Sabbaton | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Aug 26, 1862

Sabbaton.

In the Review of Jan. 28, in a reply to an inquiry by T. K. Henry, Bro. Smith remarks that the passage referred to in Matt. xxviii must be read: "As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week," because μίαν must agree with ἡμέραν understood, and τῶν σαββάτων must mean week. In Acts xvi, 13, we have the expression ἡμέρα τῶν σαββάτων, which according to

our brother's argument must be translated, "on the day of the week."

Such a translation would not only be unmeaning, but at the same time it would break down a strong argument in favor of the observance of the Sabbath by the apostles. I agree with Bro. Smith as regards the translation of Matt. xxviii, 1, but at the same time I think that this argument of his does not help to sustain the translation, while it exposes a breach in our walls to the attack of the enemy, who is ever ready to take advantage of any weak point in our arguments and endeavors, to live in obedience to the commandments of God. Will our brother please reply through the Review, and oblige his brother?

J. F. L.

Providence, R. I.

REPLY. I am equally aware with my friend, that the enemy is ever ready to discover any breach in our walls of defense, and to take advantage of any weak point in our arguments. This being one of his characteristics, it becomes a significant fact that since the promulgation of the article above referred to, in January last, he has made no attack upon this point. The fact is, the enemy has not yet discovered the breach; and I would fain do what I can to allay any fears that may have been aroused, by pledging myself, whenever he does discover it, and make his attack, to stand "in the gap," and see that he gains no entrance into the citadel of our strength.

But I think we shall find upon further examination, not only that no breach has been made, but that our walls were never more impregnable. It is objected that according to my argument, the passage in Acts xvi, 13, must be read "on the day of the week." Not at all; for I have never denied that the primary and usual definition to be attached to sabbaton is Sabbath, meaning the seventh day of the week. I have only claimed that in certain instances it means the whole week; and the context will decide where it must have this signification. The expression in Acts xvi, 13, is simply "the day of the Sabbath," or the Sabbath-day. But how do we know but that sabbaton here means week? Ans. There is nothing in the context requiring it. Well, what is there to require that it should be translated week in Matt. xxviii, 1, &c? Ans. The numeral adjective mian. In every instance where sabbaton follows a numeral adjective, it signifies the whole week, and the adjective agrees with day understood, and denotes the number of the day of the week; as, first, second, third, &c., (day) of the sabbath (week.) So says Robinson in his Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. And in every instance in which the expression first day of the week occurs in the N. T., it comes from this construction of the Greek: a numeral adjective denoting the day of the week, followed by sabbaton meaning, week. These facts are sustained by Liddell and Scott, Robinson, Parkhurst and Greenfield.

U. S.