clares: "For this commandment, which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off: it is not in heaven that thou shouldst say, Who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”

* Deut. xxx. 11, and following.

REMARKS

ON

THE INTERPRETATION

OF

THE TROPICAL LANGUAGE

OF THE

NEW TESTAMENT.

BY M. J. H. BECKHAUS, D. D.

OF MARBURG."

a This Dissertation consists of two parts; published successively by the learned author; the former in 1819, the latter in 1822.

ON

THE INTERPRETATION

OF

THE TROPICAL LANGUAGE

OF THE

NEW TESTAMENT.

THE necessity of a strict attention to the nature of tropical language, for the right interpretation of Scripture, and especially of the New Testament, is evident from the nature of the books themselves. It is required by the dignity and importance of the subjects whereof they treat; and might be inferred from the practice of the best interpreters of every age. For Jesus himself, and also his disciples, very frequently adopt the oriental custom of figurative language; and no man can illustrate their discourses, or apply them profitably to the instruction of others, who has not previously acquired the power of understanding correctly,