THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The hand of the Lord God came upon me, and I beheld a form resembling fire emanating from His loins downwards, while above His loins there radiated a brightness that resembled a vision of amber. In the Septuagint, it states that the hand of Adonai the Lord was upon me, and I saw the likeness of a man, with fire seen below and a gentle wind above resembling a vision of amber. The Hebrew text does not reference a husband, and though it lacks the imagery of a gentle wind present in Theodotion, the Septuagint incorporates this. While my translation indicates that the hand of the Lord fell upon me, Simmachus offers an alternative rendering: the hand of the Lord came upon me. This divine hand signifies action or energy, granting insight into the mysteries of the vision.
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It is important to note that what is perceived is not the essence of the truths themselves, but rather a likeness of fire below and a radiant vision above. Instead of interpreting “radiance” as zor in Hebrew, Theodotion translates it to gentle wind (atzga). This aligns with the narrative from Kings, where the prophet Elijah did not encounter the Lord in a tumult of storm or blazing fire, but rather in the stillness of a gentle wind, showcasing the Lord’s gentle nature. The acts of procreation indicated by the loins below are refined through fire, while the virtues represented by the loins above shine with radiance. It is noteworthy that the descriptions mention pathways both downwards and upwards, indicating that sinners and saints alike each have their focus—some reaching towards one aspect, while others toward another. Those embodying complete holiness may touch the navel, whereas those immersed in sin are acknowledged as having reached the fiery feet.