Genesis 42:23 - "They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them."

I suppose that most of us have had occasion to visit the United Nations assembly building, or, at least, are familiar with the idea of the convention. All of the representative nations send delegates, who present their countries’ opinions and, sometimes, requests, to the general assembly.

Now, obviously, there are very few people in the world who are sufficiently gifted in languages to be able to understand more than one language other than their own native tongue. So, it is reasonable to recognize that there must be persons who will translate into other languages. If you and I were to hear a Russian speak, it is very likely that we would be totally unable to understand him. But a Russian, schooled in America, and so conversant in both languages, could be a translator - an interpreter - between us. And then we would both understand what the other is trying to say.

The same situation existed in the ancient world. There were many tongues, and dialects within tongues, just as today. And so it became necessary for interpreters to help out in dealing with sticky situations. And, actually, these men had a very good thing going for them. Just as today, we respect the man of learning and accomplishments, and give him a high position. The same was true for the ancients. Interpreters in general were highly regarded and given many honors.

Interpreters today acquire their knowledge of languages through schooling or, in some rather exotic instances, through living in foreign lands. But the ancients learned their languages through travel - sometimes as merchants, who later rose to a position of importance; or sometimes as slaves, who were able to convince their masters of their exceptional abilities, and so win release from slavery.

There were, in biblical times, other meanings for the term "interpreter," however. In some places, as in Job 33:23 and in Isaiah 43:27, the interpreter is an intermediary between God and man, a spokesman or ambassador for God. And, when you come right down to it, this is saying approximately the same thing - God doesn’t always speak in a language that we can understand, and so we must have interpreters to help in our understanding.

Later, in New Testament times, it came to have still other meanings. For one thing, it was used in reference to explaining the speech of those with the gift of tongues, and for expounding the scriptures, as well as translating foreign languages.

As long as man chooses to live in a Babel-like existence, refusing to acknowledge and accept the rights of others, to "talk with language," so to speak, interpreters will be necessary. Interpreters of words, of deeds, and of God’s voice.