Preserving the Author's Intended Meaning in Biblical Interpretation

Preserving the author's intended meaning in biblical interpretation is a central concern for many theological traditions, emphasizing careful attention to the text and its original context. This commitment is rooted in the belief that the biblical authors, inspired by God, conveyed specific truths that should be accurately understood and transmitted ^{[4, 5]}.

The concept of "keeping" or "preserving" is frequently used in scripture to denote careful attention and retention. For instance, Proverbs 5:2 encourages the reader to "maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge" ^[3]. This suggests an active role in safeguarding understanding. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a Jewish rationalist commentator, interprets "kept the saying" in Genesis 37:11 as meaning to retain it "in his mind" ^[4]. He further explains that "keeping His testimonies" (Psalm 99:7) implies preserving the content of God's revelation to teach it to future generations ^[5]. This highlights the idea that preservation is not merely passive retention but an active process of understanding for the purpose of transmission and instruction.

John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, elaborates on the idea of preservation in several Psalms. In Psalm 25:21, "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me," Gill suggests this could refer to God preserving the psalmist because of his integrity, or that integrity itself might be maintained against temptations ^[6]. This implies a divine and human partnership in the act of preservation. Gill also notes that "The Lord preserveth the simple" (Psalm 116:6), referring to those who, despite their limited understanding, commit themselves to God and are sincere and upright ^[8]. This suggests that God's preservation extends even to those who may not fully grasp complex theological concepts, safeguarding them in their simplicity. Furthermore, Gill connects understanding with the ability to keep God's law, stating, "Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law" (Psalm 119:32) ^[10]. This implies that a proper understanding, which is a gift from God, is essential for adherence to divine instruction.

The Reformed tradition, as exemplified by John Calvin, also stresses the importance of understanding the author's intent. In his commentary on Isaiah, Calvin addresses the interpretation of Isaiah 26:3, where the prophet speaks of God preserving those whose "mind is stayed" on Him ^[7]. Calvin clarifies that the passage describes "what God makes them by his grace, and what kind of persons he wishes to be members of his Church" ^[9]. one tradition argues against interpretations that would suggest human merit as the cause of salvation, emphasizing that God transforms individuals "out of wolves he makes sheep" ^[9]. Calvin also interprets Isaiah 26:3 to mean that "it is a fixed and unchangeable decree of God, that all who hope in him shall enjoy eternal peace" ^[11]. He cautions against harsh interpretations that would suggest "continual peace is prepared for imagination" or "for thought," instead focusing on the steadfastness of God's promise to those who trust in Him ^[11]. This demonstrates a concern for interpreting the text in a way that aligns with broader theological principles, such as God's grace and sovereignty.

The concept of preservation also extends to the very nature of life and God's role in sustaining it. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that God is the author of life (Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:28) and that He preserves it (Psalm 36:6; 66:9) ^[1]. Life is described as being "in the hand of God" (Job 12:10; Daniel 5:23) ^[1]. This broader understanding of divine preservation underscores the idea that God is actively involved in maintaining what He has created, including the truths revealed in scripture. The "loving-kindness of God" is also presented as a preserving force, described as "everlasting" (Isaiah 54:8) and "better than life" (Psalm 63:3) ^[2]. This loving-kindness is seen as a means by which saints are preserved (Psalm 40:11) ^[2].

In interpreting biblical texts, scholars aim to discern the original meaning intended by the human author under divine inspiration. This involves careful linguistic analysis, historical context, and an understanding of the literary genre. For example, when interpreting Proverbs 5:2, John Gill suggests that "discretion" should be retained in the heart and used in thought, speech, and action to avoid temptation ^[12]. He also notes that "good thoughts" are to be cherished and improved, while "evil thoughts" are to be repressed ^[12]. This demonstrates an interpretive approach that seeks to apply the text's wisdom to practical life, while still grounding it in the author's original intent regarding moral conduct.

The historical development of biblical interpretation has seen various methods employed to preserve meaning. From early Jewish commentators like Ibn Ezra, who focused on the literal meaning and its implications for teaching ^{[4, 5]}, to Reformed theologians like Calvin, who emphasized God's grace and sovereign plan ^{[9, 11]}, the consistent thread is the desire to accurately convey the message of the text. Calvin, for instance, uses Romans 9:27 to interpret Isaiah, reminding his readers that God preserves a remnant not because of human merit but through His tender mercies, ensuring the Church does not utterly perish ^[13]. This intertextual approach helps to clarify the meaning of a passage by relating it to other parts of scripture, thereby reinforcing the overall coherence of the divine message.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Natural — God is the author of -- Ge 2:7; Ac 17:28. God preserves -- Ps 36:6; 66:9. Is in the hand of God -- Job 12:10; Da 5:23. Forfeited by sin -- Ge 2:17; 3:17-19. Of others, not to be taken away -- Ex 20:13. Described as Vain. -- Ec 6:12. Limited. -- Job 7:1; 14:5. Short. -- Job 14:1; Ps 89:47. Uncertain. -- Jas 4:13-15. Full of trouble. -- Job 14:1. God's loving-kindness better than -- Ps 63:3. The value of -- Job 2:4; Mt 6:25. Preserved by discretion -- Pr 13:3. Sometimes prolonged, in answer to prayer -- Isa 38:2-5; Jas 5:15. Obedience to God, tends to p”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
Proverbs “Proverbs 5:2 (BSB) — that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 37:11: KEPT THE SAYING. In his mind. This is also the correct meaning of kept in They kept His testimonies (Ps. 99:7). 22 The meaning of Ps. 22:7 is that they kept the testimonies in mind so that they would at the appropriate time teach them to the children of Israel.”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 33:9: THY WORD, AND KEEP THY COVENANT. Compare, They kept (shameru) His testimonies , 111 They preserved the contents of God’s revelation in order to teach it to Israel. See I.E. on Ps. 99:7. and the statue that He gave them (Ps. 99:7) so that they would teach them to Israel. Some say that the reference 112 Of They have observed Thy word… is to Whoso is on the Lord’s side, let him come unto me (Ex. 32:26).”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:21: Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,.... Meaning either his own, as in Psa 7:8; and then the sense is, either that God would preserve him, seeing he had acted the faithful and upright part in the government of the people of Israel, and they had rebelled against him without a cause; see Psa 78:72; or that those might be continued with him, that he might not be led aside by the corruptions of his heart, and the temptations of Satan, and by the provocations of his rebellious subjects, to act a part disagreeable to his character, as a man of integrity and uprightne”
Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 26:3: mind . . . stayed-- (Psa 112:7-8). Jesus can create "perfect peace" within thy mind, though storms of trial rage without (Isa 57:19; Mar 4:39); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Phi 4:7). "Keep," literally, "guard as with a garrison." HORSLEY translates, (God's) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean "mind," but "a thing formed," Eph 2:10), so constantly "supported"; or else "formed and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the righteous nation) in perpetual peace."”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 116:6: The Lord preserveth the simple,.... Such as have but a small degree of understanding, either in things natural or spiritual, in comparison of others; babes, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it, so in the Talmud (i); see Mat 11:25. Such who are sensible of their lack of wisdom, and what they have they do not lean unto or trust in, but being sensible of their weakness commit themselves to the Lord; they are sincere and upright, harmless and inoffensive, artless and incautious, and so easily imposed upon by designing men; bu”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 14.10: of this passage for upholding the merits of men, the answer is easy; for the Prophet does not here describe the cause of salvation, or what men are by nature, but what God makes them by his grace, and what kind of persons he wishes to be members of his Church. Out of wolves he makes sheep, as we have formerly seen. 155 155 {Bogus footnote} So long as we live here, we are always at a great distance from perfection, and are in continual progress towards it; but the Lord judges of us according to that which he has begun in us, and, having once ”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:32: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law,.... A spiritual understanding; an understanding of the law, the perfection, purity, holiness, and spirituality of it; an understanding of the Gospel, and of Christ and the things of Christ; from whom grace and strength are to be had for the due observance of the law, as in his hands; which understanding must be given, and is a gift of pure, free, rich grace, to such who have it; though they cannot keep the law perfectly, as no mere man can, yet will keep it spiritually, from a principle of love and gratitude, and with”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 14.11: the meaning which is more easily obtained from this passage, and comes more naturally from the words of the Prophet, is, that it is a fixed and unchangeable decree of God, that all who hope in him shall enjoy eternal peace; for if fixed thought means the certainty and steadfastness of the godly, it would be superfluous to assign the reason, which is — Because he hath trusted in thee. In short, both modes of expression would have been harsh, that “continual peace is prepared for imagination,” or “for thought.” But it is perfectly appropriate ”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 5:2: That thou mayest regard discretion,.... Observe it; retain it in thine heart, as Aben Ezra adds, and use it; think, speak, and act discreetly, and so avoid the bad woman afterwards described: the Vulgate Latin version is, "that thou mayest keep the thoughts"; and so Gersom interprets the word; "good thoughts", according to the Septuagint version; the thoughts of the heart are to be observed. A man of spiritual wisdom will take notice of them; evil thoughts, which lead to uncleanness, are to be repressed and kept in; good ones to be cherished and improved; wise and sa”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 7.22: best interpreter of this passage, when, by quoting it, he represses the haughtiness of the Jews, that they may not boast of the mere name, as if it had been enough that they were descended from the fathers; for he reminds them that God could act towards them as he had formerly done towards the fathers, but that through his tender mercies a remnant shall be saved . ( Romans 9:27 .) And why? That the Church may not utterly perish; for it is through the favor which he bears towards it that the Lord, though our obstinacy lays him under the necess”

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