Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18:23 NASB Sweep away – The Hebrew word translated “sweep away” is tispeh. It comes from the root safah, a verb that means “to sweep away, to destroy, to consume.” The consonants are Samech-Pey-Hey (to twist or turn, the…
One of the difficulties believers face understanding the place of the cross in Christian theology is directly related to a prior commitment (usually without reflective consideration) to the philosophical concept of the Greek idea of time. Examination of this assumption demonstrates that it is the philosophical concept itself that produces confusion about the role of…
Look to the pact, for the dark places of earth fill with groans of outrage. Psalm 74:20 (R. Alter translation) Fill – Asaph’s psalm of despair reads like today’s newspaper for followers of YHWH. He cried out, “Why, O God, have You abandoned us forever?” He describes the insults to God’s own name perpetrated by…
“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel under whose wings you have come to seek refuge. Ruth 2:12 NASB Under whose wings – Do you realize that Boaz is the one who actually fulfills the blessing of the Lord that he himself pronounces over…
“And now, daughter, have no fear. I will do in your behalf whatever you ask, for all the elders of the town know what a fine woman you are.” Ruth 3:11 JPS Fine woman – Why don’t we put this in its proper perspective? It might change how we feel about Ruth and Boaz. The…
And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” Matthew 26:72 NASB Denied – From the Greek verb arneomai. It is accurately translated “deny.” Peter refused to acknowledge that he knew Yeshua. This verb also means, “to give up, to retract, to renounce.” During the first century, many Jews, both…
“Behold, My servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1 NASB Justice – We have examined many times the wide range of meaning associated with the Hebrew word mishpat (just search the word mishpat…
“Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:31 NASB Sparrow – Who would imagine that God could teach us something from a word about birds? The Greek word is strouthion. It is a diminutive. In other words, it is a word that means “little birds.” Did you ever go…
