This, however, is not all.  If each reference be read in its context,

each will be found to be those of battle, of siege, of destruction, of

judgment, which tilt the beam of the balances still further.  If, in

addition, we discover what Hebrew words have been translated by kataballo in

the LXX our evidence will be complete.*  These we will supply, for the

benefit of those who may not have the facilities to discover them:

*

A list of these Hebrew words (with references) can be found by

referring to:

Concordance to the Septuagint,

A. Tromm (1718), p. 837, under kataballo.

Concordance to the Septuagint,

E. Hatch & H. A. Redpath (1897), p. 728, under kataballein.

'Tears' (LXX Isa. 16:9).

'To cast down, to fall' (LXX 2 Kings 20:15 [2 Sam. 20:15

A.V.] and sixteen other references).

'To cast down' (LXX Job 12:14; Ezek. 26:4,12).

'To lay low' (LXX Isa. 26:5).

'To leave, spread out' (LXX Ezek. 29:5; 31:12).

'To break down' (LXX Ezek. 26:9).

'To break forth' (LXX Job 16:15).

'To mar, corrupt or destroy' (LXX Ezek. 26:4).

'To hate' (LXX Job 16:10).

Not a solitary word that means to build, to lay a foundation, to erect,

is here, but a variety of words, every one meaning destruction, spoiling, or

causing to fall.  This is 'proof positive', no reasoning is necessary except

the most elementary recognition of fact when it is presented.  From every

point of view, the word katabole in Ephesians 1:4 should be translated

Let the reader ponder these references, and then let him decide whether

the comment 'sometimes' and 'somewhat' savours of that which Paul condemned

in 2 Corinthians 2:17, as 'watering down' the Word (see Isa. 1:22).

So sure is this critic of himself that he wrote:

'I do not expect to get an answer to my challenge, because I consider

that the parties who maintain the Disruption or Overthrow theory are in

a position where they would certainly lose caste if they did so.

Further, I shall speak plainly and say I think they are past the stage

of beating their breasts honourably and confessing their error.  They

fail to see that to do so would enormously enhance their reputation,

and bring them more honour in the day when all the dark things are

brought to light'.

We have not answered this critic, but the usage of the Scripture has,

and that decisively.  The LXX ignores the pagan usage of katabole, never uses

either katabole or kataballo to mean laying a foundation, and while we stand

where the Scriptures place us, the question of whether we shall beat our

breasts, or bother about our reputation is beside the mark.

Whether you translate Ephesians 1:4 'Before the foundation of the

world' or 'Before the overthrow of the world' will depend largely on whether