CHAPTER 19

To fill [malle]. This is an equivocal term applied by people speaking the Hebrew language to a body’s entering and filling up another body. Thus: And she filled her pitcher;¹ An omerful for each.² This usage is frequent.³ The term is likewise applied to the coming to an end and completion of a measurable period of time. Thus: And her days were fulfilled;⁴ And forty days were fulfilled for him.⁵ The term is also employed to signify the achievement of perfection in virtue and of the latter’s ultimate end. Thus: And full with the blessing of the Lord;6 Them hath He filled with wisdom of heart;⁷ He was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill.⁸ In this sense it is said: The whole earth is full of His glory;⁹ the meaning of this verse being that the whole earth bears witness to His perfection, that is, indicates it. Similar is its dictum: And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.¹⁰ Every mention of filling that you will find referring to God is used in this sense, and not in the sense of there being a body filling a place. However, if you wish to consider that the glory of the Lord is the created light that is designated as glory in every passage and that filled the tabernacle, there is no harm in it.