The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville - Pot-pourri

oth the Son and the Holy Spirit, as the Lord says in the
Gospel (John 14:16), “I will ask the Father, and he shall
give you another Paraclete.”
32. Alsothe Son is called Intercessor (Intercessor),
because he devotes care to remove our sins, and he exerts
effort to wash away our crimes. 33. Bridegroom(Sponsus),
because descending from heaven he cleaves to the
Church, so that by the grace of the New Covenant they
might be two in one flesh. 34. Heiscalled an Angel
(Angelus, i.e. ‘messenger’) because of his announcing
of his Father’s and his own will. Whence it isreadin
the Prophet (cf. Isaiah 9:6), “Angel of great counsel,”
although he is God and Lord of the angels. 35. Heis
called the ‘One Sent’ (Missus) because he appeared to
this world as the Word made flesh, whence also he says
(John 16:28), “I came forth from the Father, and am
come into the world.” 36. Heisalso called the ‘Human
Being’ (Homo)because he was born. Prophet (Propheta),
because he revealed future things. Priest (Sacerdos),
because he offered himself as a sacrifice for us. Shepherd
(Pastor), because he is a guardian. Teacher (Magister),
because he shows the way. Nazarene (Nazarenus)
from his region, but Nazarite (Nazareus) isanearned
title meaning “holy” or “clean,” because he did no sin.
37. Further, Christ attracts to himself types of names
from other lesser things so that he might more easily be
understood. 38. Forheiscalled Bread (Panis) because
he is flesh. Vine (Vitis), because we are redeemed by
his blood. Flower (Flos), because he was picked. The
Way (Via), because by means of him we come to God.
The Portal (Ostium), because through him we make our
approach to God. Mount (Mons), because he is mighty.
Rock (Petra), because he is the strength of believers. 39.
Cornerstone (Lapis angularis), because he joins two walls
coming from different directions, that is from the circumcised
and the uncircumcised, into the one fabric of
the Church, or because he makes peace in himself for
angels (angelus) and humans. 40. The Stumbling-stone
(Lapis offensionis), because when he came in humility
unbelievers stumbled (offendere) against him and he
became a ‘rock of scandal’ (Romans 9:33), as the Apostle
says (I Corinthians 1:23), “Unto the Jews indeed a
stumbling block (scandalum).”
41. Further he is called the Foundation (Fundamentum)
because faith on him is most firm, or because the
Catholic Church was built upon him. 42. NowChrist
is the Lamb (Agnus) forhisinnocence, and the Sheep
The Etymologies VII.ii.32–iii.2 157
(Ovis) for his submissiveness, and the Ram (Aries) for
his leadership, and Goat (Haedus)forhis likeness to sinful
flesh, 43. and the Calf (Vitulus)because he was made
asacrificial victim for us, and Lion (Leo) forhiskingdom
and strength, and Serpent (Serpens) forhisdeath
and his sapience (sapientia), and again Worm (Vermis)
because he rose again, 44. Eagle (Aquila) because after
his resurrection he returned to the stars.
Nor isitawonder that he should be figured forth by
means of lowly signs, he who is known to have descended
even to the indignities of our passions or of the flesh. 45.
For although he is coeternal with God the Father before
worldly time, when the fullness of time arrived, the Son
for our salvation took the form of a slave (Philippians
2:7), and the Son of God became a son of humankind. 46.
For this reason some things are said of him in Scripture
according to the form of God, someaccordingtothe
form of a slave. Two of these should be kept in mind for
an example, so that particular instances may severally
be connected with these particular forms. So, he spoke
of himself according to the form of God (John 10:30), “I
and the Father are one”; according to the form of a slave
(John 14:28), “For the Father is greater than I.”
47. But people who little understand how one thing
may be said for another wish to transfer to the Son’s
character as Godwhat has been said with regard to his
character as a slave. Again, they want what has been
said relating the Persons to one another to be names for
God’s nature and substance, and they make an error in
their faith. 48. For human nature was so conjoined to
the Son of God that one Person was made from two substances.
Only the man endured the cross, but because of
the unity of Person, the God also is said to have endured
it. 49.Hence we find it written (I Corinthians 2:8), “For if
they had known it, they never would have crucified the
Lord of glory.” Therefore we speak of the Son of God
as crucified, not in the power of his divinity but in the
weakness of his humanity, not in his persistence in his
own nature but in his acceptance of ours.
iii. The Holy Spirit (De Spiritu Sancto) 1. TheHoly
Spirit is proclaimedtobeGodbecauseitproceedsfrom
the Father and the Son, and has God’s substance, for no
other thing could proceed from the Father than what
is itself the Father. 2. Itiscalled the Spirit (spiritus,
i.e. ‘breath’ or ‘spirit’) because when it is breathed
(spirare,ppl. spiratus)itistransferred to something else;