Global Notes

If your life is not in jeopardy for what you believe, you’re probably on the wrong side!
If you don’t believe Genesis 1-11, how can you possibly believe John 3:16?
“Indeed, all who want to live a godly life united with the Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted.” (2Tim 3:12)
It is what you actually believe that determines how you walk out your faith, “but avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile.” (Titus 3:9)

Please read the Introductory Notes to this commentary.

For a glossary of unfamiliar terms, CLICK HERE. For assistance in
pronouncing Hebrew terms, a pronunciation guide is located HERE.

Introductory Notes and Comments
Bible Books Index • Global Notes • Biblical Numerology • Weights & Measures
Torah • Neviim • Kituvim • Apocrypha • Apostolic Writings

Global Notes

This page contains notes that apply globally across the entire Tanakh and Apostolic Writings and, in some sense, across the entire website. I have collected them here so I don’t have to repeat the same note on multiple pages. They are listed here in somewhat alphabetical order just so I can find them more easily.

~ A ~

Adonai. The Hebrew word אֲדֹנִ֗י (adonai, adonay, adonoi) or אָדוֹן (adon) means Y^ehovah or sir. When written in mixed case or all lower case, it should simply be understood as a polite form of address.

ADONAI. Hebrew אֲדֹנִ֗י (adonai, adonay, adonoi) is a traditional circumlocution (a way of saying one thing to avoid saying another) that was developed by the Jewish people to avoid speaking the sacred four-letter Name of the Creator (יְהוָֹה, Y^ehovah). Jewish tradition teaches that this was so people might not might violate His commandment to not use His Name improperly (Exodus 20:7); however, the truth of the matter is that the rabbis created a takanah prohibiting the utterance of the sacred name because various occupying nations made it a crime punishable death to utter the name of any god other than those approved by that nation. I urge you to read His Hallowed Name Revealed Again by Keith Johnson and watch this video series.
The Hebrew word אֲדֹנִ֗י (adonai) or אָדוֹן (adon) means lord or sir. When printed in all capitals (ADONAI) or small capitals (ADONAI) in the Jewish versions of the Bible it indicates that the Sacred Name (יְהוָֹה, YeHoVaH) appears in the Hebrew text, and is rendered as LORD or LORD in most English translations.

See also “Some Thoughts on the Sacred Name.”

ADONAI Elohim: When the Hebrew word Adonai or the word Elohim is used in conjunction with the Sacred Name, I render it as Y^ehovah Elohim, ADONAI Elohim, or Adonai ELOHIM, depending upon the word order in the original; most English translations render the paired words as LORD God or Lord GOD, the word in all capitals indicating the tetragrammaton (Y^ehovah).

The name of God most often used in the Masoretic Hebrew Tanakh (6,828 times) is the Tetragrammaton (יְהוָֹה, YHWH or YHVH). Owing to the Jewish tradition of considering the Divine Name as too sacred to be uttered, it is replaced vocally in the synagogue ritual by the Hebrew word Adonai, which was translated as Kyrios in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures. It is frequently anglicized as Yahweh or “Jehovah” (which is gramatically impossible) and written in most English editions of the Bible as “the LORD.”

Rabbinic Judaism describes seven names which are so holy that, once written, should not be erased: יהוה (YHWH or YHVH) and six others which can be categorized as titles are El (“God”), Eloah (“God”), Elohim (“Gods”), Shaddai (“Almighty”), Ehyeh (“I Will Be”), and Tzevaot (“[of] Hosts”). Other names are considered mere epithets or titles reflecting different aspects of God, but Khumra [a prohibition or obligation in Jewish practice that exceeds the bare requirements of Halakha (Jewish law)] sometimes dictates special care such as the writing of “G-d” instead of “God” in English or saying Ṭēt-Vav (טו, lit. “9-6”) instead of Yōd-Hē (יה, lit. “10-5” but also “Jah”) for the number fifteen in Hebrew.

Contrary to most Jewish tradition, early in the second century of the Common Era, after a long period of Jewish rebellion against their authority, Rome began prohibiting the Jews, under pain of death, from praying to or speaking aloud the Covenantal Name of the Most High (יְהוָֹה). In an effort to protect the people (and themselves) from the Romans, the Rabbis issued a Takanah — a Rabbinical edict which, in direct violation of Torah, adds commandments to or takes commandments away from the Torah — prohibiting the Jewish people from speaking The Name. They went so far as to erase one or more of the vowel points from the word in their Torah scrolls so the reader would be reminded to say “Adonai” instead of uttering the Sacred Name. See “Some Thoughts on the Sacred Name.”

Aliyah (pl, aliyot). When the Torah is read in the synagogue, the Parashah (Torah portion) is divided into eight sections. Each section is called an 'aliyah (going up) and is read by a different member of the congregation who “goes up” to the bema to read. Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews divide the parashot slightly differently, as indicated in the aliyah number indications. The blessings to be recited before and after each reading are here.

The Angel of ADONAI, the Angel of the LORD, the Angel of Y^ehovah. When used with the definite article (the), this title refers to Y^ehovah when He appears in human form prior to His incarnation as Yeshua. The literal translation of both the Hebrew and Greek words rendered “angel” in the Scriptures is “messenger” and is almost always used in conjunction with the Sacred name יְהוָ֖ה. Thus the phrase “angel of the LORD” can also be rendered as “messenger of ADONAI” or “messenger of God.” When used with the definite article (“the”) the Angel of ADONAI is recognized as Y^ehovah by those to whom He speaks, and He accepts their worship. Created angels, on the other hand, correct those who offer them worship (e.g., Rev. 19:10, Rev. 22:8-9). See the articles “The Angel of Adonai” and “Theophany.”

Apocrypha. The word “apocrypha” comes from the Greek word meaning “hidden” or “secret.” Originally, the term was reserved for books with content considered too sacred and grand to make accessible to the general public. Over time, “apocrypha” took on a more negative connotation, due to the questionable origins and doubtful canonicity of these books.

Those who don’t accept these books as canon call them the Apocrypha or apocryphal. But those who do accept them call them the Deuterocanon or deuterocanonical books, meaning “belonging to the second canon.” See “What Is the Apocrypha? Are Apocryphal Books Really Scripture?” at Christianity.com.

Asherah (Hebrew אֲשֵׁרָה, ash-ay-raw') has been known by many names throughout recorded history, including Anat, Aphrodite, Astarte/Ashtoreth, Artemis, Diana, Inanna/Ishtar, Isis, Queen of Heaven, Semiramis, Venus, etc.). In her Babylonian-Canaanite incarnation she was not only the goddess of fortune and happiness, but also a violent warrior goddess and goddess of all forms of “gender confusion.” She is the consort of Ba'al. She is not a mythological character; rather she is a spirit entity, alive and active in the world today, the spirit that is driving the Gay Pride movement and all its related activities. See The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn for her current activities in the western world. See also “The Babylon Mystery Religion” on this website. See Lev. 17:7; Deut. 32:17; Psalm 106:37; Eph. 6:12; 1Cor. 10:20.

Asherah poles: sacred trees or poles set up near her altar.

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~ B ~

Ba'al. Hebrew בַּעַל (bah'-al), Ba'al = “Y^ehovah,” “master,” “owner.” Plural = ba'alim. The supreme male “divinity” of the Phoenicians or Canaanites; also known as Baʿal -B’rit, Baʿal Peʿor (Numbers 25:1-3), Baal-zephon, Beelzebub, Bel (Akkad, Assyria, and Babylonia), Belial, Hadad, Zeus (Greece), Hermes (Greece), Adonis (Greece), Jupiter (Rome), Ra (Egypt), Thor (Norse), etc. He is not a mythological character; rather he is a living spirit entity, alive and active in the world today. See also Asherah, his consort. See The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn for his current activities in the western world. “Ba'alim” is also used as a generic term for false gods and their images and idols.

It must again be stressed that the ba'alim are not just imaginary or mythological characters, they are living and active spirits in service to Satan. Satan and his demons are immortal, and we are to not even let their names escape from our lips (Hos. 2:17). They have been alive and well working on earth since they were kicked out of heaven for rebelling against HaShem. Lucifer was the “commanding general,” chief of all the angelic hosts, but that wasn’t enough for him. He wanted to be worshipped as a god. For that, he and one-third of all the angels (those who followed him in the rebellion) were kicked out of heaven onto the earth, where they live and work to this day. (Isa. 14:12-15) Ever since the fall of man, they have been posing as gods and obtaining the worship they craved while still in the heavenly realm. Their chief identifies as Ba'al and is almost certainly Lucifer/Satan himself. Having set themselves up as “gods” they have been (and still are) worshipped by all the pagans in the world. The “gods” of the pagans are not simply mythological beings, they are living demons posing as gods. Except Judeo/Christianity, every religion in the world (yes, including Islam) worships them. See Lev. 17:7; Deut. 32:17; Psalm 106:37; Eph. 6:12; 1Cor. 10:20.

Beit Din (literally, House of Judgment, or House of Law) is a Jewish court of law. God gave the obligation to establish courts of law in the verse, “Appoint judges and officers in all your gates.” (Deut 16:18)

In ancient Isra'el there was an intricate network of courts. A high court (called the beit din hagadol, “great house of law”) of 71 sages would convene in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount. This court went back to Moses himself, who called for 70 elders to join him in guiding the nation, making 71 elders altogether. (Num 11:16) In later generations, the wisest sage on the court, called the nasi (prince), took the place of Moses. This court had the final say on all legal matters.

There were several courts of 23 judges, which would meet in Isra'el’s larger cities. Like the great court, these courts were authorized to administer monetary rulings, as well as corporal and capital punishments.

In small communities (comprising less than 120 adult males) there were courts of just three (or more, provided that the number remained odd), which were not authorized to administer corporal or capital punishments.

It should be noted that it was very uncommon for the death penalty to be administered. The sages in the Talmud state that any court that would execute as often as once every 7 years — or, according to an alternative tradition, 70 years — was considered “murderous.” (Surce: Chabad.org)

Upon His resurrection, Yeshua took that authority away from the Sanhedrin and other Jewish Elders and conferred it upon His Apostles (Mark 12:1-9, especially Mk 12:9). The Apostles who remained in Jerusalem, Ya'akov (Yeshua’s half-brother identified as “James” in most English Bibles), Kefa (Peter), and Yochanan (John) established a Beit Din in Jerusalem as the final legal authority for the Messianic Community in Isra'el and in the Diaspora. They held the same authority over the Messianic Community as the Vatican holds over the Roman Church, and Ya'akov held the same authority as does the Pope.

Berakah. בְּרָכָה, plural Berakot. The Greek text frequently uses the term εὐχαριστήσας (eucharistēsas), from eucharistos; to be grateful, i.e. to express gratitude; specially, to say grace at a meal. However, this is an unfortunate Christian interpretation of the word that has crept into English Bibles. Jewish people do not say a “grace” before a meal; instead, there is a special “Grace After Meals” that is often recited.

Before meals there is a special form of prayer, a berakah, that begins with the words “Blessed are You, O LORD, our God, King of the Universe.” Each benediction begins “baruch atah ADONAI Elokheinu, Melech haolam …” (Blessed Are You Y^ehovah, our God, King of the Universe …). The endings depend specifically on what is to be eaten or drunk:

• For Bread: “…Hamotzie lechem myn ha'aretz.” (Who brings forth bread from the ground)

• For Wine & Grape juice: “…Boreiy pree hagafen” (Who creates the fruit of the vine)

• For Most Desserts: “…Boreiy minei mezonot” (Who creates various types of foods)

• For Fruits: “…Boreiy pree ha'etz” (Who creates the fruit of the trees)

• For Vegetables: “…Boreiy pree ha'adamah” (Who creates the fruits of the ground)

• For Drinks, Meat, Fish, Cheese: “…Shehakol Nihyah bidvaro” (Everything was created through His words)

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~ C ~

Critical Text. “The Critical Text refers to a Greek text of the New Testament that is based on a combination of the earliest and most accurate manuscripts available. The goal is to provide the most accurate, earliest text possible based on all available manuscripts. The Critical Text is sometimes spoken of in contrast to the Textus Receptus and Majority Text, which both draw from manuscripts that do not include the two earliest complete New Testament manuscripts, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, as well as other portions and fragments of New Testament writings discovered over the past century of New Testament Textual Criticism.” [Source: CompellingTruth.org, “The Critical Text – What is it?”] See also: Textus Receptus and Majority Text

Cubit. A cubit is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow on a man’s arm, or about 18 inches or 46 centimeters. See “Weights and Measures.”

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~ D ~

Day Names. First century Isra'el did not use day names that are named for pagan deities as we do now:

Sunday: The Roman “Venerable Day of the Sun”
Monday: from the Anglo-Saxon ‘monandaeg’ which is the “Moon’s Day”. On this day people gave homage to the goddess of the moon.
Tuesday: named after a Germanic god – Tiu (or Twia) – a god of war and the sky and associated with the Norse god Tyr, who was a defender god in Viking mythology. Tiu is associated with the Roman god of war, Mars.
Wednesday: “Woden’s Day” (in Norse, ‘Odin’), the Old Norse’s equivalent to Mercury, the messenger to the gods and the Roman god of commerce, travel, and science.
Thursday: “Thor’s Day”, named after the Norse god of thunder and lightning; the Old Norse equivalent to Rome’s Jupiter.
Friday: associated with Freya, the wife of Woden and the Norse goddess of love, marriage, and fertility, who is equivalent to Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
Saturday: “Saturn’s Day”, a Roman god associated with wealth, plenty, and time. It is the only English week-day still associated with a Roman god, Saturn

In Isra'el everything revolved around Shabbat (the Sabbath). Days were counted, not named, as (1) “the first day of the week,” (2) “the second day of the week,” (3) “the third day of the week,” (4) “the third day toward Shabbat,” (5) “the second day toward Shabbat,” (6) “erev Shabbat (the day before Shabbat, or Shabbat eve),” and (7) Shabbat.

Double-edged sword. In Isaiah 49:1-3 this imagery first appears when Yeshua the Messiah is identified with the Jewish people. This sword is the Word of God (Rev 6:9; Eph 6:17). With this sword Yeshua, as judge and king, strikes down nations (Rev 19:15), as He had warned them He would do (John 12:48-49). The Word of God is well-suited for judging, as it can discern the truth of people’s innermost being (Heb 4:12-13).

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~ E ~

Efah. Hebrew אֵ֥יפַת (’ê·p̄aṯ), about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel. See “Weights and Measures.”

Ego Eimi. Greek ἐγὼ εἰμί, I AM, the sacred covenant name (Hebrew אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה, ’eh·yeh) by which Y^ehovah revealed Himself to Moshe (Exodus 3:14).

“Elevaton offering” translates the single word עֹלָ֤ה (olah, ascent), following the example of the ArtScroll Chumash, which contains a detailed explanation of the translation choice.

עֹלָ֤ה — Elevation-offering. An olah-offering may be brought by someone who has intentionally committed a sin for which the Torah does not prescribe a punishment or who failed to perform a positive commandment, by someone who had sinful thoughts that have not been carried out in deed, and by anyone who ascends to Jerusalem for the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. Similarly, it may be brought by anyone who wishes to raise his spiritual level.

There are various versions of the translation of olah, a word whose root, עלה, connotes going up. According to Rashi and Radak, olah means an offering that is completely burned [apparently because it goes up in flames to God].

Ramban, Ibn Ezra, and R' Bachya hold that the name refers to the sin for which one generally brings the offering. It atones for sinful ideas or thoughts, which come up in a person’s mind or imagination.

R' Hirsch comments that the offering’s name reflects its purpose, which is to raise its owner from the status of sinner and bring him to a state of spitirual elevation.

Tanchuma (Tzav I) states that it is called olah because it is superior [עליונה] to all other offerings [because it is voluntarily brought and is offered on the Altar in its entirety].

Our translation, elevation-offering, is literal and allows for all the above conotations.

~ F ~

Faith. Greek pistiß, pistis, conviction of the truth of anything; the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) in God and His Messiah, hence the Complete Jewish Bible generally translates the word as “trust”; for the Messianic Believer it means to be absolutely convinced of, and totally confident in, the fact that Yeshua is exactly Who He claims to be, and that He will do exactly that which He has promised to do.

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~ G ~

Gehenna, Hebrew Gei-Hinnom (הִנֹּ֑ם גַּיְא), Valley of Hinnom, was a valley outside the walls of Jerusalem that served as the dumping place for the city’s refuse. It begins west of the Jaffa gate, turns south for about a third of a mile, and gradually curves east to join the Kidron valley. During the time of the Monarchy, Gehinnom, at a place called Topheth, was the scene of idolatrous practices in the days of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:3) and of Manasseh, who “made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom” (2 Chronicles 33:6), but Josiah in the course of his reforms “defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children (margin ‘son‘) of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech” (2 Kings 23:10). It was on account of these evil practices that Jeremiah (Jer 7:32; 19:6) announced the change of name. Jeremiah repeatedly condemned this cult and predicted that on its account Topheth and the Valley of the Son of Hinnom would be called the Valley of the "Slaughter" (Jer. 19:5–6). Into this valley dead bodies were probably cast to be consumed by the dogs, as is done in the Wadi er-Rababi today, and fires were here kept burning to consume the rubbish of the city. As the flames from the burning refuse never died out, it is used as a fitting metaphor for the place of torment reserved for the wicked after death, i.e., hell. See Sh'ol.

Gerah. Hebrew גֵּרָ֖ה (gê·rāh), a gerah is about 0.5 grams or about 7.7 grains. See “Weights and Measures.”

God-Fearer. A non-Jew who has embraced the God, the Torah, the Land, the People, and the lifestyle of a Jew; for all intents, living as a Jew, but short of formal “conversion.”

Gospel/Good News. Hebrew בָּשַׂר (basar), Greek εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion). We get the word “Gospel” from the Old English God [good, not deity] spel [news], and the concept of “Good News” is not at all new to the writers of the Apostolic Scriptures that Christians call “the New Testament.” The Hebrew word with the same meaning is בָּשַׂר (basar) and it is used frequently throughout the Tanakh, or Hebrew Scriptures. For example:

Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news [basar], Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news [basar]; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” (Isa. 40:9)

How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news [basar], Who announces peace And brings good news [basar] of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isa. 52:7)

The Spirit of Adonai ELOHIM is upon me, because ADONAI has anointed me to announce good news [basar to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark; to proclaim the year of the favor of ADONAI … (Isa. 61:1-2)

“The year of the favor of ADONAI” is the Messianic Kindgom Age, and the basar is that ADONAI reigns as King! See also the Introduction to the Gospels and Acts.

The “Gospel” as it is being taught in nearly all churches is simply: “believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sin so you can have a personal relationship with Him and go to heaven when you die.” (In fact, nowhere in the Bible does it say that righteous people go to heaven when they die. But that’s a topic for another article.) While this is an important part of the “Personal Salvation Gospel,” it is not the “Good News” that Yeshua or the emissaries taught.

The “Good News” to Jews as taught by Yeshua and His Emissaries consisted of just nine words: “Repent [turn away from sin and return to God and His Torah], for the Kingdom of God is at hand!” This included eternal life through the completed work of Messiah.

The “Good News” to pagan Gentiles who had never had a relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Ya'akov is that through faith in the completed work of Yeshua HaMashiach they could have eternal life (personal salvation), and become full members of HaDerek (The Way), and become full citizens of the Commonwealth of Isra'el without having to undergo ritual conversion to Judaism.

Grace. Greek χάρις (charis); charis answers directly to Hebrew חֵן (khane), “grace, extension-toward.” Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them.

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~ H ~

HaDerek (The Way). For almost 300 years after the death and resurrection of Rabbi Yeshua ben Yosef, the Jewish Messiah (ca 28 CE), the people who followed His teaching were members of an almost-exclusively Jewish sect who called their way of living haDerek (הדֶּרֶךְ), The Way — the way to properly live out the Torah in daily life. Some called them Natzratim (Nazarenes) because they followed the teachings of Rabbi Yeshua haNatzrati (the Nazarene). By about 44 CE the people in Antioch were calling them “Messianic” because they followed “the way of the Messiah” (Acts 11:26).

Haftara: The haftara or (in Ashkenazic pronunciation) haftorah (alt. haftarah, haphtara, Hebrew: הפטרה) “parting,” “taking leave”, (plural form: haftarot or haftoros) is a series of selections from the books of Nevi'im (“Prophets”) of the Tanakh that is publicly read in synagogue as part of Jewish religious practice. The haftara reading follows the Torah reading on each Sabbath and on Jewish festivals and fast days. Typically, the haftara is thematically linked to the parashah (weekly Torah portion) that precedes it. The haftara is sung in a chant. (Chanting of Biblical texts is known as “trope” in Yiddish or “Cantillation” in English.) Related blessings precede and follow the haftara reading. (Wikipedia)

Hallelujah. Hebrew הַֽלְלוּ־ (hal·lū-), to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise; plus יָֽהּ׃ (yāh), a shortened form of the Sacred Name Y^ehovah. So “Praise Y^ehovah!.”

HaShem is Hebrew for “the Name” (יְהֹוָה‎, yud-heh-vav-heh, Y^eHoVaH) and is used to refer to “Him Whose Name is too sacred to be pronounced.” Although this prohibition is not Biblical, but one of the takanot, it is common practice among the Jewish people. See Elohim and ADONAI.

Heavens. Greek and Hebrew use the same word οὐρανοῦ (ouranou) or הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) for “heaven,” “the heavens,” “the sky,” and “the air.” In Hebrew thought there are three heavens. The first heaven is earth’s atmosphere, the second heaven is the created cosmos, the third heaven is outside of the space/time continuum and is the dwelling place of the Most High God.

Hebrew Timekeeping. The Jewish day is of no fixed length. Based on the classic rabbinic interpretation of Genesis 1:5 ("There was evening and there was morning, one day"), a day in the rabbinic Hebrew calendar runs from sunset (the start of "the evening") to the next sunset. The same definition appears in the Bible in Leviticus 23:32, where the holiday of Yom Kippur is defined as lasting "from evening to evening". Halachically, a day ends and a new one starts when three stars are visible in the sky. The time between true sunset and the time when the three stars are visible (known as 'tzait ha'kochavim') is known as 'bein hashmashot', and there are differences of opinion as to which day it falls into for some uses. This may be relevant, for example, in determining the date of birth of a child born during that gap.

There is no clock in the Jewish scheme, so that the local civil clock is used. Though the civil clock, including the one in use in Isra'el, incorporates local adoptions of various conventions such as time zones, standard times and daylight saving, these have no place in the Jewish scheme. The civil clock is used only as a reference point – in expressions such as: "Shabbat starts at …". The steady progression of sunset around the world and seasonal changes results in gradual civil time changes from one day to the next based on observable astronomical phenomena (the sunset) and not on man-made laws and conventions.

In Judaism, an hour is defined as 1/12 of the time from sunrise to sunset, so an hour can be less than 60 minutes in winter, and more than 60 minutes in summer. This proportional hour is known as a sha'ah z'manit (lit. a time-related hour). A Jewish hour is divided into 1080 halakim (singular: helek) or parts. A part is 3⅓ seconds or 1/18 minute. The ultimate ancestor of the helek was a small Babylonian time period called a barleycorn, itself equal to 1/72 of a Babylonian time degree (1° of celestial rotation). These measures are not generally used for everyday purposes.
Source: Wikipedia, “Hebrew Calendar”

Herodians. Member of a Jewish sect associated with the Pharisees in opposition to Yeshua, and assumed to be supporters of Herod the Great’s dynasty.

Higgaion. Hebrew הִגָּי֥וֹן (hig·gā·yō·wn), resounding music, meditation, musing. It is a musical sign, probably denoting a pause in the instrumental interlude.

Hin. Hebrew הִין (heen), a unit of measure, about 5 quarts (6 liters). See “Weights and Measures.”

Hinneh: Hebrew הִנֵּ֣ה; Greek ἰδοὺ (idou). Usually translated as “behold,” “see,” or “consider,” means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at; i.e., listen very carefully, because what I am going to say is very important. It is often used as an interjection. Sometimes I will translate this word as “look!” or “listen!” depending on the context.

Hinneni: Hebrew הִנֵּֽנִי, “behold me.” As noted above, Hinneh means means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at, and denotes that something important is about to be said. We may understand this use to be equivalent to the English idiom “I’m all ears,” and conveys the further idea of “here I am, fully in your presence.” The speaker is indicating that he is ready to listen intently and pay close attention to what is about to be said, with the full intention to obey whatever he is being told.

Homer. Hebrew חֹ֣מֶר (ḥō·mer), a unit of dry measure about 65 imperial gallons; one homer is about 220 liters or 6 bushels. See “Weights and Measures.”

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~ I ~

IMHO. In my humble opinion. Please feel free to disagree.

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~ J ~

James. Hebrew יַעֲקֹ֑ב, Ya'akov. For reasons that were obviously political and (in my opinion) in deference to King James, the so-called “translators” of the horribly inaccurate version that bears his name arbitrarily chose to render the name Ya'akov as “James” every time it appears in the Apostolic Writings, but left the identical Hebrew name as “Ya'akov” in the Tanakh. (See “King James’ Instructions to the Translators.”)

The half-brother of Yeshua by that name (Matt 13:55, Gal 1:9) did not believe his Brother was the Messiah unil after the resurrection. History tells us that he became the spiritual leader (the true “first Pope”) of the Messianic Community in Jerusalem and a member of the Messianic Beit Din (confirm at Acts 15:13, Acts 21:18, 1Cor. 15:7, Gal 1:19, Gal 2:9), which replaced the Sanhedrin in authority for HaDerek, The Way, as first-century Messianic Judaism was known.

Judeans. See Y'hudim. A distinction needs to be drawn between the terms “Judeans” and “Jews” when trying to understand the Apostolic Writings, particularly the Gospels. The “Jews” were the am haretz, the “people of the land,” the ordinary folks. They flocked to Yeshua literally by the tens of thousands. The “Judeans” were the apostate religous leaders who were only concerned with their own prestige and power. They saw Yeshua only as a serious threat to their privileged position.

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~ K ~

Kingdom of God/Heaven. (see “Is At Hand,” below) The Kingdom of Heaven referred to by Mattityahu and the Kingdom of God spoken of by Mordacai (Mark), Lucas (Luke), Yochanan (John), and Sha'ul (Paul) refer to exactly the same thing. Neither phrase has anything at all to do with the Christian notion of a celestial dweling place for the righteous dead. Rather, it refers to the Messianic Kingdom on earth that begins with the thousand-year earthly reign of King Yeshua and carries over into the eternal Olam Haba. Literally, it refers to any time and place where created beings submit to ADONAI as Y^ehovah and King. Please read this article.

One of the greatest tragedies of the last 2,000 years is that the Gentile Church has totally departed from the key message of Yochanan, Yeshua, and the Emissaries (Apostles): “Repent, for God’s Kingdom is at hand!” This is mostly because they have lost track of the concept that for over 100 years after the resurrection, the Jewish sect called “The Way” was almost exclusively Jewish, and all the Apostolic letters were written in Hebrew, by Torah-observant Jewish rabbis, (except for Dr. Luke, who was probably not a rabbi) to an audience of both Jews and non-jews who were thoroughly ensconced in a Torah-pursuant Jewish lifestyle, who met not in churches but in synagogues.

They do not understand that these people very carefully avoided speaking God’s name or even referring to Him directly. They developed what are called “circumlocutions,” using various words and phrases as an alternative to a direct reference to God. Among those circumlocutions include “heaven” and “throne.” So the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” has absolutely nothing to do with a place where people vainly hope to spend eternity after they die. “Kingdom of Heaven” actually refers to the time and place to which all Isra'el was looking forward, during which God, through His Messiah, will rule and reign physically on earth, and the Torah will be the “law of the land” for the whole earth. By extension, God’s Kingdom is any time and place where He is honored and obeyed as King. If you accept the absolute rule of God over your life, then you are right now living in His Kingdom.

The simplistic message of the Gentile Church has for 1,700 years essentially been: walk down the church aisle; concede to the historical fact that Yeshua is the Son of God, the Messiah; get dunked in a heated bathtub or have some water splashed on your face; now you get to go to heaven when you die. Unfortunately there is absolutely no Scripture to support the idea of “going to heaven” when we die.

When properly understood, the True Gospel--the message of “the Kingdom of God” as taught by Yochanan, Yeshua, and the Emissaries — is to turn away from your sin — defined as disobedience to God’s Torah (1John 3:4) [“lawlessness” (NAS); breaking of law” (CSB); violation of Torah (CJB)] — submit to the Kingship of God and be restored to Him, obey His commandments as given in the Torah, and you will inherit eternal life in the Olam Habah (the world that is to come).

… Is At Hand. This phrase is translated several different ways in English versions. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Berean Study Bible) “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” (Holman Christian Standare Bible) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (New American Standard Bible) “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (King James Bible) The words “is near” or “is at hand” translate the Greek word ἤγγικεν (ēngiken) come near, approach; from eggus; to make near, i.e. approach. The same word in Matt 26:46 is used to translate “the one who betrays Me is at hand!” So here we are, 2,000 years after Yeshua spoke these words, and the Kingdom is still not here. So why not? Was Yeshua wrong or was He misleading the people? No, the Kingdom is not here yet because Isra'el has not yet corporately repented, though millions of individual Isra'elites have repented and been redeemed. The sages taught in a midrash that “… if Isra'el would repent for even a single day, they would be immediately redeemed and immediately the Son of David would come. How do we know this? From Psalm 95:7 where it says, ‘For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand, today if you hear His voice.’” They took this to mean, “If you repent, even a single day.” Repentence ushers in the Kingdom; it ushers in the redemption. So neither Yochanan the Immerser, nor Yeshua, nor His Emissaries were misleading the people. The day that Isra'el corporately repents — whether 2,000 years ago or 1,000 years in the future — that will be the day that Yeshua formally establishes His Kingdom on earth. The Kingdom is literally near at hand; it just needs for Isra'el to reach out and grasp it. But what if the people of Isra'el do not repent and the time for the Kingdom arrives. Then, the sages say, God will send them a despotic ruler like Haman to bring them to repentence. It seems as if that is what America is requiring to bring our nation to repentence. Perhaps the anti-God “rulers” in the 2021-2025 administration will being America to repentence. If not, maybe it will take the Antichrist!

Korban (קָרְבָּן qorbān), also spelled qorban or corban, is any of a variety of sacrificial offerings described and commanded in the Torah. The plural form is korbanot, korbanoth or korbans. It means a gift or offering consecrated to God. Anything over which this word was once pronounced was irrevocably dedicated to the temple. Land, however, so dedicated might be redeemed before the year of jubilee (Lev 27:16-24). Yeshua condemns the Pharisees for their false doctrine, inasmuch as by their traditions they had destroyed the commandment which requires children to honour their father and mother, teaching them to find excuse from helping their parents by the device of pronouncing “Corban” over their goods, thus reserving them to their own selfish use.

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~ L ~

Lashon hara. Lashon hara (or loshon horo) (Hebrew: לשון הרע‎; “evil tongue”) is the halakhic term for derogatory speech about a person, which emotionally or financially damages them or lowers them in the estimation of others. Lashon hara differs from defamation in that lashon hara is truthful speech rather than lies. Lashon hara is considered to be a very serious sin in the Jewish tradition. The communicator of lashon hara violates the prohibition of lo telech rachil b'ameicha (“do not go out as a talebearer among thy people”). Speech is considered to be lashon hara if it says something negative about a person or party, is not seriously intended to correct or improve a negative situation, and is true.

Law. Greek νόμος, ου, ὁ, (nom'-os): that which is assigned, usage, law. One of the great difficulties in interpretation of the Greek New Testament, particularly in the writings of Rav Sha'ul, is that there is no Greek word for the concept of “legalism,” so he is stuck with the word nomos. I believe that all of the Apostolic Writings were originally penned in the primary language of their writers. (See “Were the Apostolic Scriptures Written in Hebrew” for a lengthy discussion.) Unfortunately, the Greek language likewise has no direct equivalent of the Hebrew word תּוֹרָה, Torah, instruction, which in it’s narrowest and most technical use refers to the instruction contained in the five Books of Moses. The closest word in Greek is νόμος, nomos, any law whatsoever, which is used in the Greek text to translate the Hebrew word Torah. Neither is there a Greek word for either “takanot” (Rabbinical rules outside of the Torah of Moses) or for “legalism.” To this difficulty is added the long-standing Jewish tradition of including the takanot within the general use of the word “Torah,” that is, the entire body of Jewish jurisprudence. So to the interpreter comes the task of determining from the context (as read with Jewish eyes) to which sense the word “nomos” is being used.

Leaven (Greek zume, zume) is yeast or any similar dough-rising or fermenting agent. It was used by taking a small portion of any dough that had raised and set it aside for later use as a “starter.” A small portion of the starter could then be added to the ingredients of a new loaf, like a sourdough starter or any of the various popular “friendship” breads. The word is also used metaphorically of inveterate mental, doctrinal, and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to rapidly infect others.

Leper/Leprosy. In the Scriptures the Hebrew word for leper is מְצֹרָ֣ע (mə·ṣō·rā‘) and for leprosy is וְ֠הַצָּרַעַת (wə·haṣ·ṣā·ra·‘aṯ) or צָרַעַת, tzara‘at). The Greek for leper is λεπροῦ (leprou) and for leprosy it is λέπρα (lepra). None of these words refer to the disease now called Hansen's Disease. In the Bible, tzara'at is a skin disease that can take many different forms, and in particularly bad cases can manifest itself on one’s clothing, belongings, and house, in addition to the skin. See “Tzara'at — A Biblical Affliction.”

Legalism is often used to refer to any attempt to follow the loving instruction of Y^ehovah, particularly the instructions contained in Torah. In the eyes of many, there is particular concern over the issues that Rav Sha'ul (Paul) attempted to deal with in his letter to the Messianic Community in Galatia. (“Galatianism” is sometimes used as a synonym for ”legalism.”) Correctly understood, “legalism” does not refer to what we do, but rather why we do what we do. If we try to the best of our ability to walk the walk that Yeshua walked in obedience to His Father because we love Him and we choose to be obedient, that is not legalism. However, anything that we do to earn God’s favor or to in any way impress either God or anyone else is legalism.

Lie, the. The writers of the Apostolic Scriptures use “the Lie” as a technical term for the lie that the Adversary told Adam and Eve in the Garden: “you can become as God” (Gen 3:4-6).

Little Faith. Throughout His ministry we see Yeshua often calling people “you of little faith.” Many interpreters assume this is a rebuke to people who exhibit a low level of faith. I prefer to think of it as a term of endearment spoken as one would speak to a little child who is really struggling to understand a complex problem. I therefore render it as “Little Faith.”

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~ M ~

Ma'aseh מַעֲשֶׂה (pl. ma'asim), deeds, works, precedents, accomplishments, achievements.

Majority Text. “The Majority Text (or Ecclesiastical Text or Byzantine Text) is a compilation of Greek New Testament manuscripts using a "majority rules" method for determining the proper reading when various manuscripts contain variant readings. For example, if 100 manuscripts contain one reading, and 200 manuscripts contain a different reading, the reading represented in the 200 manuscripts will be the one chosen.

“At first glance, the "majority rules" methodology of the Majority Text seems to be a good approach. However, there are other factors that should be considered beyond which reading occurs most often. For example, if one Greek manuscript was copied with certain errors and was then copied 1,000 times, those errors would be reproduced many more times than an earlier, more accurate copy reproduced only a few times.

“Instead, both the age of the manuscript and the location in which the manuscript is found must also be taken into consideration. The earlier the manuscript, the more likely it resembles the original writing of the text. When the early writing can be found in more than one area (for example, manuscripts originating in both Western and Eastern locations as well as in Alexandrian or Egyptian area manuscripts), then it is more likely to be in agreement with the original.

“As a result, modern editions of the Greek New Testament use an eclectic approach that takes multiple factors into account. Which reading occurs more often in older manuscripts? Which reading occurs in manuscripts found in different parts of Europe and the Middle East? And, which reading occurs in the highest number of manuscripts?

“It is interesting to note that none of the modern English Bible translations are based on the Majority Text. The KJV and NKJV are based on the Textus Receptus, which is very similar to the Majority Text, but differs from the Majority Text over 1,800 times.

“The vast majority of Bible scholars today do not consider the Majority Text to be the most accurate compilation of New Testament Greek manuscripts due to its sole reliance on "majority rules" while not taking other factors into consideration.”

[Source: CompellingTruth.org, “The Majority Text — What is it?” accessed 13 November 2022. In accordance with the “Fair Use” provisions of [17USC107, this article is reproduced here without the permission of the author only for the purpose of education. If you are the copyright holder and want this article removed, contact me and I will immediately remove it.]

See also Critical Text and Textus Receptus

Maps. The maps referenced in my commentary on the Torah are based on the conventional theory that Mount Sinai (aka Mount Sion or Mount Mousa, the mountain of Moses) is located on the Sinai Peninsula. These locations are now in question. I personally believe that Mount Sinai is actually Jebel Al-Lawz in Saudi Arabia. Recent (c. 2016) archeological discoveries place the location of the Red Sea crossing much further south at Wadi Watir on the Gulf of Aqaba (discussed at 14:10 in the first video in the commentary on Exodus 14). Note the path through the mountains to the wide beach on this map, which could easily accomodate three million people or more. King Solomon had pillars erected on both sides of the gulf to mark the place of the crossing, and those pillars have been located and re-erected in their original locations.

Mashiach (Moshiach). Hebrew מָשִׁ֖יחַ, Messiah; Greek Χριστός, Christos, Christ: Anointed. The Jews anointed three classes of people by pouring olive oil over their head as a symbol of Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit: prophets, priests, and kings. Since Yeshua serves eternally in all three offices, He is The Anointed One.

Messianic Community. Hebrew מִקְרָא (miqra), assembly, a convocation; Greek ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia), called out; mistranlated in most English Bibles as “Church,” referring to the Messianic sect of Judaism that called itself HaDerek, the Way. Depending on the context, it may refer to the movement in general or to a specific community, just as the word “Church” is used to refer to Christianity in general or to a local congregation. Thus I sometimes render this word as “assembly.”

Minhag (Hebrew: מנהג‎ “custom”, pl. מנהגים‎, minhagim) is an accepted tradition or group of traditions in Rabbinical Judaism that have become law. In addition to the 613 commandments, observant Jews consider halakha, Jewish law as derived from the Talmud, but nearly always contrary to Torah, binding upon all Jews. In addition to these, there have always been customs. Some customs were universally adopted (e.g. wearing a head covering), or almost universally (e.g. monogamy). Others are observed by major segments of Jewry but not by others (e.g. not eating kitniyotlegumes on Passover). Other customs are bound to certain localities or groups that originated in certain localities. Obedience to minhag is obedience to the Rabbis instead of obedience to God. See Isa. 29:13 quoted in Matt. 15:8-9. See also Takanot.

Months. This table shows the months of the Hebrew calendar.

Civil Month	Biblical Month	Month Name	Length	Gregorian Month	Holidays
7th	1st	Nisan / Abib	30 days	Mar/Apr	Pesach
8th	2nd	Iyyar / Ziv	29 days	Apr/May	Pesach Sheni Lag B'Omer
9th	3rd	Sivan	30 days	May/June	Shavuot
10th	4th	Tammuz	29 days	June/July	[17th of Tammuz
11th	5th	Av	30 days	July/Aug	Tisha B'Av Tu B'Av
12th	6th	Elul	29 days	Aug/Sep
1st	7th	Tishri	30 days	Sep/Oct	Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Sukkot Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah
2nd	8th	Cheshvan	29 or 30	Oct/Nov
3rd	9th	Kislev	29 or 30	Nov/Dec	Hanukkah
4th	10th	Tevet	29 days	Dec/Jan	10th of Tevet
5th	11th	Shevat	30 days	Jan/Feb	Tu Bishvat
6th (LY)	12th (LY)	Adar I*	30 days
6th	12th	Adar / Adar II*	29 days	Feb/Mar	Purim
* Only in leap years “According to the ancient Near Eastern reckoning (the civil calendar), the month of harvest in which Rosh HaShanah falls was the first month of the year. The month of springtime in which Passover falls was the seventh month of the year. God reordered the numbering of the months when He said, ‘This [springtime] month shall be the beginning of months for you. It is to be the first month of the year to you.” Ever since then, the month of springtime has been referred to as ‘the first month.” (Lancaster, D. Thomas. The Holy Days: Returning the Biblical Festivals to the Disciples of Jesus. Marshfield, MO: First Fruits of Zion, 2021, p. 40)

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~ N ~

Name. Hebrew ~X, shem, does not just refer to the “name” — the string of letters or the sound of those letters — by which we know who is being referred to. The word “shem” speaks to a person’s renown, reputation, fame, glory, or even authority; everything that is known about the person. In Judaism it is common practice to refer to God as “God,” or “The Name,” as a way of avoiding the unspeakably holy Name of Y^ehovah (yud-hey-vav-hey). When we do that, we should be reminded that He is ever so much more than just the sound by which we refer to Him. And when we pray in “the Name of Yeshua” we should know that we are not just “name-dropping” so the Father will pay greater attention to our petition. We are reminding ourselves that what we are asking of the Father, we are asking in full trust and confidence in the reputation of all that Yeshua is and all that He has done, and we are asking in the authority of Yeshua because we are asking for something that will being glory to both Him and the Father.

Yeshua has specifically called us and appointed us for service to the Kingdom, so that the works that we do will have lasting value both in the Olam HaZeh and in the Olam Haba. “My Name” means “My authority,” as in the authority of a police officer to perform his assigned governmental duties in the name (authority) of the government; e.g., “Stop, in the name (authority) of the law.” Yeshua has given us His heavenly “debit card” along with the authority to use it in the performance of the work of the Kingdom. Whatever we need to perform our assigned duties in the Kingdom we are to charge to His account. “Father, I need this in order to perform the work that your Son has commissioned me to perform, so I’m asking that You do this and charge it to His account.”

Ninth Hour. Nine “hours” after sunrise, or about 3:00 pm when the daylight and nighttime are of equal length. In Hebrew timekeeping, an “hour” is defined as 1/12 of the time from sunrise to sunset, regardless of the length of daytime.

In the Levitical service, there were two daily sacrifices to purify the Temple, the “morning sacrifice” and the “evening sacrifice.” The Daily Sacrifice (Exodus 29:38-39,, Daniel 8:12; Dan 11:31; Dan 12:11) consisted of a burnt offering of two lambs of a year old, which were daily sacrificed in the name of the whole nation, the first at dawn and the second at “evening” (Daniel 9:21), or more correctly, “between the two evenings.” All Isra'el was called to prayer during the time of the evening sacrifice, thus it was called “the Hour of Prayer.”

“Now this is what you are to offer on the altar: two lambs a year old, regularly, every day. The one lamb you are to offer in the morning and the other lamb at dusk.” (Exodus 29:38-39)

See also “Hebrew Timekeeping” and “Weights and Measures.”

Numbers, Chapter and Verse. The Geneva Bible of 1599 was the first Bible to assign chapter and verse numbers as “bookmarks” to provide ease of reference for teaching purposes, facilitating the location of passages, memorization, and recitation. Before the addition of chapter and verse numbers, the sages divided the Torah into 54 sections, or parashot, so that they could be read systematically in the synagogues in an annual reading cycle. Eventually the numbering practice was also adopted in the printed versions of the Hebrew Tanakh. Because of minor differences in the way the various scrolls and manuscripts divided chapters, numbering is often different in the printed Hebrew text than in the English text.

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~ O ~

Olam. Hebrew עוֹלָ֑ם has no equivalent in English. It is variously translated as long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world, ancient time, long time (of past); (of future) for ever, always; continuous existence, perpetual; everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity. But these are all inadequate. In the Hebrew mind עוֹלָ֑ם encompasses all of time and space as well as everything that exists beyond our space/time contuum.

Omein. (Hebrew אָמֵ֥ן, 'amen, from אֹֽמֶן 'oman; sure, true, faithfulness; Greek ἀμήν amen) verily, truly, so be it; truth has become true.

When doubled, “Omein, omein,” particularly at the beginning of a statement, it denotes absolute certainly. Yeshua frequently uses this phrase when introducing some absolute truth He is about to reveal.

At the end of the discourse it means “so it is,” “so be it,” “may it be fulfilled.” It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, or had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded “Amen,” and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own.

The word “amen” is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related — in fact, almost identical — to the Hebrew word for “believe” (!ma aman), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly,” an expression of absolute trust and confidence. [Thayer and Smith. “Greek Lexicon entry for Amen.” The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon, 1999.] [BACK]

Oneg or Oneg Shabbat. Literally Joy, Joy of Sabbath, or Sabbath Joy. An informal Sabbath gathering in a synagogue or private home to express outwardly the happiness inherent in the Sabbath holiday. Now more social than religious, the group entertains itself with music, drama, community discussions, lectures, or the singing of religious melodies — all in keeping with the biblical injunction, “and call the Sabbath a delight” (Isaiah 58:13). Usually food is provided to complement the congenial atmosphere and perpetuate in spirit the Talmud’s recommendation to eat three full meals that day. In many Messianic Jewish congregations this takes the form of a potluck dinner following the Shabbat service.

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~ P ~

Parashah (Hebrew: פָּרָשָׁה Pārāšâ “portion”) means a section of a biblical book in the Masoretic Text of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). Before the addition of chapter and verse numbers as “bookmarks” to provide ease of reference for teaching purposes, the sages divided the Torah into 54 sections, or parashot, so that they could be read systematically in the synagogues in an annual reading cycle. We find this referenced in the Apostolic Writings, where the Shliachim (Emissaries or Apostles) are deciding how best to assimilate Gentiles into the Holy Community of Isra'el. It was decided that there were a few basic cultural imperatives that they must adhere to for the sake of harmonious co-existance in the Community, but to place a former pagan under the entire “yoke of Torah” all at once would be self-defeating. Instead it was decided that they be given a period of time in which to gradually learn torah, since from the earliest times, Moshe has had in every city those who proclaim him, with his words being read in the synagogues every Shabbat (Acts 15:21).

Parashot are not numbered, but instead have been given names that are based on either the first or another significant word near the beginning of the section that will remind the reader (or listener) of the passage being referred to.

The division of parashot found in the modern-day Torah scrolls of all Jewish communities is based upon the systematic list provided by Maimonides in Mishneh Torah, “Laws of Tefillin, Mezuzah and Torah Scrolls, chapter 8.” Maimonides based his division of the parashot for the Torah on the Aleppo Codex. The division of parashot for the books of Nevi'im and Ketuvim was never completely standardized in printed Hebrew bibles and handwritten scrolls, though important attempts were made to document it and create fixed rules. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parashah.

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~ R ~

Repent. Hebrew שׁוּב (shub), to turn back (from evil, return (to God). Greek μετανοέω (metanoeó) I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent; from μετά (meta) with, among, after, metá looks towards the after-effect (change, result) which is only defined by the context; and νοέω (noeó), understand, think, consider, conceive, apprehend. The Greek term falls short of expressing the thought of the Hebrew term. The Hebrew term, in context, refers to not just changing the mind, but doiing something about it. In context it means to turn away from sin and return to God and His Torah.

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~ S ~

Sabbath’s Journey, or Sabbath-Day’s Journey. 2,000 cubits, or about 1,000-1,200 yards. The maximum distance allowed by halakhah to be traveled on Shabbat. However, what the Torah says is: “Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out” (Exod 16:29). Read the article HERE.

Saint, Greek ἅγιος hagios: One who is set apart by God as His special treasure and for His special purpose. Derived from agnoß, hagnos, exciting reverence, venerable, sacred; pure, pure from carnality, chaste, modest, pure from every fault, immaculate, clean. The Greek noun form of the Hebrew adjective קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh), to be consecrated or set apart for a specific purpose, and therefore “different (distinguished/distinct)” – i.e. “other,” because special to the Y^ehovah.

Sanhedrin. The Jewish supreme court was called the Sanhedrin (“Council”) or Sanhedrin ha-Gadol (“the Great Council”) and consisted of 70 elders plus a president or Nasi (prinnce), known as rabbis after the destruction of the Temple. Any laws and Takanot (decrees) issued by the Sanhedrin were binding on the entire Jewish nation. Although lower courts consisting of 23 judges could try capital cases, only the Sanhedrin had authority over cases involving the king, capital crimes committed by the high priest, or crimes committed by an entire tribe or city. Powers exclusive to the high court also included:

• Crowning a king.

• Authorizing “voluntary” wars (milchemet hareshut), such as wars for the sake of expanding the country’s borders.

• Expanding holy sites, such as Jerusalem and the courtyard of the Holy Temple.

• Appointing lesser courts of 23 judges.

The Mishnah tractate Sanhedrin (IV:2) states that the Sanhedrin was to be recruited from the following sources: Priests (Kohanim), Levites (Levi'im), and ordinary Jews who were members of those families having a pure lineage such that their daughters were allowed to marry priests. In the Second Temple period, the Great Sanhedrin met in the Hall of Hewn Stones in the Temple in Jerusalem. The court convened every day except festivals and the sabbath day (Shabbat).

A Synhedrion is mentioned 22 times in the Greek New Testament, including in the Gospels in relation to the trial of Yeshua, and in the Acts of the Apostles, which mentions a ″Great Synhedrion″ in chapter 5 where rabbi Gamaliel appeared, and also in chapter 7 in relation to the stoning death of Saint Stephen.

Rabban Shimon ben Hillel served as Nasi from 9 to 30 CE, and Rabban Gamaliel the Elder served from 30 to 50 CE.

Read the articles on the Jewish Court system at Chabad.org and Wikipedia.org.

Seah. A seah is about 7 liters or 1.9 gallons or 0.8 pecks. See also “Weights and Measures.”

Selah.^[GN] Hebrew סֶלָה (seh'-law), to lift up, exalt. A technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption. In many Messianic congregations it is not uncommon for the worship leader to pause after a song to let the congregation spend a few moments praising HaShem. In my mind, selah must be something similar.

Septuagint. The Septuagint is a translation of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and some related texts (Apocrypha) into Koine Greek. As the primary Greek translation of the so-called “Old Testament,” it is also called the “Greek Old Testament.” This translation is quoted in the Apostolic Writings (the so-called ”New Testament”), particularly by Rav Sha'ul (Paul), and also by the Greek Church Fathers. The title and its Roman numeral acronym LXX refer to legendary seventy Jewish scholars who solely translated the Five Books Of Moses as early as the late 2nd century BCE.

Sh'ol. Sheol, the place of the dead; definitely not hell. See Gehenna. The word is used as a metaphor for the grave, and speaks of the “dwelling place” of the dead. My personal belief [this is only my opinion, so please feel free to disagree] is that before Yeshua’s Resurrection it was the resting place of the dead to await their resurrection (Luke 16:19-31). I believe that between His death and Resurrection, Yeshua went into Sh'ol and announced to the dead, both the righteous and unrighteous, that the work of redemption had been completed (1Pet 3:19). I further believe that He then transported the righteous dead directly through time and space to the Olam Haba (Eph 4:8), leaving only the unrighteous dead in Sh'ol to await the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11).

Sha'ul/Paul. Sha'ul of Tarsus (Hebrew: שאול התרסי‎, Romanized: Sha'ūl ha-Tarsī; Greek: Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς, Romanized: Saũlos Tarseús) lived approximately 5 BCE to between 64 and 67 CE. He was born in the Roman city of Tarsus in Asia Minor, what is now southern Turkey, the son of Roman Citizens who were devout Jews, Pharisees.

Because he was born in the Diaspora [wherever Jews reside outside of the Land of Isra'el], he was named Paul at his birth and given his shem kodesh (religious, or literally, holy name), Sha'ul, at his b'ris (dedication, circumcision) on his eighth day. To this day, nearly all male Jews in the Diaspora have two names — their “secular” name in the dialect used in their country of residence and the Hebrew name given to them at their b'ris. For example, my Hebrew name is Ari ben Gavriel ha Levi — Ari (Lion) son of Gavriel (Warrior of God) the Levite — but since I live in the United States, when dealing with the non-Jewish world I use my Amercan name, Rick Sawyer. So, he was always Paul among the Gentiles in the Diaspora and Sha’ul in Isra'el or when among his Hebrew kinsemen in the Diaspora.

At what was presumably a very early age, Sha'ul was found to have a remarkable mind and talent for learning so, at great expense, his parents sent him to Jerusalem to study Torah at the feet of the great Sage and Prince of the Sanhedrin, Raban Gamliel the Elder, son of Simeon ben Hillel and grandson of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder. By the time he appears in Scripture, he was between 35 and 38 years old, was very probably a well-respected member of the Sanhedrin, probably Gamliel’s star disciple, and the most likely candidate to inherit the chair of his mentor as Prince of the Sanhedrin upon the death of Gamliel. Had he not encountered Yeshua, history would quite likely have regarded him as the greatest Jewish sage of all time.

He was absolutely on fire with his love for God and dedication to Torah, and was, literally, violently opposed to anyone who dared challenge its absolute authority over all aspects of life. When the fledgling sect of Yeshua-followers, dubbed “Messianics” at Antioch but referring to themselves as HaDerek, The Way, began spreading the supposedly false rumor that their Rabbi, Yeshua — Who had been crucified by the Romans for high treason, claiming to be the new King of Isra'el, and making Himself out to be the Messiah promised by the Prophets of old — had been resurrected from the dead, that was more than he could stand. He went to his colleagues at the Sanhedrin and obtained warrants to totally annihilate this sect of blasphemers.

It is almost universally taught in the Church that Saul of Tarsus “converted to Christianity” and changed his name to Paul. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Rav (“Rav” is a short term for “Rabbi”) Sha'ul never “converted” to any other religion than Judaism, Christianity or otherwise. “Christianity” did not come into existence until until it was created by Constantine in the early fourth century, well over 250 years after the death of the great rabbi (see HERE). He was born, lived his entire life, and died as a Torah-pursuant Jew. After his personal encounter with the resurrected Yeshua, his zeal for Torah was refined and redirected. He became a zealous follower of the Jewish sect known as “HaDerek” (“the Way”). Near the end of his life he made the claim “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees,” (Acts 23:6) not “I was a Pharisee,” so his zeal for Torah never waned. See also Sha'ul the Letter Writer.

Shalom שָׁל֑וֹם, Shalowm: “peace,” but much more than simple lack of strife. It includes everything that one might need for absolute ease of spirit:

completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
1. completeness (in number)
2. safety, soundness (in body)
3. welfare, health, prosperity
4. peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
5. peace, friendship
  1. of human relationships
  2. with God especially in covenant relationship
peace (from war)
peace (as adjective)

Shekel. A shekel weighs about 0.402 ounces. There were many different values of shekel in use in the region, so a standard shekel was maintained in the sanctuary; thus the “sanctuary shekel” is often specified. See “Weights and Measures.”

Shliach. Apostle, Emissary. Hebrew שליח‎, shliach/shaliach, pl. שליחים/שלוחים‎, shlichim/shluchim; Greek ἀπόστολος (apostolos), a representative sent on a mission or errand; a delegate; especially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Messiah. The apparent qualifications for Shliach are to be (a) an eye-witness (either in person in via a vision) to the resurrected Yeshua and (b) specifically commissioned by Him to be His witness. [BACK]

Sicarius. After Isra'el came under the control of the Roman Empire, a group of political activists known as Zealots arose, who both advocated and attempted to bring about the overthrow of Rome. A particularly violent subgroup of the Zealots was a band of assassins known as the Sicarii (also spelled Sacarii), or assassins (also known as “dagger men”), after the Latin word for the short ice-pick-like daggers with which they dispatched (usually via a quick thrust to the base of the brain) anyone they felt to be a Roman sympathizer. Among Yeshua’s talmidim were at least two members of the party of the Zealots: Shim'eon Zealotes (Simon the Zealot) and Y'hudah the Sicarius (Judah the Assassin), usually translated into English as “Judas Iscariot.” Bar-Abba (Barabbas, or Son of a Father), who was released by Governor Pilate in exchange for Yeshua’s execution (Matthew 27:11-25), is thought to have been a notorious Sicarius, and was probably a close associate of Y'hudah.

Son of Man. Critics argue that Yeshua probably did not actually know that He was the Messiah, because He frequently referred to Himself as Ben Adam, the Son of Man. They claim that the phrase ben adam, son of man, as used by modern Hebrew speakers, is used as equivalent to English “that guy,” as in “Who’s that ben adam standing over there?” or “Here comes that ben adam.” However, in Jewish thought it is also a title for Messiah. Daniel 7:13. That He was fully aware of His true status is clear from numerous passages: e.g., Mark 1:23-25; Matt 16:13-17; Matthew 11:1-6.

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (the Tanakh) we frequently see God speaking to a prophet and calling him “ben Adam.” In such cases the term is frequently translated as “human being.” (Specifically, Ezekiel; e.g., Ezek 2:1, 3, 6; 21:9; 24:1)

Span. A span is the length from the tip of a man’s thumb to the tip of his little finger when his hand is stretched out (about half a cubit, or 9 inches, or 22.8 cm.) See also “Weights and Measures.”

Stauros (stauroß): an upright stake, esp. a pointed one. I have elected to simply transliterate the original Greek term in my paraphrase for two reasons. First, unfortunately, there is much debate, especially among those within the Messianic Jewish Community, as to whether the instrument of Yeshua’s execution was a single upright stake or one with a cross-bar. How sad that a question of zero significance divides the bretheren. Second, the traditional T-shaped cross has been a symbol of Jewish persecution by the Church for the past 1,700 years, so that just the word “cross” is sufficient to turn many ethnic Jews away from the truth of the Messiah.

“A well known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, invented by the Phoenicians and borrowed by the Greeks and Romans; to it were affixed among the Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great, the guiltiest criminals, particularly the basest slaves, robbers, the authors and abetters of insurrections, and occasionally in the provinces, at the arbitrary pleasure of the governors, upright and peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens themselves.” [The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon]

“The gibbet on which crucifixion was carried out could be of many shapes. Josephus says that the Roman soldiers who crucified the many prisoners taken during the Siege of Jerusalem under Titus, diverted themselves by nailing them to the crosses in different ways; and Seneca the Younger recounts: ‘I see crosses there, not just of one kind but made in many different ways: some have their victims with head down to the ground; some impale their private parts; others stretch out their arms on the gibbet.’

“At times the gibbet was only one vertical stake, called in Latin crux simplex. This was the simplest available construction for torturing and killing the condemned. Frequently, however, there was a cross-piece attached either at the top to give the shape of a T (crux commissa) or just below the top, as in the form most familiar in Christian symbolism (crux immissa). The most ancient image of a Roman crucifixion depicts an individual on a T-shaped cross. It is a graffito found in a taberna (hostel for wayfarers) in Puteoli, dating to the time of Trajan or Hadrian (late 1st century to early 2nd century CE). … Irenaeus (c. 130–202), a Christian writer, describes it as composed of an upright and a transverse beam, sometimes with a small projection in the upright.” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifixion]

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~ T ~

Takanot (singular takanah, תקנה) — “Takkanah … An enactment which (1) revises an ordinance that no longer satisfies the requirements of the times or circumstances, or which, (2) being deduced from a Biblical passage, may be regarded as new” (JewishEncyclopedia.com).

The Oral Tradition, Tradition of the Fathers, or “Oral Torah” — are Rabbinical regulations, now codified in the Talmud, that either add to or subtract from the requirements of Torah in direct violation of Torah; laws enacted by the Rabbis that change or negate Torah law. Obedience to Takanot is obedience to the Rabbis instead of obedience to God. In fact, some rabbis claim that when they make takanot, even God must obey their decisions. But in my mind the issue is forever resolved by Kefa (Peter): “Kefa and the other emissaries answered, ‘We must obey God, not men’” (Acts 5:29). Do I think all takanot are wrong? Not at all. If you feel that following takanot brings you closer to the walk with the Almighty you desire, or if you feel that takanot are appropriate to your identification with Isra'el, then by all means, follow whatever takanot you desire. I do not, however, believe that viewing takanot as authoritative or binding upon a Messianic Believer (believer in Yeshua) is appropriate.

In order to obey the mitzvot of Y^ehovah your God which I am giving you, do not add to what I am saying, and do not subtract from it. (Deut 4:2)

Everything I am commanding you, you are to take care to do. Do not add to it or subtract from it. (Deut 12:32)

Every word of God’s is pure; He shields those taking refuge in Him. Don't add anything to His words; or He will rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)

I warn everyone hearing the words of the prophecy in this book that if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the words in the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the Tree of Life and the holy city, as described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

The Sages claim that the Takanot (Mishnah) is that body of teaching that God gave to Moses at Sinai which he did not commit to writing, but passed on orally down through the generations. “Moses received the torah at Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua, Joshua to the elders, and the elders to the prophets, and the prophets to the Men of the Great Assembly. They said three things: Be patient in [the administration of] justice, raise many disciples and make a fence round the Torah.” (Pirkei Avot 1:1) However, the written Torah says: “Moses wrote down all the words of Y^ehovah.” (Exodus 24:4) Through the oral tradition, the Takanot, the sages assigned to themselves the same authority as Moses had, therefore rendering their own opinions as authoritative, or even more so, than the Torah.

One such rediculous rule is that when putting one’s shoes on, one must first put the right shoe on without tying it, then put the left shoe on, tie it, then tie the right shoe. To put shoes on any other way is a “sin,” a violation of their complex rules.

This is one of the many reasons I personly consider myself a Messianic Karaite Jew (please see “Philosophy”) and do not hold the Talmud or Midrash as authoritative in any way. They are, however — as commentary on the Torah — of great value as the treasury of centuries of Jewish case law, and provide extremely valuable insight into the minds of the Sages as they interpreted Torah. And if you personally feel that God is calling you to follow them, then by all means, please listen to Him and not to me! But what would Yeshua do?

5The P’rushim and the Torah-teachers asked Him [Yeshua], “Why don’t Your talmidim live in accordance with the Tradition of the Elders, but instead eat with ritually unclean hands?” 6Yeshua answered them, “Yesha‘yahu was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites — as it is written,

‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from Me. 7Their worship of Me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.’ [Isaiah 29:13]

8“You depart from God’s command and hold onto human tradition. 9Indeed,” He said to them, “you have made a fine art of departing from God’s command in order to keep your tradition! (Mark 7:5-9)

Encyclopedia.com has an extensive article on Takanot, as does the Jewish Encyclopedia. Refer to Yeshua’s teaching regarding takanot in Matthew 15 and Mark 7.

~ W ~

Word. Greek λόγος (logos). From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. Literally, a logos is the sound (or its written equivalent) by which an object is identified, and encompasses all that is to be known about that object; therefore a logos is an exact representation of that object. A word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea of what someone has said. About 500-600 B.C.E, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus first used the term Logos to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates our changing universe; that is, the Mind that is behind all order in the created universe, which causes the universe to obey the natural laws, such as gravity, mathematics, and morality. Without this divine Mind, or “the Word,” the universe would collapse into utter chaos. “Philo (20 B.C.E - 50 C.E.), a Jewish philosopher heavily influenced by Plato, taught that the logos was God’s creative principle in the realm of pure thought, which cannot have any direct association with anything in the tangible realm of matter. [Charles Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary, Volume 4, Insights on John. Tyndale, 2014, Kindle version, location 524.]

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”(See John 1:1-2 and notes.)

In Hebrew thought, the eternal Word and the eternal Torah are one and the same. According to the Midrash (Bereshith Rabba), the Torah was created prior to the creation of the world, and was used as the blueprint for Creation. “The Torah was to God, when he created the world, what the plan is to an architect when he erects a building.” Since Yeshua has been revealed as the eternal Word (the Logos), it follows that Yeshua is also the eternal Torah. Thus, Torah can never be done away with unless Yeshua can be done away with.

Works of Torah (rendered “works of Law” or “works of the Law” in most English Bibles). Throughout his letters, Rav Sha'ul uses this phrase to refer to the outward identifying signs of Jewish people, consisting primarily of:
   • dietary restrictions,
   • observance of the seven Appointed Times, and
   • circumcision.

The issue has never been whether God’s people, whether Jewish or non-Jewish should obey God’s loving instructioins for all His children as recorded in the Torah. Yeshua settled that argument:

“For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the Law [Torah] until all things are accomplished” (Matt 5:18).

Writing to an almost-exclusively non-Jewish audience, the issue that Sha'ul was consistantly dealing with was that a person is declared righteous through faith in Yeshua rather than through identification with the Jewish people by imitating their conduct and taking upon themselves those outward identifying signs.

Kefa (Peter) said about Sha'ul’s letters:

Indeed, he speaks about these things in all his letters. They contain some things that are hard to understand, things which the uninstructed and unstable distort, to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2Pet 3:16)

One of the greatest tragedies to overtake the Family of God, based primarily upon a gross “distortion by uninstructed and unstable” teachers (whether intentional or unintentional) of Rav Sha'ul’s letters, is that the non-Jewish Believers in Yeshua have chosen to separate themselves from the very roots of their faith. In total opposition to what the first-century Messianic Believers practiced, nearly all Gentiles who have come to faith in the Jewish Messiah have determined to remove virtually everything Jewish from their faith and practice, especially God’s Torah.

We know, of course, that nobody has ever been declared righteous before God based on Torah-observance, because Torah does not lead to righteousness; rather, it provides the guidelines by which those who have already been declared righteous are to conduct themselves.

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~ Y ~

Y'hudim. Because the Greek language simply doesn’t contain the necessary vocabulary, throughout the entire Apostolic Writings, the text frequently refers to the Ἰουδαῖος, Ioudaios, Jews, without making a distinction between the Jewish people as an ethnic group, Jewish people living throughout Isra'el, Jewish people living specifically in Judea, and the corrupt Jewish leadership (which I have generally rendered as “Judeans”). Because antisemitism is so common, especially in the Christian Church’s heritical Replacement Theology, I have made an effort to make a distinction in my paraphrase or in the notes and comments, based on context.

Y^ehovah. יְהוָֹה, YHVH, the “Proper Name” of the God of Isra'el, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Ya'akov. See also Adonai. See also “Some Thoughts on the Sacred Name.”

Page last updated on Shabbat, 31 October 2020

Page last updated on Monday, 11 September 2023 01:14 PM
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