Studying the Words of Yah

Many divisions in the body have been caused by the interpretation of the Word of Yah. It is a sad commentary on the believers who only know the English or any 'translated' version of the word, because they understand the word from the translation they read from. I love to study the meanings of words and have enjoyed learning that every Hebrew word has many layers of meaning. Yah is amazing, he uses idioms and word puns, he uses numbers and multiple meanings to tell us who he is and what he expects from us. No, I don't read Hebrew, but with a few free tools from the internet I have found that studying word meanings is not that difficult. Let me give you some examples of word meanings.

Exo 16:29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

I have talked to people with very diverse understandings of this verse. The sages have decided that there are a certain number of steps that one should take and no more. But let's look at the word itself.

The first occurrence of place in this scripture is 'tachath' it is also found in many verses interpreted under.

,v, tav hey tav pronounced 'tachath'

Brown-Driver-Briggs gives these definitions:

'under, beneath, what is under one, in one's place, under the hand of'

it is related to the word 'toach' which means to be under, subjection, or lowly, both from a root that means depressed.

In the ancient word pictures this word would mean this:

,       v   ,

a mark or sign  to reveal  a mark or sign

= the revealed sign

Sabbath is a mark or sign that we belong to Yah. I would interpret this word as being humble and subjecting one's self to the word as in obedience.

The second word for place in the verse above is not the same Hebrew word. In this occurrence we have the word 'maqom'

xen mem koof mem pronounced 'maqom'

Brown-Driver-Briggs gives these definitions:

'standing place, post, abode, city, land, region'

from it's root, 'qum' which means to rise, endure, fulfill

In the ancient word pictures this word would mean this:

    x    e   n

water, mighty, flow,  back of head, follow,  water, mighty, flow,chaos, 

chaos, to come from         behind, last, final  to come from

Several meanings can be found in this word from the paleo.

Come from behind

Chaos leads to being last, least

Mighty to the end

Again, in reference to Sabbath, this word can have several meanings: home, city, region, land, all interpretations are correct. The key is to seek the guidance of the Spirit of Yah (Ruach H'Chodesh – Breath of the Holy) so that we 'Come from Behind' and stay 'Mighty to the End!'

You can see that with a little research, you can learn more about the Word, The Creator, how we are to live and begin building your relationship with him through seeking His guidance to see how you are to keep His Word daily.

Here are some of the resources I used for this quick word study above.

E-sword www.e-sword.netThis is a free downloadable Bible. I used the KJV+ that includes Strongs references. You will want to download the Strongs and the Brown-Driver-Briggs references, also. I also enjoy 'The Scriptures' and the KJV 1611 along with several other translations.

ISA Interlinear www.scripture4all.orgThis is a free downloadable Interlinear Bible. I love this to see the grammar, position, and meanings of words around the word being studied. It helps with context.

Hebrew Word Pictures, by Dr. Frank T. SeekinsThis is not free but is a wonderful resource for getting deeper into the meanings of the words by using the word pictures.

Some other resources:

Ancient Hebrew www.ancient-hebrew.org

Foundations Ministries www.foundationsmin.orgThey have a great article on Hebrew idioms found in the New Covenant. Check out their studies page!