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IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

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IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

INTRODUCTION The Bible is a communication from God revealing what he wants people to know about themselves, the earth they live on, and himself as their creator and as their almighty God. Volume II. considers answers to the many of the most important questions people have in connection with the Bible. It deals with those fundamental questions we had going as far back as our childhood. While many of these got answered early on and we accepted those answers, we often found out later something was missing, or they just didn‘t make sense. Volume II. explores scriptural answers to most of those important questions which still linger in our minds and hearts, some even tracing from as far back as our early childhood. While there have already been hundreds of millions of Bibles read and countless numbers of books published on the Bible. There is still confusion over what it actually teaches. Today, we may be facing the greatest time of crisis in all of human history with the very survival of this planet earth in question. While scientists speculate and authors write books about what the future will bring, only one ancient book, lays out both past, present and future history for men and women on this earth. From its earliest beginnings it explains the reasons for our present condition, and tells us what the future holds for our planet as well as for ourselves as its human inhabitants. That ancient book is uniquely and exclusively, God‘s inspired word, his own message to humans, the Holy Bible. While people, in many religions claim to accept the Bible as an inspired revelation from their creator, the fact that there are so many different religions, with literally thousands of variations among their beliefs is an indication that something is amiss. Religious institutions have claimed the Bible as a foundation for their beliefs yet deny its truth by over-laying it with their own man made doctrines when teaching from it. Scholars argue against its veracity when it conflicts with their own thinking and continue to either ignore or discredit those portions which expose flaws in their own thinking. To such extent that men have substituted and translated their own thoughts for God‘s thoughts, they have adulterated the purity of the original word as inspired of God. In doing this they have diminished its meaning and affected ii

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II. the impact it was intended to have on the human family. Over the years more than just a few translators and commentators have been guilty of violating the Bible‘s innate clarity. In this they have contributed to the confusion in people‘s minds today concerning God‘s word. Does this mean the Bible has lost its credibility? Not at all, for God Almighty has seen to it that the essence of his original thinking still is preserved. We can be assured that every man or woman who reads the Bible still may know what God wants them to know and what their responsibility is in connection with that information. Therefore, while it may be evident to a serious Bible Student that in some Bible versions there are some verses translated in ways that add confusion, it affords no excuse for anyone to ignore God‘s word in its entirety. While its true that God‘s originally inspired message still shines through every version of the Bible, a careful study of multiple versions is a strong device for neutralizing those elements of bias individual translations may contain. Also this allows for a consensus approach helping to establish true Bible teachings with more clarity for better understanding. By considering multiple versions, this allows God‘s overall word to prevail above individual variants produced by denominations, institutions or by any single translator‘s personal bias in the translating process. Therefore, this book will compare more than 36 Bible versions towards presenting a clearer and more harmonious understanding as it addresses individual passages of scripture. Examples used will be those which present as accurately as possible, God‘s own view point based on overall internal Bible context. (See index for codes identifying translations used in ―It Is Written‖) The Bible itself is internally ―self revealing‖ and ―self preserving.‖ Within the pages of any Bible are found, two important principles which assure us we are getting God‘s own view point. These principals are pre-requisites for any reader to understand if they wants to achieve an accurate understanding of God‘s written message for humans. The author will apply these principals throughout his discussions in this book. The first principal is; Trust in God Almighty himself, not in man. When it comes to spiritual understanding, God himself, has the ability to reveal his truth through his word and through his spirit. He alone is uniquely and superbly able to provide rightly inclined individuals with the ability to discern what he intends for them to know. Also, he is able to communicate his thoughts and intentions much more effectively than any human or committee of humans can. We can be confident that both his competence and his ability to communicate his own thinking exceeds any human‘s ability. God‘s inspired word makes a point along this line in the following verses; iii

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in any child of Adam, who has no power to save. NJB Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD NLT. Proverbs 3:5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception; NJB 2 Corinthians 1:9 1indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; NAU

A second equally important principal is: Add nothing to what God has given as his own thoughts, nor subtract from what he says, and what his thinking is as he reveals it through the bible. Proverbs 30:6 Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. NAU 1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. NIV Revelation 22:18,19 "I am bearing witness to everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll.; NWT These two principals, employed with a sincere desire to know truth along with an ongoing request for guidance or direction by the creator when combined with genuine effort will lead sincere individuals to a greater and more accurate knowledge of God‘s word. They will learn what it says, from his viewpoint, thereby allowing God‘s thinking, rather than man‘s thoughts to be the determining factors in helping us understand the true message as it is conveyed by scripture. In using a wide variety of the Bible versions available today, this book also allows verse to be presented in language as clear as possible for our arriving at the original thoughts God intended for us. This is a great help for individual readers in forming their own solid conclusions, apart from doctrinal influences iv

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II. and organizational bias found in many religious institutions. The Bible says God encourages soundness of mind and that we should employ our own thinking abilities. These are shown as God – given gifts to be used humbly and with an open mind to help us learn about the creator and his ways. Titus 2:12 instructing us to repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and to live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things, NWT Romans 12:2 And quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making YOUR mind over, that YOU may prove to yourselves the good and accept- able and perfect will of God NWT Proverbs 2:11 thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you, NWT Or, as another version puts it; Proverbs 2:11 Thoughtfulness doth watch over thee, Understanding doth keep thee, YLT ―It is written‖ explores three avenues of investigation. First, it addresses what the Bible really says, by applying information and principals found throughout the Bible to determine the validity of understandings arrived at. Applying these principals enables the Bible to speak for itself to determine both what it says as well as what it means. The first important God given Bible principal to help us filter out wrong understanding is found in a Bible principal that states; for any matter to be established there must be a minimum of two or three witnesses. Interestingly, we also find the very verses stating this principal in at least three places by three different writers in the Bible. Matthew 18:16 and if he may not hear, take with thee yet one or two, that by themouth of two witnesses or three every word may stand. - YLT Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.KJV

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to YOU. "At the mouth of two witnesses or of three every matter must be established."- NWT The principal of having at least two places of scriptural corroboration, when properly applied, is a tool which helps expose erroneous doctrine and acts as a v

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II. god-given aid in helping us separate true bible teachings from those which may be inaccurate. Any important true teaching will have this principal behind it, attesting to its validity. When an individual‘s understanding violates this principal, he should raise a question for himself as to whether his own under stand ing is correct or not. God‘s word is not inconsistent nor does it contradict itself. It means exactly what it says when it requires a minimum of two witness- ses to attest to something being factual. When one encounters a reputed Bible teaching that can‘t meet this principal, it can safely be seen as a warning flag that the teacher may be in error, and not in harmony with God and his word. Such an understanding should be sub ject to further deeper scrutiny and further investigation before acceptance. Secondly, ―It is written‖ addresses the Biblical meanings of those important words and phrases which are basic keys in understanding God‘s word. Relying solely on modern day dictionary definitions is not enough for accurate Bible understanding. It is not what a modern dictionary might say a word means, but what that word meant in the original language, the language in which the writer set things down in. Therefore, a wide variety of ―Bible Dictionaries‖ are employed to help the reader understand what words or phrases mean in Bible terms. (See appendix- Bible dictionary sources used) Thirdly, it gives attention to context. Context cannot be ignored or overridden if accurate understanding is the goal. This means not only attention to the immediate context con cerning a passage of scripture, but also consideration of context relative to the Bible as a whole. Care in establishing the context for any passage of scripture being read is of vital importance. Who is speaking? Who are they speaking to? How do these events fit in with the overall plan and purpose of God? Is there a particular issue or problem which is here being addressed? What are the particular circumstances prevailing at the time? Are the customs, culture, values and practices relevant to our understanding of what is going on? Use the questions what? when? where? and why? as often as possible when reading God‘s word. Be mindful, context is the first step toward any accurate understanding. Remember the Bible is essentially a book about the Jews and it is deeply concerned with spiritual Israel's hope and aspirations which center on (1) the Land promised for everlasting inheritance and (2) The Messiah or promised seed. This is illustrated by Philip the evangelist "who preached the things concerning (1) the kingdom of God and (2) the Name of Jesus Christ" see Acts of the Apostles 8:12. This book is not an attempt to modify, change or alter the inspired message contained in God‘s word the Bible in any way or manner. Through a close examination of what was actually written, and a filtering out of man-made doctrinal influence, the light of God‘s word will shine brightly for anyone who is sincerely interested in knowing God‘s viewpoint. vi

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II. The author does not claim or possess impressive sounding worldly academic credentials. However, neither did the original Bible writers, or even Jesus Christ himself, have degrees, diplomas, certificates or any other recognizable credentials men might have seen as impressive in his day. In fact, those with recognizable credentials in that day, the Scribes and Pharisees, were shown to be in error and exposed as being hypocrites by Jesus. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said in reply, 1 "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. NAB The Bible itself tells of a time when its hidden meanings would be revealed, a time when men would possess both the tools and the inclination to uncover the kind of accurate understanding which can be said to constitute true enlightennment. Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." NIB Never before in all history has it been possible for an individual to have access to infor - mation and events anywhere in the world almost in real time, through his or her own personal computer. Never before have individuals had access to virtually all the libraries and almost all the books on earth via the touches of key strokes in their own homes or offices. For the first time in recorded history, man has been given the ability to process information that would have taken months and years to explore in only minutes and hours with the aid of modern day computers. This virtual explosion in availability of information also affects the study and analysis of God‘s own book the Holy Bible. Where it was not feasible for one individual to compare dozens of bible versions with each other every time a bible verse was considered, it is now not only possible to do so, but to do it almost instantaneously. Where it was extremely time consuming to explore a variety of viewpoints given by Bible scholars, if one wants to expend some effort, this also becomes entirely feasible in minutes instead of days and weeks. This incredible revolution in access to information also makes it much more possible to uncover errors attributable to misunderstanding or conflicting opinions. That there would come a time in history when the actual truth of God Almighty would be revealed in the fullest sense is alluded to in more than one place place in the Bible. Daniel 12:4 "But you, Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will range far and wide and knowledge will increase." TNK vii

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Other verses elaborate further; Isaiah 11:9 There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. NAB Joshua 4:24 That all the nations of the earth might know, that the power of the Lord is mighty, and that ye might worship the Lord our God in every work. LXE 1 Kings 8:60 so that all the peoples of the earth may come to know that Yahweh is God indeed and that there is no other NJB Acts 2:17, 18. 'It will come to pass in the last days,' God says, 'that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. WEB Acts 2:18 And on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will, in those days, pour out of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: NAB Bible Scholars everywhere acknowledge these verses as having an application to a day and time in which we are now living. ―It Is Writtten‖ endeavors to reexamine the Bible and its teachings in light of wide spread access to both traditional as well as current information. For the reader this will contribute to a fuller understanding as to what the Bible is, what it actually says and what it means to us as individuals and to the human family at large. The author‘s only significant contribution to this book is more than forty years of open minded, and hopefully, childlike search for truth. All credit, and any value this book may have, belongs to God Almighty. The author claims no great insight, other than what God has provided by his spirit and through his written word. The sentiment, ―It is written‖, when referring to God‘s word, has behind it the greatest source of authority in all the history of human literature, the creator himself. We urge the reader to judge the contents of this book in the light of God‘s word. In some meaningful way, it is hoped this book may open the way to help truth from God become a permanent resident in the private chamber of the readers own heart. Volume I. demonstrated just why we may know the Bible as a book containing God‘s thoughts. It explored the mental connection between humans and God, as well as the mental connection between God, humans and The Bible. This volume also explored how logic and reasoning play a major part in separating truth from fiction when it comes to how one understands the Bible. Volume II. Explores what the Bible really discloses about the earth, its origins and mans role in its history. It also explores what the bible tells us about God‘s viii

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II. original purposes in connection with humans, their relationships with him, their fellow beings and his creation of which they are a part. Volume II. also devotes space to examining what Bible words affecting proper understanding of important Bible teachings actually meant when they were originally written.

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IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

VOLUME II. TABLE OF CONTENTS [Ctrl + Click takes you to Chapter indicated]

CHAPTER 1. - WHY DO WE HAVE THE BIBLE TODAY?

page 2.

CHAPTER 2. - WHAT IS GOD / WHO IS GOD?

page 6.

CHAPTER 3. –ALMIGHTY GOD HAS A PERSONAL NAME

page 17.

CHAPTER 4. – THE EARTH, HUMAN BEINGS and GOD

page 51.

CHAPTER 5. – THE DAYS OF CREATION

page 79.

CHAPTER 6. – HUMAN BEINGS ENTER THE SCENE

page 107.

CHAPTER 7. – A UNIVERSAL ISSUE THAT AFFECTS US ALL

page 126.

CHAPTER 8. – REDEMPTION, GOD‘S RESPONSE

page 140.

CHAPTER 9. – THE MESSIAH, (The key figure in God‘s purpose)

page 157.

CHAPTER 10. – WORDS – What do Bible words really mean?

page 195.

CHAPTER 11. – DEFINITIONS – ABHOR‖ through ―BLAMELESS

page 199.

CHAPTER12.– DEFINITIONS–BLASPHEME‖through―CONFIDENT page 228. CHAPTER 13. – DEFINITIONS – CONGREGATION‖ through ―DAMN page 259. CHAPTER 14. – DEFINITIONS – DEACON‖ through ―HEADSHIP

page 289.

CHAPTER 15. – DEFINITIONS – HEAVEN‖ through ― NAME

page 319.

CHAPTER 16. – DEFINITIONS – OBEISENCE through SANCTIFY

page 350.

CHAPTER 17. – DEFINITIONS – SANHEDRIN‖ through ―SPIRIT

page 369.

CHAPTER 18. – DEFINITIONS – SOVEREIGNTY through ZEAL . CHAPTER 19. – A LOOK AHEAD AT ―IT IS WRITTEN‖ VOLUME III.

page 386.

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CHAPTER ONE WHY DO WE HAVE THE BIBLE TODAY? (Scroll down)

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WHY DO WE HAVE THE BIBLE TODAY? Before we explore, just who God, (the creator) is, according to the Bible, let us briefly address a question we should have answered in more detail earlier in this series. If there is a God who created everything, it stands to reason that such a being would possess incredible intelligence. It also stands to reason that such a creator, who had bestowed upon his created beings intelligence as part of their natural makeup, would also have the ability to communicate with them. Which would make more sense for him? To communicate repeatedly with each and every single human descended from the original pair on a daily basis, every day of their lives for eons of generations? Or would it be more logical that he would set down a fundamental communication in a form which all humans could avail themselves of and which could be passed on from generation to generation? Obviously the latter seems a more reasonable probability. What would the nature of such a communication be? It would have to be reliable, a comm- unication from God himself. It would have to be presented in a manner which would transcend inevitable changes due to the passage of time. There would have to be some way to set it apart from anything else along similar lines and it would have to be in a form which the least common denominator of his intelligent creation would be able to understand. If the question is; where can we find a reliable direct communication between God and man? Then this book, ―IT IS WRITTEN‖ is filled with the reasons we have, to confidently believe that God provided such a book and that he preserved it as a communication to his prime earthly creation. Today, we know that book as none other than the Holy Bible. It alone fits the requirement of not only having been preserved all through recorded history, but also of reaching into every corner of the earth where humans are living.

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An easy and perhaps obvious answer to this question might be; The Creator wanted it to be written. For many people, such an answer, which is certainly true, will suffice and no more needs to be said. However, we live in an age of suspicion, cynicism and automatic disbelief, so further explanation and a reason may be in order. Simply put, the Bible was written as an expression of God‘s love for us as children he cares for. It provides us information by which we can benefit our- selves, our families, our neighbors and all others we may come into contact with. It provides

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WHY DID GOD HAVE THE BIBLE WRITTEN and PRESERVED?

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

us with information we can use to live in harmony with the creation around us and do our share to maintain and sustain the natural blessings the creator has given us. It gives us a way to achieve real peace and joy. And perhaps, most importantly it provides us with a clear map to a meaningful relationship with our creator on terms which are his, rather than ours. The Bible is essentially informative and educational in form. It reveals different aspects of God‘s own nature which give us greater insight into reasons this book was inspired, written down, and preserved, virtually intact through history down to our own day. A meaningful statement as to specific purposes for which the Bible was written, is given us in the Bible itself. There we find a concise answer from God‘s view point. The Apostle Paul wrote in a letter to the Christian missionary Timothy; (Quoted from 3 different Bible versions) 2 Timothy 3:16 Every holy Writing which comes from God is of profit for teaching, for training, for guiding, for education in righteousness: BBE

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and useful for refuting error, for guiding people's lives and teaching them to be upright. NJB 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, NIB This verse tells us the Bible is ―God breathed‖ or inspired for a very specific purpose. The purpose is that those persons, who desire to do God‘s will, shall have available to them the necessary means to both learn and to teach God‘s ways correctly. Also, Paul tells us that scripture is able to correct errors by those who misunderstand God‘s ways. The Bible is a guide to right hearted individuals, while refuting wrongly inclined ones. It trains godly people in God‘s ways. In another letter, the writer, Paul, adds additional meaning with these words; Hebrews 4:12 we find recorded, the following expression;

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Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart. NWT 3

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[Quoted from 3 different versions]

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

Or as other versions put it; Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. NLT Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart. BBE

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IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

IT IS WRITTEN, VOLUME II.

CHAPTER TWO WHAT IS GOD / WHO IS GOD?

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IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

WHAT IS GOD / WHO IS GOD? The history of mankind is filled with accounts, legends and stories about God or gods. Many men have claimed and still do, that men have created their own gods. This may be true in many cases; however it cannot be denied that since the beginning of recorded history the word god has represented a very real concept with meaning to millions upon millions, even billions of mankind. The Bible is God‘s book. It contains his truth and answers questions people have about God and his purposes for us today May we begin this chapter by answering the two important questions raised in the heading of this chapter; WHAT IS GOD? / WHO IS GOD? These are important questions because misconceptions and partial under- standings of what the word god actually means are wide spread. Much confusion has been fostered by translators who have substituted the word ―God‖ for the divine name YHWH ,YHWH or Jehovah. Since the earliest manuscripts did not differentiate between words with upper and lower case letters, ―god‖ easily became confused with ―God‖ in many instances. In some people‘s minds, the word has come to have only a singular meaning. Yet in modern and ancient times, the word God or god had more than one meaning and could apply to any one of a number of divine beings. An everyday Modern English dictionary definition of the word ―god‖ reveals this: god : (Funk & Wagnall‘s Standard Desk Dictionary) 1. One of various beings, usually male, in mythology, primitive religion, etc., conceived as immortal, as embodying a particular quality or having special powers over some phase of life.

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3. Any person or thing much loved. In monotheism, the ruler of life and the universe.

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2. A statue or image, or a symbol of such a being.

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

It should also be noted that on occasions, standard modern dictionary defin- itions vary from Bible Dictionary definitions. Therefore, let us also look at definitions as rendered in a Bible Dictionary in connection with the word god. In Thayer‘s Bible Dictionary of Hebrew word Meanings, we find the word god has these further meanings, beyond those commonly recognized. Here it is applied to ―rulers, judges, divine ones, angels, god, goddesses, godlike ones, works or special possessions of god as well as the true God himself‖. Under Thayer‘s definition of Greek Word Meanings, by way of explanation, we find some more definitions for god or goddess: ―A general name for deities or divinities, whatever can in any respect be likened unto God‖. Also when God is used, Thayer‘s says it may apply to God almighty or one of the three persons of the Trinity. We might also note that when we are referring to or addressing a particular god, for example, Jupiter or Mars, he would also be referred to as God. This further complicates the difference between God and god in places where they have been designated as one or the other. It would be less ambiguous if we realized there is a distinct difference between God, god and God Almighty. the Creator, who is the God of the Bible and the god of Jesus Christ. he is ―God Almighty‖. The very use of the word almighty indicates uniqueness and exclusivity which may be applied to only one entity. It is in this God that our interest in knowing who he is and what he is lies. To further develop just who God almighty is, let us consider what his own word reveals about himself and what his qualities are. We start by mentioning a quality that is obvious. He is invisible. He is not visible to us humans with our physical eyes, for he is a spirit being. (See Chapter 17. – DEFINITIONS – SPIRITS)

John 4:24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth KJV

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However, he reveals himself to us through his creation, through things he has done, and what he continues to do. These are things visible to our

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John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. NJB

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physical eyes. Yet, when humans perceive things through spiritual eyes, they are able to discern much more than mere physical eyes allow. Romans 1:20 For his invisible [qualities] are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable; NWT Also, he reveals himself through personal qualities and through his word, the Bible. To begin with, the Bible describes his four primary attributes as being Power, Wisdom, Justice and Love, all administered in perfect harmony. This is borne out in symbolism in a vision of God‘s throne in heaven given to the apostle John and recorded in the Bible at Rev. 4: vs 6-8 and also at Ezekiel 1: 5-11, 22-28 Rev 4: vs 6-8 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.vs7 The first of these living beings had the form of a lion [Justice]; the second looked like an ox [Power]; the third had a human face [Love]; and the fourth had the form of an eagle [Wisdom] with wings spread out as though in flight. vs8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty -- the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come." NLT [ brackets

– authors]

About these four major attributes of God, his Bible offers the following thoughts;

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POWER: Jeremiah 10:12 He who made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom, and stretched out the heavens by his skill. NAB

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JUSTICE: Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. NKJ Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and judgment are the established place of your throne. . . NWT Psalm 37:28 for Yahweh loves justice and will not forsake his faithful. Evil-doers will perish eternally, the descendants of the wicked be annihilated, NJB

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Jeremiah 32:17 "O Sovereign LORD! You have made the heavens and earth by your great power. Nothing is too hard for you! NLT LOVE: 1 John 4:8 He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love. NWT John 3:16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life. BBE WISDOM: Proverbs 2:6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment. NWT Proverbs 3:19 Jehovah by wisdom did found the earth, He prepared the heavens by understanding. YLT Additionally, the Bible describes other qualities. While we may view them as sub-categories under the four major ones, these are no less important in helping us visualize and appreciate what the Creator is like. The Bible relates; HE is the ALMIGHTY: Genesis 17:1 When A'bram got to be ninety-nine years old, then Jehovah appeared to A'bram and said to him: "I am God Almighty. Walk before me and prove yourself faultless. NWT HE is a GOD of PURPOSE: He conducts his affairs with purpose, not blind chance. While his plans may be subject to changes he chooses to make, in response to varying circumstances, his purpose never changes. Proverbs 16:4 Yahweh made everything for its own purpose, yes, even the wicked for the day of disaster. NJB

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. NAB 9

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NAU

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Ephesians 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him [Jesus]

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Proverbs 2:20 The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people and that the paths of the righteous ones you may keep. NWT

HE is The God of KNOWLEDGE: as the creator of all things, he posseses not only all knowledge associated with the creation, but all knowledge essential to even conceive of the creation. Romans 11:33 O the depth of God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments [are] and past tracing out his ways [are]! NWT Proverbs 2:6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment. NWT Psalm 139:6 Such amazing knowledge is beyond me, a height to which I cannot attain. NJB Psalm 139:6 Such amazing knowledge is beyond me, a height to which I cannot attain. NJB GOD is a REVEALER OF SECRETS: Secrets being those things unknown to men under normal circumstances. Daniel 2:28 - However, there exists a God in the heavens who is a Revealer of secrets, and he has made known to King Neb-u-chadnez'zar what is to occur in the final part of the days. Your dream and the visions of your head upon your bed—this it is: NWT Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets NAS Ephesians 3:5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now he has revealed it by the Holy Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. NLT

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1 John 1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and are announcing to YOU, that God is light and there is no darkness at all in union with him. NWT

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HE is a GOD of LIGHT (Enlightenment):

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Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Jehovah ASV. He is a GOD who TRANSCENDS TIME: Exodus 15:18 Jehovah shall reign forever and ever! DBY Psalm 33:11 The Lord's purpose is eternal, the designs of his heart go on through all the generations of man. BBE Isaiah 57:15 For this is what the High and Lofty One, who is residing forever and whose name is holy, has said: "In the height and in the holy place is where I reside, also with the one crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly ones and to revive the heart of the ones being crushed. NWT In his dealings with humans, and in ways he affects our daily lives, he is: A GOD who‘s WORKS surround and benefit us: Psalm 139:14 I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, As my soul is very well aware. NWT Revelation 15:3 and they were singing the hymn of Moses, the servant of God, and the hymn of the Lamb: How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; upright and true are all your ways, King of nations. NJB Psalm 8:4 What is mortal man that you keep him in mind, And the son of earthling man that you take care of him? . . .You make him dominate over the works of your hands; Everything you have put under his feet: NWT A GOD WHO CARES for us: 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.

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Ezekiel 34:11 "For the Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it. NJB

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Isaiah 40:11 Like a shepherd he will shepherd his own drove. With his arm he will collect together the lambs; and in his bosom he will carry [them]. Those giving suck he will conduct [with care]. NWT A MERCIFUL GOD: Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love and truth. NLT Psalm 78:38 But he was merciful; he would cover the error and not bring ruin. And many times he made his anger turn back, And he would not rouse up all his rage. NWT 2 Chronicles 30:9 For if you return to Yahweh, your brothers and your sons will be treated mercifully by their captors and be allowed to return to this country; for Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn his face away from you, if you return to him.' NJB A GOD full of GRACE (Un-deserved kindness): Titus 2:11 For the saving grace of God was manifested to all men, YLT Ephesians 2:8 By this undeserved kindness (grace), indeed, YOU have been saved through faith; and this not owing to YOU, it is God's gift. NWT Philemon 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ! YLT A God with FEELINGS and EMOTIONS: Psalm 135:14 For Yahweh vindicates his people, feels compassion for his servants. NJB

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Deuteronomy 9:8 At Horeb you so provoked the LORD that the LORD was angry enough with you to have destroyed you. TNK

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Psalm 78:40 How often they would rebel against him in the wilderness, They would make him feel hurt in the desert! NWT

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his messengers because he felt sorry for his people and his dwelling, NJB A HAPPY (Joyful) God: Zephaniah 3:17 Yahweh your God is there with you, the warriorSaviour. He will rejoice over you with happy song, he will renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy for you, NJB Nehemiah 8:10 And he went on to say to them: "Go, eat the fatty things and drink the sweet things, and send portions to the one for whom nothing has been prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not feel hurt, for the joy of Jehovah is YOUR stronghold." NWT A GOD who wants us to LIVE and ENJOY LIFE: John 3:16 - For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life. BBE 1 Timothy 6:17- Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. NAS A JEALOUS (Zealous) GOD who demands EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION: Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Or besides me. NIV

Ezekiel 5:13 And my anger will certainly come to its finish and I will appease my rage on them and comfort myself; and they will have to know that I myself, Jehovah, have spoken in my insistence on exclusive devotion, when I bring my rage to its finish upon them. NWT

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Nahum 1:2 A God zealous and avenging is Jehovah, An avenger is Jehovah, and possessing fury. An avenger is Jehovah on His adversaries, And He is watching for His enemies. YLT

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Deuteronomy 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, NIV

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The above verses, supplied from God‘s own word give us a broad range of reasons why he has chosen to preserve and set aside a written document describing all the important things necessary for us to know about him. We can relate to his qualities because having been made in his image while to a lesser extent, we also have the innate potential to possess them ourselves. The Bible discloses who he is, what his viewpoint is and what he wants from us. If we absorb these things and apply them in our lives, we will be better people, have better lives and be able to live on a planet which has the potential to become the peaceful paradise God originally intended it to be. Another very important fact we need to know about God Almighty is that he is a very personal God. And he has a name which stands as his personal identity. He has given this name as a memorial to all the generations. From Six different Bible versions: Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. ASV Exodus 3:15 Then God said once more to Moses: "This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, 'Jehovah the God of YOUR forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to YOU.' This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation. NWT

Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover to Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto 14

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Exodus 3:15 And God saith again unto Moses, 'Thus dost thou say unto the sons of Israel, Jehovah, God of your fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is My name -- to the age, and this My memorial, to generation -generation. YLT

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Exodus 3:15 God further said to Moses, 'You are to tell the Israelites, "Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you." This is my name for all time, and thus I am to be invoked for all generations to come. NJB

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you. This is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. DBY Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel The LORD God of your fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial KJV hw"hoy

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Yhovah, Yahweh, {yeh-ho-vaw'} JEHOVAH

1) The proper name of the one true God 1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136 Why this name is of utmost importance will be considered in Chapter Three next;

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CHAPTER THREE ―GOD ALMIGHTY HAS A PERSONAL NAME‖

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―GOD ALMIGHTY HAS A PERSONAL NAME‖ God has a personal name, and he revealed it to his human family in order for us to know him more fully. While there appears to be a concerted effort on the part of some schoolars to suppress knowledge of his name, most serious bible scholars will not deny its existence. Certainly the Bible itself has much to say about God‘s name. Research indi- cates that The Divine name appeared around sixty nine hundred times in most ancient Hebrew writings. While that personal name may not appear in the most widely used bibles today, there are reasons for this curiosity, which will be explained more fully as we examine; ―The Divine Name of God‖

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―The DIVINE NAME of GOD‖ – As it originally appeared in Hebrew

We all go by lots of titles. You have a family title. Maybe you are a father or mother, a daughter or a son. Maybe you are a brother or a sister. You also probably have a job or professional title. You may have some titles related to your hobbies and interests, maybe you are a volunteer fireman, or an artist, or a poet. Since those titles aren‘t exclusively individual to you, can they tell the whole story about you? No! So you also have a specific, personal name that separates you from everyone else.

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On the other hand, which is given as his name, is not only entirely exclusive is unique to one single individual. Also, it has personal meaning behind it and is incomparable. It cannot be mistaken for anyone else in the entire universe. It is a personal name that is his alone and one which cannot be claimed by anyone else. Names are important as they give us identity. God's name is important because it allows him to 17

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God has many titles (descriptions) God, Mighty God, Lord, Exalted One, Father, Holy One, and others. Without question all these terms tell us something about him, however, they are all titles which could apply to others as well. They are not unique to him as an indivi -dual. In contrast, when the term God Almighty is used, it can only be exclusive to a single entity. Yet this still falls short of a full and complete meaning as conveyed through an ex- clusively individual name.

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reveal himself to us in ways we can comprehend as well as revealing greater understanding about his identity and his purpose. Just as you have a specific personal name, so does God. No one knows exactly how to pronounce this Name because the Hebrews dropped vowels and carried only the consonants in their written language. Also, in ancient times, the divine name was not uttered, except by the High Priest on special occasions and in privacy. As a result, there has not come down to us an exact way to pronounce the name. However, we do have the written version of his name , which has come down to us, not only through the Bible but also in a variety of historical examples. FOR EXAMPLE: The ‗Crown of Sceptre‘ , now located at Harvard Semitic Museum, USA, contains the inscription ― Belongs to Miqneyaw, servant of JHWH The ‗Seal of Migqneyah‘ located in the Israel Museum. dated before the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 BCE ( Nu. 24:27 contains JHWH 3x. The ―Silver Scrolls‘ located in the Israel Museum, Letter #4, contains ―May YHWH caution my lord to hear good news‖ The ‗Letters Of Lachisch‘ now at the Israel Museum, discovered in 1965 has the inscription; ―to my lord Eliasib, may JHWH seek uour peace. Also found inscripyion. . .‖he lives in the House of JHWH‖ The ‗‘Poysherds Of Arad‘ are located at Cambridge University, contaim the tetragrammaton YHWH 8x in text. ‗Papayrus Nash‘‘now ocated at The louvre in Paris after being discovered in 1939 has the Tetragrammaton in the book of Deuteronomey 49x.

‗Oxyrhynchus‘, now located in Vienna Austria is a fragment containing a Greek text with YHWH in ancient Hebrew 18

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‗Minor Prophet Scroll‘ now located at the Sackler Library at Oxford is a Gk Mss known to have been used by the common people after the time of Christ shows YHWH was in use after Christ.

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A ‗Leviticus Fragment‘ located at Shrine of Book has the Books of Hosea thru Malachi in Greek with YHWH in ancient Hebrew script.

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‗‘Translation of Symmachus‘ location currently unknown, discovered in Cairo 1890 in a cache of mss contains YHWH in Old Hebrew ‗Translation of Aquila‘ owned by Cambridge, University contains a Palimpsest with Hebrew written over the Greek, showing the Tetragrammaton in archaic Hebrew script underneath, ‗Septuagint Versions‘ circa pre-christ. There are at least 10 versions containing evidence in which the Teteragrammaton can be shown to have been in use around the time of christ. Significance of the Name in Scripture In the Old Testament, the names of individuals held meaning; for example, Adam is named after the "earth" (Adam) from which he was created. (Genesis 2) A change of name indicated a change of status. For example, the patriarch Abram and his wife Sarai are renamed "Abraham" and "Sarah" when they are told they would be the father and mother of many nations (Genesis 17:4, 17:15). In the New Testament Simon was renamed Peter when he was given the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 16). God as YAHWEH or JEHOVAH God‘s name is (YHWH) in Hebrew, transliterated as Yahweh or Jehovah, into English.

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. { Or I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE} 19

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In the Bible there is great significance placed on the Name of God almighty. When Moses asked what his name was. God revealed a personal name as well as the meaning he attached to it. He also stated this was his permanent name, a name he said, which would stand as memory for all generations to come.

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This name has a very special meaning in Hebrew – It means ―He who causes to be‖ Despite the importance the Bible attaches to this name, it has been removed from most Bibles and appears as a mere footnote in many others. While we can find some Bibles which contain the divine name, (See Chart No 5.). Why God‘s name is missing from most Bibles and especially those most popular in the churches still remains an open question to many thinking persons. We will explore reasons later.

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This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'NIV Exodus 3:15 God further said to Moses, 'You are to tell the Israelites, "Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you." This is my name for all time, and thus I am to be invoked for all generations to come. NJB Exodus 3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: ASV Around the middle of the fourth century BCE, while God‘s name was still in widespread use among his people, God told David through a messenger that his, (David's) seed would build a house for God's name; 2 Samuel 7:13 He is the one that will build a house for my name, and I shall certainly establish the throne of his kingdom firmly to time indefinite. NWT 2 Samuel 7:13 He will build a temple for my name) and I shall make his royal throne secure forever. NJB David‘s son Solomon gave directions for the construction of that house for God's name described above. 1 Kings 5:5 And here I am thinking of building a house to the name of Jehovah my God, just as Jehovah promised to David my father, saying, 'Your son whom I shall put upon your throne in place of you, he is the one that will build the house to my name.' NWT

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1 Kings 9:3 And Jehovah said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there forever; and mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. ASV

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After Solomon had finished building the house, God appeared to him and told Solomon, through an angelic messenger, that his name would be put upon that house.

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1 Kings 8:20 Yahweh has kept the promise which he made: I have succeeded my father David and am seated on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised; I have built the temple for the name of Yahweh, God of Israel, NJB 2 Kings 21:4 And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, whereof Jehovah said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. ASV Therefore we know God's name was on Jerusalem and its temple. What happened? The Bible tells us forces were at work early in efforts to get people to forget that name, thereby obscuring the meaning and significance of the one bearing it. After God had revealed his name to his people, false prophets caused Israel to forget God's name and use the name of Baal ("Lord") instead, the Bible relates more than 600 years before Christ; Jeremiah 23:27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. NIV This idea of encouraging people to forget God‘s name is totally foreign to God‘s will. He expects us to sincerely honor and glorify his name with a result that our well being will be seriously affected if we do not. Malachi 2:2 If you will not listen, if you will not sincerely resolve to glorify my name, says Yahweh Sabaoth, I shall certainly lay a curse on you and I shall curse your blessing. Indeed I will lay a curse, for none of you makes this resolve. NJB This brings us to times we live in. Can we say people generally honor and glorify God‘s name? The vast majority do not even know what it is? They call him God. Even among those who profess to be his worshipers there is a general ignorance in connection with his name. And while still others know quite well, that he has a personal name, they choose not to use it. What explains this? A major reason is that the name is largely missing from the majority of Bibles people read in our day. Why is this so?

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There have been many different reasons various authorities have used to explain this very interesting phenomena. Let us start off by taking an excerpt from the preface of Todays English Bible. Here we read a

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REASONS WHY GOD'S NAME IS MISSING FROM MOST BIBLES

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statement which is not uncommon. Similar language may be found in many of today‘s popular Bible versions. It reads; ‖the distinctive Hebrew name for God‖ - usually transliterated Jehovah, is in this translation represented by "LORD." – (Today's English Version, preface) Of course, this raises another thought provoking question; If translators knew the Divine name, Jehovah, from the earliest copies of the Holy writings, why did they represent it as LORD in their own translating work? Why did they suppress or hide the actual and authentic personal name of God and substitute for it the title LORD? ―Lord‖ is a word which may have differ- ent meanings to different people and not at all exclusive or uniquely represent- ative of the greatest personage in the universe. As we said, the experts give a wide variety of reasons or, should we say ―excuses‖ for what has happened to the divine name in so many versions of the Holy Bible. Let us explore some reasons ―notable‖ Bible Experts have given; One school of experts would label deleting God‘s name as a mistake or an error. MISTAKE or INTENTIONAL? "...the suppression of The Name (Jehovah) has entailed upon the reader, and especially upon the hearer, irreparable loss...its suppression was a ―MISTAKE" --Rotherham, 1, Ch. IV, 22-29 "...the most common "ERROR" made by most translators in the last 3500 years... is their elimination of heaven's revealed Name of the Most High, Yahweh (Jehovah)" - A. B. Traina; in the Preface of the Holy Name Bible; "The substitution of the word "Lord" is most unhappy; for...it in NO WAY represents the meaning of the sacred name (Jehovah)" The 1872 edition of Smith's Bible Dictionary; ―Yes, we can agree, it was a large MISTAKE to remove God's name from the bible‖.

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As Author of the Bible, only God himself has the right to change or alter the Bible. God himself gave mankind a warning in his own Word, the Bible; to NOT add to – NOR to take away from his Words.

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WHY, or in what way was it not a mistake?

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Revelation 22:18,19 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life." NIV Taking God's name out and replacing it with something else entails both taking away and adding, thereby violating God‘s warning. However, simply calling it a mistake or innocent human error leaves us far short from understanding just what did happen and what effect it had on sincere Bible readers. Let‘s explore some more reasons experts have offered, as to why God‘s name was removed from Bibles. MORE REASONS WHY TRANSLATORS REMOVED GOD'S NAME

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2. SUPPORT OF THEIR TRINITY DOCTRINE When Rome decided to adopt the Trinity doctrine of the fourth century, the Name of God - ( ) YHWH in Hebrew (translated Jehovah in English) – interfered and conflicted with the newly adopted teaching that Jesus was himself the Almighty God – Jehovah. Rome paid her translators to remove God's name almost Seven Thousand times from the Bible. "In the first two centuries nearly all the various readings of the New Testament came into existence, the majority of them by ‖deliberate alteration of the text...in theinterests of (the Trinity) dogma..." according to (the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics; The Bible in the Church.) "Codex B (Vaticanus)...was altered by a later hand in more than two thousand places. Eusebius, therefore, is not without grounds for accusing the adherents of . . . the newly-

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1. ANTI-SEMITIC FEELINGS The Jewish God of the Jewish Messiah was hated and despised by the Greeks and Romans. When Christianity became a State Religion of Rome All attempts to blot out the Hebrew origins of Jesus were employed – and removing God's Name from the Bible was a major attempt to obscure Jesus' Jewish heritage. "We can be assured that the God that the Jews worship is the very same God that Christians worship. Their sacred writings, the Law and the Prophets, are revered and read aloud in Christian meetings. And because they worship this God of the Jews, one thing they cannot be accused of is novelty."— (Glimpses Issue #139) : Why Early Christians Were So Despised; Ken Curtis PH.D., Beth Jacobson, Diana Severance Ph.D., Ann T. Snyder and Dan Graves. ©2003 by Christian History Institute. "The Octavius of Minicius Felix" ;2nd century A.D.

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risen doctrine of the trinity of falsifying the Bible..." - (Fraternal Visitor 1924, p. 148; translated from Christadelphian Monatshefte). "The removal of the Tetragrammaton (Jehovah) from the New Testament and its re -placement with the surrogates KYRIOS and THEOS blurred the original distinction between the Lord God and the Lord Christ, and in many passages made it im -possible which one was meant. As time went on...it was often impossible to distinguish between them. Thus it may be that the removal of the Tetragrammaton (Jehovah) contributed significantly to the later...Trinity "George Howard, Bible Scholar ;The Name of God in the New Testament, BAR 4.1 (March 1978), pg 15 "It was they who demanded, in effect, that Christianity be "updated" by blurring or even obliterating the long-accepted distinction between the Father and the Son. (When Jesus Became God by Richard E. Rubenstein, p.74) 3. MONEY or FINANCIAL GAIN Because the God of Christ - The Jewish God, Jehovah, was not popular with the world of mankind, they sought to remove him from their Bibles. Bible translators knew that for their Bibles to be purchased they would need to appeal to their readers. They also knew that if they used God's Divine Name Jehovah, then people would not purchase their version and thus they would lose money.

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Immediately, we would have translated for nothing. Nobody would have used it (or purchased it). Oh, maybe you and a handful [of] others. But a Christian has to be also wise and practical. We are the victims of 350 years of the King James tradition. It is far better to get two million to read it - that is how many have bought it to date- and to follow the King James, than to have two million not buy it and have the correct translation of Yahweh (Jehovah). . . It was a hard decision, and many of our translators agree with you." – (The Reason NIV

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God's name Jehovah/Yahowah appears in the original Hebrew text about 7000 times, but the NIV fails to mention it even once. When asked about this, Edwin H. Palmer,Th.D., Executive Secretary for the NIV's committee wrote : "Here is why we did not : You are right - that Jehovah is a distinctive name for God and ideally we should have used it. But we put 2 1/4 million dollars into this translation and a sure way of throwing that down the drain is to translate, for example, Psalm 23 as, 'Yahweh (Jehovah) is my shepherd.‖

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removed Jehovah's Name Edwin H. Palmer, Th.D., Executive Secretary for the NIV's committee.) "The situation today, where many translations…exists largely because of the amount of money to be gained..."- (The Preservation of the Bible By Faithful Churches) --By Charles V. Turner 4. MAN MADE "TRADITION" It was a tradition of the Jews to avoid using God's name altogether. They stopped all mention of him. In no longer using God's Divine Name, they no longer used it in their prayers, even making it a sin to say his name out loud. They considered it "blasphemy" to utter the name of God, (Jehovah). Many contemporary translators admit to following this "Jewish Tradition" and have thus removed Jehovah's name and replaced it with titles such as "LORD" and "GOD" - all in capitals - to show that they have removed God's name in those places. While this tradition worked to obscure the divine name, Jesus own words speak to us in a different and opposite way. John 17:26 I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." NAB

Furthermore, he condemned traditions such as not uttering Gods name and others as being responsible for making God‘s word ineffective or invalid. Mark 7:13 In this way you make God's word ineffective for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.' NJB

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"...Yahweh (Jehovah), is the proper personal name of the God of Israel...the term Adonai, 'My Lord' was later used as a SUBSTITUTE. The word LORD in the present version represents the traditional usage." – New American Bible (Catholic) Introduction to the O. T., Page XI. "In this translation we have followed the orthodox Jewish TRADITION and substituted 'the Lord' for the name 'Yahweh'

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Today, following the lead of those Jews and their tradition of obscuring God‘s name is directly contrary to Jesus' teaching, yet this is exactly where most religious denominations find themselves, as attested by the following;

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(Jehovah)" -- Preface - 1935 Bible ; J. M. Powis Smith and Edgar J. Goodspeed Matthew 15:3,6"Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ...Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. " NIV 5. SUPERSTITION During the time when Israel was in slavery to Babylon, she absorbed and adopted many Babylonian customs and ideas. One of these was the "Super- stition" against using the name of a God - for fear that bad things would happen to them. As the Babylonians called their Chief God Marduk by the title "LORD" so as not to offend him, so too the Jews adopted this idea in reference to Jehovah God. "When the Yisraeli (Israelites) came out of Babylonian captivity, they brought along with them the Babylonian culture, and along with it Babylonian beliefs and superstitions. One of these Babylonian practices or beliefs was called "ineffability." This was the SUPERSTITION against using the name of a deity for fear of something bad happening to them. The idea was that if you said the name of a deity he or she would notice you. The pagan practice of ineffability was further reinforced by Greek Hellenization." - (b.Pes. 50a) (b.Kidd. 71a). "The avoidance of the original name of God YHWH (Yehowah), both in speech and to a certain extent, in the Bible.....first arose..... in Babylonia. According to Dalman (l.c. pp. 66 et seq.),"-The Jewish Encyclopedia

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Marduk was a very important god of Babylon. In the first millennium BCE, his name was considered so holy, that it was almost never pronounced; instead, people said and wrote Bêl, 'LORD'. Herodotus correctly calls the supreme god of Babylon Bêl ("lord"), because his real name was not pronounced. – {Herodotus, Histories 1.181-2; tr. Aubrey

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TETRAGRAMMATON; by Crawford Howell Toy, and Ludwig Blau; "The idea that only the priest could utter The NAME of The HEAVENLY FATHER, and that he was to disguise or hide it from the vast majority of people, came from the idea that the NAME was "ineffable" or "unutterable". However this was a pagan doctrine that they adopted from the Egyptians, Babylonians, and the Greeks..."-THE FINAL REFORMATION‖; KOSTER P.54, P112

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de Sélincourt] "The ineffability of divine names was on old idea in Egypt...the name of Osiris himself was said to be ineffable...the name Marduk of Babylon was also declared ineffable. The Greeks avoided the names of their deities and preferred to call them by the titles Kurios and Theos."-The Final Reformation By Dr. Koster; pp. 54 and 112"...But at least by the third century B.C.E. the pronunciation of the name YHWH (Jehovah) was avoided, and Adonai, "the Lord," was substituted for it..."- Encyclopedia Judaica (p. 679). "The Hebrews considered The Name of God to be 'ineffable' and substituted in reading Adonai (My Lord)."-Columbia Encyclopedia Vol. 2 under the subject 'God' 6. "JEHOVAH" IS NOT THE HEBREW WAY TO SAY GOD'S NAME Some Bible Translators claim that they have removed God's name from the Bible – because ―Jehovah‖ is not the proper way to say God's name in Hebrew. This reasoning is merely an excuse, and not a reason at all. For if this reason was valid, then we would also have to remove Jesus name from the Bible, since the name "Jesus" is not the way that it was written or spoken in Hebrew either. Many Hebrew names are written in the Bible - which are not as they were in Hebrew and yet we do not remove them. Therefore this reasoning is truly invalid. Some examples of Jewish names in the Bible which are translated into English, much differently than their original Hebrew counterparts are: Jesus, Jeremiah, Jonah, Joel, Jerusalem, Joshua, etc.

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7. GOD DOESN'T NEED A NAME

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"... the Committee... is, omitting the name of God (because) the word 'Jehovah' does not accurately represent any form of the Name ever used in Hebrew..."- This was an excuse offered in the preface of the Revised Standard version, while the Hebrew "ye-ru-sha-LA-yim" became "Jerusalem"; "ye-ri-HO" became Jericho; and "yar – DEN" become "Jordan". Hebrew personal names such as"yo-NA" became "Jonah", "yi-SHAI" became "Jesse" and "ye-SHU-a" became "Jesus". Likewise "YHWH, Yahweh, or Yehowah" logically and reasonably, became "Jehovah" when translated into in English.

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doesn't need a name ? God deemed it necessary to name all the stars in the heavens, and to place his name upon people that he liked, and upon places that were important to him. His own word the Bible emp -hasizes the importance of a name. The translators of the Bible did not remove Satan's name from the Bible - nor did they remove the names of numerous false gods from the Bible. Yet, "the use of any proper name for the one and only God . . .is entirely inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian Church." appears in the preface of the Revised Standard Version; Under reasons (excuses) for the removal of God's personal name – Jehovah Yet, the Bible gives us ample evidence that God himself deems names as important; Psalms 147:4 "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name." NIV Isaiah 40:26,28"Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name...The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth..." ASV Proverbs 22:1"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." NIV Ecclesiastes 7:1"A good name is better than oil of much worth..." NLV "...The Sacred Name Yahovah was revealed to man by Yahovah Himself and is not a man-given name" – (see II Apol.,10, 13; Trypho, 126, 127). In the Bible, refusing to mention the name of a god means refusing to worship this god (Ex 23:13) and that is why Satan incited the Israelites, by means of false prophets, not to use the Name of Jehovah (Jeremiah 23:27) Exodus 23:13 Take note of all these things which I have said to you, and let not the names of other gods come into your minds or from your lips.

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Jeremiah 23:27 They are doing their best, by means of the dreams that they keep telling each other, to make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name in favour of Baal. NJB

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BBE

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"Yahweh (Jehovah) is the name that indicates the God of the Hebrews. where the Philistines worshipped Dagon, the Egyptians, Amon, and the Ammonites, Milcom, the Hebrews worshipped YHWH (Jehovah). The title 'god' (elohim) is ALSO applied to false deities in the scriptures as well as Yahweh (Jehovah), hence it is NOT a term by which one can be distinguished from the others. When the voice said, 'I am Yahweh (Jehovah),' there was no doubt in any listener's mind as to the identity of the speaker. He was the God of the Hebrews. So far as is known, no other peoples called their god by this name." – Review and Herald, December 16, 1971 "In the Scriptures there is the closest possible relationship between a person and his name, the two being practically equivalent, so that to remove the name is to extinguish the person. (Deut. 7:24; Num. 27:4) To forget God's name is to depart from Him." –Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, p. 571 (1964) We could extend this thought still further, for to ―depart (forsake) Jehovah constitutes ―apostasy‖ in his eyes. Jeremiah 17:13 O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all those who are leaving you will be put to shame. Those apostatizing from me will be written down even in the earth, because they have left the source of living water, Jehovah NWT

JEWI SH BIBLES which FAVOR THE NAME"JEHOVAH" ―Non-superstitious‖ Jewish translators favored using the name "Jehovah" in their translations of the Bible.

PUBLISHED IN:

DIVINE NAME RENDERED

Immanuel Tremellius

Latin

1579

Jehova

Baruch Spinoza

Latin

1670

Jehova*

Samuel Cahen

French

1836

Iehovah

English

1936

Jehovah**

Alexander Harkavy

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TONGUE

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NAME OF VERSION (JEWISH)

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Joseph Magil (see below)

English

1910

Jehovah

Rabbi L. Golschmidt (see below)

German

1921

Yehovah

While "non-superstitious Jewish translators always favored the name Jehovah in their translations of the Bible, on the other hand one must note that there is NO Jewish translation of the Bible with the nameYahweh." --M. Gérard GERTOUX; a Hebrew scholar, specialist of the Tetragram; president of the Association Biblique de Recherche d'Anciens Manuscrits Many other honest hearted translators favor the use of the Divine Name in a variety of places within their Bible versions, as attested by the following; OTHER BIBLES WITH THE DIVINE NAME IN THEM (Chart N0.

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The King James Version uses Jehovah at Ex.6:3, Ps.83:18, Is.12:2; 26:4 The American Standard Version uses Jehovah thousands of times. Young's Literal Translation uses Jehovah thousands of times. The Holy Bible by J.N.Darby uses Jehovah thousands of times. The Literal Translation/King James 2 Version by Jay P. Green uses Jehovah thousands of times. The Emphasized Bible by Rotherham uses Yahweh thousands of times. The Recovery Version by Livings Dreams Ministry uses Jehovah thousands of times. The New English Bible uses Jehovah at Exodus chapters 3 and 6. The World English Bible uses Yahweh thousands of times. The Jerusalem Bible uses Yahweh thousands of times. The New Jerusalem Bible uses Yahweh thousands of times. The Living Bible/Protestant and Catholic editions uses Jehovah over 300 times. The English Revised Version uses Jehovah at Ex. 6:2,3,6,7,8, Ps. 83:18, Is. 12:2;26:4. The Bible in Living English by Byington uses Jehovah thousands of times. The Webster Bible uses Jehovah in the same places as the KJV above. The Modern Language Bible/New Berkeley Version uses Jehovah at Exodus 3:15; 6:3, Numbers 3:13, 45; 15:41; 21:14; 35:34, Ezra 6:21; Ps. 8:1, 9; 16:2, Is 12:2; 140:7; 141:8; 147:1, Hosea 12:5, Zech. 4:10 etc. The Complete Bible-Smith & Goodspeed uses Yahweh at Exodus 3:15, 6:3 and the shorter form Yah is used at Ps. 68:4, Is. 12:2; 26:4

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The New King James Version uses YAH at Is. 12:2; 26:4. The New World Translation uses Jehovah thousands of times. The Emphatic Diaglott uses Jehovah at Matt 21:42; 22:37, 44, 23:39, Mark 11:9 and Acts 2:34 The Amplified Bible uses Yaweh at Ex. 6:3 Boothroyd's Versions uses Jehovah thousands of times. S. Sharp's translation uses Jehovah thousands of times. Foreign Language Bibles with the Divine Name in them The Reina Valera Bible uses Jehova thousands of times. The Moderna version uses Jehova thousands of times. The Bover-Cantera Bible uses Yahveh thousands of times. The Nacar-Colunga Bible uses Yave thousands of times. The Evaristo Martin Nieto Bible uses Yave thousands of times. The Biblia de Jerusalen uses Yahveh thousands of times. The Cantera-Iglesias Bibles uses Yahveh thousands of times. The Straubinger Bible uses Yahve thousands of times. The Almeida Bible uses Jehovah thousands of times. The Pontificio Instituto Biblico uses Jave thousands of times. EARLY CHRISTIANS USED THE NAME

Jesus own words in prayer to his father have been offered as proof he used the Divine name and also that his apostles were well acquainted with it. Example of Jesus own words from 4 different versions; John 17:6 I have revealed your name to those whom you took from the world to give me. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. NJB

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John 17:26 And I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them." NWT

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John 17:6 " I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word . NKJ

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John 17:26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." ESV As a follower of Christ, Peter used Gods name, Jehovah. When Peter‘s speech was put on record the Tetragrammaton (YHWH / Jehovah) was here used, according to the practice during the first century B.C.E. and the first century C.E."- Paul Kahle; Studia Evangelica, edited by Kurt Aland, F. L. Cross, Jean Danielou, Harald Riesenfeld and W. C. van Unnik, Berlin, 1959, p. 614 (See App 1C §1.) Examples of at least 3 places where Peter used the Divine name in his speech: Acts 2:20 the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. NWT Acts 2:25 For David says respecting him, 'I had Jehovah constantly before my eyes; because he is at my right hand that I may never be shaken. NWT Acts 2:34 Actually David did not ascend to the heavens, but he himself says, 'Jehovah said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet." NWT "The early Christian scholars therefore easily learnt the true pronunciation."-The 15th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 12, p. 995, under the heading "Jehovah" Evidently, many Bible experts accept the use of the Divine Name to be entirely appropriate in the Christian Greek Scriptures as well as the Hebrew Scriptures (There is only One God almighty for all of mankind and his name is Jehovah (YHWH) or Yaweh). List of Occurences of the Divine Name in the New Testament

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ J. Eliot 32

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Read Matteo's Article in Rivista Biblica

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Compiled from Matteo Pierro's book 'Geova e il Nuovo Testamento' (Jehovah and New Testament)

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algonchino 1661 Jehovah sempre Il Nuovo Testamento Aneityum Ihova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Awabakal Yehoa Lc 3:4 Il Nuovo Testamento Bolia Yawe Lc 3:4 Il Nuovo Testamento Bube Yehovah Mtt 5:8 Il Nuovo Testamento Chacobo Jahue Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Chi Kalanga Yehova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Chi Luimb Yehova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Chi Lunda Yehova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Chi Luvale Yehova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Choctaw Chihowa Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento dialetto Isola del duca di York Ieova Mr 1:29 Il Nuovo Testamento dialetto Isola Manus Jehova Mr 1:1 Biblia Sacra Eliae Hutteri ebraico 1599 sempre Die vier Evangelien Franz Delitzsch ebraico 1984 (1877\1890\1902) sempre Evangelium Secundum Matthaeum J. M. Paulus Bauchet ebraico 1950 sempre Il Nuovo Testamento Salkinson e Ginsburg ebraico Sempre Il Nuovo Testamento United Bible Society, ed. 1976. ebraico 1976 Sempre Il Nuovo Testamento W. Robertson ebraico 1661 sempre Il Nuovo Testamento United Bible Societies, ed. 1991. ebraico 1991 Sempre Il Nuovo Testamento J.C. Reichardt e J.H.R. Biesenthal ebraico 1866 sempre Il Nuovo Testamento A. McCaul, M.S. Alexander, J.C. Reichardt e S. Hoga ebraico 1838 sempre Il Nuovo Testamento T. Fry ebraico 1817 sempre Il Nuovo Testamento J. Bauchet e D. Kinnereth ebraico 1975 sempre Il Nuovo Testamento J.C. Reichardt ebraico 1846 sempre Salmi e vangelo di Matteo A. Margaritha ebraico 1533 sempre The four Gospel translated into Hebrew William Greenfield ebraico 1982 (1831) Sempre The four Gospel translated into Hebrew London Society for Promoting Christianity ebraico 1985 (1838+1864) Sempre Traduction hebraiques des Evangiles G.B.Iona ebraico 1982 (1668) Sempre Traduction hebraiques des Evangiles T.Yeates ebraico 1982 (1805) Sempre Vangeli liturgici F. Petri ebraico 1573 sempre Vangelo di Luca, Atti, Lettere ai Romani e agli Ebrei J.H.R. Biesenthal ebraico 1855, 1867, 1853 e 1858. sempre Vangelo di Matteo Shem-Tob ben Isaac Ibn Shaprut ebraico 1385 sempre 33

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Vangelo di Matteo J. Quinquarboreus ebraico 1551 sempre Vangelo di Matteo J. du Tillet ebraico 1555 sempre The New Testament-Peshitta Aramaic Text With a Hebrew Translation United Bible Society ebraico\aramaico 1986 spesso The New Testament . . . in Hebrew and English R. Caddick ebraico\inglese 1798-1805 sempre Vangelo di Matteo e lettera agli Ebrei Sebastian Münster ebraico\latino 1537, 1557. sempre Vangeli liturgici Johannes Claius ebraico\tedesco\latino\greco 1576 sempre Dwed Abasi - BIBBIA UBS efik (nigeria) 1985 Jehovah Sempre Il Nuovo Testamento Epi: (dialetto Tesiko) Yehova Mtt 4:10 Il Nuovo Testamento Eromangan Iehova Mr 12:11 Biblia UBS ewe 1995 Yehowa Ebrei 8 Il Nuovo Testamento Fang: Gabon Jehova Mtt 4:10 Il Nuovo Testamento UBS fijiano Jiova sempre La Bible Andre Chouraqui francese 1989 YHWH sempre Il Nuovo Testamento Gilbertese Iehova Mr 1:3 The New Testament A. Kneeland greco\inglese 1822 Jehovah Mtt 22:44, Mr 12:36, Lc 20:42, At 2:34 Il Nuovo Testamento Hawaiiano Iehova Mr 1:3 21st Century New Testament aa. vv. inglese 1995 Jehovah spesso A literal translation of the New Testament E. Hardwood inglese 1768 Jehovah Mtt21:9,22:44,etc. A new family Bible & improved version B. Boothroyd inglese 1817 Jehovah Lc 20:42, At 2:34 A new translation ..., Epistle to the Romans T.W. Peile inglese 1854 Jehovah Ro 11:34 A paraphrase & version of the New Testament P. Doddridge inglese 173956 Jehovah Mc 12:29, Lc 1:68, etc. A revised Translation of the Sacred Scriptures D. Macrae inglese 1798\99 Jehovah Mtt 22:44, Ap 1:8 A Translation of the Bible G. Wakefield inglese 1791 Jehovah Ap 19:1, 3, 4, 6 An ... english Translation of Greek Scriptures W. Newcome inglese 1795 Jehovah Mtt 22:44, Mc 12:36, etc. An english version of the New Testament H. Heinfetter inglese 1864 Jehovah sempre Centenary Translation of the New Testament H.B. Montgomery inglese 34

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1924 Jehovah Lc 1:38 Epistle to the Romans W.G. Rutherford inglese 1900 Jehovah sempre Execeses ready research Bible H. Jahn inglese 1993 Yah Veh sempre From the Trenches (Corinthians & Ephesians) G.W. Cornish inglese 1981 Jehovah 1Cor 10:9 God's Covenant People T.R. Weiland inglese 1997 YHWH sempre Memoir of the life & doctrine of Christ by the four evangelist R. Fellowes inglese 1804 Jehovah Mtt 22:44 New Testament epistles in english prose W.H. Isaacs inglese 1933 Jehovah Ebrei Studies in Matthew B.W. Bacon inglese 1931 Jehovah Mtt 21:9, 42, 21:44, 23:39, 27:10 The American Bible F.S. Ballentine inglese 1902 Jehovah At 2:25, 34, Ro 14:11, etc. The Book of Yahweh - The Holy Scriptures Yisrayl Hawkins inglese 1996 Yahweh sempre The clarified New Testament P.G. Parker inglese 1955 Jehovah Mtt 22:44 The Cristian's Bible, New Testament G.N. LeFevre inglese 1939 Jehovah sempre The Documents of the New Testament G.W. Wade inglese Jehovah Ap 19:1, 3, 4,6 The epistle to the Hebrews J.B McCaul inglese 1836 Jehovah Eb 7:21 The Epistles of Paul in modern English G.B. Stevens inglese 1980 (1898) Jehovah sempre The Gospel of the Hellenists B.W. Bacon inglese 1933 Jehovah Gv 10:12, 38 The Growth of the Early Church W. A. Carleton inglese 1970 Jehovah At 2:35 The Holy Bible J.T. Conquest inglese 1841 Jehovah Mtt 22:44, Mc 12:36, etc. The Holy Name Bible Revised A. B. Traina inglese 1989 Yahweh sempre The messages of Jesus according to the Synoptists T.C. Hall inglese 1901 Jehovah Spesso The messages of the Apostles G.B. Stevens inglese 1900 Jehovah At 2:1, 3:7, 7:6 The New Testament in braid scots W.W. Smith inglese 1901 Jehovah Mtt 22:44, Lc 20:37 The New Testament Letters J.W.C. Wand inglese 1947 Jehovah Ro 9:29, 11:3, 12:19, etc. The New Testament of our Messiah & Saviour Yahshua A.B. Traina inglese 1950 Yahweh sempre The NT, An improved version upon the basis of archbishop Newcome T. Belsham inglese 1808 Jehovah Mtt 22:44, Mc 12:36, etc. 35

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The New World Translation, by Jehovah‘s Witnesses - 237 times, 1961,1981,1984 [added by author] The restoration of original Sacred Name Bible Missionary Dispensary Bible Research inglese 1970 Yahvah sempre The Sacred Scriptures Assemblies of Yahweh inglese Yahweh sempre The Sacred Scriptures J.G. Meyer inglese 1981 Yahweh sempre Two nineteenth century versions of the New Testament W. Kelly inglese 1995 Jehovah spesso The Emphatic Diaglott Benjamin Wilson inglese\greco 1942 Jehovah spesso Il Nuovo Testamento Isi Xhosa Yehova Mr 1:3 ??Unknown Title?? italiano >1750 Ièhovah Lc 4:18 Traduzione del Nuovo Mondo delle Sacre Scritture WatchTower Society italiano 1986 Geova sempre Il Nuovo Testamento Ke Senegle Yawe Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Kerewo Iehova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Ki Luba Yehova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Ki Songe Yehowa Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Ki Sukuma Jakwe Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Kikongo (San Salvador) Yave Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Kipsigis Jehoba Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Kiwai: Goaribari Iehova Gv 3:16 Il Nuovo Testamento Lanu Yaw Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Lingala Yawe Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Lo Bodangi Yawe Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Lo Mongo Yawe Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Lo Nguandu Yawe Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Lo Ntsumba Yawe Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Mabuiag: Saibai Iehovan Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Malekula: Kuliviu Iova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Malekula: Pangkumu Iova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Malekula: Uripiv Iova Mr 1:3 Ny Baiboly - BIBBIA malgascio 1992 Jehovah sempre Il Nuovo Testamento Mentawi Jehoba Gv 3:6 Il Nuovo Testamento Mohowk Yehovah Gv 1:12 Il Nuovo Testamento Mortlock Jioua Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Naga: Angami Jihova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Naga: Konyak Jihova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Naga: Lhoto Jihova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Naga: Mao Jihova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Naga: Ntenyi Jihova Mtt 4:10 36

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Il Nuovo Testamento Naga: Sangtam Jihova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Nandi Jehova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Nguna: Efate Yehovah Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Nguna: Tongoa Yehovah Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Nukuoro Jehova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Ojibwa Jehovah Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Panaieti Iehova Mr 1:1 Il Nuovo Testamento Rotuma Jihova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Sesuto Yehofa Gv 1:12, 13 Il Nuovo Testamento UBS tahitiano 1975 Iehova sempre Die heilige Schrift des neuen Testaments D. von Brentano tedesco 1796 Jehovahs spesso Die neusten Offenbarungen Gottes Carl Friedrich Bahrdt tedesco 1773 Jehovah spesso Neuen Testaments Johann Babor tedesco 1805 Jhova spesso Samtliche Schriften des Neuen Testaments J.J. Stolz tedesco 1781-82 Jehovahs sempre Il Nuovo Testamento Toaripi Iehova Mtt 1:25 Il Nuovo Testamento Togan Sihova Mr 1:3 Il Nuovo Testamento Tsimihety (dialetto malgascio) Jehova Lc 3:4 The New Simplified Bible – James Madsen 2004 ? List of LXX (Septuagint) Manuscript versions containing the Tetragrammaton ( ): 1) LXX P. Fouad Inv. 266, have the Tetragrammaton as; YHWH 2) LXX VTS 10a, have the Tetragrammaton as: YHWH 3) LXX IEJ 12, have the Tetragrammaton as: YHWH 4) LXX VTS 10b, have the Tetragrammaton as: 0/ 5) 4Q LXX Levb, have the Tetragrammaton as: 1

7) Aq Burkitt, have the Tetragrammaton as: 45

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8) Aq Taylor, have the Tetragrammaton as: 67

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6) LXX P. Oxy. VII.1007, have the Tetragrammaton as: 23

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9) Sym. P. Vindob. G. 39777, have the Tetragrammaton as: 89 o ;: 10) Ambrosiano O 39 sup., have the Tetragrammaton as: ==

List of Hebrew Manuscript versions of the NT that have the ( ) Tetragrammaton; 1) Gospel of Matthew, a cura di J. du Tillet, Parigi, 1555 2) Gospel of Matthew, di Shem-Tob ben Isaac Ibn Shaprut, 1385 3) Matthew and Hebrews, di S. Munster, Basilea, 1537 e 1557 4) Gospel of Matthew, di J. Quinquarboreus, Parigi, 1551 5) Gospels, di F. Petri, Wittemberg, 1537 6) Gospels, di J. Claius, Lipsia, 1576 7) NT, di E. Hutter, Norimberga, 1599 8) NT, di W. Robertson, Londra, 1661 9) Gospels, di G. B. Jona, Roma, 1668 10) NT, di R. Caddick, Londra, 1798-1805 11) NT, di T. Fry, Londra, 1817 12) NT, di W. Greenfield, Londra, 1831 13) NT, di A. McCaul e altri, Londra, 1838

16) NT, di J. C. Reichardt e J. H. R. Biesenthal, Londra, 1866 38

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15) Luke, Acts, Romans and Hebrews, di J. H. R. Biesenthal, Berlino, 1855

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14) NT, di J. C. Reichardt, Londra, 1846

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17) NT, di F. Delitzsch, Londra, ed.1981 18) NT, di I. Salkinson e C. D. Ginsburg, Londra, 1891 19) Gospel of John, di M. I. Ben Maeir, Denver, 1957 20) A Concordance to the Greek New Testament, di Moulton e Geden, 1963 21) NT, United Bibles Societies, Gerusalemme, 1979 22) NT, di J. Bauchet e D. Kinnereth, Roma, 1975 23) NT, di H. Heinfetter, Londra, 1863 24) Romans, di W. G. Rutherford, Londra, 1900 25) Psalms and Matthew, di A. Margaritha, Lipsia, 1533 26) NT, di Dominik von Brentano, Vienna e Praga, 1796 27) NT, Bible Society, Gerusalemme, 1986 Information based on an article was published on the catholic magazine "Rivista Biblica", year XLV, n. 2, April-June 1997, p. 183-186. See more from the Author Matteo at http://libriusati.hypermart.net/geova.htm REMOVING "JEHOVAH" YHWH ,ALMOST SEVEN THOUSAND TIMES "The ASV‖ (American Standard Version) has "Jehovah" in it about 6,823 times, but the NASB (New American Standard Version) removed it every time. This makes for some awkward situations like Psalms 110:1;

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to my lord." (Jason Beduhn Northern Arizona University, Department of Humanities Arts and Religion)

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Just what is a verse like this intended to mean? "The LORD said

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Jesus' name appears only some 500 times in the Bible; whereas Jehovah's Name appears almost 7,000 times. Obviously Jehovah is proud of his name. How does HE feel about men removing HIS Name from the Bible? HOW DOES JEHOVAH FEEL? First, let‘s consider the deeper significance in this discussion. Before we try to determine that all ignorance of and disregard for the divine name constitutes a sin of omission, let us explore the issue from another standpoint. That is that there is a deeper level of meaning to the Name than merely serving as a unique and personal ‗symbol‘ for one who is the almighty God. The deeper signif-icance goes beyond the name being seen as exclusive which it is, and goes beyond all the verses which elude to the necessity for recognizing the individuality of the bearer. The deeper level of meaning alludes to the power and authority that the name stands for. There should be no argument that this particular aspect is certainly as important if not more important than any other reasons for recog- nizing and respecting God‘s name. When one claims to either speak in ―his name‖, ―come in his name‖ or for that matter be ―a people for his name‖, scripturally speaking we cannot view those phrases to merely mean recognizing that he has a personal name and using it in the vernacular of our every day conversation. Instead, we must realize there is far more importance to the full range of meanings the name represents which go far beyond the name being merely a symbol. Since meanings behind the name are being highlighted in other parts of this book, a sampling of the biographical traits of God which follows will illustrate the point; 1. Personal characteristics

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b. Righteousness – . Psalm 11:7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;. .

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a. Love - 1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love

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also

c. Holiness - 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as He who called you is holy, you be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

d. Wisdom and Power - 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. NIV true

e. Truth - Romans 3:4a. Out of the question! God will always be even if no human being can be relied on . . . NJB

2. Accomplishment, past present and future; a. Originator and Creator of all things - Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. b. Originating Creator of humankind - Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. c. The continuing creative source for all life forms of life - Psalm 104:30―You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth." 3. Only ‗source‘ of salvation: 1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Note here: While Jesus Christ is God‘s ‗means‘ of salvation, it is Jehovah God, the father, who is the source (originator) of such salvation. 4. The only one in the entire universe that the words at Exodus 3:14 apply to;

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Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM. And he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: I AM hath sent me unto you. DBY

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From 4 different Bible versions;

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tell

Exodus 3:14 God replied, "I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS. Just them, 'I AM has sent me to you.' " NLT

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, 'I am he who is.' And he said, 'This is what you are to say to the Israelites, "I am has sent me to you." NJB Exodus 3:14 At this God said to Moses: "I SHALL PROVE TO BE WHAT I SHALL PROVE TO BE." And he added: "This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, 'I SHALL PROVE TO BE has sent me to YOU.'" NWT In connection with how one bible version renders Exodus 3:14 ―I will prove to be‖ a Bible encyclopedia, (Insight on the Scriptures, Vol.2, page 12) gives this explan- ation: ―This reveals Jehovah as the One who, with progressive action, causes himself to become the fulfiller of his promises. Thus he always brings his purposes to realization. Only the true God could rightly and authentically bear such a name.‖ It is the full combination of these and his other qualities which must be seen as a composite body in considering the full meaning of his name and what authority stands behind it. All this indicates a far deeper meaning to his name than mere symbolism for identify- cation. All of these and many other characteristics stand as a unified body of meaning inseparably connected to the divine name. It is this entire body of meaning that one must visualize when considering the deeper meaning of verses such as; Matthew 28:19 having gone, then, disciple all the nations, (baptizing them -- to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit YLT Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: ASV

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Matthew 6:9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, NIV

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Psalm 22:22 I will give the knowledge of your name to my brothers: I will give you praise among the people. BBE

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Jeremiah 16:21 "Therefore here I am causing them to know; at this one time I shall cause them to know my hand and my mightiness, and they will have to know that my name is Jehovah." NWT Ezekiel 20:44 You will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.'" NIV These verses carry with them the full implication of knowing his hand and his might in connection with his name. Ezekiel 11:12 and you will know that I am Yahweh, whose laws you have not obeyed and whose judgements you have not kept; instead, you have adopted the customs of the nations round you." ' NJB Ezekiel 16:62 I shall renew my covenant with you; and you will know that I am Yahweh, NJB It is obvious that by the time of history in which Ezekiel wrote, people were quite familiar with the Tetragrammaton. So it was not mere familiarity with his name that Jehovah addressed in this verse. It was their knowing what his name stood for that was the reason for his actions. Exodus 6:3 and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them. ASV

Abraham is described as a ―friend‖ of God at Isaiah 41:8 and James 2:23. It is highly unlikely that Abraham was unacquainted with a personal name for his friend since there were at that time many other Gods who were being worshipped. Isaiah 52:6 But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is I who speaks to them." NLT

NJB

By Isaiah‘s time, there can be no argument that the people did not know Gods personal name. It is obvious from this verse, that what he would 43

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Isaiah 52:6 Because of this my people will know my name, because of this they will know when the day comes, that it is I saying, Here I am!'

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Or, as another version states;

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reveal to them at that time was not about a personal identifier but had to do with the power and meaning behind his name. This is what would convince them it was indeed him who had acted. Isaiah 43:7 Every one who is called by My name, Even for My honour I have created him, I have formed him, yea, I have made him YLT Or as other versions puts it; Isaiah 43:7 All who are linked to My name, Whom I have created, Formed, and made for My glory – TNK Isaiah 43:7 And every one that calleth upon my name, I have created him for my glory. I have formed him, and made him. DRA .The context for this verse was set at; Isaiah 43:4,5. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee; and I will give men for thee, and peoples for thy life. :5 Fear not, for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; DBY What Isaiah is saying speaks to everyone who is known for the things his name stands for. It has to do with the power and meaning behind the name more than any surface symbolism connected with that name. Psalm 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. KJV

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People who merely see the name in the light of its symbolic value are missing the greatest part of the meaning Jehovah attaches to it. This being said, the real reward to a Bible reader‘s knowing the name is not the name itself but it is the comprehensive under -standing of everything that the name stands for. The fact that the name also forms a symbolic identifier that is totally unique in all the universe is in itself of great value in avoiding confusion in interpretation of scripture. The name, in the view of a broad range of scripture connected to it can neither be abused nor misrepresented. On the other hand, it is in itself not a protective charm or talisman as claimed by some. The real importance is not the name 44

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The intrinsic meaning to the verse is; that all men might know that the one who possesses what that name represents is most high in power over all the earth.

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itself, but what it stands for and the authority behind it of the one it represents. In summary, to answer the question; What does Jehovah feel about the use of his name ? The following verses are presented for the reader to meditate on and reach their own conclusion in answering the question. Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. ASV Isaiah 42:8 I am Yahweh, that is my name! I shall not yield my glory to another, nor my honour to idols. NJB Psalm 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth KJV Isaiah 52:6 Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I." NIV Jeremiah 16:21 "Therefore here I am causing them to know; at this one time I shall cause them to know my hand and my mightiness, and they will have to know that my name is Jehovah." NWT Then there is also the connection between the Divine name of the Father, YHWH, Jehovah, Yahweh, or any other symbolic description attached to him and the ―Name‖ of his son Jesus Christ. Verse explains that all who believe (believing meaning exercising faith) in his (Jesus) name would have their sins forgiven through it.

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Does this or any similar verse imply that we can ignore the name of the father if we honor the son instead? Those who accept the Trinity Doctrine maintain the father and the son are one and the same personage so it shouldn‘t matter. The problem with this position is that the Bible (God‘s own word) rejects the idea that they are one and the

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Acts 10:43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name." NLT

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same person. (See Volume III. Chapter 9. under sub-heading ‗Trinity Doctrine‘) There is nothing written in the Bible which condones ignoring, disregarding, minimizing or avoiding the use of God‘s name in any way. On the other hand, there is much written which not only encourages its use but can be construed as making its use mandatory. From this we may conclude the name is worthy of respect and honor on more than a few levels. After knowing all these things in connection with the divine name, an individuals use or for that matter mis-use is a matter for their conscience and between them and Jehovah himself. As so many other of the Bible truths, it becomes a matter of a persons heart condition in the eyes of their creator. Does the Bible give us any insight into just how God almighty views his own name and how he feels about it being ignored or dishonored? Consider the following verses which help you answer this question; Psalm 83:16 Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O LORD. NLT Psa 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. KJV Exodus 3:15 Then God said once more to Moses:"This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, 'Jehovah the God of YOUR forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to YOU.' This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation. NWT [Or as other versions put it]

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Jeremiah 10:6 Yahweh, there is no one like you, so great you are, so great your mighty name. NJB

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Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover to Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you. This is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. DBY

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Isaiah 42:8 I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise untograven images. ASV Deuteronomy 5:11 "'You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave anyone unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way. NWT Isaiah 74:18 "Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Jehovah, And that a foolish people hath blasphemed thy name." ASV Psalm 74:10 "How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to mock you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever?" NLT Malachi 2:1 "And now this admonition is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,"says Jehovah Almighty,"I will send a curse upon you,and I will curse your blessings." ASV Ezekiel 36:23"And I will sanctify my great name, which hath been profaned among the nations, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the nations shall know that I am Jehovah." ASV Jeremiah 16:21 "Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once will I cause them to know my hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is Jehovah." ASV Isaiah 52:5,6 Therefore my people will know my name; . . . they will know that it is I who foretold it. "NIV Joel 2:32 "And it shall come to pass,that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered..." ASV Acts 2:16, 17, 32"...this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'In the 'last days'.....everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Jehovah) will be saved.'" NIV

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Christ set many examples for his followers. It was his will that all true Christians follow those examples. The Bible indicates he not only used

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WHAT ABOUT CHRIST'S EXAMPLE?

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his father‘s name and taught his followers to use it as well. This stands as a guiding example to his true followers. So rather than follow the Jewish Traditions, superstitions, or religionists with questionable motives promoting their own ideas and practices – We, as ones who claim to be his followers, should follow Christ's example in making his Father's name known; Matthew 6:9 "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified." NWT Matthew 6:9 So you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy, NJB Jesus used his father's name - and expects us to do the same. In prayer to his father, Jesus said: John 17:25,26,6 "O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them YOUR NAME and I will continue to make it known..."I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world." ESV These were Jesus own words. He may very well have had the same thoughts in mind as the Psalmist had centuries earlier when he wrote them down as recorded at Ps. 145:2,3; Psalm 145:2,3 "I will praise thy name forever and ever.. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable." ASV If these be our own thoughts we can be sure Jehovah would find pleasure in this and we could be doing our share in the fulfillment of David‘s words at Psalm 83:18

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In view of the vast quantity of solid evidence in favor of using the ―divine name‖, there should be no excuse for leaving it out of a followers life, much less out of a Bible he chooses to use. The absence of God‘s true name from a Bible may very well be a major warning to us about its publishers and their motives. If a pub- lisher feels that they possess the

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Psalm 83:18 "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." KJV

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authority to exclude it from their version, in spite of the evidence to the contrary and while the Bible itself clearly demonstrates legitimacy for its use, what else may they have decided to exclude, or change, without the divine authority to do so? End of Chapter Scroll down to next chapter or

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CHAPTER FOUR THE EARTH, HUMAN BEINGS and GOD (

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(Gen 1:1 WTT Version) Gen 1:1 ―In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.‖ NIV (Parenthesis – Authors)

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THE EARTH, HUMAN BEINGS and GOD How did we get here? . . . . . . . . Why are we here? What does God expect from us? – (Genesis Unraveled) The Bible was written, and preserved so that children of children for all their generations might have God‘s answer to these, and other important questions. It is deeply concerned with our existence on the planet God created for us and gave to us for our earthly home. This book is dedicated to helping us clarify God‘s view point from the Bible, so we can discern his thinking on these questions and how each of us can have a truly rewarding relationship with God. This book is dedicated to ―What is written in the Bible, therefore we will continue to examine answers to these questions from that perspective. We believe, the Bible contains all the essentially important things we humans need to know about living with one another on this earth. It also discloses the purpose for our existence on the earth. And even further, beyond that, by means of inspired prophecy it reveals earth‘s future as well as our own prospects in relation to it. Initial answers for many curiosities we humans have along these lines, are found in the very first book of the Bible where it describes the creation of the earth. There, It also discloses what man is and where he came from, in clear, concise and candidly direct language. Lastly, It deals with important and fundamental issues concerning our existence here on earth. GENESIS – HISTORICAL NARRATIVE

We can start with the assertion that the Bible book of Genesis and particularly the first two chapters constitutes an historical document. Five reasons for taking this position are:

Reason #2. 51

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The literary framework or structure of the book of Genesis indicates that the book as a whole is intended to be understood as history. Note by example the recurring phrase : ―These are the generations‖ or ―This is the account‖ Gen. 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, 11:10, 11:27, 25:12, 36:1, 36:9 and 37:2.

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Reason #1.

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The New Testament writers as well as the other writers of the Old Testament all clearly understood Genesis, including Chapters 1 and 2 as true history. (Some examples of verses in Genesis confirmed by later writings as being historical). Gen 1:1 / Heb. 11:3 and Joh 1:1 – Creation by God‘s word. Gen 1:1 – 2:3 / Exo.20:8-11 – Creation in six days, rest on 7th day. Gen 1:1 / Psa. 8:3 – Heavens made by God. Gen 1: 6,7 / Psa. 19:1b – God made sky. Gen 1: 6,9 / 2 Pet.3:5 - Earth formed out of water. Gen 1: 14-18 / Psa. 104:19 – Purpose of the moon God made, Psa.136:7-9 – purpose of the sun moon and stars God made, Isa. 40:26 –Stars created by God, Jer. 31:24,25. – purpose of sun, moon and stars. Gen 1:20-22 / Psa. 104:24,25. – Seas filled with life from God. Gen 1:26, 27. / Psa. 8:6-8 – Man granted dominion over creation, Mat.19:4 – God created them male and female, 1Cor.11:7 – Man is the image and glory of God, Jam.3:9- Man was made in the likeness of God. Gen 1:31 / 1Tim.4:4 – Everything created by God is good. Gen 2:2 / Heb. 4: 4,10. - God rests on 7th day. Gen 2:7 / 1Cor.15:45,47. – Man made of earth as a ―living soul‖, 1 Tim 2:13 – man was created before woman. Gen 2:17 / Rom. 5:12 – Death came through sin. Gen 2:18. – 1Cor. 11:9 – Woman was created for man‘s sake. Gen 2:21-23 / 1Cor. 11:8 – Woman originated from man. Gen 2:24 / Matt. 19:5 – verse spoken by ―the creator.

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The later chapters of Genesis are plainly intended to be taken as historical — and no distinct boundary line exists before which the author obviously means earlier chapters to be considered as nonhistorical. A tight genealogical continuity is given from Adam through his sons and the succeeding generations right up to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. No point can be specified where "myth" would end and "history" would begin. (Interestingly, Charles Darwin himself accepted the historical validity of at least one aspect of Genesis 30, as evidenced in his discussion of selective breeding in the first chapter of Origin of Species. Darwin states: "From passages in Genesis, it is clear that the colour of domestic animals was at that early period attended to.")

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Reason #3.

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Reason #4. Within the disputed first eleven chapters of Genesis, mention is made of 64 geographical terms, 88 personal names, and some 20 identifiable cultural items (e.g., gold, onyx, brass, iron, mortar, musical instruments, cities). ). In the first two chapters, such "real world" categories are found notably in Genesis 2:8-14. Such specificity is not expected in a "myth." Reason #5. There is no substantial literary indication in genesis 1-2 that these early chapters are intended to be taken as allegory, legend, parable, poetry or any other sort of non-historical material. Despite the exalted tone of this section, the genre is plainly narrative prose, as indicated by (a) a lack of parallelism, (b) use of the direct object marker, and (c) use of the waw consecutive with verbs to describe sequential acts. As a historical narrative it supplies us with an important perspective on how we arrived at the place and condition we are in today. This narrative is of primary importance in finding truthful answers to questions such as How did we get here?, Why are we here? and What does God expect from us? By analyzing information found in Genesis and other places in the Bible, we are able to get a clear and accurate picture of what the Bible, as God‘ inspired word has to say about these subjects. Toward this end, God‘s word says:

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Therefore, let us look at verses in the Book of Genesis, and other places in the Bible which relate to information about the origin of the earth and God‘s purpose for it, and to our role on it. We will use a number of different Bible dictionaries and provide definitions for difficult Bible words in order toward a clearer and more accurate understanding of the verses. Also, we will use a variety of Bible versions in citing verses. While all bibles contain God‘s message, they all remain in some regards a product of human translators. Therefore, some versions may use clearer language in addressing specific verses than others do. Using multiple versions allows us to select the clearest nuances in language from among

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2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, NRS

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a variety of translations, Also this allows us to arrive at consensus in translational understanding and helps in overcoming any translator‘s bias which may exist in a given version. In the book of Genesis we find roots and the reason for Gods purpose in connection with the earth. This opening account holds keys to understanding much of what is revealed in the entire Bible. It also helps us to see how what is taking place in our lives today relates to God‘s original purpose according to his will. Sadly, even among avid Bible readers, much of their understanding is based on indoctrination and stories they have heard since childhood. In many instances, they are under misconceptions as to what the Genesis account actually says. Unfortunately, this has led to all kinds consequences affecting people‘s lives. For example, there is a great chasm between the religious and scientific communities causing some people to lose faith in religion and others in science. This chasm has developed largely due to ignorance by both parties about what the Bible and especially what the Genesis account actually say. Meanwhile, an accurate understanding of this historical account is essential to anyone who is interested in real answers to the three questions we opened this chapter with. Toward the goal of obtaining a clearer picture of what the account really does say, we invite you to share in a journey through history as the Bible reveals it from the beginning of time until humans were fully established on this, our planet earth.

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The Genesis account has generated a great deal of controversy between the scientific community and those who claim to hold the bible as their source for ultimate truth. Strangely when we dig for the roots in this controversy, what reveals itself as the biggest cause for differences between these two comm- unities distills down to an ignorance about the bible on the parts of both sides. Many Bible supporters are mired in a mindset which is not based on what the Bible actually says. In these instances they have accepted traditions and doctrines formed by religious leaders which while being entrenched deeply through the passage of time, have little to do with what the bible actually teaches. On the other hand, within the scientific community we also find a ready acceptance for deeply entrenched unproven theories which are held to be proven truths instead of theories which are still open to investigation. When we examine the facts from both sides in view of what the bible actually says, the the best word we can use to describe what has happened to both sides 54

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is ―mis- conception‖. Both sides have their share of closed minds in this controversy and there are mis-conceptions dominating the thinking on both sides. The material we present from Genesis in this book may prove to be an ―eye opener‖ in this controversy. When Genesis is read independently from preconceptions and biases people on both sides hold, many of the causes for misunderstanding melt away. In reading further, you may find some surprises, even some shocks when commonly held mis-conceptions are exposed, so we urge the reader to keep an open mind allowing what the Bible itself really says, to shine through. Then, we invite readers to reassess their understanding by considering newly found information rather than holding on to preconceptions based on existing traditions or doctrines founded on hearsay or superstition. One small example of a commonly held misconception is illustrated in when most people are asked how many animals of each kind Noah took into the ark, their immediate answer is two. If asked for proof, those who are sharp enough with their bible will offer Genesis 6:19 where it states; ―You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you.‖ NIV Unfortunately, they may mean well but they have answered on the basis of having only partial knowledge, for in Genesis 7:2, 3 it says; ―Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,3 and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth.‖ NIV

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If the questioner had read further in Genesis, he or she would have had their question answered. For in addition to another son named Seth who replaced Abel mentioned in verse 25, in the fifth chapter it tells us Adam and Eve had an undisclosed number of other sons and daughters during the 930 years Adam is reported to have lived.

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Another example is that often when people raise a question which they deem will discredit the bible such as; If Adam only had two sons and Cain killed Abel, where did Cain‘s wife come from? They may cite a passage like Gen 4:1, 2. as a valid reason for the question.: Genesis 4:1, 2. The man had intercourse with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. 'I have acquired a man with the help of Yahweh,' she said.: 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. . . . Genesis 4:17 Afterward Cain had intercourse with his wife and she became pregnant and gave birth to E'noch. . . . .NWT

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Genesis 5:4,5. After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. NLT 5 Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died. NIV: This meant that Cain and Abel had sisters, and possibly other brothers not listed by name. These grew up together as earth‘s original family. At that time, the genetic risks as we know them today, did not exist, because they were close enough to perfection not to be effected by in breeding as later generations would be. In breeding or what we refer to as incest today was not a problem until later in history. By the time of Moses, some 1500 years after Adam, God implemented a restriction against in breeding at Leviticus 18:6. After 1500 years, there were plenty of people on the Earth, and this practice did not need to continue. How- ever, it is also quite likely that the main reason that God ordered it stopped was because of potential genetic problems that could occur with later offspring. Leviticus 18:6-17 "'No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. . . .NIV

―In the beginning‖ The Genesis account opens with the following statement; Genesis 1:1 ―In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.― NSB

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In the original Hebrew manuscripts, there were no capital letters, and in the original Greek manuscripts there were no lower case letters. Thus, in its earliest written forms we have only the letters ―g o d‖ or ―G O D‖, without the benefits of capitalization or non - capitalization. The alphabets of the original writings made no distinction between greater or lesser gods. That was left up to the reader to determine by the context in which the word was used. 56

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To start with, before we consider the account in more detail, it is appropriate for us to examine closely a word which is often understood by many people to have but a single meaning. To most Bible readers, the word ―God‖ has but one meaning. People say if it is spelled ―God‖ with a capital G, it pertains to God almighty, where- as if it is spelled with all small letters ―god,‖ it indicates someone or something other than God almighty. There is a bit of naivety in this. This may be our first surprise concerning the book of Genesis;

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Therefore, Bible dictionaries which deal with Greek and Hebrew word root meanings indicate a much broader range of meanings for the word God than we normally apply to it. In considering these dictionary definitions, it should be noted that those given meanings, which define God as a Trinity did not exist until more than three hundred years after original Bible writings were comp- leted. In terms of ―what was originally written‖; they represent doctrine formed centuries later and then introduced into the early church. In many cases, these doctrines have become so widely accepted that they have found their way into dictionary definitions. Also, when definitions constitute circular reasoning they have no valid basis for being considered as definitive. Defin itions founded on circular reasoning should not be considered crucial to any true or real understanding of scripture. This is especially so when they are based on a pre acceptance of an unproven doctrine. (See chapter 23 on Teachings and doctrines, under heading; Trinity). Thus, while they appear in some Bible dictionaries under the pre-supposition of a God being a ―Triune Godhead‖, those definitions need to be considered as unproven source material and left out of ―scripturally based‖ understanding. Bible Dictionary definitions; God [1], god [2] (Excerpts are from Thayers, Vines, Strongs, Zophiates and other Word Study dictionaries, showing a variety of meanings for the word ―God‖)

God - definitions

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1) [2] a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities 2) the Godhead, trinity [See Chapter 13. – Teachings and doctrines Trinity] 2a) [1] God the Father, 2a1 The first person in the trinity [See Chapter 13. – Teachings and doctrines- Trinity] 2b) Christ, the second person of the trinity [See Chapter 13 – Teachings and doctrines- Trinity] 2c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity [See Chapter 13 – Teachings and doctrines- Trinity] 3) [1] spoken of the only and true God 57

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G2316 qeo, theos {theh'-os}

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3a) refers to the things of God 3b) his counsels, interests, things due to him 4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way 4a) [2] God's representative or vice regent 4a1) of magistrates and judges It is not until the second chapter of Genesis that introduced into the account. Note:

YHWH (Jehovah) is

(Elohim) and YHWH (Jehovah) are not one and the same. It

is YHWH (Jehovah) who Jesus refers to as; his father in heaven at Matthew 12:50 . . . ―my Father in heaven‖ . . . NIV and as ―our father in the heavens‖ at Mtt6:9 . Therefore, when the verse says at Genesis 1:1; ―In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.― We need to realize the original writings did not say ―God‖ created. . . . . When originally written they said;

(Elohim),―created the heavens

and the earth‖ While this word has been rendered God in most Bibles. there would appear to be inaccuracy in this which changes our understanding of the opening verse in the Bible. For us to obtain a truly scriptural basis for understanding this verse, we need to have a fully accurate meaning for the word Elohim, a meaning as the original writers would have applied to it. The meaning of ―Elohim‖ is possibly among the earliest of many misconceptions people have concerning the Genesis account.

Bible scholars have differing opinions on an exact meaning of this word. We will explore explanations for this phrase in order to determine a meaning which most closely fits with what the bible itself reveals.

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Two traditionally held meanings;

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Hebrew language Bible versions bring our attention to the phrase ―Elohim‖ at Gen 1:1 and ―Jehovah Elohim‖ at Gen. 2:4. The difference between these phrases, while ignored in most Bibles, are important to a true and correct understanding of the Genesis account. Therefore, it merits a closer examination of the word; ‖ELOHIM‖.

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The first explains thusly; At Genesis 1:1 the title ―God‖ is translated from ‘Elo·him′, which is plural in Hebrew. Trinitarians construe this to be an indication of the Trinity. They also explain Deuteronomy 6:4 to prove the unity of members of the Trinity when it says, ―The LORD our God [from ‘Elo·him′] is one LORD.‖ Thus, they claim there were two elements of a single God present at the beginning. While this might be a possibility, the presence of two entities present on the same occasion does not logically prove they are one and the same indivifual and certainly not that they constitute two parts of a three part person. There are other explanations to be considered. The second explanation2 is that the phrase ―Elohim‖ is not to be accepted in plurality. It claims in this case, there is an exception from Hebrew grammatical rules and indicates it implies ―majesty in a grand sense‖. As an explanation for thiswe find the following; ―The plural form of the noun here in Hebrew is the plural of majesty or excellence. (See NAB, St. Joseph Edition, Bible Dictionary, p. 330; also, New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. V, p. 287.) It conveys no thought of plurality of persons within a godhead. In similar fashion, at Judges 16:23 when reference is made to the false god Dagon, a form of the title ‘elo·him′ is used; the accompanying verb is singular, showing that reference is to just the one god. At Genesis 42:30, Joseph is spoken of as the ―lord‖ (‘adho·neh′, the plural of excellence of Egypt. The Greek language does not have a ‗plural of majesty or excellence.‘ So, at Genesis 1:1 the translators of LXX used ho The·os′ (God, singular) as the equivalent of ‘Elo·him′. At Mark 12:29, where a reply of Jesus is reproduced in which he quoted Deuteronomy 6:4, the Greek singular ho The·os′ is similarly used. This is basically the reasoning for understanding the meaning of Elohim as being singular and primarily that of majesty. Since false gods are also referred to as Elohim in the bible, this understanding raises questions; Is God in his written word calling the false Gods majesties? Is the bible indicating a majestic sense to the false gods?

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In the Bible the word for ―God‖ in the Hebrew that is most often used is Elohim. It is a plural noun. Today it is popular to say it means the plural of majesty. However the form of the word, Eloh-im, is plural, in that Hebrew ―Eloah‖ is used to describe a singular God, not Elohim. When 59

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A second understanding of the word Elohim, runs counter to this and is as follows;

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Elohim is used of the true God it is used in the sense it presents as a composite unity, indicating at least two separate elements. When it is used of false gods it also is used in the plural. (example; you shall have no other Gods (Elohim) before me." In Genesis it would rather support an understanding of plurality. When looking at its usage elsewhere in the Bible, it always refers to persons in the plural. There is no familiar passage that it is used as is claimed, for the sense of majesty. For example in Gen 1:24-31 "Let us make man in OUR image‖ is this an appeal to self? In the Hebrew language the preface ―im‖ (masculine in gender) at the end of a word makes the word into a plural form. For example the angels are called seraph or cherub in the singular but when they are Seraphim or Cherubim it means more than one. The word for heavens is shamayim Gen.1:2. Again in the plural. Could we ever interpret these as a plural of majesty. We find from the scriptures all the attributes of God belong to Elohim. They also belong to his son and co-creator who together are Elohim. (gods in plural) The same rule would be for the word God theos, in the N.T. Such as in Jn.1:1 the word was with God and was a god, as sharing in divine nature, not the same personage.

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(1 Sam.28:13-14) In Ex. 7:1 Moses was made an Elohim to Pharaoh. Jesus called the rulers in Israel Elohim,"Gods" ? (Jn. 10:34) After the Jews accuse Jesus of blasphemy because he being a man some claimed to be God, he answers "Is it not written in your law I said 'You are Gods" citing Ps.82:6: " This was addressed to the judges of Israel. They were called Gods not because they were divine but because they represented God when they judged the people even when they were misrepresenting

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Even the ancient Rabbis recognized this word as related to more than one. In the Midrash Rabbah on Genesis, Rabbi Samuel bar Nahman in the name of Rabbi Jonathan said, that at the time when Moses wrote the Torah, writing a portion of it daily, when he came to this verse which says "And Elohim said, let us make man in our image after our likeness," Moses said, Master of the Universe why do you herewith an excuse to the sectarians, God answered Moses, You write and whoever wants to err let him err."In other words God had Moses write down what is correct, and we are to study to understand it. Selah Elohim can be used as a general term for a god in the O.T.. For example Samuel was called an Elohim when he came up from the dead

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God. Jesus‘ point," is intended to show that the idea of assigning the divine majesty to human nature was by no means foreign to the revelations of the O.T." ( New Commentary on the whole Bible, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown) So, while this title can be bestowed on those who are not by nature God., they were never called Yahweh or I Am. 1 Cor. 8:5-6 states "For even if there are so-called Gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords) yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. The apostle Paul clarifies the subject in vs 6; 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is only one God, the Father from whom all things come and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we exist. NJB

How then are we to view Deut.6:4, doesn‘t it say there Jehovah our God is one Jehovah? As a matter of fact, yes it does. However it must be noted that this verse applies to YHWH and not Elohim. It says Jehovah is one Jehovah and not Elohim is one Elohim. To those who cannot recognize a difference between Jehovah and Elohim, the verse takes on dis -torted meaning. Deuteronomy 6:4 'Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah; YLT In what way then could two (Elohim) possibly be viewed as one? Simply stated, the father and Son (Jesus) are so closely linked that they can be viewed as ―one‖. Scriptural examples demonstrating this linkage help us to understand the unique nature of this relationship;

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1 John 1:2 This one (Jesus) who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and announce to you that he is

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Colossians 1:15 He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; NWT [brackets by author]

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the one who is eternal life. He (Jesus) was with the Father, and then he was shown to us. NLT John 14:9 Jesus said to him: "Have I been with YOU men so long a time, and yet, Philip, you have not come to know me? He that has seen me has seen the Father [also]. How is it you say, 'Show us the Father'? NWT John 10:30 I [Jesus] and the Father are one." NIV [In the sense of total unity in thought and purpose.] John 5:43 For I have come to you representing my Father, and you refuse to welcome me, even though you readily accept others who represent only themselves. NLT Phil. 2:5 Keep this mental attitude in YOU that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consider- ation to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave‘s form and came to be in the likeness of men. 8 More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. 9 For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every [other] name, 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. NWT Hebrews 1:2 But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. NLT

NLT

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John 17:21 My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father -- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

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Jesus himself clearly demonstrated that his being one with the father did not make him the same person as the father when he said his followers could also be one with the father in the same manner that he was.

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Therefore, these scriptures reveal that when the Bible speaks of us at Genesis 1:26 or when it uses the phrase Elohim, it speaks of Jehovah in tandem with Jesus, his designated spokesman and deputy creator. What impact a proper understanding of this one word has will become evident as we proceed. Also, in connection with this, we need to explore another matter. That is who the ―Word‖ was, since that one is referred to at John 1:1,2. as also being present in ―the beginning‖. See John 1:1 as cross - referencing where it says in Genesis ―In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.― John 1:1,2. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. NIV Having already considered Bible dictionary meanings for the word God / god, how are we to take John 1:1 where we have the statement; ―the Word was with God‖. Is that statement actually to mean the Word was with God, and also at the same time that the Word was God, as the translators of KJV, NJB and others have implied? Or is the work of other translators who say the word was a god more correct? Immediately, an alarm bell should go off in our minds signaled by a context conflict in the former version. One who is with (alongside of) someone else cannot be that someone himself. But for a moment, let‘s go back to identifying ―The Word‖ in John 1:1, for everyone can agree it does say he was ―with God‖ in the beginning. ―The Word‖ While KJV, NJB, RSV, NIV, ASV, NAU and a number of other versions translate

the verse this way; John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God. NJB ,

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John 1:1 In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.[2] NWT

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Other translations imply a greatly different meaning by putting the same verse in somewhat different words;

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John 1:1 ― and the word was divine‖- AAT John 1:1 ― and the word was a god‖- NTN John 1:1,2. In the beginning the word intrinsic to God, identifying God, was active. 2. This word, expressed in the beginning, belonged to God. MIT A key question this raises is; Was the ―Word‖ actually GOD (Jehovah) himself or a separate entity who was with God and who himself was a god or godlike? (See earlier definitions for God, god.) That ―Word‖ mentioned at John 1: 1 is further identified, in the Bible book of Revelations; Revelation 19:13 and he [Jesus] is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God. NJB [brackets, authors] Revelation 19:16 On his cloak and on his thigh a name was written: King of kings and Lord of lords. NWT ( Referring to Jesus) In these verses, the ―Word of God‖ is seen as a separate individual from Jehovah God, himself. Also by virtue of other references identifying Jesus Christ as both the Lamb of God (in his sacrificial capacity) and later as the King of God‘s Kingdom (in his heavenly ruler ship capacity), he is shown to be apart from or separate from God almighty. John 1:36 And looking at Jesus while he was walking he said, See, there is the Lamb of God! BBE Revelation 17:14 they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful." NRS

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Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, where they took their seats, and on them was conferred the power to give judgment. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God's word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not accept the brand-mark on their fore- heads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. NJB

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―king of kings‖ in the following respect;

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The one called ‗The Word‘, later referred to as King of Kings or the Lord of Lords is none other than Jesus Christ in his heavenly position. In the Bible he is also referred to as the ―first born‖ spirit son of God (Jehovah), as well as ―the lamb of God‖, who takes away the sin of the world. We can conclude this same one, Jesus Christ, is the one referred to as a second party), in the creation account. Therefore, he and his father together constitute ―Elohim‖, according to Genesis 1:1,2 beingcombined with John 1;1 and Colossians 1:15,16. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, when God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth, NAB John 1:1 ― and the word was a god‖- NTN: John 1: 2 He was with God in the beginning. NIV Colossians 1:15, 16 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.16 Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see-- kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him.. NLT Another translation reads: Colossians 1:15,16 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him. ESV

The duality of Elohim is further confirmed in Genesis 1:26; Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us (plural) make man in our (plural) image, after our (plural) likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." ESV (parenthesis by author)

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Proverbs 8:30, 31. then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, NRS 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men. NAU

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See also Prov. 830, 31. Where Jesus is seen as Wisdom personified;

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These verses establish that Jesus in a heavenly (spirit) form was present with his Father, (Jehovah) from the beginning of creation and was deeply involved as the chief agent through whom the rest of the creation was accomplished. Knowing this helps us to understand such verses as found at Joh. 12:18 where it helps establish that Jesus was a distinctly different entity from God the father (God almighty, YHWH Jehovah). JOH 12:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. KJV The fact that Jehovah God, (God almighty) had someone other than himself present as a co-worker during the creation process relevant to the earth, is a surprise even to many lifetime Bible readers. The identity of Elohim was further obscured by early bible translators who were deeply entrenched in the Jewish traditions before Christ appeared on the earthly scene. According to their mind set; that is the way they understood Deut. 6:4, there could be only one entity present at the beginning. Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. NIV

or as another version puts it; Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah; DBY Without the benefit of Christ‘s teachings and enlightenment which we have today as found in verses such as John 1:1 and Colossians 1:15,1, they remained mired in superstition and error based on the way they perceived Deuteronomy 6:4 and applied it to Genesis 1:1. They could not comprehend that the meaning of being one could have any other application than the one they held.

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John 10:30 I and the Father are one." NIV

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In Jo. 10:30 and Jo.17:21 Jesus Christ threw light on this when he said he was one with his father in the same sense that his followers could be one with him and his father as well.

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John 17:21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. NKJ This clearly shows that being one with someone else does not mean that they are the same person. What it means is being so closely united that in what they say and do it is as if they are one. In the case of Jesus, this oneness was des- cribed in a number of instances and in different ways. That he and his father were so closely united that his thoughts and actions were the same as if he were his fathers. The early Hebrew scholars had none of this information available. They were clearly guided by manmade thinking and conclusions. Despite scripture to the contrary, they not only confused the difference between YHWH and Elohim but legislated the use of God‘s personal name out of existence based on the man-made conviction that it was too holy to utter or that the danger of misusing it could be avoided by not using it at all. Unfortunately that confusion was further exagerated when the erroneous Trinity doctrine was adapted into the church almost 300 years after Christ‘s earthly ministry. Then ―Christendom‖ came to view God almighty as a three headed personage which consisted of three dist- inctly different individual parts. The idea that Jesus, the son of God, was a separate creation by the father who was there with the father when he began the creative days on the earth was lost entirely. That together they could represent gods (plural) and act as one was so to say, lost in the translation. Another surprise which accurate understanding reveals in the Genesis account is found in the fact that In contrast with what many people have been led to believe to the contrary, the ‗creation‖ account in Genesis starts with the Earth and the Heavens already existing, (without form, unsightly, unfurnished, and void), when the Spirit of God (Elohim) moved over the water. The account does not concern itself with a description of initial creation as most people believe, but rather only with those things which follow original creation and are of concern from an earthly standpoint.

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Now let us consider a verse by verse examination of the account in Genesis and see what else we can gain as to deeper understanding of the events that we view as pre-history and later as history on the earth.

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Genesis 1:1,2. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface. NLT

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Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the

earth. NSB ―At the first God made the heaven and the earth‖ BBE ―In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.‖ NAU ‖ Bürë´šît Bärä ´élöhîm ´ ët haššämaºyim wü´ët hä´äºrec‖ BHT

Genesis 1:2 The earth was without form and empty. Darkness covered the deep water. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters. NSB ―And the earth was waste and without form; and it was dark on the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God was moving on the face of the waters‖. BBE ―Genesis 1:2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.‖ NAU ―wühä´äºrec häytâ töºhû wäböºhû wüHöºšek `al-Pünê tühôm würûªH ´élöhîm müraHeºpet `al-Pünê hammäºyim‖ BHT

The first two verses in Genesis stand out in clear contrast to the details which follow from verse three onward, verses contributing to our understanding of the first six Days of the Creative Week incidental to the earth. Here are some of the differences: Verses 1 and/or 2 Do not have numerical tags attached: Each of the creative/making Days HAVE absolute numerical tabs; ‗Day 1, 2…4‘ etc

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Verses 1-2 Do not contain Dialogue/Consultation vocalisations: Creative Week verses do so at 22, 26, 28-30 where God speaks. Verses 1-2 Are not designated in interchanging creative/making terms: Each of the six Day Creative periods ARE thus designated.

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Verses 1-2 Do not contain direct Commands or Directives: Each of the creative/making Days do contain explicit Commands and Directives issued by God.

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design: Each of the Creative Days anticipate and produce these. Verses 1-2 Are unrelated to time – open ended, without duration: Each Creative Day is time referenced, evening/morning = 1 Day Verses 1-2 Do not have ‗bookends‘ ‗And God said…evening/morning‘: Each Creative Day starts and ends with a bookend. Verse 2 Depicts God‘s spirit as passive, brooding, poised: The Creative Days show God highly pro-active, dynamic, specific. Verses 1-2 Are not Developmental in relation to earth and man, are instead presequential. The whole of the six Day Creating sequence is Developmental, culminating in man and the Design of his habitat. Verses 1-2 Contain pluperfect (Perfect tense) verbs and a Merism wherein totality is expressed through a combination of parts Also, present on the scene described, in verses 1-2, was the ―Word‖, the one ‗through‘ whom Jehovah God created all things according to Col.1:16. Colossians 1:16 Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see-- kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. NLT

John 1:1 In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. NWT 69

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Genesis 1:1,2 IN THE beginning God [lohiym: ] created the heaven and the earth. :2 Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. JPS Genesis 1:26 And God [lohiym: ] went on to say: "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, NWT [parenthesis authors]

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This one, (The Word / Christ), as revealed in Genesis and also at John 1:1, was ‗with God during the creation.

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The condition described in the first two verses of Genesis was already existing for an un- disclosed duration of time when God made the declaration; Genesis 1:3 ― Then God said: »Let there be light!« And there was light.‖ ―And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ―BBE ‖ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light‖. ASV ―wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm yühî ´ôr wa|yühî-´ôr ―

BHT‖‖‖

Genesis 1‖4 ―God saw that the light was good. God separated the light from the darkness.‖ ―After that God saw that the light was good, and God brought about a division between the light and the darkness.‖ NWT ―And God, looking on the light, saw that it was good: and God made a division between the light and the dark,‖ BBE ‖ wayyaºr´ ´élöhîm ´et-hä´ôr Kî-ýôb wayyabDël ´élöhîm Bên hä´ôr ûbên haHöºšek ― BHT

Again, an unstated period of time passes between when he implements the light and when he determines that the light is good and there is another unstated period of time till he brings about a division between light and darkness.

WHY an EARTH as we know it?

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Isaiah 45:18 For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the [true] God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly estab -lished it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited. NWT.

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At this point, before we proceed with the account; Let us digress for a moment from the historical side to explore an important fundamental question. WHY? Why or for what reason did God create the earth? The bible reveals God's thinking on this with a simple direct answer found in the book of Isaiah:

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The earth along with its environmental system was created (brought into existence) for the purpose of habitation. That man was to be the inhabitant of primary importance is borne out by a statement found at Ps 115:16.; Psalm 115:16 - As regards the heavens, to Jehovah the heavens belong, But the earth he has given to the sons of men. – NWT As we continue, Another surprise in the book of Genesis; A ‗DAY‘ as we normally perceive it is not always the same as a ‗DAY‘ as God understands it. Before we return to the account describing the creation, which takes us through six days (or divisions) during a creative process, we should pause a moment to explore the biblical meaning of the word ―day‖. Exactly what the word ―Day‖ is intended to mean in Genesis is essential to accurately understanding what the account tells us about creation. How long is a day in the Genesis account? If it is a literal 24 hour day, as many Bible readers have been led to believe, it leaves us with unreconcilable differ- ences with the scientific community who claim they can prove differently. This in itself should ring a warning for us that something is out of sync or not being understood correctly. While the Bible is not a scientific textbook, it has always shown itself to be consistent with true science. To many this seems to present somewhat of a dilemma concerning the time element in Genesis.

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When the Hebrew word ―day ―occurs in the Bible, frequently it does not repre- sent a literal day. It often represents a time element longer than 24 hours and it can represent a much longer duration, even to the extent of representing what we would understand as an era.

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This is an area where a serious misunderstanding comes in. Many fundamen- talists take the word ―day‖ in the Genesis account as being a literal 24 hours however, this is not correct. While there are times when a day does literally mean 24 hours in the Bible, this is not true in most of Genesis and especially not true in most of the creation portion. The day in Genesis cannot be auto- matically viewed in the conventional sense of a 24 hour day. By attaching a correct meaning to the word day as it occurs in each instance in Genesis, the dilemma of time passage resolves itself.

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Showing that Bible Dictionary definitions for the Hebrew word ―DAY‖ include a number of others aside from the meaning of a literal 24 hour day: An excerpt from a Bible dictionary‗Day‘ -H3117 ~Hebrew -

day -

Ay yowm {yome}

day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow That Bible writers understood that the word ―day‖ could take on differing meanings is proven by many examples found in the Bible; 2 Peter 3:8 But there is one thing, my dear friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. NJB [1b2, 1d - a much longer duration than 24 hours]

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Deuteronomy 9:24 YOU have proved yourselves rebellious in behavior with Jehovah from the day of my knowing YOU. NWT - [1d - a time period , God knows a man during his entire life, not merely a single 24 hour day]

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2 Peter 3:18 No, but go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him [be] the glory both now and to the day of eternity. NWT - [1d – Eternity is obviously longer than one 24 hour day]

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Matthew 24:37 "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. NLT - [1c. – the time or duration during which Noah lived ] Revelation 1:10 By inspiration I came to be in the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet, NWT [1d. - time period of the Lord] Genesis 2:4 This is a history of the heavens and the earth in the time of their being created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven. NWT [day = time period or duration of time in which God created. Obvious by virtue of the fact that six days are viewed as one single day, therefore, ―day‖ could not be understood as only 24 hours.] From this information, we may conclude when the expression DAY occurs, describing the six creative days in the creation account it indicates six separate eras or durations, during which a number of different events had sufficient time to commence, transpire and conclude. The use of the 24 hour day in Genesis primarily serves the purpose of separating those eras or durations from one another. (See Chart on page 14.) Another important question for us in correctly understanding the account In Genesis is; Just when, did the first day begin? The answer to this establishes a reference point for all of our recorded history upon this earth. Did it begin at Gen 1:1 or did it actually begin at Gen 1:5 when a method for measuring time by the 24 hour day was established? A careful examination of the account on a verse by verse basis will reveal widely held current under -standing is not always consistent with what the bible really teaches.

With the institution of this means by which time can be described and measured, a number of questions are brought into sharper focus. 73

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Here we are told that the earth, already fixed in position at this point in the account, is in a form more akin to other planets in our solar system, and not in the form as we know it today. As we resume with Genesis, we note God has just determined that a light source will be the mechanism by which to measure time in relation to the earth. He then inaugurates this new means of time measurement, with the declaration of a first night / morning, 24 hour segment based on celestial phenomena, which will be visible continuously from the earth.

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Let us continue our examination with vs.3 in the 1st Chapter of Genesis.

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When does a day begin? What does it constitute? and what separates one day from another? In Genesis another even more significant question arises, one which is extremely important in determining whether described events occur before or after the day which is used to separate one day from another. THE CONTROVERSIAL ―WAW‖ This last questions raises some controversy over the meaning of a single little word which lends meaning to just what is included in each ―creative day‖ in Genesis. That little three letter word is ―and.‖ In Hebrew the reputed language of the original writings, it is referred to as a waw or vaw. This ―waw‖ takes on enormous significance as to how the days in Genesis may be understood. It turns out that when Genesis was written, there were no established rules of Hebrew Grammar. They didn‘t come until the middle ages, around 1200 CE, long after the Bible Cannon was already established. Originally, it was left to the individual reader to determine whether events described came before or after a waw when it was used. Then, when Hebrew grammatical rules were introduced the waw was seen as either ―Conjunctive‖ or ―consecutive‖. When the ―waw‖ was seen as conjunctive, events described after the waw belonged to a time tense occurring later, after the use of the waw.

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5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day. 6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the second day. 9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning-- the third day. 74

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Here is an example:

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In this instance the events highlighted described from vs 9. forward belong to the waw as a part of the second day. When the ―waw is seen as consecutive, events described before the waw belong to a time tense occurring earlier, before the use of the waw. Same example with Waw consecutive: 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day. 6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the second day. 9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning-- the third day.

The author makes no assertion as to which group of scholars is right or wrong. The fact that there is a seemingly overwhelming opinion favoring the use of the waw as a consecutive should not sway our thinking. When 75

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This makes significant a difference in which day the events of creation are understood to have occurred. This is not an unimportant issue as it affects the way the entire creation account is understood. The general community of Bible scholars has accepted the ‗waws‘ in the creation account of Genesis to be ―con- secutive‖ in nature. A minority of Bible scholars raise issue with this and assert that the ―waw‖ may be seen either way. They claim that context must be the key indicator rather than a questionable Hebrew grammatical rule which did not exist at a time when the bible was written.

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In this instance the events described from vs 9 backward belong to the waw as a part of the second day.

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it comes to the bible, there are countless examples when the majority of men on the earth were found to be wrong and few if any were found to be right. Since the waw consecutive side of scholarship is so well accepted on the basis of a single questionable Hebrew grammatical rule, nothing more needs to be written in defense of it. Therefore, the author will take the minority position and explore how an understanding of the Genesis account would be impacted if waw Conjunctive and waw consecutive were to be determined by context alone.

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The following chart demonstrates results of such a path in graphic form:

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CHAPTER FIVE ―THE DAYS OF CREATION‖

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―THE DAYS OF CREATION‖ After describing what was existing before time could be measured in earthly terms by the introduction of a light source on earth, the bible makes this statement; Genesis 1:5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, a first day. TNK A FIRST DAY! With the existence of a means of measuring time passage, the Bible, with a supposition that light now already exists, says. . . . And there was evening and there was morning , a first day, thus launching a system by which all future earthlings could determine time passage in relation to a natural dependable cycle of night and day separated from one another. It was a system for measuring the passage of time which they could relate to their own experiences. While this system was put in effect as of that moment, it does not mean it was significant (or even visible) to humans on the earth. Visibility would not be neces - sary until later, because there were not yet any living creatures on earth with any kind of need to measure time. At this point In the Genesis account the meaning of the word ―And‖ (Hebrew ―waw‖) becomes crucial. If it relates backwards as a conjunction, from his calling light day and night evening, and includes the events described prior to that, then the 1st day begins at Gen 1:1 as a beginning of the creation account. This is the belief many scholars hold along with a belief that the creative days were 24 hour days. While fundamentalists and others insist that the days in Genesis must literally be 24 hour days, the Bible itself does not support this position since the Hebrew word for ‗day‘ has other meanings than 24 hours.

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If, however the word And implies something which is to follow, as if it were ―then‖, and the length of a Bible day is not necessarily 24 hours, the meanings change entirely and there is no conflict with the eons of years

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The 24 hour day concept, popular with most Bible readers, leaves us in a quandary as to how we can equate Bible time with scientific time. Since the Bible and true science are from the same source, true science should never be out of harmony with the Bible, and the Bible should not be out of harmony with true science either.

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scientists ascribe to the physical earth. Careful reading of the account discloses that instead of starting the first day with the description at Gen 1:1, events starting the first day actually are shown to commence with those which follow the announcement of the first day at Gen 1:5 , leaving an infinite amount of time for the universe to have been in existence before that ― evening and morning‖ of the so called ―first day‖. (―And there was evening and there was morning, a first day.‖) A FIRST DAY If the first day follows the expression ―and there was evening and morning‖; then what follows after Gen 1:5 would describe events during that first day, and not those before the announcement of the first day. What precedes Gen 1:5 would constitute things already in existence, with no start or time duration attributable to them. Therefore, the meaning derived from the word ―And‖, becomes extremely important to accurately understanding the Bible. A correct understanding of this word will influence our thinking on the entire process of creation. If the description which follows ―And‖ proceeds rather than precedes, it means everything before Gen 1:5 falls into a time period which pre exists the first day, a time period already existing for an undetermined length of time, and with no indication of duration what - soever. On the other hand, if the word ―and‖ is taken to include all things which precede it, then the first day begins at Genesis 1:1. Holding this understanding may be seen to demon -strate why there is such a diverse opinion of time relevancy between those who hold it and the scientific community at large. While what is held scientifically is often denigrated by so called Bible believers, sound Bible teaching will not be found to be out of harmony with true science.

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Whether the word ―heavens‖ represents a solar system, a galaxy, universe or cosmos is not disclosed and apparently not considered important for humans to know. The simple sum- mation describes an earth uninhabited and unpre- pared for habitation. The duration of time

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When we actually read in the Bible where the first day begins, we are told, the heavens exist and light exists. If light exists, therefore, the sun, as the source of light for earth must also pre- exist the light. Additionally, already in orbit is the earth a physical planet which is des- cribed as a formless waste. Of course, we can assume Elohim (God), who is described as the creator of all things, also exists. Also noteworthy, is John 1:1, where it discloses the ―Word‖ or Logos, also already exists.

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already elapsed cannot be inferred or measured from the phrase ―in the beginning‖. From the 6th verse forward in Genesis, when we are able to measure time, what follows is a historical perspective. The material is directly related to the prep- aration of the earth for habitation by man. It discloses to us information about mans origin, his existence and his purpose for being put on the earth, along with information concerning his relationship with his creator. Vss. 5b. through 8 – describe those creative events relating to the earth, during the FIRST DAY (duration, time segment). They are all in connection with a pre-existing earth. This is where a point of confusion which has been perpetuated through history has its roots. It is in how we apply the meaning of ‗and‘ (waw in Hebrew) and what we under - stand a ‗day‖ (yom in Hebrew) to be. In this case, as in many others when it comes to true Bible knowledge, it is not what our understanding may be but rather what God‘s word indicates as to what his own understanding was when the Bible was inspired and written. This will be clarified as we explore the Genesis account further: An unstated period of time passes between when he implements the light and when he determines that the light is good. Another unstated period of time passes when he brings about a division between light and darkness. [Highlighted verses following are excerpted from the NSB translation of the Bible]

Genesis 1:5 ―God called the light day. He called the darkness night. There was evening and there was morning, one day‖. ―Naming the light, Day, and the dark, Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day‖. BBE

After establishing a means of separating light from darkness in a continuous natural cycle relating to the earth, Elohim names the two 81

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‖ wayyiqrä´ ´élöhîm lä´ôr yôm wülaHöºšek qäºrä´ läºylâ wa|yühî-`eºreb wa|yühî-böºqer yôm ´eHäd P―BHT

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And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. JPS

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differing conditions night and day. These now become a measurement tool for representing a twenty four hour cycle. Sequentially, it is reasonable to assume that when the first 24 hour cycle (night and day), is announced it constitutes the beginning of the first creative day (duration) relating to physical events on the earth itself.

Day One: (Creative duration One) Genesis 1:6 Then God said: »Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters. Let it separate the waters from the waters.« [Clearly, the mandate is announced, after the event of naming night and day] Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a solid arch stretching over the waters, parting the waters from the waters. BBE Genesis 1:6 Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." NKJ Genesis 1:6 And God said, "Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water." NLT ‖ wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm yühî räqîª` Bütôk hammäºyim wîhî mabDîl Bên maºyim lämäºyim ―BHT

Genesis 1:7 God made the expanse. He separated the waters that were below the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. It was so. Genesis 1:7 Then God proceeded to make the expanse and to make a division between the waters that should be beneath the expanse and the waters that should be above the expanse. And it came to be so. NWT

Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. JPS

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Genesis 1:8 God called the expanse heaven. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

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Thus, the concept of a separation between waters on the earth and waters above the earth is implemented.

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“And God called the firmament Heaven, and God saw that it was good, and there was evening and there was morning, the second day.” LXE “And God called the firmament Heaven” [in another version,“sky”NLT] “And God gave the arch the name of Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.” BBE ”wayyiqrä´ ´élöhîm lä|räqîª` šämäºyim wa|yühî-`eºreb wa|yühî-böºqer yôm šënî P“BHT

Here again, if the expression ―And‖ is understood to follow the making of the firmament, the first day has ended and a second day begins. Day Two (Creative duration Two) Vs 8b. – 12 – describes those events connected with the earth, during the SECOND DAY (duration, time segment) which describe creation upon the Earth. Genesis 1:8b. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. JPS Genesis 1:9 Then God said: Let the waters below the atmosphere be gathered into one place. Let the dry land appear. It was so. NSB And God said, Let the waters under the heaven come together in one place, and let the dry land be seen: and it was so. BBE And God said: 'Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear.' And it was so. JPS ”wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm yiqqäwû hammaºyim miTTaºHat haššämaºyim ´el-mäqôm ´eHäd wütërä´è “ BHT “„hayyaBBäšâ wa|yühî-kën

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Genesis 1:10 God called the dry land earth. The gathering of the waters He called seas. God saw that it was good.

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Again, we see no specified time period is given between gathering or collecting the waters to expose dry land and giving names to the two distinctly separate bodies, nor is there a duration attached to the process.

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―And God gave the dry land the name of Earth; and the waters together in their place were named Seas: and God saw that it was good.‖ BBE ” wayyiqrä´ ´élöhîm layyaBBäšâ ´eºrec ûlümiqwË hammaºyim qärä´ yammîm wayyaºr´ ´élöhîm Kî-ýôb “BHT

There is no time designation indicated between when the earth was configured into oceans, (bodies of water) and dry land and when the decision to have vegetation sprout was made. What we can ascertain accurately from this is that the decision to have vegetation sprout came after the organization of land and sea into distinct regions on the earth. Genesis 1:11 Then God said: »Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them.« It was so. And God said, Let grass come up on the earth, and plants producing seed, and fruit-trees giving fruit, in which is their seed, after their sort: and it was so. BBE And God said: 'Let the earth put forth grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit after its kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth.' And it was so. JPS wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm Ta|dšë´ hä´äºrec Deºše´ `ëºSeb mazrîª` zeºra` `ëc Pürî `öºSè Pürî lümînô ´ášer zar`ô-bô `al-hä´äºrec wa|yühî-kën BHT

Upon God‘s determining to do so, vegetation comes into existence, and the second day ends. Genesis 1:12 And the earth began to put forth grass, vegetation bearing seed according to its kind and trees yielding fruit, the seed of which is in it according to its kind. Then God saw that [it was] good. NWT

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Day Three: (Creative duration Three)

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Summing up the second day; a separation between land and sea occurred and veg- etation was introduced on the earth, along with a system for reproduction of the vegetation. Again, no specific period of time is given as to duration for this process, a process which continued until the announcement of a Third Day as the beginning of another set of creative processes.

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Genesis 1:13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. BBE And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a third day. NWT wa|yühî-`eºreb wa|yühî-böºqer yôm šülîšî P BHT

Events during Day three; Genesis 1:14 Then God said: »Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. Let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.NSB ―And God said, "Let bright lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years. ― NLT ―And God said, Let there be lights in the arch of heaven, for a division between the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for marking the changes of the year, and for days and for years:‖ BBE ―Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;‖ NAU ‖ wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm yühî mü´öröt Birqîª` haššämaºyim lühabDîl Bên hayyôm ûbên halläºylâ wühäyû lü´ötöt ûlümôº`ádîm ûlüyämîm wüšänîm ― BHT

When the NLT states"Let bright lights appear‖; it allows their earlier existence, and merely indicates a situation wherein they would become visible on earth. Genesis 1:15 »Let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.« It was so. NSB ―And let them be for lights in the arch of heaven to give light on the earth: and it was so.TNK

‖wühäyû lim´ôröt Birqîª` haššämaºyim lühä´îr `al-hä´äºrec wa|yühî-kën―

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BHT

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―and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth." And it was so.‖ BBE‖

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Genesis 1:16 ―God made the two great lights. The sun was to govern the day. The moon was to govern the night. He made the stars also.‖ ‖And God made the two great lights: the greater light to be the ruler of the day, and the smaller light to be the ruler of the night: and he made the stars.´ BBE ―And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars.‖ JPS ‖ wayyaº`aS ´élöhîm ´et-šünê hammü´öröt haGGüdölîm ´et-hammä´ôr haGGädöl lümemšeºlet hayyôm wü´et-hammä´ôr haqqäýön lümemšeºlet hallaºylâ wü´ët haKKôkäbîm ― BHT

Genesis 1:17 ―He placed the lights in the sky to shine on the earth.‖ ―and God giveth them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth,‖ YLT ―And God put them in the arch of heaven, to give light on the earth;‖ BBE ‖ wayyiTTën ´ötäm ´élöhîm Birqîª` haššämäºyim lühä´îr `al-hä´äºrec― BHT

Genesis 1:18 ―The lights were to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. God saw that it was good‖ NSB ―and to regulate day and night, and to divide between the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good.‖ LXE ―To have rule over the day and the night, and for a division between the light and the dark: and God saw that it was good.´ BBE ‖ wülimšöl Bayyôm ûballaºylâ û|láhabDîl Bên hä´ôr ûbên haHöºšek wayyaºr´ ´élöhîm Kî-ýôb ― BHT ―

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Genesis 1:16 And God maketh the two great luminaries, the great luminary for the rule [dominion] of the day and the small luminary for rule of the night and the stars. YLT

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Here, we note God is not creating new sources of light, rather he is making existing sources visible from the earth and instituting a means by which time can be measured upon the earth.

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Genesis 1:16 And God proceeded to make the two great luminaries, the greater luminary for dominating the day and the lesser luminary for dominating the night, and also the stars. NWT Also we might add, in allowing light to penetrate to the earth, he is providing for natural functions such as photosynthesis to become possible. ―Let bright lights appear‖, ―to give light on the earth." Note: There are some subtle differences in definition between ‗making‘ and ‗creating‘;

to make - H6213 hf'['

`asah {aw-saw'}

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While ―make‖ is similar to ―create‖ in some dictionary definitions, this does not explain why Jehovah God would use different terms on different occasions to describe particular activities. If we assume he intended no

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1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made 2) (Piel) to press, squeeze

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difference between the two terms, we would be underestimating his linguistic skills. Upon carefully examining the Hebrew meaning of the two words, we do find there is a nuance of difference which is quite remarkable. ―create‖ carries an extra meaning in that it describes something completely new and is not based on using existing substances or rearranging elements which are already in existance. This difference may not be important to most persons, but will be especially noteworthy to the scientific community. to create H1254 arB bara' {baw-raw'} 1) to create, shape, form 1a) (Qal) to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject) 1a1) of heaven and earth 1a2) of individual man 1a3) of new conditions and circumstances 1a4) of transformations 1b) (Niphal) to be created 1b1) of heaven and earth 1b2) of birth 1b3) of something new 1b4) of miracles 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cut down 1c2) to cut out 2) to be fat 2a) (Hiphil) to make yourselves fat So, to sum up; While ‖make‖ describes something formed from existing elements, ―create‖ implies a newness or originality. Genesis 1:17 And God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth NAS

1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 88

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Placed H5414 !t;n" nathan {naw-than'}

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Likewise with the word ―placed‖. We should not attribute a meaning of original creation to this word, rather the meaning of assigning or designating.

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1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon 18 The lights were to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:18 and to regulate day and night, and to divide between the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. LXE ―To have rule over the day and the night, and for a division between the light and the dark: and God saw that it was good.‖ BBE ‖ wülimšöl Bayyôm ûballaºylâ û|láhabDîl Bên hä´ôr ûbên haHöºšek wayyaºr ´élöhîm Kî-ýôb ― BHT

During the third day, when light sources became visible from the earth, a system for meas - uring time, based on cycles of the two major orbs, became the means by which earth bound living creatures would be able relate to passing time. At this point we have an earth with separations between sea and land, seed planted for the generation of vegetation and a distinct source of light penetrating to earth on a uniformly cyclical basis when another fixed duration (evening and morning) is inserted. Upon inser -tion of this fixed duration, there comes to be a fourth day (era).

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Vss. 19 – 22 – describe events transpiring on the earth, during the FOURTH DAY (duration, era or time segment)

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Day Four: (Creative duration Four)

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Genesis 1:19 Evening came, and morning followed-- the fourth day. NAB Or as another version states; Genesis 1:19 And there was evening, and there was morning -- a fourth day. DBY At the commencement of this fourth day, the events starting with Vs. 20 follow God‘s (Elohim) declaration; Genesis 1:20 ―God said: »Let the waters be filled with many kinds of living beings, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.« NSB ―And God said, Let the waters be full of living things, and let birds be in flight over the earth under the arch of heaven.‖ BBE ‖ wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm yišrücû hammaºyim šeºrec neºpeš Hayyâ wü`ôp yü`ôpëp `al-hä´äºrec `al-Pünê rüqîª` haššämäºyim― BHT The declaration is then fulfilled in vs 21; Genesis 1:20 ―God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves in the waters after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.‖ NSB

Then, God (Elohim) institutes a means by which they might multiply their numbers and procreate their various species and states a determination for sea creatures and flying creatures to do so.

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Living creatures are introduced into the sea and flying creatures appear in the skies. Also, the means by which they will multiply is established. Again, as is the case of earlier periods of time designated as a day, no specific indication of duration is given for these events either. However, an interval between days (eras, durations) is given as a fixed time element which has been put into effect by the regular rhythm of the light and darkness (day / night) upon the earth. It is this author‘s contention that 90

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Genesis 1:22 God blessed them and said: »Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.« NSB

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the separation between the days are indeed given as measurable time events, whereas the elapsed time during of the days (eras) during which the creation takes place are non specific. While some scholars have attributed an equality to the days based on (2 Peter 3:8; ―But there is one thing, my dear friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.NJB), this is an assumption based on figurative language taken literally. It does not mecessarily indicate sound logic. The Bible itself contains no explicit statement as to the duration of the eras, nor is there any clear reference that indicates their durations were of equal length. Day Five: (another duration or era in the controlled sequence of events) Genesis 1:23 ―Evening came and morning came: the fifth day.‖ NJB

Or as another version put it; Genesis 1:23 And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a fifth day. NWT Vss 23 – 29 – describes events connected with the earth, which occurred during the FIFTH DAY (duration, era of creation on Earth). The events during the fifth day; Genesis 1:23 ‖God said: »Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.« It was so‖ NSB. Once again, God (Elohim) issues a declaration to be carried out, and that declaration is fulfilled with the expression; ―It was so.‖

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―And God said, Let the earth give birth to all sorts of living things, cattle and all things moving on the earth, and beasts of the earth after their sort: and it was so‖ BBE.

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Genesis 1:24 “And God said, "Let the earth bring forth every kind of animal-- livestock, small animals, and wildlife." And so it was‖. NLT

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―God said, "Let the earth bring forth every kind of living creature: cattle, creeping things, and wild beasts of every kind." And it was so.‖ TNK ‖ wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm Tôcë´ hä´äºrec neºpeš Hayyâ lümînäh Bühëmâ wäreºmeS wüHa|ytô-´eºrec lümînäh wa|yühî-kën ― BHT

Then the account continues; Genesis 1:25 God made wild animals in their own species, and cattle in theirs, and every creature that crawls along the earth in its own species. God saw that it was good.NJB Genesis 1:25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. NIV

Again, no actual time duration is given for this process, nor is any time duration indicated between God‘s announcement at Gen1:24 and the next declaration, the phrase ―And God saw that It was Good‖ in verse 25. What can we take away from this passage? Is this a phrase which would normally be used at the beginning, middle or end of a creative event? Context would dictate such expression be used after an event, not prior to or during it. However, when we read on, if we are not careful in our reading, the creation of man might appear to us to be combined into the same time era as that of the beasts (animals), without any elapsed time passage. This appears to be an assumption for which concrete evidence supported by scripture fails to exist. If anything, one might more readily assume there might have been a time separation between between the words ―And God said, Let us make man in our image‖ and ―And God saw that it was good. NIV´ Remember, there were no chapter and verse designations in the original writings which in most part are thought to have existed in a form of rambling continuous accounts with uncertainty as to separators we recognize as paragraphs today. The reality is; in some instances, separations appear apparent due to changes in subject matter or determined by context, while in others they are not. We continue with vs 26;

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our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth‖. NSB

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Gen 1:26 ―And God said, Let us make man in our image, after

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―And God said, Let us make man according to our image and likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the flying creatures of heaven, and over the cattle and all the earth, and over all the reptiles that creep on the earth.‖ LXE ―And God said, Let us make man in our image, like us: and let him have rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every living thing which goes flat on the earth.´ BBE ―wayyöº´mer ´élöhîm na|`áSè ´ädäm Bücalmëºnû Kidmûtëºnû wüyirDû bidgat hayyäm ûbü`ôp haššämaºyim ûbaBBühëmâ ûbükol-hä´äºrec ûbükolhäreºmeS hä|römëS `al-hä´äºrec ―BHT

What we may realistically conclude at this juncture is that hereby, God declared his purpose to make man in his image and to give him dominion over all living things on the earth. This in itself is not the same as the act of making. It is merely declaring his intent to make man in the future and give him dominion over the earth. Although we may think the event should immediately follow the declaration, this is again, omly an assumption on our parts. From what scripture itself reveals, no time inference may be taken between declaring the purpose and its completion. ―Make‖ in vs. 26 is entirely appropriate as a description of what God was about to do, for he was going to use existing elements of the earth to form the first man. In verse 27, what we find is a statement of completed fact for what was previously only stated in Vs. 26 as an intention. Gen 1:27 ‖God created man in his own image. In the image of

God he created him. He created male and female. ―NSB ―So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.‖ NRS ―And God made man in his image, in the image of God he made him: male and female he made them.‖ BBE

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As far as timing verse 27. and its placement into a creative era goes, here we are given a ‗past tense‘ statement indicating something which has already occurred, using the word ‗create‘ instead of ‗make‘. If create was the originally intended word, and there is a nuance of diff -erence between it and make, does this present us with a contradiction? Not really, because in the final sense of completing the first human being, we

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‖ wayyibrä´ ´élöhîm ´et-hä|´ädäm Bücalmô Büceºlem ´élöhîm Bärä´ ´ötô zäkär ûnüqëbâ Bärä´ ´ötäm― BHT

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see a two part process involved. The first consists of conceptualizing, or planning. This part is the creative function and is illustrated in the declaration in vs. 26, which presents the creative thinking behind the act. The second part (vs. 27) describes the completed result. It is the ―making‖ of the first man from the elements of the earth. By combining the intent to do so from (vs. 26) with the actual act of making which vs 27 describes as ―created‖ (in past tense). Together they represent a created act. While vs. 27 speaks of man as a completed act, to assume it followed vs 26. Immediately in time, must remain an assumption pending further evidence. Therefore, a question rises here about the actual time setting. The exact placement of Adam as a first living human being into the fifth creative day appears somewhat ambiguous. It raises the question of a waw consecutive being present in this instance based on an assumption on the implied waw consecutive in the following verse (31 ) This may be a main reason scholars have chosen to view the other previous Genesis Creative days as ―waw consecutives‖. From this point on, events appear to accelerate rapidly and in succession, for we know from both the context and the described nature of these events that very little time can transpire between them. GEN 1:28 God blessed them and said to them: »Be fruitful and increase in number. Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and dominate the birds of the air. Have dominion over every living creature that moves on the ground.« NSB GEN 1:29 Then God said: »I give you every plant that bears seed on the face of the entire earth. I also give you every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. NSB

Genesis 1:31 ―God saw all that he had made. It was very good. There was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.‖ NSB 94

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Day Six: (another duration or era in the controlled sequence of events) arrives.

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GEN 1:30 »Also every beast of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground; everything that has the breath of life in it, I give every green plant for food.« It was so. NSB

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The fifth day (duration) has passed and the sixth day dawns. At this point, based on the “waw” being treated conjunctive, a curiosity appears. While nothing is said as to what specific creating or making occurrences followed the announcement of the sixth day, according to waw conjunct- ive reasoning, a statement of seeming finality is made with” ―God saw all that he had made‖. However, while the phrase “all that he made” may seem to be all inclusive, it is not necessarily so. It can apply to all that was complete at the time the statement was made. God saw all that he had made. It was very good. There was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day. ―And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. ―NAS 31

―And God saw everything which he had made and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.‖ BBE ―And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. ―KJV ―wayyaºr´ ´élöhîm ´et-Kol-´ášer `äSâ wühinnË-ýôb mü´öd wa|yühî`eºreb wa|yühî-böºqer yôm haššiššî P ― BHT

This is where an element of confusion enters in. The question is raised as to whether the first five creative days can be described under waw conjunctive and then switch to a waw consecutive for the sixth day? If we 95

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However, according to a ―waw‖ conjunctive path, there are no newly made or newly created elements described at that point which can be uniquely attrib- uted to a sixth creative era (day). Therefore, we are left with the impression at this stage of the account that humans were created during the newly transpired (5th day) according to our use of the ‗waw‖ as a conjunctive. Yet, it would appear the statement ―God saw all that he had made. It was very good. There was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.‖ occurred somewhere towards the end of a sixth day takes a ―waw consecutive‖ path.

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This statement fits nicely into the ongoing dialog; At this stage, the earth was now ready for its crowning creation and God observed everything as being ―very good‖ in his eyes. It was ready for the capstone of the entire process that is the creation of ―humans‖

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lean on the most important indicator, which is context, this clearly seems to be the case. While bibles begin Gen 2:1 with the statement ―The heavens and the earth and their immense arrangement were completed,‖ these verses likely belong in the first chapter of Genesis, along with vs. 2 and 3. Only when we arrive at Genesis 2:4 does it appear to serve as the opening statement for a summation describe- ing past events and a new disclosure. The information following Gen 2:4 discloses how those events relate to the nature of man and his relationship with his creator. While the inclination is to presumptively view Chapter Two. as being separate and distinct from Chapter One, this is not really a valid assumption . Chapter and verse designations as we know them today were nonexistent when the account was first penned. Chapter designations were first introduced in 1205 CE by a man named Stephon Langton. A later bible scholar named Von Soden comments, "There is no doubt that the chapter divisions which we have inherited from Langton leave much to be desired. These divisions do not rest upon a comprehension of the literary structure of the Biblical books..." (H. von Soden, Die Schriften des Neuen Testamentes (Goettingen: Vandenhoeck, 1912), I, page 482.) Another noted Bible Scholar A.T. Robertson has said, "The first step in interpretation is to ignore the modern chapters and verses." An Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1925), p. 101.] A more realistic approach would be to view the opening verses of Genesis 2 as a continuation belonging to chapter one. Here again we see what appears to be the end of another day (time period). However at the end of this one, we find a summary phrase which does not appear at the conclusion of earlier time periods. At vs 31 we saw the declaration at the end of the Fifth day,

(BDB Definition)

1) exceedingly, much (adverb) 2) might, force, abundance (substantive) 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly (noun masculine) 96

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H3966 – VERY- me'od

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And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good . KJV

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3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness Good - H2896 - ob –

(BDB Definition)

However, when we read Gen 2: 4,5 we see what appears to be some overlap between the creation of man and beasts, which, if this is a correct 97

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Thus, at the end of Verse 31 of Genesis One, we may conclude the creation has been concluded, therefore, it would appear that in this instance context indicates, the ―waw‖ applies backwards as a waw consecutive.

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1) good, pleasant, agreeable (adjective) 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man‘s sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man‘s intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) 2) a good thing, benefit, welfare (noun masculine) 2a) welfare, prosperity, happiness 2b) good things (collective) 2c) good, benefit 2d) moral good 3) welfare, benefit, good things (noun feminine) 3a) welfare, prosperity, happiness 3b) good things (collective) 3c) bounty.

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under- standing, it would tend to place the creation of man in the same day as the animals (fifth day) Gen 2: 4 appears as a general re-hash combining events described in Gen 1:1 thru Gen 1:25 . However, In verses 26 – 31, it specifically addresses the creation in regard to humans. This part of the creation is elaborated upon in Vs 7- 16 of the Second chapter of Genesis where it begins to describe the process in detail, giving further information about events specifically connected with humans and their environment. 4 This is a history of the heavens and the earth in the time of their being created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven. 5 Now there was as yet no bush of the field found in the earth and no vegetation of the field was as yet sprouting, because Jehovah God had not made it rain upon the earth and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist would go up from the earth and it watered the entire surface of the ground.Gen 2;7 And Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul. Due to what seems a combining events from the 6th day (man) with events from the 5th day (animals) in the verses at Gen 2:4-7. There is some confusion among scholars as to when this day began, and what it included. However, the description at Gen 2: 4-7 must be seen as a comprehensive synopsis, and cannot be uniquely confined to one single day or even to any time sequence of measurable duration. If the creation of animals occurred during the 5th day, and creative work for that day ended with the declaration; ―God saw that it was good‖, then the forming of humans occurs during the 6th creative day, with animals already present, where we continue the account; Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, {26 Hebrew; Syriac all the wild animals} and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

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In identifying the ―us‖ in this passage, we refer back to John 1:1, where it iden- tifies one referred to as the Word, as co-existing with God almighty, Jehovah. Therefore, the ―us‖ comprises Jehovah God and the Word

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NIV

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(Jesus Christ in his pre-human existence) in tandem with each other. Does this prove them a ―Trinity‖? No, it merely places them together in the performance of a task. In this case, the task is one of creation as described in the Genesis account. Let us continue in Genesis; Genesis 1:27 And God (Elohim) made man, according to the image of God he made him, male and female he made them. {1) Mt 19:4} LXE Genesis 1:28 God blessed them, saying to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all the living creatures that move on earth.' NJB Genesis 1:29 God also said, 'Look, to you I give all the seed-bearing plants everywhere on the surface of the earth, and all the trees with seed-bearing fruit; this will be your food. NJB Genesis 1:30 And to all the animals on land, to all the birds of the sky, and to everything that creeps on earth,in which there is the breath of life, I give all the green plants for food." And it was so. TNK (past tense) At Gen. 1:30, When it stated ―And it was so‖ in the past tense, it shifted the next words into either present or future tense, and not in past tense. So when Gen 1:31 takes place including evening and morning, it describes a new sixth day. Genesis 1:31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. NAU Once more, as in all previous instances, is the ―waw‖ consecutive? This is followed by Genesis 2:1 ―Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array‖. NIV

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Recall earlier we drew a distinction between the meanings of words; good / very good.

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What may we draw from this if it is? If we assume the ‗waw‘ was conjunctive here then there are no specific accomplishments in the 6th day, leaving us a gap until the 7th day mentioned at Gen 2:2. Where we are told his work is ―complete‖ and that he rested on that day.

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In Gen. 1:18,21 and 25 God describes his work as ―good‖ then when the work is ―complete‖ (Gen 2:1) he uses the expression ―very good‖ (Gen 1:31). This draws our attention to two more words with similar meanings. They are ―complete‖ and ―perfect‖. ―Complete‖ , fnished H3615 hl'K' kalah {kaw-law'} 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) Perfect - (frequently found in the Bible as interchangeable with ―complete‖) H8549 ~ymiT' tamiym {taw-meem'} 1) complete, whole, entire, sound 1a) complete, whole, entire 1b) whole, sound, healthful 1c) complete, entire (of time) 1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity 1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)

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It is noteworthy the Hebrew word for ―complete‖ (tamiym) was not applied at the end of any of the first five creative days. It only occurs when the seventh day has begun. Therefore, in delegating the sixth day as a time of the creation of humans and for preparation of their garden home, the possibility opens up for some activity previously attached to prior days, occurring during the sixth day. If every minute detail

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Thus we find that the term perfect is interchangeable with the tewrm complete in Hebrew.

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attached to an event during each earlier day was not termed complete (perfect) at the time, could some activities have overlapped into succeeding eras? If so, we must then acknowledge the possibility that the sixth creative day could have included some activities continuing from previous days and or possibly even some final adjustments or fine tuning of previous activities? One example hinting at this as a real possibility is the fact that ―thorns and thistles‖ (weeds) were not on the scene at the end of day two when we are told vegetation bearing seed was introduced on earth. Gen. 1: 11; And God said: 'Let the earth put forth grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit after its kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth.' And it was so. JPS

Since these weeds came into existence after Adam and Eve were both already formed and had sinned, the logical inference is that these were introduced long after trees and vegetation had already been in existence from an earlier day, before the sixth day when Adam and Eve were made. The ―thorns and thistles‖ are set late in the sixth day (see Gen 3: 17,18.) This one example explains why the Hebrew term tamiym (complete, whole, and entire) occurs only on the seventh day. This term is not applied in con- nection with the work of any one of the previous days. The term ―complete‖ or perfect (kaw lah or tawyim) is not used in the description until it occurs at Gen 2:1 which is set in the seventh day and where it begins a summary review of the earlier material while at the same time providing further details for already completed work. Genesis 2:1 And the heavens and the earth were finished, and the whole world of them. LXE ―And the heavens and the earth and all things in them were complete‖. BBE

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Was the word ―Earth‖ understood to be the planet (globe), known as earth, or was there a narrower, simpler meaning implied in Genesis, such as the ground or a surface component of the earth. Those who believe the latter is the proper app- lication for the word earth contend that when Moses wrote, no humans had viewed or could have known the earth was a planet or a globe. For that reason they conclude, such description would have no meaning to any one on the planet at that time. Therefore, they claim the more appropriate meaning of the word earth is simply

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―Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array‖. NIV

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―ground‖ or earth surface. Dictionary meanings for the Hebrew word ―earth‖ certainly do indicate such as a possibility. However this explanation does not take into consideration the possibility of early men, having been provided divine information beyond their own natural innate ability. There is reference to an example of such phenomena occurring even centuries later when a man named Hiram had skills transmitted to him directly by God in connection with the building of the temple during Solomon‘s day. Also, there is Job, another example of a man who possessed information about the natural creation unknown by human science until centuries after he had died. The book of Psalms also includes information unknown to men at the time of its writing. Therefore there remains the possibility that there may have been more knowledge of earth science present than what men could have observed with their own eyes.

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1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

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H776 #r,a,

Earth 'erets {eh'-rets}

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Genesis 2:1 (based on modern day chapter and verse designations)―The heavens and the earth and their immense arrangement were completed.‖ NSB Genesis 2:2 Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken NAB Genesis 2:2 And by the seventh day God came to the completion of his work that he had made, and he proceeded to rest on the seventh day from all his work that he had made. NWT Genesis 2:3 And God gave his blessing to the seventh day and made it holy: because on that day he took his rest from all the work which he had made and done. BBE Genesis 2:4 This is a history of the heavens and the earth in the time of their being created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven. NWT Genesis 2:4 These are the histories of the heavens and the earth, when they were created, in the day that Jehovah Elohim made earth and heavens, DBY In all likelihood this statement belongs towards the end of the sixth day and may well include activities by God which tuned, adjusted or tweaked things which he accomplished during all the previous eras. The account does not go into detail, other than to say, by the seventh day everything was complete and he rested from his work. This statement infers that there was ongoing work during the sixth day which was not considered complete until the seventh day.

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The narration uses the word ―created‖ at this point. We have already noted that there is a subtle difference between ―make‖ and ―create.‖(`asah aw-saw') Make means to form or produce something from pre-existing materials, whereas,‖create‖ bara'{baw-raw'} implies producing something which is entirely original, and not from pre-existing elements. It is notable that Jehovah (YHWH) is given credit in this verse,

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Genesis 2:2 ― By the seventh day God had finished his work. He rested from all his work on the seventh day. 3 God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. This is because he rested from all the work of creation he had done.‖

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not (Elohim) as in previous verses where things are described as being ―made‖ and not as being ―created‖. Genesis 2:4 Such was the story of heaven and earth as they were created. At the time when Yahweh God made earth and heaven NJB ―These are the histories of the heavens and the earth, when they were created, in the day that Jehovah Elohim made earth and heavens,‖ DBY ―These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God (Jehovah) made the earth and the heavens‖, KJV [ parenthesis by author] ´ëºllè tôldôt haššämaºyim wühä´äºrec BühiBBä|r´äm Büyôm `áSôt yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm ´eºrec wüšämäºyim BHT

Thus, with those words, the end of the first part of the narration concerning the creation of the universe, the galaxy and the earth is summed up, and a new narration, reviewing, filling in and adding further detail to the previous narration begins. Genesis 2:5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; NKJ Genesis 2:5 ―No shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground;‖ JPS wüköl SîªH haSSädè ýeºrem yi|hyè bä´äºrec wükol-`ëºSeb haSSädè ýeºrem yicmäH Kî lö´ himýîr yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm `al-hä´äºrec wü´ädäm ´aºyin la|`áböd ´et-hä|´ádämâ BHT

This verse takes the narration back to a time concurrent with Genesis 1:10. and commences to sum up events concerning humans on the earth from that time forward, adding details not mentioned earlier.

wü´ëd ya|`álè min-hä´äºrec wühišqâ ´e|t-Kol-Pünê|-hä|´ádämâ BHT

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―But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground.‖ NAS

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Genesis 2:6 Mist came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. ―But a mist went up from the earth, watering all the face of the land.‖ BBE

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Genesis 2:7 Jehovah God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. The man became a living being. NSB ―And the LORD God formed a man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person‖. NLT ―And the Lord God made man from the dust of the earth, breathing into him the breath of life: and man became a living soul‖. BBE wayyîcer yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm ´et-hä|´ädäm `äpär minh亴ádämâ wayyiPPaH Bü´aPPäyw nišmat Hayyîm wa|yühî hä|´ädäm lüneºpeš Hayyâ BHT End of Chapter Scroll down to next chapter or

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CHAPTER SIX ―HUMAN BEINGS ENTER THE SCENE‖

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HUMAN BEINGS ENTER THE SCENE Man is introduced into a newly formed environment which we may presume is substantially ready in every sense for his continual habitation. While vs. 8 states the fact of mans placement, vss. 9 -14 fill us in on some local environmental details. When it says God planted a garden, there is the implication that this locale was afforded a somewhat special status from the rest of the earth. It is also apparent from this part of the account that there must be some passage of time implied by virtue of the fact that nature demands time passage between planting and achieving full maturity. Thus we are told in effect that God zeros in on a particular locale and readies it for human habitation in a special way. We are also given some geographical data about water sources available to the garden. Genesis 2:8 Now Jehovah God planted a garden in the east, in Eden. He put the man he had formed there. NSB ―Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden, which is in the east, and there he put the man he had fashioned‖ NJB . ―And the Lord God made a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had made‖ BBE ―wayyiýýa` yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm Gan-Bü`ëºden miqqeºdem wayyäºSem šäm ´et-hä|´ädäm ´ášer yäcär‖ BHT

Genesis 2:9 and Jehovah God causeth to sprout from the ground every tree desirable for appearance, and good for food, and the tree of life in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. YLT And out of the earth the Lord made every tree to come, delighting the eye and good for food; and in the middle of the garden, the tree of life and the tree of the know- ledge of good and evil. BBE

And a river went out of Eden giving water to the garden; and from there it was parted and became four streams. BBE

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Genesis 2:10 A river rises in Eden to water the garden; beyond there it divides and becomes four branches. NAB

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wayyacmaH yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm min-h亴ádämâ Kol-`ëc neHmäd lümar ´è wüýôb lüma´ákäl wü`ëc ha|Hayyîm Bütôk haGGän wü`ëc haDDaº`at ýôb wärä` BHT

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Genesis 2:10 And a river is going out from Eden to water the garden, and from thence it is parted, and hath become four chief rivers; YLT wünähär yöcë´ më`ëºden lühašqôt ´et-haGGän ûmiššäm yiPPärëd wühäyâ lü´arBä`â rä´šîm BHT

Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. NIV ‖The name of the first is Pishon, which goes round about all the land of Havilah where there is gold.‖ BBE

“šëm hä|´eHäd Pîšôn hû´ hassöbëb ´ët Kol-´eºrec ha|Háwîlâ ´ášer-šäm hazzähäb BHT

Genesis 2:12 The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. NLT Genesis 2:13 The second river is named the Gihon, and this winds all through the land of Cush. NJB Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Tigris, which goes to the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. BBE

After relating those geographic background details, the account transfers to the human aspect; Genesis 2:15 And the Lord God took the man whom he had formed, and placed him in the garden of Delight, to cultivate and keep it. LXE ‖And the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to do work in it and take care of it.‖ BBE ―wayyiqqaH yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm ´et-hä|´ädäm wayyannìHëºhû bügan-`ëºden lü`obdäh ûlüšomräh ― BHT

‖And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;‖ NAS

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Genesis 2:16 Then Yahweh God gave the man this command, 'You are free to eat of all the trees in the garden. NJB

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At this point in the narration a single clear cut restriction is laid upon the man;

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―And

the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:‖ KJV ―wayücaw yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm `al-hä|´ädäm lë´mör miKKöl `ë|chaGGän ´äköl Tö´kël ―BHT

Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you are not to eat; for, the day you eat of that, you are doomed to die.' NJB except the tree of knowledge of good and bad. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die." NAB But of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you may not take; for on the day when you take of it, death will certainly come to you. BBE ûmë`ëc haDDaº`at ýôb wärä` lö´ tö´kal mimmeºnnû Kî Büyôm ´ákolkä mimmeºnnû môt Tämût BHT

Thus stated is the only restriction Jehovah God imposes on the human family. In a figurative sense, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents much more than merely knowing about good and evil. In its ancient Hebrew meaning, to know also implies experiencing and practicing what is known. The Important point for us here is that this restricttion entailed a multifaceted test of how much humans trusted God and how much they appreciated him and what he provided for them on a continuing basis. It also tested their loyalty and obedience to him as their sovereign. Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." NKJ ‖And the Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be by himself: I will make one like himself as a help to him BBE

With this verse we find YHWH makes a declaration of future intent. The culmination of that declaration is to occur later. We do not know how much later from what is said, but we can assume that the man‘s familiarization and orientation with his surroundings would take some 109

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―wayyöº´mer yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm lö´-ýôb héyôt hä|´ädäm lübaDDô ´e|`éSeh-llô `ëºzer KünegDô BHT ―

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―The LORD God said, "It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for him." TNK

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time. Also, with God bringing all the animals to Adam and allowing sufficient time for him to ob- serve them and ultimately name them likely could not have occurred instantly either. It implies the passage of time which is undisclosed as to duration in the Bible. According to the entirety of the next verse it cannot be construed as being set in the sixth day. While seeming to allude that the beasts of the field and the birds of the air were formed after man, this is not the case. It merely mentions how and from what he had ―made‖ other creatures, as a side note. The relevant point is that he brought them to the man Adam for observation and for him to have a sense of dominion over them by naming them according to what he learned from his own observations. This refers to the portion of the verse which occurs during the sixth day. Whether the man was able to communicate in any way or to what extent he may have been able to do so with the animal community is unknown. We do know that for a period of time, the animal world and its inhabitants were Adam‘s only earthly companions. Also, it appears later when Eve had her conversation with the Serpent, it was not something that was foreign or strange in any way for her. Later, in Genesis we are told that this friendly relationship with the animal world was changed when a fear of man was imbedded in the nature of animals. (Gen. 9:2) Genesis 2:19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. NIV ―So from the soil Yahweh God fashioned all the wild animals and all the birds of heaven. These he brought to the man to see what he would call them; each one was to bear the name the man would give it.‖ NJB ―And from the earth the Lord God made every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and took them to the man to see what names he would give them: and whatever name he gave to any living thing, that was its name. BBE

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wayyìcer yhwh (´ädönäy) ´élöhîm min-hä|´ádämâ Kol-Hayyat haSSädè wü´ët Kol-`ôp haššämaºyim wayyäbë´ ´el-h亴ädäm lir´ôt mà-yyiqrä´-lô wüköl ´ášer yiqrä´-lô hä|´ädäm neºpeš Hayyâ hû´ šümô BHT

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Genesis 2:19 ―And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof.‖ ASV

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Genesis 2:20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. ESV He gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals. But still there was no companion suitable for him. NLT And the man gave names to all cattle and to the birds of the air and to every beast of the field; but Adam had no one like himself as a help. BBE wayyiqrä´ hä|´ädäm šëmôt lükol-haBBühëmâ ûlü`ôp haššämaºyim ûlüköl Hayyat haSSädè ûlü´ädäm lö|´-mäcä´ `ëºzer KünegDô BHT

At this juncture, something amazing happened to Adam, which man had no scientific explanation for until very recent times. Genesis 2:21 Then, Yahweh God made the man fall into a deep sleep. And, while he was asleep, he took one of his ribs and closed the flesh up again forthwith. NJB ―And the Lord God sent a deep sleep on the man, and took one of the bones from his side while he was sleeping, joining up the flesh again in its place: ― BBE ‖wayyaPPël yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm TarDëmâ `al-hä´ädäm wayyîšän wayyiqqaH ´aHat miccal`ötäyw wayyisGör BäSär TaHTeºnnâ‖ BHT

If we were to describe what happened there in the scientific terms of our day, much more could be added to our description. Again, the account reveals no indication as to amount of time expired in what is described. We do not know how long Adam was without a wife, or how long it took to perform what seemed to be a miracle in its own right when Jehovah furnished him with one.

The man said: »This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called ‗Woman.‘ This is because she was taken out of Man.« 23

NSB

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From this we understand that she was a fully grown adult female human being, perfect in every sense Jehovah had designed for her. This extraordinary event became much more understandable in the 1950s and 60s when humans first began to learn about DNA and the possibilities of cloning.

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Genesis 2:22 Yahweh God fashioned the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. NJB

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―And Adam said, This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of her husband. LXE ―And the man said, This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh: let her name be Woman because she was taken out of Man. BBE ―wayyö´mer hä|´ädäm zö´t haPPaº`am `eºcem më|`ácämay ûbäSär miBBüSärî lüzö´t yiqqärë´ ´iššâ Kî më´îš lù|qóHâ-zzö´t BHT

The man (Adam) recognized this creature was different in that she was actually like himself, not like any other creature he had familiarity with. It is also clear that he understood that she had been taken from his own body. How this information was imparted to him, we have no scriptural indication other than implicit evidence that he had some form of direct communication with his creator. Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. NIV ―Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.‖ KJV

―For this cause will a man go away from his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they will be one flesh.‖ BBE

”`al-Kën ya|`ázob-´îš ´et-´äbîw wü´et-´immô wüdäbaq Bü´išTô wühäyû lübäSär ´eHäd BHT With those words, Jehovah God instituted the underlying principal of marriage. Genesis 2:25 The two of them were naked, the man and his wife, yet they felt no shame. TNK The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. NIV

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Nakedness in the Hebrew language has a primary meaning of being without clothes, however in this verse it appears to have an implication beyond its primary application. Here it may imply innocence, unguarded exposure or unquestioning acceptance of their situation and that in this condition; they were neither ill at ease nor uncomfortable. 112

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And the man and his wife were without clothing, and they had no sense of shame. BBE

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Genesis Three: Genesis 3 introduces another being into their lives. While one might find it strange that the woman seemed so much at ease in communicating with a wild creature, we must remember what their relationship was with the animal world at that time. In this passage we may find a veiled implication that other animals also had the ability to communicate with Adam and Eve at the time. Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals Jehovah God had made. He said to the woman: »Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?« NSB And the serpent was more crafty than any animal of the field which Jehovah Elohim had made. And it said to the woman, Is it even so, that God has said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? DBY Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" NKJ wühannäHäš häyâ `ärûm miKKöl Hayyat haSSädè ´ášer `äSâ yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm wayyöº´mer ´el-h亴iššâ ´ap Kî|-´ämar ´élöhîm lö´ tö|´külû miKKöl `ëc haGGän BHT Genesis 3:2,3. The woman said to the serpent: »We may eat fruit from the trees

in the garden. 3 „However, God did say: „You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not touch it, or you will die.‟« NSB 2 And the woman said, We may take of the fruit of the trees in the garden::3 But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, If you take of it or put your hands on it, death will come to you. BBE

2 The woman replied to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the other trees of the garden. 3 It is only about fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said: 'You shall not eat of it or touch it, lest you die.'"

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The Serpent who is later identified as Satan the Devil (Rev. 12:9) entered into a conversation with the woman, later known as Eve. He raised a question for which he already knew the answer. She responded to him in clear terms, showing that she fully understood what God had said previously. He then comes back with what turns out to be an untrue statement, the first recorded lie in the Bible. 113

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Gen. 3: 4,5. »You will not die,« the serpent said to the woman. 5 »God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened. Then you will be like God, knowing good and evil.« NSB Genesis 3:5 For God sees that on the day when you take of its fruit, your eyes will be open, and you will be as gods, having knowledge of good and evil. BBE Genesis 3:5 Kî yödëª` ´élöhîm Kî Büyôm ´ákolkem mimmeºnnû wünipqüHû `ê|nêkem wihyîtem Kë|´löhîm yöd`ê †ôb wärä` BHT

[A side note of interest; In referring to the one who originally had laid the command on Adam and Eve, the serpent (Devil) describes him as ―Elohim‖ and not ―YHWH Elohim‖, as the writer does in much of the narrative in the 2nd and 3rd chapter of Genesis. This indicates that the writer was not just using a different form of wording to describe God in the 2nd and 3rd chapters, rather it implies one must attach a difference in nuance of meaning between the words― Elohim‖ and ―YHWH Elohim‖] Continuing with the account; Genesis 3:4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. NIV Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said to the woman, "You are not going to die, TNK Genesis 3:4 And the snake said, Death will not certainly come to you: BBE

1. Did Jehovah lie? 2. Can men determine what is best for them, aside from Jehovah? 114

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The accusation was made before the entire universe of spirit beings (angels, cherubs, seraphs) and triggered a host of issues. The implications of the accusation made in their presence concerning men on earth raised the following issues;

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With this reply, Satan accuses God of being a liar, and then immediately dangles an appeal to Eve‘s vanity. He tells her if she eats it, she will be like God, able to determine for herself what is good and what is evil. This raises the issue of whether man can really be like God and decide what is best for himself. However, within this accusation lies an even larger implication.

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3. Will men will be better off leaving Jehovah‘s provisions and following Satan‘s advice? 4. Would men be obedient and loyal to their creator? 5. If not, would this betray a distrust in their creator? 6. Could men be obedient and loyal to their creator? 7. Would men follow Satan in resisting the will of their creator? For Spirit beings, it raised another massive question concerning God‘s ruler ship; Was Jehovah‘s sovereignty (his right to rule) justified? Or could another godlike one‘s rule be justifiable? The account continues; Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. NIV The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. NAB And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and a delight to the eyes, and to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and gave it to her husband. BBE And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a pleasure for the eyes, and the tree was to be desired to give intelligence; and she took of its fruit, and ate, and gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. DBY waTTëºre´ hä|´iššâ Kî ýôb hä`ëc lüma´ákäl wükî ta|´áwâ-hû´ lä`ênaºyim wüneHmäd hä`ëc lühaSKîl waTTiqqaH miPPiryô waTTö´kal waTTiTTën Gam-lü´îšäh `immäh wayyö´kal BHT

Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened. They realized they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. NSB 115

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The account continues;

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Both of them ate of the fruit deliberately. In thisthey knowingly disobeyed the one restriction which their creator had placed on them. With that single act they violated their innocence, revealing distrust in their creator and in effect they left Jehovah God and his benevolent fatherly provisions and chose to follow someone other than Jehovah.

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And the eyes of both were opened, and they perceived that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons to go round them. LXE

And their eyes were open and they were conscious that they had no clothing and they made themselves coats of leaves stitched together. BBE waTTiPPäqaºHnâ `ênê šünêhem wayyëºd`û Kî `ê|rummìm hëm wa|yyitPürû `álË tü´ënâ wayya`áSû lähem Hágöröt BHT

This verse presents a curiosity; since clothing was not an observable concept in the animal world which they were familiar with, could there be another meaning behind their recognition of their own nakedness? II

Scholars contend that within this newly found perception of their nakedness lays a meaning far greater than a mere lack of clothing. It figuratively reveals or exposes recognition to one another that they are no longer innocent with nothing to hide. In their covering of themselves, they betray an effort to con- ceal this recognition at least from one another, and possibly also from God. Genesis 3:8 The man and his wife heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from Yahweh God among the trees of the garden. NJB And they heard the voice of Jehovah Elohim, walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And Man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah Elohim, in the midst of the trees of the garden. DBY And there came to them the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the evening wind: and the man and his wife went to a secret place among the trees of the garden, away from the eyes of the Lord God. BBE 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 amongst the trees of the garden. KJV

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We know they did not literally see God for the Bible later says; No man has ever seen God. What they discerned was his close presence; ( John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. NJB)

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wa|yyišmü`û ´et-qôl yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm mithallëk BaGGän lürûªH hayyôm wayyitHaBBë´ hä|´ädäm wü´išTô miPPünê yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm Bütôk `ëc haGGän BHT

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Genesis 3:9 But Jehovah God called to the man: »Where are you?« NSB And the voice of the Lord God came to the man, saying, Where are you? BBE wayyiqrä´ yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm ´el-hä|´ädäm wayyöº´mer lô ´ayyeºKKâ BHT

It is impossible that Jehovah did not know where they were. So we may surmise this question was addressed to the couple to let them know he knew they were trying to hide something from him. Adam responds thusly; Genesis 3:10 He (Adam) answered: »I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.« NSB In this, Adam revealed he no longer viewed himself or his wife (by virtue of his headship), as being innocent. In his mind, there was now something to hide. Jehovah apparently recognizes this in Adams attitude and addresses the implication of this for Adam‘s benefit. Genesis 3:11 And he said: »Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? NSB Genesis 3:11 And he said, Who gave you the knowledge that you were without clothing? Have you taken of the fruit of the tree which I said you were not to take? BBE

There is much more to this question than what is immediately apparent. It bears on their determining for themselves what was right or wrong. And this was what is at the root of his restricttion in the first place.

"Yes," Adam admitted, "but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it." NLT

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Gen 3:12 Adam said: »The woman you put here with me gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.« NSB

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At this point, Adam can admit his error and show repentance to God over his lack of trust in him and for his succumbing to the temptation by the serpent. However, this is not what he chooses to do. Instead, he places blame on the woman who led him to disobedience and distrust, and he blames God himself for giving him the woman.

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And the man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree and I took it. BBE wayyöº´mer hä|´ädäm hä|´iššâ ´ášer nätaºTTâ `immädî hiw´ nä|tnâ-llî min-hä`ëc wä´ökël BHT

Jehovah now has obtained an indication from Adam himself as to what Adam‘s heart condition is. Next, he addresses a question to Eve, which would appear, to be designed to get her to voice what is in her heart as well. Genesis 3:13 Then Jehovah God said to the Eve: »What is this you have done? The woman answered: »The serpent deceived me, and I ate.« NSB Then Yahweh God said to the woman, 'Why did you do that?' The woman replied, 'The snake tempted me and I ate.' NJB And the Lord God said to the woman, What have you done? And the woman said, I was tricked by the deceit of the snake and I took it. BBE wayyöº´mer yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm lä´iššâ mà-zzö´t `äSît waTTöº´mer hä|´iššâ hannäHäš hiššî´aºnî wä´ökël BHT

The woman, Eve blames the serpent without any acknowledgement or remorse over her own wrongdoing. She has revealed her own heart condition by her own words. After hearing Eve‘s reply, Jehovah God pronounces judgment on the situation. He had already told the couple that in the day they disobeyed him, they would bring death into their lives. This part is a foregone conclusion, for God cannot lie (Tit 1:2). He starts with a judgment against the serpent, who according to Rev. 12:9 is actually Satan the devil in disguise.

And the Lord God said to the snake, Because you have done this you are cursed more than all cattle and every beast of the field; you will go flat on the earth, and dust will be your food all the days of your life: BBE

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And Jehovah Elohim said to the serpent, Because thou hast done this, be thou cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field. On thy belly shalt thou go, and eat dust all the days of thy life. DBY

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Genesis 3:14 So Jehovah God said to the serpent: »Because you have done this you are cursed above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. NSB

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wayyö´mer yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm ´e|l-hannäHäš Kî `äSîºtä zzö´t ´ärûr ´aTTâ miKKol-haBBühëmâ ûmiKKöl Hayyat haSSädè `al-GüHönkä tëlëk wü`äpär Tö´kal Kol-yümê Hayyʺkä BHT

At this point in the Genesis account, Jehovah utters a deeply significant prophetic statement. The depth and great significance is that it relates to what he is going to do in response to the momentous universal issue the devil has raised in the sight of all living intelligent creatures in God‘s creation. In his reply, God prophetically reveals a partial glimpse of how he will deal with the issues raised by Satan the Devil. In fewer than thirty words he unleashes a statement of purpose which will reverberate through the entire Bible and have a profound impact on the future prospects of all future generations of men on the earth . Gen. 3 :15 »And I will put enmity (hostility) (hatred) between you and the woman, and between your offspring (seed) and hers. He will bruise (overwhelm) (crush) you in the head, and you will bruise (overwhelm) (crush) him in the heel.« NSB In addressing Satan, God mentions a seed, (a ‗He‘) in a singular sense not in the plural as seeds. He predicts this seed would crush him (Satan) in the head while he, Satan would crush that seed in the heel. He also reveals that the woman‘s seed would produce offspring and that there would be enmity between her offspring and Satan‘s own offspring.

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Progressive revelation of details concerning these characters would more clearly identify who the primary seed of the woman was and who her offspring as a secondary seed were. (See Cross Ref.- Romans 9:8, 16:20, Galations 3:19,29. and Revelations 12:17). Later scripture would also identify who the offspring of Satan the devil would consist of down through history. (See Cross Ref. John 8:44, 1 John 3:10, 1 John 5:2, Romans 8:17 and Romans 9:8.)

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What we have at this point appears as a somewhat mysterious prophecy which does not reveal very much about the subjects involved. We are able to gather a few clues which will help us later in deciphering the full impact of this prophecy. We are told that the seed emanating from the woman, would crush him (Satan) in the head, (a death dealing blow) and that he , Satan would crush that seed in the heel (a non lethal blow).

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The development of those seeds and what the seed of God‘s woman would accomplish through her offspring, would become a main theme echoing through the entire Bible Then he (Jehovah) turns his attention to the Woman on the spot, later known as Eve; Gen 3:16 He said to the woman: »I will greatly increase your pains in childbirth; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.« NSB And then to Adam; Gen 3:17-19 He said to Adam: »Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‗You must not eat of it,‘ cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 »It will produce thorns and thistles for you. You will eat the plants of the field. 19 »You will eat your food by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground. You came from the ground. For dust you are and to dust you will return.« NSB At this juncture, the narration departs from God conversing with Adam and makes several observations; Gen. 3:20,21. Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. 21 Jehovah God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. NSB As their covering themselves was symbolic of the recognition of their loss of innocence, Jehovah confirms this loss by making their temporary coverings a permanent fixture in their lives.

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In this statement there is an implication of Jehovah speaking to others than himself, and more than just one other individual. We sense here he is speaking to a gathering of some sort. It may have been a gathering or an occasion similar to one mentioned at Job 1:6―Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah. . . . ASV

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Gen. 3:22 Jehovah said: »The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.« NSB

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Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, Now the man has become like one of us, having knowledge of good and evil; and now if he puts out his hand and takes of the fruit of the tree of life, he will go on living for ever. BBE

Then Yahweh God said, 'Now that the man has become like one of us in knowing good from evil, he must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick from the tree of life too, and eat and live for ever!' NJB wayyöº´mer yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm hën hä|´ädäm häyâ Kü´aHad mimmeºnnû lädaº`at ýôb wärä` wü`aTTâ Pen-yišlaH yädô wüläqaH Gam më`ëc ha|Hayyîm wü´äkal wäHay lü`öläm BHT

Genesis 3:23 Therefore Jehovah God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. With that Jehovah God put him out of the garden of E'den to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. NWT So the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to be a worker on the earth from which he was taken. BBE wa|yüšallüHëºhû yhwh(´ädönäy) ´élöhîm miGGan-`ëºden la|`áböd ´eth亴ádämâ ´ášer luqqaH miššäm BHT A

From this verse we may conclude there was placed in effect a divine means by which they would be prevented from re- entering the Garden of 121

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Genesis 3:24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. NIV

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When Jehovah put Adam and his wife Eve out of the Garden of Eden, they were precluded from further access to the fruit from the tree of life, which fruit rep- resented the provision for them to enjoy everlasting life. What form this provision took, we are not able to determine from the bible account. Whether it was a substance by which they could benefit themselves by or some special information by which they could prolong their lives indefinitely, no infor- mation was given at that time. Later on in the Bible an allusion is made to everlasting life being tied to their relationship with their creator and his purposes. (See John 17:3). Whether it is this relationship or the knowledge granted as a result of this relations ship which would hold the key to everlasting life, is open to speculation.

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Eden. This would prevent them from having access to its full provisions for their life and well being, which God had originally started them off with in the Garden With Genesis 4:1 the account proceeds in documenting the historical account which occurs after their banishment from the Garden of Eden and the course of events proceeding thereafter. Genesis 4:1 The man had intercourse with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. 'I have acquired a man with the help of Yahweh,' she said. NJB Genesis 4:1 The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have produced a man with the help of the LORD." NAB Genesis 4:1 And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah. ASV Genesis 4:1 wüh亴ädäm yäda` ´et-Hawwâ ´išTô waTTaºhar waTTëºled ´et-qaºyin waTTöº´mer qänîºtî ´îš ´et-yhwh(´ädönäy) BHT

Seven things you may not have realized before about Genesis; What are some of the unorthodox conclusions (not generally accepted or taught), that a careful reading of the Genesis creation account reveals when evidence from other parts of the bible is brought to bear on the account?

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2. ―In the beginning‖ there was another entity present with God Almighty, the creator. That one can be identified as Jesus Christ in his pre human form; [Gen. 1:1 identifies God as Elohim, (plural for God). John 1:1 says the Logos (word) was present in the beginning with God. Rev. 19:13 identifies Jesus in his post human form as ―The word‖. This leaves us with a conclusion that Jesus in his pre-human / post-human form was alongside Jehovah God during the creation of the earth and the

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1. The account starts with something already in existence, Other than God himself, we are told that ―in the beginning‖ he created the heavens and the earth. The account from Genesis 1:2 forward is all about what was done from that point forward, particularly in reference to the planet earth.

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things we associate with it. Possibly, there were other spirit beings present, at least ―in the beginning‖ of earth‘s creation. 3. A ―Day‖ in most instances in Genesis represents an era, and not just 24 hours. The only fixed time duration occurs at the end of each day with the passage of night and the beginning of light (morning). Durations of all other periods are non specific. From what the account itself reveals, we cannot attach a duration of 24 hours to a creative day. It is not indicated scripturally and there also is no proof in Genesis that the ―creative days‖ are equal in length. 4. An accurate understanding of what the Genesis account actually says does not conflict, either with reason or with proven scientific fact. 5. The Hebrew ―waw‖ plays a critical part in the understanding of the sequence of events in the Genesis account. Whether it is seen as ―waw‖ consecutive or ―waw‖ conjunctive determines which day a given set of events falls within. 6. Adam and Eve represent original life forms for the human species. They were so to say, the mold from which all successive humans were produced. In modern scientific terms, they were the source for DNA for all subsequent generations.

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Thus we end an overview or synopsis of the creation account through six creative days and conclude with a seventh day where it tells us God had finished with creation, and was resting. . What follows in the Genesis account and the rest of the Bible helps us to know why we are in the condition we are in today and what God, in his infinite wisdom and love has decided to do in response to our first parents‘ disobedience. 123

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7. There is a difference between ―make‖ and ―create‖. While these two terms are frequently interchanged by human translators, a careful exam- ination of the Hebrew etymology roots for the word discloses that ―to make‖ includes producing a new form by combining pre-existing elements. On the other hand, ―to create‖ implies producing some thing from that which has never existed before. In some cases the two words can be found applicable to the same entity. This may occur when an idea for the new form is totally original (thus a creation) and is then carried out with the process of making (using existing elements to produce the new idea. Thus concerning ―man‖ it can be said he was both ―created‖, that is the idea behind him was entirely original and yet he was ―made‖, or ―formed‖ by using the existing elements of the earth. (dust)

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What God expected of Humans When, we left the first human couple in a garden like paradise, they were given a mandate to multiply, and to work at cultivating the earth into an earth wide paradise like the garden of Eden. They were given stewardship over all the rest of God‘s earthly creation. They were designed to live, without limits on their life expectancy, unless they violated the one great rule God laid down for them. Unfortunately they did violate that rule and could only pass on their own imperfection and its consequences to their future human progeny. As the creation account draws toward a close in Genesis we begin a new phase concerning mans relationship with his creator. Here we are confronted with the issue which was first raised in the Garden of Eden and described briefly earlier. The fact is that this issue was not only of monumental importance to Jehovah God then, but is equally important to him today. It is a ―universal Issue‖ affecting all of God‘s creation, both heavenly and earthly. The importance of this issue calls for us to explore it in greater depth and detail for it will determine ultimately the future outcome for the earth and our continued existence as a species on it. What follows in Genesis and the rest of the Bible helps us to know why we are in the condition we are in today and what God, in his infinite wisdom and love has decided to do in response to our first parents‘ disobedience. It also explains how we will be affected by the outcome of what he does to resolve the universal issue.

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CHAPTER SEVEN A UNIVERSAL ISSUE THAT AFFECTS US ALL (The ―Universal‖ issue God has with his intelligent Creation)

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A UNIVERSAL ISSUE THAT AFFECTS US ALL Genesis 2:16,17 Then Yahweh God gave the man this command, 'You are free to eat of all the trees in the garden except the tree of knowledge 1 of good and bad. From that tree you shall not eat; NJB Those words come from the earliest pages of history as recorded in God‘s own book, the Holy Bible. They represent the earliest restriction verbalized by Jehovah, the Almighty God to his human family, at a time when it was in its early infancy. A casual reading might tend to minimize the importance this simple requirement had on the course of human history. Yet the reaction to it by our first human parents affected all humans from that time forward. The issue raised upon that occasion more than six thousand years ago is still very much alive and with us today. The restriction stated by God was about the ―knowledge of good and bad‖ (evil). However, is that all there is to it? Is it that simple? Not really. Upon examination of just what it means in Bible terms to know or get knowledge, we see much more. In the Bible, knowledge of good and bad goes beyond a mere familiarity with it. It has to do with experience connected with good and bad. As example in Gen 4:1,17 and 25, knowing (yada) clearly involves putting that knowledge into practice. Among the definitions one Bible dictionary gives for ―knowing‖ is; Being acquainted with, to distinguish, or to have knowledge by experience. In this and other applications, ―yada‖ takes us beyond ―intellectual‖ impli- cations of good and bad. It includes having actual experience with the thing which is known. Some Bible examples for this principle include;

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Genesis 4:17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bore Enoch; and he builded a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son Enoch. JPS

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Genesis 4:1 And the man knew Eve his wife, and she conceiveth and beareth Cain, and saith, 'I have gotten a man by Jehovah;' YLT [knew = experienced his wife, had intercourse with her]

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Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth. For, said she, God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel; for Cain slew him. ASV 2 Corinthians 5:21 The one who did not know sin he made to be sin for us, that we might become God's righteousness by means of him. NWT [did not know sin = did not have sin, did not experience personal sin] Psalm 9:10 They trust in Thee who do know Thy name, For Thou hast not forsaken Those seeking Thee, O Jehovah. YLT [know = discern the meaning behind the name and what that name stands for] Mark 12:24 Jesus replied, "Your problem is that you don't know1 the Scriptures, and you don't know2 the power of God. NLT [know = comprehend the meaning behind the scriptures, know2 = discern the implication of God‘s power] John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NLT [know = experience truth] John 14:9 Jesus said to him: "Have I been with YOU men so long a time, and yet, Philip, you have not come to know me? He that has seen me has seen the Father [also]. How is it you say, 'Show us the Father'? NWT [know means compre- hending the full meaning and purpose Jesus represented] Psalm 25:4 Make me to know thy ways, O Jehovah; teach me thy paths. DBY [know thy ways = acknowledge his laws, discern his thinking, give heed to his directions] Psalm 101:4 A crooked heart departs from me; Nothing bad do I know. NWT [know = practice or perform]

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Revelation 2:2 "I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. NLT [know = discern the complete picture in fullest detail]

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Jonah 4:11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?" ESV [to not to know represents ignorance]

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One Bible dictionary provides the following definitions; ―KNOW‖ knowledge H3045 [dy yada` {yaw-dah'} 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

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While stated as a single restriction, Genesis 2:16, 17 addressed several crucial issues con - cerning the human family and their relationship to their creator. Some points it raised are as follow;

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We can conclude in the case of Adam and Eve, knowledge of good and bad con- stituted far more than merely an awareness of what was right or wrong. It en- tailed either experiencing it personally, or determining for themselves what was right or what was wrong. Either way, they were over riding God‘s restrict- ion. He had not granted them the latitude to do so.

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Do humans have the ability to determine what is right or wrong, good or bad for themselves without God‘s guidance? Does any other god or human have a right to displace Jehovah God‘s sovereignty? God‘s word answers ―No‖ to all three of these questions. While Jehovah God, as the creator of all things, does not have to justify his position by giving reasons, he none the less does. Reasons behind his rules and his thinking may be found in numerous places in the Bible. Here are some verses which give us reasons which explainin his thinking regarding a need for the restriction he gave to Adam and Eve. Reason No 1. - As the creator of all things, he owns the earth and everything on it. This makes it his right to determine how it will be used. Psalm 89:11 The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours -- you created it all. NLT Psalm 24:1 Psalm Of David; To Yahweh belong the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live there; NJB Therefore, he has ―the right of ownership as well as the right by creatorship‖ Reason No 2. - He did not create man with a mental or physical capacity even closely equal to his own. Therefore, man does not have and never will have Jehovah‘s ability to determine what is best for himself, his fellow man, or for the earth, all of which are Jehovah‘s creation. Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. ASV

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Isaiah 40:28 Have you not come to know or have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the extremities of the earth, is a God to time indefinite. He does not tire out or grow weary. There is no searching out of his understanding. NWT

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Jeremiah 10:23 I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. NWT

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Superior knowledge and ability endow Jehovah God with the right to determine what is best for his entire creation. Reason No 3. We do not have a single thing which sustains our life that is not traceable to him. Every breath we take, every morsel we eat, every motion we make, all depend upon provisions through his natural creation and the physical laws he has instituted. Isaiah 42:5 This is what the [true] God, Jehovah, has said, the Creator of the heavens and the Grand One stretching them out; the One laying out the earth and its produce, the One giving breath to the people on it, and spirit to those walking in it: NWT Our lives are completely dependent on him. We cannot sustain one single human life inde -pendently of his created provisions. Reason # 4. Jehovah is God almighty without any true equal. He has ulti- mate authority over any, and all other gods, or anyone else who would try to conduct themselves as gods. He has the right to demand and expect exclusive devotion as evidenced by worship. Isaiah 45:18 For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the [true] God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: "I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. NWT Exodus 20:5 You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, NWT

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Reason # 5. He has granted humans stewardship over the earth, which while having given it to humans as their home, it still remains his personal belonging in the sense that it is dependent on all natural systems being maintained in place by him. As such Jehovah has the right to invoke rules under which man may occupy and use the earth and he also has the right to enforce these rules in any way he may determine to do so.

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While acknowledging there are other gods than Jehovah (intelligent life forms superior to us), none of these have a valid claim to being our creator and therefore are not entitled to devotion or worship in any form. Any worship afforded them is depriving Jehovah of what is rightfully his, exclusive devotion.

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Deuteronomy 12:28 Faithfully keep and obey all these orders which I am giving you, so that you and your children after you may prosper forever, doing what is good and right in the eyes of Yahweh your God. NJB He has control of the circumstances which bring us joy and prosperity and knows our needs as a species better than any of us individually can. He also knows the earth, its natural cycles and systems intimately. We are actually dependent on him through those systems for our well being, longevity and our happiness here on earth. Reason # 6. He has the right to disclose or not disclose to humans reasons for his actions. However, his personal qualities or attributes, which he has imposed upon himself, will de- termine, what and how much he discloses. Acts 1:7 He said to them: "It does not belong to YOU to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction; NWT Amos 4:13 For, look! the Former of [the] mountains and the Creator of [the] wind, and the One telling to earthling man what his mental concern is, the One making dawn into obscurity, and the One treading on earth's high places, Jehovah the God of armies is his name." NWT Titus 1:2 upon the basis of a hope of the everlasting life which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting, NWT

Isaiah 40:28 Have you not come to know or have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the extremities of the earth, is a God to time 131

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Proverbs 6:16 – 19. There are six things that Jehovah does hate; yes, seven are things detestable to his soul:17 lofty eyes, a false tongue, and hands that are shedding innocent blood, 18 a heart fabricating hurtful schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness,19 a false witness that launches forth lies, and anyone sending forth contentions among brothers. NWT

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Hebrews 6:18 So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. NLT

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indefinite. He does not tire out or grow weary. There is no searching out of his understanding. NWT understanding. H8394 ! tabuwn {taw-boon'} and (fem.) hn". t@buwnah {teb-oo-naw'} or towbunah {to-boo-naw'} 1) understanding, intelligence 1a) the act of understanding 1a1) skill 1b) the faculty of understanding 1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight 1c) the object of knowledge 1d) teacher (personification) In summary; Not only does Jehovah God have every right to determine just how we should live and treat his earth, but it is entirely logical that he should be the one who guides us. It is in our own best interests for him to do so, as well as being in the best interests of the earth itself and all other living things on it. Therefore, the issue raised in the Garden of Eden is an issue of; Who shall determine what is right or wrong for the human family? It is an issue of sovereignty, a question of who shall rule and who shall obey. However, the issue is further intensified, by the fact it also extends to a realm beyond the earth. For this reason, the issue takes on a greater universal dimension. The issue raised in the Garden of Eden between man and God also involved a particular spirit being personally and all other spirit beings within the entire universe, thus encompassing Jehovah God's entire intelligent creation.

Revelation 12:9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the 132

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At this juncture, it is necessary for us to identify the one described as a serpent. While we may get the impression this was just another creature of the field, this is not the case. We are given information as to the true identity of this ―serpent‖ elsewhere in the Bible.

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Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent proved to be the most cautious [subtle, shrewd or crafty] of all the wild beasts of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it began to say to the woman: "Is it really so that God said YOU must not eat from every tree of the garden?"NWT

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entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. NWT Revelation 20:2 And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. NWT Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer son of the morning how art thou cut down to the ground which didst weaken the nations ! {O Lucifer: or, O day star} KJV John 8:44 YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie]. NWT 2 Corinthians 4:4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. NWT This original serpent is identified as a spirit being who came to be known to us as Satan the Devil. The name (description) ―Satan‖ means ―adversary‖ and ―Devil‖ means ―slanderer, false accuser. Now, back to Genesis where this serpent is speaking with ―the woman‖, (later identified as ―Eve‖). In her conversation with the serpent (Satan), Eve acknow- ledged that she understood herself to be bound by the same restriction God had given to Adam. Genesis 3:2,3 And the woman said, We may take of the fruit of the trees in the garden: But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, If you take of it or put your hands on it, death will come to you. BBE

Genesis 3:5 God knows in fact that the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good from evil.' NJB 133

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Genesis 3:4 At this the serpent said to the woman: "YOU positively will not die. NWT

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Then the Serpent (who we have identified as Satan the Devil) contradicted what Jehovah God had told Adam with his reply effectively calling God a liar.

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Satan tells Eve God has misinformed her and that she will actually benefit greatly by disobeying his warning. Here, in less than forty words, the Serpent raises the greatest issue of all time, an accusation against Jehovah God before the eyes of the entire universe. The issue, raised on that occasion, continues down through all history all the way down to our own day. This issue affects the entire human family here on earth, as well as all other beings in all of God‘s creation. Satan tells Eve, that not only will she not die, if she eats (partakes) from the source God has forbidden, but she will be like the gods, she will acquire the ability for determining herself what is good and bad, right and wrong, beneficial and un-beneficial. Thus, Satan the Devil establishes himself as a resistor, opposer and adversary of God Almighty. At the same time, by accusing Jehovah God of lying before all intelligent beings in the universe, he also brings into question God‘s right to rule. This is indeed ―a great universal issue‖. THE GREAT UNIVERSAL ISSUE SUMMARIZED: 1. Concerning Man – Would Adam and Eve, along with all their human offspring be better off following Jehovah God‘s guidance or Satan‘s guidance. Of course, Satan disguised his guidance as being Eves own self determination. Yet, the reality was that if she would follow his suggestion to rebel against God‘s authority, she would be defacto, following him (Satan). 2. Also, concerning Man – Would he loyally obey and follow his creator, despite pressures by Satan, not to?

5. Concerning the Angels – Was there among their lot anyone who could do God‘s job as well or better than Jehovah could do it himself? 134

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4. Also, concerning Man and all the Angels - Would any or all created beings indeed be better off with some form of rule, other than Jehovah God‘s? If so, did Jehovah have the right to the sovereignty he claimed exclusively as his own?

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3. Concerning Man and all the angels - Was God a liar? Had he lied to Eve? Would she actually die as God said she would if she disobeyed him?

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We can readily see, this issue affects the entire universe and all its intelligent beings. This includes all spirit beings, angels and men created by Jehovah God. It also affects the survival of all other created life forms on the earth as well as the survival of the earth itself. Indeed this is a very great issue, raised and stated in less than forty words in the first chapter of the first book of the bible. The rest of the Bible, with roughly 750,000 words, is related to the consequences and outcome of this issue. At this point, it must be mentioned, Adam and Eve possessed free moral agency, as do all the angels created by Jehovah. They are not robots, program- med to behave in only one way. They have been given freedom of choice. They can individually choose to obey or disobey. Only, with such free choice, can their expressions of appreciation, love, loyalty and devotion have any satis- factory meaning for Jehovah God. Humans have been designed to think. They have an ability to choose options, to take different paths. Their making the right choices can afford great satisfaction to God and bring them the blessings his creation was designed to confer on them. On the other hand, their making the wrong choices not only brings displeasure to God, but brings about consequences which ultimately upsets the natural order. Wide spread or collective wrong choices can affect his entire creation and change something which was created perfect into something flawed and potentially even harmful to all living creatures. Returning to the book of Genesis we find Eve confronted with a fork in her road. Which path will she take? Will the woman reject Satan‘s proposition and loyally support Jehovah‘s sovereignty, thereby continuing on the road with him, or will she reject Jehovah‘s way and accept Satan‘s overture to follow him and his advice, on his road to wherever it might lead them? And how would this affect her husband Adam?

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It is worthy of noting here that Adam, was created as a perfect human being and he received the command directly from Jehovah. No excuse could be made due to imperfection or second hand information. Under those circum- stances, his action was entirely intentional and with no excuse aside from his own deliberate desire and willingness to follow his wife and Satan, as opposed to Jehovah. His act of disobedience would cause 135

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Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for eating and a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable as a source of wisdom, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, and he ate. TNK

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an end to the perfect state in which he had been created. It would affect him spiritually by altering his relationship with his creator and genetically by altering his reproductive future. After that, according to the way he had been designed he would only reproduce what he himself was. It is important for us to realize Adam‘s and Eve‘s actions were open to the scrutiny not only by Jehovah God himself, but also by all of Jehovah‘s intelligent beings. The Bible shows us all the heavenly beings had been watching the things and events on earth connected with the creation account with great concern. Job 38:4,7. Where did you happen to be when I founded the earth . . . . . And all the sons of God began shouting in applause? NWT The account in Genesis continues and speaks of Adam and Eve; Genesis 3:8- 10. And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden. ASV 9 But Yahweh God called to the man. 'Where are you?' he asked. NJB 10 He replied, "I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked." NLT

Genesis 3:12 The man replied, 'It was the woman you put with me; she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.' NJB 136

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Genesis 3:11 Then He asked, "Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat of the tree from which I had forbidden you to eat?" TNK

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Bible scholar, John Gill writing in the1800s, made this comment ―And the eyes of them both were opened, not of their bodies, but of their minds; not so as to have an advanced knowledge of things pleasant, profitable, and useful, as was promised and expected, but of things very disagreeable and distressing. Their eyes were opened to see that they had been deceived by the serpent, that they had broken the commandment of God, and incurred the displeasure of their Creator and kind benefactor, and had brought ruin and destruction upon themselves; they saw what blessings and privileges they had lost, communion with God, the dominion of the creatures, the purity and holiness of their nature, and what miseries they had invol ved themselves and their posterity in; how exposed they were to the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and eternal death‖

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Genesis 3:13 With that Jehovah God said to the woman: "What is this you have done?" To this the woman replied: "The serpent—it deceived me and so I ate." NWT Genesis 3:14 And Jehovah [Elohim] said to the serpent, Because thou hast done this, be thou cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field. On thy belly shalt thou go, and eat dust all the days of thy life.DBY Genesis 3:15 And I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel." NWT Genesis 3:15 And there will be war between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed: by him will your head be crushed and by you his foot will be wounded. BBE Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring {Or seed} and hers; he will crush {Or strike} your head, and you will strike his heel." NIB Thus, Jehovah God pronounced judgments, first on the Serpent (later, identified as the Devil, See Rev.12:9), and also Adam and Eve and their genetic successors. (see Gen 3:19) Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face will you earn your food, until you return to the ground, as you were taken from it. For dust you are and to dust you shall return.' NJB While judgment was pronounced, the issue over sovereignty on earth could not be resolved at that time. It had to be fully tested by being given a chance to run its course and prove beyond a doubt whose sovereignty was best for the entire creation.

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Revelation 12:9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.NWT

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Since the universal issue was raised in connection with the earth and humans, ultimately, the matter would have to be concluded on the earth where it had its original impact.

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While pronouncing his prophetic punishment on mankind, it is also at this time that God institutes a future provision for the redemption of mankind from his sentence. This provision for mankind‘s ―redemption‖ from the death sentence brought about due to Adam and Eve‘s disobedience and disloyalty to their creator will be explained in the following chapter. Genesis 3:15 From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." NLT The ―He‖spoken of in this verse would prove to be the means by which Jehovah God would provide redemption for mankind.

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CHAPTER EIGHT ―REDEMPTION‖ ―GOD‘S RESPONSE TO GREAT THE ISSUE ―

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REDEMPTION The ―official‖ sin of man in the Garden of Eden, at the very beginning of his existence as a species on this earth was ―Disobedience‖. Sin is defined as; ―deliberate disobedience to the known will of God‖. It is also defined as ―missing the mark‖, that is the mark of perfection (completeness). The pre - announced punishment for disobedience was ―Death‖. While the reasons behind the restriction were not quite as simple, the command to obey was clear, simple and straightforward. If they would not obey Jehovah, the sentence was death. For an in depth understanding of the greater issues and more details behind this simple restriction, see Chapter 8. : A Universal Issue‖ The only restriction placed on original humans: Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you are not to eat; for, the day you eat of that, you are doomed to die.' NJB Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from that forbidden tree. As a conse- quence they left their creator, Jehovah, a God of truth and justice no other option. He had to carry out the sentence in harmony with his own version of truth and justice. Since Adam and Eve were the proto types for all humans, they would pass on their flaws as well as their own attributes to their offspring perpetually. If truth and justice were the only basis for God‘s will and thinking, that would have been the end of the matter. Fortunately for us today, truth and justice are not his only virtues. (See Chapter 2. – Who is God, What is God?)

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In reacting lovingly to Adam and Eve‘s sin he would provide a means by which he would ―redeem‖ mankind from the death sentence sin had brought upon Adam and his progeny. To ―redeem‖ carries with it the meaning of; to recover possession of, to buy back at a price. The price of redemption for the life Adam had lost for himself and his progeny con-

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Other attributes of his include love, mercy, wisdom, and power. These are always administered in perfect harmony with one another. For this and other reasons Jehovah God sought to abrogate the long term effects of the sentence of death upon mankind. At the same time, he would persevere in fulfilling his original purpose for creating humans in the first place and prove to the entire intelligent universe that his way was the best way.

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sisted of the life of another perfect human who would not succumb to the sin of disobedience, a form of imperf- ection. (Sin is literally, missing the mark of perfection) When we examine the means by which Jehovah would ―redeem‖ or buy back mankind from the condition brought about by the penalty of death, we find that Jehovah would provide a solution in total harmony with all of his own qualities and attributes. Redemption is all about Love, Mercy, Justice and Righteousness. Redemption is the means by which Jehovah God guarantees to redeem (buy back, or rescue), human kind from a seemingly hopeless state of being under condemnation of death, and at the same time, comply with his own perfect sense of justice, mercy and love. It is what his provision to restore them to the state which he originally intended them to be encompasses, alive and at peace with his entire creation.

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A manmade solution to such a complex situation which combines all of these four qualities is difficult if not impossible for us to even fathom. We, as humans are endowed with these qualities only in the limited sense of being merely in the image of the true God. We are far from being capable of their full reality. Our own concepts of Love, Justice, Power and Wisdom are imperfect and the way we use these individual qualities in our relationships with one another is also far from perfect. A complete reality belongs only to Jehovah. Only Jehovah possesses these qualities, perfectly, and has power to apply them in a fully harmonious way. He has the ability to solve any problem we as humans may either conceive or even imagine.

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To fully understand Jehovah's response to the enormous universal issue raised by Satan the Devil, we need to regress back a few chapters to where we considered Jehovah God's qualities or rather his characteristics. In chapter Four under What is God / Who is God?, it was shown that four dominant qualities, Love, Justice, Power and Wisdom are always evident in perfect harmony as he accomplishes his will. These qualities in tandem application, (as in a total package), will weigh heavily in the way he chooses to deal with the problematical situation described fully in chapter 7. under the heading ‖The great universal issue summarized‖.

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To get some idea of just how this is so, lets indulge in an imaginary exercise and try to imagine what kind of a solution we might come up with in response to the following problem. You are a brilliant scientist alone in outer space, and It can be very lonely out there all by yourself. You have the power and knowledge to create a sub-species similar to yourself. So you decide to do this. This sub-species will be created with characteristics you yourself possess. It will have intelligence, and be capable of many of the things you yourself are capable of. However, you will not create it to possess all of your abilities, neither will you impart to it all of your knowledge, nor will you endow it with the ability to ever acquire all of your powers or knowledge. What you have in mind is that this species would provide a form of companionship, in a respectful and appreciative way. After all, you are giving it life and it will owe its very existence to you.

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So you decide that this son, this firstborn of your creative work will be allowed to work along with you and in harmony with you as a co-worker or helper in creating the rest of the species. Of course, you remain the master-mind behind the work that is done, but you teach him many skills and you even show him to a great extent your way of thinking and how you see things. He himself achieves master- worker status, alongside you and under your tutoring. Together, you create a sub species of spirit beings similar to yourselves, and with a great many of the characteristics you yourselves possess. There are a great many of these additional sons, in numbers, almost too great to count. Things go really well, you have exactly what you envisioned, a great universal family of beings who really 142

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As a first step, you determine there would be a relational order to this sub species, sort, of what we might envision in human terms as a family. So you start off with a primary created being as the beginning of your sub species. A first ―son‖in effect. Now this one is very special to you. He is the first, and you are really very happy with the result of your work. You have created him with the ability to think, and freedom to make many decisions for himself. You have made him a ―free moral agent‖ with the ability to either love, respect and appreciate what you have given him or not to. After all, it is only in this way that you can derive any real satisfaction from the work you have accomplished. Love and respect from a robot would be meaningless. Love and respect lose meaning with you if they aren't voluntary. Well, this first son really brings you great joy and satisfaction. He appears to respect you and also appreciates the gift you have given him, life itself. However, your purpose is not to create just one companion for yourself, but an entire species as your celestial family. These will be companions to you and to him as well.

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seem to love and appreciate you for what you are and what you have done for them. Now time goes by, a lot of time, lets say, millions of years, maybe even billions. You are busy tweaking the universe you have created, making adjustments in a galaxy here and a star there and so on. Everybody in your universal family is busy and happy. In all this time, your first son and all your other sons remain appreciative of the love you have shown them, and continue to show them. They are so appreciative, they even worship you. Of course, this is quite proper because, they owe everything they are and literally everything they have, to you. Now, as a loving and creative parent, you decide to bestow a gift on your universal family. Whether that first born son of yours had anything to do with this idea, let‘s just suppose we don't know. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. However, we do know he likes the idea and gets really involved with it. The idea is to create another sub- species, under the first one, similar in some ways, yet different in others. This one will be created on a level lower than the first. It will not be an exact duplicate nor will it have all the qualities of the first one. However, this one also will, to a relative extent be like yourself and the earlier sub-species. You can go so far as to say, it will be made in your image. It also will have the freedom of choice and enjoy many other freedoms, however in harmony with the rest of your created universe. This sub species will be installed on a planet which up to this time is an empty void, a wasteland without any life forms.

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So now, the planet, which we will call earth, is ready and you and your favorite son, the first one born of your creation decide to put a primary living being on the planet. This one is going to be the centerpiece of life on the planet. His species is the one which will have stewardship over all the other living things on the planet. You refer to this first human being as man. You say to your son, Let us make man in our image. And so you do this. You make him with the ability to think and you endow him with power to carry out his thoughts. You give him the ability to use his 143

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So first, you decide to get that planet ready for your new sub-species. You de- termine it will be self sustaining with all the systems and devices to maintain life for eons of time, even without an end in sight. You decide to incorporate into it a means to make life entirely enjoyable for the forthncoming sub- species, even providing meaningful activity and countless ways to enjoy endless time on that planet. This is quite an endeavor and it takes a long time, perhaps millions more years, however, what difference does it make, as time for you is infinite, it has no beginning , it has no end.

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thoughts in a way that will bring benefits to himself and others of his species, those who are to follow. You call this unique ability wisdom and you provide him with a sense of what is just, (fair and equitable to all). Also, you give him the ability to demonstrate love in all its manifesttations, both toward you and to his fellow beings. You determine he and his progeny will all have those qualities, which are similar to what you and your son have. And finally, you endow him with the ability to reproduce other members of his species, so he too will experience the joy of a whole family of companions who can share their love with each other, and with yourself as their creator. You give him a helper, a work mate, something along the lines of what you have in your first born son, yet different. You clone some material from his body and make for him a woman. This one, you say, will be a complement to him. She will add to the qualities you gave him, in ways in which he may fulfill his own potential. He will be husband to her and she will be a wife to him. She will be the means by which the two of them, together will reproduce similar beings, who will in turn bring joy and happiness to you, themselves and to their fellow human beings, just as your other created beings bring joy to you and to each other.

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Now, to preserve the sanctity of your overall creation, you place some stipulations upon them. One is; that they recognize that you are the creator, and that everything still remains within your right, a right of sovereignty. A second is; that only you have the right to determine what is appropriate and what is best for your creation, that only you are God to them. Third, that you not only have this right, but are entirely deserving of appreciation and honor for all you have done and will continue to do for them.. So you invoke a simple demand on them; Obedience. Their obedience will be evidence they recognize your sovereign rights and that they appreciate their relationship to you. It is a simple restriction, not burdensome, yet one which will be indicative of their appreciation for all you have done for them, one which will indicate their willingness to live

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These two prototype human beings will be called Adam and Eve. They will enjoy a closeness as if they are one being, somewhat like you yourself have with your own beloved son. They, when taken together will constitute the full potential of humanity. The children they will produce will also be able to reproduce their own kind to an extent where the entire planet will become inhabited with perfect humans who live happily, can enjoy their environment and bring joy and delight to all other created beings as well as to you, their creator.

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by your rules and at the same time demonstrate their love and loyalty to you. Everything seems to be in order and absolutely in perfect harmony. All this constitutes a truly amazing accomplishment. The earthly creation is so impressive, even to your previously created heavenly beings, ―that all your heavenly sons shout in applause‖ Then, something happens up there in outer space, in a realm we will call heaven, where you live. An individual from among your first created subspecies begins to yearn for the honor, respect, admiration and authority that belong only to you as the original creator. He desires what is not rightfully his and he takes steps to achieve his yearnings. He wants this new sub-species to follow his own style of authority, which revolves around him, and not your authority as you have established it. He becomes rebellious against your authority and in setting himself up against you; he raises questions as to your ability and your right to be the sovereign over all your creation. He raises these questions before all of your other created beings and he takes his case to your newly created species on the earth to prove his point.

Furthermore, a serious question as to your right and your ability to govern your creation has been raised, a question which extends far beyond your earthly realm. Then there is also that matter of your being 145

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Together they, accept your rebellious son's suggestion, thereby transferring their allegiance and loyalty away from you, to the rebellious one himself. You know immediately, this direct and willful disobedience to your stipulation will bring disaster to your earthly creation if it is allowed to proceed to its ultimate end. For you have always known, that your human species is not designed with the ability to know or provide what is best for themselves in the long term.

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There, in disguise, he approaches the woman you have created and entices her with an offer which he thinks may appeal to her. This offer appears to be some-thing which would be of benefit to her and her husband Adam. However, it really constitutes a device to gain her loyalty and confidence away from you and make her follow him instead. He tells her she can be like you and she can determine for herself what is right or wrong, what is good or bad for her, that she doesn't need your guidance, and on top of that, that you have lied to her. She is deceived by him, she is enticed by his offer and she in turn extends the same offer to her husband, the one called Adam.

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accused of being a liar, a characteristic you have never allowed in your self, or in anyone in all your creation. How would you deal with this situation? What action would you take? How would you prevent this occurrence from derailing your original purpose in connection with all these created beings, both heavenly and earthly? How would you deal with this rebellious son of yours and also with those who have taken sides with him against you? So now, let‘s explore some of the possibile ways we as humans might deal with the situation so as to get things restored to where they were before the insurrection took place, back to where you intended them to be. 1. You could immediately terminate the rebellious ones forever. You have the power to do this. By taking such action, the culprits would be off the scene, but would that terminate the issue which was raised? Would this prove beyond any doubt that your way is the best way and no other way can compare with it? Or would there remain lingering questions or doubts in the minds of some of your other created beings, that possibly the accuser had some validity with his accusations?. Most likely, there would remain doubts? While this solution would show you have the power, and your action might be entirely justifiable, it would not show you as one who used your power in a wise and loving way. Therefore, this solution would not work in harmony with the total package of your attributes which entail love, justice, power and wisdom, all in harmony with one another. So you reject it since it does not meet all aspects of the principals you stand for.

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It was a single, being who figuratively set the woods on fire. As far as the earthly part of the picture goes, you know in the depth of your heart that humans could have maintained their loyalty and integrity to you. They just never got the chance to do it, because they messed up, ―right out of the box‖. Since the design of their species included the ability to perpetuate itself in all its details, even mental functions and 146

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2. You could just write the whole thing off, and just go forward and create another set of circumstances, somewhere else, to replace the one that didn't work out. Another sub-species, another habitable environmental system and another lower sub- species to live on it. You did it before, and you could do it again. The defect in this solution revolves around the fact that you really didn't make a mistake with the first set of circumstances connected with your creation. Your very first creation, the one you created before all others did not rebel. Also, most of the others you created in his subspecies did not rebel either.

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characteristics, once the first pair took on imperfection, that was all all they could produce in subsequent generations. The defects would be carried by all succeeding generations. The challenges raised could not be met by merely starting over again elsewhere. All that would prove is that you had the ability to recreate what you had done before, and not that it was right in the first place. It would demonstrate; ―might over right‖, and not might in harmony with what was right. 3. You could find a way to solve the problem by applying all facets of your limitless ability including the use of your Love, Justice, Wisdom and Power in harmony with each other, which you had done initially in your creation and which is really your unique own way of doing things. This is what you decide to do. And these are the prerequisites you recognize as necessary to accomplish this solution; Justice must be complied with. Everything you said to your created beings was spoken in truth. They must see that your yes means yes, and your no means no. After all, this is what you expect of them. Justice must be an integral part of any solution to the problem. Any discipline or punishment you promised must be carried out. You had ordained that the penalty for disobed- ience would be death. Therefore, it must be carried out.

d. Power and its application in a variety of ways will be required to control events in such ways as to allow the issue to be completely and fairly resolved. It must be applied in a way that satisfies all the other 147

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c. Wisdom will be required to fit together all the pieces in what portends to be quite a complex solution. Complex, because it must satisfy every single aspect, even the most minute details of the situation. Enough time and circumstances must be allowed to run a natural course for all to see that that your way is truly the best way, and the only way for the whole creation to realize its full potential. This means allowing enough time for the claims of the rebel to be tested com- pletely. Then all may see his accusations and his guidance are not only false but inferior and entirely dangerous to the rest of creation.

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Love is a primary motivating quality in your make up and that means mercy must be a prime player in any solution you finally come up with. The love you have for all your loyal created beings demands that this problem be solved in a way that manifests that love for them and in ways that provide all the benefits and blessings you had in mind for them when you created them.

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characteristics employed in the solution. Then, also, power will be required to undo the damage created by the rebellious ones who share the inclination of the original rebel to do things their way rather than your way. And, finally power must be applied so that once the issue has been resolved, it will never surface again. Also, it must be employed in such a way so as to completely restore the earth to a condition fulfilling your original intention. Now, there are probably a number of other possible solution scenarios we could either imagine or try to imagine. Based on our own reasoning abilities we might even think some could solve the problem. However, the hardcore truth is we really don't have the ability it takes within our created data base (brain) to come up with the absolutely best one. No, not even a single one, which could realistically be considered comparable with anything our creator can supply. By this time, you probably realize our imaginary exercise may be only somewhat imaginary, for it bears more than a slight resemblance to what is actually described in the Bible account. What our imaginary exercise is intended to demonstrate is that the real problem is not a simple one with a quick and simple solution. Precisely how our creator deals with the problem and the exact means by which he accomplishes the solution is contained within the pages of his inspired word, the Bible. There, you will see his description, with your own eyes, in full detail, but, only if you really make an effort by applying yourself truthfully and asking him for help.

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However, just for information sake, here is an abbreviated outline of some of the elements contained in the solution our creator has included in an action, which is even now in the process of fulfillment. Keep in mind, there was no shortcoming in his plan for the universe or in his purpose toward the earth. What it is all about is restoring things that went wrong back to being in har- mony with his will, his purpose and his creation as a whole. And in a way that proves conclusively that his way is really best for all concerned. This is the essence of what ―redemption‖ means, both for mankind and for the physical earth in a dramatic rescue from the ravages of sin and death.

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The solution Jehovah God chooses bears an approximate resemblance to #3. above. There we explored a simplistic version, one we could easily relate to. The reality which Jehovah chose to implement is far more complex in its details than that which we described.

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The Bible teaches what solution Jehovah God provided, and continues to reveal what he will accomplish as his master plan is fully implemented. 1. Provision of A ―savior or deliverer‖, as a means by which justice will be served and a new beginning possible. This would be an entity who would deliver men from the condemnation of inherited sin and its cohort, death as well. 1 John 4:14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. NLT 2. An answer to his accuser in the form of showing that a created human being such as Adam could indeed have remained faithful to God. This is evidenced by the Bible citing examples of men approved by Jehovah throughout its pages. (a few examples of which follow) Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God . . . .. DBY Genesis 6:9 This is the history of Noah. Noah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the [true] God. NWT James 2:23 In this way the scripture was fulfilled: Abraham put his faith in God, and this was considered as making him upright; and he received the name 'friend of God'. NJB 3. Clear direction as to what his expectations are for his created human family, and also foregleams of what his intended paradise for them will be like and how they can realize it. Mtt. 22:37 He said to him: "'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your ike it, is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets."

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Rev. 21:3 3 Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, 'Look, here God lives among human beings. He will make his home among them; they will be his people, and he will be their God, God-with-them. 4 He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness or pain. The world of the past has gone.' 5 Then the One 149

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sitting on the throne spoke. 'Look, I am making the whole of creation new. Write this, "What I am saying is trustworthy and will come true." NJB 4. A living source of information to help rightly disposed individuals to avail themselves of God's provisions, presently and for their everlasting welfare. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. NLT 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and tomake us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and eaches us to do what is right. NLT 5. A provision whereby all human ancestors of Adam and Eve are given an opportunity to demonstrate their respect for the creator's sovereignty and their personal love and loyalty to him without supernatural external influences by Satan the devil. John 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone that beholds the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him at the last day." NWT 6. An arrangement for our redemption from the death sentence imposed on our original parents, which complies with his own standards of justice. Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were constituted sinners, likewise also through the obedience of the one [person] many will be constituted righteous. NWT

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7. A real hope for individuals to realize the promise he has given them and an understanding of how they might achieve this hope, all guaranteed by him.

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Hosea 13:14 "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? NIV

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Acts 24:15 I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. NAB John 17:3 And this is the way to have eternal life-- to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth NLT FOUR KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING REDEMPTION Jehovah God‘s provision for man‘s redemption includes all four of his major qualities. How he would use them in tandem and in a harmonious way is described below: 1. JUSTICE: He would provide the ransom price for man‘s redemption from sin and death on ―an equal for an equal‖ basis. This principal is well illustrated in a law he gave to Moses in a body of laws he provided for his people to follow in the case of law breakers; Deuteronomy 19:21 You must never show pity! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Adam had started out as a perfect human. When he succumbed to sin and became imperfect, he brought the death sentence on himself and his descen- dants. Since Jehovah does not change, the principal given above in the Law of Moses provides insight into Jehovah‘s thinking in terms of divine justice as part of the solution he implemented. In dealing with Adam‘s sin, Jehovah would have to provide another perfect human, an equal of Adam as an ―eye for an eye‖ to satisfy his own sense of justice.

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His loyalty under test conditions would clarify the following:

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Jehovah would provide such a perfect human who would himself be tested as to his loyalty and obedience to God under the same influences and conditions that Adam was subjected to. If this one would prove faithful and not fall prey to sin, he would not only satisfy justice on several counts, but he would also give a response to the ―Universal Issue‖ raised by Satan the Devil in the Garden of Eden.

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1. That the original model had not been created defectively and that he could have remained faithful, despite the influence of other forces, particularly the efforts of Satan the Devil. 2. That if given fair opportunity, there would be humans who would fulfill God‘s expectations for them as occupants of the earthly home he had gifted them with. 3. That a human in the condition of Adam could have proven faithful despite the machinations of the devil, even in the face of death. Thus, on the basis of divine justice, Jehovah would provide an equivalent to Adam who would serve as a means by which he would comply with his own code of justice. That equal is provided in Jesus Christ, whose life course would compensate for the life course Adam had failed to follow. In this, Jesus would redeem mankind from the penalty of death and restore the prospects of everlasting life to them. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life. BBE Romans 6:23 For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord. NWT 2. Wisdom: A prime ingredient in the recipe for redemption. Wisdom would be the singular quality which when applied over everything else, would act as the glue by which all other elements and facets of a complex and comprehensive solution would be bound together.

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a. Power would provide a means by which Jehovah could intervene in unfolding events so as to allow the issue to be played out fairly over an extended period of time, thus insuring that all alternative means of rule proposed by Satan were given ample opportunity to show what they could do.

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3. Power: Would enter into the equation in number of ways;

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Another example was how he imparted powers to his Son Jesus to show that promises made on God‘s side of the issue were realistic and could be relied upon. Still another manifestation of his power was in preserving a communication that reflected his truth in the form known today as the Holy Bible (his inspired word). Also, he would use his divine power to prevent Satan from totally overwhelming humans through his own superhuman abilities. b. Jehovah‘s power would prevent man from inadvertently taking himself and his environment to a point of no return. A point from which there could be no rescue due to the total destruction of the physical earth and its environs. If allowed, something along the lines of a full blown nuclear holocaust could do just that. c. His Power would provide the physical means involved with miraculously providing a new ―equal‖ to Adam in the form of a redeemer who could compensate for what Adam had lost. d. It would provide an ongoing counter balance by means of Holy Spirit so as to provide a counter influence to Satan‘s influence, thereby providing a choice for humans in whether they would follow Satan or follow Jehovah. e. His power would be the means by which he would bring dead humans to life on a paradise earth to be given a chance to have the opportunity to loyally follow his guidance under restored conditions without external destructive interference from beings of superior intelligence to their own.

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These are just some of the ways which Jehovah God would use his power to restore the earth to its originally intended state while allowing the great issue raised by Satan the Devil to be fully settled to the satisfaction of all creation.

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f. Divine power would be the means by which he would eliminate all elements of rebellion and opposition to his purposes obce the issue was proven beyond any doubt as well as the means by which he would again restore the earth and its systems to its originally intended purposes.

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First, he would continue to provide all the necessary means to not only sustain life on a continuous basis while the issue was being resolved, but if men would follow his direction while it was being resolved, they would have a quality of life which would afford them a high degree of joy and happiness. Secondly, he would provide a savior, as a means by which to comply with divine justice as well as a means by which he would deliver his message and viewpoint to humans. This one would personally prove that man could have remained faithful, even under the circum- stances of satanic influence over the world he lived in. This provision would be at very great risk to the father Jehovah, in that it would be his own dearly beloved son who he would risk for the sake of mankind. If we fail to see this as an act of love, we do not fully understand how free moral agency enters into the picture. Free moral agency dictates there be at least two possibilities, two ways an intelligent human can choose from. Adam was endowed with a choice, either to remain loyal or not to and he chose not to. If there was no possibility his son Jesus could make a similar choice, it would not have presented anything which could be justly construed as an equal to Adam. There had to be a real possibility of failure, just as there was in Adam‘s case. Thus, the act of love on Jehovah‘s part was to take such a risk. A risk whereby, if Jesus proved unfaithful, the relationship he had with his son for eons of years would be completely lost. His only begotten son Jesus Christ became the means by which Jehovah would redeem mankind from inherited sinfulness and also the condemnation of death. If he remained faithful to the end of his earthly life, Adam‘s sin would be atoned for (paid for) by his own self sacrificing death. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him may not perish, but have life eternal. DBY

John 3:16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life BBE 154

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John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his onlybegotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. NWT

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Now, we arrive at the center piece of Jehovah‘s provision for complete redemp- tion, the key figure, the absolute focal point, his own beloved son, the Messiah or Christ. The one through whom the entire plan for redemption by God would be accomplished. The one spoken of in Gen. 3:15 as the seed who would bruise the serpent (Satan) the Devil in the head. In the following chapter, we will explore what the Bible teaches about this outstanding and all important figure. We shall explore what the bible teaches about his role as a redeemer, as a spokesman for his father, and as a King over all his father was to deliver into his authority.

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CHAPTER NINE ―THE MESSIAH‖ (a key element in God‘s purpose)

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―THE MESSIAH‖ The hope connected to the Messiah is shared by Jews and Christians alike, and there is only one Messiah. We invite those who embrace the Jewish faith to consider what the Christian Greek scriptures say about the Messiah along with what their Hebrew Scriptures disclose. We invite those who embrace Christian- ity to consider what the Hebrew Scriptures disclose about the Messiah as well as what their own Christian Greek scriptures reveal. The meaning behind the ―Messiah‖ is a story of ―Redemption‖. The Messiah (deliverer) is the sole means provided by God for the salvation of the earth and for human beings as a species on it. The story of ―Messiah‖ begins in the very first chapter of the Bible at Gen. 3:15 and weaves its way all through the Bible, with a culmination occurring in the 21st chapter of Revelations. Understanding who the Messiah is and why he is necessary is essential for any greater benefit we may derive from studying God‘s direct communication. How- ever, it is not merely knowledge which is at stake. The importance of understand- ing the meaning behind the Messiah is summed up in the words of Jesus Christ at John 17:3 John 17:3 ―This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ‖.[The Messiah] NWT Thus, according to the Bible, taking in knowledge of the true God and the one who he sent forth (the Messiah), is a matter of life and death. In this chapter we will come to know about the Messiah from God‘s own word, the Bible. Included in this knowledge will be:

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2. The prophecies given in the Hebrew Scriptures by which the Messiah may be identified, and who they show him to be in the Christian Greek scriptures.

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1. Various ways the Messiah is described in the Hebrew Scriptures, providing us with vivid word pictures describing him.

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3. The nature of the Messiah‘s relationship to God almighty, from his own personal point of view. 4. Who it was whom the first century Christian believers recog nized as the Messiah. 5. What they understood Messiah‘s relationship to God almighty to be. 6. The role the Messiah plays in God‘s purpose for the earth and its inhabitants. 7. The role Messiah plays in our individual lives. The Messiah is God‘s instrument to return the earth to its originally intended purpose. That purpose was and still remains for this earth to be a worldwide paradise populated by a human family, in peace and harmony with their creator and his creation. This is the major reason for God Almighty in providing a Messiah. Also, the Messiah is God‘s loving provision for atoning for mans sinful downfall in Genesis in a way which serves divine justice. The Messiah may be illustrated as a detour provided around a washed out road, one by which the traveler may arrive at the final destination intended, despite the damage to the original roadway.

1. Various descriptions given in scripture, referring to the Messiah.

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There are also a number of other terms that refer to or are used for Messiah, which are given as word pictures describing him and his function. Reading these names (word pictures) of the Lord/Messiah which were given prophetically as listed below in their context can

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The Hebrew noun, MASHIACH, [MESSIAH] meaning, "anointed one," is only applied to animate objects. Those who were consecrated in this category were priests (Leviticus 4:3), prophets (Psalm 105:15), and kings (1 Samuel 10:1, 12:3). This term, however is used at least nine times in a more technical sense referring to, "the anointed one" (e.g. "Jehohovah‘s Anointed" Psalm 2:2, and Daniel 9:25-26,"Messiah, The Prince"). In these instances it speaks of a Messiah as a coming deliverer. This deliverer or Messiah is identified in the New Testament as Jesus, who is called Christ (CHRISTOS), which happens to be the Greek translation of the Hebrew term Messiah (MASHIACH).

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really shine some light on Old Testament beliefs about the "Lord." (Holy Bible, King James Version.)

Old Testament Names and Descriptions of the ‗Messiah‘,JPS Hebrew Scriptures JPS - (The Bible text designated JPS is from The Holy Scriptures (Old Testament), originally published by the Jewish Publication Society in 1917. The Bible text designated TNK is from The TANAKH, published by the Jewish Publication Society in 1985) A sapling - Is. 53:2JPS, A root out of dry ground - Is. 53:2 JPS The planting of renown - Ezek. 34:29,TNK Im man‘-u-el - Is. 7:14, JPS Pelejoez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom; (Isa 9:6 JPS) (Wonderful Counselor Is. 9:6,KJV) The Mighty God - Is. 9:6, TNK The eternal Father - Is. 9:6, TNK peaceable ruler - Is. 9:6, TNK The redeemer of Israel - Is. 59:20,JPS YHWH‘s servant - Is. 42:1JPS The Seed of the woman - Gen. 3: 15, JPS and A foundation stone - Is. 28:16 JPS These are all powerful word pictures from the Hebrew Scriptures which describe traits and attributes possessed by the Messiah. New Testament names and descriptions for the Messiah; Christ: Though sometimes treated as if it were Jesus' surname, Christ is not a name but a title, and comes into English from the Greek Χρηζηός (Khristos), via the Latin Christus. It means "anointed one" The Greek is a borrowed translation of the Hebrew mashiakh ( ) or Aramaic mshikha ( ), from which we derive the English word Messiah. (Anointed one)

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Daniel 9:25 And thou shalt know and understand, that from the going forth of the com- mand for the answer and for the building of Jerusalem until Christ the prince there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks; and then the time shall return, and the street shall be built, and the wall, and the times shall be exhausted. LXE

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While the term ―Christ‖ is widely used in the N.T. there is evidence that early scholars recognized it as being interchangeable with the term ―Messiah‖ in the O.T., at least in instances as found in Septuagint manuscripts dating from around 200 BCE.

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Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the word to restore and to build Jerusalem unto one anointed, a prince, shall be seven weeks; and for threescore and two weeks, it shall be built again, with broad place and moat, but in troublous times JPS Know thou, therefore, and take notice: that from the going forth of the word, to build up Jerusalem again, unto Christ, the prince, there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: and the street shall be built again, and the walls, in straitness of times. DRA "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:35 And I will raise up to myself a faithful priest, who shall do all that is in my heart and in my soul; and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before my Christ forever. LXE And I will raise Me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in My heart and in My mind; and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before Mine anointed for ever. JPS Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ; LXE The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed JPS Psalm 20:6 Now I know that the Lord has saved his Christ: he shall hear him from his holy heaven: the salvation of his right hand is mighty. LXE

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus's genealogy (Matthew 1:2–16) uses the title "Anointed One" ("Christ") for Jesus, in the sense of an anointed king. It also lists the succession of anointed kings of Judah, starting with David 160

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The title ―anointed one: occurs in the Hebrew Bible, where it signifies the installation of a "king", "prophet", or "high priest"; A person, chosen by God or descended from a person chosen by God, to serve as a civil, advisory, religious, and/or military authority.

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Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the mighty acts of His saving right hand. JPS

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through Solomon until Jeconiah. All of them belong to the Davidic Dynasty, which terminated when Babylon conquered Judah. Then the successors listed after Jeconiah are heirs for when a Neo-DavidicDynasty is finally restored to Judah. At the conclusion of the list, Jesus is then identified as a new king and thus called the "Anointed One.‖Early alternate spellings also exist: Chrestos or Chrestus.

Other titles for the Messiah found in the New Testament The New Testament uses many titles to refer to Jesus, including: God, Prophet, Lord, Son of man, Son of God, Lamb of God, King of the Jews, King of Kings, Rabbi and Emmanuel. While some Christians understand some of these titles as attesting to Jesus' divinity, historians have argued that when used in other texts of the time, these titles had other meanings, and therefore had other meanings when used in the Gospels as well.

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Greek language did not have a distinction corresponding to that in Latin between "divus" and "deus". "Divus" was thus translated as "θεός", the same word used for the Olympian gods, and "divi filius" as "θεοῦ υἱός" (theou huios), which, since it does not include the Greek article, would be understood in a polytheistic context as "son of a god". In the monotheistic context of the New Testament, the same phrase[ refers to the one God. Indeed, in the New Testament, Jesus is usually referred to by the

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John Dominic Crossan says that the titles "Divine", "Son of God", "God", "Lord", "Redeemer", "Liberator", and "Saviour of the World" were collectively applied to Octavian, who became Caesar Augustus after defeating Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C. In 42 BC, Julius Caesar was formally deified as"the divine Julius" (divus Iulius). His adopted son, Octavian (better known by the title "Augustus" given to him 15 years later, in 27 BC) thus became known as "divi Iuli filius" (son of the divine Julius) or simply "divi filius" (son of the god). The title was for him "a useful propaganda tool", and was displayed on the coins that he issued. The word applied to Julius Caesar as deified is "divus", not the distinct word "deus". Thus Augustus was called "Divi filius", but never "Dei filius", the expression applied to Jesus in the Vulgate trans- lation of the New Testament, as, for instance, in 1 John 5:5, and in earlier Latin translations, as shown by the Vetus Latina text "Inicium evangelii Ihesu Christi filii dei" preserved in the Codex Gigas. As son of Julius Caesar, Augustus was seen as the son of a god, not as the son of God, which was how the monotheistic Christians saw Jesus.

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unambiguous phrase, " ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ" (ho huios tou theou), meaning the son of God. All this must be taken in the context of the basic meaning of the word God which is fundamentally implying a being superior in its nature to that of any human in ability or intelligence. Similar comments can be made about some of the other titles, such as "Lord". The Britannica Online Encyclopaedia states that the word "dominus" meant "in ancient Rome, 'master', or 'owner', particularly of slaves. The name became the official title for the emperor, beginning with Diocletian, who reigned from AD 284 to 305; and thus he and his successors are often referred to as the dominate (dominatus), as contrasted with the earlier principate (principatus) of Augustus and his successors."

Prophet According to the New Testament, many Jews of the time thought of Jesus as a prophet. The New Testament also indicates that Jesus considered himself to be a prophet. In the Hebrew Bible, prophets were generally men who spoke for God, proclaiming God's words to the people, and often predicting future events. But in Mathew 11: 9 -14 there it gives us a dis- tinction between John the Baptist and Old Testament Prophets indicating a new level of prophecy in connection with Christ Jesus. 11 Truly I say to YOU people, Among those born of women there has not been raised up a greater than John the Baptist; but a person that is a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is. 12 But from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens is the goal toward which men press, and those pressing forward are seizing it. 13 For all, the Prophets and the Law, prophesied until John; 14 and if YOU want to accept it, He himself is 'E-li'jah who is destined to come.'

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The Gospels and Acts frequently use "Lord" as a title for Jesus. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus accepted this title as his own. However, some scholars believe Jesus did not claim this title himself. They argue others ascribed it to him. Some Christians interpret the term as a refer- ence to divinity. In one passage Jesus is addressed as "My Lord and my God".[24]

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Scholars explain the use of this title in various ways: some believe that Jesus' disciples called him "Lord", but not because he was divine, rather that he was superior in a superlative sense. According to Geza Vermes, a close reading of the Gospels suggests that most people addressed Jesus as lord as a sign of respect for a miracle-worker (especial- ly in Mark and Matthew) or as a teacher (especially in Luke). In many cases one can substitute the words "sir" or "teacher" for "lord", and the meaning of the passage in question will not change, though in some instances the substitution would make little sense. Others believe that the New Testament uses the term lord to imply divinity, but that it was only after Jesus' death and resurrection that his followers ascribed divinity to him. Still others argue that neither Jesus nor his disciples used the Aramaic term for lord, mara, and that the Greek term θύρηος (kurios) was borrowed from pagan Hellenic usage. However, kurios had long been used by the Septuagint to translate ‫( אדני‬adon) which had its original form in YHWH (Tetragramaton / Jehovah) The Hebrew Bible distinguishes between "lord" (adon) and "God"; the word "lord" does not necessarily imply divinity, although God is often described as "the Lord". Surviving inter-testamental Aramaic texts frequently use the Aramaic mara to mean "the Lord", that is, God; but they also provide evidence of people using mara and kurios as personal titles (for example, used to address a husband, father, or king). There is little evidence that term was used specifically to mean "teacher", but there is much evidence of students using the term mar to refer to their teachers respectfully, or to refer to an especially respected and authoritative teacher. In one passage in the New Testament "lord" and "teacher" are distin- guished by two different Greek words.

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Jesus is rarely described as Son of man (‫ נשא בר‬bar nasha, in Aramaic) outside of the Gospels, but in the Synoptic Gospels this title is used in several speeches attributed to Jesus, in a way that is near universally considered to have been intended as a self-refer- ence. Historically, the title is a Semitic idiom that orig- inated in Ancient Mesopotamia, used to denote humanity or self in a humble manner. Some argue that the phrase relates to Daniel 7:13, which associates "one like a son of man" with a messianic vision, and six Gospel uses of the title directly refer to, and many others allude to, Daniel. Since Daniel is an apocalyptic work, some scholars link Jesus' use of the term "son of man" with the short

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apocalypse of chapter 13 of the Gospel of Mark (see Olivet discourse); such a view paints Jesus as teacher of apocalyptic Judaism. When the authors of the Gospels used the title "the Son of Man", the idea of Daniel's "Son of Man" was probably a factor in their use. Bruce Chilton puts it this way "the concept of the son of man as used in Daniel was certainly in the air when Jesus used the term and a fortiori when the New Testament was composed." Geza Vermes, observing that other Aramaic texts reveal that the phrase was used frequently to mean simply "man", or as a way by which a speaker may refer to himself, concluded that it is possible that this phrase was actually not a title. What- ever the meaning of the expression, when transcribed into Greek it is almost always used with the direct article ὁ (ho), translated "the", when it refers to Jesus. The phrase 'Son of Man' as a title is most commonly used outside of the Gospels in the book of Ezekiel. In addition, save for the possible exception of John 13:13, Jesus never referred to himself as "Lord". In the Gospels, when Jesus spoke in the third person, he only referred to himself as the "Son of Man."

Son of God

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Geza Vermes has argued that Jesus and his followers may have understood this title differ- ently from inferring ―God‖ status. He observes that the Hebrew Bible uses the phrase "son of God" in other senses: to refer to heavenly or angelic beings; to refer to the Children of Israel, and to refer to kings. There is no New Testament evidence to suggest that early Christians thought of Jesus as an angel, so the first two usages seem not to apply. In the Gospels, the being of Jesus as "son of God", corresponds exactly to the typical Hasid from Galilee, a "pious" holy man under the Code of Moses in a strict sense.

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The New Testament frequently refers to Jesus as the son of God; Jesus seldom does, but often refers to God as his father. However, at NJB Matthew 16:16 when ―Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God‖. Jesus reply at vs. 17 confirms his acceptance of this description as being valid. Vs. 17; ―Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.‖

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However, Mark identifies Jesus as the son of King David, and Matthew and Luke provide lineages linking Jesus to King David. II Samuel 7:14, Psalm 89:26-27 and possibly 2:7, refer to David as a "son" of God, although historians find no evidence that the authors of the Bible believed David to be divine or literally God's son. (Some Christians, namely those believing in Bible prophecy, interpret these and other Psalms as referring prophetically to Jesus, the "seed" referred to in Psalm 89. In post-Biblical Judaism, the title Son of God was often applied to righteous men: Sirach 4:10 and Wisdom of Solomon 2:17-18 use the term to refer to just men, and Book of Jubilees 1:24-25 has God declaring all righteous men to be his sons. Philo too wrote that good people are sons of God, and various rabbis in the Talmud declare that when Israelites are good, they are sons of God.

King of the Jews The title of "King of the Jews" is used to refer to Jesus in two recorded episodes during his life. It is first used by the Magi, who ask of King Herod "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him". The teachers of the law answer that he will be found in Bethlehem, according to the prophesy of Micah. It is again used in Jesus' trial. In all of the gospel accounts, Pilate is recorded as asking Jesus "Are you king of the Jews?", to which Jesus replies "You have said so". This may imply that the Sanhedrin told Pilate that Jesus had claimed this title. Pilate then orders the written charge on the sign on Jesus' stake to read "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews". John reports that the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. In Latin this can be translated as "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum". The abbreviation INRI is therefore used to represent this in many depictions of Jesus' impalement.

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A title of Jesus used exclusively in John‘s writings. Though the word "lamb" is used by other New Testament writers. Paul specifically identifies Jesus with the Paschal (Passover) lamb.

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Lamb of God

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1 Corinthians 5:7 Remove this wicked person from among you so that you can stay pure. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. NLT

Christ, the new Adam In the New Testament we read, 1 Corinthians 15:45 ―Thus it is written, the first man, Adam, became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.‖ – NRSV and we read;

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Jesus came as the new Adam, a new prototype, to reconcile humanity with God and establish a relationship with the Father, thus establishing a new humanity. The first Adam partici- pated in the fall, which brought death through sin; while the second Adam brought life through undeserved kindness, righteousness, and salvation.

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Romans 5:12-21―Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned — sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man‘s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man‘s sin. For the judgement following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings just- ification. If, because of the one man‘s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of right- eousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man‘s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man‘s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man‘s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man‘s obedience the many will be made righteous. But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification* leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.―- NRSV

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Rabboni / Rabbi Mary Magdalene calls Jesus Rabboni, which means "my rabbi" [lit. "my teacher"], which is also used for Jesus in other passages. A rabbi is a Jewish teacher, usually referring to a religious teacher and oft times was associated with the Pharisees.

Apostle In the letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is called an Apostle. An apostle is one who is sent for some purpose, one who represents the authority of the sender, similar to an emissary. A verbal form of the word is used of Jesus in the Gospel of John 17:3, where it is translated "one...sent".

Paraclete (Helper) In 1 John 2:1 Jesus is called the paraclete. 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing YOU these things that YOU may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one. NWT paraclete, para,klhtoj parakletos {par-ak'-lay-tos}

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1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid 1a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate 1b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor 1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins 1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant 1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to

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enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom 1 John 2:1 Jesus is called the paraclete. In John 14:16 Jesus said he will ask the Father to send "another" paraclete, strongly implying that he is the first paraclete. John 14:16 I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete to be with you for ever, NJB Mediator In 1 Tim 2:5 Jesus is called the mediator between God and men. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humanity, himself a human being, Christ Jesus, NJB Also, in Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, and 12:24 Jesus is called the mediator of the new covenant.

High Priest The Letter to the Hebrews calls Jesus the High Priest of our faith. Hebrews 4:14 That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. NLT

―Logos‖ (In original Greek translated into English as ―word‖)

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"In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men ... And the Logos

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John 1:14-18 calls Jesus the Logos in the flesh.

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became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from The Father." RSV Immanuel Immanuel (also Emmanuel, Emanuel, etc.) is another name associated with Jesus. It is based on Isaiah 7:14, which is then cited in Matthew 1:23 (and thereby directly associated with Jesus). The name is translated by the author of Matthew to be a sign that 'God with us'. Some have construed this to mean therefore Jesus, is God. However this is form of fallacious reasoning. (Refer to Volumne I. Page 215 re: Hebrew Names / Immanuel). Head of the Church (Ecklesia or Congregation) A number of passages in the epistles refer to Jesus as Head of the Congregation. While some have argued this is not literal, on the basis they have heads or leaders in their own churches, other than Jesus, There is no evidence within the Bible to support a claim for the Eklesia to have any other ―leaders‖ aside from Jesus. Colossians 1:18 And himself is the head of the body -- the assembly -who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all things -- himself -- first, YLT Colossians 1:18 Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything. NLT Having the awareness that these various titles, names and descriptions connect with Jesus as the Messiah allows us greater insight when we encounter these terms in our study of God‘s word.

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Let us explore a second aspect about the Messiah. That is the prophecies which pointed in advance toward his mission, his purpose and towards our being able to recognize him as the true and authentic Messiah sent by God. Keep in mind, the Bible‘s predictions about the Messiah were written centuries before he appeared on earth.

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2. Prophecies identifying the Messiah:

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The noun prophecy describes a ―prediction of the future, made under divine inspiration‖ or a ―revelation of God.‖ The act of making a prophecy is the verb, prophesy. Of all the prophecies written in the Bible about events that were to have taken place by now, every single one was fulfilled with 100% accuracy. This statement cannot be truthfully made about any other ―sacred writing.‖ This is important because the Bible says God will give us a savior who provides a way for our salvation. If past prophecies have been 100% accurate, we can have confidence that those not yet fulfilled are equally accurate and are sure to be fulfilled. What is a ―Messianic‖ Prophecy? The Old Testament books in the Bible (all of them written between 1450 BC and 430 BC) contained hundreds of prophecies about an ―anointed one‖ (―Messiah‖ in Hebrew) who would arrive in the future. The Jews believed The Messiah would ―deliver‖ or ―save‖ them, bringing them to paradise or heaven. These prophecies also stated that the Messiah would save all the other people in the world ―through the Jews.‖ For this reason, people who are not Jewish need to learn about the Messiah, too. We submit for your consideration, the table below listing many important Messianic Prophecies. While we did not attempt to make a complete list, still, there are enough prophecies listed to remove all doubt that the Messiah did indeed appear 2000 years ago in the person of Jesus Christ. These prophecies are arranged in the order in which they appear in the Old Testament, and they are not in order of importance nor in chronological order. Since the same fulfilled prophecy may be described several times in different books, we did not list every place a fulfillment occurred. We do list enough examples to prove that the prophecy was fulfilled.

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Even a casual reader of the Bible will notice something ―different‖ about Psalm 22 and Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12. They tell stories that perfectly parallel events in the life of Christ that took place much later. Psalm 22 is especially amazing since it predicted 11 separate things about Jesus‘ death on a stake about a thousand years before they happened. We know that David (the author of Psalm 22) lived about 1043-973 BC and Isaiah lived about 740680 BC. Both passages, written far ahead of the time of Christ, are strong proofs that help us to believe that the Bible was literally inspired by God.

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Some of these prophecies are very clear and easy to understand. However, if you are new to reading the Bible, some other prophecies will not be as easy to understand. Therefore, we have taken the liberty of highlighting those prophecies that are easier to understand by a person who is not familiar with ―prophetic language.‖ This does not imply that these passages are more important than the others. Prophecy fulfilled: Old Testament Scriptures That Describe The Coming Messiah

Genesis 3:15

Galatians 4:4

The Messiah will be a descendant of Abraham, through whom everyone on earth will be blessed

Genesis 12:3; 18:18

Acts 3:25,26

The Messiah will be a descendant of Judah

Genesis 49:10

Matthew 1:2 and Luke 3:33

The Messiah will be a prophet like Moses

Deuteronomy 18:15-19

Acts 3:22,23

Psalm 2:7

Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22

Psalm 16:10,11

Matthew 28:5-9; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:4-7; John 20:11-16; Acts 1:3 and 2:32

The Messiah will be the Son of God The Messiah will be raised from the dead (resurrected) The Messiah execution experience

Psalm 22 Matthew 27:34-50 and John (contains 11 19:17-30 prophecies—not 171

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The Messiah will be the offspring (descendant) of the woman (Eve)

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The Messianic Prophecy (paraphrased)

PROPHECY FULLFILLMENT REFERENCE in REFERENCE in Jesus‘the Old Testament the New Testament (written between (written between 45 and 95 1450 BC and AD) 430BC)

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all listed here) The Messiah will be sneered at and mocked

Psalm 22:7

Luke 23:11,35-39

The Messiah will be pierced through hands and feet

Psalm 22:16

Luke 23:33 and 24:36-39; John 19:18 and 20:19-20,2427

The Messiah‘s bones will not be broken (a person‘s legs were usually broken after being impaleded to speed up their death)

Psalm 22:17 and 34:20

John 19:31-33,36

Men Will Gamble for the Messiah‘s clothing

Psalm 22:18

Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23,24

The Messiah will be accused by false witnesses

Psalm 35:11

Matthew 26:59,60 and Mark 14:56,57

The Messiah will be Psalm 35:19 and hated without a cause 69:4

John 15:23-25

The Messiah will be betrayed by a friend

John 13:18,21

The Messiah will ascend to heaven (at the right hand of God)

Psalm 41:9

Psalm 68:18

Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9; 2:3335; 3:20-21; 5:31,32; 7:5556; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20,21; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet 3:22 .

Psalm 69:21

Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23; John 19:29,30

Great kings will pay homage and tribute to the Messiah

Psalm 72:10,11

Matthew 2:1-11

The Messiah is a

Psalm 118:22,23 Matthew 21:42,43; Acts 4:11; 172

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The Messiah will be given vinegar and gall to drink

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and Isaiah 28:16 Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:68

Psalm 132:11 and The Messiah will be a Jeremiah 23:5,6; descendant of David 33:15,16

Luke 1:32,33

The Messiah will be born of a virgin

Isaiah 7:14

Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-35

The Messiah‘s first spiritual work will be in Galilee

Isaiah 9:1-7

Matthew 4:12-16

Isaiah 35:5-6

Many places. Also see Matthew 11:3-6 and John 11:47

Isaiah 50:6

Matthew 26:67 and 27:26-31

The Messiah will be beaten, mocked, and spat upon The ―Gospel according to Isaiah‖ People will hear and not believe the ―arm of the LORD‖ (Messiah)

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Isaiah 53:1

John 12:37,38

The Messiah will be rejected

Isaiah 53:3

Matthew 27:20-25; Mark 15:8-14; Luke 23:18-23; John 19:14,15

The Messiah will be killed

Isaiah 53:5-9

Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:3739; Luke 23:46; John 19:30

The Messiah will be silent in front of his accusers

Isaiah 53:7

Matthew 26:62,63 and 27:12-14

The Messiah will be buried with the rich

Isaiah 53:9

Matthew 27:59,60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:52,53; John 19:38-42

The Messiah will be put to death with

Isaiah 53:12

Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:32,33 173

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The Messiah will make the blind see, the deaf hear, etc.

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―stone the builders rejected‖ who will become the ―head cornerstone‖

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criminals The Messiah is part of Isaiah 55:3-4 and Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; the new and Jeremiah 31:31-34 Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:6-13 everlasting covenant The Messiah will be our intercessor (intercede for us and plead on our behalf)

Isaiah 59:16

Hebrews 9:15

The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem The Messiah will enter Jerusalem riding a donkey The Messiah will be sold for 30 pieces of silver The Messiah will forsaken by His disciples The Messiah will enter the Temple with authority

Daniel 9:25-26

Galatians 4:4 and Ephesians 1:10

Micah 5:2

Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4-7

Zechariah 9:9

Matthew 21:1-11

Zechariah 11:12,13

Matthew 26:15 with Matthew 27:3-10

Zechariah 13:7

Matthew 26:31,56

Malachi 3:1

Matthew 21:12 and Luke 19:45

A question frequently asked is; Couldn‘t Someone Just Write These Down and Pretend They Were Written Earlier? Many people who do not believe in the Bible say this. However, manuscripts have been found that confirm that these various prophecies were written down 400-1,000 years before they actually occurred. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls put to rest most of such idle talk. Were These Originally Intended to Be Messianic Prophecies? 174

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The Messiah will come at a specific time

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Isaiah 61:1-3 (first First mission: Luke 4:16-21; The Messiah has two mission ends at ―. . Second mission: to be missions . year of the fulfilled at the end of the LORD‘s favor‖) world

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Some of the prophecies occur as part of the text of a story. So, a natural question would be, ―How do you know these are Messianic prophecies?‖ Couldn‘t someone have read these texts after Jesus came along and claimed they are Messianic prophecies?‖ The reason we know these texts were intended to be Messianic prophecies is because they were recognized (and discussed) by the Jews before Jesus‘ birth. For example one of the common early debates was whether or not ―the Messiah‖ was actually two people (or twins) since it seemed impossible to them that one person could accomplish all of the Messiah‘s ―goals‖ as stated at (Isaiah 61:1- 3). Jesus applied the following scripture to himself at the outset of his earthly ministry; Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord is on me, because I am marked out by him to give good news to the poor; he has sent me to make the brokenhearted well, to say that the prisoners will be made free, and that those in chains will see the light again; 2 To give knowledge that the year of the Lord's good pleasure has come, and the day of punishment from our God; to give comfort to all who are sad; 3 To give them a fair headdress in place of dust, the oil of joy in place of the clothing of grief, praise in place of sorrow; so that they may be named trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and so that he may have glory. 4 And they will be building again the old broken walls, and will make new the old waste places, and will put up again the towns which have been waste for long generations. BBE In What ways does he fulfill this claim?

Such fulfillments required being raised from the dead which was a possibility the Jews never considered. When Jesus was raised from the dead, many Jews then recognized how the Messiah could be ―one man‖, 175

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2. He will fulfill the other goals (being our Savior and Lord, ruling at God‘s right hand, and taking vengeance on the people who do not follow God) when he comes back to earth (a time often called Jesus‘ ―second coming‖).

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1. We now know that Jesus accomplished his goal (preaching God‘s word, the ―good news‖of God‘s kingdom and becoming the sacrifice that saves us). When he came to earth, he told everyone of God‘s new plan of salvation before he was impaled..

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as he fulfilled features found in prophecy only possible through death and resurrection. From that time, more countless numbers of Jews and nonJews alike have chosen to get right with God and follow the Christ. Many of them made their decision based on the evidence of these fulfilled Messianic prophecies. Couldn‘t Someone Besides Jesus Fulfill These Prophecies? A number representing the odds against them all being fulfilled by anyone would fill this entire book. Professor Peter W. Stoner who authored ―Science Speaks‖ stated that the probability of just eight particular prophecies being fulfilled in one person is 1 in 1017, i.e. 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000). The eight prophecies used in his calculation were: 1. Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matt. 2:1-7; John 7:42; Luke 2:47). 2. Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3; 11:10; John 1:23; Luke 1:17). 3. Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11). 4. Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend (Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21). 5. Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3). 6. The money for which Messiah is sold is to be thrown to the potter in Gods house (Zechariah 11:13; fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7).

Stoner‘s statement was validated in the ‗American Scientific Affiliation‘. This number has been illustrated as follows: 176

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8. Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion as a thief (Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:5,12; fulfilled in Luke 23:33; John 20:25; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27,28).

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7. Messiah is to be silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; fulfilled in Matthew 27:12).

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If we take 1 X 1017 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas, they'll cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Professor Stoner went on to consider 48 prophecies and says, We find the chance that any one man fulfilled all 48 prophecies to be 1 in 10157. This is a really large number and it represents an extremely small chance. Let us try to visualize it. The silver dollar, which we have been using, is entirely too large. We must select a smaller object. The electron is about as small an object as we know of. It is so small that it will take 2.5 times 1015 of them laid side by side to make a line, single file, one inch long. If we were going to count the electrons in this line one inch long, and counted 250 each min - ute, and if we counted day and night, it would take us 19,000,000 years to count just the one-inch line of electrons. If we had a cubic inch of these electrons and we tried to count them it would take us, counting steadily 250 each minute, 19,000,000 times 19,000,000 times 19,000,000 [nineteen million times nineteen million times nineteen million] or 6.9 times 1021 years. This is approximately the total number of electrons in all the mass of the known universe. In other words the probability of Jesus Christ fulfilling 48 prophecies is similar to one person being able to pick out one electron out of the entire mass of our universe.

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Still, some questions that may come to mind are: Couldn‘t anyone else have fulfilled these prophecies if they really tried? Even though Jesus fulfilled these prophecies, how do we know He is the Messiah. Other religions say they have a Prophet that followed in Jesus‘ footsteps and is the real Messiah. The Jews are still waiting for the Messiah. Isn‘t it possible that Jesus happened to fulfill these prophecies and that the ―real‖ Messiah will still come some day?

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Such is the chance of any one man fulfilling even 48 prophecies. Yet Jesus Christ fulfilled not just 48 prophecies, not just 61 prophecies, but more than 300 indi- vidual prophecies that the Prophets wrote concerning the Messiah. This makes the fact that Jesus fulfilled them all a miracle in itself.

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would they arrange to be (1) born in Bethlehem (2) with a virgin for a mother? Already they would have a problem—and these are only two prophecies. Even a casual glance through this list reveals that a person could not fulfill them by their own efforts. There are many people that have claimed to be the Messiah (or a similar title that they gave themselves like ―God‘s Prophet‖). Some of them founded false religions and cults, and have many followers. Anyone who has read the Bible expected to see them appear. Two thousand years ago, Jesus Himself said there would be many false Messiahs and prophets who would gain followers (Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:2325; Mark 13:21-23). Examine these other ―prophets‖ yourself. Was their appearance clearly predicted in the Bible? Did they fulfill all the messianic prophecies? The answer is obvious—none of them even came close. It is true that the many Jews, who consider themselves God‘s chosen people, are still waiting for their Messiah. The good news, is everyone gets a chance to accept the Messiah as their Savior Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ESV There is no question that these many prophecies prove that Jesus is the one and only Messiah. Here is another Chart with Messianic Prophecies and their Fulfillments grouped by category Prophecies Concerning His Lineage

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Fulfillment Galatians 4:4 Matthew 1:1,2 Matthew 1:1 Matthew 1:1,2 Matthew 1:1,2

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Topic Born of the seed of Genesis 3:15 woman Genesis 21:12 Descendant of Isaac Genesis 22:18, Genesis Seed of Abraham 12:2,3 Genesis 49:10 Of the tribe of Judah Numbers 24:17 Descendant of Jacob

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Isaiah 11:1, 10 Descendant of Jesse Jeremiah 23:5, Psalm Descendant of David 132:11 Psalm 2:7, Proverbs Son of God 30:4

Matthew 1:1,6 Matthew 1:1,6, Revelation 22:16 Matthew 17:5, Luke 3:38, Luke 22:70

Prophecies Concerning His Birth Prophecy Topic Fulfillment Psalm 72:10 Kings will present gifts Matthew 2:1-11 Isaiah 7:14 Born of a virgin Matthew 1:23-25, Luke 2:7 Isaiah 7:14 Will be called Immanuel Matthew 1:23 Jeremiah 31:15Children will be killed Matthew 2:16-18 Micah 5:2 Will be born in BethlehemLuke 2:4-7

Prophecies Concerning His Ministry Prophecy Topic Deuteronomy 18:15-18

Will be a Prophet

Fulfillment Matthew 21:11, John 6:14, John 4:19

Will bless His people Acts 10:36, John 14:27 with peace Will commit Himself to Psalm 31:5 Luke 23:46 God Will speak words of Psalm 45:2 Luke 4:22 grace Will ascend to heaven-Acts 1:9, Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 68:18, Psalm 110:1 to the Father's right Mark 16:19 hand Psalm 69:9 Will have a zeal for God John 2:15-17 Psalm 78:2 Will teach parables Matthew 13:34,35 Hebrews 5:5,6, Psalm 110:4 Will be a priest Hebrews 3:1 He will judge & rebuke Isaiah 2:4 Matthew 11:20 many Will begin ministry in Isaiah 9:1 Matthew 4:12-17 Galilee John 8:58, John 1:1, Isaiah 9:6 He's eternal Romans 9:5 179

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Psalm 29:11

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Isaiah 11:2

Anointing of the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:10,11

Acts 10:40-42, Matthew 25:31-34, II Timothy 4:1 Will have a ministry of John 5:5-9, Luke 7:22, Isaiah 35:5,6 miracles Matthew 11:4-6 He will minister to Isaiah 42:1, 49:1 Luke 2:32 Gentiles Luke 23:34, Romans Isaiah 53:12, Isaiah 59:16 Will make intercession 8:34 Will be a Light to Isaiah 60:3 Acts 13:47,48 Gentiles Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 1:17, John Psalm 102:25-27, Isaiah Jesus' pre-existence 1:1 41:4 John 18:33-38, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 2:6 Will be King Matthew 27:37 Triumphal entry on a Zechariah 9:9 Luke 19:35-37 donkey Will be preceded by John 1:23, Matthew Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 40:3 messenger 3:1-3 Malachi 3:1 Will enter the temple Matthew 21:12 Prophecies Concerning Others' Reactions to Him Prophecy Topic Fulfillment Psalm 69:4 Will be hated without cause John 15:24,25 Psalm 69:9 Will be reproached Romans 15:3 Psalm 110:1, Will be called LORD John 20:28, Luke 2:11 Jeremiah 23:6 Isaiah 9:6 Will be called God John 20:28, Titus 2:13 Isaiah 11:10 Gentiles will seek Him John 12:18-21 Jews will reject Him, but He Isaiah 28:16, Psalm Acts 4:11,12, I Peter will become the Chief 118:22 2:7, Matthew 21:42,43 Cornerstone Isaiah 53:3, Psalm Will be ignored by His own John 1:11 31:11, Psalm 69:8 people Prophecies Concerning His Death 180

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Will be Judge

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Isaiah 33:22

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Psalm 22:1

Forsaken by His Father

Psalm 22:7,8 Will be ridiculed Psalm 22:14 Heart will be broken Psalm 22:16, Zechariah Hands & feet will be pierced 12:10, Isaiah 53:5 Psalm 22:17,18 Will be stripped and stared at Soldiers will cast lots for His Psalm 22:18 clothing Psalm 34:20 Bones will not be broken Will be accused by false Psalm 35:11 witnesses Friends will stand at a Psalm 38:11 distance

Psalm 69:21 Psalm 109:25, Psalm 22:7,8 Isaiah 50:6 Isaiah 53:5 Isaiah 53:7 Isaiah 53:9 Isaiah 53:12 Amos 8:9 Zechariah 11:12 Zechariah 11:13 Zechariah 11:13 Zechariah 12:10 Zechariah 12:10

Luke 23:33 Luke 23:34,35 Luke 23:34, John 19:23,24 John 19:33 Matthew 26:59,60

Luke 23:49, Mark 15:40 Luke 22:47,48, Will be betrayed by a friend John 18:1-6 John 19:28,29, Will be offered vinegar & gall Matthew 27:34 Matthew 27:39, People will wag their heads Mark 15:29,30 People will spit in His face Matthew 26:67 Will be whipped Matthew 27:26 Will be silent before accusers Matthew 27:12 Buried in rich man's grave Matthew 27:57-60 Numbered with transgressors Mark 15:27,28 - crucified with thieves Darkness will cover the land Matthew 27:45 Betrayed for thirty pieces of Matthew 26:14,15 silver Money thrown in the house of Matthew 27:5 the Lord Price for potter's field Matthew 27:6,7 Look on whom pierced John 19:34-37 Side will be pierced John 19:34

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Psalm 41:9

Fulfillment Acts 2:31 Mark 15:33, Matthew 27:46 Matthew 27:39-44 John 19:34

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Prophecy Topic Psalm 16:10, Hosea 6:2 Will rise from the dead

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What is noteworthy is that these and other prophecies in the Bible contain minute details which take them way beyond a realm of broad and nebulous speculations on the future. This makes them far different from so many prophecies offered by men over the centuries which were never fulfilled.. The Conclusion is Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah who arrived exactly and according to God‘s schedule. The Jews of his time, while expecting a Messiah, were expecting a political figure who would rule a political nation as his ancestors David and Solomon had done. This was not God‘s plan. This first phase of God‘s plan was tailored to providing a ransom sacri -fice to atone for inherited sin of Adam and forming a ―spiritual nation‖ to constitute a dedi- cated people of his own. All of this would be accomplished in the midst of a world which was to remain under the dominion of Satan the Devil till a time in the distant future. That final time was known only to the father. Jehovah himself. The Son, Jesus would sit at the father‘s right hand until such time as he would be granted power and rulership in con -nection with his second coming (parousia) on the earth and establishment of God‘s kingdom (Government) over the earth. 3. Messiahs Relationship to Almighty God How did Jesus (the Messiah) understand his relationship with his father Jehovah? Did he see himself as an equal to God or as part of a triune godhead as Trini- tarians would have us believe? Did His apostles understand him to be a second person of the Trinity at anytime, either during his earthly ministry or after his death and resurrection to heaven? A sampling of Verses shows that Jesus did not view himself on a par with Jehovah (the father), but rather as a lesser one, not at all as an equal to the Father. He viewed Jehovah as his own father and his own God, who was superior to himself.

Php 2:6-8 Who [Jesus], although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make 182

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John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I can judge only as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. NJB

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John 14:28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, because now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. NLT

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God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, 2:7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. 2:8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! AMP John 20:17 Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' NJB Matthew 26:53 "Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? NKJ John 5:37 'And the Father who sent me Himself hath testified concerning me; ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor His appearance have ye seen; YLT John 6:65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." NKJ John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. NIB John 16:28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." NIV John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. NRS

John 14:24 Anyone who does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not my own: it is the word of the Father who sent me. NJB 183

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John 5:17 But Jesus replied, "My Father never stops working, so why should I?" NLT

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Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." NKJ

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Mark 14:36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." NLT Matthew 27:46 At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" NLT Matthew 16:15, 16 He said to them: "YOU, though, who do YOU say I am?" NWT 16 Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. ' NJB John 1:18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him. NAB 4. First century Christians recognized Jesus as the the Messiah. What did they understand his relationship to God to be? How does the Bible speak of Jesus after he was resurrected to heaven? Is there any instance where he is seen to be Jehovah God himself as Trinitarians claim? The apostles and early Christian writers continued to recognize him ―dozens of times in their writings as The Son of God‖, and never once as ―God the Son.‖ The following verses were written after the end of his earthly ministry and after Jesus had been resurrected. As Such, they represent what understanding the Apostles held as to who Jesus was from the time of his death forward. This would be the understanding held by all true Christians of the first century Acts 9:20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." ESV

Galatians 4:4 but when the completion of the time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, NJB 184

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Ephesians 4:13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. NLT

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[This was Peter speaking, after Christ had been resurrected to heaven and was at the right hand of his father Jehovah God]

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Here, the apostle Paul speaking many years after Jesus death, still recognized Jesus as God‘s son, not as God himself.] 1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. NKJ 1 John 4:9 Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. NJB John writing almost 60 years after Jesus death and still knew him as God‘s Only Begotten Son – See definition for Only ―Begotten‖ begotten monogenh,j monogenes {mon- g-en-ace'} 1) single of its kind, only 1a) used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents) 1b) used of Christ, denotes the only begotten son of God The Messiah as a Priest Paul, in his writings described Jesus role as ―the High Priest in God‘s purpose. Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. NKJ

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In the letter to the Hebrews the priest is the person through whom and through whose ministry people draw near to God, through which they are "sanctified," i.e., made a people of God and enabled to worship. The apostle finds it impossible to conceive of the Jewish religion without a priest and without sacrifices. Men are presented as sinful people, and without mediation of some kind they cannot draw near to God at all. As the people of God had mediators under the OT, they have a Mediator under the NT, and he is Christ Jesus.

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A priest is a mediator or go between, one who acts on behalf of others, representing them before God, he is not one who represents himself to himself. One cannot be a Priest of God and God himself, at the same time

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It is in contrast to this that Christ's priesthood is set forth. Christ is the perfect priest. "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Psa_110:4). A permanent fellowship with God has been won by our High Priest forever. The word that characterizes the work of this High Priest, Christ, is "eternal," aionios (G166). Inasmuch as He is the true priest, Christ's blood (i.e., His sacrificial death) is the blood of an eternal covenant (Heb_13:20). He offered Himself through His eternal spirit (Heb_9:14) and has become the Author of eternal salvation (Heb_5:9). He has obtained eternal redemption (Heb_9:12) and enables men to receive of the eternal inheritance (Heb_9:15; Heb_13:20). All these are ways of indicating the perfection and finality of His priesthood, i.e., of His function to mediate between the Holy God and sinful men, and to enable those sinful men to realize a complete and abiding fellowship with God. His commission was divine (Heb_5:5 f.; Psa_2:7; Psa_110:4). He proved Himself a merciful and trustworthy high priest (Heb_2:17) by becoming one with those whom He represents before God, in having become like them a partaker of flesh and blood (Heb_2:14), by being tempted in all points like us, yet without sin (Heb_4:15). He learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Heb_5:8) knowing what it is to worship with others and to wait upon God (Heb_2:12 f.), and, at last, tasting death. He was tempted like all

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Through Christ as the Mediator between God and man, man's sin is effectually removed and the way into the Holiest is opened for all. The system of the OT priesthood and the priests' sacrifices were indeed of God, but that system was not the true and final one, for the simple reason that that priesthood was imperfect. Those priests were mortal men and could not continue because of death. They were sinful men, too, and had to offer sacrifice for their own sins before they could offer for those of the people. The sanctuary was imperfect, "a worldly or earthly sanctuary" (Heb_9:1), not the real and actual dwelling place of God. The sacrifices were imperfect; the blood of bulls and goats and other animals, whatever their symbolic virtue, could not make the worshipers perfect touching the conscience, i.e., it could not bring them to the desired goal of a fearless peace toward God. The very repetition of the sacrifices showed that the work of removing sin had not really, once and for all been achieved. Man's access to God was imperfect. The priest had no access at all into the Holiest Place and when the high priest did enter on one day in the year, it was no abiding entrance; the communion of the people with God, which his presence there symbolized, was lost as soon as he came out from the shrine and the veil closed behind him. Everything in the old religion had imperfection written upon it-the imperfection involved in the nature of its priests (Heb 7:19) and sacrifices.

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mankind, yet sin is alien to Him (Heb_4:15). Hence, in virtue of His nature and His experience, He can sympathize with us through suffering especially. He has been made "perfect," i.e., been made all that He ought to be as a priest to stand before God for sinful men, able truly to enter into their case. The word translated "perfect" or "to perfect" is the verb teleióo (G5048) meaning to bring to a successful conclusion, to accomplish (Heb_2:10; Heb_5:9; Heb_7:28; Heb_10:14; Heb_12:23). The Law and the old sacrifices could not accomplish anything that was conclusive and perm -anent insofar as the restoration of man to God was concerned (Heb. 7:19; Heb_9:9 (Heb 10:1). Every priest was appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices (Heb_8:3) for sins (Heb_5:1), but our High Priest, Christ, offered Himself because He was perfect and, therefore, the work that He accomplished was also perfect. Heb_10:4-9, quoted from Psa_40:6-8, shows Christ's work as "doing the will of God" in contrast with sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sin offerings, indicating that the work of the priests has been put away in order to establish the work of Christ. Indeed, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all (Heb_10:10).

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As the perfect high priest, Christ made once and for all the perfect sacrifice for sin, and thus the Levitical sacrifices have passed away. What Jesus Christ did on earth in shedding His blood for us in some way purified the heavens (Heb_4:14; Heb_9:23-24). Our High Priest is now

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What the Jesus Christ did away with was not sacrifice and obedience in themselves, but the OT sacrifices in which the victims were involuntary and the offering, therefore, morally imperfect. Christ's willing sacrifice of himself, as a voluntary act of obedience to the Father, had a significance and a moral worth which no animal sacrifice could have. But the obed ience involved in it was not simply the obedience required of man as such; it was the obed - ience required of the Son whom the Father had commissioned to be the mediator of a new covenant, the restorer of fellowship between Himself and sinful men. In other words, it was the obedience of the Priest who was to "annul sin by the sacrifice of himself" ([a.t.] Heb_9:26); to be "offered once for all to bear the sins of many" ( Heb_9:28); to enter into the sanctuary "through his own blood" ( Heb_9:12); and "by one offering to perfect forever them that are being sanctified" (Heb_10:14). In short, it is not sacrifice and obedience alone that are blankly contrasted here, but unintelligent and involuntary animal sacrifice compared to the sacrificial obedience of the Priest who willingly dies to make an atonement for sins (Heb_1:3).

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seated with God the Father in heaven to intercede for us (Heb_4:16). The title of high priest is never attributed to any believer, nor any of the special functions involved in the unique priesthood of Christ. In the NT, we do not have any Christian believers acting as a human high priest or chief priest. All anointed Christian believers, however, are called a holy priesthood (1Pe_2:5); a royal priesthood (1Pe_2:9); kings and priests (Rev_1:6; Rev_5:10); priests of God and of Christ (Rev_20:6). This is why all as believers at any time can draw near with boldness into the presence of God (Eph_2:17; Heb_4:16). Because of our High Priest, Christ, all true Christians have access directly to God (Rom_5:2). We are acceptable to God (Rom_12:1). There is no such thing in the NT as a sacrifice for sin by humans as priests of God and Jesus Christ. We need no sacrifice for sin except the sacrifice which Christ offered once for all. More on how early Christians viewed the relationship between Jesus Christ and Jehovah God , his father; 1 Corinthians 8:6 But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we exist for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. NLT Acts 2:32 This Jesus God has given back to life, of which we all are witnesses. BBE Acts 3:13 'The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, did glorify His child Jesus, whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, he having given judgment to release him, YLT Acts 5:30 it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, whom you executed by hanging on a tree. NJB

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Acts 9:20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." ESV

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Acts 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. NLT

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Acts 10:38 God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. NJB Acts 20:21 urging both Jews and Greeks to turn to God and to believe in our Lord Jesus. NJB Colossians 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,ESV Ephesians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. NJB Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. NIV Ephesians 5:20 Giving praise at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; BBE 1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. KJV 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven. It is he who saves us from the Retribution which is coming. NJB 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. NRS Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ESV

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It is through the Messiah that Jehovah God will provide the means and circumstances by which hewill restore the earth to its originally intended condition, which was an earth wide paradise.

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6. The role Messiah fills in God‘s purpose for the earth and its inhabitants

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1 John 4:14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ASV This is to be accomplished under the ruler ship of his son, the Messiah (Christ Jesus), along with his Kingdom Government consisting of 144,000 co- regents as described in the book of Revelations Revelation 5:10 and Revelation 14:1 5:10 and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth. DBY and at Revelation 14:1Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. NAU Under that righteous administration, God will fulfill all the prophetic promises of blessings he has intended for his paradise earth. Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea. ASV Psalm 67:6 Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. NLT Psalm 145:16 By the opening of your hand, every living thing has its desire in full measure. BBE Psalm 72:16 Let abundant grain be in the land, to the tops of the mountains; let his crops thrive like the forest of Lebanon; and let men sprout up in towns like country grass. TNK

All this was foretold for a future peaceful earth, completely in harmony with Jehovah and his purposes. All of these prophecies are to be fulfilled under the righteous rule of his Son, our Messiah. 190

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Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and lamb will feed together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. Poisonous snakes will strike no more. In those days, no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain. I, the LORD, have spoken!" NLT

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Isaiah 11:6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all. NLT

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Acts 5:31 God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. NWT 7. The role Messiah plays in our individual lives: How about the lot of Mankind under the Messianic Kingdom rule during the thousand year reign of Jesus? What role does he play in our future? Here are verses which address that question; Deuteronomy 28:2 and all these blessings will befall and overtake you, for having obeyed the voice of Yahweh your God. NJB Messiah is the channel through whom God‘s blessings are distributed - Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. NAB Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of Jehovah-that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it. NWT Psalm 29:11 Yahweh will give strength to his people, Yahweh blesses his people with peace. NJB Psalm 128:2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. NIV Psalm 104:35 Consumed are sinners from the earth, And the wicked are no more. Bless, O my soul, Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah! YLT Isaiah 44:3 For I shall pour out water upon the thirsty NWT Isaiah 65:23 They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance; because they are the offspring made up of the blessed ones of Jehovah, and their descendants with them. NWT

Psalm 107:38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish. NIV 191

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Psalm 115:15 Blessed are ye of Jehovah, maker of heaven and earth, YLT

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Psalm 37:22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off. NKJ

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The following verses illustrate blessings by Jehovah in his dealings with the nation of Israel when they were on the verge of entering the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. These verses foreshadow blessings and promises through the Messiah on believers who stand on the edge of God‘s new Promised Land, the thousand year millennial reign of his son as king of God‘s kingdom. Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings must come upon you and overtake you, because you keep listening to the voice of Jehovah your God: NWT Nehemiah 9:21 And for forty years you provided them with food in the wilderness. They lacked nothing. Their very garments did not wear out, and their feet themselves did not become swollen. NWT Deuteronomy 2:7 For Jehovah your God has blessed you in every deed of your hand. He well knows of your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years Jehovah your God has been with you. You have not lacked a thing."' NWT Nehemiah 9:21 Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. ESV Zechariah 8:23 Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: In those days take hold do ten men of all languages of the nations, Yea, they have taken hold on the skirt of a man, a Jew, saying: We go with you YLT

3. CONCLUSIONS ABOUT MESSIAH: 1. The Messiah is clearly identified as Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of Jehovah who is his and our true and almighty God (the father). 2. The Messiah, Jesus Christ is the primary and singular provision by Jehovah God almighty for the salvation of mankind on the earth.

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4. The Messiah will be instrumental in resurrecting the dead and give them an opportunity for everlasting life.

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3. The Messiah will bring about the restoration of the earth to its originally intended purpose.

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5. The Messiah will restore humans on the earth to their originally intended relationship with God almighty. 6. Those who exercise faith in the Messiah and live accordingly will see all the promises and blessings of God fulfilled and live endlessly to enjoy them.

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7. Through the life and work of the Messiah, Jehovah God‘s name and sovereignty will be vindicated before the entire universe. . End of Chapter Scroll down to Next chapter or [Return to Beginning]

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CHAPTER TEN ―WORDS‖ What do Bible words really mean?

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―WORDS‖ Definitions – How important? As we continue to explore what ‖IS WRITTEN‖, and before we consider the Bible‘s view of those important doctrines which whole religious institutions are built on, it is essential to touch on the importance placed on what bible words meant when they were written. Why are accurate definitions for words so important? Words form sentences; sentences express ideas and convey thoughts. If one word is misunderstood, the entire sentence may be distorted. This is so because individual word meanings are the root basis for under- standing any and every written or verbal communi- cation we may encounter. Words are the first portal through which error may enter into our understanding. Also, they are the keys in arriving at the correct comprehension of any thought or idea we may be considering. If we don‘t get the right meaning to a key word in the sentence, we don‘t understand the sentence itself correctly. Bible definitions are often obscured by modern day Dictionary meanings. What God‘s words meant when they were written is all important to understanding his thinking and mindset. Take for a quick example just a few common widely used religious terms; ―spirit,‖ ―sin‖ and ―worship‖ We challenge you to think of what comes to your mind as the meanings you hold for these words and then compare them with the definitions given later in this chapter from Bible dictionaries. Sometimes you may find Bible definitions for these words far more complex than those you currently hold while in other instances you may find Bible definitions far more concise and simpler than those you hold. The important thing is to discover the Bible definitions these words hold from God‘s viewpoint. Take a quick detour to a few of these important Bible terms, then return and continue reading here. ―Worship‖ (click here)

From these examples you can readily see that Bible words did not always have the same meanings as we apply to them in our day. Therefore, we will provide definitions in this chapter to help us understand the pre translational vernacular in which the bible was written. Remember the object of the Bible is to convey God's thoughts and meanings as clearly as possible. For this reason, definitions become very important. What follows are definitions found in Bible dictionaries, rather than standard dictionaries. In some instances you will find them to be very similar to a contemporary dictionary definition. In other cases, you will find them to 195

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―Sin‖ (Click here)

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―Spirit‖ (Click here)

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be significantly different from modern day definitions, and in still other cases, only slightly different. When you read scriptures, try to think in terms of the definitions that fit the context around the words spoken, at the time they were originally written down. Where Bible dictionary definitions vary from your present understanding, consider the Bible dict- ionary meanings carefully as you re-read the verses. There is a certain level of ambiguity in every language. All languages contain words which are spelled the same and have differing meanings, words spelled differently with the same meanings and differing words which express the same thoughts. All this presents translators and linguists with difficult challenges in communicating accurately and precisely. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Bible, where the challenge is compounded by additional factors. In Bible translations we encounter ancient word meanings which may be obsolete today and modern translated word meanings which did not exist at the time of the original writings or when earlier translations were made. If that were not enough, there is also an element of pre-inclination or bias from an individual‘s viewpoint which may enter into the translation process. Religious organizations have attached their own meanings to certain words to help support their own tradition based biblical doctrines. Since these organizations frequently are the sponsors of Bible translations, distortions in meaning can occur in their translations. Further, human imperfection occasionally, may manifest itself, at least to some degree, in mistakes made, either in the mechanics of language or in judgment as to its conveyance of meanings.

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Keep in mind there are different words which express similar thoughts, yet have varying shades of nuance or meaning. Also dictionaries may give varieties of definitions for the same word. We also need to be aware that one is likely to find among a list of definitions any Bible dictionary gives, those which have crept into general usage much later, after the original writers were long dead. These definitions are not valid for determining true original meanings. Then too, on occasion one also finds among definitions the word itself. Defining a word by means of itself is 196

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It is for these reasons; this book devotes significant space in providing the reader with concise definitions for important Bible words. Clearer understanding of these words is crucial to understanding Bible teachings accurately. Since Bible word meanings may differ from standard modern dictionary meanings, we will choose from a variety of Bible Word Study Dictionaries. This will help us to clearer and more accurate definitions for these key words.

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illogical. Very much like saying; It is red because it is red, would be illogical as a reason why something is red. A translator should be concerned that the definition he chooses fits the context around the sentence a word is used in. Unfortunately this is not always the case for different reasons. For example when a translator has an agenda to support, he may choose the definition which best fits his viewpoint rather than the one which properly fits context. Most importantly, always remember, context remains the reader‘s most indispensable aid to understanding which definition a word finally takes on in bible terms. So, let us never fail to apply both immediate context and over all context to our powers of understanding. If one were to merely read all the definitions in this chapter along with the scriptural examples given, he or she would be surprised how much additional insight can be gained into God‘s word and as a consequence, into his thinking.

Our sources for Bible definitions are:

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Brown-Driver Briggs Hebrew Definitions Eastons Bible Dictionary Etymology Dictionary Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1,2. International Standard Bible Dictionary New American Standard Bible Dictionary R.A. Torrey‘s New Topical Index Smith‘s Bible Dictionary Strong‘s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries Thayer‘s Greek Definitions Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definitions Vines Expository Dictionary of N.T. Bible words Vines Expository Dictionary of O.T. Bible words Wilsons Old Testament Word Studies Word Study of Old Testament Words by Warren Baker Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary of New Testament Words

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CHAPTER ELEVEN. DEFINITIONS affecting BIBLE UNDERSTANDING ABHOR through BLAMELESS

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ABHOR through BLAMELESS ABHOR - G655 - Greek – αποζησγεω - ap-os-toog-eh‘-o - (Strongs Greek Dictionary)

ABHOR - H8581 –Hebrew- ta‛ab: -

- (Hebrew Word Study Dictionary -

Baker)

ta‛ab: A verb meaning to abhor, to be abhorrent, to do abominably. This word expresses a strongly detestable activity or the logical response to such an activity. It is associated with a severe sense of loathing: [Examples of Scriptural use:] Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ASV Psalm 5:6 You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors. NIV Amos 5:10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly KJV ACCUSE: (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. To charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, either by plaint, charge with an offense against the laws, judicially or by a public process; 2. To charge with a fault; to blame. [Examples of Scriptural use]

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1 Timothy 3:10 Also, let these be tested as to fitness first, then let them serve as ministers, as they are free from accusation2. NWT

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Romans 2:15 They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts, while their conscience is bearing witness with them and, between their own thoughts, they are being accused1or even excused. NWT

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Romans 8:33 Who dares accuse2 us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. NLT ACQUIT (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) To set free; to release or discharge from an obligation, accusation, guilt, censure, suspicion, or whatever lies upon a person as a charge or duty H5352 - ACQUIT‘ - Hebrew –

(Brown-Driver Briggs Hebrew Definitions)

1) to be empty, be clear, be pure, be free, be innocent, be desolate, be cut off 1a) (Qal) to be empty, be clean, be pure 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cleaned out, be purged out 1b2) to be clean, be free from guilt, be innocent 1b3) to be free, be exempt from punishment 1b4) to be free, be exempt from obligation 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to hold innocent, acquit 1c2) to leave unpunished [Examples of Scriptural use] Romans 6:7 For he who has died has been acquitted1b3 from [his] sin NWT . Job 10:14 If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit1b4 me of my iniquity. ASV Nahum 1:3 The LORD {is} slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit1c1 {the wicked}: the LORD {hath} his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds {are} the dust of his feet. WEB

1. Violation of the marriage bed; a crime, or a civil injury, which introduces, or may introduce, into a family, a spurious offspring. 200

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Adultery, n. [L. adulterium. See Adulterate.]

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2. In a scriptural sense, all manner of lewdness or unchastity, as in the seventh commandment. In scripture also, idolatry, or apostasy* from the true God.

*(See Apostasy defined page 203.) [Examples of Scriptural use] Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery1 KJV John 8:3 The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery1; and making her stand there in the middle NJB Isaiah 57:3 "But you--come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers 2 and prostitutes! NIB Adultery – spiritual [Examples of Scriptural use] James 4:4 Adulteresses2, do YOU not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God. NWT Jeremiah 3:8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries2. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery2. NIB ALMIGHTY (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) ALMI'G HTY,

Genesis 35:11 And God said to him, "I am God Almighty; {Hebrew El-Shaddai} be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a 201

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[Examples of Scriptural use]

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Possessing all power; omnipotent; being of unlimited might; being of boundless sufficiency; appropriately applied to the Supreme Being.

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community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. NIB Exodus 6:3 and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Jehovah I made Me not known to them. JPS Job 22:23 still if you return to the Almighty and clean up your life, you will be restored. NLT 2 Corinthians 6:18 "'And I shall be a father to YOU, and YOU will be sons and daughters to me,' says Jehovah the Almighty." NWT AMEN (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) AMEN'. As a verb, it signifies to confirm, establish, verify; to trust. Used at the beginning, but more generally at the end of declarations and prayers, in the sense of, be it firm, be it established. The word is used also as a noun."All the promises of God are amen in Christ;" that is, firmness, stability, constancy. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel from time indef- inite to time indefinite.'"And all the people proceeded to say, "Amen!" and a praise to Jehovah. NWT Ephesians 3:21 to him be the glory by means of the congregation and by means of Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. NWT

AMONGST', prep. [Gr. See Mingle.] 1. In a general or primitive sense, mixed or mingled with; as tares among wheat. 202

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Jeremiah 28:6 yes, Jeremiah the prophet proceeded to say: "Amen! Thus may Jehovah do! May Jehovah establish your words that you have prophesied by bringing back the utensils of the house of Jehovah and all the exiled people from Babylon to this place! NWT

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2. Conjoined or associated with, or making part of the number. [Examples of Scriptural use] Acts 4:12 Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among2 men by which we must get saved." NWT John 1:14 So the Word became human and lived here on earth among1 us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.1 And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. NLT . Matthew 13:25 While men were sleeping, his enemy came and over sowed weeds in among 1,2 the wheat, and left. NWT Philippians 2:15 that YOU may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in among2 a crooked and twisted generation, among1 whom YOU are shining as illuminators in the world, NWT ANGER (Eastons Bible Dictionary) The emotion of instant displeasure on account of something evil that presents itself to our view. In itself it is an original susceptibility of our nature, just as love is, and is not necessarily sinful. It may, however, become sinful when causeless, or excessive, or protracted (Mat 5:22; Eph 4:26; Col 3:8). As ascribed to God, it merely denotes his displeasure with sin and with sinners (Psa. 7:11). AN'GER; Since anger is viewed as being the same as ―Wrath‖ and ―Rage‖ by so many people, and even by many Bible translators, we will devote some time to a detailed explanation of these terms and their differences in scriptural terms .

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These are three words which people often equate with one another, even to the extent of attaching the same meaning to all of them. In scriptural terms, where meanings are directly attributable to how Jehovah sees

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them, it is important to understand distinctions between them. First, let us consider the word Rage and its Bible implication. RAGE The word rage occurs 17 times in the O.T. and 1 time in the N.T. [KJV] In none of these occurrences is the word associated with Jehovah. In Bible terms the word is not applicable to Jehovah since it represents characteristics foreign to his nature. In versions where it is found applying to him, it represents a mistranslation. It is found scripturally to be applicable to men, horses, chariots, etc. however, not to God almighty. Rage H7264, H7265 [ Hebrew] raw-gaz' A primitive root; to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear): - be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth. Rage H7266 (Chaldee); regaz reg-az' corresponding to H7264: provoke unto wrath. Rage H7266 regaz: An Aramaic masculine noun meaning violent anger, rage. The term occurs only once in the entire Old Testament. When King Nebuchadnezzar heard that three Jews-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-refused to worship the image of gold that he had erected, he flew into a rage (Dan_3:13). This term is derived from the Aramaic verb regaz (H7265) Rage G5433 [Greek] frua,ssw phruasso {froo-as'-so}

1 2 Kings 5:12 Are not the A-ba'nah and the Phar'par, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Can I not bathe in them 204

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1) to neigh, stamp the ground, prance, snort 2) to be high-spirited 2a) of horses 2b) of men 2b1) to take on lofty airs 2b2) behave arrogantly 2c) to be tumultuous, to rage

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and certainly be clean?" . With that he turned and went away in a rage. NWT [applies to Naaman] 2. 2 Kings 19:27 But I know (08804) thy abode (08800), and thy going out (08800), and thy coming in (08800), and thy rage (08692) against me. KJV [applies to the people raging against God] 3. 2 Kings 19:28 Because thy rage (08692) against me and thy tumult is come up (08804) into mine ears , therefore I will put (08804) my hook in thy nose , and my bridle in thy lips , and I will turn thee back (08689) by the way by which thou camest (08804). KJV [applies to the people raging against God] 4. 2 Chronicles 16:10 Then Asa was wroth (08799) with the seer (08802), and put (08799) him in a prison house ; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed (08762) some of the people the same time . KJV [Applies to Asa] 5. 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded : and he went out (08799) before the host that came (08802) to Samaria , and said (08799) unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah , he hath delivered (08804) them into your hand , and ye have slain (08799) them in a rage that reacheth up (08689) unto heaven . KJV [Applies to the armies of Israel]

8 Psalm 2:1 Why do the heathen rage (08804), and the people imagine (08799) a vain thing ? . KJV [Applies to the Gentiles, nations, heathens] 205

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7. Job 40:11 Cast abroad (08685) the rage of thy wrath : and behold (08798) every one that is proud , and abase (08685) him. KJV [Applies to Job]

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6. Job 39:24 He swalloweth (08762) the ground with fierceness and rage : neither believeth (08686) he that it is the sound of the trumpet . KJV [Applies to a horse]

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9. Psalm 7:6 Arise (08798), O LORD , in thine anger , lift up (08734) thyself because of the rage of mine enemies (08802): and awake (08798) for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded (08765). KJV [Applies to David‘s enemies as a reason for Jehovah‘s anger. Rage is not attributed to Jehovah] 10. Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man : therefore he will not spare (08799) in the day of vengeance . KJV [application is self evident] 11. Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man contendeth (08737) with a foolish man , whether he rage (08804) or laugh (08804), there is no rest . KJV [application is self evident] 12. Isaiah 37:28 But I know (08804) thy abode (08800), and thy going out (08800), and thy coming in (08800), and thy rage (08692) against me. KJV [Applies to the fortified cities who raged against Jehovah] 13. Isaiah 37:29 Because thy rage (08692) against me, and thy tumult , is come up (08804) into mine ears , therefore will I put (08804) my hook in thy nose , and my bridle in thy lips , and I will turn thee back (08689) by the way by which thou camest (08804). KJV [Applies to the fortified cities who raged against Jehovah]

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15. Daniel 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded (08754) to bring (08682) Shadrach , Meshach , and Abednego . Then they brought (08717) these men before the king .dle (08802) and bend (08802) the bow . KJV [application is self evident]

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14. Jeremiah 46:9 Come up (08798), ye horses ; and rage (08703), ye chariots ; and let the mighty men come forth (08799); the Ethiopians and the Libyans , that handle (08802) the shield ; and the Lydians , that handle (08802) and bend (08802) the bow . KJV [application is self evident]

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16. Hosea 7:16 They return (08799), but not to the most High : they are like a deceitful bow : their princes shall fall (08799) by the sword for the rage of their tongue : this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt . KJV [applies to the people of Israel] 17. Nahum 2:4 The chariots shall rage (08704) in the streets , they shall justle one against another (08698) in the broad ways : they shall seem like torches , they shall run (08787) like the lightnings . KJV [application is self evident] 18. Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said (5631), Why did the heathen rage (5656), and the people imagine (5656) vain things ? KJV [Applies to the Gentiles, nations, heathens] Having considered the scriptural meaning of RAGE, let us explore the scriptural differences between ―anger‖ and ―wrath‖. Upon attempting to discover a difference between the two words and the concepts they represent in scripture, one finds a quagmire of confusion as to their meanings. It is not at all uncommon to find opinions that they are so similar, they may be used interchangeably. Even respected Bible scholars have succumbed to this. Yet the scriptures themselves attest that there must be some significant differences between the meanings of these two related words, because the God who originated language for humans, and himself a master of the communication arts used them at times within the same sentence. This should not have been the case If they represented the exact same meanings. ANGER, WRATH

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1) orge (Strongs #3709) ―Wrath‖ - also translated anger and indignation

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There are two Greek words that are translated "wrath" in the New Testament scriptures:

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why does Paul in two instances list them as two separate qualities in the same sentence? Colossians 3:8 - But now you also put off all these: anger 3709 (orge), wrath 2372 (thymos), malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. RWB Romans 2:8 - But to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation 2372 (thymos), and wrath 3709 (orge).... RWB John also uses the two words in the same sentence twice in Revelation: Revelation 14:10 - The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath 2372 (thymos) of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation 3709 (orge)... RWB Revelation 16:19 - And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness 2372 (thymos) of his wrath 3709 (orge). RWB

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Additionally, we find many O.T. examples where these two words are used side by side in the same verses. This implies at least some shade of difference their meanings.. There are still further variations and nuances of meaning in both anger and wrath, indicated by the type of anger and wrath spoken about. For example, there is; anger, Hot anger, burning anger, kindled anger, and fierce anger. Wrath is described as; wrath, hot wrath, burning wrath and fierce wrath. Mostly, these variations are concerned with degree or intensity. It is our objective to discern what the basic fundamental difference between the two words, anger and wrath may be. In this objective, first, one must concede that there is a difference between human anger and Godly anger, as well as a difference between human wrath and Godly wrath.

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If they both terms mean the same thing, the Holy Spirit would not have inspired both Paul and John to use two different words for a single meaning in the same sentence. We cannot readily accept that God‘s spirit is a source of confusion nor can we conclude God does not know the differences and is not sophisticated in the choice of words he expresses his mindset with. Clearly, there must be a real and discernable difference in the scriptural meaning of these two words.

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[Scriptural Examples] Psalm 37:8 / Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. ESV [advice to humans] Proverbs 27:4 / Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? ESV [speaking in human terms] Daniel 9:16 / ―O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. ESV [speaking of Godly anger and wrath] Psalm 78:38 / Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. ESV [speaking of Godly anger and wrath] Hosea 13:11 / I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath. ESV [speaking of Godly anger and wrath] Genesis 49:5-7 / ―Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. Cursed be their ange, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. ESV [speaking of human wrath]

Human ―anger‖ has the characteristics of being sudden, often impulsive, based on some hurt experienced, either in feelings or physically. It is usually emotional and can be either short lived or may linger for some limited duration. It has the basic characteristic of being temporary or 209

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After a great deal of Symantec investigation into the root meanings of both the words, their derivations and their subtleties of meaning, the following obser- vations come into focus which help us to realize definite differences in their meanings.

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Amos 1:11 / Thus says the Lord: ―For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever. ESV [speaking of human wrath]

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transitory. It can be either justifiable or may be a figment of the individuals own mind, based on his or her perception of a given situation. It does not necessarily represent reality. Therein lies the major difference between godly anger and human anger. Godly anger is always justifiable and always represents a response to a real affront to the creator and his viewpoint. It is never based on a mistaken perception. While godly anger may also be temporary or of a more extended duration, depending on his desire and viewpoint, it is always in balance with his other personality traits. The other major difference between human and godly anger is that godly anger is never out of control, whereas human anger often is. Anger is an emotion Jehovah allows at least to some extent, in humans however with the proviso not to let it get out of control or linger. It is considered a result of sinful human nature which is to be overcome and brought under control. Ephesians 4:26 ―BE ANGRY , AND yet DO NOT SIN ; do not let the sun go down on your anger‖ , NAB

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While anger and wrath have some common aspects in their meanings, a major difference between anger and wrath is that where anger may be somewhat impulsive and sudden, wrath is of lingering duration, contrived and usually contains an element of premeditation. It is inclined to take action or wish ill against the one causing the anger. While Jehovah‘s wrath is justified according to his infallible judgment, man‘s wrath is almost always flawed due to his own imperfect human judgment and thinking. Therefore, human wrath is to be avoided as an emotional quality not condoned for humans by Jehovah. On the other hand Jehovah‘s wrath is a consequent and expression of all his qualities manifesting themselves in perfect harmony. So, we may conclude that anger on the part of Jehovah constitutes righteous indignation and that his wrath is always justified due to his own innate righteousness and infallibility. On the other hand, human anger, is subject to human imperfection is usually flawed. Likewise, human wrath which festers and leads to adverse action in connection with such anger is in itself a result of imperfect judgment on the part of the administrator. In scriptural

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Galatians 5:19 ―When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group‖, NLT

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terms all such wrath is prohibitedto us humans because all retribution or vengeance belongs to Jehovah, and not us.

APPROVE -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. To like; to be pleased with; to admit the propriety of; as, we approve the measures of administration. This word may include, with the assent of the mind to the propriety, a commendation to others. 2. To prove; to show to be true; to justify. 3. To experience; to prove by trial. [Not used. See Prove.] 4. To make or show to be worthy of approbation; to commend. 5. To like and sustain as right; to commend. 6. To improve. [Examples of Scriptural use] Mark 1:11 and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you." NWT Romans 1:28 And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting, NWT 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. NIV James 1:12 Happy is the man that keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving him.NWT

apostle 78, messenger 2, he that is sent; 211

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G652 avpo,stoloj apostolos {ap-os'-tol-os}

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APOSTLE (Thayers dictionary of Theological Terms)

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1.) a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders 1a) specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ 1b) in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers 1b1) of Barnabas 1b2) of Timothy and Silvanus Apostle - (Eastons Bible dictionary)

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It was characteristic of the apostles and necessary; (1.) that they should have seen the Lord, and been able to testify of him and of his resurrection from personal knowledge (Joh_15:27; Act_1:21, Act_1:22; 1Co_9:1; Act_22:14, Act_22:15). (2.) They must have been immediately called to that office by Christ (Luk_6:13; Gal_1:1). (3.) It was essential that they should be infallibly inspired, and thus secured against all error and mistake in their public teaching, whether by word or by writing (Joh_14:26; Joh_16:13; 1Th_2:13). (4.) Another qualification was the power of working miracles (Mar_16:20; Act_2:43; 1Co_12:8-11). Apostles therefore could have had no successors. They are the only author- itative teachers of the Christian doctrines. The office of an apostle 212

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A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb_3:1; Joh_20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he entrusted the organization of his congregation (church) and the dissemination of his gospel, ―the twelve,‖ as they are called (Mat_10:1-5; Mar_3:14; Mar_6:7; Luk_6:13; Luk_9:1). Our Lord gave them the ―keys of the kingdom,‖ and by the gift of his Spirit fitted them to be the founders and governors of his congregation (church) (Joh_14:16, Joh_14:17, Joh_14:26; Joh_15:26, Joh_15:27; Joh_16:7-15). To them, as representing his congregation, he gave the commission to ―preach the gospel to every creature‖ (Mat_28:18-20). After his ascension he communicated to them, according to his promise, supernatural gifts to qualify them for the discharge of their duties (Act_2:4; 1Co_2:16; 1Co_2:7, 1Co_2:10, 1Co_2:13; 2Co_5:20; 1Co_11:2). Judas Iscariot, one of ―the twelve,‖ fell by transgression, and Matthias was substituted in his place (Act_1:21). Saul of Tarsus was afterwards added to their number (Acts 9:3-20; Act_20:4; Act_26:15-18; 1Ti_1:12; 1Ti_2:7; 2Ti_1:11).

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ceased with its first holders, while the teaching of the Apostles survived with the presser- vation of their writings for posterity. In 2Co 8:23 and Phi 2:25 the word ―messenger‖ is the rendering of the same Greek word, elsewhere rendered ―apostle.‖ [Examples of Scriptural use]

Hebrews 3:1 That is why all you who are holy brothers and share the same heavenly call should turn your minds to Jesus, the apostle and the high priest of our profession of faith. NJB Luke 6:13 But when it became day he called his disciples to him and chose from among them twelve, whom he also named apostles: NWT

Galatians 1:1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group or by human authority. My call is from Jesus Christ himself and from God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. NLT

APOSTASY, APOSTATE Apostate (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) APOS'TATE, n. [Gr.]

One who has forsaken; the church, sect or profession to which he before adhered. In its original sense, applied to one who has abandoned his religion; but correctly applied also to one who abandons a political or other party. Apostate (Thayers Theological Dictioary) G646

,a apostasia {ap-os-tas-ee'-ah}

- to forsake + 575 1, falling away 1; 2

[Examples of Scriptural use]

Isaiah 10:6 Against an apostate nation I shall send him, and against the people of my fury I shall issue a command to him, to take much spoil 213

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1) a falling away, defection, apostasy

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and to take much plunder and to make it a trampling place like the clay of the streets. NWT Hosea 5:2 And they have plunged themselves in the corruption of apostasy, but I will be a chastiser of them all.DBY 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. NWT 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatise from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons DBY Whereas modern day meanings for religious apostasy may include departure from an organization or religious denomination which has adapted the meaning for it‘s own ends, the scriptural meaning of apostasy was always been understood to be a falling away from or an abandoning of Jehovah himself. In a true Christian N.T. sense it means an abandonment of Christ, (Jehovah‘s savior) and or his teachings.

ARMAGEDDON (Insight to the Scriptures – Vol. 1.) Armageddon ar-ma-ged´on Αρκαγεδδωλ, Armageddon: n) ―HAR-MAGEDON‖) (which see). (Har–Ma·ged′on) [from Heb., meaning ―Mountain of Megiddo‖]. (Insight – Vol 1.)

Rev 16:14, 16 These are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on 214

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[Example of Scriptural use]

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This name is directly associated with ―the war of the great day of God the Almighty.‖ The term applies specifically to the condition, or situation, to which ―the kings of the entire inhabited earth‖ are gathered in opposition to Jehovah and his Kingdom by Jesus Christ. In a number of versions it is rendered ―Armageddon.‖ (Re 16:14, 16, AT; KJ; JB; RS; TEV) The name Har– Magedon, taken from Hebrew, means simply ―Mountain of Megiddo.‖

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the great day of God the Almighty. 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Harmagedon. RSV

ASCEND

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

Ascend 1. To move upwards; to mount; to go up; to rise, whether in air or water, or upon a material object. 2. To rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects, from particulars to generals, &c. 3. To proceed from modern to ancient times; to recur to former ages; as, our inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity. 4. In a corresponding sense, to proceed in a line towards ancestors; as, to ascend to our first progenitors. 5. To rise as a star; to proceed or come above the horizon. 6. In music, to rise in vocal utterance; to pass from any note to one more acute. ASCEND', v.t. To go or move upwards upon, as to ascend a hill or ladder; or to climb, as to ascend a tree. [Examples of Scriptural use] John 3:13 Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man. NWT John 20:17 Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'

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Mark 3:13 And he ascended a mountain and summoned those he wanted, and they went off to him. NWT

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ASHAMED (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. Affected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt or a conviction of some criminal action or indecorous conduct, or by the exposure of some gross errors or mis- conduct, which the person is conscious must be wrong, and which tends to impair his honor or reputation. 2. Confused by a consciousness of guilt or of inferiority; by the mortification of pride; by failure or disappointment. [Examples of Scriptural use]

Isaiah 42:17 They must be turned back, they will be very much 2ashamed, those who are putting trust in the carved image, those who are saying to a molten image: "YOU are our gods." NWT Genesis 2:25 And both of them continued to be naked, the man and his wife, and yet they did not become 1ashamed. NWT Romans 1:16 For I am not 1ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God's power for salvation to everyone having faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek; NWT

ASSEMBLE:

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

ASSEM'BLE, To collect a number of individuals or particulars into one place, or body; to bring or call together; to convene; to congregate. [Examples of Scriptural use] Amos 5:21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. {in...: or, your holy days} KJV

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Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain is, but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day coming nigh. YLT

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Isaiah 45:20 Assemble, come, all of you gather round, survivors of the nations. They have no knowledge, those who parade their wooden idols and pray to a god that cannot save. NJB

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ATONEMENT (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) ATO'NEMENT, n. 1. Agreement; concord; reconciliation, after enmity or controversy. 2. Expiation; satisfaction or repatriation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing or suffering that which is received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; with for. In theology, the expiation of sin made by the obedience and personal sufferings of Christ. ATO'NEMENT - H3722 Hebrew - (Complete Word Study – O.T. by W. Baker, S. Zodhiates)

Ka p ar: A verb meaning to cover, to forgive, to expiate, to reconcile. This word is of supreme theological importance in the Old Testament as it is central to an Old Testament understand- ing of the remission of sin. At its most basic level, the word conveys the notion of covering but not in the sense of merely concealing. Rather, it suggests the imposing of something to change its appearance or nature.

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It is therefore employed to signify the cancellation or "writing over" of a contract (Isa_28:18); the appeasing of anger (Gen_32:20 [21]; Pro_16:14); and the overlaying of wood with pitch so as to make it waterproof (Gen_6:14). The word also communicates God's covering of sin. Persons made reconciliation with God for their sins by imposing something that would appease the offended party (in this case the Lord) and cover the sinners with righteousness (Exo_32:30; Eze_45:17; cf. Dan_9:24). In the Old Testament, the blood of sacrifices was most notably imposed (Exo_30:10). By this imposition, sin was purged (Psa_79:9; Isa_6:7) and forgiven (Psa_78:38). The offenses were removed, leaving the sinners clothed in righteous- ness (cf. Zec_3:3-4). Of course, the imposition of the blood of bulls and of goats could never fully cover our sinS (see Heb_10:4), but with the coming of Christ and the imposition of His shed blood, a perfect atonement was made (Rom_5:911).

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[Examples of Scriptural use]

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Numbers 15:28 And the priest must make atonement for the soul who made a mistake by a sin unintentionally before Jehovah, so as to make atonement for it, and it must be forgiven him. NWT Exodus 29:37 Make atonement for the altar every day for seven days. After that, the altar will be exceedingly holy, and whatever touches it will become holy.NLT Numbers 31:50 So we present the offering of Jehovah, that which each one hath found, jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make atonement for our souls before Jehovah. DBY

AWAKE:

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

AWA'KE, 1. To rouse from asleep. 2. To excite from a state resembling sleep, as from death, stupidity or inaction; to put into action, or new life; as, to awake the dead; to awake the dormant faculty. 2a. To cease to sleep; to come from a state of natural sleep. 2b. To bestir, revive or rouse from a state of inaction; to be invigorated with new life; as, the mind awakes from its stupidity. 3. To rouse from spiritual sleep. AWA'KE = Not sleeping; in a state of vigilance or action. [Examples of Scriptural use]

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Mark 13:33 Keep looking, keep awake, for YOU do not know when the appointed time is. NWT

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Luke 21:36 Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that YOU may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man." NWT

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Romans 13:11 [Do] this, too, because YOU people know the season, that it is already the hour for YOU to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. NWT

BAT'TLE,

(Thayers Dictionary of Theological Terms)

1. A fight, or encounter between enemies, or opposing armies; an engagement. It is usually applied to armies or large bodies of men; but in popular language, the word is applied to an encounter between small bodies, between individuals, or inferior animals. It is also more generally applied to the encounters of land forces than of ships; the encounters of the latter being called engagements. But battle is applicable to any combat of enemies. 2. A body of forces, or division of an army. BAT'TLE, To join in battle; to contend in fight; sometimes with it; as, to battle it. [Examples of Scriptural use] Psalm 140:7 O Sovereign LORD, my strong savior, you protected me on the day of battle. NLT Ecclesiastes 9:11 I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. NLT Revelation 20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog-- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. NIV

BECOME (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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1. To pass from one state to another; to enter into some state or condition, by a change from another state or condition, or by assuming or receiving new properties or qualities, additional matter, or a new character;

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Become

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―The Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of like and man became a living soul.‖ ―To the Jew, I became a Jew.‖ 2. To become of, usually with what preceding; to be the fate of; to be the end of; to be the final or subsequent condition; as, what will become of our commerce? what will become of us? In the present tense, it applies to place as well as condition. What has become of my friend? that is, where is he? as well as, what is his condition? Where is he become? used by Shakespeare and Spenser, is obsolete; but this is the sense in Saxon, where has he fallen? [Examples of Scriptural use] Genesis 3:22 Then Yahweh God said, 'Now that the man has become like one of us in knowing good from evil, he must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick from the tree of life too, and eat and live for ever!' NJB John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--NIV 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one be seducing himself: If anyone among YOU thinks he is wise in this system of things, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. NWT

BELIEVE -

(Zodhiates Greek Word Study Dictionary)

BELIE'VE, v.i.

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2. To believe in, is to hold as the object of faith. "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." John 14. 3. To believe on, is to trust, to place full confidence in, to rest upon with faith. "To them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1. Johnson. But there is no ground for much distinction.

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1. To have a firm persuasion of anything. In some cases, to have full persuasion, approaching to certainty; in others, more doubt is implied. It is often followed by in or on, especially in the scriptures.

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In popular use and familiar discourse, to believe often expresses an opinion in a vague manner, without a very exact estimate of evidence, noting a mere preponderance of opinion, and is nearly equivalent to think or suppose. In theology, to believe sometimes expresses 1a mere assent of the understanding to the truths of the gospel; as in the case of Simon. Acts 8. In others, 3 the word implies, with the assent of the mind, a yielding of the will and affections, accompanied with a humble reliance on Christ for salvation. John 1:12. 3.15. One bible version equates scriptural belief with action, indicating that the belief must include immersion into that which is believed upon, to such an extent that it manifests itself in actions or activity in accord with such belief. (John 3:16 NWT) [Examples of Scriptural use] - belief John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever 3believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. NKJ John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his onlybegotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. NWT John 5:24 "I assure you, those who listen to my message and 3believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. NLT 2 Thessalonians 2:11 So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to 2believing the lie, NWT BEFORE - (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

3. In sight of; as before the face. 4. In the presence of, noting cognizance of jurisdiction. 221

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2. In presence of, with the idea of power, authority, respect.

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BEFO'RE 1. In front; on the side with the face, at any distance; used of persons.

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5. In the power of, noting the right or ability to choose or possess; free to the choice. 6. In front of any object; as before the house; before the fire. 7. Preceding in time. 8. In preference to. Poverty is desirable before torments. 9. Superior; preceding in dignity. 10. Prior to; having prior right; preceding in order; as, the eldest son is before the younger in succession. 11. Previous to; in previous order; in order to. 12. Before the wind, is to move in the direction of the wind by its impulse. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Peter 1:20 True, he was foreknown 7,10before the founding of the world, but he was made manifest at the end of the times for the sake of YOU NWT 2 Timothy 4:21 Make every effort to come 10before the winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers. NJB Revelation 7:9 After these things I saw, and lo, a great crowd, which no one could number, out of every nation and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing 3,4.before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palm branches in their hands. DBY

First entering upon; commencing; giving rise or original; taking rise or origin.

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BEGIN'NING, n. The first cause; origin.

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BEGINNING - (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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1. That which is first; the first state; commencement; entrance into being. 2. Giving rise, or original 3. The rudiments, first ground or materials. [Examples of Scriptural use] Colossians 1:18 and he is the Head of the Body, that is, the Church. He is the 1Beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that he should be supreme in every way; NJB 1 John 1:1 Something which has existed since the 3beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have watched and touched with our own hands, the Word of life -- this is our theme. NJB 1 John 3:8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the 1beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. NLT

BEGOT (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. Procreated; generated. BEGOT', BEGOT'TEN (Vines Expository Dictionary of N.T. Bible words)

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(b) of one who by means of preaching the gospel becomes the human instrument in the impartation of spiritual life, 1Co_4:15; Phm_1:10;

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It is used metaphorically: 1. gennao (G1080), "to beget," in the passive voice, "to be born," is chiefly used of men "begetting" (a) in the writings of the apostle John, of the gracious act of God in conferring upon those who believe the nature and disposition of "children," imparting to them spiritual life, Joh_3:3, Joh_3:5, Joh_3:7; 1Jo_2:29; 1Jo_3:9; 1Jo_4:7; 1Jo_5:1, 1Jo_5:4, 1Jo_5:18;

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(c) in 2Pe_2:12, with reference to the evil men whom the apostle is describing, the RV rightly has "born mere animals" (KJV, "natural brute beasts"); (d) in the sense of gendering strife, 2Ti_2:23. 3. apokueo (G616), "to give birth to, to bring forth" (from kueo, "to be pregnant"), is used metaphorically of spiritual birth by means of the Word of God, Jam_1:18, and of death as the offspring of sin (Jam_1:15; so in the best texts). See BRING, A, No. 30. 4. tikto (G5088), "to bring forth," Luk_1:57; Joh_16:21; Heb_11:11; Rev_12:2, Rev_12:4, or, "to be born," said of the Child, Mat_2:2; Luk_2:11, is used metaphorically in Jam_1:15, of lust as bringing forth sin. See apokueo, above, used in the same verse. See BRING, DELIVER, TRAVAIL (be in). Notes: (1) For prototokos see FIRSTBORN. (2) For monogenes, see ONLY BEGOTTEN. [Examples of Scriptural use] Matthew 1:20 but while he pondered on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is 4begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit. DBY John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only 3begotten of a father, full of grace and truth. YLT John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only 3begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life KJV

2. To be the concern or proper business of; to appertain; as, it belongs to John Doe to prove his title. 224

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1. To be the property of; as, a field belongs to Richard Roe; Jamaica belongs to G.Britain.

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BELONG, (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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3. To be appendant to. 4. To be a part of, or connected with, though detached in place; as, a beam or rafter belongs to such a frame, or to such a place in the building. 5. To have relation to. 6. To be the quality or attribute of. 7. To be suitable for. 8. To relate to, or be referred to. 10. To be the native of; to have original residence. 11. In common language, to have a settled residence; to be domiciliated. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Corinthians 3:23 in turn YOU 1belong to Christ; Christ, in turn, belongs to God. NWT Isaiah 44:21 "Remember these things, O Jacob, and you, O Israel, because you are my servant. I have formed you. You are a servant 4 belonging to me. O Israel, you will not be forgotten on my part. NWT Romans 14:8 for both if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. Therefore both if we live and if we die, we 3belong to Jehovah. NWT Romans 12:5 so we, although many, are one body in union with Christ, but members 4belonging individually to one another. NWT

BLAMELESS (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) a. Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure.

naqiy, naqiy‘: An adjective meaning clean, free from, exempt. This term frequently refers to innocent blood, that is, the shed blood of an innocent individual. It also refers to a person who is innocent. According to Psa_24:4, it is a necessary quality for those who will stand 225

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Zodhiates)

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H5355 - BLA'MELESS (Complete Word Study – O.T. by W. Baker, S.

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in the presence of the Lord. It also refers to those who are free from blame (Gen_44:10); free from liability or punishment (Exo_21:28; 2Sa_14:9); released from an oath (Gen_24:41; Jos_2:17, Jos_2:19-20); exempt from various obligations (Num_32:22); or free from the obligation of military service (Deu_24:5). G273- Greek - BLA'MELESS -

amemptos (Thayers Greek

Definitions)

1) blameless, deserving no censure, free from fault or defect G273- Greek - BLA'MELESS - (Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary) without, fault to be found. [Examples of Scriptural use] Job 1:1 There happened to be a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man proved to be blameless and upright, and fearing God and turning aside from bad.NWT Philippians 2:15 that YOU may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation, among whom YOU are shining as illuminators in the world, NWT Luke 1:6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. NIV

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CHAPTER TWELVE DEFINITIONS (AFFECTING MAJOR TEACHINGS AND DOCTRINES) ―BLASPHEME‖ through “CONFIDENT”

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―BLASPHEME‖ through “CONFIDENT”

BLASPHEME (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) BLASPHE'ME 1. To speak of the Supreme Being in terms of impious irreverence; to revile or speak reproachfully of God, or the Holy Spirit 2. To speak evil of; to utter abuse or calumny against; to speak reproachfully of. 3. To arrogate the prerogatives of God. - to claim unwarrantably or

presumptuously; assume or appropriate to oneself without right: G989 BLASPHE'ME (Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary) βιαζθεκος (G5345), rumor, fame. To be abusive, reviling, destroying one's good name (2Ti_3:2, a slanderer, blasphemer in respect to men); blasphemous, a blasphemer (Act_6:11, Act_6:13, of words uttered against God and divine things; 1Ti_1:13, a subst. meaning a blasphemer in respect to God; 2Pe_2:11, of words against men, slanderous). [Examples of Scriptural use] Romans 2:24 For "the name of God is being 1blasphemed on account of YOU people among the nations"; just as it is written. NWT

2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, 1,3. blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, NWT 228

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1 Timothy 1:13 although formerly I was a 2blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man. Nevertheless, I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith NWT

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Romans 2:24 No wonder the Scriptures say, "The world blasphemes the name of God because of you." NLT

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BLESSING H1293 – Hebrew - Blessing -

- (Complete Word Study – O.T. by W.

Baker, S. Zodhiates)

be

:

The general idea of this word is one of good favor bestowed on another. 1. This may be expressed in the giving of a tangible gift 2. or in the pronouncing of a verbal blessing 3. Most often, however, this word speaks of God's favor on the righteous.

It is related to the common verb barak (H1288), meaning to bless and is often used to contrast God's blessing and His curse. [Examples of Scriptural use] Joshua 8:34 After this, Joshua read all the words of the Law -- the and the cursing -- exactly as it stands written in the Book of the Law. NJB 1blessing

Psalm 67:6 The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our 3God, will bless us.NWT Genesis 28:1 Consequently Isaac called Jacob and 2blessed him and commanded him and said to him: "You must not take a wife from the daughters of Ca'naan. NWT Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich; And he addeth no sorrow therewith. ASV BLESS, BLESSING, G3107 - Blessed – Greek –

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makários; fem. makaría, neut. makárion, adj. Blessed, 3possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God. It indicates the state of the believer in Christ (Mat_5:3-11, "Blessed . . . for my sake"; Luk_6:20-22, "Blessed . . . for the

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Son of man's sake"), said of one who becomes a partaker of God's nature through faith in Christ (2Pe_1:4). The believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit because of Christ and as a result should be fully satisfied no matter the circumstances. 3Makários differs from the word "happy" in that the person is happy who has good luck (from the root hap meaning luck as a favorable circum stance). To be makários, blessed, is equivalent to having God's kingdom within one's heart (Mat_5:3, Mat_5:10). Aristotle contrasts makários to endees (G1729), the needy one. Makários is the one who is in the world yet independent of the world. His satisfaction comes from God and not from favorable circumstances. Deriv.: makarízo (G3106), to declare blessed.

[Examples of Scriptural use] Matthew 5:3 "God 3blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. NLT Hebrews 6:14 saying: "Assuredly in 2blessing I will 3bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply you." NWT John 20:29 Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. are those who have not seen and yet believe. NJB

3Blessed

BROTHER, (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. A human male born of the same father and mother. A male by one of the parents only is called a half-brother, or brother of the half blood. 2. Any one closely united; an associate; as a band of brothers.

A masculine noun meaning brother. The word is used not only of those with common parents but also of those with common 230

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H251 Brother – Hebrew - (Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary) ‘ah:

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3. One that resembles another in manners.

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ancestors. Thus, the descendants of Israel are brothers (Lev_19:17; Lev_25:46), as are two nations with common ancestors (Amo_1:11, Oba_1:10, Oba_1:12). It further describes a close friend outside the immediate physical family (2Sa_1:26). G80 – Brother – Greek - (Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary) αδειθος adelphós; gen. adelphoú, fem. adelphe (G79), masc. noun from the collative a (G1), denoting unity, and delphús (n.f.), a womb . A brother. Adelphós 1. generally denotes a fellowship of life based on identity of origin, e.g., members of the same family 2. members of the same tribe, countrymen, and so 3. One of the same nature, a fellow man was regarded as a brother 4. Adelphós a came to designate a fellowship of love equivalent to or bringing with it a community of life In this manner Jesus speaks of His brethren (Mat_25:40; Mat_28:10; Joh_20:17; Rom_8:29; The members of the same Christian community are called brothers (Joh_21:23; Act_9:30; Rom_16:14; 1Co_7:12). [Examples of Scriptural use] Matthew 12:50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my 4brother and sister and mother.' NJB Matthew 23:8 As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all 4brothers. NAB 1 John 4:20 If anyone makes the statement: "I love God," and yet is hating his 3brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his 3brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen. NWT

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

To crush by beating or pounding with an instrument not edged or pointed. When applied to animal flesh or to vegetables, a bruise is a contusion that impairs the natural solidity and texture of the part, but often without breaking the skin. 231

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BRUISE,

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Genesis 42:8 Thus Joseph recognized his 1brothers, but they themselves did not recognize him. NWT

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BRUISE, n. A contusion; a hurt upon the flesh of animals, upon plants or other bodies, with a blunt or heavy instrument. H7779 – BRUISE – Hebrew -

-

: - (Complete Word Study – O.T. by W.

Baker, S. Zodhiates)

1. A verb meaning to crush, to bruise. A verb used twice, once referring to the attack of the serpent and once of the seed of the woman (Gen_3:15). It may be translated as crush in Job_9:17 to describe God's supposed attack on Job. It also has the sense of to engulf, to hide, to cover (Psa_139:11). 2. A verb meaning to strike, to snap at. It is used of the attack of the serpent and the response of the seed of the woman (Gen_3:15). The verb is rendered figuratively as follows by the various translations: KJV, bruise . . . bruise; NIV, crush . . . strike; NASB, bruise . . . bruise; NKJV, bruise . . . bruise. 3. A verb meaning to cover, to envelop, to overwhelm. It is used of darkness engulfing or hiding a person from God (Psa_139:11). BRUISE – Greek – G4937 suntri,bw suntribo {soon-tree'-bo} (Thayers / Smiths Bible Dictionary)

1) break, to break in pieces, shiver 2) to tread down 2a) to put Satan under foot and (as a conqueror) trample on him 2b) to break down, crush 2b1) to tear one's body and shatter one's strength [Examples of Scriptural use] Genesis 3:15 I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; it will 1bruise your head and you will 2strike its heel.' NJB Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. YLT

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Romans 16:20 and the God of the peace shall 2abruise the Adversary under your feet quickly; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen! KJV

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BURDEN

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. That which is borne or carried; a load. Hence, 2. That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome or oppressive. 3. A birth. 4. The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each verse; the chorus; so called from the application of this word to the drone or base, and the pipe or string which plays it, in an instrument. A chord which is to be divided, to perform the intervals of music,when open and undivided, is also called the burden. 5. In common language, that which is often repeated; a subject on which one dwells. 6. A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds. 7. The contents of a ship; the quantity or number of tons, a vessel will carry; as a ship of a hundred tons burden. BURD'EN, - hebrew - (Word Study - Baker) To load; to lay on a heavy load; to incumber with weight. Hence, 2. To oppress with anything grievous; as, to burden a nation with taxes. 8. To surcharge; as, to burden the memory. G922 BURD'EN – Greek -

- - báros; gen. bárous. - (Zodhiates

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1. Burdensome, weight in reference to its pressure, burden, load (Mat_20:12, where "the burden . . . of the day" means the heavy labor of the day). Used in Act_15:28; Rev_2:24

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to designate precepts which are burdensome to observe; to indicate sinful conduct and its consequences resulting in trouble and sorrow (Gal_6:2); in a pecuniary sense (1Th_2:6) meaning to be burdensome. In 2Co_4:17 "eternal weight [báros] of glory," here "weight" refers to greatness, abundance, fullness. [Examples of Scriptural use] Jeremiah 23:33 'And when this people, or a prophet, or a priest, asks you, "What is Yahweh's 8burden?" you must answer, "You are the 2burden, and I shall get rid of you, Yahweh declares!" NJB Galatians 6:2 Go on carrying the 2burdens of one another, and thus fulfill the law of the Christ. NWT Revelation 2:24 But on the rest of you in Thyatira, all of you who have not accepted this teaching or learnt the deep secrets of Satan, as they are called, I am not laying any other 2burden; NJB

CALL - (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. To name; to denominate or give a name. And God called the light day, and the darkness he called 2. To convoke; to summon; to direct or order to meet; to assemble by order or public notice; often with together; as, the king called his council together; the president called together the congress. 3. To request to meet or come. 4. To invite. 5. To invite or summon to come or be present; to invite, or collect.

8. To appoint or designate, as for an office, duty or employment. 234

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7. To proclaim; to name, or publish the name.

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6. To give notice to come by authority; to command to come; as, call a servant.

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9. To invite; to warn; to exhort. Isa 22:12. 10. To invite or draw into union with Christ; to bring to know, believe and obey the gospel. 11. To own and acknowledge. Heb 2:11. 12. To invoke or appeal to. 13. To esteem or account. Isa 47:5. Mat 3:15. 2.To call for, to demand, require or claim, as a crime calls for punishment; or to cause to grow. Ezek 36. Also, to speak for; to ask; to request; as, to call for a dinner. 12. To call in, to collect, as to call in debts or money; or to draw from circulation, as to call in clipped coin; or to summon together; to invite to come together; as, to call in neighbors or friends. 8. To call forth, to bring or summon to action; as, to call forth all the faculties of the mind. 2.To call off, to summon away; to divert; as, to call off the attention; to call off workmen from their employment. 5. To call up, to bring into view or recollection; as, to call up the image of an old friend; also, to bring into action, or discussion; as, to call up a bill before a legislative body. 13 . To call over, to read a list, name by name; to recite separate particulars in order, as a roll of names. 2. To call out, to summon to fight; to challenge; also, to summon into service; as, to call out the militia. 12. To call to mind, to recollect; to revive in memory.

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Acts 2:21 And everyone who 8calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved."' NWT

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[Examples of Scriptural use]

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1 Corinthians 1:26 Consider, brothers, how you were 5called; not many of you are wise by human standards, not many influential, not many from noble families. NJB Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the 4calling of God are not things he will regret. NWT 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God 5called us, not with allowance for uncleanness, but in connection with sanctification. NWT 1 Corinthians 1:2 to the assembly of God which is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, 13called saints, with all that in every place 8call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours: DBY Corinthians 7:20 Everyone should stay in whatever state he was in when he was 5called. everywhere are 8calling upon the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: NJB 2 Thessalonians 2:4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is 13called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. ASV 2 Timothy 1:9 He saved us and 10called us with a holy 8calling, not by reason of our works, but by reason of his own purpose and undeserved kindness. This was given us in connection with Christ Jesus before times long lasting, NWT Ephesians 4:4 One body there is, and one spirit, even as YOU were 8called in the one hope to which YOU were 2called; NWT Jude 1:1 Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to the 10called ones who are loved in relationship with God [the] Father and preserved for Jesus Christ: NWT

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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CHASTE -

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Romans 8:28 Now we know that God makes all his works cooperate together for the good of those who love God, those who are the ones 5called according to his purpose; NWT

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1. Pure from all unlawful commerce of sexes. Applied to persons before marriage, it signifies pure from all sexual commerce, undefiled; applied to married persons, true to the marriage bed. 2. Free from obscenity. 3. In language, pure; genuine; uncorrupt; free from barbarous words and phrases, and from quaint, affected, extravagant expressions. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man ever look down on your youth. On the contrary, become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in 2,3chasteness. NWT James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all 3chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical. NWT 2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a 1chaste virgin to Christ. DRA 1 Peter 3:2 when they observe your reverent and 3chaste behavior. NAB

CHOSE - CHOSEN,

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. Selected from a number; picked out; taken in preference; elected; predestinated; designated to office. 2. Select; distinguished by preference; eminent.

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John 15:16 You did not choose me, no, I 1chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. NJB

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John 15:19 If YOU were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because YOU are no part of the world, but I have 1chosen YOU out of the world, on this account the world hates YOU. NWT

1 Corinthians 1:28 God 2chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, NLT James 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God 1chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? NIV 1 Peter 2:9 But YOU are "a 2chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that YOU should declare abroad the excellencies" of the one that called YOU out of darkness into his wonderful light. NWT

CHRIST

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. THE ANOINTED; an appellation given to the Savior of the World, and synonymous with the Hebrew Messiah. It was a custom of antiquity to consecrate persons to the sacerdotal and regal offices by anointing them with oil. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ESV 1 Timothy 1:2 to Timothy, true child of mine in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. NJB

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Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ NIV

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1 Corinthians 12:27 Now YOU are Christ's body, and members individually. NWT

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CHRISTIAN (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. A believer in the religion of Christ. 2. A professor of his belief in the religion of Christ. Professing the religion of Christ 3. A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety. 4. Pertaining to Christ, taught by him, or received from him; as the Christian religion; Christian doctrines. 5. Pertaining to the church; ecclesiastical; as courts Christian. 6. In a general sense, the word Christians includes all who are born in a Christian country or of Christian parents. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Peter 4:16 But if [he suffers] as a 3Christian, let him not feel shame, but let him keep on glorifying God in this name. NWT Acts 26:28 And Agrippa said to Paul, A little more and you will be making me a 1Christian. BBE

CHURCH, (Congregation, Assembly) (Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionary)

1. A house consecrated to the worship of God, among Christians; the Lords house. This seems to be the original meaning of the word. The 239

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Church (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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Greek - G1577 – - Ekklesia - ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church.

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Greek, to call out or call together, denotes an assembly or collection. But, Lord, a term applied by the early Christians to Jesus Christ; and the house in which they worshipped was named from the title. So church goods, bona ecclesiastica; the Lords day, dies dominica. 2. The collective body of Christians, or of those who profess to believe in Christ, and acknowledge him to be the Savior of mankind. In this sense, the church is sometimes called the Catholic or Universal Church. 3. A particular number of christens, united under one form of ecclesiastical government, in one creed, and using the same ritual and ceremonies; as the English church; the Gallican church; the Presbyterian church; the Romish church; the Greek church. 4. The followers of Christ in a particular city or province; as the church of Ephesus, or of Antioch. 5. The disciples of Christ assembled for worship in a particular place, as in a private house. Col 4. 6. The worshipers of Jehovah or the true God, before the advent of Christ; as the Jewish church. 7. The body of clergy, or ecclesiastics, in distinction from the laity. Hence, ecclesiastical authority. 8. An assembly of sacred rulers convened in Christs name to execute his laws. 9. The collective body of Christians, who have made a public profession of the Christian religion, and who are untied under the same pastor; in distinction from those who belong to the same parish, or ecclesiastical society, but have made no profession of their faith. [Examples of Scriptural use]

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Acts 20:17 And from Miletus, having sent to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the 5assembly, YLT

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Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the 5church. NIV

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Romans 16:1 I recommend to YOU Phoe'be our sister, who is a minister of the 1congregation that is in Cen'chre-ae, NWT Romans 16:1 And I commend you to Phebe our sister -- being a ministrant of the 1assembly that is in Cenchrea – YLT 1 Corinthians 12:28 Here is a list of some of the members that God has placed in the 2body of Christ: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who can get others to work together, those who speak in unknown languages. NLT 1 Corinthians 12:28 And those whom God has appointed in the are, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers; after them, miraculous powers, then gifts of healing, helpful acts, guidance, various kinds of tongues. NJB 2Church

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has set the respective ones in the first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powerful works; then gifts of healings; helpful services, abilities to direct, different tongues. NWT See also ASSEMBLY CONGREGATION 2congregation,

CLEAN

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

CLEAN, a. In a general sense, free from extraneous matter, or whatever is injurious or offensive; hence its signification depends on the nature and qualities of the substances to which it is applied. 1. Free from dirt, or other foul matter; as clean water; a clean cup; a clean floor. 2. Free from weeds or stones; as clean land; a clean garden or field.

5. Free from ceremonial defilement. Lev 10; Num 19. 6. Free from guilt; sanctified; holy. John 13. Psa 51. 241

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4. Free from moral impurity; innocent.

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3. Free from knots or branches; as clean timber. In America, clear is generally used.

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7. That might be eaten by the Hebrews. Gen 7; Gen 8. 8. That might be used. Luke 11. 9. Free from a foul disease; cured of leprosy. 2 Ki 5. Math. 8. 10. Dextrous; adroit; not bungling; free from awkwardness; as a clean feat; a clean boxer. 11. Free from infection; as a clean ship. A clean bill of health is a certificate that a ship is clean, or free from infection. CLEAN, adv. 1. Quite; perfectly; wholly; entirely; fully; indicating separation or complete removal of every part. The people passed clean over Jordan. Josh 3. Is his mercy clean gone forever? Psa 77. This use of clean is not now elegant, and not used except in vulgar language. 2. Without miscarriage; dextrously. CLEAN, v.t. To remove all foreign matter from; to separate from any thing whatever is extraneous to it, or whatever is foul, noxious, or offensive, as dirt or filth from the hands, body or clothes, foul matter from a vessel, weeds, shrubs and stones from a meadow; to purify. Thus, a house is cleaned by sweeping and washing; a field is cleaned by plowing and hoeing. [Examples of Scriptural use] 2 Timothy 2:22 So, flee from the desires incidental to youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call upon the Lord out of a 6clean heart. NWT

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Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart 4,6clean of wickedness so that you may be saved. How long shall your evil schemes lodge within you? NRS

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2 Timothy 2:22 But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a 6clean heart. BBE

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John 15:3 Already you are 4,6clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ESV Titus 1:15 All things are 6clean to 5clean [persons]. But to [persons] defiled and faithless nothing is clean, but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. NWT

CLEAVE - (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. To stick; to adhere; to hold to. 2. To unite aptly; to fit; to sit well on. 3. To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to adhere with strong attachment. CLEAVE, v.t. 4. To part or divide by force; to split or rive; to open or serve the cohering parts of a body, by cutting or by the application of force; as, to cleave wood; to cleave a rock; to cleave the flood. Psa 74. 5. To part or open naturally. CLEAVE, v.i. To part; to open; to crack; to separate, as parts of cohering bodies; as, the ground cleaves by frost. [Examples of Scriptural use] Joshua 23:8 But it is to Jehovah YOUR God that YOU should 1cleave, just as YOU have done down to this day. NWT

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Joshua 22:5 Only, be very watchful to do the command and the law which Moses, servant of Jehovah, commanded you, to love Jehovah your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commands, and to 1cleave to Him, and to serve Him, with all your heart, and with all your soul.' YLT

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Psalm 119:31 I have 1cleaved to your reminders. O Jehovah, do not put me to shame. NWT

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CLOUD -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. A collection of visible vapor, or watery particles, suspended in the atmosphere, at some altitude. 2. A state of obscurity or darkness. 3. A collection of smoke, or a dense collection of dust, rising or floating in the air; as a cloud of dust. 4.The dark or varied colors, in veins or spots, on stones or other bodies, are called clouds. 5. A great multitude; a vast collection. [Examples of Scriptural use] Matthew 17:5 But even as he said it, a bright 1cloud came over them, and a voice from the 1cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him. Listen to him." NLT Luke 21:27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud 2 with power and great glory. NWT Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a 5cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, NAU

COLLECT -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

From all that can be collected, the public peace will not soon be interrupted. 244

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2. To gain by observation or information.

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1. To gather, as separate persons or things, into one body or place; to assemble or bring together; as, to collect men into an army; to collect ideas; to collect particulars into one sum.

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3. To gather from premises; to infer as a consequence. Which consequence, I conceive, is very ill collected. 4. To gather money or revenue from debtors; to demand and receive; as, to collect taxes; to collect the customs; to collect accounts, or debts. 5. To gather, as crops; to reap, mow or pick, and secure in proper repositories; as, to collect hay, corn or fruits. 6. To draw together; to bring into united action; as, to collect all the strength, or all the powers of the mind. 7. To obtain from contribution. 8. Command over the thoughts, when dispersed; over the passions, when tumultuous; or the mind, when dismayed. 9. To run together; to accumulate; as, pus collects in an abscess; sand or snow collects in banks. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Chronicles 16:35 And say, 'Save us, O God of our salvation, And 5,9 collect us together and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to your holy name, to speak exultingly in your praise. NWT 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now about the 7collection for God's holy people; you are to do the same as I prescribed for the churches in Galatia. NJB Luke 3:13 "Don't 4collect any more than you are required to," he told them. NIV Romans 15:28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been 7collectedI will leave for Spain by way of you.

COMFORT -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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COMFORT, n.

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1. Relief from pain; ease; rest or moderate pleasure after pain, cold or distress or uneasiness of body. The word signifies properly new strength, or animation; and relief from pain is often the effect of strength. In a popular sense, the word signifies rather negatively the absence of pain and the consequent quiet, than positive animation. 2. Relief from distress of mind; the ease and quiet which is experienced when pain, trouble, agitation or affliction ceases. It implies also some degree of positive animation of the spirits; or some pleasurable sensations derived from hope, and agreeable prospects; consolation. 3. Support; consolation under calamity, distress or danger. 4. That which gives strength or support in distress, difficulty, danger, or infirmity. 5. In law, support; assistance; countenance; encouragement; as, an accessory affords aid or comfort to a felon. 6.That which gives security from want and furnishes moderate enjoyment; as the comforts of life. [Examples of Scriptural use] 2 Corinthians 1:4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort 4 others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same 4comfort God has given us. NLT 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good 2comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. NKJ

1. To represent as worthy of notice, regard, or kindness; to speak in favor of; to recommend. 2. To commit; to entrust or give in charge. 246

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COMMEND (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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Matthew 5:4 Blessed they that mourn, for *they* shall be 4comforted. DBY

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3. To praise; to mention with approbation. 4. To make acceptable or more acceptable. 5. To produce or present to favorable notice. 6. To send or bear to. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I 3commend YOU because in all things YOU have me in mind and YOU are holding fast the traditions just as I handed [them] on to YOU. NWT Psalm 63:3 Because your loving-kindness is better than life, My own lips will 3commend you. NWT Psalm 145:4 One generation will 2commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. NIV Judges 11:40 From year to year the daughters of Israel would go to give 1commendation to the daughter of Jeph'thah the Gil'eúadúite, four days in the year. NWT

COMMISSION, (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. The act of committing, doing, performing, or perpetrating; as the commission of a crime.

3. The thing committed, entrusted or delivered; letters patent, or any writing from proper authority, given to a person as his warrant for exercising certain powers, or the performance of any duty, whether civil, ecclesiastical, or military. Hence,

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4. Charge; order; mandate; authority given.

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2. The act of committing or sending to; the act of entrusting, as a charge or duty. Hence,

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5. By a metonymy, a number of persons joined in an office or trust. 6. The state of that which is entrusted, as the great seal was put into commission; or the state of being authorized to act or perform service, as a ship is put into commission. 4. In commerce, the state of acting under authority in the purchase and sale of goods for another. To trade or do business on commission, is to buy or sell for another by this authority. Hence, [Examples of Scriptural use] Jeremiah 15:3 "'And I will 6commission over them four families,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'the sword to kill, and the dogs to drag away, and the flying creatures of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to eat and to bring to ruin. NWT Isaiah 62:6 Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have commissioned watchmen. All day long and all night long, constantly, let them not keep still. "YOU who are making mention of Jehovah, let there be no silence on YOUR part, NWT

COMMIT -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

COMMIT, v.t. Literally, to send to or upon; to throw, put or lay upon. Hence, 1. To give in trust; to put into the hands or power of another; to entrust; with to.

4. To do; to effect or perpetrate; as, to commit murder, treason, felony, or trespass.

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3. To put or sent to, for confinement; as, to commit an offender to prison. Hence for the sake of brevity, commit is used for imprison. The sheriff has committed the offender.

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2. To put into any place for preservation; to deposit; as, to commit a passage in a book to memory; to commit the body to the grave.

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5. To join or put together, for a contest; to match; followed by with; a latinism. 6. To place in a state of hostility or incongruity. Committing short and long words. But this seems to be the same signification as the foregoing. 7. To expose or endanger by a preliminary step or decision which cannot be recalled; as, to commit the peace of a country by espousing the cause of a belligerent. You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship without committing the honor of your sovereign. 8. To engage; to pledge; or to pledge by implication. [Examples of Scriptural use]

Acts 26:12 'In which things, also, going on to Damascus -- with authority and 1commission from the chief priests YLT 2 Timothy 1:12 for which cause also these things I suffer, but I am not ashamed, for I have known in whom I have believed, and have been persuaded that he is able that which I have 1committed to him to guard -- to that day. YLT James 5:15 And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has 4committed sins will be forgiven. NLT John 8:4 they say to him, Teacher, this woman has been taken in the very act, 4committing adultery. DBY John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who 4commits sin is the slave of sin. NAU

1. To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force. 2. To force; to take by force, or violence; to seize. 249

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3. To drive together; to gather; to unite in a crowd or company. A Latinism, compellere gregem. 4. To seize; to overpower; to hold. 5. To call forth, L. compeller. [Examples of Scriptural use] Luke 14:23 And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the roads and the fenced-in places, and, 2,5 compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. NWT Mark 6:45 And, without delay, he 1compelled his disciples to board the boat and go on ahead to the opposite shore toward Beth-sa'i-da, while he himself dismissed the crowd. NWT Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how 2compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? ASV Galatians 2:3 but not even Titus, who is with me, being a Greek, was to be circumcised – YLT

1compelled

COMPLETE -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. Having no deficiency; perfect. 2. Finished; ended; concluded; as, the edifice is complete.

3. To finish; to end; to perfect; as, to complete a bridge, or an edifice; to complete an education. 250

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In strict propriety, this word admits of no comparison; for that which is complete, cannot be more or less so. But as the word, like many others, is used with some indefiniteness of signification, it is customary to qualify it with more, most, less and least. More complete, most complete, less complete, are common expressions.

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4. To fill to accomplish; as, to complete hopes or desires. 5. To fulfil; to accomplish; to perform; as, the prophecy of Daniel is completed. [Examples of Scriptural use] 2 Timothy 3:17 So that the man of God may be 1complete, trained and made ready for every good work. BBE Acts 3:23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be 5completely cut off from among his people.' {23 Deut. 18:15,18,19} NIV Hebrews 7:25 Whence also he is able to save 5completely those who approach by him to God, always living to intercede for them. DBY Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given authority in heaven and on earth. NLT

1complete

Daniel 1:18 When the three-year training period ordered by the king was 5completed, the chief official brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar NLT

CONCEAL - (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) Conceal, To withhold from sight 1. To keep close or secret; to forbear to disclose; to withhold from utterance or declaration; as, to conceal ones thoughts or opinions. 2. To hide; to withdraw from observation; to cover or keep from sight.

Mark 4:11 He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secret about the Kingdom of God. But I am using these stories to 1conceal everything about it from outsiders, NLT 251

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Proverbs 14:13 Laughter can 2conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains. NLT

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Proverbs 26:26 While their hatred may be 2concealed by trickery, it will finally come to light for all to see. NLT Luke 8:17 For there is nothing hidden that will not become manifest, neither anything carefully 2concealed that will never become known and never come into the open. NWT Luke 12:2 But there is nothing carefully 2concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not become known. NWT Psalm 32:7 You are a place of 2concealment for me; you will safeguard me from distress itself. With joyful cries at providing escape you will surround me. NWT Isaiah 29:15 Woe to those who burrow down to 1conceal their plans from Yahweh, who scheme in the dark and say, 'Who can see us? Who knows who we are?' NJB

CONCEIVE -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. To receive into the womb, and breed; to begin the formation of the embryo or fetus of animal. 2. To form in the mind; to imagine; to devise. 3. To form an idea in the mind; to understand; to comprehend. 4. To think; to be of opinion; to have an idea; to imagine, to have a conception or idea. 5. To have a fetus formed in the womb; to breed; to become pregnant. 6. To understand; to comprehend; to have a complete idea of;

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Hebrews 11:11 It was equally by faith that Sarah, in spite of being past the age, was made able to 1conceive, because she believed that he who had made the promise was faithful to it. NJB

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Ephesians 3:20 Now to the one who can, according to his power which is operating in us, do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or 2conceive, NWT 1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has 6conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" NIV Job 15:35 They 2conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity, and their belly prepareth deceit. DBY

CONDEMN -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. To pronounce to be utterly wrong; to utter a sentence of disapprobation against; to censure; to blame. But the word often expresses more than censure or blame, and seems to include the idea of utter rejection; as, to condemn heretical opinions; to condemn ones conduct. 2. To determine or judge to be wrong, or guilty; to disallow; to disapprove. 3. To witness against; to show or prove to be wrong, or guilty, by a contrary practice. 4. To pronounce to be guilty; to sentence to punishment; to utter sentence against judicially; to doom; opposed to acquit or absolve; with to before the penalty. 5. To doom or sentence to pay a fine; to fine. 6. To judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service; as, the ship was condemned as not sea-worthy. To judge or pronounce to be forfeited; as, the ship and her cargo were condemned.

1 John 3:20 as regards whatever our hearts may 3condemn us in, because God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. NWT 253

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John 8:11 She said: "No one, sir." Jesus said: "Neither do I 4condemn you. Go your way; from now on practice sin no more." NWT

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Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no 4condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. KJV Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not 2condemn, and you will not be 2condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. NJB

CONDUCT - (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) 1. Literally, the act of leading; guidance; command. To lead; to bring along; to guide; to accompany and show the way. 2. The act of convoying, or guarding; guidance or bringing along under protection. 3. To lead; to direct or point out the way. 4. In a general sense, personal behavior; course of actions; deportment; applicable equally to a good or a bad course of actions; as laudable conduct; detestable conduct. The word seems originally to have been followed with life, actions, affairs, or other term; as the conduct of life; the conduct of actions; that is, the leading along of life or actions. 5. Exact behavior; regular life. 6. Management; mode of carrying on. 7. To lead; to bring along; to guide; to accompany and show the way. 8. To give a direction to; to manage; applied to things; as, the farmer conducts his affairs with prudence. 9. To lead, as a commander; to direct; to govern; to command; as, to conduct an army or a division of troops.

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Jeremiah 32:19 You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You are very aware of the 4conduct of all people, and you reward them according to their deeds. NLT

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Philippians 3:18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose 4conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. NLT 1 Timothy 3:15 but if I delay, in order that thou mayest know how one ought to 6conduct oneself in God's house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth. DBY 1 Timothy 3:5 (but if one does not know how to 3conduct his own house, how shall he take care of the assembly of God?) DBY Colossians 4:5 1 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ESV James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among YOU? Let him show out of his fine 4conduct his works with a mildness that belongs to wisdom. NWT

CONFESS -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

1. To own, acknowledge or avow, as a crime, a fault, a charge, a debt, or something that is against one's interest, or reputation. 2. In the Catholic Church, to acknowledge sins and faults to a priest; to disclose the state of the conscience to a priest, in private, with a view to absolution; sometimes with the reciprocal pronoun. 3. To own, avow or acknowledge; publicly to declare a belief in and adherence to. 4. To own and acknowledge, as true disciples, friends or children. 5. To own; to acknowledge; to declare to be true, or to admit or assent to in words; opposed to deny.

8. To make confession; to disclose faults, or the state of the conscience; 255

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7. To hear or receive the confession of another; as, the priest confessed the nuns.

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6. To show by the effect; to prove; to attest.

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[Examples of Scriptural use] John 12:42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not 5confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; ESV Acts 24:14 But this I 3confess to thee that according to the way which they call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets: DRA James 5:16 So 8confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another to be cured; the heartfelt prayer of someone upright works very powerfully. NJB 1 John 1:9 But if we 8confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. NLT

CONFIDENT -

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

CON'FIDENT, n. One entrusted with secrets; a confidential or bosom friend. 1. Having full belief; trusting; relying; fully assured. 2. Positive; dogmatical; as a confident talker. 3. Trusting; without suspicion. 4. Bold to a vice; having an excess of assurance.

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[This word has been usually, but improperly, written confidant. definition of confidant by the Free Online Dictionary con·fi·dant (k n f -d nt , -dänt , k n f -d nt , -dänt ). n. 1. One to whom secrets or private matters are disclosed. 2. A character in a drama or fiction, such as a trusted .

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CON'FIDENT, n. One entrusted with secrets; a confidential or bosom friend.

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1 John 5:14 And this is the 3confidence that we have toward him, that, no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us. NWT

Proverbs 22:19 For your 3confidence to come to be in Jehovah himself I have given you knowledge today, even you. NWT Philippians 1:6 For I am 1confident of this very thing, that he who started a good work in YOU will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. NWT

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN. DEFINITIONS affecting BIBLE UNDERSTANDING CONGREGATION through DAMN

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CONGREGATION through DAMN CONGREGATION (1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions) (see also Church, Eklesia) 1. The act of bringing together, or assembling. 2. A collection or assemblage of separate things; as a congregation of vapors. 3. More generally, an assembly or persons; and appropriately, an assembly of persons met for the worship of God, and or for religious instruction. 4. An assembly of rulers. 5. An assembly of ecclesiastics or cardinals appointed by the pope; as the congregation of the holy office, &c. Also, a company or society of religious cantoned out of an order. 6. An academical assembly for transacting business of the university. [Examples of Scriptural use] Acts 5:11 Consequently great fear came over the whole and over all those hearing about these things. NWT

3congregation

Acts 5:11 Great fear gripped the entire 3church and all others who heard what had happened. NLT Acts 5:11 and great fear came upon all the 3assembly, and upon all who heard these things. YLT

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Ephesians 5:24 As the 3church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything NLT Ephesians 5:24 but even as the 3assembly is subject to Christ, so also are the wives to their own husbands in everything. YLT

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Ephesians 5:24 In fact, as the 3congregation is in subjection to the Christ, so let wives also be to their husbands in everything. NWT

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CONQUER / CONQUEST (Vines Dictionary of N.T. Words) 1. nikao (G3528), "to overcome" (its usual meaning), is translated "conquering" and "to conquer" in Rev_6:2. See OVERCOME, PREVAIL, VICTORY. 2. hupernikao (G5245), "to be more than conqueror" (huper, "over," and No. 1), "to gain a surpassing victory," is found in Rom_8:37, lit., "we are hyper-conquerors," i.e., we are pre-eminently victorious. Conquers - G3528 nika,w nikao {nik-ah'-o} (Thayer‘s Greek Definitions) 1.) to conquer 2.) to carry off the victory, come off victorious 3.) of Christ, victorious over all His foes 4.) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions 5.) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one's cause [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 John 2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have 4conquered the evil one. NAB 1 John 5:4 for whatever is born of God 4conquers the world. And this is the victory that 2conquers the world, our faith. NRS

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

Conscience, n. [L., to know, to be privy to.] 260

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John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have 3,4conquered the world. NJB

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1. Internal or self-knowledge, or judgment of right and wrong; or the faculty, power or principle within us, which decides on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of our own actions and affections, and instantly approves or condemns them. 2. The estimate or determination of conscience; justice; honesty. 3. Real sentiment; private thought; truth; as, do you in conscience believe the story? 4. Consciousness; knowledge of our own actions or thought. 5. Knowledge of the actions of others. 6. In ludicrous language, reason or reasonableness. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Corinthians 8:12 So, sinning against your brothers and wounding their vulnerable 1consciences, you would be sinning against Christ. NJB

1 Peter 2:19 For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your 1conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment. NLT 1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good 4conscience, and a sincere faith. NAB Romans 2:15 They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own 4consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. NLT

(1828 Webster Dictionary with Bible definitions)

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2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear 1conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. ESV

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1. To make or declare to be sacred, by certain ceremonies or rites; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service and worship of God; as, to consecrate a church (Eklesia). 2. To canonize; to exalt to the rank of a saint; to enroll among the gods, as a Roman emperor. 3. To set apart and bless for sacred service 4. To render venerable; to make respected; as, rules or principles consecrated by time. The word consecrate is used interchangeably with ―Sanctify‖ in some Bible versions. [Examples of Scriptural use] Leviticus 20:7 1Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. ESV Leviticus 20:7 "'And YOU must 1sanctify yourselves and prove yourselves holy, because I am Jehovah YOUR God. NWT Numbers 3:3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he 3consecrated to minister in the priest's office. KJV 2 Chronicles 26:18 confronting King Uzziah, they said to him, 'Uzziah, you are not allowed to burn incense to Yahweh; only the Aaronite priest 3consecrated for the purpose may burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honour from Yahweh God.' NJB 2 Chronicles 29:31 Hezekiah spoke again, 'Now that you have 1consecrated yourselves to Yahweh, come forward and bring thanksgivings NJB John 17:19 and for their sake I 1consecrate myself so that they too may be 4consecrated in truth.

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CONSIDER - (Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

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1. To fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination; to think on with care; to ponder; to study; to meditate on. 2. To view attentively; to observe and examine. 3. To attend to; to relieve. 4. To have regard to; to respect. 5. To take into view in examination, or into account in estimates. 6. In the imperative, consider is equivalent to, think with care, attend, examine the subject with a view to truth or the consequences of a measure. So we use see, observe, think, attend. 7. To requite; to reward; particularly for gratuitous services. 8. To think seriously, maturely or carefully; to reflect. 9. To deliberate; to turn in the mind; as in the case of a single person; to deliberate or consult, as numbers; sometimes followed by of; as, I will consider your case, or of your case. 10. To doubt; to hesitate. [Examples of Scriptural use] Hebrews 10:24 And let us 8consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ESV James 1:2 7Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, NWT

CONTEMPLATE (Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

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Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not 6consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ESV

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1. To view or consider with continued attention; to study; to meditate on. This word expresses the attention of the mind, but sometimes in connection with that of the eyes; as, to contemplate the heavens. More generally, the act of the mind only is intended; as, to contemplate the wonders of redemption; to contemplate the state of the nation and its future prospects. 2. To consider or have in view, in reference to a future act or event; to intend. 3. To think studiously; to study; to muse; to meditate. [Examples of Scriptural use] Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And 3contemplate Your ways. NKJ Psalm 55:1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A 1Contemplation (Maskil) of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. NKJ

CONTEMPT

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Contempt, n. [L. See Contemn.] 1. The act of despising; the act of viewing or considering and treating as mean, vile and worthless; disdain; hatred of what is mean or deemed vile. This word is one of the strongest expressions of a mean opinion which the language affords. 2. The state of being despised; whence in a scriptural sense, shame, disgrace.

Mal 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is 1contemptible. ASV 264

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3. In law, disobedience of the rules and orders of a court, which is a punishable offense.

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Psalm 107:40 He pours 2contempt on great men and makes them lose their way in trackless deserts; TNK Psalm 123:4 We have had our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the 2contempt of the arrogant. NLT

CONTEND -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Contend, v.i. [L., to stretch. Gr., See Tend, Tenet.] 1. To strive, or to strive against; to struggle in opposition. 2. To strive; to use earnest efforts to obtain, or to defend and preserve. 3. To dispute earnestly; to strive in debate. 4. To reprove sharply; to chide; to strive to convince and reclaim. 5. To strive in opposition; to punish. 6. To quarrel; to dispute fiercely; to wrangle. The parties contend about trifles. [Examples of Scriptural use] Jeremiah 2:9 "Therefore I will yet 4contend with you," declares LORD NAU 2 Timothy 2:5 And if also a man 2contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have 2contended lawfully. ASV

Continue, 1. To remain in a state, or place; to abide for any time indefinitely. 2. To persevere; to be steadfast or constant in any course; ; not to cease 265

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3. To extend from one thing to another; to produce or draw out in length. [Examples of Scriptural use] 2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, 1continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ESV Colossians 3:14 2Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave YOU, so do YOU also. NWT

CONTRADICT -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Contradict, v.t. [L., to speak.] 1. To oppose by words; to assert the contrary to what has been asserted, or to deny what has been affirmed. 2. To oppose; to be directly contrary to. [Examples of Scriptural use] Titus 1:9 He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who 1contradict it. NRS 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and 2contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge -- NKJ

Corban. An offering to God, of any sort, bloody or bloodless, but particularly, in fulfillment of a vow. The law laid down rules for vows, (1) affirmative; (2) negative. Lev_27:1; Num_30:1. Upon these rules, the traditionists enlarged, and laid down that a man might interdict himself by vow, not only from using for himself, but from giving to another or 266

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receiving from him, some particular object, whether of food or any other kind whatsoever. The thing thus interdicted was considered as corban. A person might thus exempt himself from any inconvenient obligation under plea of corban. It was practices of this sort that our Lord reprehended, Mat_15:5; Mar_7:11, as annulling the spirit of the law. [Examples of Scriptural use] Mark 7:11 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother:` Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), NIB Mark 7:11 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, 'Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I could have given to you.' NLT

CORPOREAL, CORPOREOUS - (Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

a. Having a body; consisting of a material body; material; opposed to spiritual or immaterial; as our corporeal frame; corporeal substance. (See definition and examples for FLESHY)

CORRECT -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

CORRECT, v.t. [L. See Right.] 1. To make right; to rectify; to bring to the standard of truth, justice, or propriety; as, to correct manners or principles. Hence, 267

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CORRECT, a. [L., to set right; right, straight. See Right.] Literally, set right, or made straight. Hence, right; conformable to truth, rectitude or propriety, or conformable to a just standard; not faulty; free from error. A correct edition of a book is exactly according to the original copy. Correct manners correspond with the rules of morality and received notions of decorum. Correct principles coincide with the truth. Correct language is agreeable to established usage.

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2. To amend; to remove or retrench faults or errors; to set right; as, to correct a book; to correct a copy for the press; or in printing, to correct the press, or errors of the press. 3. To bring back or attempt to bring back to propriety in morals; to punish for faults or deviations from moral rectitude; to chastise; to discipline; as, a child should be corrected for lying. 4. To obviate or remove whatever is wrong or inconvenient; to reduce or change the qualities of any thing by mixture, or other application; to counteract whatever is injurious; as, to correct the acidity of the stomach by alkaline preparations; to correct the relaxing quality of water by boiling it with animal substances. [Examples of Scriptural use] Jeremiah 2:19 Your badness should 1correct you, and your own acts of unfaithfulness should reprove you. Know, then, and see that your leaving Jehovah your God is something bad and bitter, and no dread of me [has resulted] to you,' is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies. NWT Titus 2:8 Let your teaching be so 4correct that it can't be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won't have anything bad to say about us. NLT 1 Corinthians 12:1 And now, dear brothers and sisters, I will write about the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives to each of us, for I must 2correct your misunderstandings about them. NLT

CORRUPTION -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

2. Putrid matter; pus. 3. Putrescence; a foul state occasioned by putrefaction. 268

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1. The act of corrupting, or state of being corrupt or putrid; the destruction of the natural form of bodies, by the separation of the component parts, or by disorganization, in the process of putrefaction.

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4. Depravity; wickedness; perversion or deterioration of moral principles; loss of purity or integrity.. 5. Debasement; taint; or tendency to a worse state. 6. Impurity; depravation; debasement; as a corruption of language. 7. Bribery. He obtained his suit by corruption. 8. In law, taint; impurity of blood, in consequence of an act of attainder of treason or felony, by which a person is disabled to inherit lands from an ancestor, nor can retain those in his possession, nor transmit them by descent to his heirs. [Examples of Scriptural use] Acts 2:27 for you will not abandon me to Hades or allow your holy one to see 1corruption. NJB Psalm 14:3 But no, all have turned away from God; all have become 5corrupt. No one does good, not even one! NLT Ephesians 4:22 that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, 4corrupted through deceitful desires, NAB

COST-

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Cost, n. 1. The price, value or equivalent of a thing purchased; the amount in value paid, charge or engaged to be paid for anything bought or taken in barter. The word is equally applicable to the price in money or commodities; as the cost of a suit of clothes; the cost of a house or farm.

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3. In law, the sum fixed by law or allowed by the court for charges of a suit awarded against the party losing, in favor of the party prevailing, &c. The jury find that the plaintiff recover of the defendant ten dollars with costs of suit or with his cost.

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2. Expense; amount in value expended or to be expended; charge; that which is given or to be given for another thing..

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4. Loss or expense of any kind; detriment; pain; suffering. The vicious man indulges his propensities at a great cost. 5. Sumptuousness; great expense. COST, v.t 1a. To require to be given or expend in barter or purchase; to be bought for; as, this book cost a dollar; the army and navy cost four millions a year. 2a. To require to be laid out, given, bestowed or employed 3a. To require to be borne or suffered. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Corinthians 9:18 What, then, is my reward? That while declaring the good news I may furnish the good news without 2cost, to the end that I may not abuse my authority in the good news. NWT Luke 14:28 'And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the 2a cost to see if he had enough to complete it? NJB Jeremiah 42:20 that you have gone astray at the 2cost of your lives. For you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, 'Pray for us to the LORD our God, and whatever the LORD our God says declare to us and we will do it.' ESV

COUNSEL- (Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition) Counsel, n. [L., to consult; to ask, to assail.]

2. Consultation; interchange of opinions.

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3. Deliberation; examination of consequences.

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1. Advice; opinion, or instruction, given upon request or otherwise, for directing the judgment or conduct of another; opinion given upon deliberation or consultation.

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4. Prudence; deliberate opinion or judgment, or the faculty or habit of judging with caution. 5. In a bad sense, evil advice or designs; art; machination. 6. Secrecy; the secrets entrusted in consultation; secret opinions or purposes. Let a man keep his own counsel. 7. In a scriptural sense, purpose; design; will; decree. 8. Directions of Gods word. 9. The will of God or his truth and doctrines concerning the way of salvation. 10. Those who give counsel in law; any counselor or advocate, or any number of counselors, barristers or sergeants; as the plaintiffs counsel, or the defendants counsel. The attorney-general and solicitor-general are the kings counsel. In this sense, the word has no plural; but in the singular number, is applicable to one or more persons. COUNSEL, 1a. To give advice or deliberate opinion to another for the government of his conduct; to advise. 2a. To exhort, warn, admonish, or instruct. We ought frequently to counsel our children against the vices of the age. 3a. To advise or recommend; [Examples of Scriptural use]

COUNSELOR -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Counselor, 271

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Isaiah 14:24 Jehovah of armies has sworn, saying: "Surely just as I have figured, so it must occur; and just as I have 3a counseled, that is what will come true, NWT

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1 Kings 12:13 And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the 1counsel that the old men had given him, ESV

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1. Any person who gives advice; but properly one who is authorized by natural relationship, or by birth, office or profession, to advise another in regard to his future conduct and measures. 2. The members of a counsel; one appointed to advise a king or chief magistrate, in regard to the administration of the government. 3. One who is consulted by a client in a law case; one who gives advice in relation to a question of law; one whose profession is to give advice in law, and manage causes for clients. [Example of Scriptural use] Proverbs 15:22 Without 2counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of 1counselors they are established. WEB

COUNTERFEIT -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Counterfeit, 1. To forge; to copy or imitate, without authority or right, and with a view to deceive or defraud, by passing the copy or thing forged, for that which is original or genuine; as, to counterfeit coin, bank notes, a seal, a bond, a deed or other instrument in writing, the hand writing or signature of another, &c. To make a likeness or resemblance of any thing with a view to defraud. 2. To imitate; to copy; to make or put on a resemblance; as, to counterfeit the voice of another person; to counterfeit piety. Counterfeit, v.i. To feign; to dissemble; to carry on a fiction or deception.

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1. Forged; fictitious; false; fabricated without right; made in imitation of something else, with a view to defraud, by passing the false copy for genuine or original; as counterfeit coin; a counterfeit bond or deed; a counterfeit bill or exchange.

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Counterfeit,

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2. Assuming the appearance of something; false; hypocritical; as a counterfeit friend. 3. Having the resemblance of real; however, false; not genuine; as counterfeit modesty. COUNTERFEIT, 1a. A cheat; a deceitful person; one who pretends to be what he is not; one who personates another; an imposter. 2a. In law, one who obtains money or goods by counterfeit letters or false tokens. 3a.That which is made in imitation of something, but without lawful authority, and with a view to defraud, by passing the false for the true. We say, the note is a counterfeit. [Examples of Scriptural use] 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of 3counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, NIB 1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not 3counterfeit-- just as it has taught you, remain in him. NIV 2 Peter 2:3 Also, with covetousness they will exploit YOU with 3a counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering. NWT

Courage, n. [L., the heart.] Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering. 273

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COURAGE -

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[Examples of Scriptural use] Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them: for Jehovah thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ASV Acts 28:15 When the brothers there heard about us they came to meet us, as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage. NJB John 16:33 these things I have spoken to you, that in me ye may have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, but take courage -- I have overcome the world.' YLT

COVENANT -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Covenant, n. [L, to come; a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.] 1. A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. A covenant is created by deed in writing, sealed and executed; or it may be implied in the contract. 2. A writing containing the terms of agreement or contract between parties; or the clause of agreement in a deed containing the covenant. 3. In theology, the covenant of works, is that implied in the commands, prohibitions, and promises of God; the promise of God to man, that mans perfect obedience should entitle him to happiness. This do, and live; that do, and die.

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COVENANT, v.i. To enter into a formal agreement; to stipulate; to bind ones self by contract. A covenants with B to convey to him a certain estate. When the terms are expressed ti has for before the thing or price.

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4. In church affairs, a solemn agreement between the members of a church, that they will walk together according to the precepts of the gospel, in brotherly affection.

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COVENANT, v.t. To grant or promise by covenant. [Examples of Scriptural use] Exodus 19:5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. NLT Exodus 34:27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with them I have made a covenant with you and with Israel." NAB Jeremiah 31:33 No, this is the covenant I shall make with the House of Israel when those days have come, Yahweh declares. Within them I shall plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I shall be their God and they will be my people. NJB

COVET-

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Covet, 1. To desire or wish for, with eagerness; to desire earnestly to obtain or possess; in a good sense. 2. To desire inordinately; to desire that which it is unlawful to obtain or possess; in a bad sense. [Examples of Scriptural use] 2 Peter 2:3 Also, with covetousness1 they will exploit YOU with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering. NWT

COWARD -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

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Romans 1:29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness2, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips ESV

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Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness2: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. ASV

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Coward, 1. A person who lacks courage to meet danger; a poltroon; a timid or pusillanimous man. 2. In heraldry, a term given to a lion borne in the escutcheon with his tail doubled between his legs. COWARD, 1a. Destitute of courage; timid; base; as a coward wretch. 2a. Proceeding from or expressive of fear, or timidity; as coward cry; coward joy. [Examples of Scriptural use] 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of power, and of love, and of wise discretion. DBY

1acowardice,

but of

Revelation 21:8 But 1a cowards who turn away from me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars-- their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." NLT

CRAFTY -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Crafty, 1. Cunning; artful; skillful in devising and pursuing a scheme, by deceiving others, or by taking advantage of their ignorance; wily; sly; fraudulent.

Matthew 26:4 and took counsel together to seize Jesus by 1crafty device and kill him. NWT 276

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[Examples of Scriptural use]

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2. Artful; cunning; in a good sense, or in a laudable pursuit.

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Job 15:5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the 1crafty. KJV Psalm 83:3 They have taken 1crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. KJV

CRAG -

(Thayers Bible dictionary)

H5553 [l;s, cela` {seh'-lah} 1) crag, cliff, rock 1a) crag, cliff 1b) as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.) [Examples of Scriptural use] Isaiah 33:16 He is the one that will reside on the heights themselves; his secure height will be 1b craggy places difficult to approach. His own bread will certainly be given [him]; his water supply will be unfailing." NWT

Psalm 18:2 Jehovah is my crag1b and my stronghold and the Provider of escape for me. My God is my rock. I shall take refuge in him, My shield and my horn of salvation, my secure height. NWT

CREATE -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Create, 1. To produce; to bring into being from nothing; to cause to exist. 2. To make or form, by investing with a new character; as, to create one a peer or baron; to create a manor.

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4. To beget; to generate; to bring forth.

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3. To produce; to cause; to be the occasion of.

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5. To make or produce, by new combinations of matter already created, and by investing these combinations with new forms, constitutions and qualities; to shape and organize. 6. To form anew; CREATED: H1254 bara' {baw-raw'} 1) to create, shape, form 1a) (Qal) to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject) 1a1) of heaven and earth 1a2) of individual man 1a3) of new conditions and circumstances 1a4) of transformations 1b) (Niphal) to be created 1b1) of heaven and earth 1b2) of birth 1b3) of something new 1b4) of miracles 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cut down 1c2) to cut out 2) to be fat 2a) (Hiphil) to make yourselves fat [Examples of Scriptural use] Genesis 1:1 When God began to 1b3create heaven and earth – TNK Genesis 5:1 This is the book of Adam's history. In the day of God's 1,6creating Adam he made him in the likeness of God. NWT Revelation 4:11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you 1created all things, and by your will they existed and were 4created." ESV Revelation 10:6 and by the One who lives forever and ever, who the heaven and the things in it and the earth and the things in it and the sea and the things in it, he swore: "There will be no delay any longer; NWT

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5created

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CREATURE-

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Creature, 1. That which is created; every being besides the Creator, or every thing not self-existent. The sun, moon and stars; the earth, animals, plants, light, darkness, air, water, &c., are the creatures of God. 2. In a restricted sense, an animal of any kind; a living being; a beast. In a more restricted sense, man. Thus we say, he was in trouble and no creature was present to aid him. 3. A human being, in contempt; as an idle creature; a poor creature; what a creature! 4. With words of endearment, it denotes a human being beloved; as a pretty creature; a sweet creature. 5. That which is produced, formed or imagined; as a creature of the imagination. 6. A person who owes his rise and fortune to another; one who is made to be what he is. Great princes thus, when favorites they raise, to justify their grace, their creatures praise. 7. A dependent; a person who is subject to the will or influence of another. [Examples of Scriptural use]

Hebrews 4:13 And there is no 1creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. ASV 279

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Genesis 9:15 And I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living 2creature of all flesh and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh KJV

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Revelation 5:13 And I heard every 2creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" ESV

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CROOKED -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Crooked, 1. Bent; curved; curving; winding. 2. Winding in moral conduct; devious; forward; perverse; going out of the path of rectitude; given to obliquity or wandering from duty. [Examples of Scriptural use] Acts 2:40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this 2crooked generation." ESV

Isaiah 59:8 They do not know the way of peace, there is no fair judgement in their course, they have made their own 2crooked paths, and no one treading them knows any peace. NJB Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing perverse or 1crooked in them. JPS

CROSS, - See also ―Stake‖ and ―Tree‖ which are a more

correct form of the original Greek words stauros and Xulon, rendered Cross by many translators. Many dictionaries are based on this mistaken translation. The error is explained fully in a definition given in Vines Expository Dictionary of New testament terms.

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A. Noun. stauros (G4716) denotes, primarily, "an upright pale or stake." On such malefactors were nailed for execution. Both the noun and the verb stauroo, "to fasten to a stake or pale," are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two beamed "cross." The shape of the cross had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt.

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Cross, Crucify (Vines Expository Dictionary of N.T. Bible words)

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By the middle of the 3rd cent. A.D. the churches had either departed from, or had distorted, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system, pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross-piece lowered, was a pagan symbol adopted to stand for the "cross" of Christ.

B. Verbs. 1. stauroo (G4717) signifies (a) "the act of crucifixion," e.g., Mat_20:19; (b) metaphorically, "the putting off of the flesh with its passions and lusts," a condition fulfilled in the case of those who are "of Christ Jesus," Gal_5:24, RV; so of the relationship between the believer and the world, Gal_6:14. 2. sustauroo (G4957), "to crucify with" (su-, "for," sun, "with"), is used (a) of actual "crucifixion" in company with another, Mat_27:44; Mar_15:32; Joh_19:32; (b) metaphorically, of spiritual identification with Christ in His death, Rom_6:6, and Gal_2:20. 3. anastauroo (G388) (ana, again) is used in Heb_6:6 of Hebrew apostates, who as merely nominal Christians, in turning back to Judaism, were thereby virtually guilty of "crucifying" Christ again. 4. prospegnumi (G4362), "to fix or fasten to anything" (pros, "to," pegnumi, "to fix"), is used of the "crucifixion" of Christ, Act 2:23.

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As for the Chi, or X, which Constantine declared he had seen in a vision leading him to champion the Christian faith, that letter was the initial of the word "Christ" and had nothing to do with "the Cross" (for xulon, "a timber beam, a tree," as used for the stauros, see under TREE). The method of execution was borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians. The stauros denotes (a) "the cross, (stauros) or stake itself," (b) "the crucifixion suffered," e.g., 1Co_1:17-18, where "the word of the cross," RV, stands for the gospel as a message of the cross; The judicial custom by which the condemned person carried his stake to the place of execution, was applied by the Lord to those sufferings by which His faithful followers were to express their fellowship with Him, e.g., Mat_10:38.

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1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. NRS 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed. NKJ Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. ASV Galatians 3:13 Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: "Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake." NWT Galatians 3:13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." NLT

CRUEL - (Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition) Cruel, Disposed to give pain to others, in body or mind; willing or pleased to torment, vex or afflict; inhuman; destitute of pity, compassion or kindness; fierce; ferocious; savage; barbarous; hardhearted; applied to persons or their dispositions. 2. Inhuman; barbarous; savage; causing pain, grief or distress; exerted in tormenting, vexing or afflicting.

Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a 1cruel messenger shall be sent against him. ASV 282

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Isaiah 13:9 See, the day of the Lord is coming, 1cruel, with wrath and burning passion: to make the land a waste, driving the sinners in it to destruction. BBE

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Jeremiah 6:23 They are fully armed for slaughter. They are 2cruel and show no mercy. As they ride forward, the noise of their army is like a roaring sea. They are marching in battle formation to destroy you, Jerusalem. NLT

CUBIT -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Cubit, n. [L., the elbow; signifying a turn or corner; Gr.] 1. In anatomy, the fore arm; the ulna, and bone of the arm from the elbow to the wrist. 2. In mensuration, the length of a mans arm from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger. The cubit among the ancients was of a different length among different nations. Dr. Arbuthnot states the Roman cubit at seventeen inches and four tenths; the cubit of the scriptures at a little less than 22 inches; and the English cubit at 18 inches. [Examples of Scriptural use] Matthew 6:27 Who of YOU by being anxious can add one 2cubit to his life span? NWT Revelation 21:17 He measured its wall, and this was a hundred and forty-four cubits high -- by human measurements. NJB Exodus 25:23 "You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. ESV

CULTIVATE - (Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

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1. To till; to prepare for crops; to manure, plow, dress, sow and reap; to labor on manage and improve in husbandry; as, to cultivate land; to cultivate a farm.

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Cultivate, v.t. [L., to till, to dwell.]

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2. To improve by labor or study; to advance the growth of; to refine and improve by correction of faults, and enlargement of powers or good qualities; as, to cultivate talents; to cultivate a taste for poetry. 3. To study; to labor to improve or advance; as, to cultivate philosophy; to cultivate the mind. 4. To cherish; to foster; to labor to promote and increase; as, to cultivate the love of excellence; to cultivate gracious affections. 5. To improve; to meliorate, or to labor to make better; to correct; to civilize; as, to cultivate the wild savage. 6. To raise or produce by tillage; as, to cultivate corn or grass. [Examples of Scriptural use] Psalm 104:14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to 1cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth ESV 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers. YOU people are God's field under 2cultivation, God's building. NWT Hosea 10:13 "But you have 3cultivated wickedness and raised a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies-- trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe! NLT

CUNNING - (Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition) 1. Knowing; skillful; experienced; well-instructed. It is applied to all kinds of knowledge, but generally and appropriately, to the skill and dexterity of artificers, or the knowledge acquired by experience.

3. Deceitful; trickish; employing stratagems for a bad purpose.

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4. Assumed with subtilty; artful.

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2. Artful; shrewd; sly; crafty; astute; designing; as a cunning fellow.

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[Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of the world is folly to God. As scripture says: He traps the crafty in the snare of their own 4 cunning NJB Ephesians 4:14 in order that we may be no longer babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of *that* teaching which is in the sleight of men, in unprincipled 3 cunning with a view to systematized error; DBY Ephesians 4:14 in order that we should no longer be babes, tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of 3 cunning in contriving error. NWT Job 5:13 He catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness, so that their 2 cunning schemes are thwarted. NLT

CURSE -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Curse v.t. pret. and pp. cursed or curst. 1. To utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon; to call for mischief or injury to fall upon; to execrate. 2. To injure; to subject to evil; to vex, harass or torment with great calamities. 3. To devote to evil. [Examples of Scriptural use]

Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: 3Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD. NLT 285

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Jeremiah 11:3 Tell them, "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: 2Cursed be anyone who will not listen to the terms of this covenant NJB

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Deuteronomy 27:16 3'Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.' And all the people shall say 'Amen ' NAU

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CUSTOM -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Custom n. 1. Frequent or common use, or practice; a frequent repetition o the same act; hence, way; established manner; habitual practice. 2. A buying of goods; practice of frequenting a shop and purchasing or procuring to be done. 3. In law, long established practice, or usage, which constitutes the unwritten law, and long consent to which gives it authority. Customs are general, which extend over a state or kingdom, and particular, which are limited to a city or district. [Examples of Scriptural use] 1 Corinthians 11:16 But if anyone is disposed to be contentious-- we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. NRS Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near. NWT Genesis 29:26 Laban replied, 'It is not the custom in our place to marry off the younger before the elder. NJB

CUSTOMARY -

(Noah Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition)

Customary, Custom 1. According to custom, or to established or common usage; as a customary dress; customary compliments. 2. Habitual; in common practice; as customary vices.

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3. Holding by custom; as customary tenants, who are copyholders. 4. Held by custom; as a custom

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Philippians 2:29 Therefore give him the 1customary welcome in [the] Lord with all joy; and keep holding men of that sort dear, NWT

DAMN -

(Easton‘s Bible Dictionary)

Damnation In Rom_13:2, means ―condemnation,‖ which comes on those who withstand God's ordinance of magistracy. This sentence of condemnation comes not from the magistrate, but from God, whose authority is thus resisted. In Rom_14:23 the word ―damned‖ means ―condemned‖ by one's own conscience, as well as by the Word of God. The apostle shows here that many things which are lawful are not expedient; and that in using our Christian liberty the question should not simply be, Is this course I follow lawful? but also, can I follow it without doing injury to the spiritual interests of a brother in Christ? He that ―doubteth‖, i.e., is not clear in his conscience as to ―meats‖, will violate his conscience ―if he eat,‖ and in eating is condemned; and thus one ought not so to use his liberty as to lead one who is ―weak‖ to bring upon himself this condemnation. Damn; Damnation; Damnable dam, dam-na´shun, dam´na-b'l: These words have undergone a change of meaning since the King James Version was made. They are derived from Latin damnare = ―to inflict a loss,‖ ―to condemn,‖ and that was their original meaning in English. They have been excluded altogether from the Revised Version (British and American). The words for which they stand in the King James Version are: [Examples of Scriptural use] Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ,but he that believeth not mi midbar {mid-bawr'} – 1. wilderness 1a) pasture 1b) uninhabited land, wilderness 1c) large tracts of wilderness (around cities) 1d) wilderness (figurative) WILDERNESS - Greek - G2048 Greek Definitions)

eremos {er'-ay-mos} (Thayers

1a) used of places 1a1) a desert, wilderness 1a2) deserted places, lonely regions 1a3) an uncultivated region fit for pasturage 1b) used of persons 1b1) deserted by others 1b2) deprived of the aid and protection of others, especially of friends, acquaintances, kindred 1b3) bereft 1b3a) of a flock deserted by the shepherd 1b3b) of a women neglected by her husband, from whom the husband withholds himself

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[Examples of Scriptural use]

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1. Solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited

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Hosea 13:5 I cared for you in the 1b,dwilderness , In the land of drought NAU Jeremiah 4:26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful field was a 1b21b3a wilderness, and all the cities there of were broken down at the presence of Jehovah, and before his fierce anger. ASV Mark 1:3 He is a voice shouting in the 1b3wilderness: 'Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming! Make a straight road for him!' " NLT Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up to the 1wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil, YLT

WINE -

(Vines Expository Dictionary of O.T. Bible words)

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Second, "wine" was used in rejoicing before the Lord. Once a year all Israel is to gather in Jerusalem. The money realized from the sale of a tithe of all their harvest was to be spent "for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice..." (Deu_14:26). "Wine" was offered to God at His command as part of the prescribed ritual (Exo_29:40). Thus it was part of the temple supplies available for purchase by pilgrims so that they could offer it to God (1Ch_9:29). Pagans used "wine" in their worship, but "their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps" (Deu_32:33) Yayin clearly represents an intoxicating beverage. This is evident in its first biblical appearance: "And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: and he drank of the wine, and was drunken..." (Gen_9:20-21). Tirosh is distinguished from yayin by referring only to new wine not fully fermented; yayin includes "wine" at any stage. In Gen_27:28 (the first biblical occurrence of the word) Jacob's blessing includes the divine bestowal of an abundance of new wine. In 1Sa_1:15 yayin parallels shekar, "strong drink." Shekar in early times included wine (Num_28:7) but meant strong drink made from any fruit or grai

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WINE – Hebrew 1. yayin (H3196), "wine." Cognates of this word appear in Akkadian, Ugaritic, Aramaic, Arabic, and Ethiopic. It appears about 141 times and in all periods of biblical Hebrew. I This is the usual Hebrew word for fermented grape. It is usually rendered "wine." Such "wine" was commonly drunk for refreshment:

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(Num_6:3). People in special states of holiness were forbidden to drink "wine," such as the Nazarites (Num_6:3), Samson's mother (Jdg_13:4), and priests approaching God (Lev_10:9). In Gen_9:24 yayin means drunkenness: "And Noah awoke from his wine...." WINE - Greek (Vines Expository Dictionary of O.T. Bible words) 2. oinos (G3631) – Greek - is the general word for "wine." The mention of the bursting of the wineskins, Mat_9:17; Mar_2:22; Luk_5:37, implies fermentation. See also Eph_5:18 (cf. Joh_2:10; 1Ti_3:8; Tit_2:3). In Mat_27:34, The drinking of "wine" could be a stumbling block and the apostle enjoins abstinence in this respect, as in others, so as to avoid giving an occasion of stumbling to a brother, Rom_14:21. Contrast 1Ti_5:23, which has an entirely different connection. The word is used metaphorically; (2a) of the evils ministered to the nations by religious Babylon, Rev_14:8; Rev_17:2; Rev_18:3; (2b) of the contents of the cup of divine wrath upon the nations and Babylon, Rev_14:10; Rev_16:19; Rev_19:15. 3. gleukos (G1098) denotes sweet "new wine," or must, Act_2:13, where the accusation shows that it was intoxicant and must have been undergoing fermentation some time. In the Sept, Job_32:19. Note: In instituting the Lord's Supper He speaks of the contents of the cup as the "fruit of the vine." So Mar_14:25. [Examples of Scriptural use] Isaiah 5:12 And the harp and the lute, the tabret and the pipe, and 1wine, are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of Jehovah, neither have they considered the operation of his hands. ASV

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John 4:46 So he came to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water 1wine. BBE

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Ecclesiastes 9:7 So, eat your bread in joy, drink your 1wine with a glad heart, since God has already approved your actions. NJB

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Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the 2bwine of the wrath of her immorality RWB

WISE - (Word Study of Old Testament Words by Warren Baker) WISE – Hebrew - H2450 – ha k a m: 1. This word is used to describe one who is skilled or experienced. It was used in the physical arena to describe those men who were skilled as builders (Exo_31:6; Exo_36:1-2); as craftsmen of all sorts (1Ch_22:15); as precious metal workers (2Ch_2:7 [6]); those women who could spin fabrics (Exo_35:25). This word was used in the social arena to express those who were the leaders of the day (Jer_51:57); who could interpret dreams (Gen_41:8; Exo_7:11); who were able to rule (Deu_1:13, Deu_1:15); who knew the law (Est_1:13); who were counselors (Est_6:13; Jer_18:18). In the personal arena, this word denoted skill in living, which was embodied in Solomon like no other before or since (1Ki_3:12). The wise person is the one who learns (Pro_1:5; Pro_9:9; Pro_13:1); who heeds a rebuke (Pro_9:8; Pro_15:31); and who speaks properly (Pro_14:3; Pro_15:2; Pro_16:23). WISE – (Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary of New Testament Words)

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In the Classical Greek, it not only described respected philosophers and other truly learned men but was also appropriated by vain quibblers and rhetoricians whom Aristophanes parodied and Plato and Aristotle censured. The meaning of sophós in the NT and its Hebr. equivalent, chokmah, differs from the class- ical meaning in at least two ways. First of all, the biblical concept of wisdom is theo - centric rather than anthropocentric. It denotes a fear of God and an understanding of His ways. Lastly, wisdom signifies the possession of a certain adeptness or practical ability. It does not necessarily imply brilliance or scholastic training; rather, sophós indicates adroit -ness, the ability to apply with skill what one knows (especially religious truth). In some instances, however, particularly in the Pauline writings, the word is used of one who has acquired special information, secret doctrine (musterion [G3466]). Here the mental aspect of the word is prominent in its meaning. Hence, the following meanings:

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Wise - Greek - G4680 - sophós; fem. sophe, neut. sophón, adj. - σ

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(1a) Skillful, expert (1Co_3:10; Sept.: 2Ch_2:7; Isa_3:3). (2.) Skilled in the affairs of life, discreet, judicious, practically wise (1Co_6:5; Sept.: Deu_1:13; 2Sa_13:3; Isa_19:11). (3. ) Skilled in learning, learned, intelligent, enlightened, in respect to things human and divine. (3a.) Generally as to human beings (Rom_16:19; 1Co_1:25; Sept.: Pro_1:6; Ecc_2:14, Ecc_2:16); coupled with suneton (G4908), prudent ones (Mat_11:25; Luk_10:21); coupled with anoetois, (G453), foolish ones, unwise (Rom_1:14). (4.) Specifically as to the philosophy current among the Greeks and Romans (Rom_1:22; 1Co_1:19-20, 1Co_1:26-27; 1Co_3:18-20). (5.) In respect to divine things, wise, enlightened, as conjoined with purity of heart and life (Eph_5:15; Jas_3:13). (6.) Spoken of God as surpassing all others in wisdom, being infinite in skill, insight, knowledge, purity (Rom_16:27; 1Ti_1:17; Jud_1:25). [Examples of Scriptural use] Ecclesiastes 8:17 This reminded me that no one can discover everything God has created in our world, no matter how hard they work at it. Not even the 1wisest people know every- thing, even if they say they do. NLT Proverbs 3:7 Be not 5wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: DBY Ecclesiastes 9:11 I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The 1wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being at the right place at the right time. NLT

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Romans 1:21,22. they knew God and yet they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but their arguments became futile and their uncomprehending minds were darkened. 22 While they claimed to be 5wise, in fact they were growing so stupid NJB

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Proverbs 15:31 The man whose ear is open to the teaching of life will have his place among the 2wise. BBE

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2 Timothy 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you 3wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ESV

WOMAN, WOMEN 1. Literal Woman, women – Female [Examples of Scriptural use] Genesis 2:22 Yahweh God fashioned the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. NJB Acts 16:14 One of these women was called Lydia, a woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade, and who revered God. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. NJB 2. Woman, Women, symbolic, figurative – good, righteous [Examples of Scriptural use] Galatians 4:24 Now these two women serve as an illustration of God's two covenants. Hagar, the slave-wife, represents Mount Sinai where people first became enslaved to the law. NLT Revelation 12:1 And a great sign was seen in heaven: a A woman clothed with the sun, and with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. BBE

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Revelation 12:17 And the dragon grew wrathful at the woman, and went off to wage war with the remaining ones of her seed, who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus. NWT

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Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and sixty days. NWT

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[Examples of Scriptural use] Of backsliding, Jer. 6:2; Rev. 17:4,18. Of the wicked, Isa. 32:9,11; Matt. 25:1-13 3a. Woman, Women, wayward, - symbolic- Systems promoting false religious beliefs, prostituting or committing Spiritual Adultery due to their leaving the true God and his form of acceptable worship [Examples of Scriptural use] Ezekiel 13:23 therefore , you women will no longer see false visions or practice divination , and I will deliver My people out of your hand . Thus you will know that I am the LORD ." NAU Revelation 17:6 And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. Well, on catching sight of her I wondered with great wonderment. NWT

YOKE-

(Word Study of Old Testament Words by Warren Baker)

YOKE – Hebrew - H592

A masculine noun meaning a yoke.

(1.) It describes a wooden frame or a bar placed on the neck of work animals to harness them for labor. Its usage includes a yoke for cattle (Deu_21:3; 1Sa_6:7).

YOKE – (Zodhiates Word Study Dictionary of New Testament Words) Greek - G2218- zugós; gen. zugoú, 406

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(3.) It is used of a yoke of transgressions (Lam_1:14); or hardship (Lam_3:27).

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(2.) It was a favorite figurative word to express servitude (1Ki_12:4, 1Ki_12:10-1

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In the NT: (4.) A coupling, a beam of a balance which unites two scales, hence a balance, pair of scales (Rev_6:5; Sept.: Lev_19:36; Hos_12:7). (5.) Figuratively, a yoke. (5a.) As an emblem of servitude (1Ti_6:1; Sept.: Lev_26:13). (5b.) As denoting severe precepts, moral bondage, e.g., the Mosaic Law (Act_15:10; Gal_5:1); hence, by antithesis, the precepts of Christ (Mat_11:29-30; Sept.: Jer_5:5). [Examples of Scriptural use] Isaiah 10:27 And in that day the weight which he put on your back will be taken away, and his 3yoke broken from off your neck. BBE 1 Kings 12:14 and speaking to them as the young men had recommended, 'My father made your 2yoke heavy, I shall make it heavier still! My father controlled you with the whip, but I shall apply a spiked lash!' NJB Matthew 11:30 "For My 5a.yoke is easy and My burden is light ." NAU Acts 15:10 Now, therefore, why are YOU making a test of God by imposing upon the neck of the disciples a 5b.yoke that neither our forefathers nor we were capable of bearing? NWT

WORD - (Thayer / Brown Driver Briggs Definitions) WORD – Hebrew - H1697 rb'D' dabar {daw-baw'}

1) of speech 1a) a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea 407

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Word – Greek - G3056 lo,goj logos {log'-os} (Thayers Greek Definitions)

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1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

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1b) what someone has said 1b1) a word 1b2) the sayings of God 1b3) decree, mandate or order 1b4) of the moral precepts given by God 1b5) Old Testament prophecy given by the prophets 1b6) what is declared, a thought, declaration, aphorism, a weighty saying, a dictum, a maxim 1c) discourse 1c1) the act of speaking, speech 1c2) the faculty of speech, skill and practice in speaking 1c3) a kind or style of speaking 1c4) a continuous speaking discourse - instruction 1d) doctrine, teaching 1e) anything reported in speech; a narration, narrative 1f) matter under discussion, thing spoken of, affair, a matter in dispute, case, suit at law 1g) the thing spoken of or talked about; event, deed 2a) reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating 2b) account, i.e. regard, consideration 2c) account, i.e. reckoning, score 2d) account, i.e. answer or explanation in reference to judgment 2e) relation, i.e. with whom as judge we stand in relation 2e1) reason would 2f) reason, cause, ground 3. The Word as a title for Jesus in his pre-human form

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3) In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the The Messiah. Some claim : The Word‖ as the second person in the Godhead, (Elohim) who shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. ++++ A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. This word was well suited to John's purpose in John 1. Some Bible commentators maintain ―logos‖ in its meaning refers more to a likeness attached to the divine mind than to an expression of verbal com- munication.

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―THE WORD‖

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Ezekiel 34:9 Therefore, O shepherds, hear a word of 1b2Jehovah: YLT Isaiah 55:11 So will my word be which goes out of my mouth: it will not come back to me with nothing done, but it will give effect to my purpose, and do that for which I have sent it. BBE 1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the 1b2word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ESV Hebrews 4:12 Indeed, the 1d.word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. NAB James 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the 3.word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creation. ESV

WORKS - (Thayer / Brown Driver Briggs Definitions) Works - H4639 hf,[]m; ma`aseh {mah-as-eh'} 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product

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1. Business, employment, that which any one is occupied 1a) that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking 2) Any product whatever, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind

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Works – Greek - (Thayers Greek Definitions) G2041 e;rgon ergon {er'-gon}

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3) An act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasized in opp. to that which is less than work [Examples of Scriptural use] Jeremiah 1:16 And I will speak with them my judgments over all their badness, in that they have left me and they keep making sacrificial smoke to other gods and bowing down to the 1a.works of their own hands.' NWT Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy 1.works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established. ASV Psalm 66:3 Say to God, "How awesome are Your 2works ! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You. NAU Psalm 104:24 How countless are your 2works, Yahweh, all of them made so wisely! The earth is full of your creatures. NJB Romans 2:6 He will render to each one according to his 2works: ESV

Titus 1:16 They claim to know God but by their 4.works they deny him; they are outrageously rebellious and quite untrustworthy for any good work. NJB Galatians 5:19-21 Now the 1aworks of the flesh are clear, which are these: evil desire, unclean things, wrong use of the senses, 20 Worship of images, use of strange powers, hates, fighting, desire for what another has, angry feelings, attempts to get the better of others, divisions, false teachings, 21 Envy, uncontrolled drinking and feasting, and such things: of which I give you word clearly, even as I did in the past, that they who do such things will have no part in the kingdom of God. BBE

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WORSHIP G4352 proskune,w proskuneo {pros-koo-neh'-o} προζθσλεω

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WORSHIP - (Thayers Theological Dictionary)

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2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence 3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication 3a) used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank 3a1) to the Jewish high priests 3a2) to God 3a3) to Christ 3a4) to heavenly beings 3a5) to demons WORSHIP G4352 (Zodhiates Greek word Study Dictionary) Προζθσλεω proskunéo; contracted proskuno, fut. proskuneso, from prós

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In the NT, generally, to do reverence or homage to someone, usually by kneeling or prostrating oneself before him. In the Sept. it means to bow down, to prostrate oneself in reverence, homage (Gen_19:1; Gen_48:12). (4.) Generally towards a person as superior to whom one owes reverence and homage or from whom one implores aid. (5.) Spoken of those who pay reverence and homage to deity, render divine honors, worship, adore, with the basic idea of prostration, which, however, is often dropped (cf. Sept.: Gen_47:31; 1Ki_1:47). (5a.) Of God, used in an absolute sense (Joh_4:20, Joh_4:24; Joh_12:20; Act_8:27; Act_24:11; Heb_11:21, meaning he worshiped leaning upon the top of his staff, in allusion to Gen_47:31 [cf. 1Ki_1:47; Rev_11:1; Sept.: Psa_95:6; Psa_138:2]). Followed by the dat. and with the words expressing prostration (1Co_14:25; Rev_4:10; Rev_5:14 [TR]; Rev_7:11; Rev_11:16; Rev_19:4). Used simply (Joh_4:21, Joh_4:23; Rev_14:7; Rev_19:10; Rev_22:9; Sept.: Gen_24:26; 1Sa_1:19;

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(G4314), to, and kunéo (n.f.), to kiss, adore. To worship, do obeisance, show respect, fall or prostrate before. Literally, to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage. The ancient oriental (especially Persian) mode of salutation between persons of equal ranks was to kiss each other on the lips; when the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek; when one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees and touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, throwing kisses at the same time toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that Gr. writers express by proskunéo.

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Isa_27:13). Followed by the acc. (Mat_4:10; Luk_4:8; Joh_4:22-24); by enopion (G1799), before, and sou, you (Rev_15:4); by autón (acc. of autós [G846], he), him. (5b.) Of the Messiah with the dat. (Heb_1:6). (6.) Of angels with épeson, the aor. of pípto (G4098), to fall, and émprosthen (G1715), before, with the gen. (Rev_19:10; Rev_22:8). (7.) Of false gods, idols, followed by the dat. (Act_7:43; Rev_13:8; Rev_16:2; Rev_19:20; Rev_20:4). Followed by the acc. (Rev_9:20; Rev_13:4, Rev_13:12, Rev_13:15; Rev_14:9, Rev_14:11). Deriv.: proskunetes (G4353), worshiper. (Thayer / BDB Definitions) G4352 proskune,w proskuneo {pros-koo-neh'-o} 6) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence 7) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence 8) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication 8a) used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank 8a1) to the Jewish high priests 8a2) to God 8a3) to Christ 8a4) to heavenly beings 8a5) to demons

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shachah: A verb meaning to bow down, to prostrate oneself, to crouch, to fall down, to humbly beseech, to do reverence, to worship. The primary meaning of the word is to bow down. This verb is used to indicate bowing before a monarch or a superior and paying homage to him or her (Gen_43:28). In contexts such as Gen_24:26, sahah is used to indicate bowing down in worship to Yahweh. The psalmists used this word to describe all the earth bowing down in worship to God as a response to His great power (Psa_66:4); or bowing down in worship and kneeling before the Lord (Psa_95:6). This act of worship is given to God because He deserves it and because those that are speaking are people of His pasture.

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H7812 Hebrew -Worship -See related ―DO OBESIENCE‖

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The word is also used of Joseph when he described the sheaves of his brothers and parents bowing down to his sheaf after it stood upright in a dream that he had (Gen_37:7). Gideon also interacted with a dream through which God spoke. When he overheard a man telling his friend a dream that the man had and its interpretation, he worshiped God (Jdg_7:15). Joshua instructed the people of Israel not to associate with the nations remaining around them and not to bow down to or serve any of their gods. He instructed Israel to hold fast to the true God, Yahweh (Jos_23:7). In Zephaniah, the word is also used for worship. When Yahweh destroys all the gods of the land, the nations on every shore will worship Him (Zep_2:11). [Examples in scripture] John 4:23 Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true 5worshipers will 5worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. NWT Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who 5worship Him must 5worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). AMP John 4:23 But the hour cometh (5736), and now is (5748), when the true 5worshippers shall 5worship (5692) the Father in spirit and in truth : for the Father seeketh (5719) such to worship (5723) him KJV Click to (continue reading on P. 180)

ZEAL - (Noah Websters 1828 Dictionary with Bible Definition) (see also “Jealousy”)

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Passionate ardor in the pursuit of any thing. In general, zeal is an eagerness of desire to accomplish or obtain some object, and it may be mani -fested either in favor of any person or thing, or in opposition to it, and in a good or bad cause.

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ZEAL, n. [Gr., L.]

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Zeal, the blind conductor of the will. A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert, with little care what shall be established. ZEAL – (Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries) Zeal - Hebrew -7068 ha'n>qi qin'ah {kin-aw'} Meaning: 1) ardour, zeal, jealousy 1a) ardour, jealousy, jealous disposition (of husband) 1a1) sexual passion 1b) ardour of zeal (of religious zeal) 1b1) of men for God 1b2) of men for the house of God 1b3) of God for his people 1c) ardour of anger 1c1) of men against adversaries 1c2) of God against men 1d) envy (of man) 1e) jealousy (resulting in the wrath of God) [Examples of Scriptural use] Psalm 69:9 For 1zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. NAU

Rom 10:2 I bear them witness that they have a [certain] 1zeal and enthusiasm for God, but it is not enlightened and according to [correct and vital] knowledge. AMP John 2:17 His disciples remembered that it was written, 1"Zeal for your house will consume me." ESV

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CHAPTER NINETEEN LOOKING AHEAD TO VOLUME III. ―IT IS WRITTEN‖ LOOKING AHEAD TO VOLUME III. ―IT IS WRITTEN‖ Volume I. concerned itself mostly with showing why the Bible is such an extrordinary book and how we are able to discern it was truly inspired by God. It also provided methods, techniques and information to help us derive the most benefit from Bible reading by addressing the mental connection between God, his thinking as found in the Bible and ourselves. While Volume II. (this book) of ―IT IS WRITTEN‖ addressed who God Is and what his purpose was in placing man on the earth, it also explains dif ferences in what is commonly held by many bible scholars as the creation account in Genesis and what the Bible actually describes within its pages. Volume II. also provided definitions for important words frequently misinterpreted or misunderstood by Bible readers. Volume III. builds upon information covered in Volumes I. and II. and addresses what the Bible actually discloses in connection with major teachings and under- standings currently held by religious devotees of today. It also explores how the original ―universal issue‖ affects our religious institutions, what this means in our day and how it will affect our future, both as individuals and as a human society.

Authors Note and acknowledgement; 415

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

The author makes no claims of having special knowledge or insight other than what the creator has so graciously furnished through his word and his spirit to himself and others who love truth and wish to worship their God and creator with spirit and truth. In this, the author has sought zealously to apply the advice of wise king Solomon found at Ecclesiastes 12:10. ―The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true‖. NIB

An American Translation by Smith and Goodspeed – Chicago Apostolic Bible Polyglot, Apostolic Press, Charles Van der Pol Amplified Bible Aramaic Bible in Plain English American Standard Version The Bible in Basic English The Darby Bible Douay Rheims American Edition Emphatic Diaglott - B. Wilson English Majority Text English Standard Version The Geneva Bible Holman Christian Standard Bible Jerusalem Bible Jewish Publication Society Tanakh King James (Authorized Version of 1611) King James with Strongs Numbers Literal Translation of the Bible Brenton Translation of the Septuagint MacDonald Idiomatic Translation New American Bible New American Standard with Strongs Numbers New American Standard Bible New American Standard with Codes New International Version (US) New Jerusalem Bible New King James

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Among the many other lovers of Bible truth the author has drawn information and inspiration from, he wishes to express gratitude to the publishers of the following Bibles which were quoted from in the pages of this series of books. The order of listing should not be construed to imply an endorsement of any one version over another. The listing, in alphabetical order is merely for the sake of convenience to the reader in identifying which versions used in various verse citations throughout the three books came from.

IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

New Living Translation New Testament, an Improved version by Arch Bishop Newcome New Revised Standard New Simplified Bible - J. Masden New World Translation - Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Revised Standard Revised Webster with Codes Tanakh - Jewish Publication Society The Webster Bible Youngs Literal Translation

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IT IS WRITTEN – Volume II.

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