Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 7, 1897

“Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently.”

No. 452. The Forbidden Fruit.

WHAT was the forbidden fruit that was in the Garden of Eden? T. G. S.

It was the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Gen. 2: 9, 17. We know no reason to believe that it exists on earth now. It was doubtless removed with the Garden of Eden. The sin, the evil, was not in the fruit, but in the transgression of God’s command, in the refusal to work in harmony with the Master’s will.

No. 453. Selling Unclean Meat.

(1) WILL you kindly tell me what is meant in Deut. 14: 21 by the people being commanded not to eat anything that died of itself,—but they could give or sell to strangers? How could it be right or in harmony with the Golden Rule? (2) Is there any place in the Bible that proves that this chapter, with the 11th chapter of Leviticus, was not a part of the old ceremonial law that was done away? MRS. J. A. C.

1. The strangers and aliens referred to did not count such flesh unclean. There are many to-day who eat the flesh of animals who thus die. It was sold or given away for what it was. Those who purchased it were doubtless cognizant and satisfied with what they received or purchased.

2. Technically it could not be considered a part of the ceremonial law as relating to the sanctuary and worship of God; it was rather a law to regulate health, cleanliness, and separation from the grosser practices of the heathen. As a law the prohibitions of these chapters are not now in force; but as principles inherent in the very nature of the things, the creatures then unfit for food are still unfit.

No. 454. Joshua and Jesus.

Why do not Bible writers use the name Joshua instead of Jesus in Heb. 4: 8? INQUIRER AFTER TRUTH.

For the same reason that Elias is used instead of Elijah, Eliseus instead of Elisha, Osee instead of Hosea, Esaias instead of Isaiah. The former of all these names is the Greek form, while the latter is the Hebrew. Jesus is the Greek form, Joshua is the Hebrew; both words mean the same thing, “Jehovah his help, or Saviour.” Jehoshua (1 Chron. 7: 27) is another form of the same word. In the Revised Version these names are uniform.