which occurred at the rejection of Christ and the subsequent rejection of

We have considered the use of the word oikoumene

in the New Testament, but before we can arrive at a conclusion, an

examination of its Hebrew equivalent is called for.  The following words are

translated oikoumene in the LXX.

Erets, 'earth'.  This word has a wide significance.  It is used

of the earth in its fullest meaning, as in Genesis 1:1, in the more

restricted meaning 'the dry land' as in Genesis 1:10, of a particular 'land'

(Gen. 2:13), to the different lands apportioned to the Gentiles (Gen. 10:5),

to a piece of ground that could be bought for a burial ground (Gen. 23:15),

or to the ground upon which one stands (Gen. 44:11).  None of these

references are translated oikoumene, they are given here, in the first place,

to indicate the nature of the Hebrew word that is later on so translated.

But, inasmuch as oikoumene does translate the Hebrew word erets in some

places, it will be realized that it is possible that any one of these

meanings may be intended.  This of course must be settled by the context.

Baal, 'be married'.

Choled.  This word is derived from a root (cheled) which means

'to move quickly' and gives its name to the weasel (Lev. 11:29).

Yashab, 'inhabited', from the primitive meaning

'to dwell', Exodus 16:35, 'until they came to a land inhabited',

so that we see that the oikoumene here refers to Canaan, as

contrasted with the wilderness.

Tebel.  This word is important, and we will postpone an

examination of its bearing upon our subject until we have given the

usage of erets, as it is translated by oikoumene, a fuller examination.

Erets 'earth' is translated in the LXX oikoumene nine times, one

occurrence being in the Psalms, the rest in Isaiah.  The passage in the

Psalms comes in the great Psalm of David 'for Solomon', type of the greater

Son of David, 'The King's Son'.  We must remember, that however much the

dominion of Christ may exceed that of Solomon, initially the terms used in

this Psalm must have been used in Solomon's day:

'He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto

the ends of the earth' (Psa. 72:8).

The extent of Solomon's kingdom is given:

'And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of

the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents,

and served Solomon all the days of his life ... he had dominion over

all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over

all the kings on this side the river' (1 Kings 4:21,24).

The 'river' is the Euphrates.  Tiphsah means 'a ford', and was on the

west bank of the Euphrates, some 300 miles above Damascus.  Azzah or Gaza is

on the coast where the land of Palestine begins to turn west towards the