Some Oxford Insights
Here at Oxford University I visited the New College chapel. Â New College was founded about 1350AD. Â The original chapel is much younger. Â It was demolished by Henry VIII over a fight with the Catholics. Â The wall with the saints was rebuilt in 1787.
First, a picture of the entire chapel. Â Most people find it beautiful and impressive. Â Notice, if you can, that the bottom row of statues are the prophets, Moses in the center. Â Directly above Moses on the second row is the Virgin with Child and on the third row again directly above, the crucified Christ. Â Pay close attention.
Now we will take a closer look at the row of the prophets. Â Here is a closer picture. Â Notice anything?
And finally, a close-up of Moses holding the tablets. Â Now you will see something very unusual. Â What do you suppose this image really conveys? Â Why?
Moses as Satan incarnate. “Christ” & Christendom freed humanity from the evil Jewish laws.
Jews = evil, Christians = good
Oh my! Really? Where would they have gotton that from?
Didn’t you know the NT is anti Jewish
St Jerome translated the Latin Vulgate “his face was horned from the conversation with the Lord.â Ex 34:29. A lot of trouble from this choice of words. See this for an interesting take http://rabbiartlevine.com/Home/tabid/2652/ID/840/Ki-Tissa-Moses-Horns-Not-a-Mistranslation.aspx
Wow!! I just read through the link you provided. What an amazing example of how an original translation was contorted to be something evil and used against Jewish people. What Rabbi Levine addresses here is just thoroughly enlightening in regards to the horns on Moses!
My initial reaction was to think of Satan’s horns and to think of evil but as is demonstrated and I know this from scripture as well, horns were a symbol of power (think the book of Daniel). I see I am not close to being alone in my initial reaction. Most would tend to go there right away.
I am very thankful you posted this link and I hope others will take a look as well.
Shalom
Very interesting link. Thanks.
Thank you for the link. Definitely worth the read.
Thank you, David for the link, very informative.
I’ve always thought of it as authoritative, even the adversary’s horns, they both denote the same, but authority of different sorts!
Wow!!!
Omg!
Are those “devil horns” sticking out of Moses’ head?
STATUES, PAINTINGS, ETC, OFTEN PORTRAY MOSES LIKE THIS, THE BEST KNOWN & I THINK THE LARGEST STATUE WITH “HORNS”-IS “”MOSES BY MICHANGELO” IN THE CHURCH OF ST. PETERS AT ROME. WAS PRIVELEGED ONCE 50 YEARS AGO TO SEE IT. ALTHOUGH I HAD LITTLE APPRECIATION OF SUCH A MARVRELOUS WORK OF ART, AND ONLY A FEW MINUTES TO VIEW, AND WITH LITTLE AWARENESS OF ALL ENVOLED WITH SUCH GRANDUER; I STOOD AND WEPT. NOW SEEING WHAT SKIP HAS, ALREADY THIS EARLY I KNEW I HAD TO GET UP EARLY. WHEN I GOT TO THE COMPUTER AND WAS ABLE TO BEGIN TO DOWNLOAD THIS MANIFICENT GIFT FROM SKIP/AND OF COURSE A ZILLION OTHER PEOPLE THROUGH THE YEARS, I KNEW WHY I WAS SO AWAKE AT 4:30 A.M. TX TIME.
I WILL SPEND MANY HOURS STUDYING AGAIN, & RE THINKING THE BIBLE VERSES IN EXODUS 34, 35,36. chapter 35 has always been a favorite anyway. What a joyful day already for an 80 year old lady, alone after my husband making the great gap transition just three months ago–we were together 60 years. Alone, but NOT Alone. Thanks be to the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE AND HIS FOLLOWERS. LaVaye B.
Words fail me.
Hmmm…well, there must be something wrong with me. To me, that wall reminds me of catacombs for the dead! It is kinda creepy to look at and beautiful is not an adjective I would use to describe what I see here. I see a bunch of idols immortalized in stone. This is Catholic though and they practically deify Mary as well as the Saints so I am not really surprised.
What is up with the horns? I will check out your link David. I can see where that choice of words would lead to issues!!
I sure appreciate the bit of background on this picture Skip.
“catacombs for the dead! It is kinda creepy to look at and beautiful is not an adjective I would use to describe what I see here. I see a bunch of idols immortalized in stone…This is Catholic though and they practically deify Mary as well as the Saints so I am not really surprised.”
Dawn,
You are so right and you put it so “nicely.” Me? I was delivered out of the Catholic diabolical organism. They don’t “practically” deify Mary… they do deify her, period… under the control of the Pope, of course.
These pictures, to me, are completely creepy. I would have never gone into this building or any others like it. The “dome” or “WOMB” alone as seen from afar is enough to keep me away.
Ahhh, and then the halos on everybody… completely corrupt in every way but REVEALING… the evil sits right in the faces of all “christians” to contemplate.
While at the University of Salamanca, our history professor showed us the cathedral which has similar artwork. I don’t recall the word in Hebrew that was mistranslated ( maybe glory?) but the translator understood it to be “horn”, so this misconstrued concept has been perpetuated all over Europe throughout the centuries, I can see.
Startled…undeniable…corroborated…sadden…
I noticed the horns on Moses first and then the sun god “hats” on everyone. That always makes me cringe. Interesting that Moses and Yeshua both have the same “hat”.
The word “Horn” does imply anointing. Following what David above said,
Ex 34:29 “His face was horned (anointed).
It’s true, I have an old friend who spent some time in Arkansas and Oklahoma, and in one of the houses he stayed, in a child came up to him as asked to see his horns!!! First of all, it was incredibly audacious of the child, but more importantly, it speaks of a loathsome indoctrination. This was in the 1970’s in the U.S.
When my parents went on their honeymoon in St. Augustine, FL, 1948, they inadvertently took a picture of a sign outside the hotel that read “no Jews allowed”.
I live in NJ, near a seaside resort, founded by Methodists Charles and John Wesley. It was, for a long time, commonly understood that no Jews were allowed on the Island, even thought there was a large Jewish population nearby in Atlantic City. Fortunately, it is not that way now, but the Jewish population is always cautious, naturally, to come to Ocean City, which touts itself as “America’s Favorite Family Resort”.
This stuff is all around us, and has been for centuries. Christians have been taught or indoctrinated to turn a blind eye to the persecution. We need to wake up…
“the Jewish population is always cautious, naturally, to come to Ocean City, which touts itself as âAmericaâs Favorite Family Resortâ.”
My stomach turns in knots at this thought. BTW, kkk is still very much alive and active in the south (USA.) This is what we get when we follow a religion rather than the Messiah and His Way.
This indoctrination Cheryl speaks of is not something I was aware of in my heart of hearts until this year, while reading about the flood in preparation for a trip to the Creation Museum in Glen Rose, Texas, where the model of the ark was being presented.
I was reading my King James study bible. I always read the notes at the bottom of the page, prepared to pick thru the lies and glean whatever understanding I could. OH MY SAVIOR WAS WITH ME, SHINING LIGHT ON THE INDOCTRINATION! The note at the bottom of Gen 9:8-17 explained the editor’s viewpoint that “the Jews regarded the covenant between God and Noah as the basis of the relationship between God and all mankind” … and that “the Lord removed the clean-unclean distinction from food altogether under the New Covenant.” It gave as textual proof four NT addresses: Mark 7:15; Acts 10:15; 1 Tim 4:4, 5; and Titus 1:15. So I went to see how in the world each of those texts could actually undo Torah.
What Holy Spirit allowed me to experience was the perception that those who are hostile against Torah have about ME… As a person who was an atheist before accepting the call of our Messiah to know Abba Yah, I never sat under any indoctrinators. But that day, when I read the section of Titus in Chapter one, verses 10-16, I perceived that these verses are used to teach christians to revile those who uphold Torah. These verses are those that Peter said would be twisted by those who are blinded. These verses are, in the eyes of the christians taught to hate Torah and Jews, the very image they have of me… they think that I am a hypocrite, professing to know God but denying Him by works… they think I am abominable and disobedient and reprobate unto every good work… they think I am defiled and unbelieving because I give heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men (Moses) that turn me from the truth (of “grace”) and they think they should rebuke me sharply so that my mouth be stopped from subverting whole houses and teaching things which I ought not because I am of the circumcision and therefore unruly, vain talking and deceiving.
This was a blessing from El Elyon, to be given insight into how christians are programmed. I better understand why it is that unless Yahshua draw them and open their eyes they will not resonate with my preaching and teaching. Yet this must not stop me from sharing the truth in love. It does encourage me, however, to intercede at all times and to open my mouth ONLY when Holy Spirit moves me. It helps me to admit that there are swine in front of whom I am not to pour forth Yah’s pearls. These swine are good, for Yah created them for a purpose. They are not, however, for me to be yoked with.
Shalom to all who are in the world but not of it!
Hi Melissa,
Interesting blessing you received. The Holy Spirit has had quite a time teaching me that there is a time to open my and a time to keep it shut!!
Interestingly enough, the modern church really doesn’t allow this grace to exist with their programs and methods of saving souls as if a human can actually save a soul. What a grand delusion here. I don’t understand why the idea that you hammer away at a person or attempt to badger them to death to say that prayer is given so much credit. It clearly does not produce a lasting change at least in my experience.
Thanks for sharing.
Shalom to you as well.
My messianic Jewish tour guide told us that Jerome consulted a Rabb for the interpretation (probably because of the various meanings attached to the word). If the Rabbi said ‘horn’ he obviously did not explain the meaning of the idiom! It just goes to show that we need to study ALL the Scriptures to understand the parts! Scripture does explain Scripture if we would study!
Whether the word is translated “glory/radiance” or “horn = power” are not BOTH true of the Torah?!!
“we need to study ALL the Scriptures to understand the parts! Scripture does explain Scripture if we would study!” Amen!
Oh how I would love to KNOW Hebrew, not just the ancient language but the ways and thoughts of that culture. Then, to be able to translate BACK TO HEBREW the writings of today’s Bible translations, for my sake as well as the sakes of others, would be such a super amazing gift.
THANK YOU, SKIP, for trying to shed some light on stuff.
Daria,
Every time I read a TW’s, I feel the same way! I so wish I knew the ancient Hebrews ways, language and culture to be able to read the bible and translate it to it’s original language. But, praise G_d for Skip giving us these daily glimpses into the language and culture.
THANK YOU SKIP for the light you shed on these scriptures for us.
Thinking about this some more… Satin is portrayed with horns too. He was the “horned” cherub (anointed cherub).
What a great example of how the meaning of symbols can change over time and cultures. Thanks Skip
What Tanya said…great example…sigh sometimes I feel so ignorant đ
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
On so many sides- this is so wrong. As intricate and skilfull as the actual craftmanship is, it is in it’s entirety- “wrong!”
First. ~ you shall not make any graven idols.. ~ So what do we have here? Wrong # 1.
Second Mistake. Moses was a man, just like you and me. Do you wear a dinner plate over your head? (I hope not). Neither do I, yet we (all who are His) are “saints!” A saint (for those who would inquire) is nothing but a “saved sinner!” Not a lot of glory in that,- is there? And that is because ALL glory and ALL praise are not unto us, but unto His Name!- the Name that is above every name.
Mistake Number Three. It is the same mistake made when Peter proclaimed, “let us make three “booths” (or tabernacles) one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah. What’s so wrong with this? Christ was a man, yes. But, oh my friend.. there is far more to Him than meets the eye! Thoroughly human- through and through- but much, much more! For this Man, the Second adam, is the human face of God! The Word made flesh and living among us.
Mistake Number Four. Is the artist attempting to portray Moses as “evil?” – What’s up with the horns? Or is he (or she) saying the Law is “evil?” I’m thinking the artist (whoever they may have been) was commissioned (paid) to portray Moses in this way, unless, of course the artist himself funded the work! – Or worse yet.. – was he “forced” or “coerced” into portraying Moses in an “evil” light?
Mistake Number Five. The thousands(?), hundreds(?) of students who sat in this chapel and said nothing about this. Intimidation? Fear of reprisals? – this is horrid.
As the previous links suggest, this might be nothing more than another translation error. But it is a big one since the result communicates something far beyond a mistake about a word.
I see it also portraying Moses with his fingers on the commandments implying that that he was the author. The Law of Moses and not the Torah from/of God. Just yesterday I read a study claiming that Jesus disagreed with, broke and changed the Law of Moses and he had a right to because it was of Moses.
Yes, why indeed would the sculpture have added “horns” to Moses head? And why did the “church” not battle over that? Doesn’t Oxfod find it’s origins in Roman Catholicism?
Even if the mis-translation (?) was an attempt to ascribe power to Moses, the physical representation communicates more than that and the placement of Moses in this vertical chain also communicates. Why would the Church not object? Did theologians actually believe Moses has physical horns? Perhaps Jerome’s translation actually assisted the Church in separating Jews – especially Moses the giver of the Law – from Christians because it makes “Jews” aliens.
“Doesnât Oxfod find itâs origins in Roman Catholicism?”
I’m waiting for Skip’s explanation. Doesn’t “everything” after Constantine/Catholicism that is “mainline church” have its origins there?
We don’t need to wait until Constantine to see the influence of Hellenism and syncretism. It was already working by 160 AD, two hundred years before Constantine. What happened after Constantine is that the Church got the backing, authority and power of the Empire. That made a big difference in operations, but not in theology or philosophy.
And today we in the West, especially with our ties to the once Holy Roman Empire, are still products of this worldview. The Protestant Reformation changed some theological positions but did little to remove the basis anti-Semitism of the Church. If fact, it encouraged the anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism. Nearly all Christian theology from 300AD to 2000AD is based upon an implicit anti-Jewish platform.
“We donât need to wait until Constantine to see the influence of Hellenism and syncretism. It was already working by 160 AD, two hundred years before Constantine.”
Oh tell me more, please. Obviously, as we read the second testament (Not NEW) of the apostles (All Jewish or Proselytes to Judaism), we see the tares in the wheat hard at work.
Do you have some good reference materials that aren’t way high IQ technical but more “down-to-earth” explanations of what was going on around 160 AD?
Skip, I can’t tell from the picture for sure and tried looking up better images of it, but is that supposed to be God at the very top…or THE POPE?
According to Strong’s Hebrew lexicon, the first meaning of “horn” is as a symbol of power.
The bull has horns, he is a symbol of power and courage
Moses is a bull
Michelangelo’s David is beautiful, but Moses is durable
Moses has two beautiful hands that contain two tablets
And ten elegant, beautiful, fingers
He is framed by two columns
With two arches above his head
And two horns
And one halo
God is other to us
He is one
We are two
Two choices
Tov or Hara
In her book The Horned Moses in Medieval Art and Thought (Los Angeles, UC Press, 1970), Ruth Mellinkoff describes how prominent this âmistranslationâ became in depicting Jews physically, as well as metaphysically, as being in league with the Devil. Of course, the best known â but certainly not only — example of this depiction is Michelangeloâs magnificent Moses.
Most commentators have simply said that Jerome mistranslated âkerenâ as âhornedâ rather than âradiant.â But Bena Elisha Medjuck, a McGill University Department of Jewish Studies graduate student, offered a more complex explanation in his 1988 thesis âExodus 34:29-35: Mosesâ âHornsâ in Early Bible Translation and Interpretation.â
[1] Medjuck explains that Jerome was well-acquainted both with the variant meanings of âkerenâ and with the prevailing translation of his contemporary Jewish scholars â with whom he consulted! Jerome chose the âhornedâ translation as metaphor faithful to the text: a depiction of Mosesâ strength and authority, and a glorification of the Lord! Jerome even explained this in his accompanying commentary!
Hmmm
My son’s middle name is Ciaren
It’s because the word karan or similar can mean horns or light emitting.
Woah. That’s… incredibly disturbing.
I get what people are saying about it being about strength, etc. But, I wonder if the average person who goes there and sees this knows about that. I’d imagine that the typical visitor has a very different interpretation of that statue.
Pretty but sickening.
The commissioner of this fantasy rejected the book of Hebrews along with the rest of the scriptures, identifying Moshe with horns and representing Yahshua our King as a babe presented by his own mother for sacrifice at the hands of bishops and angels for worship of the pope. Wow.
the word glory was Mis-translated in the early centuries to be horns and that’s where Michelangelo and other artists started sculpting horns on Moses.
I appreciate this historical observation, which was also confirmed by others, although it was probably NOT a mis-translation but rather a choice of translation possibilities. But now think about the sculptural interpretation. Do men really have horns? What else might have motivated this representation?