In part VII, it was presented that the English language is inadequate at times to give the exact meaning of the Greek words. That has led to confusion and misunderstanding of many words and verses. The English words sign and signs are two words which do not give the meaning of the verse or context in which they are used. The word sign translates a Hebrew word 46 times in 44 verses; the most used Hebrew word is 'owth--pronounced: oth (H0226) a signal in the sense of appearing, a signal, and  evidence. There are 6 other words translated sign or signs. Even though they have different meanings determined by the context they refer to something that can be seen and understood  The word signs is used 30 times in 30 verses to translate 'owth. Ath--pronounced: awth (H0852) a portent, corresponds to H0226 and is found in Daniel 4:2-3 and 6:27. It signals a coming event which is expressed by owth when it arrives. One other word translated signs in Psalms 105:27 dabar--pronounced: daw-baw' (H1697) an act that refers to something God did personally or had someone do in his behalf. Verse 27 by itself doesn’t give the nuance of meaning for the word. However, verse 26 clarifies verse 27 and gives the meaning for the verses in the context. The two verses are 26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. 27 They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. Verse 26 refers to God and the showed his signs, meaning God’s. Dabar is the signs that God gave Moses and Aaron to show to the people in the land of Ham. (Owth is translated both sign and signs. The only difference is that in some verses it is singular and in others it is plural. The meaning is the same in both uses.)

Next is the New Testament translations for the Greek words using the words sign and signs. Sign occurs 30 time in 23 verses and signs 23 times in 22 verses The Greek word semeion--pronounced: say-mi'-on (G4592) indication, ceremonially or supernaturally is used 22 times in 21 verses. It is most often used when the scribes and Pharisees wanted Jesus to prove that he was the one who had been promised. Matthew 12:38 has semeion: Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. In verse 39 Matthew uses the same Greek word three times: But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: In verse 40 he tells them the type of the sign they should already know. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

  A different word Greek word is found in Acts 28:11. It is parasemos-- pronounced: par-as'-ay-mos (G3902) a badge, figure-head of a ship. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

There are three more Greek words translated signs. In Matthew 16:3 is 3 semeion--pronounced: say-mi'-on (G4592) an  indication, ceremonially or supernaturally. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Here the meaning would be an indication of the times which the spiritually blind due to sin could not see that was soon to happen.  Next in Luke 1:62 is enneuo--pronounced: en-nyoo'-o (G1770) nod, communicate by gesture, make signs. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. The last one is in John 4:48 semaino--pronounced: say-mah'-ee-no (G4591) to indicate or signify. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The man wanted to see Jesus heal his son.

In all the verses of  both testaments where sign and signs are used to translate the Hebrew and Greek words there is one meaning consistent with context of the biblical message as a whole (no matter the word used). The ones hearing the message knew the meaning of the signs, the identity of those involved and the events that would transpire at some point in time. There is no indication that anyone questioned what was meant by the sign/signs in heaven. They knew and Jesus didn’t need to tell the disciples the meaning of the signs in Matthew 24 as a whole, and verse 30 in particular, since what he said they would see was the evidence that would arrive approximately 37 years later; the Roman army coming to destroy Jerusalem.

The verses following verse 30 will be in part XIV.

   © 09-18-2012 DEC