scottmaciver
Puritan Board Sophomore
"May God enlarge Japheth,
And may he dwell in the tents of Shem;
And may Canaan be his servant." (Genesis 9:27)
A brief questions, to ask for the thoughts of the board as to who "he," refers to in the above text. It would seem that the majority of the commentators, would take "he," to refer to Japheth dwelling in the tents of Shem, with implications including the Gentiles being brought in, which I would agree with. However, Pink, seems to give scope for both views.
Thoughts welcome...
A.W. Pink
"God shall enlarge Japheth" (v. 27). The word Japheth means "enlargement" so that here there was a play upon words. "And he shall dwell in the tents of Shem." This expression is somewhat ambiguous, the obscurity being occasioned by the difficulty to ascertain the antecedent. Scholars and students have differed as to whether the "he" refers to God or to Japheth dwelling in the tents of Shem. Personally, we incline toward the latter alternative, though we believe that each of them has been verified in subsequent history. May it not be that the Holy Spirit has designedly left it uncertain, to show that both interpretations are true? Sure it is that God did dwell in the tents of Shem, and equally sure is it that the descendants of Japheth are now doing so.
And may he dwell in the tents of Shem;
And may Canaan be his servant." (Genesis 9:27)
A brief questions, to ask for the thoughts of the board as to who "he," refers to in the above text. It would seem that the majority of the commentators, would take "he," to refer to Japheth dwelling in the tents of Shem, with implications including the Gentiles being brought in, which I would agree with. However, Pink, seems to give scope for both views.
Thoughts welcome...
A.W. Pink
"God shall enlarge Japheth" (v. 27). The word Japheth means "enlargement" so that here there was a play upon words. "And he shall dwell in the tents of Shem." This expression is somewhat ambiguous, the obscurity being occasioned by the difficulty to ascertain the antecedent. Scholars and students have differed as to whether the "he" refers to God or to Japheth dwelling in the tents of Shem. Personally, we incline toward the latter alternative, though we believe that each of them has been verified in subsequent history. May it not be that the Holy Spirit has designedly left it uncertain, to show that both interpretations are true? Sure it is that God did dwell in the tents of Shem, and equally sure is it that the descendants of Japheth are now doing so.