Introduction
As we all know, punctuation is a
necessary component in understanding the languages that we speak. Various
markers have been constructed to pinpoint pauses, stops, and to even insert additional
thoughts – all for the sake of conveying the intended meaning of the
speaker/author. However, this has not always been the case.
Like anything, both the art and
structure of languages have evolved over time. Further, newer linguistical
discoveries dealing with world languages continue to unfold as knowledge
continues to progress. Thus, many of the ancient languages [Hebrew, Greek, etc.]
rarely, if ever, made use of the various punctuation marks we take for granted
today. On the contrary, the original speakers would have understood their peers
by other means such as the context of the discussion.
The Name of God
A world-renowned example,
regarding the use of punctuation, is seen in Isaiah 9:6. This specific Bible
verse just so happens to be one of the most often quoted passages in the entire
Old Testament, especially during the Christmas season. Why? Because it was a
prophecy to Israel about the coming Messiah who would, once and for all, deliver
His people. The passage is as follows:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is
given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be
called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Did you notice what I just did? I
inserted a comma after the name “Wonderful” because I believe that it fits
better with the overall context of Scripture. The insertion of this punctuation
mark is not something you will find in many Bible translations today, yet it
could not be more necessary for a proper understanding of this passage. Yes, Jesus
is not just a counselor; He is the Wonderful Counselor. However, I would argue
that this term is not Scripturally meant to be an adjective, but a noun [i.e.
His Name].
For example: within the book of
Judges (Judg. 13:18), there is an encounter between The Angel of the LORD [Jesus
in the Old Testament] and a Jewish couple. As is Isaiah 9:6, this account is
also a prophetic declaration in which God promises to bring about a son. At the
end of the discussion, when Manoah asks for the name of the Angel, His response
is that His Name is “Wonderful!”
Another example would be found in
John 14:16 where we see that Jesus promised the disciples that the Father would
send “…another Counselor.” The term “another” implies that Jesus is a Counselor
and, as we now know from the rest of the New Testament, the Counselor [i.e. The
Holy Spirit] is the very Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9; Gal. 4:6; 1 Pet. 1:11).
Conclusion
It is easy to read over something
as seemingly insignificant as punctuation marks, especially when we have heard
this verse quoted so often and always in the same manner. However, as students
of God’s Word, we are called upon to do everything we can in order to gain a
better understanding of the Scriptures. My challenge to you is to read God’s Name
as both Wonderful and Counselor. It is not necessarily wrong
to connect the two together and view “wonderful” as an adjective, but Isaiah’s
prophecy is clearer when they stand alone.
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