινον καὶ καλύψουσιν αὐτὴν καλύμματι δερματίνῳ ὑακινθίνῳ καὶ διεμβαλοῦσι δι’ αὐτῆς τοὺς ἀναφορεῖς |
And they shall put over it a scarlet cloth and cover it with a covering of blue leather and insert the carrying poles through it. | And they shall put upon it a scarlet cloth, and they shall cover it with a blue covering of skin, and they shall put the staves into it. |
Isaiah 41:13 (KJV) | ||
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. | For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. | For I am the Lord your God, the one who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am helping you.’ |
ὅτι ἐγὼ ὁ θεός σου ὁ κρατῶν τῆς δεξιᾶς σου ὁ λέγων σοι μὴ φοβοῦ | ὅτι ἐγὼ ὁ Θεός σου ὁ κρατῶν τῆς δεξιᾶς σου, ὁ λέγων σοι· μὴ φοβοῦ, |
because I am your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, “Do not fear, | For I am thy God, who holdeth thy right hand, who saith to thee, |
Isaiah 41:14 (KJV) | ||
Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. | Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. | Don’t be afraid, despised insignificant Jacob, men of Israel. I am helping you,” says the Lord, your Protector, the Holy One of Israel. |
Ιακωβ ὀλιγοστὸς Ισραηλ ἐγὼ ἐβοήθησά σοι λέγει ὁ θεὸς ὁ λυτρούμενός σε Ισραηλ | Ιακώβ, ὀλιγοστὸς ᾿Ισραήλ· ἐγὼ ἐβοήθησά σοι, λέγει ὁ Θεός σου, ὁ λυτρούμενός σε, ᾿Ισραήλ |
O Iakob, O small Israel.” I have helped you, says God who redeems you, O Israel. | Fear not, Jacob, [and thou] Israel few in number; I have helped thee, saith thy God, he that redeems thee, O Israel. |
Psalm 22:7 (KJV) | ||
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, | All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, | All who see me taunt me; they mock me and shake their heads. |
πάντες οἱ θεωροῦντές με ἐξεμυκτήρισάν με ἐλάλησαν ἐν χείλεσιν ἐκίνησαν κεφαλήν | πάντες οἱ θεωροῦντές με ἐξεμυκτήρισάν με, ἐλάλησαν ἐν χείλεσιν, ἐκίνησαν κεφαλήν |
All who saw me mocked at me; they talked with the lips; they moved the head: | All that saw me mocked me: they spoke with [their] lips, they shook the head, [saying], |
Psalm 22:8 (KJV) | ||
He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. | He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. | They say, “Commit yourself to the Lord! Let the Lord rescue him! Let the Lord deliver him, for he delights in him.” |
ἤλπισεν ἐπὶ κύριον ῥυσάσθω αὐτόν σωσάτω αὐτόν ὅτι θέλει αὐτόν | ἤλπισεν ἐπὶ Κύριον, ῥυσάσθω αὐτόν· σωσάτω αὐτόν, ὅτι θέλει αὐτόν |
“He hoped in the Lord; let him rescue him; let him save him, because he wanted him,” | He hoped in the Lord: let him deliver him, let him save him, because he takes pleasure in him. |
Psalm 22:9 (KJV) | ||
But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. | But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. | Yes, you are the one who brought me out from the womb and made me feel secure on my mother’s breasts. |
ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐκσπάσας με ἐκ γαστρός ἡ ἐλπίς μου ἀπὸ μαστῶν τῆς μητρός μου | ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐκσπάσας με ἐκ γαστρός, ἡ ἐλπίς μου ἀπὸ μαστῶν τῆς μητρός μου |
because it was you who drew me from the belly, my hope from my mother’s breasts. | For thou art he that drew me out of the womb; my hope from my mother’s breasts. |
Psalm 22:10 (KJV) | ||
I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. | I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. | I have been dependent on you since birth; from the time I came out of my mother’s womb you have been my God. |
ἐπὶ σὲ ἐπερρίφην ἐκ μήτρας ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου θεός μου εἶ σύ | ἐπὶ σὲ ἐπεῤῥίφην ἐκ μήτρας, ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου Θεός μου εἶ σύ |
On you I was cast from the womb; from my mother’s stomach you have been my God. | I was cast on thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. |
[1] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐν here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.