A minor league baseball player traveling to visit his family struck up a conversation with an older gentleman seated next to him on the plane. The rookie was pleased when his traveling companion expressed an interest in baseball, so the young ballplayer began bragging about his athletic skills on the field. During the flight, the bush leaguer boasted of his daring stolen bases, the well-connected balls smacked out of the park, and those diving catches that turned a double into an out. As the plane prepared to land, the big-talking minor league rookie learned the polite gentleman who had listened so intently was Hank Aaron, the Hall of Famer whose unequalled major league baseball career spanned twenty-three years. By his own admission, the boastful minor league ballplayer learned a valuable lesson in humility.
Pride is an elevated view of and a preoccupation with self. Pride is a fault we despise in others yet freely excuse and even justify in ourselves. Many theologians believe that pride, not drunkenness, adultery, or murder, is the deadliest of all sins, for it was pride that led to Lucifer’s rebellion (Isaiah 14:14) and the first couple’s attempt at usurping God’s authority in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5). Many other sins originate from pride.
God’s warning that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18) is illustrated again and again in the pages of Scripture. One particularly notable episode, the story of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar, begins with his boasting, continues with his downfall, and ends with his confession. After being duly warned of his prideful nature by the prophet Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar stood on the rooftop of his palace and praised himself, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30, ESV). Immediately, God judged his pride, and for the next seven years, the once grandiose monarch groveled about on all fours in the manner of a wild beast while grazing on the palace lawn. From regal to rags and from banquet table to mouthfuls of fodder, King Nebuchadnezzar completed a seven-year course on the dangers of pride and the virtues of humility.
How, then, does one overcome the grievous sin of pride? First, we must understand that pride, like dangerous narcotics, is addictive and detrimental to our well-being. The more we feed pride, the firmer its grip. Pride is a loathsome garment that is not easily shed, and it’s deceitful: those who think they have already achieved humility are probably mistaken. D. L. Moody used to pray, “Lord, make me humble, but don’t let me know it.”
Once we admit that pride has a foothold in our lives, we confess this sin to our Savior as we would any other sin (1 John 1:9). Once we have confessed the sin of pride, the Holy Spirit can begin correcting our faults and molding us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. We may take cheer, knowing that, once God begins a good work in us, He will see that work to its completion (Philippians 1:6).
Just as the minor league baseball player learned a lesson in humility after boasting to Hank Aaron, we will understand the folly and foolishness of pride by comparing and contrasting ourselves to our Creator. Even the Henry Fords, Thomas Edisons, and Elon Musks of the world could not rightfully say they helped lay the foundation of the earth and mark off its dimensions (see Job 38:4–5). Only God can make that claim. Our greatest accomplishments are as insignificant as anthills in the shadow of God’s unfathomable creation.
To overcome pride, we must remember, as the psalmist did, our condition before Christ’s salvation: “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2). We must understand grace: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect” (1 Corinthians 15:10). We must acknowledge that all we have is a gift from God: “Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
And, to overcome pride, we must praise the Lord. Covered in dew and reeking with seven years’ worth of filth, a humble King Nebuchadnezzar declared, “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’ At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:34–37, ESV).
Pride is to our detriment. Humility is for our greater good. Perhaps a final component of overcoming pride is a sincere, heartfelt desire for humility. When we truly understand the perils of pride, we will flee from it. When we realize the immense blessings of humility, we will long for it.
How can I be sure I won’t be left behind in the rapture?
ANSWER.
The series of Left Behind novels and movies has prompted a lot of questions from a lot of people: is the rapture for real? (Answer: yes.) Will the rapture be followed by a time of divine judgment on earth? (Answer: yes.) Will I be left behind in the rapture? (Answer: that depends.)
The rapture is what we call the event in which Jesus comes again to take believers out of this world. The Bible calls it a “catching away” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) and describes it as an instantaneous “change” of the body that bypasses death (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). Those raptured “will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Believers in Jesus Christ are taken in the rapture; unbelievers will be left behind when the rapture occurs.
Those left behind in the rapture will face a quickly changing world—and the change will not be for the better. Second Thessalonians 2:11 says that the “power of lawlessness” is currently being held in check by the Holy Spirit. At the rapture, the true church is removed from the earth, and the Holy Spirit’s restraint will be “taken out of the way.” At that moment, the world will have no born-again believers anywhere. All the Christian workers in hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, rescue missions, relief agencies—gone. Every Christian in law enforcement, social work, and health care—gone. And of course many churches will sit empty. In addition to the great void in the service community will be the commencement of God’s judgment on a rebellious world, detailed in Revelation 6—16.
Don’t be left behind. Make sure you are ready for the rapture. Since the rapture is for believers, it is vital that you place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (Acts 16:31). Repent of your sin and fully trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sin. Believe in Him, and you will not perish (John 3:16). The Lord knows who are His, and He will leave none of them behind (John 10:14).
Those who are saved by faith in Christ will not be left behind in the rapture. The saved are like the five wise virgins in Jesus’ parable who are ready for the coming of the bridegroom; they have their lamps trimmed and burning and full of oil—a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1–13). To make sure that you are not left behind, trust Christ. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not delay another moment. The matter is urgent. Trust Christ now.
The Bible is God’s Word to us (Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16). Studying God’s Word shows us who God is and what He has done. The Bible also reveals what matters to Him, how we are to live, and our purpose in His plan of redemption. Jesus is also called the Word (John 1:1), and He is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) in whom all God’s fulness dwells (Colossians 1:19). Jesus is the theme of the Bible. Jesus is in every book of the Bible because everything in the Bible ultimately points to Him (see John 5:39).
From the beginning pages of Genesis to the end of Revelation, Jesus is present and active. Although the Son of God did not come to earth until a specific point in history, He is integral in both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament reveals our need for a Savior and predicts His coming, setting the stage for His entrance into the world. He appears in prophecy and in Christophanies—pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God (Genesis 16:7–14; 22:11–18; Judges 5:23; 2 Kings 19:35; Daniel 3:25). The New Testament describes His coming, His work to bring salvation to our sinful world, and His ongoing work as we await God’s kingdom and the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21; Revelation 21:1). We can see Jesus in every book of the Bible in the following ways:
Genesis — Jesus is the Word of God, creating the heavens and the earth; He is the promised Seed of the woman Exodus — Jesus is the Passover lamb Leviticus — Jesus is the high priest and representative of the tabernacle; He is the lampstand, He is the showbread, and He is the sacrifice on the altar Numbers — Jesus is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night and the smitten rock that gives living water Deuteronomy — Jesus is the prophet greater than Moses Joshua — Jesus is the Commander of the Army of the Lord, leading His people into the Promised Land Judges — Jesus is the true and final judge Ruth — Jesus is the kinsman redeemer 1 & 2 Samuel — Jesus is the anointed shepherd king who slays the giant 1 & 2 Kings — Jesus is the righteous King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 & 2 Chronicles — Jesus is the faithful restorer of the kingdom Ezra — Jesus is the faithful restorer of the temple Nehemiah — Jesus is the redeeming rebuilder of the walls Esther — Jesus is the sovereign protector of His people Job — Jesus is the living redeemer and our true comforter Psalms — Jesus is the Good Shepherd who hears our cries Proverbs — Jesus is wisdom Ecclesiastes — Jesus is the meaning of life Song of Solomon — Jesus is the loving bridegroom coming for His bride Isaiah — Jesus is the promised Messiah; the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace; the Suffering Servant wounded for our transgression and bruised for our iniquities Jeremiah — Jesus is the Potter and the Righteous Branch Lamentations — Jesus is the weeping prophet Ezekiel — Jesus is the river of life, bringing healing to the nations Daniel — Jesus is the fourth man in the fiery furnace Hosea — Jesus is the ever-faithful husband pursuing His unfaithful bride Joel — Jesus is the restorer of what the locusts have eaten and the One who will pour His Spirit on His people Amos — Jesus is the burden-bearer and the true restoration Obadiah — Jesus is the judge of all the earth and mighty to save Jonah — Jesus is the salvation of all lands and the prophet cast out in the storm who spent three days in the depths Micah — Jesus is the promised Messiah born in Bethlehem Nahum — Jesus is the avenger of God’s elect Habakkuk — Jesus is the reason for rejoicing and our strength even when the fields are empty Zephaniah — Jesus is the preserver and restorer of His remnant and kingdom Haggai — Jesus is the desire of all nations Zechariah — Jesus is the cleansing fountain and the pierced Son whom every eye on earth will one day behold Malachi — Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in His wings; He is the refiner’s fire Matthew — Jesus is the King of the Jews Mark — Jesus is the Servant King Luke — Jesus is the Son of Man John — Jesus is the Son of God, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us, and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world Acts — Jesus is the risen Lord, bringing salvation to all nations Romans — Jesus is our justification and the righteousness of God 1 Corinthians — Jesus is the Rock 2 Corinthians — Jesus is our triumph, sanctifying the church Galatians — Jesus is the liberation that fulfills the law and sets us free Ephesians — Jesus is the head of the church who gives us God’s armor Philippians — Jesus is our joy Colossians — Jesus is the firstborn of all creation and the head of the church 1 Thessalonians — Jesus is coming again with a trumpet and a shout to meet believers in the clouds 2 Thessalonians — Jesus is believers’ patience as they await His return 1 Timothy — Jesus is our mediator between God and man 2 Timothy — Jesus is the Seed of David, raised from the dead, and our salvation Titus — Jesus is our blessed hope and our faithful pastor Philemon — Jesus is our Redeemer, restoring us to effective service Hebrews — Jesus is our High Priest and the author and finisher of our faith James — Jesus is the One at work in our faith in action 1 Peter — Jesus is the Living Stone, the Chief Cornerstone, and the Rock of Offense 2 Peter — Jesus is the faithful, longsuffering Lord, not willing that any should perish but offering salvation to all 1 John — Jesus is love and the true and eternal God 2 John — Jesus is the truth by which we walk in love 3 John — Jesus is all that is good and a hospitable host Jude — Jesus is the One who keeps us from stumbling and presents us blameless with great joy Revelation — Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords
A. W. Tozer wrote, “’What is God like?’ If by that question we mean ‘What is God like in Himself?’ there is no answer. If we mean ‘What has God disclosed about Himself that the reverent reason can comprehend?’ there is, I believe, an answer both full and satisfying.”
Tozer is right in that we cannot know what God is with respect to Himself. The book of Job declares, “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?” (Job 11:7–8).
However, we can ask what God has revealed about Himself in His Word and in creation that “the reverent reason” can grasp.
When Moses was directed by God to go to the Egyptian Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites, Moses asked God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:13).
The answer God gave Moses was simple, yet very revealing: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you”’” (Exodus 3:14). The Hebrew text in verse 14 literally says, “I be that I be.”
This name speaks to the fact that God is pure existence, or what some call pure actuality. Pure actuality is that which IS with no possibility to not exist. Put another way, many things can have existence (e.g., human beings, animals, plants), but only one thing can be existence. Other things have “being” but only God is Being.
The fact that God alone is Being leads to at least five truths about what God is – what type of being God is.
First, God alone is a self-existent being and the first cause of everything else that exists. John 5:26 simply says, “The Father has life in Himself.” Paul preached, “He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:25).
Second, God is a necessary being. A necessary being is one whose nonexistence is impossible. Only God is a necessary being; all other things are contingent beings, meaning they could not exist. However, if God did not exist, then neither would anything else. He alone is the necessary being by which everything else currently exists – a fact that Job states: “If He should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust” (Job 34:14–15).
Third, God is a personal being. The word personal in this context does not describe personality (e.g., funny, outgoing, etc.); rather, it means “having intent.” God is a purposeful being who has a will, creates, and directs events to suit Him. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9–10).
Fourth, God is a triune being. This truth is a mystery, yet the whole of Scripture and life in general speaks to this fact. The Bible clearly articulates that there is but one God: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deut. 6:4). But the Bible also declares that there is a plurality to God. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Notice the singular “name” in the verse; it does not say “names,” which would convey three gods. There is one name belonging to the three Persons who make up the Godhead.
Scripture in various places clearly calls the Father God, Jesus God, and the Holy Spirit God. For example, the fact that Jesus possesses self-existence and is the first cause of everything is stated in the first verses of John: “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life” (John 1:3–4). The Bible also says that Jesus is a necessary being: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).
Fifth, God is a loving being. In the same way that many things can exist but only one thing can be existence, people and other living things can possess and experience love, but only one thing can be love. First John 4:8 makes the simple ontological statement, “God is love.”
What is God? God is the only one who can say, “I be that I be.” God is pure existence, self-existent, and the source of everything else that possesses existence. He is the only necessary being, is purposeful/personal, and possesses both unity and diversity.
God is also love. He invites you to seek Him and discover the love He has for you in His Word and in the life of His Son Jesus Christ, the one who died for your sins and made a way for you to live with Him for eternity.
There are some essential Hebrew words every Christian should know, if going deeper in knowing and understanding the Bible is your goal. The Old Testament was written entirely in Hebrew, thus exploring the Hebrew language could enhance our understanding of Scripture. And although the New Testament was written in Greek, the context remains very Hebraic.
Over the past several years, we have been introducing you to some of the most fascinating Hebrew words in the Bible. Here, you will find brief descriptions of what they are, and some links to the articles that will help you dig deeper.
As a Christian, you should not hesitate to study Hebrew words – after all, even Jesus used them!
Download your FREE 7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know PDF:
The tetragrammaton, YHVH, is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible.
In English translations, it is often translated as “the LORD” – in capital letters. When the Jewish people read their Hebrew Scriptures, they usually say “Adonai” when the name יַהְוֶה appears. They consider themselves unworthy to utter God’s name.
YESHUA – SALVATION
Jesus’ disciples wouldn’t have called Him anything other than Yeshua. In Luke 1, the archangel Gabriel tells Mary (or Miriam) to name her son Yeshua – meaning “salvation.” An angel also tells Joseph, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21-22)
The Hebrew word Ruach is translated in the Bible as “spirit,” “wind,” or “breath.” In the Bible, the word describes the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God. The first mention of Ruach is in the very first chapter of Genesis: “And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness… and the Spirit (Ruach) of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” (Gen 1:2)
Many Christians refer to Yeshua by His Greek name – Jesus Christ. But have you ever wondered what Christ means? It is nothing else but the Greek equivalent of the word Messiah! This Hebrew word refers to the promised deliverer or savior, and literally means “the Anointed One.”
This prophetic name of Jesus appears both in the Old and in the New Testament. First, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet foretells that a virgin will birth a son, who will be called Immanuel.
In Matthew 1:23, an Angel quotes the prophet Isaiah to Joseph, using this Hebrew name (important to mention, since the Gospel was written in Greek). He translates it to mean “God with us.”
ELOHIM, ADONAI – More Names of GOD
Many of us may be familiar with various names of God. But do we know how they are different and what they mean? Elohim appears in the Bible quite often, but in two different ways – as a common noun (to signify divinity, a ghost) and a proper noun – name for the one and only God.
Then, there’s Adonai, which also takes on different functions. Like mentioned before, the Jewish people say “Adonai” where YHVH appears in Scriptures. But Adonai also translates to, simply, “my Lord.” As such, it often describes just a person with authority or an angelic being.
7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know: Foundations
קדוש – Kadosh – Holy
ברוך – Baruch – Blessed
חסד – Hesed – Love, Lovingkindness
אהבה – Ahava – Another Word for Love
רחם – Racham – Another Word for Love
דוד – Dod – Beloved
כבוד – Kavod – Glory
KADOSH – HOLY
The dictionary defines holy as a “religious or morally good… perfect in goodness and righteousness”. There are times when aspects of moral righteousness are connected to the meaning of “holy”. Nevertheless, the Biblical term holiness does not in fact refer to piety.
The Hebrew word for “holy” is kadosh. And when the Bible calls something holy, it rather points to it being “set apart” from everything else.
To bless and be blessed is a fundamental part of our relationship with God, as well as relationships with other people. Blessings, whether given or received, help us recognize God in our lives and draw closer to Him – because we are not self-sufficient. We do not control or dictate the power of blessing – it is all God’s.
One of the Hebrew words for ‘love’ is hesed, but in fact, it has a range of meanings. Described as an undeserved kindness and generosity, it is one of the most fundamental characteristics of God, covenantal in nature. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, it is translated in a number of different ways: steadfast love, mercy, kindness, and goodness.
The word love is powerful but also broad – so it’s not surprising that in Hebrew, there are multiple words for it. In the Bible, ahava often points to an intense emotional bond. Then, David used the word racham to express His devoutness to God. And also, a unique word dod appears frequently in a romantic context, usually translated into “beloved”.
Kavod is a term with both social and moral implications, and stems from the root word for weight. It can mean glory, honor, respect, distinction, and importance. Most often translated into glory, it indicates worth and value, and results in praise. Glory in Hebrew should be seen as abounding in reverence, almost to a degree that it is terrifying.
6 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know: Receiving Blessing
שלום – Shalom – Peace
תקווה – Tikvah – Hope
אמונה – Emunah – Faith
חן – Hen – Grace
חיים – Chava, Chaim, Chaya – Life
חוכמה – Chokhma – Wisdom
SHALOM – PEACE
Many are familiar with the Hebrew word shalom. Generally speaking, it means “peace” in English. The common western definition of peace is the absence of conflict or war. But in Hebrew it means so much more! It conveys a broader sense of wholeness, well-being, and harmony.
In the Hebrew context, hope – tikvah – is more than just a dream. It is an expectation, and a strong expression of faith. The Bible teaches that hope is like a rock you can rely on. You can hold fast to it, and it strengthens you. God promised Israel that His plans are not meant for evil, but to give them “a future and a hope.” (Jer 29:11)
The Hebrew word Emunah may not sound familiar at first, but how about the word AMEN? Emunah is the Hebrew word for faith, and Amen derives from it! Emunah is faith that results in faithfulness, implying action. It set apart the biblical saints described in Hebrews 11, the Biblical “hall of heroes”: Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, and more.
The most common Hebrew word for “grace” is hen. However, sometimes it is translated into ‘precious’ or ‘valuable’. At the same time, if we look for ‘grace’ in an English Bible, we will quickly discover that the Hebrew original does not always use hen in defining grace. So, how do we make sense out of that?
The first woman on earth was named Chavah – this is the Hebrew equivalent of the English name Eve or Eva. In the very beginning, the first woman received the name that meant “to live, to give life, or to breathe”. God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and increase in number. God first created them and then invited them – His creation – to also create life.
The Hebrew word for wisdom is chokhma, and the Bible tells us to acquire it at every cost. The Hebrew and Biblical understanding of wisdom shows how powerful it can be in our lives. In fact, the Word of God states that wisdom of God protects us and guards us from evil and sin.
6 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know: Life of a Believer
תפילה – Tefilah – Prayer
יראה – Yirah – Fear, Awe
תשובה – Teshuva – Repentance
הללויה – Hallelujah – Praise God
הנני – Hineni – Here Am I!
הושענא – Hosanna – Save Us
TEFILLAH – PRAYER
Although tefillah – prayer – expresses the deepest wishes and desires of our heart, it is much more than a wish. Prayer is supplication and petition, but it also means something more. Tefillah comes from the Hebrew word l’hitpalel, which stands for the process of accounting or contemplation, as well as “to judge oneself”.
The Hebrew word translated into ‘awe’ in the Bible is yirah. It often directly translates into fear, like “fear of the Lord,” and it can also mean respect, reverence, and worship. Moses was filled with yirah when he begged God to see His glory and could not behold it lest he should die.
The instruction ‘to repent’ has a very heavy connotation for most people. Defined as ‘regret’ or ‘being remorseful’, it sounds uncomfortable. But the Hebrew word we translate as ‘repentance’ is teshuva and it is a lot more than a feeling of guilt or regret. In fact, it derives from the verb ‘to return’!
Hallelujah is a Hebrew expression meaning “praise the LORD,” commonly used in worship and celebration. But there is more than one Hebrew word in the Bible used to describe an act of praise. For example, Zamar is the kind of praise implies the use of string instruments, and David was able to move the spiritual realm with just a few plucks of strings. Hallel (הלל)on its own means “praise.”
The phrase “Here am I!” has a heroic ring to it. This phrase became famous thanks to a passage from the Book of Isaiah. It was the prophet’s courageous response to God’s calling: And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Hineni (here am I)! Send me.’ (Is 6:8)
The people yelled out Hosanna, or more accurately “Hoshi’ana”, when they welcomed Jesus in Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. Was that praise? Not exactly – they were in fact crying out for help! The Hebrew expression Hoshi’ana means “Save us”. The Hebrews who raised their voices that day recognized their helpless state.
Most often, we understand the Torah to be “the law”, and most Christians tend to react to that law, or the Torah, with reservation. But in Psalm 119:18, David writes “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” How can “wonderful” and “law” go together. What did David understand that we don’t?
The most important prayer and declaration in the Jewish life is the Shema Prayer. Found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, it affirms the oneness of God and commands our love and devotion to Him. In Hebrew, the word “shema” means hearing but also the effect of it. Which is taking heed, being obedient, and moreover doing what is asked.
Do you know the names of the first five books of the Bible – the Books of Moses or the Torah? Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy is a mix between English and Greek. But weren’t they written in Hebrew? In the original, Genesis is called Bereshit (“In the beginning…”) and Exodus is the book of Sh’mot, which means “names.”
The concept known as tzedakah finds its origins in the Torah. This Hebrew word literally means righteousness, but Hebrew speakers use it in reference to giving and charity. God is specifically commanding the Israelites to consider the poor among them. It is all about the posture and condition of our heart.
The Hebrew word nephesh generally translates to “soul”. But in the Bible, nephesh is also translated into living being, life, creature, mind, heart, appetite, person. We get the sense that nephesh is the inner, living being of a man. What is more, nefeshreveals the immeasurable value and significance God places on human life.
The term the Israeli government uses to describe Jewish immigration to Israel is to ‘make aliyah’.
In Hebrew, “aliyah” means “to go up” or “climb up.” When God is calling His people to make aliyah, He calls them to ascend and meet with Him. The return to the land is the most repeated promise in the Old Testament. Today, we are watching these ancient biblical prophecies being fulfilled before our eyes.
בראשית – Bereshit – In the beginning / Book of Genesis
שנא – Sane – Hate
לחם – Lechem – Bread
ערב – Erev – Evening, Night Before
MALACH – ANGEL, MESSENGER
What do we typically think of when we think of angels? I hope it’s not the chubby babies commonly depicted in Renaissance art. The Bible has detailed descriptions of who the angels are (and are not). They are spiritual beings, with supernatural abilities and gifts. But angels are not divine beings that we should worship.
The Hebrew word for family, both in the Bible and in modern Hebrew, is mishpacha. God created marriage and family so that, as a family, we would bring glory to Him. How? The first mishpacha in the Bible is a great reminder of that. They had a relationship with each other but were still dependent on God. And growing their family meant obeying God!
The word bereshit, which opens the Scripture, points to the start of something. “In the beginning…” – God gave us this word so we would understand that He is at the beginning of all things, and He already was prior to the start of anything. Thus, these first words of the Bible are an indictment against our human self-sufficiency.
How can we reconcile a God who says He is love when He also says He hated someone?
In Malachi, God mentions Jacob and Esau, two brothers, sons of Isaac. God’s feelings for these two brothers seem vastly different: “Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated.” (Mal 1:3) The thing is, the ancient Hebrew view of hate – sa’ne – was not about hostility, but about a hurt or wound that resulted because love was involved.
The Hebrew word for bread is “lechem.” Moses wrote, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” The first bread is simple enough to understand, but how do we interpret this second lechem? Jesus said He is “the bread of life” – He sustains our lives! He is the Word of God that we need to live.
English most often translates the Hebrew word “erev” as “evening.” But that only captures a small aspect of its rich meaning and significance in Hebrew. In the Bible, “erev” is often used to describe significant moments of transition. Time cycles begin at “erev” in Hebrew understanding. The eve creates space for anticipation and preparation for what is to come.
Understanding these Hebrew words can deepen one’s appreciation of the biblical text and its cultural and historical context, enriching one’s spiritual journey and understanding of the Christian faith.
7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know: Free PDF Download
With the use of the Hebrew language God revealed Himself to mankind. This ancient tongue held the greatest spiritual truths that guided our lives through the ages. And in each generation, they are discovered anew.
We know the Bible can be hard to understand and you want to get more out of it. Which is why we want to teach you seven Hebrew words that will transform the way you read the Bible.
Articles by Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know: A Glossary
