“but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you may not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:17 Surely Die – Hebrew handles emphasis by manipulating the structure of the language. Without punctuation, words are arranged in ways that draw attention to particular…
“I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your Torah is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 Delight – Hebrew has more than one word for pleasure and delight. Whenever we find more than one word for the same concept, we are challenged to discover the differences. Just as there are many words for…
And out of the ground YHWH made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. Genesis 2:9 Pleasant – When I visited the Prado in Madrid, I saw Titian’s painting of Adam and Eve in the Garden. You can see it here. You’ll notice that Titian does not…
and YHWH planted a garden in Eden Genesis 2:8 Eden – By the time Rousseau finished refurbishing the Garden of Eden, we all thought this Hebrew word referred to a tropical paradise filled with exotic plants and erotic delights. It’s time to leave all those images behind and look at the real word play involved…
You have given him his heart’s desire Psalm 21:2 Heart’s Desire – Did David really mean that God gave him whatever he wanted? Is it true that once we are obedient God will fulfill all our desires? Do we just have to “name it and claim it?” In the Psalms study group that I attend,…
As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3 Majestic Ones – Isn’t it nice to know that when we become His servants, God calls us majestic (or excellent). The way up is down. Down to the ground in humility and acknowledged…
