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evident, we trust, that an examination of the Hebrew word translated `mediator' or
`daysman' is incumbent upon all who would endeavour to understand all that is implied
by the N.T. terms.
Yakach. The primary meaning of this word is `to make manifest, to show plainly'.
Gesenius suggests that the word is allied with nekach `over against' (Exod. 26: 35),
where something of the thought of balance is resident, and which is also implicit in the
office of mediator or umpire. Something of the meaning of the `daysman' of Job 9: 33
will be seen when we observe that yakach is translated `come now, and let us reason
together' (Isa. 1: 18). "That they may judge betwixt us both" (Gen. 31: 37). The word
occurs 17 times in the book of Job itself, and it will be helpful to have some of the
passages with their different translations before us.
"What doth your arguing reprove" (infinitive of the verb) (Job 6: 25).
"What doth your arguing reprove" (future of the verb) (Job 6: 25).
"Do ye imagine to reprove words" (Job 6: 26).
"I would desire to reason with God" (13: 3).
"He will surely reprove you" (13: 10).
"I will maintain mine own ways" (15: 15).
"O that one might plead for a man with God" (16: 21).
"There was none of you that convinced Job" (32: 12).
When at length Elihu broke silence, he said to Job:
"Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee"
(Job 33: 6, 7).
Elihu evidently refers to Job's plaint:
"For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, and we should come together
in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that he might lay his hand upon us
both, let Him take His rod away from me, and let not His fear terrify me" (Job 9: 32-34).
Here a number of terms that the N.T. doctrine have filled out with blessing, anticipate
the office of the `One Mediator between God and man'. Let us consider them.
"I am in God's stead." This, said Elihu, was the fulfillment of Job's wish, `I am
toward God' is the R.V. rendering of this passage. Young's literal translates it simply
`For God'.
"In stead" when it means substitution uses the Hebrew tachath as in Gen. 4: 25
`another seed instead of Abel'. But while the Saviour could become a substitute for the
sinner, no one can become a substitute for God. The preposition `l' which is here
rendered `in stead' means rather `on behalf of God'. This expression must be compared
with the words of Paul in II Cor. 5: 20:
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we
pray you IN CHRIST'S STEAD, be ye reconciled to God."