Truth (Hastings' Dictionary)

The usage of Holy Scripture in respect to words expressive of the idea of ' truth,' in its broadest signilication, is a point of considerable interest and importance. The study of it illustrates the influence of Hebrew training upon the writers of NT, and brings into relief characteristics of the ethical and religious thought both of OT and NT which are full of profound instruction. i. The Old Testament.

— The verb px — from which njx and nyi:is, the words with which we are principally concerned, are derived — signilies to support, sustain. In the Qal it is used of a nurse carrying a child (Nu llW, 2 S 4'*, Ru 4i<J), and more generally of those who have the charge of rearing children (2 K 10i"6, Is 49'^, Est 27); in the Niphal, of those who are carried (Is gM). Again of that which is firmly founded, as ' a »ure house ' (1 S 23^ 25"^, 1 K 1138, and cf. 2 S 716), of a firmly fixed nail (Is 22.s.

2i>), of national stability and prosperity (2 Ch 20-0, is 79) ; of that which continues long (Dt 28W) ; of waters that are unfailing (Is 3318, jer 16i») ; ol Samuel established as a prophet (1 S 3-'i) ; of words being estab- lished— i.e. verified — , God's words through His prophets (1 Ch 1723.24, 2 Ch 19 61', Hos 59), and of the word of men (Gn 42'.

M), and, in a remarkable passage, of those who have a character tor uttering sentiments that are true, showing knowledge of human life and its laws, et«. {Job 12-9) ; lastly, in a distinctly etiiical sense, of one trustworth.

v in onijnary human relations (Pr 111 2513 27', Neh 1313, Is 8'2), or unswerving in his loyalty to Jehovah (Ps 788- 37), faithful in the fulfilment of a trust divinely com- mitted (Nu 127, 1 S 2> 2214) ; also of God's faithfulness (Is 49» 553, Jer 425, Dt 79, Ps 197 892s 935 lUT). The llipliil has the sense to put confidence tn, to believe, either specific declarations of God or of man (Gn 168 4526, is 631, Jon 3' etc.), or persons, again either God(Dt 1'2, 2 Ch 2020 etc.)

or man (Jg 11-9, 2Ch 32l» etc.) Comp. also Job 3912 of putting ceo- fidence in the wild ox, and Job 41" 1516 of God, 'He putteth no trust in his holy ones,' and Job 1631 to trust in vanity.' It is also used ahsol. Is 7^ 2818 etc. There are more special applica- tions at Dt 2888, Job 2422 39-«. The noun n:?i< a pillar (2 K 1818) illustrates clearly the signification of the root.

For the ethical idea connected with it we have analogies in ^-i2unade firm, fixed, hence morally rfjrccted ariijht, stetl/ast ; and n'y; (Aram.) stable, true ; cf. a»; (Aram.) to make firm, and Heb. ^y.rin to stati4m oneself. The senses in which ny.os is used correspond on the whole very closely with those of the verb, and BO, to a considerable extent, do those of ncx.

The former word, however, sometimes has a purely physical meaning : this the latter never has, while (unlike the former) it is also used to describe a quality of speech or thought in a manner not distinguishable from that in which the term ' truth ' TRUTH TRUTH 817 commonly is among ourselves. In the following analysis the two words will be taken together ; this is most convenient, because their meanings overlap. But references to the former are printed in thick type. 1.

Steadinest, Ex IT^Con the construction eee Ges.-K. i HI''). 'i. A set^ or JiXfd, ojhcf, or perhaps a tru$t (as KViu iu some places), 1 Ch 6, -Mai, 2 Ch Sl'^ '». 3. Loi/alty to ohliffatioiti and engagemcntg, ttprujhtnesg, honnst dealing, u between man and man, Jg Q'- ^^ '", Ps 37=, Jer S'- 8 ; perhaps also Gn 4210. n^K In this sense is frequently joined with irn, kindness or mercy— so in Gn 24*9 47a, jos gli. 14, Pr 3a 100 (cf.

also Pr 20i>, included under headings 5 and 9, for their conjunction as Divine attributes. For the general purport of the cuuibination see the latter place). 4. UonfMu and j'ulflUy in respect to a cliarge committed to one, 2 K 12'' 22", 2 Ch 31'2 3412, Neh 72. 6. Jwitice in a specific sense, that which is in accordance with lights, llos 41, l)n 8'a. So also Pr 12" (' he that uttercth truth = declareth what is Just"). Similarly Jer 1^, Is 59*. As a quality of Judjies and kings, 2 Ch 19!'

, Ex IS'^i, Ezk 188, Pr SO'- 21114. This characteristic is emphatically applied to the government of the Messianic king. Is IP, ls 454, js i^s 403, 6. Vff a state of true national well-being, which would be specially realized in the promised times, frequently coupled with 'peace.' As tlie IJeb. for 'peace' implies /tealt/i, aoiuul' nM, so that for ' truth ' implies stability.

But the word truth ' may also, from its uisociationi, suggest a condition in which justice prevails in all social relations (Is Z'S^, Ps 8510- u, Jer 33''), also 'peace of truth,' i.e. asifurcd peace,' Jer 1413, and more generally 2 K 2Ui», Is 39s, Est 'ja". Zee m is. 7. J-'alt/i^fuliiesn to God, as shown by zeal for Ilia worship, the avoidance of the warship of false gods, and diligence in keeping all His commantLncnts. Justice between man and man is included, because He ordains it.

Sometimes it is dilticult to say whether most stress is laid on one or another part of this complex idea. Tlie reference, however, seems, considering all the associationsof the word, to be most often to the faithfulness shown in outward conduct, even m the phrase ' in truth ' ; other expressions in the same contexts refer to inward sinceritv, Jos 2414, Jer 221 (cf. ' children that will not deal falseh ,' Is uii") 4^, Ps 119M (cf. v.S»), 2 Ch 3120 321, 1 s 1221, 1 K 2 3', 2 K 2(V', Is llpl.

Yet at Ps I45IU, Is 481 < in truth •=«nf/'r.'fi/, in contrast with hypocrisy. Cf. also Ps SI". The expression * I have walked ' or ' I will walk in thy truth ' (Ps 2iP B6II) may on the wiiole most probably belong to tiiis heading; that is to say, 'Thy truth' may mean the faithfulness (towards Thee) which Thou bast appointed. Hut 'walking in God's truth' might also possibly mean 'walking in reliance on God's faithfulness.' 8. Confidence, fri«.

7, Hab 2* ; probably, however, the meaning here also is 'faithfulness' (R\'m), in which cose this passage should be placed under 3. 9. As a l>tvine attribute ; (a) God's con-Rtafurj/ to His people, ihe/aith/ulnexs with which He had fuIlUled or would fulfil His covenant with Abraham and his descendants or with David (On 242;, HOS 21" '2'), MiC 720, p, 891- 2-l>-"- 15.24.33.4!) 982 1005 1161 1172 Ul»42- 121- 130) ; also In regard to all who serve Him (On 3210, p, 2410 308 4010.

11 64» 673- 10 7122 b(ll6 8811 922 igs4 KWi 1431- 2, Pr 1423. Is 3818. 111). It is also recognized that alike in the case of the nation (La 32*- 23, Xeh 932), and of the individual t Pa 119"5).CA]aniitics do not prove thatGod has failed in faithfulness. We meet, also, with the prayer or wish that God may show His truth (2 S '21 1520, Pfl 617). In the great majority of the passages, 80 far given under this head, iQ0 'mercy' is coupled with 'truth.'

These two words are doubtless to a certain extent comple- mentary, the one as expressive of a free compassion and favour which is ever fresh, the other of a (Idclity to promises. But there is a danger of pressing this contrast too far, as Wendt Kerns to do, ^'A, 1883, p. 62U. When society was less organized and rights could be less easily enforced and were even less deteniiinate, the sjiirit of mercy was often required to dictate the doing of truth (or justice).

Moreover, love is at all times the true motive for the doing of Justice, and no other is likely to sultiw if it be a question of justice In those many relations of life with which law cannot interfere ; while at the same time the a<-tion of true love must ever be controlled by the law of justice. This applies wiiere the two wor<is are conjomed In sneaking of human action (see above. No. 3).

But so, also, tlie thought that God's truth proceeded from His mere goorlness is frequently suggested in OT, and, on tne other hand, that His mercy is an exhibition of His truth. Cod's own love is closely associated with His righteousness (camp, the usage of the word pij in OT ; see also Ps 0212). Some other combinations should be compared, esp. ' the light of God's countenance,' i.e. His favour and 'his truth' (I's »5» 43i). "his righteousness' and 'his truth' (Ps 401", Zee b» ; cf.

also Dt 324). it) Truth seems also to be contemplated more generally as one of the great elements in Gwl's character, Ex 34"1, Pa 36 11950. He ig the true Owl, as contrasted with the false gods who are but lying vanities (PsSl'O, 2 Ch 153, and Jcr Ul'O, where the living God is a parallel expression), llence His works are wrought in faithfulness, Ps 334 » up ifls 01)13, |s 2S1.

His couuuandments also arc tnio In that they are firmly established, that they are not subject to change, that those'who observe them w ill certAinly be rewanled, and those wio transgress theiu punished, Ps 119«, II9142. 16I. IM, jjch OH, Pr 111", i, ui».