the names of angels; as Rpha-el the healing God, Sama-el the destroying God; and it is a little remarkable that the very two words translated, Mighty God," form the name of the angel Gabri-el; in the one passage it is Al or El Gibbor, in the others Gibbor El.-Thus also the names of many of the prophets or messengers: as Dani-el, Ezeki-el. Joel, Eli-sha, Eli-jah, Eli-hu, &c.*

In Job. xx. 15, the word Al or El occurs, which our translators have rendered God, (though there seems a great impropriety in the application) but which is rendered by the LXX, angel or messenger. We have also seen that in the plural Aleim* it is used in the same sense. The Roman edition of the Vatican has: "His name shall be called the angel or messenger of the great counsel.

See Lindsey's Examination of Robinson's Plea, P. 40.

Grotius says

"that the words Coun

sellor, Mighty God, should rather be rendered, a consultor of the Mighty God;

* P. 191.

that is, a person who, in all his transactions, should ask counsel of God."*

Parkhurst says, that after the most attentive consideration, he is of opinion that the primary sense of the word (Al) is to interpose, intervene, or mediate; consequently the first sense which he gives to the noun Al is, interposer, intervener. Thus the passage in question would be, "a mighty intervener or mediator.” Strictly applicable to Jesus Christ as the messenger of Jehovah.

"I would beg leave to remark," says a sensible writer, "that the misunderstanding of the text arises, in a great measure, from making it a verb in Niphal, instead of Kal, shall be called, instead of shall call, passive instead of active. Thus some of the Jewish Greek interpreters have rendered it." The terms Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, then apply to the great Jehovah, and form the nominative case to the verb shall call.

"That part of the title on which the greatest stress is laid, may be rendered

⚫ Grot, in loc.

†Theolog. Rep. Vol. V. p. 183.

"the Mighty God, my Father for ever," or, the Mighty God is my Father for ever;" which is exactly agreeable to many declarations of the Scripture concerning Christ, and his usual title the Son of God."

Passages of Scripture illustrated; Unit. Tracts, Vol. i. p.

124.

Pagninus and Parkhurst both assign to the word Al, the sense of, strong or powerful, as an adjective, and of strength or power, as a substantive. Thus Ezekiel, xxxi. 10. It is thus translated, "I have therefore delivered him unto the hand of the migthy, (Al) one of the heathen.". Gen. xxxi. 29. It is in the power (L-AI) of my hand to do you hurt." See also Deut. xxviii. 32. Neh. v. 5. Prov. iii. 27. Mic. ii. 1. If this sense be used, the passage is Wonderful, Counsellor, Powerful or Strong, Mighty,"

In this sense many of the ancient interpreters understood it.

Aguila renders it: "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Strong, the Mighty, the Father of the Age."

Symmachus: "His name shall be call

ed Most Extraordinary, a Counsellor, the Strong, the Mighty, the Father of the Age."

Theodotion; " And he called his name Wonderful, a Counsellor, the Strong, the Mighty, the Father of the Age."

Le Clere translates the word Al or El, powerful, and not God.

Vatable, the learned French professor, renders it," heros fortis."

Martin Luther is said to have rendered it the same in his German translation of the Bible, namely, the Mighty Hero.*

I feel no anxiety as to which of the interpretations be adopted. It is sufficient for me to have proved, from authorities which I think will not be disputed, that this passage which is so triumphantly brought forwards, as decisive proof of the Deity of Jesus Christ, does not, by any means require such an inference; and that such an inference is attended with insurmountable difficulties. I particularly request your attention, however, to the authorities for the first and last interpreta

• Lindsey's Examination, p. 40.

tions adduced, namely Angel, or Strong. Upon the other expression, "the Everlasting Father," I need not dwell long. I know not how it may strike you, but to me it appears, that for a child born, to be the Everlasting Father, is an utter impossibility and an absolute contradiction of terms. Bishop Lowth translates it, "Father of the everlasting age."

Mr. Lowth, the father of the Bishop, approves of this translation, "Father of the world to come," and says, "I cannot but have a particular regard for it, because I am persuaded it is from the authority of this text, that the state of the gospel, or the kingdom of the Messiah is called in the New Testament by the title of μEX, the world to come."*

" fu

Grotius remarks that the word, ture, or "to come," is not in the Hebrew, that it should be merely, "the Father of the age."

The old Greek interpreters, who lived before and soon after our Saviour's time, render it" the Father of the age to come."

See Lindsey, p. 38.