Biblical Terms, Part 1

1. Understanding the language of the Bible:
His Holiness Pope Shenouda teaches that readers must understand the meanings and uses of words in Scripture, as many expressions have symbolic or multiple meanings that cannot be grasped literally.

2. Symbols and spiritual meanings:
He explains the saying of the Lord Jesus, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,” which symbolizes hypocrisy. In the Old Testament, leaven represented evil, while unleavened bread symbolized righteousness. Redemption by the blood of Christ must be followed by a life of holiness.

3. Multiple meanings of single words:
Words like “sleep” can mean “death,” and “heaven” can refer to the sky, the firmament, the third heaven, or “heaven of heavens,” the throne of God. “Body” may mean the whole person, and “soul” can mean spirit, life, or the human being himself.

4. Linguistic and theological examples:
“Dead” may mean physical death or spiritual separation from God, as in the prodigal son or the Church of Sardis. “Brother” may mean sibling, relative, fellow believer, or even one’s nation, as Saint Paul called the Israelites his brothers.

5. Spiritual sense of words:
“Children” refers not only to the young in age but also to the humble and pure in heart. “Sword” symbolizes spiritual struggle, not physical fighting. “Fire” stands for the Holy Spirit or divine zeal.

6. Distinction between letter and spirit:
He stresses that the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. Christ sometimes used people’s everyday expressions to explain truth, not to be taken literally.

7. Words used according to context:
The Bible may use “god” to mean “lord” or “authority,” as with Moses before Pharaoh, while it refers to Christ as God in the full divine sense. “House of the Lord” does not mean a physical dwelling, for “heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You,” but refers to the place of divine presence.

8. Spiritual conclusion:
The Pope calls believers to read Scripture with deep spiritual understanding, discerning between letter and spirit, and learning the biblical language to avoid shallow interpretation. The Word of God is rich in symbols and must be approached with prayer and Orthodox discernment.

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