Genesis 22 – The Test

Genesis 22: The Test

Background and Text: Genesis 22:1-19

Genesis 22:1 And he was after these things. And the Elohim (the Gods) tested [singular] Father-Of-A-Crowd (Avraham). And He said unto him, “Avraham!” And he said, “Behold, I am!” ²And He said, “Take, na, thy son, thine only that thou loved, He-Will-Laugh (Isaac). And walk. Walk unto Land of the Bitterness-of-Yehovah (Moriah). And ascend him there for an ascension upon one of the mountains that I will say unto thee.”

³And Avraham early-rose in the morning. And he bound his ass. And he took two of his youths with him, and Isaac his son. And he cleaved trees of ascension. And he stood. And he walked unto the place that the Gods said [singular] to him.

⁴In the third day, and Avraham lifted his eyes. And he saw the place from a distance. ⁵And Avraham said unto his youths, “Sit to you here with the ass. And the youth and I will walk unto so. And we have worshipped. And we have returned unto you.” ⁶And Avraham took trees of the ascension. And he put upon Isaac his son. And he took the fire and the meat-cleaver in his hand. And both of them walked together.

⁷And Isaac said unto Avraham his papa, and he said, “My Papa!” And he said, “Behold, I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold the fire and the trees! And where is the lamb for ascension?” ⁸And Avraham said, “Elohim will see to Himself the lamb for ascension, my son.” And both of them walked together.

⁹And they came unto the place that the Gods said to him. And Avraham built the altar there. And he ordered the trees. And he bound Isaac his son. And he put him upon the altar from above to the trees. ¹⁰And Avraham sent his hand. And he took the meat-cleaver to slaughter his son.

¹¹And Messenger Yehovah called unto him from the heavens. And He said, “Avraham! Avraham!” And he said, “Behold, I am.” ¹²And He said, “Do not send thy hand unto the youth! And do not do to him a blemish! For now I knew that thou art a fearer of Elohim! And thou did not spare thy son thine only from me.”

¹³And Avraham lifted his eyes. And he saw. And behold, another ram is caught in a thicket via his horns. And Avraham walked. And he took the ram. And he ascended him for an ascension under his son.

¹⁴And Avraham called the name of that place ‘Yehovah-Will-See,’ which he will say today, “Yehovah will see in the mountain!”

¹⁵And Messenger Yehovah called unto Avraham a second-time from the heavens. ¹⁶And He said, “Via me I swore,” Yehovah declared, “that because thou did this saying, and thou did not spare thy son thine only, ¹⁷that blessing I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply thy seed as stars of the heavens and as sand that is upon the lip of the sea! And thy Seed will inherit the gate of His enemies! ¹⁸And all races of the land will bless-themselves via thy Seed [on the] heel-that thou hearkened into my voice!”

¹⁹And Avraham returned unto his youths. And they stood. And they walked together unto Well-Of-Oath. And Avraham dwelt in Well-Of-Oath.

²⁰And he was after these things. And He told to Avraham to say, “Behold, Queen childed—also he—sons to Snorer thy brother, ²¹Counsel his firstborn and Contempt his brother and They-Stood-A-Mighty-One the father of I-Will-Elevate ²²and As-Violence/Devil and His-Vision and Distinction-Of-Fertility and He-Will-Drip and They-Wasted-A-Mighty-One. ²³And They-Wasted-A-Mighty-One childed Multiplied-Decanting. Queen childed these eight to Snorer brother of Avraham, ²⁴and his concubine—and her name is They-Saw-What? And she childed—also he—He-Slaughtered and He-Burned and Thou-Wilt-Hush and Thy-Belly.

I. The Startling Command (verses 1-2)

The Bible declares that the Elohim (the Gods) tested Avraham. It does not give the purpose for the test in this section, but it does show that He does such things.

Avraham finally had a son of the promise. He loved his son, as Elohim attested (Elohim was a witness to this and said so). He now told him to take his son whom he loved, and go to the land of Moriah.

Elohim referred to Isaac as “thy son, thine only” as if Ishmael did not exist.

He told him to walk, then to ‘ascend’ his son for ascension in the same way that one would do an animal. Elohim would tell him upon which mountain to do this.

Questions

1. Does God test everyone?

2. Why did Elohim test him in this way?

3. Why does the Hebrew Bible use Elohim (meaning Gods instead of God)?

4. Why does the Hebrew Bible use ‘the Elohim’?

5. What does the Hebrew word na mean (verse 2)?

6. Why does Elohim refer to Isaac as Avraham’s only son when Avraham also had Ishmael?

7. What does “thy son, thine only that thou loved” mean?

8. Why is loved in the past tense?

9. Why must Avraham walk? Couldn’t he ride animals?

10. What was the name of the mountain where this event would take place?

11. What does “ascend him there” mean?

12. Did Elohim command Avraham to kill his son?

13. Did Elohim do right by commanding this?

II. Avraham’s Quick Response (verse 3)

Avraham rose early in the morning. He loaded the ass with the saddle and with provisions. Two youths and Isaac accompanied him.

Avraham split the wood for the sacrifice. He then stood up and went with the three unto the place Elohim told him.

Questions

1. Why did Avraham rise early in the morning?

2. Why didn’t Avraham ask another slave (perhaps a much younger man) to split the logs for him?

3. Why did Avraham take the other two youths?

4. How did Avraham know the right place to go?

5. Did Isaac wonder where they were going, and why?

III. The Fire and the Meat Cleaver (verses 4-6)

The journey took several days. Avraham saw the destination on the third day, still a distance away.

He told the two youths to stay with the ass while Isaac and he would go the rest of the way.

Avraham gave the reason for the journey: Isaac and he were going to worship, and both would return to the youths.

He loaded the trees for the ascension upon Isaac. Avraham took burning wood to light the fire, and a meat cleaver. They both walked together.

Questions

1. Did Avraham lie when he said, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you”?

2. Could the youths see Avraham and Isaac while they finished their journey?

3. Why didn’t the youths ask him where he was going?

4. What does so mean in “The youth and I will walk unto so”?

5. Why did Avraham say, “We have worshipped” rather than “We will worship”?

6. What does worship mean?

7. What are trees of the ascension?

8. Why did Avraham place the wood on Isaac instead of carrying it himself?

9. In what form was the fire that Avraham took?

10. What was the purpose of the meat cleaver?

11. Isn’t this a gruesome scene?

IV. The Question (verses 7-8)

Isaac became curious at this point. Sacrifices require sacrificial animals. They had brought none with them. Isaac said, “My Papa!” Avraham replied, “Behold, I am, my son.” Isaac observed, “Behold the fire and the trees! And where is the lamb for ascension?” Avraham told him, “Elohim will see to Himself the lamb for ascension, my son.” That must have satisfied Isaac; they both walked onward together.

Questions

1. What did Avraham mean by the reply, “Elohim will see to Himself the lamb for ascension”?

2. Why didn’t Avraham tell Isaac what he was about to do to him?

3. Did Avraham love Isaac?

V. The Grim Task (verses 9-10)

They finally arrived. Avraham built the altar. He ordered the trees—he set them in order so that they would burn just right. Then he tied up Isaac! He placed him upon the altar—upon the firewood trees!

Avraham then sent his hand… He took the meat cleaver to slaughter his son!

Questions

1. Why did Isaac submit to being tied?

2. Did Avraham gag his son?

3. Why did he tie him in the first place?

4. Had Avraham slaughtered his son in this way, would not this have been a heinous (enormously and shockingly evil) crime? Would it not have been wrong and sinful?

5. How would you feel about someone coming at you with a meat cleaver when you are tied up?

VI. The Results of the Test (verses 11-12)

Messenger Yehovah (also known as the Angel Yehovah) called Avraham’s name twice: “Avraham! Avraham!” Avraham responded, “Behold, I am!” This Messenger Yehovah commanded him to not send his hand unto the youth. He also commanded him to not do to him a blemish!

This Messenger said, “For now I knew that thou art a fearer of Elohim! And thou did not spare thy son thine only from me.”

Questions

1. Why did Messenger Yehovah call Avraham’s name twice?

2. Why did the messenger tell him to stop after Elohim had told him to do this?

3. Didn’t Messenger Yehovah already know that Avraham was a fearer of Elohim?

4. Who is Messenger Yehovah, and how could a reader know this?

5. Would Avraham have killed Isaac?

VII. The Exchange (verse 13)

Avraham lifted his eyes. A ram was caught in a thicket by his horns. He was not damaged, but was stuck. Avraham walked to the ram, took it, and exchanged the animal and his son. He then ascended the animal on the altar.

Questions

1. Why did Avraham offer the caught ram (instead of letting it go, or instead of eating it)?

2. Why did Yehovah provide a ram instead of a lamb?

3. Explain under his son in “he ascended him for an ascension under his son”:

4. The text stated, “And behold, another ram is caught in a thicket via his horns.” Explain why the text states, “another”:

VIII. The Naming of the Place (verse 14)

It was Avraham who had said before that Yehovah will see to Himself the lamb for ascension. The animal caught was a ram, not a lamb.

Avraham now called that location Yehovah-Will-See. Yehovah will see in the mountain.

Questions

1. What was significant about the animal being a ram rather than a lamb?

2. This verse states, “Yehovah will see.” What will He see?

3. In what mountain will Yehovah see this Lamb?

IX. The Results of Obedience (verses 15-18)

Messenger Yehovah called a second time to Avraham from the heavens. He swore (vowed) via Himself.

Avraham had done two noble acts: He had

done the saying of Messenger Yehovah
not spared his son, his only.

Yehovah vowed to do the following:

He will bless Avraham.
He will multiply his seed as stars of the heavens and as sand that is upon the lip of the sea.

He also stated two results of these things:

His Seed will inherit the gate of His enemies.
All races of the land will bless themselves via His Seed.

All this was because Avraham had hearkened into His voice.

Questions

1. Why did Messenger Yehovah vow?

2. Why did Messenger Yehovah vow via Himself?

3. Do the stars of the heavens multiply?

4. Does the sand of the sea multiply?

5. Verse 17 states, “thy Seed will inherit the gate of His enemies.” Identify this Seed:

5. When will this Seed inherit the gate of His enemies, and why would the Seed want a gate?

6. Identify “all races of the land”:

7. What does “will bless themselves via thy Seed” mean?

8. Why will such good things occur, according to this text?

X. The Return (verse 19)

Avraham and Isaac returned back to the waiting youths. They all walked together unto Well-Of-Oath, Beersheba. Avraham dwelt there.

Questions

1. Perhaps now you can answer the question why Avraham took the youths with Isaac and him:

2. The text states that “they stood.” Who stood?

3. What was the topic of conversation as they walked to Beersheba?

4. Did Avraham like Beersheba?

XI. Names (verses 20-24)

Avraham had a brother named Nahor (which means snorer). His wife was Milcah, meaning Queen. Someone (identified only as he) told Avraham that Milcah had birthed sons, so that Nahor and Milcah now had children.

I have provided meanings for the names of the children. I can be certain of the meanings of some of the names, and I am less certain of the meanings of other names because I have very little information upon which to determine their meanings. Please know this as you read the meanings that I have proposed.

English Name	Proposed Meaning
Huz	Counsel
Buz	Contempt
Kemuel	They-Stood-A-Mighty-One
Aram	I-Will-elevate
Chesed	As-Violence/Devil
Hazo	His-Vision
Pildash	Distinction-Of-Fertility
Jidlaph	He-Will-Drip
Bethuel	They-Wasted-A-Mighty-One
Rebekah	Multiplied-Decanting
Reumah	They-Saw-What?
Tebah	He-Slaughtered
Gaham	He-Burned
Thahash	Thou-Wilt-Hush
Maacah	Thy-Belly

Questions

1. Why did folks name their children with such weird names?

2. Why would a parent name a baby Snorer?

3. What does decant mean?

4. What is a concubine?

5. How is Rebekah’s name prophetic?

February 9, 2009August 26, 2016

Why Folks Hate the Jews

Jews:

Why So Many Folks Hate the Jews

And

Who are the Jews in John?

Introduction

Why are the Jews hated? The Bible invests the entire plan of God in them, and the Bible holds them responsible for their being no peace on earth until they do right.

Yehovah has dispersed them among the races, warning that they will only be able to stay in any place for a short time, and then they must go elsewhere. Thus, the races see them as a scourge in their midst, as driven from other places, and transient, and as potential competition.

Common Ideas about the Jews

Many folks who hate the Jews don’t know why they hate them. They have been taught that the Jews are evil, and affect the world for self-centered interests that destroy countries and cultures. Those who have investment in Islam have a different for hating the Jews (if they hate them at all). There is no consensus regarding the Jews. There are always folks in all countries who don’t hate them, and would appreciate doing business with them.

A Quick History of the Jews

The Bible explains how the Jews came about. The God of the Bible produced this people specially using miracles and using non-Jewish groups to bring about the Jews. They came out of Egypt and from slavery with great wealth. They soon were embroiled with the Palestinians (Philistines). Their history is one of violence and of great peace. Their kingdom became very strong and very great, then very weak and finally gone. They were given a land in the most central and most important part of the planet: the Middle East, between three of the most active continents in the world. They were also given a Torah, a Teaching that was assigned specifically to them that had promises of good if they complied, and guarantees of the most terrible destructions to them if they didn’t comply. They were also given another guarantee: that they would continue to exist to the end of the planet, and that this land would be theirs once they did right according to the Torah (the first six books of the Bible).

This Torah was another reason for great jealousy, since there is no evidence that the God of the Bible gave a Covenant of this nature to any other group. The Jews were given the assignment and responsibility to carry, teach and live out the ‘oracles’ of God, those things that God gave to the world through prophets or directly.

Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2Much every way! Chiefly, because the oracles of God were committed unto them.

The Talmud

The Jews developed their own set of teachings from rabbis called the Talmud. This compendium of opinions of the rabbis was viewed by large groups of Jews as being equal with the Scriptures in previous centuries. Jews who studied these writings became very good at law and at memorization. Thus, they excelled in scholarship and in medicine, in law and in politics, as well as in the arts. Their numbers were small compared to the surrounding races, but their influence and discoveries were proportionately very large. This also made for jealousy.

The Jews under Islam

The Jews used to prosper under Islam, and they did far better under Islam when Spain was occupied by the Sultans than they did at any other time for centuries. Islam treated the Jews very well, and they achieved high positions. This also made the Europeans very angry at the Jews and very jealous. When Islamic rulers were driven from Spain, the Jews who stayed behind were hated and were mistreated.

Restrictions on Jewish Professions

During previous centuries, Jews were not allowed to be in certain professions held by religious groups among the Gentiles, but they could lend money. Kings borrowed. Kings owed. Kings wanted to cancel their debts to the Jews; they found the easiest way was to accuse them and kill them, and drive them out. This practice occurred many times.

Jewish Integration

Jewish folks have had to stick together because of history and anti-Semitism. Thus, even when they integrate into societies, that integration doesn’t usually last. They become ousted after so much time. Thus, Jewish integration is only temporary, and again the Jews stand out when they are forced out.

Any group that appears different from other groups will be targeted. This is one reason.

Jewish Monetary Success

Another reason is that the Jews appear to be very monetarily successful, and to control the means of production and exchange. This doesn’t have to be true to appear to be true. Jewish folks reside all over the world, and Jews do tend to trade with Jews—but not exclusively. Yet, this isn’t what others see; they think that the Jews have connections and can escape from trouble in the markets by using these connections. Gentiles who feel that they don’t have the same connections resent Jews for having them (even if they don’t).

This idea of the International Jew goes into the area of patriotism. Jews are views as not having any true allegiance to any country, and will leave a country if that country falters. Thus, others who are invested in the country see the Jews as quick traitors if everything goes down. This is not the case, but again, truth isn’t the issue; perception is.

All this doesn’t really explain why the Jews are hated. It goes beyond this, and it goes beyond literature that has been around for centuries accusing the Jews of an international plot to strip the Gentiles of wealth.

It goes to the Bible.

Why Some of Western Civilizations Hate the Jews

The Jews are a minority. Their presence in cultures is usually very obvious. Some Jews mix, while other Jews remain detached from cultures. They tend to group among themselves, and they have traditions that don’t match the surrounding cultures. This alone tends to present a problem among many who value conforming to a ‘norm’.

Every culture tends to hold certain values, and also tends to not value other things. Jews themselves are not a consistent culture. Yet, they appear to be to most onlookers. There are the very Orthodox Jews with strange clothing and patterns of behavior, and there are liberal Jews who do what the surrounding Gentiles do. Yet, even the liberal Jews tend to be different, and have different connections. This presents the problem of jealousy.

Why Many of Middle Eastern Groups Hate the Jews: Holy Sites

Modern Islam has its focus on the holy sites, not on Islamic history. Thus, the Jews must be driven into the sea in order to redeem Jerusalem from ‘the Crusaders.’ Many in the Middle East see the Crusades as continuing to this day.

As long as any other group outside of Islam dominates over any Islamic holy site, followers of Islam are taught that the deity of Islam is angry because of the liberalism found among followers of Islam. Thus, such domination is a sign from ‘God’ to turn to fundamental Islam; then the deity will give success to throw infidels out of the holy cities.

Modern Christian Churches

Modern Christian churches of every variety have the same difficulty when viewing the Jews. There is this recognition of the importance of Israel and the Jews, and there is the same jealousy. Some churches are for Israel; some will not discuss Israel. Some separate ‘Israel’ from ‘Jews’, stating that Israel is good, the Jews are accursed. Some hate the Jews and Israel, and desire Israel’s annihilation. All these groups claim to be fervent followers of Christianity.

Messianic Jews

There is another set of groups called Messianic Jews. They consist of mainly Jewish persons who claim to believe in Jesus or Yeshua as the Messiah. They do the same practices found among Christian groups by replacing Biblical Israel with themselves as if they are the focus of the promises of God in the Bible, and the apple of God’s eye. They usually are very fervent for Israel and for the Jews, yet they theologically distance themselves from the Jews by celebrating their own supposed salvations even while Israel is always in jeopardy. They also twist Scriptures to show themselves as important.

The Nazis

The Nazis viewed themselves as a continuance of Arians, and the Arians are supposedly from Atlantis. Arianism necessarily hates the Jews and must destroy them. All this has to do with the occult and the view that ‘God is with us’ (placed on the belts of the Nazi SS troupers). If ‘God is with us,’ God can’t be with them.

Jew-Hating Demons

Humans are not the only readers and hearers of the Bible, and they are not the only ones who misread it. The Bible speaks of demons, angels who rebelled. They, according to the Bible, also will be locked up and tormented once the Jews are righteous. If the Jews are expunged from the earth, the demons won’t be. Thus, a good portion of the hatred of Jews is supernatural. (The Jews can only be expunged from the earth if the Bible isn’t true.)

Centrality of the Jews in the Bible

Many groups in this world see the Bible as the central book of their faiths. They read about the Jews in the Bible if they read the Bible at all. (Few read the Bible.) The Bible speaks of the Jews in very negative terms in some texts. It also speaks of the Jews in very positive terms in other texts. Both present a problem to readers. If the Jews are as bad as the Bible portrays them, they are a scourge. Some therefore believe that they do God a favor by diminishing the Jews in society and even by getting rid of them. If the Jews are as important as the Bible portrays them, some readers are very jealous; they desire to be the center of God’s plan, and the Jews are in the way. Therefore, they cling to a theology that replaces the Jews with themselves (i.e., The Church). The problem is that the Jews are still around. Their being around tends to ruin the replacement theology. Thus, they speak out against the Jews to convince themselves and others that God is truly through with them, and has chosen the faithful and Godly Gentiles in their groups to replace the Jews.

The Bible Follows the Jews

Wherever the Jews go, regardless of how liberal the Jews are, the Bible goes with them—the very book that both accuses them and shows how important they are in the plan of the God of the Bible. While the Jews do not tend to carry the ‘New Testament’ with them, but only the ‘Old Testament’ (the Tenach), the ‘New Testament’ follows them wherever they go. This volume seems even more accusatory when read by those who have not known the ‘Old Testament’. Anti-Semitism is propagated more from the book of John in the ‘New Testament’ than from any other source because it refers to ‘the Jews’ as a violent and evil group and as killers of Christ. A reader who knows the ‘Old Testament’ and who reads the book of John carefully can see that Jesus was dealing with the Jews all of the time, and that the group called ‘the Jews’ in John (and in other books) must be a subgroup. Such careful readers are rare.

The ‘New Testament’

The ‘New Testament’ is the strongest in confirming the centrality of the Jews in the plan of God, in the resurrection of the dead, and in the return of Jesus (Yeshua) to reign. It states that He will return to the Jews and reign among them and over the world.

The Middle Eastern Groups are predominantly Moslem in faith or in perspective. Islam has several holy places, the second most holy place being Jerusalem. In Islamic teaching, any holy place like that must be controlled by Islamic followers. If it isn’t, it is because the deity of Islam is angry with the Islamic peoples for being too liberal. Thus, they must do everything in life or death to reclaim those holy sites. Since the Jews are occupying Jerusalem, the Jews must be hated and expunged in order to bring the faithful back to Islam, and all Islamic countries must turn from liberalism and westernism.

Peace on Earth

Since the Bible places peace of earth with the Jews such that there will be no lasting peace until the Jews are entirely righteous, this also makes for jealousy. The Jews appear so important in the Bible, that it is as if God views them much higher than the other races. (While this isn’t the case, misreading the Bible easily derives this conclusion.)

A Misunderstanding about the Jews in the Book of John

Many readers misunderstand the term Jews in the New Testament. They think that the term always refers to all the Jewish folks when it does not. Consider the following texts with me. I will explain things about each text:

John 2:13 And the Jews’ Passover was at hand.

This sounds general. Yet, who else had a Passover? If it were for all the Israelis, why mention it since the entire scene is about the Israelis/Jews?

John 2:18 Then the Jews answered and said unto Him, “What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?”

Did all the Jews answer Him, or did a group answer Him?

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

Was he a ruler over all the Jews (like Herod), or was he a ruler of a group of Jews?

John 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

Weren’t John’s disciples Jewish? Were they Latvian or Chinese? Were they Hungarian or Australian?

John 5:16 And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

Did all the Jews want to kill Him? Most appreciated what He did and said, even if they didn’t understand what He said.

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

I learned from these texts that ‘the Jews’ were a sect, a small group of the entire Jewish population. Thus, I began calling them by their Hebrew name: the Yehudeem to distinguish them from the rest of the Israelis/Jews in these texts.

The following are what I discerned by carefully reading Matthew through John, and other places in the ‘New Testament.’ You may certainly challenge them, but at least consider them.

The Yehudeem:

Were a sect of the general Jewish population
Were very strict, hoping that the God of Israel would give Israel freedom from occupying pagans (like the Romans) if the Israelis would strictly adhere to the Torah (the first five books of the Bible)
Made rules to help keep the Israelis within the Torah, but by doing so violated the Torah (by adding to it)
Felt their rules to be from God
Consisted of two types of persons: one type that greatly desired to do right according to the Tenach (the entire Old Testament), and another type that desired to have power in the Jewish communities, not caring about personally doing right, but being the ‘morality police’ over others
Had the power to excommunicate other Israelis from the synagogues, thus making it impossible for them to do business with other persons under the influence of the Yehudeem within Israel; this power could be used for benefit to Israel or for personal vengeance
Had little or no sway over the Israelis who were not part of the Yehudeem (and who didn’t care about excommunication)
Were of two types: one type was very protective of their own positions, and didn’t like outsiders who didn’t come up through the ranks having influences over their followers; the other type wasn’t protective of anything but the Truth, and was glad to hear of anyone who worked to bring righteousness to Israel
Were from any of the twelve tribes (or were proselytes of the Gentiles who turned to Judaism), and therefore were not strictly of the tribe of Judah
Could also be Pharisees, another group that consisted of some who most definitely believed in real righteousness in Israel and in personal righteousness, and worked for that, and of some who sought power over others, wanting to ‘boss folks around’ and to be viewed well by those in high positions in the religious community
Consisted of a very few who definitely wanted to kill Yeshua and of others who very much delighted in His teachings, recognizing Him to be one truly sent directly from God and who had the words of life. The Yehudeem also consisted of some in lower-ranking positions who didn’t know what to believe regarding Yeshua, and who were torn.

The above descriptions of the Yehudeem may seem very ‘black and white’ in the descriptions, but there were folks who were in between, also, as I mentioned in the last bullet.

Modern Christianity does not teach that the Yehudeem (‘the Jews’) formed a small sect of the Israelis. Instead, many are taught to read the book of John as the first book of the Bible they will ever read. They will see many bad things regarding ‘the Jews,’ and will either reaffirm their feelings against the Jews or will form new feelings of them being enemies as if it refers to all Jews.

If they were to start with Genesis, they would probably figure some things out (if they cared for Truth). They would learn that the Jews are very central to Yehovah’s plan for all the ages, etc. Starting in John, however, will give ignorant readers a terrible impression of the Jews. Even if they figure out that ‘the Jews’ are a sect, they may still think that this sect was all bad. That was not the case. There were a few powerful ‘bad apples.’ There were some powerful good guys. There were followers of both types who were very loyal to their leaders, right or wrong. This is the same with groups today.

February 8, 2009July 5, 2017

The Hand

Several body parts are descriptively used in the Scriptures, including the hand. I will portray several of its usages, each being a ‘childism’ (some phrase or term easily understood by a child).

1. The Hand that Won’t Reach

In Leviticus 5:7 and 5:11, Young’s Literal Translation has:

Leviticus 5:7 And if his hand reach not to the sufficiency of a lamb, then he hath brought in his guilt-offering—he who hath sinned—two turtle-doves or two young pigeons to Jehovah, one for a sin-offering, and one for a burnt-offering . . .

Leviticus 5:11 And if his hand reach not to two turtle-doves, or to two young pigeons, then he hath brought in his offering—he who hath sinned—a tenth of an ephah of flour for a sin-offering . . .

We would say either “He can’t afford it” or “He is unable to acquire or get it.” The viewpoint of a young child is that he can’t reach it.

2. The Hand that is Strong

The hand represents power to a child. Whatever she can do is often measured and done by her hand. The hand of a ‘grown-up’ seems very strong. Consider these texts:

Exodus 13:3 And Moshe saith unto the people, “Remember this day which ye have gone out from Egypt, from the house of slaves. For by strength of hand hath Yehovah brought you out from this…”

Exodus 13:14 “And it hath been, when thy son asketh thee hereafter, saying, ‘What is this?’ that thou hast said unto him, ‘By strength of hand hath Yehovah brought us out from Egypt, from a house of slaves.’”

Exodus 13:16 “…and it hath been for a token on thy hand and for frontlets between thine eyes. For by strength of hand hath Jehovah brought us out of Egypt.”

The Bible has many similar texts and other uses of hand. Anything given into the hand of someone is placed in his power and for his use, as a child would assume. The English language has absorbed some of these expressions:

Genesis 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth and upon all the fishes of the sea. Into your hand are they delivered.

Children are physical, and they usually express toughness with their hands, as does Hebrew:

Genesis 16:12 And he is a wild-ass man. His hand is against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

The hand is so important that it is used 1,710 times in the King James translation. If it were counted in the Hebrew, the number of times would be increased to more than 1,825 times.

Yehovah desires that one have clean hands. Even some unbelievers do:

Psalm 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of Yehovah? Or who shall stand in His holy place? 4He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive the blessing from Yehovah and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Israel is clay in the hands of Yehovah the Potter:

Jeremiah 18:6 “House of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter?” saith Yehovah. “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Children often love working with clay. While they might not understand the importance of clean hands, they can learn about this quickly. They also understand how the hands of a more powerful child or adult can overcome or frustrate them.

Yehovah’s use of these ‘Childisms’ makes the Bible understandable to children of all cultures in the world, as long as these expressions are not hidden by translators. For example,

2 Kings 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power…

should be rendered,

2 Kings 19:26 And their inhabitants were short-ones of hand…

describing that they were shorthanded and could not reach their goal.

Were someone to produce a truly literal rendering of the Bible, children would be better equipped than adults to understand it! May your understanding of the texts increase to the perspectives of a child!

Jeremiah 18:6 “House of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter?” saith Yehovah. “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, House of Israel!”

Yehovah will perfect this pottery. Since Israel is in His hand, should Christians ignore Israel? Modern Christianity in nearly all circumstances either ignores Israel or accuses Israel, becoming participant with the Accuser of the Brethren! Does your church (congregation) care about this unfinished pottery, or does it concentrate on its own navel? If Salvation is of the Jews, should the Jews be ignored? Many religions are in this world. The ‘hand’ of every pastor and congregation is either for Israel or is against the Jews. Ignoring Israel’s importance is untrue to the Word of God, and is a stand against Israel. Listen carefully to sermons to see how important (or unimportant) Israel is, and see if the hand of your congregation is for or against Israel.

February 8, 2009July 5, 2017

The Eyes

Many texts make use of the word eyes, far more in Hebrew than in English. The following texts make use of eyes:

Genesis 16:6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee.

Genesis 18:3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant.

Genesis 23:11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.

Genesis 31:35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.

Examine these same texts from the Hebrew:

Genesis 16:6 And Avram said unto Sarai, “Behold thy slave-girl is in thine hand. Do to her the good in thine eyes.”

Genesis 18:3 And he said, “My lords, if, pray, I found favour in thine eyes, do not cross-over from upon thy servant.”

Genesis 23:11 “No, my lord, hearken to me. I gave the field to thee, and the cave that is in him. I gave her to thee. I gave her to thee to the eyes of the sons of my people, a sepulcher of thy dead-one.”

Genesis 31:35 And she said unto her papa, “He will not be heat in the eyes of my lord that I will not be able to arise from thy faces. For a way of women is to me.”

Children learn about eyes long before they can speak. They also communicate with their eyes. Observant parents and guardians can often tell what a child will do next by the child’s eyes. If something is ‘good in the eyes of the child,’ the child will express this or will go toward it. If it is bad, another expression will be forthcoming.

The ‘Old Testament’ uses some form of eye over 900 times. Many of these portray a ‘childism,’ as the above texts. Many adults have become insensitive to the eyes of others, and some in some cultures do not look straight into the eyes of others. Hiding and lowering one’s eyes can show humility. This is also a characteristic behaviour of shy children.

Yehovah’s eyes are very important in the Bible:

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of Yehovah.

Deuteronomy 13:18 When thou shalt hearken to the voice of Yehovah thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of Yehovah thy God.

1 Samuel 26:24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of Yehovah, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

2 Chronicles 14:2 And Asa did good and right in the eyes of Yehovah his God.

Yehovah’s eyes are everywhere (omnivident):

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of Yehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Yehovah’s eyes are always on the Land of Israel:

Deuteronomy 11:12 …a land that Yehovah thy God careth for. The eyes of Yehovah thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

Children naturally use and respond to eyes in the same way Biblical characters and usages do. If Yehovah’s eyes are always on the land of Israel, do the eyes of your church (its pastor) also focus on the centrality of Israel in the plan of God, or does he manage to overlook Israel, except to refer to Israel’s unbelief? Yehovah’s eyes see, and He remembers. I have seen the look of hatred when I have spoken of Israel’s importance to the Bible. Doesn’t it make sense to look where Yehovah looks?

February 4, 2009August 25, 2016

Psalm 004 with footnotes

Psalm 4

Literally Rendered with Footnotes

1. To the overcomer¹ via strummings.² A ballad³ to David.⁴

2. Answer/Humble⁵ me in my calling, Gods⁶ of my righteousness! Thou hast broadened⁷ to me in Tribulation.⁷ Favour me and hearken⁸-to my prayer.⁹

3. Sons of a man, unto what is my importance¹⁰ for calamity? ¹¹ Ye shall love emptiness! ¹² Ye shall seek a lie! ¹³ Cast-up! ¹⁴

4. And know ye that Yehovah has segregated¹⁵ a graced-one¹⁶ for Himself! Yehovah will hearken⁸ in my calling unto Him!

5. Shake-ye-with-anger! ¹⁷ And do not sin. Say¹⁸ ye in your heart¹⁹ upon your bed, and be ye silent! ²⁰ Cast-up! ²¹

6. Sacrifice-ye sacrifices²² of righteousness. And trust ye unto²³ Yehovah.²⁴

7. Many are saying, “Who will show us good?” Ensign²⁵ upon us a light of Thy faces, Yehovah.

8. Thou gave happiness in my heart. They²⁶ have increased from the time of their grain and their new-wine.²⁷

9. I will both lie down and I have slept²⁸ in peace. For Thou, Yehovah, alone shall make me dwell securely! ²⁹

NOTE: Some footnote topics cover numerous texts. They have been recorded, and will be copied into documents discussing those topics. If you see footnote repetition from one text to another, this will explain why.

¹ The root of overcomer according to Gesenius’ lexicon means to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring; to act as overseer or superintendent or director or chief. The noun form has the following acceptations (according to Gesenius): eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness; endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end. Biblical usage, however, directed me toward overcomer, one who is victorious and who endures. This has connected with numerous other texts throughout the Bible.

² Guitars? I chose guitars since the Hebrew word indicated strummed instruments. Many stringed, strummed instruments can fit this description, so if you protest this choice, consider the options. The timing of the text will determine instrumental availability and existence.

³ A ballad is a story in song that tells of a person’s acts. While ballads can be mythical, Biblical ballads are never mythical, giving infallible information in their stories. Biblical ballads are nearly always future events, recorded as if they have already occurred.

⁴ David literally means beloved, but comes from a root supposedly meaning to boil. It is more like a lover, showing intense passion (not necessarily bad if the relationship is appropriate).

⁵ The same Hebrew word that means answer also means humble (both verbs). Context normally distinguishes between two definitions of words that are spelled the same way, but I have found numerous texts using this word in which I cannot distinguish; they are both equally true! Yehovah designed the language, and He sovereignly made sure those two words were that closely linked. Thus, I now frequently render that Hebrew word with ‘answer/humble’ so that the reader can see this.

⁶ Elohim means gods. When Elohim refers to Yehovah, it is describing Him as being all the true Gods there are. He is God of the mountains, God of the heavens, God of the seas, God of fruitfulness, God of justice, etc. The word is still plural, but normally demands a singular verb. When Elohim refers to false gods, it can also take a singular verb (when those referring to elohim are speaking of their gods), but often takes plural verb forms.

⁷ Broadened and Tribulation have a common concept. Tribulation has the flavour of a tight squeeze: being put into a bind. Broadening, on the other hand, has the opposite flavour. This is the provision of an escape so that the bind and tight squeeze are (at least temporarily) stopped. The Hebrew word for broadway or boulevard is the noun form of this word.

⁸ Hearken is not the same as hear; it also includes doing. The Hebrew uses a verb form of ear, also, which is more akin to hearing.

⁹ Prayer (of this type) comes from a root verb meaning to intervene, interpose, pray, to mediate, judge, to intercede. The main flavour can be described this way: rolling out details in order to properly determine what is appropriate. The Bible has several different words describing different types of prayer. This is the most common.

¹⁰ Glory means weight or importance. Its use is exactly like the English idiom, “Man, that’s heavy!” used by Hippies, and showing that something was important.

¹¹ The Hebrew word is cleemah. I quickly saw the sound-relationship between cleemah and calamity. I thus render this as calamity.

¹² Emptiness (Hebrew, reek) is one of several descriptions of an idol!

¹³ Lie is almost always singular in the Bible. The Bible seems to refer to one lie in particular. We researched this lie, and determined (to our satisfaction) that it referred to the original lie: that man, by knowing good and evil, can be as Elohim (Gods). Determine this for yourself.

¹⁴ Selah literally means cast-up, referring to mounting road base up for highway building. Highways are built higher than the surrounding lands so that they will not easily be washed out during heavy rains. Readers have usually not considered the importance of highways in the End Times (a great mistake!). Yehovah will conduct many back to Mount Zion, routing them over highways He has prepared. Selah texts (highway texts) give vital information to returners so that they can survive on the way.

¹⁵ Segregation is not always evil. Yehovah segregates for the purpose of service. He segregated Israel from the other races so that Israel can serve the other races, bringing His Word and His Truth to them by means of teachings in the form of show-and-tell.

¹⁶ Grace is a fervent, ardent zeal by which one is actuated. Defined a little simpler, grace is a very strong, burning zeal (conviction and drive to do something) by which one is motivated to take action regarding anything. That action can be on behalf of someone or something, or it can be against someone or something. It is like a mother who is both protecting her baby from an attacker (grace toward her baby) and is attacking the attacker at the same time (grace against the attacker). Many have rightly heard that Salvation is by grace (though few know what this means), but very few know that damnation is by the very same grace! Yehovah’s fervency and zeal is against those who spurn the price He paid in His grace, and who spurn His grace.

You must determine who this graced-one is.

¹⁷ Shake-with-anger is all in this word! It indicates a strong trembling, but also indicates a very strong anger.

¹⁸ The command, Say, is present, but the text does not indicate what to say.

¹⁹ Your is plural, while heart is singular (the same is true for your and bed). Folks involved will have a single heart. The heart is usually the mind in the Bible, though it can also be the center of something.

²⁰ The Hebrew word dōm seems directly related to the English word dumb (silent); I consider their definitions the same.

²¹ Footnote 14 describes about Selah. Being silent is a vital, life-saving command! What is occurring?

²² With some exceptions, sacrifices include blood being shed. (Some sacrifices are of grains and breads.) When a command to sacrifice occurs, the reader can know that the price is very high.

²³ Unto shows direction toward the target. Trusting in Yehovah is not the same as trusting unto Yehovah. In shows that the persons are already settled regarding Yehovah. Unto shows that the persons are not necessarily initially settled that way.

²⁴ Yehovah is a contraction (abbreviation) of the three tenses of the Hebrew verb, to be:

He will be, He is, He was

Yēhēyĕh+Hōvĕh+Häyäh

Take just the bold letters (if your program allows you to see bold), and you will have

Yĕhōväh

which is the correct pronunciation of His Name, and which means He will be, is, was. This also defines part of His Character (changelessness) and existence status (He always was, is and always will be).

²⁵ I constructed the verb ensign because I could not find another way to show the act of constructing and demonstrating a sign. Signify would not give the right flavour. A sign is nearly always miraculous, and if it isn’t miraculous it is so unlikely that its probability is nearly zero.

²⁶ See if you can identify the objects of this and all pronouns.

²⁷ New wine is always potently alcoholic. It has a sharp flavour, whereas aged wine is much smoother. It is never non-alcoholic grape juice.

²⁸ The second verb (slept) is past-tense because it shows result. In the Hebrew language, when a past-tense action follows a future-tense act, it is because it will certainly follow once the future act is done. For example, one might say in English, “I will go to the store, and I will pick up some bread.” Biblical Hebrew would word it, “I will go to the store, and I have picked up some bread.” This construction shows certainty that the past-tense action will follow the future-tense action.

²⁹ Be sure to establish the timing of this entire Psalm.

February 4, 2009August 25, 2016

Psalm 002 with footnotes

Psalm 2

Literally Rendered with Footnotes

1. Why have races¹ raged? ² And folks³ will meditate⁴ emptiness! ⁵

2. Kings of land⁶ shall position⁷ themselves. And rulers⁸ ‘secreted’ ⁹ unified concerning Yehovah¹⁰ and concerning His Messiah:¹¹

3. “We shall break their bonds! ¹² And we have slung their ropes¹³ from us!”

4. Sitter¹⁴ in the heavens shall laugh! ¹⁵ My Lords⁴⁶ shall deride¹⁶ at them!

5. Then He shall speak unto them via His nose.^{17 or 18} And He will terrify them via His heat! ^{17 or 18}

6. “And I—I ¹⁹ poured²⁰ my king upon Zion the mountain of my holy-[One]!” ²¹

7. “I will scroll ²² unto a statute of Yehovah. He said unto me, ‘Thou art My son! I, today, I begat Thee! ²³

8. Ask from me, and I will give races, thine inheritance,²⁴ and disappearings²⁵ of land, thy possession! ²⁶

9. Thou wilt shepherd²⁷ them with a rod of iron. Thou wilt shatter them like vessels²⁸ of the potter!’” ²⁹

10. “And now, kings, be prudent!³⁰ Be ye corrected,³¹ judges³² of land! ³³

11. Serve³⁴ ye Yehovah via³⁵ fear! ³⁶ And circle-dance³⁷ ye with trembling! ³⁸

12. Kiss-ye [the] Son³⁹ lest He will be infuriated, and ye have damned a way! ⁴⁰ For His nose¹⁷ will burn⁴¹ as a little!” ⁴²

Happy⁴³ are all refugees⁴⁴ in Him! ⁴⁵

Regarding the accuracy of these conclusions: Were I gifted by the Spirit of Yehovah to do this work, it would be infallible, as was the case for all ministerially gifted persons in the Bible. No true prophet of God ever erred while prophesying. No true teacher of God ever taught any erroneous teaching. The standards of God have not changed, and the Spirit of God hasn’t weakened over the centuries. Since I am not gifted, my conclusions contain numerous errors, and must be considered and challenged if you (the reader) will not be deceived. I know some answers are correct, but I will have to change some answers as I learn more and as folks like you show me that my proposed answers need changing. If you don’t like this factor of uncertainty, ask Yehovah to give me a ministerial gift along these lines in His Word so that I can give infallible responses. If He does so, you will then be responsible to believe whatever He communicates through me. In the meantime, don’t be a sucker.

Regarding Hebrew words: If you see what appears to be computer nonsense when a Hebrew word is being discussed, your computer does not have the font to view it. If you desire to see the same article with the Hebrew word being visible and correct, let me know; I will send you a PDF form of the same document. (You will need an Adobe Acrobat reader to see it, which is freely available from the Adobe web site.)

¹ A race is a large group of individuals who are all the offspring of the same ancestral mother and father. The Hebrew word h¨, goy, only means race or nation (a nation is a race, and is always a race in the Bible; never a country). The term gentile is another way translators render goy. They are then expressing the meaning, an individual of another race besides Israel. I don’t fully disagree with this definition, but it actually means a race, and should always be viewed that way. One more way translators translated goy was heathen. They reserved this rendering for texts in which the heathen was doing an idolatrous (or some other evil) practice. I am always against the rendering heathen because it carries with it an editorial that the word itself does not carry.

² This shows a tumult, a chaotic, angry or frightened crowd.

³ I rendered this word folks to indicate cultural groups. The lexicographers seem to have a difficult time distinguishing this word from the regular word for people, peoples. I gained the impression that it referred to cultural groups, and found folks (as in folk art) was close to its meaning.

⁴ A meditation is usually a deep, relaxed thought. It is sometimes pictured by rumination in ruminants (like sheep and cattle) that chew, swallow, then bring up what they swallow into another stomach area to again ingest more. One who Biblically meditates on the Word of God thinks carefully about it literally, desiring to understand its implications and connections.

In other texts, however, it is a deep thought that precedes and accompanies a plot.

⁵ Terms of emptiness and vanity always refer to idolatry in the Bible (unless a container is being discussed). Idols are even called the vanity of the races. Any plot against Yehovah is considered an emptiness since it is an idolatrous plot that will never go anywhere.

⁶ This Hebrew word means land. Translators often rendered it earth as if it referred to the whole planet, but it only means land. It can refer to all the land (above the water) on the earth, or it can refer to a particular land. It usually refers to Israel when it is not modified.

⁷ This act of positioning has to do with taking a stand (literally), setting oneself in a place, determined to hold that position.

⁸ Rulers means bosses, leaders (like clan leaders), warlords.

⁹ I have coined a verb from the word secret. (One may already exist.) This indicates getting together in secret to plan secret plans.

¹⁰ Yehovah is a contraction (abbreviation) of the three tenses of the Hebrew verb, to be:

He will be, He is, He was

Yēhēyĕh+Hōvĕh+Häyäh

Take just the bold letters (if your program allows you to see bold), and you will have

Yĕhōväh

¹¹ Messiah is a transliteration (making a word in one language that sounds similar to the word in another language) of Meshiakh, the Hebrew being 8jh!A7n. It literally means one anointed, referring to the act in which a prophet pours olive oil (in large amounts) over the head of someone to designate that that person has been chosen and empowered to do a task (whether good or bad). It is drawn from what some shepherds do with their sheep, using oil to keep bugs and problems from the sheep’s ears and face so that the sheep can graze with little distraction. Yehovah’s Messiah is the One Yehovah anointed to be and do very specific salvational and redemptive functions, as well as rule His People Israel.

¹² Bonds come from a verb with the following acceptations: to chasten, admonish, to instruct, to discipline.Thus, these bonds are moral in nature, and they restrain from sin, violence, immorality, etc.

¹³ Ropes comes from a verb meaning to wind, weave, weave together. These folks feel tied!

¹⁴ You might carefully consider Psalm 110:1 in light of this text.

¹⁵ While related to the name Isaac, it isn’t spelled exactly the same. The lexicographer showed these acceptations: to laugh (usually in contempt or derision), play, mock, to sport. I don’t think this will be funny!

¹⁶ This word has the following acceptations: to mock, deride, ridicule. These are strong reactions from the Living God!

¹⁷ The nose is most often used to describe great anger. It is often combined with a word having the following root meaning: to be hot with vexation, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled, be incensed. The heat of the nose is a ‘childism’ (a word or expression that a child can understand more easily than an adult), since a child held close can feel the heat of an adult’s nose. This also pictures an angry bull on a cool day, with the heat of its nose being one of the major symptoms of its anger. The English expression, “He has his nose out of joint” at least brings the nose into the picture, and “Man, is he hot!” combines heat with anger. Yehovah’s anger is shown through His nose. No fire-breathing dragon can match!

¹⁸ This word has the following root meaning: to be hot with vexation, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled, be incensed. It is combined with the nose to describe great anger. The heat of the nose is a ‘childism’ (a word or expression that a child can understand more easily than an adult), since a child held close can feel the heat of an adult’s nose. This also pictures an angry bull on a cool day, with the heat of its nose being one of the major symptoms of its anger. The English expression, “He has his nose out of joint” at least brings the nose into the picture, and “Man, is he hot!” combines heat with anger. Yehovah’s anger is shown through His nose. Even Leviathan’s fury doesn’t match this!

¹⁹ Past- and future-tense verbs have built-in pronouns. I note when a pronoun is supplied in addition to the built-in pronoun by placing the two same pronouns. Thus doubling is a great emphasizer (that translators just ignored).

²⁰ This word has the following lexicographic acceptations: to pour out (as a libation), pour, offer, cast (metal images); to anoint. The last acceptation isn’t right, since another word (Mashakh) means to anoint.

This text gives a picture as if Yehovah is making an idol: He is metal casting His image on Mount Zion—the difference being that His image is truly a Living God! It also gives another picture: He is pouring a libation (a sacrifice that is in the form of a liquid, usually referring to a wine sacrifice) on Mount Zion!

²¹ (Technical Explanation) Translators ignored the Hebrew construction of a noun followed by an adjective with a connected pronominal ending, choosing to render it as if it were a noun with a pronominal ending followed by an adjective. This ignores Biblical Hebrew grammar rules. The adjective that has a pronominal ending becomes a nominal adjective (an adjective that behaves as a noun). An English example of this is the adjective green. “The grass was green.” Yet it can become as a noun: “They golfed on the green.” I maintain that the two following examples greatly differ:

His Holy mountain

Mountain of His Holy-[one]

The first describes who owns the holy mountain. The second shows that the holy one that he owns in turn owns the mountain.

I do not know why translators have traditionally ignored the Hebrew grammar. I refuse to ignore what I see in the Hebrew. I believe that the Word of God (in the original manuscripts) is infallible. Why should I ignore anything?

²² The Hebrew word sefer is normally translated book. Yet it always refers to a scroll. The verb root has the following lexicographic acceptations: to accurately count, recount, relate, to number, take account of, reckon, rehearse, declare. This is the purpose of a written document.

A scroll differs from a book in a vital way. A book is bound in such a way that the pages can be easily turned, and several pages can be viewed together. A page can also be removed and/or lost without being obviously missing. A scroll, on the other hand, has pages tied one to another, a page to only two neighbours at the most. Pages distant from each other cannot be easily accessed. If a page is missing, the scroll falls into two segments. The scroll’s intent is to be read through consecutively, while a book may be spot-read in various places (possibly ignoring contexts). While the scroll is far less ‘handy’ for many types of study, it is far more excellent presenting data in a continuous manner. Even modern computers using scrolling.

²³ Do not assume that you know to what this refers! Make sure you know by an appropriate cross-reference.

²⁴ Try this to obtain the sense: “I will give races to thee for thy inheritance.”

²⁵ The Hebrew word x3p#t, ephess, has the following lexicographic acceptations: to cease, break, come to an end, finality. It is not the same as cease in Shabbat, however. It is more like a Hebrew word for zero. When combined with eretz, land, it indicates those places where the land stops and waters begin. I rendered it disappearings to show this and to distinguish it from the more commonly used edges or ends of the land (a different word).

²⁶ Possession is a ‘childism’, a word that is more easily understood by a child than by an adult. It literally means a grasping. I left possession in place because that is a right understanding of the word.

²⁷ While some translations use break for this word, claiming the Hebrew root to be eer, I noted the following textual citation:

Revelation 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my Father.

Thus, I determined that the correct root is her meaning to pasture, tend, graze, feed, to shepherd. Curiously, the first acceptation for the Greek word cited in Revelation 2:27 for rule means to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep! Thus, the Greek needs to be likewise adjusted!

²⁸ I used Revelation 2:27 to determine that vessels should be plural. The Hebrew spelling of the construct case (a technical and frequently used Hebrew form that always assumes an of between that word and the next noun) allows for both the singular and the plural, and the context would have to determine which is in view.

²⁹ (Exactly why will He shatter them in this manner? Think!)

³⁰ This Hebrew word has the following lexicographic acceptations: to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper, to look at or upon, have insight, to give attention to, consider, ponder, have comprehension. A person who is prudent is very considerate and diligent, carefully determining the best possible course of action or inaction.

³¹ This Hebrew word has the following lexicographic acceptations: to be chastened, admonished; to be instructed, disciplined. I used corrected because it takes from all the acceptations.

³² A judge is one who renders a decision based on presented evidence. A judge who has the Spirit of Yehovah is one who renders a right decision based on Truth (which includes all the facts).

These judges are secular (and/or idolatrous). Yehovah is giving them warning.

³³ This Hebrew word means land. Translators often rendered it earth as if it referred to the whole planet, but it only means land. It can refer to all the land (above the water) on the earth, or it can refer to a particular land. It usually refers to Israel when it is not modified.

Judges of land (or, judges of a land) refer to land judges. Yehovah is a heavens Judge!

³⁴ Service and slavery are hardly distinguishable in the Bible. While slavery always has an evil connotation in English, it does not automatically carry with it that connotation in Hebrew. Everyone is a slave: some to sin, others to righteousness, but all are slaves. Some were slaves to other human masters, and some were over slaves, but all in the Bible have masters. Thus, servant and slave cannot be easily distinguished in the Bible (if at all).

³⁵ I often use via in translations for the Hebrew prefix c (the letter beit). Normally, this prefix supposedly means in, into, with, through. It often shows the means of something occurring if it isn’t showing location (in, into, with). While through can show the means, it can also reflect piercing (which is changing location from the outside to the inside). The Latin/English word via best declares by means of, and this is a very useful and appropriate rendering for many cases of the prefix c (the letter beit).

Serving Yehovah in fear and serving Him with fear are not as strong as serving Him by means of fear.

³⁶ Fear (as of God) in the Bible never means ‘reverential awe’ since this is far too weak a definition. It is a very strong emotional and ethical response against bringing wrath against oneself by displeasing another, along with a knowledge of what terrible things that other can do,and is often combined with a very strong emotional and ethical desire to please another if that other is good, along with a knowledge of the good things that other can do. The proper fear of Yehovah always prods a person to refuse to sin, and to do good works.

³⁷ Acceptations of the word lyg (geel) or lwg (gool) supposedly include to rejoice, exult, be glad, to tremble (from fear). I disagree. I maintain that the root actually is llg, galal, meaning to roll, roll away, roll down, roll together, and in this form meaning to roll-dance or to circle-dance. I especially found this connection in the famous modern Hebrew song, “Hava, Nagilla” meaning “Come-on! We will circle-dance!” with nagilla being (I propose) from the root above.

Circle-dancing is a group expression of joy.

³⁸ This form of trembling is very strong.

³⁹ The is added. The Hebrew word r8c, bar, is an alternative word for son (the normal word being i3c, ben) made famous in the expression, bar mitzvah, ‘son of the commandment’. Since Son did not have the before it, a specific Son is in mind. (Otherwise, it would read, “Kiss a son.”)

⁴⁰ Damned a way makes no sense in English. The Hebrew word for damn has the following acceptations: perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed, be exterminated, to blot out, do away with. Since another word rightly covers blot out, I have chosen another acceptation that combines perish with do away with. This is to damn. This word goes beyond execution, having to do with the everlasting state of destruction for some, and the total destruction for objects. Perish doesn’t quite have the force of this word.

While this way is not defined or described, it is often mentioned in the Bible. Folks who destroy this way for themselves will be damned. (The way itself cannot be destroyed or damned.)

⁴¹ This burning is truly a fire-type burning. He is far more frightening and deadly than any fire-breathing dragon (mythical), or even than Leviathan (real)!

⁴² This burning as a little is small compared to the great burning of the Lake of Fire and Sulfur!

⁴³ Happy gives the sense of this word more than blessed, since blessed is covered with a much more frequently used different word. While some find fault with the origins of the word happy, it is a good word, describing one who is content, settled and pleased.

⁴⁴ This word means to seek refuge, to flee for protection.

⁴⁵ Why in the world would refugees in Him be happy? If you understand this, you understand much. (Don’t spiritualize.)