Have you ever examined something?

Have you ever taken an "exam"? The word "exam" is a short form of "examine" which comes from the Latin word "examino" ≈ "weigh or consider" which is the original meaning of "examine" and has to do with "drawing down" as in a weight scale. This word comes from two parts.

• The Latin prefix "ex" ≈ "out" and from which we get the prefix of many English words.
• The Latin word "ago" ≈ "I drive, act, do" and other meanings and related to another from of this verb as "act". Related English words are "coagulate" and "cogent".

Interestingly, the Latin word "examino" ≈ "weight or consider" comes from the Latin word "examen" ≈ "swarm of bees" as the primary meaning but could also mean tongue of a balance (as in weighing) or a consideration or examining.

Apparently, dealing with a swarm of bees was a weighty matter that needed to be "examined" closely.

Many balance scales are depicted as displayed. However, one might think that a balance scale with nothing on it should be balanced and not out of balance. Otherwise it has been biased. In reality, it is almost impossible to make such a balance. Instead, imperfections are mitigated by having, say, small pellets or shot which can be placed on one side to make it balanced for that transaction.

In a buy-sell transaction, the buyer would want to see such a scale balanced and no irregularities before then using the scale.

Instead of a "swarm" of bees, Wycliffe uses the Middle English word "gaderyng" ≈ "gathering" of bees.

The Greek word "συστροφή" in the LXX (Septuagint) above is used in the following verse which the KJV (King James Version) translates as "secret council" (of the wicked). Would it be better as the "swarm" of the wicked (with stingers).

The Latin word "ago" ≈ "I drive, act, do" and has many other related meanings. This word is cognate to the modern Greek word "αγώ" (a-GO) ≈ "I lead, bring" and also has many related meanings and is a part of many other Greek words (omitted).

Both of these words are related to the English word "ache" (pain) but the connection is somewhat distant.

Many people remember geometry class (for good or for not so good) and Euclid's use of axioms or postulates as something taken to be true that are then used to create geometric proofs (a favorite part of mathematics for me, but not of many other students). A discussion of these axioms is omitted. But Euclid thought these axioms were worthy to be included and that is where that word originates.

The ancient Greek word "ἄξιος" ≈ "worthy" which is the source of the English word "axiom". The Greek word comes from the idea of a scales weighing or counterbalancing of like value. The modern Greek word "άξιο" (A-ksee-o) ≈ "worthy"

The ancient Greek word "ἄξιος" ≈ "worthy" which is the source of the English word "axiom". The Greek word comes from the idea of a scales weighing or counterbalancing of like value. The modern Greek word "άξιο" (A-ksee-o) ≈ "worthy"

From this comes the sense of "weighty" or "importance" or "worthy" or "fitness". The only way to determine if something is "worthy" is to compare it to some alternative.

In the above verse, the KJV it might appear that "fruits" are used without "worthy". Can fruits be "unworthy"?

This might be similar to the concept of "information". By definition, information is assumed to be accurate (we are "informed" as such) so that one needs to add "bad" for "bad information". Might this be the case here with fruits? In the KJV verse above, the "meet" or "mete" has a sense of measure as in "mete out" and can be translated as the Greek the concept of "worthy" (in the balance scale sense).

The Latin word "dignus" ≈ "fitting, worthy" and from which come English words such as "dignify", "dignity", etc.

Perhaps one should bring forth their "dignified" fruits.

The verse above has some interesting Old English words.

• The Old English word "eornostlice" ≈ "earnestly" which is related to the German word "Ernst" ≈ "serious".
• The Old English word "dædbot" ≈ "repentance" as in "compensation for ill-doing" and that comes from the Old English word "dæd" ≈ "deed", related to "did", and the Old English word "bot" ≈ "mending" when used as a suffix which is related to the German word "Buße" ≈ "penance, fine" (as used in the Luther German above).

Daniel prayed often. The LXX used the following words in their translation. Daniel was doing something "worthy" to the Lord.

The Latin word "oratus" ≈ "spoken, orated, begged, prayed" and is the origin of the English word "orate", "oratory", etc.

The Latin word "orans" ≈ "speaking, orating, begging, praying".

The LXX uses this word for "worthy" (in a verb sense) in a number of places where the KJV would use "pray" or "prayer".

The ancient Greek word "ἄξιος" ≈ "worthy" which is the source of the English word "axiom". The Greek word comes from the idea of a scales weighing or counterbalancing of like value. The modern Greek word "άξιο" (A-ksee-o) ≈ "worthy"

The KJV "not to be compared" is translated as "worthiness" in the LXX.

By New Testament times, the meaning of the word had narrowed more consistently and meant "worthy" and not "prayer" or other meanings

For the word "worthy", Tyndale uses the Middle English word "mete" ≈ "measured, dispensed" from which we get the English word "mete" as in "mete out".

Here we see the German word "wert" ≈ "worth" and the German word "würdig" ≈ "worthy"which are related to the English word "worthy", following the rule that the "g" in many Germanic words changed into a "y" in English.

... more to be added ...

 A ≈ ∧ 

An English memory crutch is that the "and" symbol "∧" is like an "A" without the crossbar and the "or" symbol "∨" is like a sloppy cursive "r" (actually the origin of the square root symbol "√"), or the upside down "and".

 r ≈∨ ≈√ 

The existence problems appears in many contexts. Here are some from the Bible. That is, there exists existence statements in the Bible.

The existence of existence statements could be called meta-existence. For more information, see the following: Have you ever met a prefix like this?.

For more information using "there exists" and "for all" and "negation", see the following: Titus 1 The Epimenides paradox about Cretans

In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel goes to Jesse to find the anointed King. Of all the sons that Jesse showed him, none were suitable before the Lord.

Samuel then asks Jesse if there exists any other sons.

That other son, watching the sheep in the fields of Bethlehem, was to be King David.

A secular fairy tale example of this existence problem is that of Cinderella and the glass slipper at the end of the story. Does a maiden exist whose foot fits the glass slipper that was left at the ball. Note: Disney changed the ending somewhat for theatric purposes.

Another historical example: All swans are white. This was accepted as true for a long time.

Then, black swans were discovered in Australia. To show non-existence, one must look everywhere.

Discussion question: Can one show or prove that God does not exist? Explain. How can an "atheist" know that God does not exist?

There are ways to prove or show that a Creator God exists with probability approaching 1.0.

There are ways to prove that the Bible is a message from the Creator God with probability approaching 1.0.

Both are left as future topics.

It is very useful to know if a solution to a problem exits. If not, how can one solve the problem.

We see this in Revelation.

Discussion question: Does the use of the word "strong" to describe the angel imply that angels are of varying strength or power?

The English word "solve" is related to the word for "solution" and the Greek word for "loose".

• The modern Greek word "λύση" (LEE-see) ≈ "solution" as in the solution of a problem.
• The Latin word "solvo" ≈ "loosen, solve, dissolve, break up, relax" and other related meanings.
• The Old English word "vndon" ≈ "loosen" as in the English word "undo" or "undone".
• Luther uses the German word "brechen" ≈ "break".

How might a problem solution relate to a chemical solution in terms of the above related words? A chemical solution is a synthesis of compounds, some of which may break down other compounds.

In code-breaking, such as the Enigma code-breaking in World War II, instead of saying that one has "solved" the code, one says that one has "cracked" or "broken" the code. Who then is "worthy" to "solve" or "undo" or "loose" or "crack" or "break" the problem situation of the "seals"?

What does the phrase "under the earth" mean? Apparently browsing of this book (or even looking at it) is not an option as it might be in a bookstore of today. No "Look inside" option as found on, say, amazon.com.

The Greek has "no one" with "man" inferred from the ending of the word for "no one".

The ancient Greek word "ουδέ" (u-THEH) ≈ "not at all, not even" comes from the modern Greek word "ου" (u) ≈ "not" and the modern Greek word "δε" (theh) ≈ "but".

At this point, the existence of a solution is not known and appears to be a cause for concern.

 ♎ 

Interestingly, a similar Latin word "libra" ≈ "balance scale, weight" and is the source of the English word "Libra" as the seventh sign in the zodiac and who carries a balance scale.

Such a meaning is related to the Greek word for "axiom" as having to do with the weight on a scale. Skipping a few verses, the "worthy" lamb that had been slain fulfills the requirements.

The existence of this worthy axiom in the form of the lamb that was slain is comforting.

Note: Parts of these verses appear in Handel's Messiah. Other parts of this chapter appear in the hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy".

This page has examined some dignified and worthy axioms, where the words "examined", "dignified", "worthy" and "axioms" are all related words.

This page has also looked at the "existence" of an important "worthy" "axiom" in the book of Revelation.