5. First Occurrence of Words and Expressions are Generally Essential to their Interpretation

This is a law we have long since noticed, and have never yet found it to fail. The first occurrence of a Word, or an Expression, or an Utterance is the key to its subsequent usage and meaning; or at least a guide as to the essential point connected with it. Only a couple of examples can be presented here:

Prophet

The first occurrence of the word Prophet is in Genesis 20:7, and is used by God to Abimelech king of Gerar, of Abraham—

"Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet and he shall pray for you."

This first occurrence of the word shows that it is used in a very different sense from that in which we use it to-day. Of course, even apart from this, our present usage is of no account in determining the Biblical usage. We use it of one whose sole mission is to foretell future events.

But, here, it is used in connection with Abraham, who foretold nothing; and of whose prophecies, as such, we have neither mention, allusion, or record. The only thing associated with the prophet, in Abraham, here, is prayer!

This first occurrence, therefore, speaks to us if we have ears to hear; and, being so contrary to our current usage, tells us to search further and see what it teaches us in connection with its other occurrences. We soon learn from Exodus 7:1 that the same God calls Aaron, Moses' "prophet." This takes us a step further; and leads to another question: How could one man be another man's "prophet"? The answer is found in Exodus 4:16, where God, referring to the same matter, says of Aaron, to Moses, "He shall be your spokesman."

Here, then, we learn that the essential interpretation of the word "prophet" is spokesman. So that the prophet was one who spoke FOR God, whether by way of Exhortation, Instruction, Reproof, Warning, Correction, Reprobation, or Judgment. Foretelling was only a very small part of his duties.

Hallelujah

This Hebrew word occurs twenty-eight times, and is eleven times transliterated "Hallelujah," or, according to the Greek spelling in the New Testament, "Alleluia"; and is nineteen times translated, "Praise you the Lord."

But our question now is to ask, Where is the first occurrence of this word? and by it to discover not merely the meaning of the word, but its significance and interpretation. It is found first at the end of Psalm 104; and, its position there leaves us in no doubt as to its true interpretation. It is associated with praise for deliverance from, and for the destruction of, enemies:

Let sinners be consumed out of the earth,
And let the wicked be no more.
Bless Jehovah, O my soul,
Hallelujah. -- Psa 104:35

Its first occurrence in the New Testament is in precisely the same connection (Rev 19:1,3):

HALLELUJAH,
Salvation, and glory and honour, and power
Unto the Lord our God.
For true and righteous are His judgments:
For He has judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication,
And has avenged the blood of His servants at her hand.
And again they said HALLELUJAH.

The word is thus associated with the thought of judgment: not necessarily every time; for praise must be rendered for many things: but this is its first great theme.