Threads (2)
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. John 3:14 ESV
Be lifted up – When we first looked at this passage (November 21, 2012), we discovered that both the Greek text and the LXX translation use words that imply exultation, not remedies for sin. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the event of the bronze (copper) serpent in the wilderness cannot also be a midrash about forgiveness in Yeshua. But the point is this: the imagery itself and the language used do not necessarily point us in this direction. In fact, TWOT says of the Hebrew word rum, “The most frequent [of the idiomatic expressions using rum] is the use of God’s being high to represent God’s rank (II Sam. 22:47; Ps. 18:46; cf. Ps. 113:4; Is.6:1). Superiority of wisdom over a fool is thus described (Prov. 24:7). Deliverance is equated with height of the delivered one’s head . . .”[1] All of this would be quite well known to any Hebrew speaker. When Yeshua makes the midrash connection between rum and the event of the serpent in the wilderness, He points Nicodemus toward this conclusion – and we must follow His direction.
But there is another connection, a not-so-obvious one, that we must make clear. One of the cognates of rum is the word teruma. It means “contribution, offering, (and specifically) heave offering.” Its specific cultic application is to the offering designated for the officiating priest (Leviticus 10:14-15). By the time of Yeshua, this word probably meant the general classification of “gift” offering. But in antiquity, it was never associated with anything other than a meat offering. That means it was always connected with a blood sacrifice and always related to the part of the sacrifice that only the designated priest could consume.
If we add this cognate to the basket of meanings that Yeshua alludes to in his use of the term, we find that his reference to being lifted up not only includes exultation, and in particular exultation of the Most High God, but also a connection to the special designation for the priest and the priest’s family in an offering that requires specific ritual adherence (see Leviticus 10). If you read the story in Leviticus, you will find that this word, teruma, is an integral part of the sin offering. Perhaps Yeshua, who was an expert in Torah, deliberately used a word with connections not only to divine exultation but also to the necessity of perfect compliance to YHWH’s instructions for the sin offering. Perhaps He is telling Nicodemus that He is both!
Ah, it’s so deliciously complex. It’s so deep and rich and stimulating. And it’s so powerful. The one lifted up is exalted. He is also the one slain and offered. And because of Him, we can partake. All wrapped up in the events in the wilderness and in a single word. Maybe that’s why we need to read one word at a time!
Topical Index: rum, teruma, Leviticus 10:14-15, John 3:14, exalt, sin, offering
[1] TWOT, rum, pp. 837-839
CORRECTION: Yesterday’s TW made the claim that the Hebrew word rum (lifted up) was in Numbers 21:9. It is NOT. My mistake. Yeshua uses the word to describe what happened in that event with the serpent. Yeshua applies the verb from the two other accounts of “lifting up” to the account of the serpent, so while the word isn’t in the Hebrew text, it can be reasonably inferred that Yeshua wanted to make this connection. Therefore, we can look at rum with regard to the event of the serpent by following the thought of Yeshua.
Sorry, Skip, you’ve lost me here. It’s a bit too deep for me. Can’t follow your reasoning. I’ll just stick to what I think I know.
OK, let me see if I can say it a different way. Yeshua uses a Hebrew word (rum) that points us to “lifting up.” That particular word isn’t in Number 21:9 even though Yeshua’s remark suggests that the idea is there. When we look at the actual locations of the word in Exodus and Numbers, we find that it is a verb about exultation and power, not about forgiveness. So, we discover that Yeshua is pointing toward the cross as a sign of exultation and power. But then we realize that there is another connection to the word teruma. That word is about a gift offering. It’s certainly likely that Yeshua knew this connection too. That means He pointed Nicodemus to exultation, power and offering. Nicodemus would also have known these connections. After all, he was a “teacher of Israel.” Now we begin to appreciate the complexity of Yeshua remark – and we are struck by the fact that he does not refer to “forgiveness” in any of this.
We haven’t finished with this line of inquiry, but it will be put on hold for awhile in order to digest what we have so far.
This is the verse I am reminded of.
Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death —even death on a cross!
Phil 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Offering, exultation, gift