Hebrew Manifestations
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ John 1:17 NASB
Were Realized – Previously we looked at the theological propaganda hidden in some translations of this verse. Now we need to turn to the Hebraic character of John’s syntax. A footnote to the NASB translation tells us that the original Greek text literally means “came into being” (egeneto). But this is a Greek construction that does not reflect the underlying Hebrew thought. Our English translation does even less justice to the Hebrew perspective. Since John deliberately uses the Genesis motif in his introduction, we can be fairly sure that he wants us to read this Greek as if it reflects Hebrew thinking, so that means we have to take a second look at the way Hebrew uses the verb “to be.”
Now this is a bit complicated, but well worth the effort to explore. In Greek (especially) as in English, “being” is viewed as a static state – a state of rest – so that the characteristic described by the verb “to be” is separate from the actual subject but attached to it. For example, we say, “That car is red.” We mean that there is a car and the color red happens to be attached to this particular car. We can imagine the car without the color – and we often do, unless of course, it’s a Ferrari and then it must be red. In other words, we use the verb as a connector, bringing two different independent things together. But this is not the way Hebrew works. In fact, Hebrew often doesn’t even employ the word “is” in its sentences. Why not? Because in Hebrew the subject actually is the attributes that describe it. Without being “red,” it wouldn’t be this car. The description inheres in the subject. For example, God’s word cannot be conceived as anything other than true and just. It is not as if truth and justice are appended to God’s word, rather truth and justice are exactly the same as God’s word.
Now let’s consider this Greek verb from a Hebrew perspective. Greek syntax demands the use of egeneto but in Hebrew this verb is unnecessary. Why? Because grace and truth didn’t come into being through Yeshua. Grace and truth are what Yeshua is. To speak of grace and truth in the same sentence with Yeshua is to utter a tautology. The expressions are exactly equivalent. In other words, it is not possible to think of Yeshua without thinking of grace and truth.
Of course, the same thing applies to the first part of John’s statement. To think of Moses is to think of the Law. They are not two separate subjects connected by a verb. Moses is the Law and the Law is Moses (see this use by James in Acts 15:21). So far so good.
Now let’s look at the way a Hebrew thinker would combine Moses and Yeshua. The same rules apply. The Hebrew perspective suggests that the Moses-Law inheres in the Christ-grace-truth. One clause is the equivalent of the other. These two clauses are typical of Hebrew thought. The first statement is duplicated in the second in a way that the second elucidates the first. This occurs frequently in Proverbs and Psalms. It is a pattern of Hebrew thinking. I say something one way, then I say the same thing again another way, and I connect the two with an implied copula.
We have learned several things (besides this interesting technical bit about Hebrew). First, we learn not to assume that our way of reading the text is the only proper way. We have discovered that deep paradigms, even about the use of the verb “to be,” affect our understanding of the text. Second, we learn that Hebrew thought infuses what we would call attributes or descriptions directly into the subject. Hebrew sees tautologies where we see contingent descriptions. This is particularly important when we read the New Testament passages about the nature and character of God, faith, forgiveness and sanctification. Finally, we learn that Hebrew thinking is radically different than our Greek-based conception of the world, and this provokes us to extreme caution when it comes to theological proclamations. We will have to walk in the rabbi’s shoes for a long time before we really have something to say.
Topical Index: to be, egeneto, to come into existence, John 1:17, Hebrew verbs
Hi Skip,
Very interesting and quite clear, but I’m wondering about some “theological” implications.
To put it back into greek, God is good, by definition; so whatever he does is good by definition.
But in my view, if we act like God we could either be out of our minds or commiting immoral acts.
For example, when God decides to have a man stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath, it is a good thing, because God has decided the person is not worth saving.
We however do not have that authority; we have been given laws to follow.
The story I like to tell myself is that after some time, God decided man need some help.
So he sent his son as a model for us, to show us and tell us how God wants us to act.
Hi Michael,
The story is much more exciting!!!!!
It starts, I think, with our Father YHWH planning to create the earth and us so that he can be in relationship with us and share his creative, loving life with us – a meaningful, fruitful, mutually enjoyable, others-benefitting, exciting, industrious, joy-filled life on earth! Abraham and Israel and the Law are key players in the story and Father finally made his Plan possible through Yeshua’s death and resurrection.
We stuffed it up, he knew we would and he planned to recreate us and his earth (maybe the plan is to recreate the whole universe one day, I don’t know). The earth and our human bodies still wait for recreation but humans’ inner recreation can start now, through Yeshua’s Spirit changing us now. The future looks glorious when you read Revelation!
This is just my current take on things. I could be really wrong, but I keep looking into it all.
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for sharing; I think your view probably reflects your spirit, more exciting!
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There is a simplicity “in Christ.” Simplicity as in “not complicated”. Easy to grasp. Easy to understand. No Phd required. Put in a nickel, pull the handle, the candy bar “occurs” or “happens.” Voila!- well- how about that! “It happened!” To our (now jaded) surprise- the machine worked as it was designed to do. We received a candy bar.
Now, I know I’m gonna get in trouble for comparing YHWH to a vending machine (by my words I will be justified, and by my words I will be condemned) and one day I will give account for these words, but I’ll stay with or stick with or remain or camp-out or stand- “what saith the scripture?”- there is a simplicity in Christ.
The KISS method. I’m sure everyone reading these words is familiar. “K”eep “I”t “Simple”, “….”.
Simplify. Not obfuscate. Clarity- not confusion. Easy-as in – not hard. Receive- as in – not refuse. (this could be continued until dawn.. but..)
Y’shua was (and is) LORD. Master, boss, ruler. (Simple?). Yes! (and no.) Yes to those who will receive, no to those who rebel. Do we welcome His words? He was (and is!) the Word Incarnate. Yes, brother Michael if we need to see what these precepts,principles,patterns, etc. look like (“in real life”-lol!) we need to look no further than the manifestation or revelation or model of our Master. One word should suffice us- “shema.” (listen and obey). “Whatever He tells you to do- do it,” the mother of Y’shua said to the servants. After living with this flesh and blood carbon unit for years- she knew. Did she ever know. “Do what this man tells you to do.”
Moses came down from the mountain-top with a list (written by G-d and engraved in stone.) The ten words written by the finger of G-d. Words to live by. In Y’shua, Emmanuel (G-d with us), the living Word Incarnate, G-d (himself) came to us in the form of a man. The second Adam- Y’shua HaMashiach- the G-d/Man Jesus (who is the) Christ- the Annointed One. Complicated? (yes.) Simple? (yes.)
Grace and truth (met together) in one man. What is His name? Mercy and peace (met together) in one man. What is His name? The Divine and the human (assembled together) in one man. What is His name?
Shall we (together) review His life? Time and space would not permit. A simple “remembrance” will have to do for now..
This “word made flesh” is now in the process of duplicating Himself in the lives of every one of us. G-d is working in us that which is pleasing unto Himself- both to will and to do of His good pleasure. We are “Christians”- (little Christs) in this world today. Modeling His hands, His eyes, His feet, to this lost and dying, sin infested world. Pouring out to the hungry and to the thirsty His words of life.
Are we today in the process of being conformed to the image of the Son? Have we seen some changes “occur” in our lives” Are we “the apprentices” picking up the tools of the Master and doing the work (that is pleasing unto HIm) assigned unto us?
Yes, brother Skip. G-d is love. (Y’shua is Wonderful!-lol!) He is who He says He is. (simplicity?) Y’shua said, “I am”. I say, (my “confession!”)- “He is.”
“Do what this man tells you to do.”
Hi Carl,
One of my favorite literary critics once said that Herman Melville “said no in thunder.”
I thought he was referring to captain Ahab’s monomaniacal obsession with Moby Dick.
At some level, the great white whale is a symbol of God (the Flood, Jonah, Shiva etc.)
Now I realize that the critic was alluding to Jonah, who says no “in thunder” to Yahweh.
Reading this with Greek eyes I also assume that the law is the opposite of grace and that grace is the opposite of the law. An orthodox Jew of John’s time and today would recoil at such a thought. As you so often point out law and grace are not opposed to one another. Imposing a fictitious opposition results in devolving morality within the evangelical church to the point where, to use just one comparative marker, divorce is as statistically common as it is in the world.
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/194-born-again-christians-just-as-likely-to-divorce-as-are-non-christians?q=divorce
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/15-familykids/42-new-marriage-and-divorce-statistics-released?q=divorce
hello Daniel- “law and grace”- which one will prevail? lol!! Is the O.T. “law” or the N.t. “grace?”
Isn’t this the strangest thing? “Coming up” we never would have imagined such a division. And tha my good brother Daniel is exactly what this is- the imagination and machinations of man. You’ve seen the word “law” and you’ve witnessed the word “grace”. Well,.. which is it? (brother Skip- this hammer is gettin’ heavy- I can hardly lift it anymore..lol!)
Once again young sprouts- “it’s not either/or- it’s both! (pay attention..I may have to raise my voice just a tad here- please pardon this behavior) Let us together go over this once again.. -are you present?- grace AND truth. The conjunctive (serving to connect) word “AND”. (ok-we’re through shoutin’ now.)
Y’shua HaMachiach, full of grace AND truth. The perfect balance. The perfect blend. After all (is said and done..) – He is the “perfect ONE!”
Yes Carl, He is the complete One, the One through whose Grace we can grow in ‘keeping the Law’. It’s only through his Spiirt with us, in us, that we can ‘keep the rules’. I equate ‘obeying the Law’ with ‘ becoming like Yeshua,’ the Messiah, Son of God, fully divine and the new human. He makes it possible for us to change at our core and become new; to have a complete change of character; to become like Him – loving (in action), faith-filled, hope-filled, patient, wise, kind, patient, humble, and self-controlled. I’m not like this but I have some good friends who are and their intimate relationship with Yeshua manifests in loving actions towards damaged, hurting people. I’ve tried ‘keeping the rules’ in my own effort and it doesn’t work (duh), it doesn’t result in radical death to selfish desires and resurrected character. There’s hope yet though, because I’m learning to depend on Yeshua’s Spirit for the new walk.
It seems to me, by observing my Messianic Christian (for want of a better label) friends, that this ‘keeping the Law’ thing is about walking in very close relationship with our loving Father YHWH by his Spirit, undergoing character change, and joining YHWH in his huge, eternal plan of restoring his creation, people included. What an Elohim! Yeshua’s death and resurrection has made a way for the recreation of all creation and we’re included! I love this!
To Yeshua HaMachiach – our Creator/Lover/Recreator, praise Him!
I am so excited for you Wendy! You are “so close!”. And the fun part is to realize He is the ONE who is taking us to where He wants us to be- and that is “to be conformed (a word of heat and pressure- uh-oh) to the image of the Son.”
Just on a personal note- I have decided no longer to “fight against Him” (I guarantee if you’re doing this- you will end up a loser!), but rather surrender everything I have, am and am going to be (my plans/purposes/will) to Him. It is rather like a “let-go/let-G-d” situation, and basically we are verifying and allowing G-d the Father to incarnate Himself within us. We are giving Him permission to “enter in!” and co-operating with His purposes and program!
As we read His word, meditate and marinate in it and allow His holy breath to “run rampant” within us, yet staying under His control and direction, the changes will occur and do occur daily. I am not the man I used to be (for sure) and I guarantee I long as I draw breath- there are more changes on the way! It also is rather exciting to live by faith, -an adventure to be sure!.
None of this is going to happen in my life (or yours) unless G-d does it. He is the “Causal Agent! “It is G-d who works in you (us) both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” I need to remain the pliable clay in the Potter’s hands. We know and have confidence in our good G-d to take us to where He wants us to be. We need (again) to give Him permission to make the necessary changes within us. To apply the necessary heat and pressure we need to guide us in our daily living.
“True Christianity” (I really do hate saying that!) is not a religion it is a relationship. We serve a G-d who is not only “knowable” but willing and able to reveal Himself to men. He has said (I really do like saying that!) “If you love me-keep my commandments.” (and furthermore!) -“do this and you will live!” The wages of sin (disobedience) may be death, (separation) but the consequences (flow) of obedience will be blessing. (a state of being rightly related with YHWH- righteousness). “Remember”- righteousness and peace have kissed each other! lol!- they are “intimately related!”
“I equate ‘obeying the Law’ with ‘ becoming like Yeshua,’ the Messiah, Son of God”
Hi Wendy,
I’m certainly no expert on this subject, but I don’t think “obeying the law” is the key.
Nicodemus was a master of the law and a God fearing man from what I understand.
But Jesus tells Nicodemus that he has “missed the boat:”
Jesus answered:
I tell you most solemnly,
unless a man is born from above,
he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
John 3:3
I think Mark shows us what is required for rebirth, when he compares Jesus with Jonah.
Mark seems to be saying that absolute faith/trust in God is required.
And that it can lead one to an experience like Jonah’s:
“The sun beat down so hard on Jonah’s head
that he was overcome and begged for death.
Jonah 4:8
In my view, the movie Gone Baby Gone (2007) gets this point across in a very powerful way.
The hero takes the law very seriously.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452623/
BTW, the theme of Gone Baby Gone is based upon the Judgment of Solomon, where two women came before Solomon to resolve a quarrel about which was the true mother of a baby.
A very power theme.
Thanks for the link, Michael. I see that I have missed a good one. I’ll have to find it and watch it now.
Hi Gayle,
Just as a “heads up,” Gone Baby Gone does not fall into the “feel good” category.
It is about bad cops, drugs, kidknapping, and the question what is the “right thing?”
I saw it on HBO several times, as I was cleaning house, before it “clicked” with me.
Hope you find it interesting, but don’t want to set the wrong expectations for you.
Much more than just “the perfect blend”, Carl. I have just written an article on my blog which I’ll summarize here pertaining to a very interesting verse, Luke 16:16. It says;
In English it does sound rather like Jesus is contrasting the period before John the Baptist (“the Law and the Prophets”) with the period since John, doesn’t it? But is that in fact the case?
The word “were” is not in the original text but was added by the translators because without it, in English the sentence makes no sense. The word “until” is the Greek “mechri” (at least in the Morphological Greek NT – the Textus Receptus uses a different word that does not appear in the LXX). In the LXX mechri is used to translate the Hebrew owd (that is, ayin-vav-dalet) which is sometimes translated until, still or while but more literally means witness, testify, record, charge, take or admonish. So we could render Luke 16:16 as, “The Law and the Prophets testify of John: since that time (the time of the Law and the Prophets) the kingdom of God has been preached…”.
However, with our new understanding of Hebrew tautologies that Skip has brought, we can now recognise that Yeshua is in fact saying that The Law, the Prophets and John are equivalent in purpose or function in that they all testify of Messiah and all prepare the way for Him. Another meaning of owd is meet so we could say that “The Law and the Prophets meet in John…”, especially so since John the Baptist was both a prophet and a Levitical priest. It would also be valid to say that “the Law and the Prophets testify with John…”
That isn’t all, though, because the name Yochanan means “God is gracious” and is from the Hebrew root chen – grace. Not only are The Law (Torah), the Prophets and Yochanan equivalent but The Law, Prophets and grace are also! In other words, in the Hebrew mindset there is no dichotomy between Torah/Law and Grace – they cannot be separated! Yeshua was “the WORD (Torah) made flesh” and He was also the embodiment of God’s grace.
One last thing; if we take the letters chet-nun (chen) and reverse them we get Noach which means rest. Hebrew words that use the same consonants also have the same numeric value and are considered to be related. In this case they both have the same pictoral meaning of “the fence around life”. A fence delineates the boundaries and provides protection and security.
“Noach found chen in the eyes of YHVH”. He obeyed God’s instructions and was protected through the flood while the rest of the world was swept away. Obedience led to protection. Grace (chen) led to rest (Noach). The Torah is the expression of God’s grace, embodied in Yeshua HaMoshiach (Jesus the Christ). It is the fence around life; within its boundaries are protection and rest. Outside is peril and danger. Stay inside the fence and stay safe!
It’s interesting, too, that one word could give the verse so many different meanings… all of which are “factually” correct (they work). I especially am amazed at the difference in the verse in John that is made by inputting a more accurate definition of the word. I really wish translators would do that kind of thing (you know, translate correctly). Granted, our Bible might be a foot thick, but how much deeper and richer our understanding would be! I’ll have to check out your original article on your blog, too. Thanks!
Amanda
I forgot to add:
I like the idea of Torah as a fence around life. My husband is a HUGELY skeptical but isn’t ready to post his questions to get some answers…yet… He doesn’t see how not eating shellfish (one of the commands given by God in the Torah) should matter in his usefulness to God or in any other way. To him, the Torah is very legalistic, and he points to many people who are chastised by Yeshua despite their stellar keeping of the Law saying that it’s the heart attitude that matters more than keeping Torah (despite the fact that Yeshua says the Law will never pass away and that in keeping it you are more useful or greater in the kingdom). I don’t know the answers, but your last few sentences are really a nice way of shedding more light on the role of Torah in our lives (our meaning me as a Gentile believer).
Thanks again!
Frankly, I don’t see how eating shellfish can interfere with my usefulness to God, but I AM NOT THE ONE WHO KNOWS what interferes and what doesn’t. To presume the I am the one who determines what is good is to presume that God should explain to me why I should be obedient before I CHOOSE to be obedient. This is the Greek mindset at its best. “God, I will obey ONLY AFTER it makes sense to me” is the same as saying “God, MY rules trump Yours.”
“To him who is faithful in the little things, much will be entrusted”. I know that’s a paraphrase, but I think the principle is applicable. I was just reading the parable that Yeshua told in Luke 19:11-27 (when searching for the reference for that) and suddenly saw it in a whole new light.
It’s funny that this comment should come up now, because only yesterday morning God showed me an illustration of this very thing (faithfulness in the little things = usefulness in the kingdom). I’m in the process of writing an article on it but it’s not quite ready yet.
It’s also a matter of trust. How much do I trust God to know what is good for me and what is not?
“Sorry God, but scientists know more than you so I’d rather listen to the wisdom of man rather than the wisdom of God, because I’d rather trust someone I can see than that which I cannot”.
This passage in 1 John also comes to mind:
These are the very 3 things that tripped up Havah (Eve) in the garden. She saw that the fruit was good to eat (lust of the flesh), was pleasing to the eye (lust of the eyes) and was desirable to make one wise (pride of life).
We all have a question to answer. How much do we love and trust our Father?
Thanks for the connection, Rodney. Just a quick mention that I think the passage about Havvah needs considerably more investigation. The “lust-pride” explanation overlooks the deeper sense of ezer kenegdo. But more about that in the book.
Waiting (im)patiently for the book. Skip, will you please record it on CD also? I know that would be greatly appreciated by all those who LISTEN to books, rather than read them! Sometimes, it’s the only way I can get the younger ones to ‘read’ what is needed! I am just grateful to get the information in their hands! 🙂
I agree that there is much more to the story in the garden than just those 3 points and, yes, I’ve listened to and learned much from both the Genesis series and the Scriptural Role of the ‘Ezer. As Gayle said, waiting eagerly for the book :-).
Thanks, Amanda. I (and I’m sure others in the community) will be praying for your husband too. He has to get the revelation from God, just as the rest of us do, too. We can’t walk in someone else’s revelation.
Here’s another verse that ties together Torah and rest, from Jeremiah 6:
Unfortunately some reject God’s ways, even though they are the ways of rest, freedom, protection and provision, but those who follow God’s instructions find rest.
lol! thank you Rodney and a heartfelt (with deep gratitude!) amen! May we say then, “in Christ?” Search the scriptures (all of them) – for these are they which testify of me!! In Him was/is life and the words He spoke (and still speaks today) are breath and they are life! lol!! Here he comes again with another drop of that ol’ hammer,- “it’s not either/or -it’s both! The whole enchilada!- grace AND truth! Christ (the annointed ONE) is all, and in you all.
He is the word made flesh, the incarnation of YHWH, the express image, the firstborn among many brethren, prophet, priest and king! (shall we go on?..) He is the Christ, the Son of the living G-d and He is Y’shua the now living (ruling and reigning), living son of G-d and son of man. (shall we go on?) He is the Daystar, intercessor, brother and friend. (If I’m not careful here- I might start preachin’!”-lol!) When Christ who is our life shall appear? Who is our life? Who gives us our breath, our blood, our daily bread? (I’m backin’ down and steppin’ out!) Praises to the Name above all names. King of kings and Lord of lords.- What was that name again?