Lesson 12: Hey words

ה

In this lesson we will learn some words and names with the Hebrew letter ה.  We learned in our previous lesson that this is letter is called "Hey" and has gradually evolved to become more like the English E.  However, it is a silent letter like H.

Let us take a look at the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17, starting with verse 4, where you will see the Hebrew word Hinneh translated as "Behold."  Here is what Adonai told Abram:

"As for me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer will you be called Abram (Exalted Father), but Abraham (Father of Many) because I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fertile (fruitful), I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.  I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting (permanent) possession. I will be your Elohim."  Elohim said further to Abraham, "Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.  This is how you are to be faithful to my promise: Every male among you is to be circumcised.  You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you...  (here Elohim explains more about circumcision for infant males)... Don't call your wife by the name Sarai anymore. Instead, her name is Sarah (Princess).  I will bless her, and I will also give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become a mother of nations, and kings will come from her."

Notice, what exactly changed?  The Hebrew letter "Hey" or ה  was added in the names of Abram and Sarai.  Abram becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah. What else changed for Abraham and his wife, Sarah?  Not only their names but Elohim made a permanent promise, a covenant between Him and His generations which is still valid to this very day.  Altogether, Elohim gave Abraham six important promises: 1) covenant  2) change of names  3) numerous descendants and nations 4) descendants who will become kings   5) land of Canaan and 6) circumcision.  In some of the most important prophetic announcements of Biblical events, the word "Behold" is often written in advance of a "new" thing to happen.

Many years later, Elohim again repeated the same promises, taking them to new spiritual level.  Abraham not only become the Father of many nations but also their perfect example to those Gentiles of what it means to be completely faithful. Let us take a look at how all 6 promises became fulfilled:

A NEW COVENANT

"Behold, the time coming," declares Adonai, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,  It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares Adonai.  "But this is the promise that I will make to Israel after those days," declares Adonai: "I will put my teachings inside them, and I will write those teachings on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.  (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

A NEW HUMANITY

Yet, it was Adonai's will to bruise him and cause him to suffer. When Adonai has made his life a sacrifice for our wrongdoings, he will see his descendants (offspring, seed) for many days. The will of Adonai will prosper in his hand.  (Isaiah 53:10)

We know that Yeshua fulfilled most of the prophecies written by Isaiah and other prophets concerning his first coming.    Anyone who believe in Yeshua as his Messiah become born again "from above" and therefore become His spiritual descendants, destined to live in the New Kingdom. ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  (Colossians 3:10)

According to the promise from our Almighty Father, through Yeshua, we will become a new "humanity."  Whoever is a believer in Messiah is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. Behold! A new way of living has come into existence.  (2 Corinthians 5:17)  The new humanity in other English versions is also called the "new self,"  "new man,"  "new person," "new creation,"  "new creature," or "one new man."

Other verses use words like masterpiece or workmanship, for example in Ephesians 2:10-16: For we are God's masterpiece (or workmanship), created in Yeshua HaMashiach to do good works that Elohim prepared long ago to be our way of life.  Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--remember that at that time you were separate from Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without Elohim in the world. But now, in union with the Yeshua HaMashiach, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, He rendered the law inoperative, along with its commandments and regulations, thus creating in himself one new humanity from the two, thereby making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to Elohim through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

FRUITFULNESS

At the unveiling of Yeshua HaMashiach, the apostle John saw a vision of the innumerable multitudes of people.  Revelation 7:9  After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands. 

LAND

Zechariah 10:10 Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me. They and their children will survive, and they will return.  I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria.  I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be room enough for them.

Isaiah 11:11  Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel,  and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Hosea 11:11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses, declares the LORD.

Micah 7:12  It will be a day when they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, from Egypt even to the Euphrates, even from sea to sea and mountain to mountain.

MANY KINGS

Revelation 1:5-6  And from Yeshua HaMashiach, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 20:6  Blessed and holy are those who share in the First Resurrection. The Second Death has no power over them, but they shall be priests to God and to Christ, and shall be kings with Christ for the thousand years. (Most English versions say "reign" with Him, same concept, different words.)

CIRCUMCISION

Romans 2:29 Rather, a person is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, brought about by the Spirit, not by a written law. That person's praise will come from God, not from people. 

A NEW NAME

Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

What an AWESOME Creator we serve!  First He fulfilled his promise to Abraham by making him fruitful.  The exalted father became the father of a multitude of nations.  Throughout the history of humankind, these nations fought wars with each others.  Then Elohim sent his only Son so that through Him we can become reconciled, not only to Elohim himself but to each other.  Only though His son can peace finally be achieved and nations will stop bloodshed.  Just as Elohim gave Abraham and Sarah new names, so He will do for us if we are faithful to the end.  Just as Abraham and Sarah, who were already of "old age" became renewed through His promises and with  with the letter ה embedded in their new names... so are we as a new creation, a new humanity, His final masterpiece, a workmanship to BEHOLD!  This new creation is an ongoing process which will become fully manifest upon His second coming. 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."  He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alef and the Tav, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 21:4-6)

------------------------------------

Copyright.  All rights reserved.  Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons.  Thank you.

------------------------------------

Lesson 11: Hebrew Hey

ה
This is the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called "Hey" and pronounced like an E or הא.
It also represents the number 5.
It means, "Behold."  Also to show or to reveal.
It is also "the" prefix added before any noun.
If this letter is added at the end of a word, it become a feminine noun.
"Behold" is a word that is very common in our Scriptures,
meaning that our Elohim wants us to pay attention.
During proto-canaanite time, this letter originally looked like a man with his hands lifted up.

Let us take a look at some passages.  The word behold is often used when our Almighty Father is trying to get our attention to some very important matter... this particular passage is Jeremiah is significant because the sign of Yeshua, the Alef and Tav, the beginning and the end, is there in verse 7!  (Shown in red letters)  The first letter of verse 6, starts with Behold, or pronounced as "hinni" or הנני which is also another word for Behold, and it starts with the same letter, Hey ה.  Note an interesting thing happens, something that not many of us realize.  There are 3 similar words that are repetitive for emphasis (this is called Redundancy): health, healing, I will heal.  What does it mean?  Our Father is  to revealing to us that peace and truth brings healing.  Our study of His word, His truth, is what brings healing!

Jeremiah 33:6-7
Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.
הנני מעלה לה ארכה ומרפא ורפאתים וגליתי להם עתרת שלום ואמת׃
I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel and will rebuild them as they were at first.
והשבתי את שבות יהודה ואת שבות ישראל ובנתים כבראשנה׃

Yeshua told his disciples, his talmudim (the Hebrew words for students or disciples) in John 8:32:  "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  Free from what?  From the hold that sins and diseases have on our lives.  The discovery of God's truth during your time of study and devotion is what brings healing to your body.

There's more!  Read on to verse 7, Elohim promised also that He will restore our fortunes!  Long time ago, about 3,000 years, Israel as a nation was at the height of its glory.  It was wealthy and prosperous.  Can you imagine our Almighty Father actually restoring all this?  There's hope for us yet!  Since the return of the captives in 1945, Israel has gradually became a prosperous nation.  For a small country, its technological growth has been amazing in such a short time, compared to its larger neighbors. 

I hope this lesson has been a blessing for you.  Next we will learn to read words with the letter Hey.  Have a blessed weekend!

------------------------------------
Copyright.  All rights reserved.  Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons.  Thank you.
------------------------------------

Lesson 10: Dalet Words

ד

This is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called Dalet, pronounced D.
It means door, path, pathway, way of life, or journey.
Let us take a look at some words with the letter Dalet.

It is interesting to note that there are not many words in Hebrew that start with D.  On the other hand, there are more words that end with D.  In this lesson, we will learn 3 words with the letter Dalet:  perish, garment and religion.

אבד
This Hebrew word is pronounced, "abad" as a verb:
It means to perish, to lose oneself, to wander away, or to destroy.
http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/6.htm
Also as a noun it is pronounced, "obed"
It means destruction or ruin.  http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/8.htm

There are 4 different ways to understand this word "obed."
1) If you remember, we learned the letters א and ב from previous lessons.  Alef=One and Beth=House or Body.  If you add all 3  words אבד together you get, One+Body+Path, then you get the idea of a person who wander away or who lose himself/herself.
2) The letter א Alef also represents Strength or the strength one get from Elohim (God).  "Obed"=Strength+Body+Path.  Therefore you get a picture of someone whose strength from Elohim has left or wandered away from the body.  The body is just a place for the soul to dwell in... it is our "house."  Philippians 4:13 says: I can do everything through Messiah who gives me strength.  http://bible.cc/philippians/4-13.htm
3) "Obed" can also be interpreted as two words: אב as Father + ד as path, then you get another meaning: to wander away from the Father.  What is the result of wandering away from the Father?  It leads to destruction and death.  Going back to the Father means reconciliation through Yeshua.

בגד
This Hebrew word is pronounced, "beged" (as a noun)
It means a garment, clothing, robe, covering or wardrobe.
Depending on some context, it also means rags or treachery.
It is Strong's concordance #899.
http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/899b.htm

If you put all 3 meanings of each letter together you get, Body+Benefit+Path.  This is a picture of the naked body being benefited or "lifted up" to become a way of life.  This is interesting since clothing is such a big part of our lifestyle.

In Genesis, Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves.  Elohim showed Adam and Eve how to make garments His way, from the skin of animals... although the passage is not obvious, this is the very first time Elohim showed them how to kill an animal... the very first shedding of blood after the beginning of creation... you can imagine how horrified Adam and Eve must have been, seeing blood and violence done for the first time since the creation of the universe.  Elohim was teaching them the consequences of their rebellion.  By showing them how to sacrifice the animals, Elohim was preparing all their future generations to understand the need for blood as a substitute for atonement.  This practice become a way of life for the people of Elohim that eventually pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah.  In conclusion, by covering Adam and Eve's naked bodies, they are therefore "lifted up."

In Genesis 24, we learn that Abraham sent his servant to look for a bride for his son Isaac.  When he met the bride to be, the servant brought out silver and gold jewelry and garments and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave expensive gifts to her family.  Although there are different Hebrew words for garments or clothing, this particular verse is translated as "beged" or בגד from Strong's Concordance #899. This story of Rebekah and Isaac is a prophetic picture of the Bride of Messiah getting ready to meet Yeshua, the bridegroom at the end of this age.  http://biblos.com/genesis/24-53.htm

In Matthew 22 there is a parable of the marriage feast in which a man is caught coming to the wedding without his wedding garment and is thrown out.

In the book of Revelation, we see His righteous servants and saints wearing white garments, white symbolizing purity, righteousness and holiness.  (Revelation 3:18, 7:9, 16:15 and 22:14.)

Another very good example of how the word "beged" is used:  The prophet Ezekiel proclaimed judgment to Jerusalem for her disobedience, for going after false idols and other despicable practices.  It is interesting to note that Ezekiel, being also servant of Elohim did the opposite of what Abraham's servant did for Rebeccah.  Ezekiel 16:39  "I will also give you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your shrines, demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare."  Again, this is the same Hebrew word, "beged" from Strong's Concordance #899.  As a consequence, the people of Israel were stripped of their covering, their enemies took their land and their wealth, took the people captive and Israel became a scattered nation for a time.  Elohim "brought Jerusalem down" which is the opposite of "lifted up."  The nakedness or "shame" of Jerusalem was set for a time until that nation came back from captivity in the year 1945 and Jerusalem came into the hand of the Jewish nation more completely in 1967.   http://biblos.com/ezekiel/16-39.htm


דת
Pronounced "dath" this is the modern Hebrew word for religion,
but in the Old Testament, it is translated as "law" or "decree."
This is one of the few words that begins with D.
Here we have a ד Dalet and a ת Tav, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet which means a sign.
Put this 2 letters together:  Doorway+Sign, then you get the idea of a "pathway or doorway that leads to the sign."
In previous lesson, we learned that Yeshua the Messiah is the sign from Elohim.  In the gospel of John 14:6, Yeshua answered someone, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me."   He also said that if you knock at the door, He will answer.  In conclusion, the Hebrew word religion, or דת means "the way to Yeshua."

Stay alert and learn!  Keep studying the Holy Scriptures.  Revelation 16:15  Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.

I pray this lesson has been very blessed for you!  Have a good week and don't forget to continue your next lesson with the Hebrew letter "Hey."

------------------------------------
Copyright.  All rights reserved.  Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons.  Thank you.
------------------------------------

Lesson 9: The Hebrew Dalet

ד

This is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

This is D in Hebrew.

It is called "Dalet"

During proto-Canaanite period, this letter used to look like the flap of skin that people used to hang over the entry of their house, (long before the invention of a door) or like a flap or covering in front of tent.

During the early Hebrew-Phoenician period, the letter used to look like a triangle.

It has several meanings:  A door, a path or a way of life.  It also signifies movement into something or out of something.  Also: a leaf or a page.

It is also represents the number 4.

In researching the history of the development of the Jewish star, some people think the star developed from the letter D when it used to look like a triangle.  The name "David" has 2 letters D, which is why the Jewish star is called the "Star of David" because that star looked like 2 triangles overlapping on each other, one triangle pointing up and the other down. 

Here are some example of the symbolic use of Dalet, door or path:

1 Corinthians 16:9 The apostle Rabbi Shaul (Saul of Tarsus) says: But I will stay on at Ephesus until Shavout (Pentecost), because a great door to do effective work has opened to me. 

Elohim commands us to commit His Word to our hearts.  Deuteronomy 11:18, 20 Therefore, you should impress these words of mine on your heart and in your soul, bind them on your hand for a sign, and marked on your forehead .... Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

The Israelite on the eve of their departure from Egypt, on the night of Angel of death is to strike the firstborn of Egypt, are commanded to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their door posts to protect themselves: Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the bowl of blood and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the door frame. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.  In that manner, the Lord protected and passed over them.

The door to Yeshua is always open and He is always ready to fellowship with those whose hearts are open to him:  Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

What happens when the door to heaven is shut? This is not something we would want to contemplate:  Matthew 25:10-13 While they (the foolish bridesmaids) were buying oil, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids (the wise ones) who were ready went with him into the wedding hall, and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids arrived and said, "Lord, lord, open up for us!"  But he answered them, "I don't even know who you are!" Therefore, stay awake, because you don't know the day or the hour.

In Revelation 4:1, the apostle John saw a door in Heaven:  After these things, behold, I saw a door standing open in heaven. I heard the first voice like a trumpet speaking to me. It said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this."

Isn't it a little strange to see a door in the sky?  It is an unusual place for a door!  This should be interpreted symbolically to mean that John has found a "path" to the throne of Elohim (God) and been allowed to see things no other human have been able to see.

What path (door) have you chosen? Yeshua is the way (path), the truth and the life.  He is the Lamb of Elohim.  His blood was sprinkled on the stake (doorpost) for us.  When we accept Him in our hearts, which symbolize our very one personal doorways, it is His blood that washes away our sins and makes us into a new creation.  There are only two paths in everyone's life.  One path is life and the other path is death.  Let us chose wisely. Hallelujah!  Thanks Elohim for teaching us about the letter Dalet.  In our next lesson, we will review Dalet with a few names and words.

------------------------------------

Copyright.  All rights reserved.  Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons.  Thank you.

Lesson 8: Supplemental Hebrew Lesson

Before we move on to the next Hebrew alphabet letter, I would like to review what we have learned so far and add some important point about the Hebrew language.

Let's review our lessons so far:
א  This is Alef, the first letter of Hebrew alphabet
ת This is Tav, the last letter of Hebrew alphabet
את  This is the Alef and the Tav, the firs and the last, representing Yeshua.
ב This is Bet, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet
אב This is Abba, Father
ג  This is Gimel, the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
גא  This is gah, meaning pride.

We have learned that the most important reason for learning Hebrew is because some Biblical passage cannot be properly translated such as Revelation 22.13 in which Yeshua says He is the Alef and the Tav.  Our English (and other translated languages) Bibles do not show this.  By studying the Hebrew text, we can find the Alef and the Tav in the first verse of Genesis: In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth.  Yeshua has always pre-existed with the Father.  Alef Tav is the fourth word in the verse, a word that does not have a translation because according to the ancient Hebrew sage and scribes, it is considered a sign.  It is THE SIGN of Yeshua himself that the ancient oracles of Israel have prophecied.   All this is explained in our previous 3rd lesson, the Alef and the Tav.

In our previous lesson, we learned the powerful meaning of people's names.  Not only should we learn new words in Hebrew, but the names too.  A name can be a good description and characteristic of a person.  For example, the name Moses or Moshe, means drawn out from the water.  Why? Because Pharaoh's sister found him floating on the water and saved his life and thus named him so.  The name Goliath mean 'uncovered' in Hebrew.  What did we uncover or discover in our last lesson on Gimel?  That the story of Goliath and David is a prophetic picture that is symbolic of the end of the age.  Where was Goliath hit?  One the forehead.  It is familiar to the very first prophecy of Genesis 3:15:  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.  (Please note: this is not an attempt to convince you to use the true name of Elohim with the tetragrammaton, YHWH, which is a completely different topic we will not go into.  Nobody really knows how that name is pronounced and only the Kohen priesthood 2,000 years ago were allowed to use that name.  Since the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. and the scattering of the Israelites, that verbal knowledge has been lost. It is enough to understand the characteristics of Elohim, which are in His name.  When the time is right, Adonai will tell us the sound of His name but in the meantime, we will not elaborate on this subject.)

Here are more insights into the importance of names.  Let us take a look at the first genealogy of Adam in Genesis chapter 5.  Normally, people tend to gloss over these parts, a list of names can be very boring.  It reminds us of the daily roll calls during school homerooms.  You might think it is not very "practical" part of our Bible study but let's see what we can do to change that attitude. 

Let us take all the names from this genealogy and give each their meaning:
Adam=earthy man
Seth=to place
Enosh=frail flesh
Kenan=house, fixed habitation
Mahalalel=praise of Elohim
Jared=descent
Enoch=teaching
Metuselah=when he is dead, it will be sent
Lamech=powerful one
Noah=comfort

Finally, let's put all these meanings together to make a prophecy:

Earthy man was placed in frail flesh as his habitation.  The praise of Elohim will descend to teach.  When he is dead, it will be sent, the powerful one, the comforter. 

There you have it!  This genealogy is a prophetic picture of Yeshua.  I don't know about you, but this give me goose bumps!!!  This is the kind of devotional study that gets my heart racing and more motivated than ever to learn Hebrew!  It makes me fall in love with Elohim all over again.  He is so good! 

Romans 11:33 Oh, how deep are God's riches, wisdom and knowledge! How unfathomable are his decisions and unexplainable are his ways!

Job 15:8  Do you hear the secret counsel of God, and limit wisdom to yourself?

HalleluYah!  Our next lesson is Dalet. 

------------------------------------
Copyright.  All rights reserved.  Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons.   Thank you.
------------------------------------

Lesson 7: Gimel words

ג
In this lesson, we will learn some words and names with the letter Gimel ג in it. 
Gimel is one of the least alphabet letters used in the Hebrew language.  It is not common. 

FIRST INSTANCE OF "GIMEL" IN GENESIS:
The first word with ג in the Genesis does not appear until 16 verses later, in the word "great" in the passage where Elohim created two great lights, the sun being the greater light and the moon being the lesser light. It is pronounced, "gadol" or "hagadol,"  הגדל   It is Strong's #1419:   http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/1419.htm  This is the same word used to describe the greatness of Elohim, or our High Priest Yeshua, "Cohen HaGadol."  To verify, check the Hebrew interlinear text analysis for this psalm:   http://biblos.com/psalms/77-13.htm

Psalm 77:13  Your way, O Elohim, is holy; What god is great like our Elohim?

CHARACTERS OR PERSONS WITH GIMEL IN THEIR NAMES:
גלית  Goliath
Everyone remembers the story of Goliath, the giant David killed. Giants are mentioned several times in the scriptures. However, 3 times, they are mentioned in confrontations with the Israelites.  The first instance, they were the offspring of the Sons of Elohim and Daughters of Men. The term, "Sons of Elohim" is applied to beings who were created directly from Elohim, like angels and archangels.  These beings left their own habitation to come to earth because they saw and desired the earth women.  These unions produced a race of giants, the Nephilim who wrecked havoc on the earth and grieved the Holy One.  The earth was filled with violence, chaos and rebellion and thus was the reason Elohim wiped them all out with a great flood.  Except of course, for the faithful Noah, his family and all life in the ark.  (Genesis 6:4)

The second time, giants are mentioned is in Numbers and Deuteronomy, as the descendants of the Anakim, which the 12 spies sighted in the Holy Land.  Two spies gave good reports, saying that the Israelites can conquer the land but the other ten spies were afraid of the giants and spread bad reports among the community of Israelites, causing rebellion and dissension.  As a result of their lack of faith, the Israelites were forced to endure 40 more years of wilderness until the older generations passed away.  The Israelites were later able to conquer the land of the giants, Bashan and Argob, from King Og. (Deut. 3:11).  That portion of the land was given to one of the Israelite tribe, Manasheh.  Joshua 11:22 There were no Anakim (giants) left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod some remained.

The story of Goliath is the third time that giants are mentioned in conflict with Israel.  Goliath was a Philistine giant from Gath, a later remnant of those not killed by Joshua.  He was 9 to 10 feet tall, he defied the God of the Israelite army, taunting, shouting and challenged them to fight him.  The Israelite army was too terrified of him until young David shows up.  As recorded in 1 Samuel 17:

David said to the Goliath “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Adonai Almighty, Elohim of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 
...Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him....
...When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.
...Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath...
And many years later, David and his warriors went on to kill more of these giants, the descandants of Rapha in Gath, one of whom was Goliath's brother.  (1Chronicles 20:8)

Notice the name Gath: a Philistine city meaning, "wine press."  You already learned the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Tav.  גת (Reading from right to left, gimel and tav). 

Let us study another character, Gabriel:
גבריאל
Gabriel means Man of Elohim, he is the angel who stands in the presence of Elohim.  This Archangel (meaning chief angel) has appeared to 3 people: the prophet Daniel, Mary the mother of Yeshua, and Zechariah the father of Yochanan the Baptist.  Gabriel serves a different purpose than the archangel Michael who is called the Prince of Israel.  While Gabriel also fights spiritual battles with Michael, his main purpose is to bring good news to the people of Elohim.  In fact, the Hebrew word for angel, malak, means messenger, ambassador, envoy, prince. 

Luke 1:19 The angel answered and said to him (Zechariah), "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of Elohim, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news." 

Daniel 10:13 (Gabriel speaking) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the princes of Persia.

Goliath and Gabriel are in sharp contrast to each other.  Goliath curses, Gabril blesses and brings good news.  While Goliath is defiant and stand against Elohim, Gabriel stands in the presence of Elohim.  While Goliath challenged the Israelites, blocking them out of land of promises, Gabriel blessed the prophet Daniel with understanding of the vision about the end of the age--a time when the exile ends and the people of Elohim are brought back to Mt Zion for the final time, never again to be forced out.  (Note: The name Goliath is very similar to the word galut, which mean exile.)

The story of David overcoming Goliath, is a prophetic picture of the second coming of Yeshua and his people overcoming giant obstacle (when the odds were not in their favor) and defeating all the nations who stand against Elohim at the end of the age:

Revelation 19:15 Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he (Yeshua) should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress (gath) of the fierceness of the wrath of Elohim, the Almighty.
Isaiah 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing."


SOME WORDS WITH GIMEL:
Proud, pride
 גא   or  גאה
Here the word pride is pronounced as "ga-ah."  It spells with Gimel and Alef.
It means "to lift up strength."
In our previous lesson, we learned that Gimel means lifted up. 

James 4:10  Humble yourselves before Adonai, and he will lift you up.
Proverbs 16:18  Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Job 5:11 So that He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Luke 1:52  He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
James 4:6  "Elohim is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

The story of Lucifer is about a fallen angel.  He fell because of his pride.  He tried to lift himself up (gimel) or to "ascend" higher but the Holy One cast him out. 
Isaiah 14:12,13  How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!  You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of Elohim; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain."

Let us ask ourselves:  Are we lifting up our own strength or are we lifting up the name of Elohim?  Are we happy with what Adonai has given us?  Is our pride גא getting the better of us?  Do we cultivate an attitude of humility?  Do we seek Him in all things always?  Do we sow discord among our brothers and sisters or do we seek to love and unite each other in one Spirit, one Mind, one Body?  Do we bless others?  Do we make our best to emulate the characters of Gabriel, blessing His people with understanding, lifting them up at their time of distress?  Are we doing our best to bring the good news of Yeshua to our friends and neighbors as ambassadors or messengers? 

Those who are humble and gentle in spirit are able to bring the good news to the nation.  They shall be lifted up. HalleluYah!

Don't forget to keep up with the lesson for next week, we will learn the 4th letter of Hebrew alphabet, Dalet.  Have a blessed week!

Copyright.  All rights reserved.  Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons.  Thank you.

Lesson 6: Hebrew Gimel

ג

This is the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called "Gimel"
The letter looks like the profile of a man walking with his head bowed down.
During proto-canaanite period, this letter was carved on tablets to look like a camel.
It has several meanings:
-a camel
-benefited or lifted up
-to return someone
-to repay, to requite or to reciprocate, to recompense
-to deal fully or adequately
-brought
-reward
-ripening
-weaned
-to toil
It also represents the number 3.

In the story of Genesis 24, Abraham sent his servant to look for a wife for Isaac back from his own homeland. The servant took 10 camels and many gifts for the bride-to-be. He met the young Rebekah as she was going to the well to get water. After he prayed that she be the one, the girl gave him and his camels water. It was common in those days to purchase a bride from her father with many fine gifts. Rebekah turned out to be a relative of Abraham... she went with her maids and Abraham's servant to become Isaac's wife.

This story has all the elemental meanings of the letter Gimel:
The number 10 of camels, means completion.
Abraham's servant compensated the family of Rebekah with gifts.
He paid for the full price of the bride.
The servant returned to Abraham with the bride-to-be.
The bride rode the camel and was brought to Isaac.
Isaac benefited a wife and was lifted up.
The young girl was weaned from her family.
The servant's toil was done.

HalleluYah! How comforting it is to know that אב cares about us! As His body and His bride, Yeshua being the head of this body of believers, we will be taken care of. Yeshua, our bridegroom, the alef and the tav, את has paid the full price by the shedding of His blood on that stake. He was lifted up and carried to heaven until a certain time. Everyday we learn to humble ourselves so that אב can lift us up! He has given us spiritual gifts to equip us to grow the Kingdom of Elohim. We look forward when we can be brought to the Messiah as a pure Bride, full of joy and triumph! Meanwhile we have the Holy Spirit to comfort us. Until His coming again, the work of the Holy Spirit is not done. It remains for us to be weaned from the world with all its attractions and distractions. The more we are weaned from the world, the more we grow or ripen under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What an extraordinary beautiful romantic story between Yeshua and his people! Amen!

Let's review our lessons so far:
א This is Alef, the first letter of Hebrew alphabet
ת This is Tav, the last letter of Hebrew alphabet
את This is the Alef and the Tav, representing Yeshua
ב This is Bet, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet
אב This is Abba, Father
ג This is Gimel, the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet

Don't forget to keep up with the lesson for next week, we will learn some words with Gimel. Have a blessed week!

Copyright. All rights reserved. Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons. Please do not forward. Thank you.

Lesson 5: Hebrew Alef & Bet

Let's review: This is Alef א and this is Bet ב.
We also learned about the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Tav ת.
Let's put together two letters, reading from right to left:
אב

Alef and Bet: these two letters, read from right to left is pronounced ABBA. This is an affectionate term for Father, like the word Daddy. The more formal word, Father is pronounced AHV. Sometime this same word is spelled by adding another Alef at the end, it is also a affectionate term:
אבא

Genesis 17:5 (Elohim said to Abram) No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be Abraham , for I have made you a father of many nations.

ABram=exalted father
ABraham=father of many nations

Remember the meaning of the letter Alef?
It means Strong, Leader, Gentle, First, like an Ox.
Bet means house, family or household.
Putting together these 2 letters, Abba symbolizes: First strong leader of the house/family.
It means Abba is our creator! He gave us life and He was always there before everything was!

John 5:26 For as the Father is the source of Life, he has enabled the Son to be the source of life too.
John 1:4 In him (Yeshua) was life, and that life was the light of men.

If you switch the letter around, with Bet first, Alef second:
בא
It means, "Come"
Let's have some fun and make a sentence! Remember to read from left to right:
אבא בא
It means "father is coming." (It reads like ABA BA). Don't worry about the pronunciation, we will learn this later. As Deaf people, we can learn to read it first and learn to speak it later.

Let's read this new word: It read, "BT" Bet, Tav
בת
It is pronounced BAHT and it means: daughter.

Zechariah 2:10: Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," declares Adonai.

See if you can find the Hebrew words "daughter" and "coming" in this verse:
http://biblos.com/zechariah/2-10.htm
or here in the interlinear Bible:
http://interlinearbible.org/zechariah/2.htm
(this link show all of chapter 2, you need to scroll down to verse 10)

Here is another word to learn:
תאב
The letter Tav is before Alef and Bet. Tav is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet but here Tav comes before Father. It shows that people who are greedy put their own interest ahead of other people and ahead of Elohim. This interesting word means "greedy." (Note: there are 2 Hebrew words for greed, this is one of the two words).

Proverb 1:19. This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. Greed takes away his life.

We know that greed, jealousy, envy and unjust gain are actions that come from coveting things we don't have and these actions completely ignore the Father's heart. As the Hebrew word greed תאב demonstrate, we should not put our own desire before that of the Father's. Let our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving for what אבא has done for us! Our אבא is the source of all life and if we trust Him, He fulfill all our needs! HalleluYah! Let's us be like the daughter בת of Zion and rejoice for He is coming בא in glory very soon!

In this lesson, we learned that Abba, our Father is the giver of life but greed does the opposite, it takes away anyone's life.

I hope you have fun learning Hebrew. Next lesson, we will go on to the third letter of the alphabet!

Copyright. All rights reserved. Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons. Thank you.

Lesson 4: Hebrew Bet

This is the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called "Bet" or "Beth" and it looks like this:
ב
During proto-canaanite time long ago, this letter originally looked like a house or a tent.
This letter symbolizes: House, Tent, or a Family or Household.
It also means the number 2. Alef is 1.
It also symbolizes "INside, within or amid."
This letter still looks like a house... you can see the floor in the straight horizontal line, the wall and the ceiling. The empty space at the left is the entry or door. It is always open, never closed!

Bet is ALSO the first letter of Genesis 1:1 from Beresh't. IN the beginning.... you don't have to understand the whole Hebrew, just find the first letter on the right! (Remember Hebrew is read from right to left)

בראשית ברא אלהים את השמימ ואת הארץ
HAERETZ VAT HASHAMAYIM AT ELOHIM BRAH BERESH'T
the earth. and the Heavens --- God created In the beginning

The House of our Father is where everything began.
Let's take a look at scriptures to get some hints of the importance of Bet:
John 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
John 3:3-6:
In reply Yeshua declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of Elohim unless he is born again.... I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of Elohim unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
2 Corinth 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 11:13-14
I am the Alef and the Tav, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the gates into the city."

So imagine yourself as a little person standing next to the letter Bet ב near the door waiting to enter the Kingdom of Elohim! You stand ready to enter the gate into the Holy City as a born again believer filled with the Spirit of Elohim, because you trusted Yeshua who is the mediator between two different worlds, the heavenly and the physical. In order to enter this Kingdom, we must let Yeshua enter into our hearts first. He is in us and we are in Him. Thank you Elohim for your grace and the free gift of salvation that is Yeshua!

Copyright. All rights reserved. Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons. Please do not forward. Thank you.

Lesson 3: Hebrew Alef & Tav

את

During our first two Hebrew lessons, we learned about the first and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Alef and the Tav. Yeshua is the Alef and the Tav, the beginning and the end, according to the text of Revelation 22:13.

According to the apostle John, Yeshua was in the beginning. Let's read John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim (God), and the Word was Elohim. He was with Elohim in the beginning.

Where can we find Yeshua in the book of Genesis? Where in the Old Testament is he mentioned as the Alef and Tav? This is the exciting because this is the one of the most important reason why we must learn Hebrew!

Let us take a look at Genesis 1:1:
In the beginning, Elohim (God) created the heavens and the earth.

Let us now take a look in Genesis 1:1 in Hebrew from the interlinear Bible. There are 7 Hebrew words in Genesis 1:1. You don't have to know the full Hebrew alphabet. The 1rst line is the Hebrew, the 2nd line is the transliteration (pronounciation of the Hebrew), the 3rd is English. All you have to do is find the Alef and Tav! Can you see the Alef and the Tav? (Remember to read Hebrew in reverse from the right to left.)

בראשית ברא אלהים את השמימ ואת הארץ
HAERETZ VAT HASHAMAYIM AT ELOHIM BRAH BERESH'T
the earth. and the Heavens --- God created In the beginning

If you are unable to read the Hebrew above go to this link: http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/OTpdf/gen1.pdf (This interlinear Bible link is read as normal, from left to right.)

In the beginning, God(Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. That's right, it is the fourth word in the color purple! Now you know where the Alef and the Tav is mentioned in Genesis! You would never have been able to find it if your Bible says "the Alpha and Omega" which is Greek alphabet. Alpha is first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega the last letter. Nor would you have been able to understand it if your Bible reads "the A and the Z"!!! With the Hebrew letters את, we understand how John 1:1 and Revelation 22:13 makes more sense!

את (Alef Tav) is the fourth word of the first Genesis verse. Why the fourth word? Because Yeshua was from the tribe of Judah, who was the fourth son of Jacob! And also because Yeshua was THE SIGN given to us some 4,000 years after the creation. The number 4 is THE SIGN of Yeshua because Elohim created the sun, moon and stars as SIGNS on the 4th day! (Genesis 1:14-19) The amazing thing about the word את is that there is no translation for it. According to the ancient Hebrew sages, the purpose of את is to serve as a sign!

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Adonai(Lord) Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His name Immanuel. (Elohim with us)

Yeshua is also called the "WORD." Why is that? Because את represents the Hebrew alphabet: the entire range of sound vibrations. Before Elohim could create the universe, He had to speak it first! Sound is power. Notice את is before 2 words: heavens and earth. Yeshua, the את, the fourth letter in Genesis 1:1 comes before the fifth and seventh words, the heavens and the earth. Therefore, Yeshua was there before the universe was created.

1 Peter 1:20
He was foreknown before the creation (foundation) of the world, but on the other hand, he was revealed in these last days for your sake.

Sound vibrations from Elohim is what created the universe. Scientists are just beginning to discover this. Elohim always spoke first before he created everything. Notice each part of creation:
Genesis 1:3 Then Elohim SAID, "Let there be light"; and there was light..... and it was so.
Genesis 1:6 Then Elohim SAID, "Let there be .... water." .... and it was so.
Genesis 1:9 Then Elohim SAID, "Let the ... dry land appear"; and it was so.
Genesis 1:11 Then Elohim SAID, "Let the land produce vegetation" ... And it was so.
Genesis 1:15 Then Elohim SAID, "Let there be lights in the sky" ... And it was so.
Genesis 1:20 And before Elohim created the fishes and birds, He also spoke first!
Genesis 1:24 And before Elohim created the earth animals, He also spoke first!
Genesis 1:26-30 Then Elohim SAID, "Let us make man in our image"... and it was so.

WOW!  Adonai is awesome!!! He planned all of this from the beginning! Praise Him! Rejoice in Him! Halleluyah!

In review, we learned about the letter א Alef and ת Tav, the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, is the foundation for all the sounds that created the universe. Elohim (God) spoke and it was. We also learned that את is the Word of Elohim, Yeshua the Messiah, the sign given to us from Elohim. He was there in the beginning when the universe was created and He will return at the completion of the ages! He is את, the beginning and the end, the first and the last! Halleluyah!

The Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen His glory, the kind of glory that the Father shares with his unique Son, full of kindness and truth. ~John 1:14


© Copyright 2009. By Veronique of Signs & Wonders Ministry.  All Rights Reserved.  No part of this story might be reprinted, re-posted on the internet, or forwarded in email without permission of the author.  Thank you.

Lesson 2: Hebrew Tav

Let us take a look at the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Tav which looks like this:
ת

Long ago, during proto-canaanite time, this letter originally looked like a cross.
It slowly changed over time to look like a T or a small cross in most languages.
Definition: a mark or a sign.
Symbolic of: ownership, to seal, to make a covenant, to join 2 things together, to make a sign.

Here are the some related scriptures with the word SIGN or SIGNS:
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Adonai(Lord) Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His name Immanuel. (Elohim with us)
In Genesis 1:14-19 We read how Elohim (God) created the sun, moon and the stars on the fourth day to serve
as signs to mark the seasons, days and years.
And Elohim said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night,
and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years ...
Revelation 22:16
Elohim sent Yeshua as a sign from Heaven. Yeshua is called the Bright Morning Star
I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.
Malachi 4:2
Yeshua is also called the Sun of Righteousness and in John 8:12, he is the Light of the World.

Scriptures with the word SEAL or MARK:
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Ruach (Spirit) in our hearts as a deposit. (A deposit is a down payment, a guarantee, or a pledge. In this case, the full payment is to come later as we receive new eternal bodies).
Revelation 7:3
"Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of Elohenu (our God) on their foreheads."

The lesson continues... next we will talk again about both letters, Alef and Tav, and how to find Yeshua hidden in the text of Genesis... how the Hebrew scriptures reveal Yeshua in the beginning of the creation!

Copyright. All rights reserved. Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons. Thank you.

Lesson 1: Hebrew Alef

א

The Torah was first written in Hebrew, so it makes sense for us to learn some Hebrew. The Hebrew lessons on this website are for beginners, with the Hebrew alphabet and some short words. We designed these beginner’s lessons for the Deaf—they will not include Hebrew vowel points. The original Hebrew language began—without the vowel points. You can learn the Hebrew language easily by memorizing the shape of each letter, and by recognizing a few short words.   

Alef or א is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In the modern Hebrew script, it looks much like an X but long ago, when the ancient Canaanites carved Alef on stone tablets, this letter looked like the head of the ox. The ox is known to have several important meanings: First, Gentle, Tame, Ox, Bull, Leader of family or tribe. Alef also represents the number 1. The Phoenician Alef and Paleo-Hebrew Alef looked much like the letter A fallen sideway. Over time, it slowly transformed to look like our English A or or the Hebrew א. Our English Alpha letter “A” looks the same in most foreign romance languages such as Spanish, French, Italy, German, Russian and is still listed as the first letter in most of their alphabets. 

Related scriptures about the oxen 

Proverbs 14:4  Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

The ox was also an important part of the tabernacle offerings, especially for leaders. 

Numbers 7:3   They (the tribal leaders of the Israelites) brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders, and an ox for each one. These they presented before the tabernacle. 

Related scriptures about the first: 

Deuteronomy 18:4  You are to give them (the priests) the first fruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep.

Deuteronomy 26:9-10  He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.

Mark 10:31  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Yeshua also calls himself the first. He is the first of the dead to be resurrected, the firstborn of all those who will be resurrected. 

1 Corinthians 15:23  But this will happen to each person in his own turn: Messiah the firstfruits of the harvest and afterward those are belong to Messiah at his coming.

Revelation 22:13   (NIV) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (CJB) I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 

Isaiah 41:4   Who has performed and accomplished it, calling forth the generations from the beginning? “I, Adonai (Lord), am the first, and with the last. I am He.”

Isaiah 44:6   Thus says Adonai, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.” 

Yeshua is the first and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, so properly translated, He is saying that He is the Alef and the Tav, from the Hebrew alphabet!! Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. Z is the last letter of our English alphabet.