of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel, represented by Ephraim: “That is why my intestines have become boisterous for him. By all means I shall have pity upon him.”​—Jer. 31:20; Isa. 63:15; 1 Ki. 3:26.

In the Christian Greek Scriptures the Greek word for intestines or bowels is splagkhnon, and, while used literally (Acts 1:18), it is much more often used in a figurative sense, representing compassion or affection. Therefore, for clarity of understanding, instead of rendering the word “bowels” or “intestines” in such places, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures translates it “tender affections” or “tender compassions,” as at Philippians 2:1 and; 1 John 3:17.​—Col. 3:12.

Really, it is amazing how often in the Scriptures body parts are used in a figurative sense. While this adds color and vividness to accounts, Bible translations that show the significance of the words are very helpful, particularly when the figurative use of the expression is not common in the language into which the translation is made.

Questions From Readers

● Proverbs 25:11 and other texts in the Hebrew Scriptures mention “apples.” However, many authorities insist that this refers to another fruit. Were apples grown in Palestine when the Hebrew Scriptures were written?

There is much conjecture as to the identification of the tree and fruit denoted by the Hebrew tappuwahh, appearing at Proverbs 25:11, where opportune speech is likened to “apples of gold in silver carvings.” The apple tree is considered mainly in The Song of Solomon, where the expressions of love by the Shulammite’s shepherd companion are likened to the pleasant shade of the apple tree and the sweetness of its fruit. (Song of Sol. 2:3, 5) In turn, he compares her breath to the fragrance of apples. (Song of Sol. 7:8) The Hebrew word translated “apples” in the New World Translation indicates that which is distinguished by its fragrance or scent.

Several fruits have been suggested in place of the apple, including the orange, the citron, the quince, and the apricot, the main objection raised to the apple being that the hot, dry climate of most of Palestine is unfavorable to apple culture. However, the related Arabic word tuffakh primarily means “apple,” and it is notable that the Hebrew place names Tappuah and Beth–Tappuah (probably so named due to prevalence of this fruit in their vicinity) have been preserved in their Arabic equivalents by the use of this word.​—Josh. 12:17; 15:34; 16:8; 17:8.

Those places were not in the lowlands but in the hill country, where the climate is generally somewhat moderated. Additionally, the possibility of some climatic variations in the past cannot be completely ruled out, as is pointed out by Dennis Baly in his book The Geography of the Bible (pages 72, 74). Apple trees do grow in Palestine today and thus seem to fit the Bible description satisfactorily. Dr. Thomson, who spent forty-five years in Syria and Palestine in the past century, reported finding apple orchards in the area of Ashkelon on the plains of Philistia.

● How old was Abel, the second son of Adam, at the time his brother Cain murdered him?

The Bible account does not give us his exact age at the time of his murder, but his approximate age can be deduced. Since the Bible records nothing in the way of history between the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden and their producing of their first two sons, Cain and Abel, it is reasonable to conclude that the boys were born within the space of a few years after their parents’ fall into sin. But as for the next-recorded events, leading to the death of Abel, it is written that these did not take place until after “the expiration of some time.” (Gen. 4:3) How much time?

Well, the third recorded son of Adam and his wife Eve was born shortly after Abel’s death and when Adam was 130 years of age. (Gen. 5:3) At the time of Seth’s birth Eve said: “God has appointed another seed in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.” (Gen. 4:25) It is not at all likely that Eve would have said this if a great many years had intervened; she evidently desired a son to replace the murdered Abel, and so the birth of Seth must have occurred shortly after Abel’s death. It is possible, then, that Abel may have been as much as a hundred years old at the time of his martyrdom.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Life is a gift from God. Recognizing this, Jehovah’s witnesses endeavor to use their lives in harmony with the will of God. They appreciate that they are in debt to God; so they apply themselves to pay what they owe to God. They devote themselves to his service and to aiding others to learn of God’s loving provision for everlasting life in a righteous new system of things. To that end, they urge everyone to read the Bible. During the month of June they will be calling at the homes of as many persons as possible to offer them a fine, modern-English Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, for just $1.

DOES LIFE HAVE PURPOSE?

Did you know that it has been said that over ten thousand persons throughout the world commit suicide every day? This sobering fact might well lead you to ask, Does life have purpose? And, if so, why have so many failed to find it? Certainly it is not God’s purpose that a man should die by his own hand. No, the divine purpose for mankind is far different. How this will of His is being made known is the subject of the encouraging and faith-strengthening book Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose. This is the documented account of a people who have found a purpose in life and who have never lost sight of that purpose in spite of worldwide opposition. Send for your copy today. It is only $1.

“HAPPY ARE THE DEAD WHO DIE IN UNION WITH THE LORD”

Few servants of Jehovah in modern times have had the precious privilege of devoting as many years to Jehovah’s service as did Richard H. Barber. He was personally well known to many of the older readers of this journal, and his life story, “Serving Jehovah Brings Happy Contentment,” appeared in its July 15, 1965, issue. In 1894, at the age of twenty-five years, he came in touch with the truth of God’s Word, accepted it at once and continued faithful until his death April 28, 1967, at the age of ninety-eight years and a few weeks, having devoted seventy-three years to Jehovah’s service.

For a number of years Brother Barber served as a pioneer minister (colporteur) and as a traveling representative (pilgrim, zone servant) of the Watch Tower Society, and for some twenty years he served at the Society’s headquarters. As a fiery fighter for God’s truth he preached in nearly all the states of the United States, as well as all over Canada and, to a limited extent, in England and Scotland.

Brother Barber still kept on preaching publicly when well in his nineties and had to be assisted to the platform, and as late as last December was still preaching by writing and mailing out Bible literature, no longer being able to go from house to house. We are confident that, as one of the “remnant” who survived to the second presence of the Lord, he, ‘while resting from his labors, has the things that he did go right with him’ as a partaker of the first resurrection. We rejoice at his happy meeting with his Lord and the rest of Christ’s body members who have entered into their reward.​—Rev. 14:13; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

July 9: Faith Required to Please God. Page 361. Songs to Be Used: 17, 91.

July 16: Firm in Faith Despite Opposition. Page 366. Songs to Be Used: 39, 78.