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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Ancients
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aÌ„n-shents: This word (except in one instance) renders the Hebrew word ×–×§× ×™×, zekÌ£eÌ„nı̄m, (pl of זקן, zaÌ„kÌ£eÌ„n), which should always be translated “old men†or “elders.†The Hebrew word never has the connotation which “ancients†has in modern English. The words “I understand more than the ancients†( the King James Version) do not mean that the Psalmist claims greater wisdom than his distant forbears but than his contemporaries with all their age and experience. In the parallel clause “teachers†is the corresponding word. In such phrases as “ancients of the people†( the King James Version), “ancients of the house of Israel†(), “elders†would obviously be the correct rendering, as in the Revised Version (British and American). Even in (“before his ancients gloriously†the English Revised Version) “elders†is the right translation (American Revised Version). The writer probably alludes to the Sinaitic; theophany witnessed by the “seventy ... elders†(-18) Generally speaking the word suggests the experience, insight and practical acquaintance with life which age ought to bring with it (; ). In one instance () “ancients†is the right rendering for the Hebrew word ×§×“×ž×•× ×™×, kÌ£adhmoÌ„nı̄m, which means “men of former times.â€