Acts 15:17

Residue of men. At this point the Masoretic text of Amos 9:12 reads, she’erith ’edom, “the remnant of Edom.” However, in the Hebrew alphabet the words ’edom, “Edom,” and ’adorn, “man,” are almost identical; the LXX apparently read the latter word, and so translated, “residue of men.” The argument of James is emphasized by the Greek rendering. “The residue of men” — the Gentiles — were to call upon the “name of God.” James recognized the prophecy as a prediction of the conversion of the Gentiles, and thus relevant to the question now under discussion.

Might seek. The Masoretic text differs widely from James’s quotation, as is illustrated by a comparison of this passage in Acts with the KJV of Amos 9:12. The latter portrays the restored people of Israel (under the figure of the tabernacle) as possessors of the remnant of Edom and all the heathen. But as James applies this prophecy, it is declaration of the intention of God that the Gentiles might seek Him. James makes it clear that this seeking “after the Lord” is to be the true upbuilding both of the house of David and of all mankind.

My name is called. The expression “upon whom my name is called” is Semitic, and means, “who are called by my name.” It appears in the Hebrew of Deut. 28:10 and the Greek of James 2:7.

Saith the Lord. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) a reading for the last part of v. 17 and v. 18 that may be translated either (1) “saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old”; or, (2) “saith the Lord, who doeth these things that were known from of old.” Either translation shows that the salvation of Gentiles was no novelty in God’s plan (see Vol. IV, pp. 27-30).