Glory Be to Jesus Christ!
🌞
Since in the work published at the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/02082025.html
and even earlier in others, published at the links:
https://churchandsociety.org.ua/pdf/projects/zbirnyk.pdf
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/12112025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27112024.html
it is written that the use of prepositions has important significance for the correct understanding of important and topical questions, particularly the question of power, I am writing comments regarding the use of precisely these prepositions. As advice regarding reading what is written — one can read the verse in translation or/and original (whoever has such possibility), and then the corresponding comment regarding prepositions here. Then it is necessary to understand which part of the verse the comment concerns, and also to consider what essential for understanding it affirms — or more rarely — denies. Such thoughtful reading helps to deepen understanding and protects from the mentioned mistakes.
I prepared an improved version of my research, the presentation of which is available at the link:
https://www.facebook.com/Oleksandr.S.Zhabenko/posts/
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/uk/commentaries/vystup-2025-hypo-genitive-Romans-XIII_1.pdf
The research material is currently being prepared for publication. I hope, God willing, to present fuller results later after the publication comes out.
I will update the list of references regarding prepositions at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/02082025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/uk/commentaries/Pryjmennyky.html
the latter — once or twice a month (in Ukrainian), to keep the text version current and up to date.
Translated from Ukrainian by Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Anthropic AI), with subsequent editing by me.
Strong's references (note: according to Strong) in the translation of the original text mean that the word is taken from Strong's dictionary, and the specific meaning was chosen following the translation and commentary by Google Gemini Fast 3.
As Great Lent has begun, the readings from the New Testament are replaced with readings from the Old Testament, in order to urge people more towards repentance.
As it is spoken of several Ancient Greek (Koine) prepositions, the Old Testament readings will continue to be commented upon, examining the first complete translation into Ancient Greek — the Septuagint.
The most widely read are the book of the prophet Isaiah, who is also called the Old Testament evangelist
on account of the clarity of his prophecies concerning Christ, the book of Genesis, from which we learn much concerning the meaning and the need for salvation and concerning God's will, and the book of the Proverbs of Solomon, which is an instructive canonical book, called to raise a person above the commonplace to the threshold of eternity, to prepare them for the higher through the seeking of wisdom rather than of certain earthly gains. All three books, as indeed the whole of the Old Testament, bear witness to Jesus Christ, notwithstanding that each of the books does so in an entirely different manner.
The theme is very profound, but it must be noted at once that the readers and hearers of the Old Testament in its own time differed from people today. The most essential difference was that the depth of understanding, especially the understanding of repentance, conversion and purification, was being formed at that time, and it is precisely for this reason that the reading of Old Testament books takes place first and foremost in the time of the fast, in the time of repentance and preparation, for that which those people encountered is also relevant today.
At the 6th Hour:
Isaiah XL, 21 — 'ἐξ ἀρχῆς' — 'ex arkhes' - from the beginning
. That is, what is spoken of is a proclamation made before it was needed. The Lord revealed the truth to people before people became responsible for being in the truth. Precisely such openness is a necessary mark of friendly relations. The preposition 'ek' in its form before the following vowel indicates here that what is spoken of is not the starting point of a reckoning, but that this was a foundational event — God's Revelation to people, God's Covenant with people.
Isaiah XL, 22 — 'οἱ ἐνοικοῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ' — 'hoi enoikountes en aute' - those who dwell in (on) it
.
Isaiah XL, 23 — 'εἰς (ὡς) οὐδὲν' — 'eis (hos) ouden' - into nobody; into nothing; as if nobody; as if nothing
. There are different versions of the text here. That is, what is spoken of is the fact that the Lord accomplishes His will even when the powerful of this world are opposed.
Isaiah XL, 24 — 'εἰς τὴν γῆν' — 'eis ten gen' - into the earth
. That is, there were no roots that had taken hold deep in the earth.
Isaiah XL, 26 — 'εἰς ὕψος' — 'eis hypsos' - into the height; on high
. That is, whither. 'ἀπὸ πολλῆς δόξης' - 'apo polles doxes' - from all glory
. What is spoken of is God's address to created beings, here more likely to angels. The preposition 'apo' indicates here that this address bestows glory upon the angels, whilst at the same time not making them gods in essence — it is a gift of God's grace. 'ἐν κράτει ἰσχύος' - 'en kratei iskhyos' - in the holding of power; in the maintaining of might; in the holding of strength
. What is spoken of is the fact that the Lord is the Almighty, and no one and nothing is exempt from or can escape His dominion. The Lord does not lose His supreme power, authority, and might, does not transfer it to anyone, and will not abandon it.
Isaiah XL, 27 — 'ἀπεκρύβη ἡ ὁδός μου ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ' — 'apekrybe he hodos mou apo tou theou' - my way has been hidden from God
. That is, as though Israel (the faithful) had begun to live in such a way that they had become as it were small, insignificant, and unimportant before God
. The preposition 'apo' indicates here that what is spoken of is complete diminishment, that Israel (the faithful) had seemingly become wholly unimportant to God. The Lord through Isaiah refutes this further on.
Here Isaiah prophesies, comparing God and creation, first showing the insignificance of idols (words very much to the point in times of widespread polytheism, but considering spiritual idols as well, always relevant), then comparing the powers of people and God — testifying to God's greatness and to the fact that He will strengthen His people.
The conclusion of the reading is very eloquent, and is frequently cited with love, including by poets and artists.
More concerning the readings from the Prophets see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/01042025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/28032023.html
At Vespers:
Genesis XV, 1 — 'ἐν ὁράματι' — 'en horamati' - in a vision
.
Genesis XV, 4 — 'ὃς ἐξελεύσεται ἐκ σοῦ' — 'hos exeleusetai ek sou' - the one who will come out from you
. The preposition 'ek' indicates here that what is spoken of is origin, that is, a direct descendant, heir, son.
Genesis XV, 5 — 'εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν' — 'eis ton ouranon' - into heaven
. That is, whither.
Genesis XV, 6 — 'ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην' — 'elogisthe auto eis dikaiosynen' - it was reckoned to him as righteousness
. That is, the faith of Abram is righteous; moreover, it made Abram righteous.
Genesis XV, 7 — 'ἐκ χώρας Χαλδαίων' — 'ek khoras Khaldaion' - from the land of the Chaldeans
. The preposition 'ek' indicates here that what is spoken of is a departure from somewhere. A parallel with the exodus of the Israelites under Moses from Egypt.
Genesis XV, 13 — 'ἐν γῇ οὐκ ἰδίᾳ' — 'en ge ouk idia' - in a land not their own; in a foreign land
.
Genesis XV, 15 — 'ἐν γήρᾳ καλῷ' — 'en gera kalo' - in a fine old age
. That is, in a deep, well-lived, happy old age.
The Lord promises Abram the long-awaited descendant, a son, the heir of his wealth; He promises to multiply him through him and to give this land (the Promised Land) as an inheritance. At the same time there is also a prophecy concerning the Egyptian captivity of the Jewish people and their deliverance from it (at the time of the writing of the book of Genesis by Moses, these words had already been fulfilled, for the Jews had already departed from Egypt under the leadership of Moses himself).
Important details.
Genesis XV, 5 — stars
— in the plural, whilst descendant
is in the singular. Like the stars, your descendant will be, innumerable.
In the Old Testament Scriptures, a great multitude frequently serves as a synonym for glory, power, and significance. The Apostle Paul says that by the Descendant
of Abraham it is best to understand Jesus Christ, and in that case the meaning of the words is that He is indeed Glorious, Powerful, and Significant and similar in an incomparable degree (for He is the God-man, God and human). But also the direct meaning of the words is that Isaac became the forefather of the Jewish people, to whom important divine Revelations (like innumerable stars) were granted in various forms.
Abram believed the Lord and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
The Apostle Paul writes that in this manner Abram also became the father of all believers
— for he manifested the righteousness that originates from faith, from trust in God and the entrusting of oneself to him.
Further, the Lord commands him to bring a sacrifice, which prefigures the richness and variety of God's mercy and generosity granted to people through Abram (in the form of sacrifices from various kinds of animals), the difficult history of salvation, and the fact that it would be necessary to struggle with sins (which are prefigured by the birds of prey that Abram drove away), concerning the Egyptian captivity and deliverance from it.
A deep sleep
(lethargy) — from the word 'radam' (which is reminiscent of the already mentioned 'adam' and 'dam').
More concerning the readings from the Law see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/01042025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/28032023.html
Proverbs XV, 8 — 'εὐχαὶ δὲ κατευθυνόντων δεκταὶ παρ' αὐτῷ' — 'eukhai de kateuthynonton dektai par auto' - but the prayers of the upright are acceptable in the vicinity of him (note: according to Strong)
. The preposition 'para' here with the dative case indicates that what is spoken of is God's closeness, His presence. That is, people who pray to God must not be deceitful, cunning, or crafty.
Proverbs XV, 10 — 'ὑπὸ τῶν παριόντων' — 'hypo ton parionton' - by those who pass by; by passers-by
. The preposition 'hypo' here with the genitive case indicates that this is the passive voice of the verb is recognised
. What is spoken of is the fact that the upbringing of straightforward people (those who do not conceal, do not pretend, are not deceitful) is visible even to strangers.
Proverbs XV, 11 — 'φανερὰ παρὰ τῷ κυρίῳ' — 'phanera para to kyrio' - manifest in the vicinity of the Lord
. That is, even what is remote from God is fully known and manifest to Him. The preposition 'para' here with the dative case indicates that God does not even need to deliberate in order to know the true state of things — He knows all things in complete freedom, freely. More concerning freedom see at the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/DialogueOnWordsChristFear.html
Proverbs XV, 13 — 'ἐν δὲ λύπαις οὔσης' — 'en de lypais ouses' - but being in sorrows (note: according to Strong)
.
The Greek and Hebrew texts differ noticeably, but are in general very similar.
The Lord through Solomon teaches wisdom, restraint, humanity, kindness, cheerfulness, and industriousness, and a willing desire to learn. He also cautions against the opposites of these — against foolishness, intemperance, irascibility and quarrelsomeness, cruelty, sorrow that does not originate from love for God, for one's neighbours, or for oneself (it harms the spirit, the spiritual life), laziness, and unwillingness to learn.
He also professes that the Lord is the Knower of hearts and knows all things.
He speaks of the advantages of wisdom and righteousness over foolishness and ungodliness.
More concerning the readings from the Didactic and Poetic Books see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/01042025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/28032023.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!