Why do we use Hebrew words
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Coming from EH, many have questioned my use of hebrew words, in explanation for why I do so, I am putting an exerpt from Brad Scott from Wildbranch Ministries as to why it is important to me at least. I hope that this will bless you.
These next few weeks we will talk about why we use Hebrew words, terms, and phrases. Many ask why we use these "foreign" words when all of us speak English. "What does this language have to do with me?" I am often asked.
So, let's begin with a word we probably use the most. YESHUA! Why don't we just say Jesus? Well, quite frankly, on this forum I usually do. This forum is designed to discuss more fundamental issues and teaching. So I do my best not to clutter up things by using terms that may not yet be familiar. On our teaching tapes and seminars we generally use Yeshua. There are many reasons for this, and I have chosen a few to stop and discuss. The number one reason is because that is His name. Yeshua is the name that our Lord, after taking on flesh, was given. In Mattityahu (Matthew) 1:25 it says, "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son; and he called his name JESUS." The word Jesus is a transliteration of the Greek word, Iesous which is a transliteration of his given name in Hebrew, YESHUA. In every day language that means that Jesus is the best English way to say Yeshua. But, at the time He was named, Yeshua is what His name was. In much the same way, the English word "James" is from the Greek word Iakobos which is from his Hebrew name Ya'akov. So, one might ask, what difference does it make what we call Him? Well, if you are well acquainted with what His real name means (Salvation), then it probably makes a big difference. Let me explain why. (See editor's note at the end of this article.)
When you read and study the Tenakh (Old Testament) you will soon notice a verse that contains the name of someone. It also gives you the reason they called the person by that name in the same verse. Sometimes it is the verse before or the verse after, but it is usually there. YHVH has a reason for recording this. Many times it helps you to understand the immediate text, such as Adam's name meaning man, red, or ruddy. In B'reshith (Genesis) 2:7 'Elohiym forms man (adam) out of the dust of the ground (adamah). This naming gives us much insight into the relationship that man has with the earth and the ground. You see in this verse a wonderful play on this word. Adam was taken from the adamah. Then in Chapter 3, verse 19 we are told that because of Adam's sin he will return to the adamah. There is a very real relationship that man has with the ground. The adamah also has many of the same commandments as the man. We are commanded to tithe of the fruit of the ground. We are also told to rest the land on the seventh year. In the Brit Chadashah we are told in Romans 8:20 - 22 that the creation itself is groaning to be delivered. We are told in 1 Corinthians 5:17 that we are a new (actually the word is renewed) creation. In the book of Hitgalut (Revelation) we are told that there is also a new heaven and a new earth to come. I could go on and on, for YHVH paints many pictures in what He chooses to name things. These pictures cannot be understood in English or Greek. They must be taken back to their Hebrew original. I hope we have shown that this is true concerning what all of the Brit Chadashah says.
Let me give you a mind blowing (idiom!) example of how important it is to know the meaning behind a particular word in Hebrew. Many who read or study the Scriptures tend to skip over the dozens of genealogies, but YHVH has chosen them to reveal the names of Adam and his children, from Adam to Noach for good reason. As you read B'reshith chapter 5 in the English you would never be able to pick up the purpose of these names, but YHVH has a definite purpose, and the various transliterations from the original lose this purpose. In the 5th Chapter beginning at verse 4 it reads in the English transliteration that Adam begot Seth who begot Enosh who begot Kenan who begot Mahal'alel who begot Jared who begot Enoch who begot Methu'selah who begot Lamech who begot Noah. Now, what do these Hebrew names mean? Well, Adam means man, Seth means appointed, Enosh means mortal, Kenan means sorrow, Mahal'alel means the blessed God, Jared means to come down or shall come down, Enoch means teaching, Methu'selah means his death shall bring, Lamech means the despairing, and Noah means comfort or rest. Now, God also chose to reveal these names in this particular order as well. Let's put it all together. MAN APPOINTED MORTAL SORROW (but the) BLESSED GOD SHALL COME DOWN TEACHING (that) HIS DEATH SHALL BRING THE DESPAIRING COMFORT! WOW!! The gospel really was preached to Avraham and way before Avraham. Is this just coincidence? I don't think so.
Well, that's all for this week. Next week we will continue with this theme "What's in a name".
Shalom Alecheim!
Editor's note: The reality that we must face is that our LORD's name in the flesh is Yeshua. The word Iesous and Jesus is a western attempt to transliterate His given name. Scriptural translators should be in the business of translating and not transliterating. There is no reason to transliterate His given name, especially when the translation or meaning must come from the given name. Transliterations most generally confuse and pervert the original meaning. This can be seen in many foreign cultures today. When Coca Cola is introduced to Japan, they do not attempt to transliterate the word into their language. Coca Cola, in Japan, is pronounced Coca Cola! Our Savior's name is Yeshua, so why not call Him Yeshua?! -
Then Chinese cannot call him Ye1 Su1?
Koreans cannot call him Yasumin? -
If you read the article, you would understand why. There are certain meanings inherent in the original Hebrew which become lost when translated into english or greek.Originally posted by laoda99:Then Chinese cannot call him Ye1 Su1?
Koreans cannot call him Yasumin?
Shalom! -
Just by those two alone, are they not closer to Yeshua than jesus? How come english got it so wrong?Originally posted by laoda99:Then Chinese cannot call him Ye1 Su1?
Koreans cannot call him Yasumin?
But anyway, welcome to deeper truths! Shalom. -
In that case, better not use English Alphabets.
Write in hebraic script better. -
If you can, most certainly! That is why many believers are studying hebrew so that they can understand the scriptures in its original language and in the context in which they were written.Originally posted by laoda99:In that case, better not use English Alphabets.
Write in hebraic script better.
Much is lost in translation. Even when you read a book or any writing, it is always best read in its original lanugage because it is impossible to translate it in the exact meaning and emotion and spirit in which it was written. -
Then might as well do everything in hebrew.Originally posted by breytonhartge:If you can, most certainly! That is why many believers are studying hebrew so that they can understand the scriptures in its original language and in the context in which they were written.
Much is lost in translation. Even when you read a book or any writing, it is always best read in its original lanugage because it is impossible to translate it in the exact meaning and emotion and spirit in which it was written.
Pray in Hebrew, just like muslims must pray in the prophet's original language. -
your bible was first written in hebrew... if you had an understanding of the language you would not degrade it the way you are doing now. In a way it is very similar to chinese, where the meaning of a word can be condensed. If you have an appreciation for chinese (mandrin) you will have an appreciation for hebrew.Originally posted by laoda99:Then might as well do everything in hebrew.
Pray in Hebrew, just like muslims must pray in the prophet's original language.
For your information the whole world was formed by the word of Yahweh, hebrew is the language spoken by Yahweh's chosen nation... and we are grafted into that nation. If you are a foreginer in a different land, what do you do in order to enable you to communicate better with the locals and understand them? you pick up their language and their culture...
By not wanting to understand hebrew, you miss out on so many or the naunces and meanings behind the bible. Why? because the translation process is always filled with errors.
If hebrew was not that curcial to the understanding of the word of Yahweh, why are so many scholars today learning hebrew? -
Then might as well follow the muslims. Nothing is orthodox if u dun learn it in the original script.Originally posted by breytonhartge:your bible was first written in hebrew... if you had an understanding of the language you would not degrade it the way you are doing now. In a way it is very similar to chinese, where the meaning of a word can be condensed. If you have an appreciation for chinese (mandrin) you will have an appreciation for hebrew.
For your information the whole world was formed by the word of Yahweh, hebrew is the language spoken by Yahweh's chosen nation... and we are grafted into that nation. If you are a foreginer in a different land, what do you do in order to enable you to communicate better with the locals and understand them? you pick up their language and their culture...
By not wanting to understand hebrew, you miss out on so many or the naunces and meanings behind the bible. Why? because the translation process is always filled with errors.
If hebrew was not that curcial to the understanding of the word of Yahweh, why are so many scholars today learning hebrew? -
If this Wildbranch ministry is to be believed, it is another one of those myopic Americanised church with a very low tolerance of the rest of the world. No differences from the American politics. Sure anyone can come up with various justifications and reasons. I can also give a thousand and one reasons as to why I do or do not do some things, and even throw a couple of scriptures into the process....
Point is.... the number of non-English speaking believers in the world are in the millions, and I don't think they or God cares about whether the original Hebrew names are used or not. -
Another view of Wildbranch Ministry's Brad Scott.
http://www.seekgod.ca/bradscott1.htm
http://www.seekgod.ca/bradscott2.htm -
aiyo. why so insistent in names and labels. wait u end up worshiping these words more.
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and if the website you posted on is to be believed, then why do you still tithe? for that matter, almost all churches today are doing the wrong thing by tithing and collecting the tithe... so we should abolish tithing altogether and see how many people give of their own free will to support the church.Originally posted by Chin Eng:Another view of Wildbranch Ministry's Brad Scott.
http://www.seekgod.ca/bradscott1.htm
http://www.seekgod.ca/bradscott2.htm
also by this same website, then churches like FCBC, NCC, Calvary Charismatic for that matter some of the Roman Catholic Churches and churches like Wesley Methodist... all condemned. They speak in tongues, the tithe... and NCC is pro israel... so all the believers going to these churches also have no hope.
and also... you are doing the wrong thing by allowing your children to watch harry potter, believing in christmas, easter and watching Narnia... because these are fables and the watching or promotion of fables is against the bible and against God according to this seekgod website. -
This is getting alittle technical.
Basically, the names/title i call matters only because of my relation i have with the other party.
That's my opinion. -
please explain by getting technical? thanks.Originally posted by M©+square:This is getting alittle technical.
Basically, the names/title i call matters only because of my relation i have with the other party.
That's my opinion. -
the other point being that why in some 108 different languages, when the name of Yeshua is translated it still sounds very similar to Yeshua, but english is the only language that is so far off?Originally posted by Chin Eng:If this Wildbranch ministry is to be believed, it is another one of those myopic Americanised church with a very low tolerance of the rest of the world. No differences from the American politics. Sure anyone can come up with various justifications and reasons. I can also give a thousand and one reasons as to why I do or do not do some things, and even throw a couple of scriptures into the process....
Point is.... the number of non-English speaking believers in the world are in the millions, and I don't think they or God cares about whether the original Hebrew names are used or not. -
When i call my father 'Dad'.Originally posted by breytonhartge:please explain by getting technical? thanks.
I don't have to go find out what are the origin of that word to learn and realise the importance, or the depth of that word.
Well nothing wrong if anyone wish to go find out more about the significance of it, if it'll bring to greater revelation to the person himself.
Why not?
By technical, i mean.
Doing studies and further attain knowledge, however IF(emphasis) it becomes a chore, a drag. IT is technical.
Not that i'm discouraging it. I mean it's great to read up on the Hebrew origin. But if these teachings doesn't enrich a believer's life onto God.
Then to me, these are mere words which bears no relation to God.
I understand that you may have your personal revelation on it, therefore held strongly on your opinion.
Just like if my preferance is calling Father/Dad.
And I just don't get the connection when i say 'Abba'
Even though i know the depth and riches of truth of certain words/terms and meanings.
Just doesn't make sense if my expressions are filled with words which i can't be convinced to use or express with.
My way to intimate communication with God is no other than... MY WAY.
Cheers -
oh, so hebrew is now the exclusive language of god?Originally posted by breytonhartge:If you read the article, you would understand why. There are certain meanings inherent in the original Hebrew which become lost when translated into english or greek.
Shalom! -
The oldest language in the universe is not hebrew. Its sanskrit.Originally posted by breytonhartge:your bible was first written in hebrew... if you had an understanding of the language you would not degrade it the way you are doing now. In a way it is very similar to chinese, where the meaning of a word can be condensed. If you have an appreciation for chinese (mandrin) you will have an appreciation for hebrew.
For your information the whole world was formed by the word of Yahweh, hebrew is the language spoken by Yahweh's chosen nation... and we are grafted into that nation. If you are a foreginer in a different land, what do you do in order to enable you to communicate better with the locals and understand them? you pick up their language and their culture...
By not wanting to understand hebrew, you miss out on so many or the naunces and meanings behind the bible. Why? because the translation process is always filled with errors.
If hebrew was not that curcial to the understanding of the word of Yahweh, why are so many scholars today learning hebrew? -
and I can respect that. Thank you for sharing. Thanks also for respecting my opinion when i posted it.Originally posted by M©+square:When i call my father 'Dad'.
I don't have to go find out what are the origin of that word to learn and realise the importance, or the depth of that word.
Well nothing wrong if anyone wish to go find out more about the significance of it, if it'll bring to greater revelation to the person himself.
Why not?
By technical, i mean.
Doing studies and further attain knowledge, however IF(emphasis) it becomes a chore, a drag. IT is technical.
Not that i'm discouraging it. I mean it's great to read up on the Hebrew origin. But if these teachings doesn't enrich a believer's life onto God.
Then to me, these are mere words which bears no relation to God.
I understand that you may have your personal revelation on it, therefore held strongly on your opinion.
Just like if my preferance is calling Father/Dad.
And I just don't get the connection when i say 'Abba'
Even though i know the depth and riches of truth of certain words/terms and meanings.
Just doesn't make sense if my expressions are filled with words which i can't be convinced to use or express with.
My way to intimate communication with God is no other than... MY WAY.
Cheers -
could well be...could well be... just MHO.Originally posted by shade343:oh, so hebrew is now the exclusive language of god? -
really?Originally posted by shade343:The oldest language in the universe is not hebrew. Its sanskrit.
why would you say that? -
Im sorry, but hebrew is not the oldest language. Its sanskrit.Originally posted by breytonhartge:could well be...could well be... just MHO. -
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interesting article, thanks ah lau!Originally posted by laurence82: