Last update 17 February, 2022
Ancient Hebrew Meaning of ……
Introduction
Even today cultures between western societies differ. The differences between Western and for example eastern societies is even bigger. If we add 2000-
Ancient Hebrew Meaning of ‘Remnant’
Many believe only the remnant are saved and all others are dumped into hell.
The Bible teaches something entirely different. The remnant leads the rest to salvation.
The Hebrew word for ‘remnant’ is serach (H5629). That word does indeed the meaning of something left over.
The root of that word is sarach (H5628).
That root word is also the root word of leaven (H7603).
The beauty of God’s plan of salvation is shown in the use of leaven in daily ancient Jewish life.
Dough has to ferment for several days if leavened bread has to be baked.
Because that took to long a piece of leavened dough was set apart for the next day. The majority of the dough became bread but a small part was set aside, the remnant of the dough -
The remnant dough (yeast/leaven) was mixed into next day’s lump of dough which, because of the added yeast/remnant, fermented quickly. A piece of the newly fermented dough was set aside for the next day and the rest was baked.
The remnant was set aside to serve the Creator in making the next batch of bread. The ultimate purpose of dough isn’t to be set aside or be discarded. It’s purpose is to become a loaf of bread. The purpose of the remnant leaven is to quickly convert the unleavened dough into leavened dough.
The purpose of God’s remnant, yeast, is to spiritually infect the dough. Obviously in a good way; unlike the Pharisee way with their flawed teachings.
Matt 16:6 Then Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
There are several other verses about leaven that are either neutral or negative. But if you look closely it’s never the leaven, teaching God’s truth, that’s bad on itself. It’s always about false teachings. Misuse of leaven so to speak.
Lev 23:15 And you shall count to you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Lev 23:16 Even to the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering to the LORD.
Lev 23:17 You shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the first fruits to the LORD.
Above you see leaven isn’t always bad. If it is, would God command it be in the Pentecost bread that was offered to Him?
During Pentecost the Holy Spirit came down as fiery tongues on many people who became great teachers. That was leaven! Not the corrupted leaven of manmade doctrines but the most pure leaven/teaching directly from God.
Those people got leavened that day and they went out into the world to leaven, read teach, other people. They were sent out to ‘infect’ the next bath of dough….
The remnant aren’t the only ones left, they are the first ones to be harvested (First Fruits)
So it's my view that, the remnant = leaven = First Fruits = millennium kings, that under Christ's authority spread the good leaven (the pure word).
His ministers are as flames. Flames is linked to fire is linked to fiery is linked to fiery Law is.... what Moses received on Mr. Sinai.
So the leaven will once again spread what Moses spread (in the 5 books he wrote)
The pure unadulterated Word.
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During Jesus’ time Israel was Roman territory. All the legal powers the high priest had were given by the Romans. The Roman view was that any religion was allowed as long as it didn’t cause any problems. The legal powers given to the priest were not valid in the whole Roman empire but just in his ‘own’ Roman province. Damascus the city of Syria was in another province.
Damascus was also a nickname for Qumran the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Qumran was inside the high priest’s own territory. About 8 miles from Jericho and 15 miles from Jerusalem
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Gen 3:8 Between the trees or branches?
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
The way the above verse is understood by almost every English reader is that Adam and Eve hide between a group of trees. That’s not what the literal Hebrew reads. Let’s examine the word in the green rectangle by comparing it to other Scripture.
Isa 44:14 He hews him down cedars, and takes the cypress and the oak, which he strengthens for himself among the trees of the forest: he plants an ash, and the rain does nourish it.
Song 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
A quick look at the text in the green boxes clearly shows both the Hebrew and the transliteration of the Hebrew is different.
b•otzi
Gen 3:8 has the singular word otz or tree.
Both both Isa 44:14 and Song 2:3 use the plural word otzi or trees. That’s odd because if all three verses are about multiple trees we should have three plural Hebrew words, otzi.
Gen 3:8 is about just one tree.
The other difference is the extra ‘b’ in the transliteration. That’s the most right Hebrew letter in the second and third green box. That letter has the meaning of being in the middle of a group of something. People, trees, sheep, houses, etc.
That letter is missing in Gen 3:8 because one tree isn’t a group, and it’s impossible to stand between a group of one tree….
So what we have now is:
- Gen 3:8
- Is about one tree.
- In the midpoint of something not being a group of trees.
- Isa 44:14 & Song 2:3
- A group of trees.
- In the middle of a group.
The solution to this ‘riddle’ is simple. Adam and Eve climbed the tree and hid between it’s branches.
Only Gen 3:8 has the Hebrew words in-
Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.
It was not just a random tree but the very tree they ate from!
Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:
And that’s what happened in the garden. God judged Adam and Eve while they were still between the branches of that tree. When Jesus redeemed us from that judgement He was on a tree.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God between the branches of the tree they just ate from.
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Hidden meaning of Hebrew words
Grass: Common people.
Hills: Smaller kingdoms.
Islands: Usually a peaceful place surrounded by violent
kingdoms. Or just vastly different societies.
Moon: Law (reflects the glory of the sun)
Mountains: Places of authority. Large kingdoms.
Seas: Nations.
Serpents: False doctrine
Ships: People who spread God's word.
Stars: Angels.
Sun: Jesus (teachings)
Trees: Leaders.
Venom: False doctrine.
Revelation 8:8-
Ships are those who spread God's word. Meaning Rev tells us they get deceived.
Proverbs 31:10-
The wife is of noble character is a ship transporting good stuff to her husband. Because the ship/wife sails a non-
Living creatures are believers. All others are already dead. The creatures fall for false doctrine.
Jesus spoke about living dead:
Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Mark 16:18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Those people aren’t literally picking up snakes and drinking poison. They are immune to false doctrine.
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Matt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven breaks forth, and they breaking out pursue it with all their strength.
The first translation is similar to what you will read in most if not all Bibles. The second translation is the correct translation. It aligns with the Hebraic perspective, doesn’t turn Jesus or His followers into aggressors and aligns with other Scripture.
The Greek word biazo is translated as “suffers violence”
Thayer Definition:
1) to use force, to apply force
2) to force, inflict violence on
Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament
always with a component of force;
(1) intransitively use force, violence; in a good sense press (in), try hard to (enter), enter forcibly (into)
(2) transitively and passive suffer violently, be treated violently; MT 11.12’s kingdom of heaven may fit here with two possible meanings: in a bad sense suffer violently at the hands of opponents [violent people are seizing (it)] in the next clause and MT 23.13); in a good sense (forceful people) lay hold of (it)
Baker New Testament Commentary
a verb which in the New Testament occurs only here and in Matt. 11:12. In harmony with its meaning in the Matthew passage the sense to press forward vigorously (into it; that is, into the kingdom of God) seems to be required here.
In the ancient Septuagint/LXX, the Greek translation of the OT by a team of 70 Rabbi’s, the Greek word ‘biazo’ is sometimes used to translated the Hebrew word ‘paratz’ which means ‘to break forth’. How can we know that’s the correct translation? Jesus very often used farming related things to make a point. This verse is no exception.
Mic 2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of you; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the middle of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
Mic 2:13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.
A little background info will be of great help to understand those verses. During the night a shepherd penned up his sheep. Often that was just a simple fence by stacked up rocks or something similar. In the morning the sheep were very eager to get out of the pen. When the shepherd removed a few rocks or opened the gate the sheep forcefully rushed out.
The shepherd is the breaker because he opens/breaks the wall.
The sheep violently rush out. Not to make war but they are just happy to be released into the field.
Breaker = John the Baptist (Mat 11:9-
King = Jesus.
Field = Kingdom.
Sheep = Christians spreading the word.
Violence = eagerness to spread that word.
Mt. 11:9-
In the Micah verses the breaker and the king are the same person, the shepherd (Jesus). In other interpretations it are two persons. A supporting hint is “in the days of John the Baptist” why even mention him if he’s not part the story? (Mat 11:12)
John 10:1 "Yes, indeed! I tell you, the person who doesn't enter the sheep-
John 10:2 But the one who goes in through the gate is the sheep's own shepherd.
John 10:3 This is the one the gate-
Shepherd is Jesus. Gate-
Matt 3:13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.
Matt 3:14 But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of you, and come you to me?
Matt 3:15 And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
The above 3 verses seem to align with John 10:1. Gate-
Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger (John) before your face, which shall prepare your way before you (Jesus).
In the two person view, the meaning of the verse is: John the Baptist (breaker) opens the gate to the kingdom (field) so that the believers (sheep) can rush into the kingdom (field) and follow Jesus (King/Lord).
John 10:9 I am the door: if any man goes in through me he will have salvation, and will go in and go out, and will get food.
That verse is probably related to the penned up sheep. As I wrote above the sheep were penned up during the night. The shepherd (Jesus) often slept at the gateway. That way the shepherd acted as a human gate (and provided extra protection). Isn’t that a big part of the Christian teachings?
Jesus is the way/gate to eternal life. To the kingdom (field)
So once again some basic knowledge of farming solved something that’s hard to understand when reading it literally. So I would suggest that every Bible student gets a degree in farming :-
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Tremble with fear or happiness?
Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, you that tremble at his word; Your brothers that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
Tremble is translated from the Hebrew word ‘ charad’ which means ‘shake with great emotion’. Surely that emotion could be fear; but just as well with great joy. It’s context that should determine fear or joy.
1Sam 4:13 And when he came, see, Eli sat on a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
To me that verse is about happy trembling when the people saw the Ark.
Deut 13:4 Ye shall walk after LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cling to him.
Cling is translated from the Hebrew word ‘devekut’ which means clinging to someone out of pure love. That’s quite a bit of contrast with ‘fear’ in that same verse. Fear most certainly can have the meaning of being scared. But it also means to be in awe, honor, respect. So it can be compared with a little boy giving his dad a big hug because he thinks his dad is the best of the world.
So while respect most certainly is key component of the above verses it’s also about joy and love.
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Olam -
BDB Definition:
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Olam is rooted in the word
Alam -
BDB Definition:
1) to conceal, hide, be hidden, be concealed, be secret
1a) (Qal) secret (participle)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be concealed
1b2) concealed, dissembler (participle)
1c) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide
1d) (Hithpael) to hide oneself
The meaning of the root Alam, is important to fully understand Olam.
Alam clearly has the meaning of an obscure hidden something.
Exod 21:6 Then his master shall bring him to the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or to the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever (olam).
This olam lasts until the slave died. It’s was of an obscure duration (olam) because it was unknown how long the slave would live.
Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
…
Jonah 2:6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever (olam): yet have you brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
Jonah was only 3 days in the fish but because he didn’t know when he would get out it was of obscure duration (olam)
When olam is used as a noun it has the meaning of a period of time with an obscure unknown duration, as in the above verses.
When used as an adjective olam refers to an obscure source. A type, not a duration. An adjective describes something or someone.
Gen 21:33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting (olam) God.
That verse isn’t about the age of God. It’s about His nature. Nobody really fully knows Him because He’s hidden and too complex to understand.
The color red. → Red is an noun.
A red car. → Car is a noun and red is an adjective.
The olam. → Olam is a noun.
The olam God → Olam is an adjective and God is a noun.
Matt 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting (olam) punishment: but the righteous into eternal (olam) life.
Punishment and life are both nouns.
Everlasting and eternal are both adjectives.
I’m fully aware the Greek NT reads aionios and not olam, but the Aramaic NT reads olam. And in the LXX olam is translated as aionios. Click
So the correct translation is:
Matt 25:46 And these shall go away into God’s punishment:
but the righteous into God’s life.
A more literal translation would have something like ‘obscure source’ but because we know the source is God, I’ve used God. So Matt 25:46 doesn’t mention any duration.
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Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.
Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For your is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Epiousios -
Thayer Definition:
1) word found in the phrase
1a) the bread of our necessity
1b) the bread that suffices for each day
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: perhaps from the same as G1966
epiousa
Thayer Definition:
1) to come upon, approach
1a) of time, to come on, be at hand, next, following, on the following day
Epiousios (daily) seems to be problematic to translate. A hint for that is that there is no definition for the word. Just an explanation how it should be understood in the context of the verse. After all receiving tomorrows bread today is bit odd. Or not….?
John 6:48 I am that bread of life.
…
Matt 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
The priestly calendar had the following format: 30, 30, 31, 30, 30, 31, 30, 30, 31, 30, 30, 31 days.
The 31 day month actually was 30 days and that extra day was the day of one of the 4 yearly equinoxes that marked the seasons.
When a priest got promoted it was always done on the first day after an equinox. So for example on the first day of spring.
Part of the promotion ceremony was eating a piece of holy bread
While priests got promoted on the first day of the new season, laymen got promoted on the very last day of the season.
They ate the bread a one day before the priests. On the 31st of the month.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day tomorrow’s bread.
The verse seems to have the following meaning.
The laymen didn’t pray for promotion by eating today’s ‘laymen promotional bread’ ; they asked for a much bigger promotion, tomorrow’s ‘priestly promotional bread’. Making laymen equal to (promoted) priests.
For that reason the verse could be rewritten as:
Matt 6:11 Make us priests today.
Additional thoughts and info.
That's a very problematic/disputed translation because the word "daily" is translated from the Greek word "epiousios" which has an unknown meaning. Origen searched everywhere but couldn't find the word in any Greek literature. The word isn't found outside the NT. In the NT we find it only in Mat 6:11 and Luke 11:3. But they are exactly the same verse and context so it's of no use for learning what the word means. Scholars forwarded several possible meanings throughout time.
Epiousios is a reference to time. It can be split in 2 main interpretations.
a] Today
Receive the bread we need today. By far the most widely used translation.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
b] Tomorrow.
Give us today tomorrows bread. That's a reference to the Sabbath manna that fell out of the sky on friday.
It is/was also named the "Messianic banquet of the end times."
Matt 6:11 Give us now today tomorrow's bread.
Epiousios is a reference to quantity. It can be split in 2 main interpretations.
a] Just enough not to starve
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our enough bread to survive.
b] All we need.Starvation was always lurking around the corner for the common man in ancient times. They felt great security/luxery if they went to bed knowing they had some bread left for the next day.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day today's and tomorrow's bread.
So we started with not knowing what the word means and ended with 4 views. I must admit the two 'b options' sound very nice, but they are just as much guesswork as the other options.
None of the above proves something went wrong with the Scriptures. Of course, it's a possibility; but in this case it seems the word meaning just faded away in history. If you accept other languages as inspired enough, there may be a solution found in an ancient Syriac translation. Syriac, Hebrew and Aramiac are sister languages with many words meaning exactly the same.
Mat 6:11 Lahmo ameno diyomo hab lan
Lahmo means bread.
Amenno is Syrian adjective with the same root word as amen. It carries the meaning of something that never runs out, never ending, etc
Matt 6:11 Give us this day bread that never runs out.
Imo that can have two meanings. The verse is a request to never have to worry about food in one's entire life. The "quantity b" option taken to its extreme.
Jesus Himself is everlasting bread too.
Make your choice
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Compass directions, North, East, South and West
North, east, south and west in the Bible is not how the Hebrew text reads.
Scripture doesn’t read compass bearings but links directions to major landmarks.
For example the Hebrew word ‘yamah’ means ‘to the sea’. The Mediterranean sea forms the western border of Israel.
NORTH = tsefonah = mt. Tsafon/Zaphon (Isa:13) -
SOUTH = negbah = to Negev = desert wilderness south of Canaan/Israel
EAST = kedmah = going back to something of earlier times. Antiquity. Distant past. = Garden of Eden (Gen 2:8)
WEST = yamah = to the sea = Mediterraean sea.
ABOVE = high ground = Jerusalem (is on a hill)
BELOW = low ground = Galilee is a trip downwards from Jerusalem.
Gen 13:14 And the LORD said to Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
Really reads:
Gen 13:14 ... and look from the place where you are toward mt. Tsafon, and toward the Negev desert, and toward the Garden of Eden, and toward the (Mediterranean) sea.:
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Luke 9:59 And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go you and preach the kingdom of God.
Jesus seems to denying the man to bury his father. In ancient Israel it was seen as an great moral obligation to go to a funeral and honor the dead person.
Jesus also seems to contradict "Honor your father and mother".
Likely this is not what was going on. In Jesus' time people were buried twice.
First they were put in a tomb (like Jesus was) and the body was given over a year to decompose, so that only bones were left.
Then the bones were collected and put in a bone box or ossuary. Then the box was transfer to it's final resting place.
Both burials were done by trained professionals. So the son talking to Jesus would never personally be involved.
Likely the 'the dead' is a wordplay. The second 'the dead' is the dead father. The first 'the dead' are the burial professionals. Possibly 'the dead' was a technical term for those professionals.
Whatever the case it's highly unlikely Jesus was telling the man to break the 'honor your father and mother command'.
The second burial likely wasn't under that command.
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Blotting out the ordnances
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
It’s often claimed this verse nullifies the law and regulations written down in the Old Testament. Let’s examine.
Num 11:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
Officers in Hebrew is שטרים /̣ shoter
TWOT
shoter. Official officer. This noun is a participial form from a root which is productive throughout the Semitic family (cf. Akkadian shaaru “to write”; Arabic saara “to write,” “rule,” s?rn “row,” “line;” Aramaic/Syriac s‘eara’ “document;” Sabean str “inscription”). The word is used of a subordinate official. In distinction to many other known officials, these were probably originally trained in the scribal arts, as the root would indicate.
shoter is a general term, widely used for an official in many areas of government and society. It names the Jewish sub-
During the years of wandering in the wilderness (Num 11:16), it designates the sub-
The position apparently continues into the united and divided monarchies where they are involved in military affairs (I Chr 27:1; II Chr 26:11) and as Levites, in judicial and religious matters (I Chr 23:4; 26:29; II Chr 19:11; 34:13).
mishar. Rule. Depicts the rule of the heavenly bodies over the surface of the earth (only Job 30:33).
Those officers were administrators. But as you see there weren’t the people that wrote the Torah, and the regulations in it.
Officers in Hebrew is שטרים
The above mentioned root is: שטר
Ordinances in Hebrew is: חובין
Our in Hebrew is: ין
The remaining letters חוב mean being bound.
It carries the meaning of being in debt, deserving punishment.
So the debt was blotted out. Sins are forgiven.
But… that’s different from the law being nullified.
Compare it to Pilate who set free a prisoner each Passover. It ended up Barnabas. It was an act of grace of the Roman empire. Nothing more. The law that convicted Barnabas was still very much enforced.
It’s like Jesus saying “Go and sin no more”. The ordinance/debt was removed but still Jesus said/warned not stumble over a/the same ordinance.
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Gen 1:27 Created as His ambassadors
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
His own image = in-
In the image = in-
What does "His own image" mean?
Do we look exactly like Him? Same level of holiness, intelligence? Are we omnipresent like God?
Living in a city = location.
Smashing the pot in pieces = result.
He wrote the note in pencil = a (writing) tool.
Editor in chief = a job, function.
I work in the military = a job, function.
I work in the oil industry = a job, function. (welder, driller, diver, trucker, etc)
I work in medicine = a job, function. (doctor, nurse, etc)
In Hebrew it has the meaning of a job description. What job? An image is a representative for someone or something higher. A sales representative sells stuff for a company/employer. I could give many examples but the best one is an ambassador, who represents a president, king, emperor or other ruler.
2Cor 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
If an Apostles spoke, it was as if God was speaking. Not in the meaning they looked like God, were God, or anything like that. They spoke His commands, wisdom etc, on His behalf, under His authority.
If we combine the two things we found the following translation would reflect the meaning of Hebrew.
"Gen 1:27 So God created man to be His ambassadors...."
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