OLBGrk;OLBHeb;
In the Greek it is, through the bowels of mercy. An ordinary expression, and very natural, to signify great and deep compassion, Genesis 43:30 1 Kings 3:26. Our remission of sin floweth from God's bowels of mercy; it depends not upon our satisfactions and penances, (as papists dream), but God's free and tender love; yet God must be just, and declare his righteousness while he justifieth the ungodly. Whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, anatolh ex uqouv. Some think that the Greek word answereth the Hebrew word, translated the Branch, Jeremiah 23:5 Malachi 3:8: the seventy interpreters translate it by anatolhn, Jeremiah 33:15. Those texts manifestly relate to Christ, who is called there the Branch. Others think it rather answereth the Hebrew word dwa we translate it a great light. Others think it should be translated the East. So they say Christ is called Malachi 3:8; Malachi 6:12; but we translate it the Branch in both those places. Be it the Branch, or the Light, or Dayspring, or the East, it is certain Christ is meant, who is called the Sun of righteousness, Zechariah 4:2. That God might be just in the remission of our sins, he sent Christ to visit us, and in our nature to die for us.