{Our twelve tribes} ( o d(9364)ekaphulon h(886d)(936e)). A word found
only here in N.T. and in Christian and Jewish writings, though
d(9364)ekam(886e)on (twelve month) is common in the papyri and
dekaphulos (ten tribes) in Herodotus. Paul's use of this word
for the Jewish people, like Jas 1:1 ( ais d(9364)eka phulais, the
twelve tribes), shows that Paul had no knowledge of any "lost ten
tribes." There is a certain national pride and sense of unity in
spite of the dispersion (Page). {Earnestly} (en ektenei(8369)). A
late word from ektein(935c), to stretch out, only here in N.T., but
in papyri and inscriptions. Page refers to Simeon and Anna ( Lu
2:25-28 ) as instances of Jews looking for the coming of the
Messiah. Note the accusative of
ukta kai h(886d)eran as in
20:31 . {Hope to attain} (elpizei katant(8873)ai). This Messianic
hope had been the red thread running through Jewish history.
Today, alas, it is a sadly worn thread for Jews who refuse to see
the Messiah in Jesus. {I am accused by Jews} (egkaloumai hupo
Ioudai(936e)). The very word used in 23:28 (enekaloun) which
see, and by Jews of all people in the world whose mainspring was
this very "hope." It is a tremendously effective turn.
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