The Biblical Kindle
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2 NASB
Nor take away – Moses’ statement makes it crystal clear that no one is to remove anything from God’s commands. The apostle John alludes to this prohibition in Revelation 22:18 in case you are interested in a New Testament version of the same idea. But let me ask you, “If you read the commandments of YHWH on a scroll in the 16th Century BCE, what would you see?”
Well, you would see the letters, of course. You would see the ink marks on the scroll. And you would know that not a single one of them could be removed. But what else would you see? You would see the empty spaces surrounding the letters, between the letters and above and below the letters. Are these not also part of the message of God to His children? Can I write a letter without creating a second, hidden alphabet made up of the shape of the spaces? This is what the rabbis call “white fire.” The Tanakh is black fire (the ink) written on white fire (the spaces). With this in mind, what does the command “nor take away” really mean? Is it possible to see the white fire of God’s hidden alphabet in any other form than the form of a Hebrew scroll?
We have often observed that the Hebrew aleph-bet is like the structural beams of a building. Each consonant provides a rigid framework upon which vowels are hung to produce various interiors (words). The framework stays in place no matter what vowels are hung on it. Thus various vowel pictures from the same consonant framework are related to each other even if the translations don’t seem to be. For example, womb (rahum) and compassion (raham) share the same consonant rigidity and are therefore related in some way. This seems quite clear and is the subject of much analysis.
But now we have white fire as well. The meticulous copying of scrolls ensures that the white fire is also maintained. So now we have a rigid black framework that presents another alphabet, an alphabet that can only be seen in contrast. Now more than ever we realize that Hebrew is a very special language for communicating what God wants to say. And we also realize that there is absolutely no way to translate this into any other language. There are no white fire dictionaries.
When Moses told the people not to add or take away, do you suppose he also meant, “Do not alter this text in any way that will reshape its white fire”? If he did, where does that leave the King James, the New American Standard, the Revised and the New International?
Topical Index: white fire, take away, Deuteronomy 4:2
Want more on this: http://www.bibliodrama.com/white-fire-black-fire-and-midrash/
I’m intrigued. Even perturbed. Do I now have to learn Hebrew to understand, grasp His Word? But there is no guarantee that if we could all read the original, we would understand,grasp it in exactly the same way. We will still end up walking in and living by “the truth” we understand!! And that happens now!!!??? And have those imperfect translation not – somehow – led many to HIM??? Every Blessing.
This is beautiful. A great reminder to be praying for God’s beloved people Israel who were given this “fire” in it’s totally original form and for The Counselor — the Spirit of Truth — to teach us, those that are not able to read the text in it’s original language, “all things” and “remind [us] of everything [Jesus has] said.”
Is it not true that God’s message to us is spiritual?
As Jesus said, “The words I speak to you are spirit,
and they are life.” Jn 6:63
Therefore, if God put a “hidden” alphabet in the shapes
of spaces between the characters of the Hebrew language,
would He be limited in doing so in other languages as well?
I have been working (albeit slowly) at learning Hebrew. There are many free resources online to learn the basics. For a long time I thought this would be really hard, but actually it isn’t. The hardest part is getting started.
The white fire is such an interesting concept. The more I learn about the pictures created in the written text the more I am in awe of our Lord and Creator. Seeing how words, in Hebrew, come together with other words, are made up of other words. It is incredible and beautiful. A magnificent work of art designed to transform the viewer. (reader)
Absolutely awesome….stretches the ‘fire’ within us and the flames begin to stretch and dance and flicker ……… and the LAND becomes more and more visible no matter how far away one lives…. todah rabah
There an App For That!
~ The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt ~ (Exodus 12.13)
(At Calvary) There, – to my heart – was the blood applied.. – glory to His Name!
~ for our God is a consuming fire ~ …(Hebrews 12.29)
~ But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. “He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.…(Malachi 3.2)
~ For You, God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver ~ (Psalm 66.10) You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You have brought us to a place of abundance(!) ~
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
Fear not, I AM with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I AM thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; – I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My Sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
~ Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me ~ (Psalm 23.4)
Language,…. sounds like something that helps define a kingdom and it’s people. It does sound strange to be “required to learn…” , but if we want to know the gospel which is the kingdom of heaven – perhaps we ought to re-double our efforts to learn the language. We expect the same of many of our immigrants to the U.S. – and Hebrew is an easier language! Reminds me of the Israelis who returned to rebuild the temple, it was not easy once the walls were broken down. Perhaps learning Hebrew can be our part in trying to lay a stone.
I’m trying to climb the mountain of the Hebrew language as well. How I wish I would have learned it starting thirty years ago!
Yeah, I’m with ya. I wish I started my exercise and flexibility plan 5 years ago too. But if God has a plan that includes restoring (at least in part) His image/kingdom on earth – well then,… learning Hebrew might be part of it, and then it’s exciting to be a part of what he is doing regardless of where in the journey we are.
Gabe,
I do believe it is part of his plan. What better way to learn about him than to open up the language he used as the vehicle to communicate his essence to us.
I just quite whining about it and jumped in. I certainly don’t regret it no matter how it challenges my aging abilities. It is totally captivating and very exciting to dig out the gems of the Hebrew language. It is much richer than the English and has so many deeper nuances and value to me.
It’s encouraging to hear of others like you that have jumped on the language learning adventure!
This IS digging into the spirit of YHWH’s Word, like in seeking His thoughts, and not simply reading the printed letters of the Word
particularly the translated versions!
It is the dealing of our spirits, and not according to how much we know, nor the lack of it.
Calev and Yahoshua both having the RIGHT spirit as they followed/obeyed the instructions of YHWH, being well aware in their spirits
what is pleasing to HIM, fully trusting HIM.
It IS the Spirit/Ruach of YHWH that gives/ministers life to His Word/instructions to us-ward.
It IS a progressive walk in this journey of trust IN YHWH. The more we seek after HIM, the more understanding we WILL have of/from HIM.
One step at a time, HE guides and leads us, to grow and mature.
Well, if Hebrew be the original language, jump in to it! Personally, it definitely IS!
It IS the language YHWH used in creation! And it IS the most wonderful, amazing language ever to be found.
Thank you, Skip, for A-Hebrew- word- a- day that draws us to a better understanding of the original Scriptural texts. That IS invaluable,
andso enriching to us.
Shalom! Happy seeking to all.
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