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| Chapter XLV
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Chapter XLV.
As Celsus, however, is of opinion that it matters
nothing whether the highest being be called Jupiter, or Zen, or Adonai,
or Sabaoth, or Ammoun (as the Egyptians term him), or Pappæus (as
the Scythians entitle him), let us discuss the point for a little,
reminding the reader at the same time of what has been said above upon
this question, when the language of Celsus led us to consider the
subject. And now we maintain that the nature of names is not, as
Aristotle supposes, an enactment of those who impose them.4225
| 4225 ὅτι ἡ
τῶν ὀνομάτων
φύσις οὐ
θεμένων εἰσὶ
νόμοι. | For the languages which are prevalent
among men do not derive their origin from men, as is evident to those
who are able to ascertain the nature of the charms which are
appropriated by the inventors of the languages differently, according
to the various tongues, and to the varying pronunciations of the names,
on which we have spoken briefly in the preceding pages, remarking that
when those names which in a certain language were possessed of a
natural power were translated into another, they were no longer able to
accomplish what they did before when uttered in their native
tongues. And the same peculiarity is found to apply to men; for
if we were to translate the name of one who was called from his birth
by a certain appellation in the Greek language into the Egyptian or
Roman, or any other tongue, we could not make him do or suffer the same
things which he would have done or suffered under the appellation first
bestowed upon him. Nay, even if we translated into the Greek
language the name of an individual who had been originally invoked in
the Roman tongue, we could not produce the result which the incantation
professed itself capable of accomplishing had it preserved the name
first conferred upon him. And if these statements are true when
spoken of the names of men, what are we to think of those which
are transferred, for any cause whatever, to the Deity? For
example, something is transferred4226
| 4226 μεταλαμβάνεται
γάρ τι, φερ᾽
εἰπεῖν. In the editions of
Hœschel and Spencer, τι is wanting. | from the name
Abraham when translated into Greek, and something is signified by that
of Isaac, and also by that of Jacob; and accordingly, if any one,
either in an invocation or in swearing an oath, were to use the
expression, “the God of Abraham,” and “the God of
Isaac,” and “the God of Jacob,” he would produce
certain effects, either owing to the nature of these names or to their
powers, since even demons are vanquished and become submissive to him
who pronounces these names; whereas if we say, “the god of the
chosen father of the echo, and the god of laughter, and the god of him
who strikes with the heel,”4227
| 4227 ὁ θεὸς πατρὸς
ἐκλεκτοῦ τῆς
ἠχοῦς, καὶ ὁ
θεὸς τοῦ
γέλωτος, καὶ
ὁ θεὸς τοῦ
πτερνιστοῦ.
Cf. note in Benedictine ed. | the mention of
the name is attended with no result, as is the case with other names
possessed of no power. And in the same way, if we translate the
word “Israel” into Greek or any other language, we shall
produce no result; but if we retain it as it is, and join it to those
expressions to which such as are skilled in these matters think it
ought to be united, there would then follow some result from the
pronunciation of the word which would accord with the professions of
those who employ such invocations. And we may say the same also
of the pronunciation of “Sabaoth,” a word which is
frequently employed in incantations; for if we translate the term into
“Lord of hosts,” or “Lord of armies,” or
“Almighty” (different acceptation of it having been
proposed by the interpreters), we shall accomplish nothing; whereas if
we retain the original pronunciation, we shall, as those who are
skilled in such matters maintain, produce some effect. And the
same observation holds good of Adonai. If, then, neither
“Sabaoth” nor “Adonai,” when rendered into what
appears to be their meaning in the Greek tongue, can accomplish
anything, how much less would be the result among those who regard it
as a matter of indifference whether the highest being be called
Jupiter, or Zen, or Adonai, or Sabaoth!E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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