more light #332
Targum
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
My friend and Brother Richard LePage[i] sends out some very interesting
emails, not the least of which are word definitions, which are very helpful.
Today I have one of my own to share with you; the word is “Targum.”
I came across this word while reading bible commentary in my bible study this
morning. I was reading some wonderful scripture, – Psalm 37: 3-4 and the
commentary was about these two verses. You might find the meaning of Targum
interesting:
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Targum is an ancient Aramaic
paraphrase or interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, of the type made from the 1st
century C.E.[ii] The targum for the first 4 words of Psalm 37:3 (“Trust in the
Lord”) is: “Trust in the Word of the Lord.”
One might wonder what this has to do with Freemasonry. The Great Light of
Masonry [The Holy Bible] is central to Speculative Freemasonry, and has been for
centuries, [iii]and, as The Great Light without which Masonry does not exist,
Masons are encouraged to study it. That is one reason I have always maintained
that a true Masonic Student will also be a Bible Student.
Having at least one good study bible in your library for personal learning
and enjoyment is a good thing to have, but if you don’t have one presently the
web site www.searchgodsword.org is a fine on-line place to go for bible study:
There are a number of translations there; it makes studying the bible easy,
convenient, economical, and enjoyable. I have many hard copy study bibles, which
I really enjoy, but I still use www.searchgodsword.org as well. The older I get
the more I enjoy on-line books and information.
For fun, if you go to ‘Search God’s Word’ read Psalm 37: 3-4 in a few of the
translations there and also take a look at the commentary about these two verse
for some of the translations.
Studying Freemasonry and the Holy Bible is a blessing that lasts a lifetime!
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[i] If you would like to enjoy corresponding with Brother LePage, as I do he
can be contacted at: lask...@yahoo.com
[ii] I use BCE and CE (Before common Era and Common Era) instead of BC & AD
[iii] How many centuries is an interesting topic to research and discuss, so
if you’re looking for a good Masonic discussion or paper for Lodge you may want
to consider the Bible and it’s role within Freemasonry.
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