Speechless
Moses made a copper serpent and mounted it on a standard; and when anyone was bitten by a serpent, he would look at the copper serpent and recover. Numbers 21:9
Copper Serpent – Many people believe that the common symbol of medicine, two serpents on a cross, originated with this event. But a careful reading suggests otherwise. There is something else going on here that is grounded in ancient cultural thinking, not in the Greek symbols of medicine.
Notice that Moses makes a single copper serpent, not two snakes intertwined. Furthermore, Moses’ choice of material (copper) is really a word play in Hebrew. Copper is the word nehoshet. The word for serpent is nehash. Moses makes a nehash nehoshet. Why? Why not make it of gold or silver or any other material? Because in the thinking of ancient Egypt, the culture where these people have spent the last several hundred years, word similarities were powerful. It is as if the power of the real serpent can be drawn off by the word connection to the metal. The reality behind this strange story is lodged in the culture of ancient Egypt and Semitic thinking.
Several Jewish Targums add commentary to this text. One suggests that God used serpents because its speechless existence as a result of the curse is now the punishment for those who speak against the Lord. That’s why the serpents attack in the first place. The people complain against God and God sends a cursed creature who cannot complain to test the people. Another Targum suggests that those who trusted in God’s word through Moses were saved because they had to act on the basis of a spoken word, the very thing that brought their trouble in the first place.
Some word pictures offer additional insights. The word picture for serpent is “what destroys the fence around life” (N-H-Sh). The serpent is cursed because the serpent refused to acknowledge God’s boundaries and convinced Havvah to do the same. The word picture for copper (N-H-Sh-T) is “a covenant concerning what destroys the fence around life.” In other words, the word picture of “copper” actually removes, by covenant promise, what the serpent initiates. Did you ever wonder why so many New Age adherents claim mystical powers for copper bracelets? Perhaps they are more Jewish than they think.
What is the application for this little lesson in ancient cultural thinking? First, we discover that the stories of the Bible can only be understood within the original culture. When we pull these stories out of their original environment and language, we often inadvertently add our own cultural perspective. Just think about Christian sermons that claim this story is about the cross of Christ. Secondly, we find that many of our contemporary fables, mythical beliefs and practices are really rooted in ancient biblical events. We are products of the Hebrew culture without recognizing it. Finally, we see the hand of God, working deliberately within the cultural context of His people, to reveal Himself in ways that they would understand – ways that we perhaps no longer see without serious investigation. If this is true of the story of the serpents, how much more diligent must we be when it comes to the Genesis stories or the miracles of the prophets? When Yeshua taught those two men on the road about His presence in Scripture, He helped them see the world through the eyes of the ancient audience. Don’t we need to do the same?
The Christian church has practically given away its Hebrew heritage. It converted the Old Testament into a platform for proof-texts about Christian theology. Maybe it’s time to return to the roots and become citizens of an ancient Kingdom.
Topical Index: serpent, copper, Targum, Numbers 21:9, culture
May HaShem shine over everybody that reads these messages!!!
The analysis that Dr. Moen did is excellent!! I would like to take just a couple of seconds to ask for a little bit of more information regarding the double use of the symbols. The serpent as “something bad” and the serpent “as something good” We can find through the Scriptures this use as something common to the Hebrews. One example is the lion. We can find Satan compared with a lion and at the same time we can find “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” Dr. Moen, thank you very much for share with us this space where we can learn and find answers to our inquiries.
Shalom…
“If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself”, (John 12.32), is a verse referring to (or echoing) this episode of the brass serpent in Numbers 21.9. This “prophecy” of the copper serpent was fulfilled when Yeshua HaMaschiach was “lifted up” on the tzlav and “He who knew no sin became sin for us.” The blood of the Lamb is the master theme of the entire book. May I repeat that last sentence? “The (atoning) blood of Jesus Christ G-d’s Son (and G-d the Son!), (continually)cleanses from all sin. I would ask (and beg if necessary) brother Skip, your wonderful words be covered with a crimson tinge of red as are all of G-d’s covenant words. If you would like to go back into ancient history, which I invite all who read these words to investigate fully, “the blood covenant”. This “red thread” of the Messiah is prevalent from Genesis to Revelation. Look for the tzlav of the Messiah in “both” the Old and the New Covenant. It is the tie point of history, and “crucial” to our redemption. Deny the cross of the Crucified and you my Jewish/Gentile friend have no hope, for we are not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver or gold but with the precious blood of the Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. Calvary was not pretty, but as “it is written” in the book- “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sin.” Do not explain this away. It is the atoning, propitiating blood of the Lamb of G-d which “taketh away” the sin of the world. “When I see “your good works”, (uh), when I see your “good words”(uh),no- when I see “the blood” I will pass over you. If this is “offensive” to you by writing and telling of “redeeming blood”, I will say Amen, and I will also say go and read this Book again for (listen closely to these “covenant” words and see if they sound familiar to you).. “it is written” (Revelation 13.8 for those who have “ears to hear”)
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
There should be no doubts (as Carl correctly points out) we need to look for Yeshua everywhere within The Word (Tanakh and B’rit Chadasha). There is virtually nothing in Scripture which does not point to Mashiach. Amein!
This being said we must remember that many events represent a shadow of Yeshua … as is the case being discussed herein. But the shadow of what is to come was also quite important and not meaningless. Here is the best case in point I can make: The giving of Torah to Yisrael … the written Torah was of course a shadow of Shavuot or the giving of Ruach HaKodesh or Spiritual Torah … the circumcised heart! But …. we would all agree that this shadow of things to come was hugely important unto itself.
There is importance and meaning and value in these shadows/events … Praise Yeshua forever and ever but let us not look upon these shadows such as the sacrificial system and think we can not find value or meaning for us today! In the same manner let us not say that since we have Ruach HaKodesh that the written Torah is of no value!
I believe Skip is simply attempting to draw out the importance of these shadows for us modern believers today and he is correct in that we must view these events and circumstances within the confines of the original cultures and peoples! We had better because at the end of the day we are not some other people …. we are part of Yisrael and thus what happened in the past is our own heritage. The importance of the study of the past (in the proper context) is so that we learn from the mistakes!
So like a good Israelite community we will agree …. he is right and he is right! 🙂
As always, a fine commentary on my commentary. Yes, Carl, the red thread is found throughout. And yes, Drew, shadows are not simply meaningless vapors. They have reality and purpose. Now let me add this: there is absolutely no way that the original audience of the story of the serpents in the wilderness would have understood that this story could be treated as a shadow of the Messiah. In fact, it takes an application by John to make it clear. This is typical Hebrew exegesis. An event from one context is applied to another context. Something that happened in the past which appears to have no bearing on a contemporary or future event is re-read as a shadow of the new event. Of course, this violates the first principle of exegesis – what did it mean to the original audience – but rabbis do this all the time (which probably means that the first principle of exegesis is a lot more Greek than it is Hebrew :)). The important point here is the we read the Scriptures with a red thread to Yeshua only because we read them in hindsight. Had we been there on that day in the wilderness, I doubt we would be pleading for the blood of Jesus to save us. That doesn’t mean that God didn’t use this event for a sign thousands of years later. Of course, He did. But the understanding begins in Numbers, not in John.
Skip
this is a test
As Dr. Moen, mentioned the [hebrew] exegesis came to my mind the four levels of this Jewish Method. In its fourth level [of the Pardes] the hebrew words for “Messiah” and for “serpent” has the same numerical value. And this is very important at the moment of trying to find meaning to the both sides of the symbol. Remember that the serpent has a dualism when it is used as a symbol.
Thank you….
IGS
Hi Ismael,
You must have read my mind, because I was just trying to remember where I read recently about the four levels of meaning that the Rabbis apply to Torah. (Think it was a Brad Young book).
I was struck by this being a “Jewish” Method, because I tend to think of the Catholic scholars when I think of the 1. literal, 2. allegorical (key), 3. moral, and 4. anagogical (spiritual) levels of meaning of scripture.
Could you explain the four levels of meaning from the Jewish perspective?
Thanks,
Mike
It is a pleasure to answer your question. The Torah is studied on four different levels, known by the acronym P-R-D-S. A pardes is an orchard or garden. In Hebrew it is spelled with the consonants “peh”, “resh”, “dalet” and “samekh.” In the context of studying Torah, the “peh” represent “p’shat”, which means the simple or literal interpretation. “Resh” represent “remez,” which means the interpretation of what is being hinted at in the text: the metaphors, allegories, and parables. “Dalet” represents “drosh,” which is an examination of the text by bringing in additional material. Finally, “samekh” represents the “sod” of the material, the secret, hidden meaning that offer insights into the structure of the universe.
I don’t go to share information about how the symbolism of the serpent apply to Jesus Christ but I can tell you that the information related to this theme is wonderful. But is it even greater when we see what is said about the serpent and its relation with the messiah. Well, see later!!!
IGS
Thanks Ismael. Very interesting information and a pleasure to hear from you 🙂
BTW what was the name of that book about Jesus and the Kaballah.
You mentioned it to me some time ago.
Thanks,
Mike
Michael, one of the books that explore the relation between Jesus and Kabbalah is the one written by Kabbalist Zusha Kalet, titled “Kabbalah of Yeshua” You can find it at amazon.com. Few weeks ago I send one copy to Dr. Moen. The information that you can find there is not the conventional one.
Blessings,
IGS
Just a comment on the Kabbalah connection in this current discussion. Of course, the idea of “secret” or hidden knowledge is not unique to the Kabbalah. Claims such as this have been part of the mystical world for thousands of years. A substantial part of the Greek gnostic religion is based on this idea. The other implication is that the “secret” knowledge is not for everyone. It is only for the initiated. Of course, that is not what Ismael is suggesting, nor is it the suggestion of Zusha Kalet. But it should act as a warning. Mysticism is inherently exclusive. It depends on the human proclivity toward secrets. I once told Steve Brown that his next book would be a best seller if he could find a way to incorporate the word “secret” in the title. Why? Because everyone wants to know the secrets. Why? Because secrets are the way to POWER and CONTROL. Now, this tendency in mysticism is very dangerous. It leads away from dependence toward self-sufficiency. I am not saying that Kabbalah will take you that way. What I am saying is the fascination with mysticism, of which Kabbalah is only one example, can lead you that way. It leans that way, so we must be extremely careful in proclaiming its merits without fully appreciating the dangers. Only those very well grounded in philosophy will be able to see the metaphysical patterns and resist the temptation.
In my opinion, kabbalah is not for everyone. It is sophisticated, complicated, seductive, interesting, unusual, insightful and dangerous all at once. There is a reason why kabbalah is not mainstream in Judaism or Christianity. Furthermore, it inherently lacks critical review – as does all mysticism. It is the private experience of enlightened people, not the way of the huddled poor.
I have found some of the teaching very valuable. I have found some of it outlandish. But I am not an expert here and maybe it takes an expert to really know what’s going on with it. I have been called in another direction.
Peace brothers. Let GOD lead.
Skip
Thank You Skip … very much!
There are reasons why Scripture discusses preaching, teaching, et. al. in terms of functions and specific individuals being raised up to do so!
There are reasons why Scripture was to be taught and religious practice led in orderly fashion!
2nd Timothy: 3:16 is clear that Scripture is the source for truth.
Kaballah is not the Gospel of Yeshua … nor is the Talmud! Whereas the Tanakh and B’rit Chadasha is the Gospel. And there are no “exegetical method models” that were given to Moshe or revealed by Yeshua to determine the “real truth”! It comes by way of Ruach HaKodesh! If people come up with modes to uncover deeply embedded patterns within Torah … well let’s just look at the motives and the results. Does it really glorify Yeshua?
At the risk of offending some folks …. please exercise extreme caution! And please do not think for one moment that I am not pro-Hebraic Roots. I am just not for these Hebraic roots!
And this as well be my first and only comment on the topic!
Shalom
Praise God! Today I was thinking about the first ” life blood” of an innocent animal that was taken (by God) so that Adam and Havah could be covered. They were so ashamed that they were no longer purely transparent in reflecting God’s desires for them. Their own accomplished desires had made them aware of their state of impurity.
I feel that “the life is in the blood” was acted out here … but I need more clarification.
I think this was the beginning of that scarlet thread that was woven through Torah. But what did it say to Adam and Eve? Can you help me out here Skip?
Hi Ismael,
I just watched Zusha Kalet explain the 10 Sefirot on YouTube and ordered his book on YesHua.
Kabbalah seems so simple compared to the Bible, which is so difficult to understand.
You have inspired me to reread The Essential Kabbalah by Daniel Matt.
Makes me think of The Scarlet Letter: A = Androgyny
Thanks,
Mike
This is my last comment about Kaballah, I want to follow the instructions of Dr. Moen.
Michael, Daniel Matt is the Chief Editor of one of the most important investigations about The Zohar. He is in charge of “The Zohar, Pritzker Edition” They are right now in its fifth volume, I think that will be a 10 volumes series. Blessings to all, and keep on supporting Dr. Moen is this ministry.
IGS
I appreciate all you have shared, brother Ismael. My only concern is that a very large number of the readers are not theologically trained, lack philosophical understanding and can easily fall into the trap of “I know something you don’t” style religion. It is especially easy to think that “I have the answer and therefore I am superior” in a world filled with denominational exclusiveness. So, I am only giving caution where I feel it is necessary. Kabbalah is sophisticated, in spite of the claim that it is simple. Light is simple and yet is contains mysteries that still have not been unlocked. So, it takes quite a bit of understanding not to mistake the intention of the teaching. Kabbalah is not gnosticism. There are significant differences, but I am quite confident that most readers are unfamiliar with the Greek gnostic religions and could therefore easily confuse Kabbalah with a form of gnosticism.
Of course, the Scriptures themselves contain secrets. But you know that gnostic secrets are not the same as the secrets of Scripture. Scripture never pretends to hide anything from the man who seeks God. In Scripture, secrets are revealed to anyone and everyone who is obedient and fears the Lord. In mysticism, secrets are only for the initiated, the illuminated and the few. The revelation of secrets in the Bible depends only on a moral enlightenment (willingness to obey), not on an intellectual rationalism.
Keep prodding us along. We all learn from each other. Thank you, my friend. It is wonderful to have someone in the community who is an expert in these matters.
Thanks Skip. I appreciate the clarification of your perspective on these issues.
I would just like to say that for me the most important thing is your juxtaposition of the Greek and Hebrew worldviews, together with the focus on the Greek and Hebrew languages.
To put it in very simple terms, for me we need the two things to see the one thing clearly.
Obviously, we are all in relative darkness looking for the light.
The last time I read Daniel Matt’s book, The Essential Kabbalah, was about the same time I began reading Today’s Word; a number of years ago.
Maybe it will make a little more sense to me now 🙂
“The mystic experience is man’s turning toward God; the prophetic act is God’s turning toward man. The former is first of all an event in the life of man, contingent on the aspiration and initiative of man; the latter is first of all an event in the life of God, contingent on the pathos and initiative of God.” Abraham Heschel
“The mystic experience is man’s turning toward God; the prophetic act is God’s turning toward man.”
I think Abraham Heschel perfectly states what I am in the process of learning and what I have been trying to understand for a very long time.
In my view, it is far easier to turn toward God and find the “mystical” experiences (often Dead Ends) than to go down the path that God wants, when He calls us.
BTW for those of you who don’t know who Abraham Heschel, he was a true Action Hero as well as an extraordinary scholar and spiritual leader.
Please see the following URL:
http://www.squidoo.com/Heschel
Let’s keep on quoting… “Everything, absolutely everything about the Teaching must be experienced in ourselves and assimilated in our own being before we attempt to guide others. Calls this mysticism, if you wish, real mysticism. Once, the Church understood this; there must be a perpetual mysticism, perpetual experience. This is the origin of the Church’s distrust of so-called “mystics.”Mysticism in the real sense is the natural state of the human mind. “Mystics” who have occasional “experiences” often end by mocking the human creature through treating these experiences as extraordinary. But was is extraordinary is the reality of this level of experience. The Church once knew about this. One of the consequences of its forgetting has been the fear and hatred of hierarchy among Western people. The organization of the Church originally reflected the organization of man and the universe. This organization had to be experienced within ourselves, constantly, “without ceasing” “Pray without ceasing” means pray “now”, in the present moment. In the present moment, now, seek the organization of the universe, of God in ourselves.” (Jacob Needleman in “Lost Christianity” p. 80)
No amount of knowledge – no matter how gloriously intriguing it appears on the surface – may substitute for transformation and predestination of our being conformed to the Mashiach’s image. That’s the finality of it all, and foremost, the will of our Father. And HE alone is able to give the increase [1 Cor. 3:7] – to LOVE AS CHRIST [loves].
It’s good that we seek, but in our seeking may HE give us discernment as to not be drawn away by the desires of our own sick hearts and begin to substitute the glory of God [and His mishpachah] for my own self-glory. That is the danger, as you all have pointed out….to make much of myself [in my seeking] at the expense of His mishpachah. In that manner, we end up just as we set out – alone.
Shalom aleichem and may His radiance boil over from within us all and spill out for the glory of HaShem and the good of those around us!
Greetings!!
Just one verse to think in what our Rabbi Yeshua thinks about knowledge (gnosis):
καὶ γνώσεσθε τὴν ἀλήθειαν καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς. (John 8:32)
Based on what Yeshua teach, can we move on to find out if “knowledge” and “liberty” are companions in the journey? If they are, how they interact? The problem is not with “gnosis” the problem is with me!!! (I’m not talking about gnosticism) This is “The Fear Factor” Don’t do it because you will fall. But where is the promise of our Master that if we fall seven times, He will raise us up??? Where is the promise that the Spirit of God that live within us will guided us??? It is our Lord, Saviour and Rabbi that says “that we will know (γνώσεσθε) the truth, and that truth will set us free.”
Let’s keep on searching that truth!!! Both verbs are in future tense (γνώσεσθε and ἐλευθερώσει)
Emet. ‘The problem is not with “gnosis”, the problem is with me!!’
I tell the ladies in our Beit Midrash that we cannot simply acquire knowledge for knowledges’ sake and stop there…it must be transforming by the Ruach HaKodesh or it puffs up and blinds.
Afterall, the Adversary knows more [Scripture] than we do, but there is no transforming power of Love…no chochmah…just vanity.
That’s why we are to perpetually ‘examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith’ [2 Cor. 13:5] because ‘whatever does not proceed from faith is sin’ [Rom. 14:23].
Shalom
Thank you, Carmen. You hit it right on the head. It’s me. I’m the one who stands in the way of real understanding.
Points in tension. Two opposites points that we must learn how to balance it. There are no contradiction. True knowledge guide us toward harmony…harmony with Ha Shem, with Ha Shem’s creation, with my neighbor and with myself. We must remember Yeshua’s words: καὶ γνώσεσθε τὴν ἀλήθειαν καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς. Keep on searching because that knowledge is the cause of what Paul’s talk about in Romans 12:2 “καὶ μὴ συσχηματίζεσθε τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ, ἀλλὰ μεταμορφοῦσθε τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοός εἰς τὸ δοκιμάζειν ὑμᾶς τί τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ, τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ εὐάρεστον καὶ τέλειον.”
Dear Ismael,
Would you, for the sake of most readers, be willing to offer the Greek in translation? I am sure many would love to follow this discussion, but I know that most do not read Greek. So, if you wouldn’t mind? Thanks.
Of course Dr. Moen. I’m including both references
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)