What’s the Difference?
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NASB
From the ground – Why does the text use the word ha-adamah (the ground)? Once more we are confronted with the first occurrence of a word. We might have expected erets (earth) to be used here. After all, erets has been part of the creation story since the opening verse. Why does the account now shift to adamah? The first answer is the obvious word play. Adam comes from the adamah. The Man is intimately connected to the ground. Just like adam, adamah is a derivative of ‘dm. There is no scholarly consensus on the origin of the root word. Similar words in other ancient languages seemed to be connected to the idea of blood (red) and soil. Ancient cosmologies portray men created from the blood of a dead god or the blood of a god mixed with clay. In these pagan cosmologies, “blood” is the source of life, not the “breath of God.” If adamah has connections of these other ancient myths, then its use in the Hebrew account offers another polemic. In Hebrew, blood is not the source. It might be the carrier of life, but the source of life is God. Blood is just one more created thing.
Now we need to investigate why the text uses adamah rather than erets. While the words show a wide variety of uses and sometimes even synonymous application in The Tanakh, in the creation account and the Genesis context there seems to be a distinction. Erets is a word that covers geographic applications. “The heavens and the earth” is a phrase used to designate the entire cosmos. The “land” of Canaan or the “holy land” are uses of erets that describe geographical physical boundaries. Even the use of erets for the “underworld” still designates a “place.” In this regard, the biblical account describes erets in ways that oppose the other ancient mythologies, for example, the “earth” is not the result of a divine war, it is not evil, it is under God’s total control and it arises by the divine word, not by some conflict or sexual action.
Adamah appears to be related to productivity, not necessarily geography. When the Genesis account uses the word adamah, it is often associated with what comes from the ground. The initial use of adamah is about the production of Man and the animals. Subsequently, adamah is the fruitful soil or the soil that no longer responds to men because of sin. This distinction suggests that while men occupy the erets (which belongs to God), they work and serve the adamah as the source of their being and the partner in their fruitfulness. Only men and animals (animate life) have this relationship to adamah.
What conclusions can we draw from this brief examination? First, we recognize that our purpose as men and women is not the same as the Greek idea of destiny. Destiny is what I make of myself. Purpose is what I do with the relationships God gives me. Secondly, we see that even my fruitfulness and the source of my being is within the context of relationship. The fact that adamah can be both cooperative or uncooperative means that there are no fixed and determined factors in my existence. I am all relationship. We are quick to recognize this when it comes to the “breath of life,” but now we see that even our physical being is a relationship concept. It is just as impermanent as God’s animating breath. The earth (erets) is the permanent territory of God’s creative expression, but the adamah depends on the interaction between God-granted life and purpose. In other words, in this context adamah contains the idea of partnership.
Why is this so important? Because once again we learn that the biblical view of what it means to be human is thoroughly dynamic. To be human is to become in partnership, in relationship, with even the physical source of my being. Animation (the breath of life) is a partnership with God. So is my physical existence. And furthermore, my purpose of being is the extension of both of these partnership relations. I am to work/worship/serve the relationship that constitutes who I am. In the biblical worldview, I am not a “what.” I am a “who.” And who I am depends entirely on how I am related to God’s actions.
Topical Index: man, adamah, ground, erets, earth, apar, dust, Genesis 2:7
“To be human is to become in partnership, in relationship, with even the physical source of my being.”
“ha-adamah (the ground)?”
Significance of Hebrew names:
h = window
a = ox
a = ox
d = door
a = ox
m = water
a = ox
h = window
Just playing with words/Hebrew lettters….partnership….and “the physical source of my being”
2 eyes (windows)
4 ox bones (frame)
1 water (spirit)
1 door (way to Heaven)
“ha-adamah (the ground)?”
Simply, the Soil and the Son
with the lowly is wisdom.. (proverbs 11.2)
humble yourself in the sight of the Lord.. (Philippians 2.8)
The Hebrew word for man, adam, derives directly from the Hebrew word adamah, meaning ground or soil: “and the Lord God formed the adam dust from the adamah . . .” (Genesis. 2:19).
~ And the LORD formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life:and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2.7)
~ All scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3.16 )
~ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land ~ (2 Chronicles 7:14)
~ For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly ~ (Psalm 84:11)
~ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life ~ (John 8:12)
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Our Three-fold Need of Salvation
The Need For Seed
The Need for a Sower
The Need for Soil
A Sower went forth to sow…
identifying the good seed- the Word of God (my Word will not return void)
the simple sowing how hard is it to plant a seed? (depends upon the soil!)
the union of seed and soil- the seed mysteriouly needs the soil (we are His body)
the need of the seed – without the seed the soil will remain unproductive and sterile
the necessity of the seed- no growth will occur in the soil without the seed
do I need God’s Word in my life?
the multiplication of the seed- if conditions are correct multiplication may occur.
(some 30x, some 60x, some 100x)
the growth of the seed- A mysterious union takes place between the two resulting in miraculous growth. (from acorns to oaks!) Psalm 1
the death and resurrection of the seed- except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die..
buried with Him by baptism (immersion-all unto death/separation-come out from among them and be yet separate unto Me )
the simple scattering of the seed: freely give!!
the soil -our hearts
the sower -the Holy Spirit
the sun- (Son) God’s amazing grace (His warming love)
Is He, the Light of the word, the soothing Son or the severe Son?
Is this a blessed heat or a blasting,burning heat?
~ Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God ~ (Romans 11:22)
there is:
the Savior- who cultivates and cares for the seed
the stones- the cares of this life, the things that bind us and shade us from the life-giving sun
“Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth,and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. Judges 16.6
He is:
the Sovereign sustainer He is the Creator and Caretaker, and Cultivator of all creation.
the Supplier of the soil it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Soil is constantly breaking down/building up-God is constantly and consistently working! (even in the night)
My God shall supply all your need! sometimes deep plowing, sometimes gentle cultivating and weeding! Sometimes a gentle rain! At times a delightful dew.
the supplements
of the soil Soil amendments (compost, fertilizer, etc.) do no good unless they are applied. These supplements include but are not limited to: compasssion, mercy
grace and love.
-think of all the different sorts of soil in the world!!
shallow soil
stony soil the seed is not allowed to penetrate. This soil is not good for anything. Maybe in time with a few good storms, some freezing and thawing, enough friction will occur to allow some good soil to be made.
sandy soil
sticky soil-miry clay
solid soil (frozen) must be thawed out (we need some sunshine Lord!)
Lord, let your light, light of your love shine on us.
sterile soil- might be good looking but not good for growth
strange soil- some soil appears odd, different colors, or not what we are accustomed to.
sustaining soil-constantly in motion, breaking down,moving against itself to release nourishment for the seed. (the good stuff!)
stirred soil for soil to be most productive it must be stirred. These are the day- to day gifts of grace that come from above-all things great and small affect the soil.
secret soil- hidden and encased under concrete and asphalt-not allowing any penetration of good seed.
sleepless soil God is working in the soil 24 hrs a day! Soil never sleeps..
Thank you Lord Jesus!! for this gift from you!!
Lord you have done some “deep plowing” in my heart and I thank you for disturbing the soil of my heart. Thank you for the sunshine of your love, for the watering of your Holy Spirit, for all the nourishment of every good gift found beneath the surface in things I never even see-you are working constantly in the warming,freezing, watering, lighting (and darkness). I pray dear Lord Jesus that I would be good soil and would bring forth fruit one-hundred fold for the glory of your name. Amen
and dear Lord Jesus may this plant “a seed” in my heart to love you more!!
I’m sure this is not the first (or last) article to be written about soil but I hope this has been a blessing to you. Remember whether sunshine,rain, heat, cold, balmy breezy days, earthquakes, storms, light or darkness.. Our Sovereign God is constantly working to build strong, life-sustaining, soil.
“For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
a rather “raw” post!- (reminder to self), “never edit online!”
Nay, a rather “beautiful” post!
“… in this context adamah contains the idea of partnership.” Covenant stewardship between man and the soil. Man who receives the goodness and fruit of the soil does so because Adonai provides it. Days 1 through 3 Adonai remedies tohu and days 4-6 Adonai remedies wabohu. As above so below – the earth receives form and life from Adonai even as man receives dominion from Adonai. Man’s relationship with the soil mirrors his relationship with Adonai so that form and life contrast with Shalom and Hesed even as man lives in the image and likeness of Adonai. The earth and all it contains serves man’s covenant relationship with Adonai. All life receives sustenance from the soil, “And to every beast of the earth, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.”
Christopher, will you please comment on:
“For I, Jehovah, change not . . . .” Mal. 3: 6
Malachi 3:6 “כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה לֹא שָׁנִיתִי וְאַתֶּם בְּנֵי־יַעֲקֹב לֹא כְלִיתֶם” kiy aniy YHWY shanaw (stem – qual /mood – perfect) lo attah ben Ya’aqob lo kalah (stem – qual / mood – perfect). In 3:1 mal’aki denotes a change from first to third person. The reference is to purification and the context is judgment. The reference is to Psalm 50:3 “Our God comes, he does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, round about him a mighty tempest.” Some scholars see the person as a human messenger , an anonymous priest, or Ezra, but the majority see him as an angel who is to be identified with Adonai himself, acting in the world in visible form (T. Chary, Les prophetes et le culte 176-78). There is a similar usage in Matt 11:10 and Mark 1:2 with ha’adon referring to a new covenant written upon the hearts of men. In this context 3:6 is a declaration of Adonai’s covenant faithfulness and the promise of blessing for contributing to the temple upkeep.
Stunning.
I have just been reading an article titled, “”What can we learn from the life of Ezra”.
What must the world think of God’s people with dilapidated temples?
Nehemiah and Ezra were then, and are now, an encouragement to God’s people to magnify worship as their top priority, to emphasize the need for and use of God’s Word as the only authoritative rule for living, and to be concerned about the image God’s people show to the world.
Nothing must supersede worship of God, and obedience is not optional. The Sovereign God looks over and protects His children, always keeping His promises and providing encouragement through those He sends (Ezra 5:1). Even when His plan seems to be interrupted, as with the rebuilding of Jerusalem, God steps in at the appropriate time to continue His plan.
Dorothy,
You wrote in part: “to magnify worship as their top priority… ” Yes and amen. Just last night my wife and I had a break-thru and recast our #1 priority, in our marriage, in our ministry and indeed our life, as worship and dance before YHWH.
Thank you for sharing. (and welcome back- forgive me if I played any part in your parting-may I learn to bite my tongue -or in this case my fingers!) Shalom.
Skip, Carl, et al.,
Thanks for sharing your relationships’ grace bearing fruit!
Sweet sister Dorothy, – we welcome your return!.. and Christopher Slabchuck, – “write-on!”
TY and amen to welcoming CS
Michael and Arnella, –I rejoice with you. What a good report! (Phil 4: 8) and confirmation to hear of your recast, repentance, or return to the Father’s heart — different folks call your experience by different names.
Don’t worry, be happy, I am not offended in the least, never was, and there isn’t time in this valley of vapor for bearing grudges.
To the best of my ability, I will explain my personal hissy-fit for anybody interested, I realize not everyone is — I became exasperated to the MAX. I don’t like hearing the church bashed, (my opinion only) I found I’d nearly roll my eyes (yes, reverted to teenage behavior, lol) when I’d read stuff that the church has always **taught (disclaimer below) being hailed as a great, new insight and discovery!
I’d wonder where in the world everyone had been and in what chuckhole. Judging, yes, but some were judging me for judging. I have a pretty good sense of humor, Thank You, God! so eventually I have overcome and learned to laugh at us all. Everyone. I have certainly learned not to snack when reading posts, I have seen some side-splitting comments here, –yes, really. Please, I pray, don’t anyone be offended, –remember, not enough time to waste!
When Christopher started posting–well, I would have *begged Skip to let me back in to read his stuff. No, I don’t digest all of it, but I get a lot and it speaks/sings to my heart!! I have MANY questions I want to ask the brother, but he may tire of me quickly, so I will try to limit digging inside his brain.
*BTW, I didn’t need to “beg” Skip to let me back in after I banged the door, to his credit, he is a lot like our Father in heaven, if we leave, Skip leaves the door open. We can push it either way. 🙂 TY, Skip Moen.
I do learn a lot from this site. I also already know a lot that this site teaches without knowing so much as one Hebrew word. But, God speaks my language and I don’t necessarily have to speak His. Well, yes, I do, His language is love. “Love spoken here”. I’ve put it on my wall in my house!
Sometimes WP won’t show me a “reply” button, so am unable to reply directly to you. I hope you will see this, tho.
**speaking for my time in church since salvation, not historically, I wasn’t there then, so I can’t speak for those saint or sinners.
Personally I think your putting me on a pedestal I don’t deserve, but if the Gedolei Hador can stoop down to help the widow of a great talmid chacham, my ignoring your humble request would lead to a rachmana litzlan. I am at your disposal!
Yay! Thank you. Let us begin.
This is not the first question I thought I’d ask if given an opportunity, but this one has arisen again this morning. Since Skip went back to Ruth, I have been reading in Judges again. (as well as Ruth, of course)
Judges 20: 16 ” . . . .700 chosen men lefthanded . . . .”
Judges 3:15 “. . . the Israelites cried out . . . and He gave them a deliverer–Ehud, a left-handed man. . . ”
My curiosity is peaked about God pointing out “lefthandness”. (I believe every word inspired — no mistakes). I wish to know what God is saying by this.
9 out of 10 people today are righthanded. A large percentage of lefthanders are geniuses. I won’t go on about what I think I know about the left and right sides of our brains. I believe Scripture explains science and medicine, not the other way around.
Romans 1:20 – For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead . . .”
Judges 3:12-30 A ridiculous Eglon follows Cushan-Double-Trouble in events that foreshadow 4:18-21: Ehud/Jael assassinate an enemy leader (Eglon/Sisera) with enormous material superiority over Israel (Eglon’s palace/Sisera’s chariotry) using humble means – Ehud’s dagger/ Jael’s tent peg – and powerless methods (Ehud’s left-handednesws and Jael’s confinement as a woman). Ehud is “is itter yad-yemino”, a man bound as to his right hand and a phrase universally taken to mean left-handed. His weapon is worn on the right thigh under the inference that only his left side is searched. The word bari and its forms more often refer to fat or fattened animals then people creating the double meaning of Eglon as both overweight and as a calf being led to the slaughter by Adonai. Even the word used for Ehud stabbing the blade into Eglon’s belly, “taqa”, refers to clap or drive eliciting comparison to both a weapon and a ram’s horn (shofar) – central to the battle of Jericho in Joshua 6 and typologically evoking the imagery that the power of Israel rests in the priesthood. The reference in 20: 16 is thought to likewise refer to priestly power or even just left handedness. There is a contrast between civil assembly at Mizpah and the religious meetings at Bethel where the Ark of the Covenant rests which is evoked by the differing words to describe each – “eda” appointed group (cf. 14:8) vs “qahal” convocation (cf. 1 Sam 3:20; 2 Sam 3:10; 1 Kgs 5: 5). Both represent the Cisjordanian tribes (from Dan in the north to Beer-sheba in the south as well as Gilead in Transjordan. The Levites describe the crime as a “zimma” – a premeditated act – and a “nebala” – premeditated infamy. The woman is eventually mentioned as slain in 20: 4. Phineas, Aaron’s grandson is described as living through a longer span of the Torah than any one else (Exod 6: 6 through versus 29-48) again testifying that the power of Israel rests in the priesthood. The account is complex because it describes the actions of three seperate groups making the linear conventions of hebrew narrative difficult to map. (Revell “Hebrew Narrative Techniques” 432, cf. 427-33). I see the seed for Dan’s betrayal in this context. I believe the reference to lefthandedness is intended as a human weakness used by Adonai to reveal to Israel that its power is in its priesthood, not temporal sources.
Amen! “power is in its priesthood, not temporal sources”
Jesus is our High Priest.
By looking up “itter yad-yemino”, I was able to find much more info, when I had found nothing worthwhile searching via “lefthandness”, or any derivative of it.
There remain many more words out of this one answer to look up, and I will read the resource Scriptures you have indicated, so as not to be wasteful, but get all you have freely given.
Thank you so much for taking all that time.
Another day, another question will come to you.
*BTW, there was only one left-handed American President in the first 140 years of the Republic, and he served for less than a year. What was rare is now become commonplace. There has been a shift in dominance to the left-handed American Presidents in the recent years in the most powerful political position in the world.
You said: “I believe the reference to lefthandedness is intended as a human weakness”
Amen–our only help is from our Savior!
I knew that before this long way around the hill, but was surprised to see it here anyway.
I’m certainly glad to hear enthusiam for scripture and as long as Skip doesn’t feel I’m taking the wind from his sails, I will answer every question you present. I am hear to learn too!
BTW – I am deliberately seeking to entice you into reading the Torah, otherwise I would have just said the right hand is the symbol of authority and power and that being lefthanded was viewed as deformity like being lame or blind but then as the saying goes … give someone a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish and you feed them for life.
I am more than thrilled to have you in the mix. Bring it on! We are all a learning community here.
I read the whole Bible 🙂
thanks again
Dorothy, Thanks for sharing and being so open. I admit I couldn’t relate to your experience of reverting to being a teenager…. I’m stuck at being a 5 year old when things don’t go MY way. Yah certainly gave me a Proverbs 31 wife and a woman of extraordinary grace and patience to lead me into what it is Yeshua has purposed and purchased for me – and us. Shalom. M.
Phil 4: 8
Hi Skip
This is Christine in Ethiopia……I have been here 9 mths now and much has happened in my life…..not as I expected but as Yah has given.
We now have better internet connection and I have EVDO USB stick which I top up each month and can receive most stuff sent over the net……I have written and asked to be put back onto receiving word for today but received no reply so am writing on this blog to be re-instated. Will be happy to make a payment if necessary. I just would really like to receive word for today again. Hope you read this and can let me know how to proceed as the usual way on your site hasnt worked.
Blessings
Christine
No donation necessary. I never saw your previous request. I will put you back on today.
Thank you Skip….I look forward to being back as a talmadim.
Christine
Welcome back Christine! (and H. too!) Earlier today I was reading some TW
from a year ago and there you were providing insightful commentary. I immediately show Arnella and we both smiled. Glad you are now able to receive TW in the middle of a dry and barren land. May you both be refreshed at these deep wells of living water. We love you guys and continue to pray for you daily. Be blessed and prosper! M & A
Some years back through the Providence of the ONE who provides our needs I was led to this unique website. At the time, this “endeavor” was named “AT GOD’s TABLE”- ,a name I still “prefer,” (personal preference) today.
Have you heard our Father say, “feed my sheep?.” Can you imagine Yeshua asking the same question three times? “Do you love me?” The point of the sharp sword proceeding out of His mouth would plunge deeper and deeper every time.
But here is “the thing.”
God always speaks to a human heart, -through a human heart.
Moses (drumroll please) was a man. –
Noah was a man.
Abraham was a man.
Peter, Paul and Mary.
D.) All of the above.
And Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus (who is the) Christ, IS also a man. But He is NOT a was, He is an “IS”- for we (all) serve a risen Savior. Amen? (Is it so?) -Yes!, Hallelujah!- it is so. Amen.
As “each” of us contribute, “testify” of what our Father has done and is doing in each of our lives, our common “faith” grows and is (day-by-day) strengthened. We are strengthened by His words proceeding of the hearts and mouths of each of His children and our brothers and sisters. But remember also, He has said: ~ I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with One Shepherd ~
We all are “unique,”- just like everyone else!
I must confess as I read these words in God’s book, this would seem as a speed bump to me, ~ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD ~ (Genesis 6.8) My eyes would come across this verse and I would say within myself, this is nice, but “what about me?”- “where’s mine?” I want to know this, would it be too much to say, “Carl found grace/favor in the eyes of the LORD?” Or for that matter- Skip, or Mary or Michael or Dorothy or Christine?- Friends, this I know,- ~ A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain ~ (Psalm 127.1)
~ For it is God who is producing in you (and you and you and you) “both” the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him.~ (Philippians 2.13) Lol!- It’s a “family affair!” ~ For you are all children of God by the faith of Yeshua The Messiah. ~ (Galatians 3.26) ~ A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity/harmony/yachad! ~ (Psalm 133.1)
Christine Hall, I was so excited to see your name above, and was surprised that you had been gone from England to Ethiopia 9 months. A week ago, one of our granddaughters and her husband that now live in St. Louis, Missouri doing church music, and mission work, were here in Central Texas and came to visit us with their four children: two natural birth girls ages 7 & 5, and two little adopted Ethiopian boys -ages 5 & 6.They brought them home in Nov. 2011. They kept them home to make the adjustment without putting them in schools, and learn English and become grounded in a family situation. They have done remarkable well in all of these endeavors. They have grown also in phyical health and are very smart boys. They are very social, and took up with my husband and me, as they seem to do with everyone. Their parents are very young, and it is enormous amount of work for them; they do not live near any of their relatives. The church has been most helpful in all areas, but still not like the immediate family. I so hope you will write of some of your experiences there, and share with us. May your “tent” be greatly enlarged in all areas. We care for you — “one of the Brits”— LaVaye