The Ninth Method: the Lexical Exposition

On the Lexical Method — The Ninth Method

The Lexical (that is, Vocabulary, or Dictionary) exposition, which declares the grammatical signification of words, has two varieties ¹ — namely the Universal and the Particular — distinguished among themselves not otherwise than as whole and parts. Of these, the former first tears apart all the words and terms (Greek, Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Latin) comprehended in the whole compass of divine scripture; then, once torn apart and distinguished, it reduces them into lexicons and dictionaries according to alphabetical order. In which kind of labor Philo the Jew and Origen among the Greeks, and Jerome and Sanctes [Pagninus] among the Latins, happily toiled. But the latter variety, of which we now especially speak, can in a manner be called a little part of the former. This [variety] certain expositors, most studious of order and perspicuity, are wont to use: who, in expounding the particular chapters, sections, and periods of the volumes, in the first place set forth the grammatical elucidation of the words, then, in the second place, subjoin the exposition of the senses, separated from the former. Which, among the Latins, Claudius Guilliaud excellently performed in his commentaries on the epistles of Paul, and Hector Pintus in his explanations of Isaiah. An example of this latter part will be this:

An Example of Lexical Exposition, on Psalm 116

HALLELUJAH (הללויה): this word, among the Hebrews, is composed of two words — namely, the verb הללו hallelu, and the noun יה ia [Yah] — of which the former signifies “Praise,” the latter “God.” For Ia [Yah] is one of the names of God, which — as R. David Kimchi asserts — is called Ia because he is the creator of the world, and the cause of being to the world itself; for Ia comes from the verb היה haiah, which signifies “Was.”

NATIONS (Gentes): in Hebrew are called גוים goim; by which name the Jews are wont commonly to call all the nations which are not of the race of the Jews.

IS CONFIRMED (Confirmata est): in Hebrew is said גבר gavar; which word the Chaldaic interpreter and the Greek translated more significantly — for the former rendered אגבר Agebar, but the latter ἐκραταιώθη — of which both signify “is strengthened, is made valid and strong.”

TRUTH (Veritas): in Hebrew, אמת emeth; in this place it signifies not only the adequation of the thing to the intellect, but chiefly denotes the fidelity, constancy, and firmness of [God’s] sayings and promises.

HIS MERCY (Misericordia eius): in Hebrew, חסדו chasdo; the Chaldaic translated it טוביה tuvia, that is, “Goodness,” or “kindness.”

REMAINS (Manet): in Greek, μένει; this word is not had in the Hebrew, but only in the Greek and Latin edition; yet it is understood.