Note 6 — Chapter III

So much ignorant capital has been made by sceptics out of this unfortunate mistranslation, that it is worth while to inquire whether the word “borrow” would suit the context in other passages. “He borrowed water and she gave him milk” (Judges v. 25). “The Lord said unto Solomon, Because thou hast borrowed this thing, and hast not borrowed long life for thyself, neither hast borrowed riches for thyself, nor hast borrowed the life of thine enemies” (1 Kings iii. 11). “And Elijah said unto Elisha, Thou hast borrowed a hard thing” (2 Kings ii. 10). The absurdity of the cavil is self-evident.