infinite greatness. [Hebrew: wvH] and [Hebrew: wiH] "to
meditate," is commonly connected with [Hebrew: b] of the object, but
occurs also with [Pg 291] the simple Accusative, in the signification
"to meditate upon something," in Ps. cxlv. 5. There is, as it appears,
an allusion to the promise to Abraham, Gen. xiii. 16: "And I make thy
seed as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of
the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered,"--a promise which
received its complete fulfilment just by the Servant of God. The
explanation which we have given was adopted by the LXX.: [Greek: ten
genean autou tis diegesetai.] Next to it, comes the explanation: "Who
can think out His _posterity_;" but against this, it is conclusive that
[Hebrew: dvr] never occurs in the signification "posterity." The
parallel passage in ver. 10: "He shall see seed," or "posterity," holds
good even for our view; for since the posterity is a _spiritual_ one,
it is substantially identical with _generation_ here. But it may, _a
priori_, be expected that the same thing shall be designated from
various aspects. If "generation" be taken in the signification
"posterity," then the words: "He shall see seed" would be a mere
repetition. The appropriateness of the sense which, according to our
explanation, comes out, will become especially evident, if we consider
that, in vers. 8-10, we have the carrying out of that which, in the
sketch, was said of the respectful homage of the many nations and
kings. A whole host of explanations assigns to [Hebrew: dvr]
significations which cannot be vindicated. Thus, the translation of
_Luther_: "Who shall disclose the length of His life?" that of
_Hitzig_: His destiny; that of _Beck_: His importance and influence in
the history of the world; that of _Knobel_: His dwelling place, _i.e._,
His grave, who considered? The signification, "dwelling place," does
not at all belong to [Hebrew: dvr]. In Isaiah xxxviii. 12, [Hebrew:
dvr] are the cotemporaries from whom the dying man is taken away, and
who are withdrawn from him: "My _generation_ is taken away, and removed
from me like a shepherd's tent"--dying Hezekiah there laments.
Inadmissible, likewise, is the explanation: "Who of His cotemporaries
will consider, or considered, it" for [Hebrew: at], the sign of the
Accusative, cannot stand before the _Nomin. Absol._ In Nehem. ix. 34,
this use is by no means certain, and, at all events, we cannot draw any
inference fr