[OT] What does "under Jacob's condition" mean?

[CrazyMage]

I picked up a book recently that was published in Germany. They mentioned a possible sequel "sub conditione Jacobi." Now I can do the Latin, but it still doesn't make sense. Can anyone throw some light on what this expression means or where it came from? A search on Google didn't turn up much, except that it appears to be an expression used in Germany (most of the pages found were in German, with one in Swedish).

Thanks

 

[Darkness]

Hmm... A quick search turned up this:

... z.B. den traditionellen Briefschluss »s. c. (sub conditione) Jacobi« - »so Gott will und wir leben«, eine Erinnerung an die nur bedingte Verfügbarkeit der Zeit ...

Which roughly means in English: ...e.g., the traditional closing words in letters, "s. c. (sub conditione) Jacobi" - "if God wants and we live", a reminder that our time on earth is limited.


Comments:

1. I dunno why Jacobus = God. *shrug* Figures, I guess, 'cause I'm not religious.

2. "Traditional" in the sense of "isn't used today any longer," that is.

 

[Zhure]

"Genesis 50:24
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."

Just a guess, but I'd imagine it's a reference to God not fulfilling the promise to Jacob until after Jacob dies.

Greg

 

[Buttercup]

2. "Traditional" in the sense of "isn't used today any longer," that is.

I think a better English word for that concept would be "archaic". But I get what you mean. Older folks (born before WW2) sometimes use the phrase "God Willing" in that sort of sentence, which seems to be essentially the same thing. For example, "I'll spend next Christmas in Los Angeles, God Willing." People of younger generations do say it now and then, but not nearly as much.

 

[Darkness]

You're right, of course. Thank you, Buttercup.

And I think Zhure might be on to something as well.

 

[CrazyMage]

Thanks for the replies. I had a hunch that's what it meant, but was hoping for further clarification. I knew you were a smart bunch

 

[Dreeble]

Heya:

Some of the replies made me think of the fun saying, "God willing and the creek don't rise." I've seen that used here, rarely, too.

Take care,
Dreeble

 

[Talvisota]

The saying is the Christian equivalent of the oft-heard (in Muslim societies) ensh-Allah, "God willing."

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Sounds like the hillbilly (and my family are proud hillbillies, so I'm not name-calling) saying "if the Good Lord's willin' and the creeks don't rise."

EDIT: Durnit, I somehow overlooked Dreeble's reply...

 

[Steverooo]

Them Creek

Some of the replies made me think of the fun saying, "God willing and the creek don't rise." I've seen that used here, rarely, too.

N.B., here, that "Creek" (singular and plural) should be capitalized, as it referenced the tribe of AmerIndians, and not minor tributaries...