In the context of the Bible, interpreters play a crucial role in understanding and conveying the messages of Scripture. The term "interpreter" can refer to individuals who translate languages, explain visions, or expound upon the meanings of biblical texts. The role of interpreters is evident throughout the Bible, where language barriers, prophetic visions, and complex teachings necessitate clear and accurate interpretation.

Language Interpreters

The need for language interpreters is highlighted in the Old Testament, particularly in the account of Joseph. When Joseph, who had risen to power in Egypt, encountered his brothers, he used an interpreter to communicate with them, as they did not recognize him and believed he spoke only Egyptian. "They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them" (Genesis 42:23). This instance underscores the practical necessity of interpreters in bridging linguistic divides.

Interpreters of Dreams and Visions

Interpreters are also essential in the realm of dreams and visions, which are significant means of divine communication in the Bible. Joseph himself was an interpreter of dreams, a gift that played a pivotal role in his rise to prominence in Egypt. His ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams accurately (Genesis 41:14-32) demonstrated the importance of divine insight in understanding God's messages.

Similarly, the prophet Daniel was renowned for his ability to interpret dreams and visions. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a troubling dream, Daniel was called upon to interpret it. Daniel's interpretation, given by divine revelation, not only revealed the future but also affirmed the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms (Daniel 2:19-45).

Interpreters of Scripture

In the New Testament, the role of interpreters extends to the explanation and teaching of Scripture. Jesus Himself often interpreted the Old Testament Scriptures to His disciples, revealing their fulfillment in His life and mission. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself" (Luke 24:27).

The Apostle Paul also emphasized the importance of interpretation within the church, particularly concerning the gift of tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul instructs that if anyone speaks in a tongue, there should be an interpreter present so that the church may be edified: "If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret" (1 Corinthians 14:27). This directive highlights the necessity of interpretation for the edification and understanding of the congregation.

The Holy Spirit as the Ultimate Interpreter

While human interpreters play a vital role, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate interpreter of God's Word. Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth: "But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures, enabling believers to understand and apply God's Word to their lives.

In summary, interpreters in the Bible serve as essential mediators of language, dreams, visions, and Scripture. Their role is to ensure that God's messages are accurately conveyed and understood, ultimately pointing to the truth revealed in Jesus Christ.

What Say Ye, O Interpreters of Sacred and of Divine Law? are they ...
... Book I. 28 What say ye, O interpreters of sacred and of divine law? Are they attached
to? What say ye, O interpreters of sacred and of divine law? ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/28 what say ye o.htm

Early English Interpreters of Spiritual Religion: John Everard ...
... CHAPTER XIII EARLY ENGLISH INTERPRETERS OF SPIRITUAL RELIGION: JOHN EVERARD,
GILES RANDALL, AND OTHERS. I The ideas developed by ...
/.../chapter xiii early english interpreters.htm

It Behoves Interpreters, when Disagreeing Concerning Obscure ...
... Book XII. Chapter XXV."It Behoves Interpreters, When Disagreeing Concerning Obscure
Places, to Regard God the Author of Truth, and the Rule of Charity. 34. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxv it behoves interpreters when.htm

Whether the Gods Use the Demons as Messengers and Interpreters ...
... Chapter 21."Whether the Gods Use the Demons as Messengers and Interpreters, and
Whether They are Deceived by Them Willingly, or Without Their Own Knowledge. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 whether the gods use.htm

Book 12 Footnotes
... vast multitude who as we shall see presently, were soon ransomed by Philadelphus,
and by him made free, before he sent for the seventy-two interpreters; in the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 12 footnotes.htm

Introduction
... Just as this tendency to secular kingship becomes strong, there comes into prominence
an order of 'prophets': the word signifies 'interpreters,' and the ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/introduction.htm

Introduction
... concerning it. There have been three principal schools among the interpreters
of the prophecies pertaining to the Antichrist. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/introduction.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, that all the events here
narrated took place actually and outwardly. This opinion ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

Song of Songs
... Christian interpreters, following this hint of their Jewish predecessors, applied
it to the love of Christ for His church or for the individual soul. ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/song of songs.htm

The Miracle of Tongues.
... to a large number of hearers of different nationalities; while in the apostolic
churches it was understood only by a few who were called interpreters. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxviii the miracle of tongues.htm

Interpreters (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Interpreters (3 Occurrences). Isaiah 43:27 Thy first father
sinned, And thine interpreters transgressed against me, (YLT). ...
/i/interpreters.htm - 7k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... 1. The Allegorical Interpretation: All interpreters of all ages agree in saying
that Canticles is a poem of love; but who the lovers are is a subject of keen ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Song (207 Occurrences)
... 1. The Allegorical Interpretation: All interpreters of all ages agree in saying
that Canticles is a poem of love; but who the lovers are is a subject of keen ...
/s/song.htm - 78k

Apocrypha
... Most modern interpreters would restore a vowel point to the Hebrew text in 2:20;
3:17, 21, thus introducing the definite article, and read uniformly "the man ...
/a/apocrypha.htm - 48k

Offices (14 Occurrences)
... The domestic altar was multiplied in many "high places." Professional interpreters
of more or less religious value began to be seers, and here and there ...
/o/offices.htm - 43k

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... Those who had this gift were known, and Paul allowed the public exercise of
"tongues" only when one of the interpreters was present (14:28). ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

Interpreter (7 Occurrences)

/i/interpreter.htm - 8k

Parable (52 Occurrences)
... A second principle of the interpretation of the parables is that a sharp distinction
must be made between what the older interpreters called the body (corpus ...
/p/parable.htm - 38k

Yoke-fellow (1 Occurrence)
... (1) In the New Testament it occurs once only (Philippians 4:3): "I beseech thee
also, true yoke-fellow." Most interpreters hold that Paul here addresses some ...
/y/yoke-fellow.htm - 9k

Yokefellow
... (1) In the New Testament it occurs once only (Philippians 4:3): "I beseech thee
also, true yoke-fellow." Most interpreters hold that Paul here addresses some ...
/y/yokefellow.htm - 9k

What is wrong with the allegorical interpretation method? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Revived Roman Empire? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Greek word arsenokoitai in 1 Corinthians 6:9 really mean 'homosexuals' or something else? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus