Samuel
1 Samuel 17:47, (Greek 19:20), 2 Samuel 20:14
1 Samuel 17:47 and this whole MULTITUDE will understand this:
“that the LORD saves not by sword or spear,
that the battle BE the LORD’s
and he will give you into our hand.”
(call ha qa-hal ha dzeh / pasa hay ekklaysia autay)
This verse might give us some hints as to why the Vulgate author decided to translate ekklaysia as army in Judges 21:5
1 Samuel 19:20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, and when they saw THE COMPANY of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
(la h’qaught han-be-eem / tayn ek’klaysian Toan prophay-toan )
The ESV and many other translations use the word “company” for ekklaysia in this verse (the Hebrew is “la h’qaught” a form of qahal). This is the only occurrence of the Hebrew word “la h’qat” in the Bible. The same word in the Latin Vulgate is translated “cuneum”, Defined by Calvin as, “A battalion or company of foot drawn up in the form of a wedge, the better to break the enemies’ ranks.” (Psalms 18:29 Calvin’s Commentary on Psalms)
It would not be strange or detract from the meaning to use the word MULTITUDE in place of company. It would however make no sence to call this a church of prophets. But that is what happens in the New Testament with many translations.
2 Samuel 20:14 Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth Maacah and all the Berite region. WHEN THEY HAD GATHERED TOGETHER, they too joined him.
(vye-qall-hoo / kai egzek’klay-sias-thaysan)
