a person who explains the thoughts, words, or writings, of some other, which before were unintelligible.—The word interpretes, according to Ifidore, is composed of the preposition inter, and partes, as signifying a person in the middle betwixt two parties, to make them mutually understand each other's thoughts; others derive it from inter, and pret, i.e. sidehelper; q.d. a person who serves as security between two others who do not understand one another.

There have been great debates about interpreting Scripture. The Romanists contend, that it belongs absolutely to the church: adding, that where the is silent, reason may be consulted; but where it speaks, reason is to be disregarded. The Protestants generally allow reason the sovereign judge, or interpreter; though some among them have a strong regard to synods, and others to the authority of the primitive fathers. Lastly, others have recourse to the Spirit within every person to interpret for them; which is what Bochart calls anabaptisi, or pneumatici.