Back to the mystery square

From: Clifford M. Kuehne (ckuehne@sawdust.cvfn.org)
Date: Wed Jan 10 1996 - 23:43:18 EST


When I subscribed to B-Greek, several messages about the "mystery square"
had already appeared. I hope that I am not repeating what someone else has
already said.

A colleague of mine is quite sure that there is no real mystery about this
word square:
                         SATOR
                         AREPO
                         TENET
                         OPERA
                         ROTAS

The Latin word "SATOR" has the basic meaning "seeder" or "planter." In
theological parlance, the term refers to the "Creator." The second word must
be read backwards: OPERA--which means "works" or "the works." The third, and
final, word is TENET, wnich can be rendered "has" or "possesses." These
three words are assembled in an acrostic, with two of them spelled both
forwards and backwards, so as to achieve the interesting symmetry found in
the square.

The meaning of the words would be something to this effect: "The Creator
has/possesses the works," that is, the works spoken of are those of the
Creator Himself. This motto, in the form of the word square, would serve as
an appropriate inscription on something like a cornerstone of a
building--giving all glory to the Creator for the works which have been
accomplished.

Clifford M. Kuehne
Immanuel Lutheran College
Eau Claire, Wisconsin



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