NO SHORTCUTS TO LEARNING A LANGUAGE

In learning a language (for me, Hebrew, and now Greek), I realise the importance of a step-by-step process:

1) Learn the Consonants and Niqquod so that you can start reading words in Hebrew.

2) Learn the language proper (grammar, syntax, etc) so that you do not read too much meaning into the words. In Hebrew, you have the various forms of qal (verbs) such as the qatal, yigtol, weqatal and wayyigtol. These are the tenses. Within each category of the verbs, you have the verb stems (or the binyanim) such as paal, niphal, piel, pual, hifil, hufal and hitpael. They tell you the voice of the verb (active or passive)  and the intensity of relationship.

In English we have three different words to describe the same thing. 'Dictate' and 'correspond' is basically writing. However, in Hebrew, we do not use different words like in English. In Hebrew, we use only one root word and from there, construct the different words that we want to describe the action.

The paal form of the verb (e.g. to write) involves only one person; the hifil form of writing involves two person (one person reads out, the other person writes); the hitpael form involves greater intensity in relationship (meaning, I write to you, and you write back to me, then I write to you again). 

3) With proper tools, like a lexicon, you search out the meanings of words. You will gain a lot more insights when you do word study. For example יִתְלוֹנָן in Ps 91:1 is more than just 'abide'. It means 'staying overnight for your safety sake'

4) You will also find that the same word תֵּבַת גֹּמֶא is used in Ex 2:3 (read the explanation below from Israel Institute of Biblical Studies) is used to describe Noah's ark תֵּבָה (Gen 6:3). The question arises, why not סַּל (translated as basket in Gen 40:17)? From your study of Hebrew grammar, you will also find that the words תֵּבַת is a construct form of תֵּבָה. This will keep you from making all sorts of guesses that perhaps, ת in תֵּבַת might have a special link to God since He is the א ת. This may gradually lead to other forms of cult practices.

There is no way we can shortcut our learning of Hebrew (or Greek) if we want to do proper exegesis of Scriptures.

I am sure Hebrew scholars have spent countless of hours going through all the above steps. Even the lexicons are produced by scholars who have done careful study of the Scriptures to gain a full knowledge of the text.

Never shortcut your learning but take it one step at a time and make this an exciting journey


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Credit mention: Israel Institute of Biblical Studies 

Exodus in Genesis

The story of Abram and Sarai’s sojourn in Egypt (Gen. 12:10–13:2), is not only about Abram and Sarai: it foreshadows the Exodus of Israel that would happen 400 years later. In both accounts, we find a descent to Egypt as a result of “heavy famine”; plagues upon the Egyptians and expulsion from Egypt because of the plagues; and the departure from Egypt with great richesץ


Redeemer in the Ark

Any English reader knows that Noah and his family were saved in the Ark – tevah in Hebrew. Surprisingly, we find the same word, tevah, in the story of Moses: baby Moses was put into the ark. Why would the Torah use the word “ark” here, instead of the common Hebrew word for basket? The answer is clear: to make an intentional link between the two stories—Noah prefigures Moses’ role as Israel’s redeemer.


Discover New layers in the Scripture
Just as Abram’s descent to Egypt and Noah’s rescue from the Flood foreshadow later events, there are many more stories like these in the Torah. But how can we find them? While a shared plot can also be seen in translation, shared words and phrases can only be discovered in the Hebrew text. Enroll in our course Discovering the Hebrew Bible – and you will indeed discover completely new layers in the Scriptures.

COVID 19: PSALM 91 TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT WE ARE UNDER THE SHELTER OF ELYON

During these trying times, let us remind ourselves that God is in control. The Covid-19 may affect many thousands of people around the world, but God allowed it with a reason.

Nothing will happen to us who come under the shelter of Elyon (בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן). Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן) simply means God Most High. It goes without saying that everything is under God's control. Whether we live or we die, God will still be protecting us from any pestilence. Psalm 91 is a great source of comfort to all of us who have to battle with the disease.

The restricted movement order currently practised in Malaysia (and in some countries, a complete lockdown), is a reminder that we need to stay at home in order to protect ourselves against the disease.

When we look for shelter, it also means we cease from all other activities and stay safe. סֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן parallels the second part of verse 1 which reads, בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי יִתְלוֹנָן. When we are under the shadow of the Almighty בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי, although it appears like night and darkness is upon us, this is nothing but the shadow of the Almighty. And in this shadow of protection, we will abide יִתְלוֹנָן and dwell in safety יֹשֵׁב.

Like the psalmist said, "מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי" (my refuge and my fortress), let us also call to God and tell Him that He alone is both our refuge and stronghold. Although we face all sorts of challenges and the יָקוּשׁ (fowler, trapper) try to trap us, God will be deliver us from the מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת (translated in New American Standard Bible as 'deadly pestilence'). However, we know the root word is דֶָּבֶָר can also be translated either as 'thing' or 'word.' BDB Hebrew Lexicon translates it as 'thorn.' Although this 'thorn' has the sting of death, yet God will deliver us just as He has promised. Be reminded of verse 3:  כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת׃ which can be paraphrased as 'For He will set you free from any trap placed before you by the devil (fowler) who wants your life and (protect you) from the deadly flying arrows or the thorns that have the sting of death."

May God protect us all from the deadly thing now known to us as Corona Virus n-2019 (or Covid-19, in short).

For those who can read Hebrew, it is time to meditate on His Word:

‏‎Psa. 91:1‏ יֹשֵׁב בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי יִתְלוֹנָן׃ ^‎2‏ אֹמַר לַיהוָה מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי אֱלֹהַי אֶבְטַח־בּוֹ׃ ^‎3‏ כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת׃ ^‎4‏ בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ יָסֶךְ לָךְ וְתַחַת־כְּנָפָיו תֶּחְסֶה צִנָּה וְסֹחֵרָה אֲמִתּוֹ׃ ^‎5‏ לֹא־תִירָא מִפַּחַד לָיְלָה מֵחֵץ יָעוּף יוֹמָם׃ ^‎6‏ מִדֶּבֶר בָּאֹפֶל יַהֲלֹךְ מִקֶּטֶב יָשׁוּד צָהֳרָיִם׃ ^‎7‏ יִפֹּל מִצִּדְּךָ אֶלֶף וּרְבָבָה מִימִינֶךָ אֵלֶיךָ לֹא יִגָּשׁ׃ ^‎8‏ רַק בְּעֵינֶיךָ תַבִּיט וְשִׁלֻּמַת רְשָׁעִים תִּרְאֶה׃ ^‎9‏ כִּי־אַתָּה יְהוָה מַחְסִי עֶלְיוֹן שַׂמְתָּ מְעוֹנֶךָ׃ ^‎10‏ לֹא־תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה וְנֶגַע לֹא־יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶךָ׃ ^‎11‏ כִּי מַלְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה־לָּךְ לִשְׁמָרְךָ בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶיךָ׃ ^‎12‏ עַל־כַּפַּיִם יִשָּׂאוּנְךָ פֶּן־תִּגֹּף בָּאֶבֶן רַגְלֶךָ׃ ^‎13‏ עַל־שַׁחַל וָפֶתֶן תִּדְרֹךְ תִּרְמֹס כְּפִיר וְתַנִּין׃ ^‎14‏ כִּי בִי חָשַׁק וַאֲפַלְּטֵהוּ אֲשַׂגְּבֵהוּ כִּי־יָדַע שְׁמִי׃ ^‎15‏ יִקְרָאֵנִי וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ עִמּוֹ־אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ׃ ^‎16‏ אֹרֶךְ יָמִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ וְאַרְאֵהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי׃

BOTH BURNT OFFERING AND ALIYAH SHARE THE SAME ROOT WORDS: WHY?

Source: By Maria Laura https://www.pinterest.com/pin/126593439503866981/?lp=true

In Genesis 8:20, we see the word עֹלֹת  (construct form of the word עֹלָה) used to refer to the burnt offerings.

Gen. 8:20 וַיִּבֶן נֹחַ מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהוָה וַיִּקַּח מִכֹּל הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהוֹרָה וּמִכֹּל הָעוֹף הַטָּהֹר וַיַּעַל עֹלֹת בַּמִּזְבֵּחַ׃

NASB translation: "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar."

The word עֲלִיַּת is often used to refer to the 'upper chamber' or the 'upper room'. It is commonly used to mean moving up to Jerusalem to worship YHWH in the Old Testament.

According to our Hebrew teacher, Michael Bellofatto, both words share the common root letters עלת, which is no coincidence.

Just as the Jews were exhorted to go to Jerusalem to worship YHWH in the Old Testament, the burnt offering produces a fragrance that goes upwards. All this is a reminder of our prayers that are directed upwards.

ABEL'S NAME MEANS BREATH OR VAPOUR

Cain and Abel were two of Adam and Eve's children. We know that Cain killed Abel out of jealousy but have you ever wondered what is the meaning of Abel's name?

In Hebrew, Abel's name is  הֶבֶל which means 'breath or vapour (m.s.).' 
Meanwhile, Cain's name in Hebrew is קָיִן , which simply means 'acquired' in Hebrew. 

Both were legitimate children of the first couple. Cain and Abel, Acquired and Breath (Vapour). Cain is remembered for his jealousy leading to the first act of murder. Abel, although he was like the vapour that disappeared, still lives (breath of life) on to this very day as an example of people who seek to honour the Lord by offering their best to Him. God looks at the attitude of the heart, not what was offered to Him. 

I am still puzzled about these two names and do not fully understand how significant they are, but at least, with the Hebrew names, we gain some new insights which we would not be able to get when we read the Bible in English. Certainly, their names are not related to Cane (Sugarcane?) and Able!

I searched for some clue and found this answer interesting:


In the Hebrew version of Gen 4:2 Cain's name is part of a word play in Eve's cryptic statement made at her first son's birth. This word play is created by her claim to have "gained" (קנה) a man which would have had a poetic similarity to the name Cain (קין). [...]
[Philo] further develops the pun in the Hebrew by declaring that Cain's name means "possession" and then goes on to provide his own etymology of the name: "The first of these two views is figured by Cain who is called Possession, because he thinks he posses [sic] all things" (Sacrifices 1.2). Josephus also notes that the meaning of Cain's name is "possession" (Ant. 1.52) as does Augustine (City of God 15.17). As we will discover in a later chapter, the etymology of Cain's name became important to those who sought to describe him as greedy and the archetype of the rich oppressors of the poor. As with the attribute that Cain was the son of the devil, anything that could be found to explain why he killed Abel was used to help fill out the details of the story.
The naming of Abel is complicated once again by the complete lack of any detail. Abel's birth is described almost as an add-on to that of Cain's, and there is no declaration made about the son by the mother, nor is there any etymology provided for the name as there is with Cain and Seth. In Hebrew הבל means "breath" or "vanity" and is used elsewhere to describe the shortness of human life (Job 7:16; Ps 144:4; Eccl 1:2). But in spite of the lack of an etymology, interpreters were able to extrapolate meaning from Abel's name which in turn allowed them to expand the text with their own interpretations. Thus Josephus says that the meaning of Abel is "nothing" (Ant. 1.52). There is a variant in Josephus which replaces "nothing" (οὐθέν) for "sorrow" (πένθος) and is similarly found in Philo's interpretation of Abel's name (Migration 13.74). [...]


[...] By reading the story this way, exegetes could demonstrate that even the names of Cain and Abel communicated a message about their lives and the way that God works in the world. [...] The accusation that Cain was a greedy grasper is repeated often in conjunction with the details surrounding his crime of fratricide and his subsequent life following his expulsion.

Anyone who has a clue what these two names mean, please share with me. Email to LearnHebrew5780@gmail.com. 

Thank you.