The following will have select Christmas related posts dealing with the birth of the One True Messiah and Savior of the World, Jesus Christ (who is known in Hebrew as Yeshua H'Messhiach). I have done some very minor restructuring and editing. As many readers do not search out a blog site's former years of postings, especially as almost half this site's visitors are European as well as others from around the world, I hope you will be blessed by the selections. Peace. Shalom. -- Brianroy
Celtic Woman Christmas – A Modern Classic
1. Carol of the Bells
2. Silent Night
3. White Christmas
4. Away in a Manger
5. Ding Dong Merrily on High
6. The Little Drummer Boy
7. The Christmas Song
8. In the Bleak Midwinter/The First Noel
9. The Wexford Carol
10. Christmas Pipes
11. O Holy Night
12. Panis Angelicus
13. Green the Whole Year Round
14. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
15. Don Oiche id I Mbeithil (That Night in
Bethlehem)
16. O Come All Ye Faithful
17. Let It Snow!
18. Christmas Pipes Encore
From 2005, Andre
Rieu’s Christmas Around The World
Concert
(In German, with
English subtitles)
|
1. Star of Bethlehem
2. Vocalise 3. Tulip Song 4. Dendenra Ryu 5. Vom Himmel Hoch Da Komm’ Ich Her 6. Kling, Glöckchen, Kling [4:13] 7. Deck the Hall With Boughs of Holly 8. Slumber My Darling 9. Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht 10. We Wish You a Merry Christmas 11. White Christmas 12. Jingle Bells |
13. Cantique de Noël
14. Sah Ein Knab Ein Röslein Stehen
15. Petersburger Schlittenfahrt 16. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 17. Winter Wonderland 18. Gesù Bambino 19. Sleigh Ride 20. Ave Maria 21. Sakura 22. Abends Will Ich Schlafen Gehen 23. Hallelujah
-----------------------------
|
Repost from Tuesday, December 8, 2009
On the 9th
of Av, 6 B.C.
Scripture
In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest -- by name,
Zacharias -- of the daily (Temple) service: Abijah.
His wife was of the daughters of Aaron -- her name, Elizabeth. In the sight of GOD, they were both righteous,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of YHVeH, blameless(ly).
No child was theirs, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were well advanced in their days.
Scripture
In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest -- by name,
Zacharias -- of the daily (Temple) service: Abijah.
His wife was of the daughters of Aaron -- her name, Elizabeth. In the sight of GOD, they were both righteous,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of YHVeH, blameless(ly).
No child was theirs, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were well advanced in their days.
(Luke 1:5-7)
Observation on Luke 1:5-7
In the Gospel of Luke, the history starts out with a parallel between Zacharias and Elizabeth with that of Abraham and Sarah. The Greek word for well advanced is probebaikotes (προβεβηκοτες).
In the Septuagint, or Greek manuscripts of the Old Testament, the low end use of this word probebaikotes appears to apply to a 70 year old King David in I Kings 1:1. The age continues upward to the more ancient, such as the 110 year old Joshua (Joshua 23:1,2; cf. 24:29).
Therefore, in spite of the priestly limits of age 60 for Temple Service, Zacharias served beyond the age a priest was supposed to serve in the Temple. In 6 B.C., the Temple had only been in "serviceable" use for about 6 years on a regular basis. The outer courts and colonnades were still under-going additions and changes. It is possible, that the Levites who were doing the work were being tapped out with priests who were of age in each of the courses or patristic house / lineages. If that is so, Zacharias, like Abram, may well have been about 84 at this time, and his wife perhaps about 10 years younger; neither being less than 70 years old.
Scripture
It came to pass, namely in his serving as priest, in the order of his daily course (at the Temple) before G-D.
According to the custom of the priests, (his) lot
was to burn incense -- entering into the Temple House of YHVeH.
It was the hour of incense, and all the multitude were outside, praying. But to him, the Angel of HASHEM appeared standing out, on the right, from the altar of incense.
Seeing (this), Zacharias was stirred up emotionally with great alarm and dread, and quaking fear fell upon him.
(Luke 1:8-12)
Observation on Luke 1:8-12
The course of Abijah in the summer months would have fallen for service on Tisha B’Av: the commemoration of the destruction of the Jewish Temple by Nebuchadnezzar. The custom of the priests was to draw lots for who was to serve in what capacity.
For example, when Simon the Cyrenian came in from the wilds of Judea (Mark 15:21) through the dung gate of the Hinom Valley, he had drawn the Levitical lot that told him he was to be a disposer of blood. The very word disposers, was also the translation of "gods" or "theoi" among the Greeks (Herodotus, 2.52). Simon the Cyrenian's participation with the Cross appears implied in Psalm 82, but that is another topic.
It was the duty of Zacharias to enter the Holy Place, and to offer prayer, and to purify the area with the smoke of incense prior to the offering of the Daily Sacrifice. He was chosen by lot, and his skin was required to be blemish free; allowing him to pass behind the outside Altar of 3 Fires.
Again, because of a shortage of those of the course of Abijah, the age factor of service ending at age 60 was waved. Zacharias was to enter alone, make his rounds, and exit alone. The ritual should have perhaps taken him a total of 7 -10 minutes max inside the Holy Place.
When Zacharias entered, he immediately experienced the same inward feeling of great fear, dread, and inward corruption as did Daniel in the presence of Michael in Daniel 10:7ff. The Greek word that Luke uses here with Zacharias is etarachthe (εταραχθη).
The Septuagint uses it in place of the Hebraic Mehuma (מהומה) some 6 times. Its usage suggest that the body undergoes uncontrollable tremors, like an earthquake that won’t stop. The flesh will roll back and forth, and boils will formate and disappear, formate and disappear.
Scripture
The Angel said to him, Do not tremble with fear, Zacharias, your request and petition has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son.
You shall call his name Yochanan. [John]. He shall be your joy and exultation, and many will rejoice over the birth of him. He will grow greater and greater in the sight of HASHEM. Wine and intoxicants he may not at all drink.
The Holy Spirit will fill him while he is yet in the womb of his mother. He will turn many of the Sons of Israel on towards HASHEM their GOD. He will go ahead before Him in the spiritual power of Elijah: to turn the hearts of the fathers upon (their) children, the disobedient to just wisdom, making HASHEM prepared for a people already having been made ready.
Observation on Luke 1:5-7
In the Gospel of Luke, the history starts out with a parallel between Zacharias and Elizabeth with that of Abraham and Sarah. The Greek word for well advanced is probebaikotes (προβεβηκοτες).
In the Septuagint, or Greek manuscripts of the Old Testament, the low end use of this word probebaikotes appears to apply to a 70 year old King David in I Kings 1:1. The age continues upward to the more ancient, such as the 110 year old Joshua (Joshua 23:1,2; cf. 24:29).
Therefore, in spite of the priestly limits of age 60 for Temple Service, Zacharias served beyond the age a priest was supposed to serve in the Temple. In 6 B.C., the Temple had only been in "serviceable" use for about 6 years on a regular basis. The outer courts and colonnades were still under-going additions and changes. It is possible, that the Levites who were doing the work were being tapped out with priests who were of age in each of the courses or patristic house / lineages. If that is so, Zacharias, like Abram, may well have been about 84 at this time, and his wife perhaps about 10 years younger; neither being less than 70 years old.
Scripture
It came to pass, namely in his serving as priest, in the order of his daily course (at the Temple) before G-D.
According to the custom of the priests, (his) lot
was to burn incense -- entering into the Temple House of YHVeH.
It was the hour of incense, and all the multitude were outside, praying. But to him, the Angel of HASHEM appeared standing out, on the right, from the altar of incense.
Seeing (this), Zacharias was stirred up emotionally with great alarm and dread, and quaking fear fell upon him.
(Luke 1:8-12)
Observation on Luke 1:8-12
The course of Abijah in the summer months would have fallen for service on Tisha B’Av: the commemoration of the destruction of the Jewish Temple by Nebuchadnezzar. The custom of the priests was to draw lots for who was to serve in what capacity.
For example, when Simon the Cyrenian came in from the wilds of Judea (Mark 15:21) through the dung gate of the Hinom Valley, he had drawn the Levitical lot that told him he was to be a disposer of blood. The very word disposers, was also the translation of "gods" or "theoi" among the Greeks (Herodotus, 2.52). Simon the Cyrenian's participation with the Cross appears implied in Psalm 82, but that is another topic.
It was the duty of Zacharias to enter the Holy Place, and to offer prayer, and to purify the area with the smoke of incense prior to the offering of the Daily Sacrifice. He was chosen by lot, and his skin was required to be blemish free; allowing him to pass behind the outside Altar of 3 Fires.
Again, because of a shortage of those of the course of Abijah, the age factor of service ending at age 60 was waved. Zacharias was to enter alone, make his rounds, and exit alone. The ritual should have perhaps taken him a total of 7 -10 minutes max inside the Holy Place.
When Zacharias entered, he immediately experienced the same inward feeling of great fear, dread, and inward corruption as did Daniel in the presence of Michael in Daniel 10:7ff. The Greek word that Luke uses here with Zacharias is etarachthe (εταραχθη).
The Septuagint uses it in place of the Hebraic Mehuma (מהומה) some 6 times. Its usage suggest that the body undergoes uncontrollable tremors, like an earthquake that won’t stop. The flesh will roll back and forth, and boils will formate and disappear, formate and disappear.
Scripture
The Angel said to him, Do not tremble with fear, Zacharias, your request and petition has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son.
You shall call his name Yochanan. [John]. He shall be your joy and exultation, and many will rejoice over the birth of him. He will grow greater and greater in the sight of HASHEM. Wine and intoxicants he may not at all drink.
The Holy Spirit will fill him while he is yet in the womb of his mother. He will turn many of the Sons of Israel on towards HASHEM their GOD. He will go ahead before Him in the spiritual power of Elijah: to turn the hearts of the fathers upon (their) children, the disobedient to just wisdom, making HASHEM prepared for a people already having been made ready.
(Luke
1:13-17)
Zacharias said to the Angel, By what shall I know this? I am quite old, and my wife is well-advanced in her days.
Answering, the Angel said to him, I am Gabriel -- the one standing before GOD. I was sent to speak up alongside with you, to give good news to you of these things.
Zacharias said to the Angel, By what shall I know this? I am quite old, and my wife is well-advanced in her days.
Answering, the Angel said to him, I am Gabriel -- the one standing before GOD. I was sent to speak up alongside with you, to give good news to you of these things.
Look and see! You will be silent, not able to speak, until the
day these things begin to come into existence,
because you believed not my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.
because you believed not my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.
(Luke
1:18-20)
[Note Gabriel’s words in the first person -- my words, which will be fulfilled in their time. Not G-D’s words to you, but my words to you.]
The multitude(s) were expecting Zacharias, and they marveled in his delay of coming out of the Temple. He was not able to speak to them, but they knew that he had seen a vision in the Temple: he was signaling (this) to them, but remained a mute.
And it came to pass, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he went away to his house. After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, but she hid for 5 months, saying, Thus has HASHEM done to me in the time which He saw (fit) to remove the reproach of me (from) among men.
(Luke 1:21-25)
So often, the Church misses the miracle of Yochanan / John, for his birth was miraculous like Isaac born of Abraham and Sarah. It is also reminiscent of King David.
Every generation from Abraham to Jesse, that within the Messianic line, had those sons who would carry the messianic lineage when the parent was an average of 84 years old at the time of the child's birth. But now, with John, not only was the father likely in his 80s, but the mother also. With this news, people KNEW Messhiach was about to come! Simeon and Anna regularly began to seek the newborn Messiah at the temple...both being of an age in the neighborhood of 100 to 116 years old or thereabout each. And in December of 5 B.C., having lived through all that they had lived through and seen in their lifetimes: they were NOT disappointed.
[Note Gabriel’s words in the first person -- my words, which will be fulfilled in their time. Not G-D’s words to you, but my words to you.]
The multitude(s) were expecting Zacharias, and they marveled in his delay of coming out of the Temple. He was not able to speak to them, but they knew that he had seen a vision in the Temple: he was signaling (this) to them, but remained a mute.
And it came to pass, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he went away to his house. After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, but she hid for 5 months, saying, Thus has HASHEM done to me in the time which He saw (fit) to remove the reproach of me (from) among men.
(Luke 1:21-25)
So often, the Church misses the miracle of Yochanan / John, for his birth was miraculous like Isaac born of Abraham and Sarah. It is also reminiscent of King David.
Every generation from Abraham to Jesse, that within the Messianic line, had those sons who would carry the messianic lineage when the parent was an average of 84 years old at the time of the child's birth. But now, with John, not only was the father likely in his 80s, but the mother also. With this news, people KNEW Messhiach was about to come! Simeon and Anna regularly began to seek the newborn Messiah at the temple...both being of an age in the neighborhood of 100 to 116 years old or thereabout each. And in December of 5 B.C., having lived through all that they had lived through and seen in their lifetimes: they were NOT disappointed.
Repost from Thursday, November 12, 2009
John the
Baptist and the limits of Archaeology, Part 1
For those
of us that trust the Bible, and call ourselves "born-again
Christians", we view the Bible as G-D’s Word. The idea is to get people to
trust in the words of G-D that they may believe the One who is called the WORD
of G-D; that is, Jesus Christ the Son.
Faith in G-D’s Words, should bring about faith in G-D’s WORD -- He who spake all Creation into existence.
Thus, it pleased G-D, that by the foolishness of preaching, man should be redeemed after this manner.
Since G-D spoke Creation into existence, He maintained that by believing into words spoken by G-D, man should be redeemed and spiritually re-created (as it were).
This also was the message of John the Baptist, son of Zacharias and his wife, both of whom were as physically almost dead -- both parents being above age 70 (probebakotes) at his birth -- and who was at the first thought to be the Messhiach, because of his miraculous birth association with Abraham / Sarah / Isaac, and not His forerunner.
John was part of a social and religious revolution within Judaism that left virtually no remains of its happening. For those of us that lived through the social revolution and Vietnam in the 1960s and 70s, we cannot say that there is much to point to as evidence of a rally other than maybe some fading rags, pictures, and film that will all decay and be gone in the next several centuries. And John the Baptist was from some 2000 literal years ago.
So archaeology is finding limits, with some speculation that they may have found his cave and a place to baptize on the OTHER (or Eastern side) of the Jordan.
That idea doesn't wash.
John baptized Israel as the nation immersed itself from west bank, while he himself pointed to the stones taken from the river by Joshua's crossing some 1538-1539 years earlier. This pile of stones was an essential point to the saying which we will examine.
There are those who have claimed the location is at Qasr al Yahud.
(Cf. Jesus' Life and Times - Baptism by John the Baptist
http://www.welcometohosanna.com/LIFE_OF_JESUS/14baptism.htm
Faith in G-D’s Words, should bring about faith in G-D’s WORD -- He who spake all Creation into existence.
Thus, it pleased G-D, that by the foolishness of preaching, man should be redeemed after this manner.
Since G-D spoke Creation into existence, He maintained that by believing into words spoken by G-D, man should be redeemed and spiritually re-created (as it were).
This also was the message of John the Baptist, son of Zacharias and his wife, both of whom were as physically almost dead -- both parents being above age 70 (probebakotes) at his birth -- and who was at the first thought to be the Messhiach, because of his miraculous birth association with Abraham / Sarah / Isaac, and not His forerunner.
John was part of a social and religious revolution within Judaism that left virtually no remains of its happening. For those of us that lived through the social revolution and Vietnam in the 1960s and 70s, we cannot say that there is much to point to as evidence of a rally other than maybe some fading rags, pictures, and film that will all decay and be gone in the next several centuries. And John the Baptist was from some 2000 literal years ago.
So archaeology is finding limits, with some speculation that they may have found his cave and a place to baptize on the OTHER (or Eastern side) of the Jordan.
That idea doesn't wash.
John baptized Israel as the nation immersed itself from west bank, while he himself pointed to the stones taken from the river by Joshua's crossing some 1538-1539 years earlier. This pile of stones was an essential point to the saying which we will examine.
There are those who have claimed the location is at Qasr al Yahud.
(Cf. Jesus' Life and Times - Baptism by John the Baptist
http://www.welcometohosanna.com/LIFE_OF_JESUS/14baptism.htm
In relation to Jericho, refer to the map at the top of
Biblical Excursions: The Holy Land
http://198.62.75.5/www1/ofm/sbf/escurs/TS/03b_TSen.html )
Most all theologians have seemingly relegated research and thinking in regards to figuring out who and what John the Baptist was and what he really meant, to somebody else. At least, to me this appears so, though some adding or taking away points of observation.
What was the Early Church (pre-200 A.D.) comprehension of who the man was, as might be discovered by translating from Greek to Aramaic (as using the Gospel of Matthew), since archaeology cannot shed enough light on this as yet, even with the Dead Sea Scrolls?
Let's just cite one verse...and see the technicality of correct processes and thought -- is needed in a way that is far apart from that used by the dim-intellectuals of the "Jesus Seminar" (so-called), et al.
Matthew's Gospel (according to Irenaeus Against Heresies 3.1.1., etc.) records details that are site specific to Judea, in the presence of hostile witnesses, in a the same dialect known of Galileans and Syrians. An example of the Aramaic manuscript v. Greek translation distinction is preserved by Ignatius and Irenaeus in comparing Matthew 3:9 .
Ignatius to the Magnesians, .10
“And those that were of a stony heart have become the children of Abraham, the friend of G-D.” Matt. 3:9
To which, some may point to Isaiah 53:10 - "And the Lord wished to crush him, He made him ill; if his soul places itself for a guilt-offering, he shall see seed, he shall prolong his days, and God's purpose shall prosper in his hand."
If John is the Messiah or Messiah's forerunner, must he not have physical offspring or zera (seed) to teach such things?
Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:9. In Torah, there is the instruction to not plant fields with two kinds of zera (seed). Leviticus uses “mingled” and Deuteronomy “diverse” in the KJV translation.
Jesus addresses this aspect of the prophecy in His parable of the Wheat and the Tares in Matthew 13:24-30. The reader researching this might also want to read vv. 1-23 for context. The wheat is the good zera, and the tares are the bad zera. These both refer to people in the parable. In the protosemitic, the word zera is a composite from two words: one means to sow (zr), the other to scatter (drw). The Ugaritic interprets (drw) as that which is dry and exhibits the qualities of that which is dead. Zr appears to exhibit qualities involving moisture and life, or life supporting (or a thought along those lines).
John the Baptist spoke of stones that could be raised up as zera to Abraham (Matthew 3:9).
Judaism also teaches that those of the Gentiles who convert as Noachides (for which the 'Court of the Gentiles' of the Temple at Jerusalem was for) are as “zera” unto Abraham, in the spiritual sense, though not physically until after circumcision, etc., so that their children (at least) might be grafted in as if physically Jewish. That is, the children, not previously Jewish, now can be “by faith” as though the zera of Israel.
For it says, “in you shall all the families of the Earth be blessed”; “Look now toward Heaven and tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall your seed be;” “Behold, My Covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.”
(Genesis
12:3; 15:5; 17:4).
We see this same approach with Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 4.7.2. ; which gives us the accuracy of the Greek translation, saying and then elucidating back from the Aramaic copies – ‘…as John the Baptist says: “For G-D is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” Now this Jesus did by drawing us off from the religion of stones, and bringing us over from hard and fruitless cogitations, and establishing in us a faith like Abraham.’
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 4.25.1. – ‘…the sons of Abraham, whom G-D has raised up to Him from the stones….’
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 4.39.3. – ‘The skill of G-D, therefore, is not defective, for He has the power of the stones to raise up children to Abraham; but the man who does not obtain it, is the cause to himself of his own imperfection.’
Hence, reviewing these 4 quips, we can better reconstruct the Aramaic original and its specific wording of the quoted Greek text known to Irenaeus and Iganatius. And in these elucidations on the verse, we can verify the extreme likelihood or accuracy of Matthew having been first written in Aramaic, as Irenaeus declared in Against Heresies, 3.1.1. The historical record, and hence "lower criticism", is used to validate and enforce the "higher criticism" conclusions. No lower support...the higher cannot stand, lacking foundation.
We also find the qualifiers of: Multiple attestation or forms, Israeli environment or language, dissimilarity, coherence…as required in the study of higher criticism, testifying against the illiteracy of: liberal scholarship, and higher critics; as well as those not familiar with even this basic material. This all leads us to a deeper analysis of John through the historical literary texts, and what we can and cannot look for in regard to John.
Since "Bethabara" / "Bethany" was the place of crossing, we can now only look for a small pile of stones attesting to Bethabara's true location for an archaeological point of location...but we must look to the texts, where archaeology now stops -- limited now only to the discovery of the earliest texts / manuscripts extant -- in regard to John and his ministry, for the events.
The exception, perhaps, where we consider that the Madaba map so lists the crossing location in the form of a log, instead of the location written as Bethabara by the fish fighting to swim upstream nearer the Dead Sea at this map link:
Madaba Mosaic Map - Section 2 - JordanValley
http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/mad/sections/section2.html
We see this same approach with Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 4.7.2. ; which gives us the accuracy of the Greek translation, saying and then elucidating back from the Aramaic copies – ‘…as John the Baptist says: “For G-D is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” Now this Jesus did by drawing us off from the religion of stones, and bringing us over from hard and fruitless cogitations, and establishing in us a faith like Abraham.’
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 4.25.1. – ‘…the sons of Abraham, whom G-D has raised up to Him from the stones….’
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 4.39.3. – ‘The skill of G-D, therefore, is not defective, for He has the power of the stones to raise up children to Abraham; but the man who does not obtain it, is the cause to himself of his own imperfection.’
Hence, reviewing these 4 quips, we can better reconstruct the Aramaic original and its specific wording of the quoted Greek text known to Irenaeus and Iganatius. And in these elucidations on the verse, we can verify the extreme likelihood or accuracy of Matthew having been first written in Aramaic, as Irenaeus declared in Against Heresies, 3.1.1. The historical record, and hence "lower criticism", is used to validate and enforce the "higher criticism" conclusions. No lower support...the higher cannot stand, lacking foundation.
We also find the qualifiers of: Multiple attestation or forms, Israeli environment or language, dissimilarity, coherence…as required in the study of higher criticism, testifying against the illiteracy of: liberal scholarship, and higher critics; as well as those not familiar with even this basic material. This all leads us to a deeper analysis of John through the historical literary texts, and what we can and cannot look for in regard to John.
Since "Bethabara" / "Bethany" was the place of crossing, we can now only look for a small pile of stones attesting to Bethabara's true location for an archaeological point of location...but we must look to the texts, where archaeology now stops -- limited now only to the discovery of the earliest texts / manuscripts extant -- in regard to John and his ministry, for the events.
The exception, perhaps, where we consider that the Madaba map so lists the crossing location in the form of a log, instead of the location written as Bethabara by the fish fighting to swim upstream nearer the Dead Sea at this map link:
Madaba Mosaic Map - Section 2 - JordanValley
http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/mad/sections/section2.html
The only other attestation we might find regarding John in the First Century era, may be some sort of early church graffiti used as a teaching aid or memorial.
So it seems to me, some historical studies, must be approached more from a type of theological textual analysis, rather than the archaeologist tendency of theorizing on evidence and texts he doesn't have.
This is just one example to consider.
Luke 1:5-33 my alternate translation from the Greek
“In the days of Herod, the King of Judea, there was a certain priest -- by name, Zacharias --
Of the daily [Temple] service: Abijah.
http://www.templeinstitute.org/day_in_life/24_shifts.htm
[pp.1-2]
His wife was of the daughters of Aaron: her name, Elizabeth.
In the sight of G-D they were both righteous,
Walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of YHVeH,* blameless(ly).
No child was theirs, because Elizabeth was barren,
And both were well-advanced [Gk., probebakotes] **
His wife was of the daughters of Aaron: her name, Elizabeth.
In the sight of G-D they were both righteous,
Walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of YHVeH,* blameless(ly).
No child was theirs, because Elizabeth was barren,
And both were well-advanced [Gk., probebakotes] **
in their days.
It came to pass, namely in his serving as priest in the order of his daily course [at the Temple] before G-D.
According to the Custom of the Priests,
(his) lot was to burn incense --
[ http://www.templeinstitute.org/day_in_life/daily_lotteries.htm
It came to pass, namely in his serving as priest in the order of his daily course [at the Temple] before G-D.
According to the Custom of the Priests,
(his) lot was to burn incense --
[ http://www.templeinstitute.org/day_in_life/daily_lotteries.htm
pp.
3-4, 8, 19-20, 23-24 adds other details not mentioned in the text, known or
obvious to hearers and readers when the Temple was as yet still standing, fully
functional, and unthreatened].
Entering into the Temple of YHVeH.*
All the multitude was praying outside at the hour of incense.
[This use of the word “multitude” suggests a detail not given us by the Temple Institute…that on memorial days, the priests were accompanied by more than just a single family or clan of service. Rather, perhaps here, are all the priestly clans and families gathered on a solemn occasion, such as the 9th of Av, 6 B.C., making John the Baptist’s coming birth in the spring of 5 B.C., and Jesus’ birth in the fall of 5 B.C.]
But to him, an Angel of YHVeH appeared standing out from the altar of incense on the right.
Seeing (this), Zacharias was stirred up emotionally with great alarm and dread [Gk., etarachthe], ***
and fear fell upon him.
The Angel said to him, Do not fear.
Zacharias, your request and petition has been heard;
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son;
You shall call his name Yochanan [John].
He shall be your joy and exultation, and many will rejoice over the birth of him.
He will grow great. ****
In the sight of YHVeH, wine and intoxicants he may not at all drink.
The Holy Spirit will fill him while he is yet in the womb of his mother.
He will turn many of the Sons of Israel on (to) YHVeH their G-D.
He will go ahead before Him in spiritual power of Elijah:
to turn the hearts of the fathers upon (their) children,
the disobedient to just wisdom,
making YHVeH prepared for a people already having been made ready.
Zacharias said to the Angel,
By what shall I know this? I am quite old, and my wife is well-advanced in her days.
Answering, the Angel said to him,
I am Gabriel -- the One standing before G-D.*****
I was sent to speak up along-side with you,
to give good news to you of these things.
Behold, look and see! [ Cf. Hebrew, V'Hinneh!]
You will be silent, not able to speak,
Until which day these things begin to come into existence,
Because you believed not my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.
The multitude(s) were expecting Zacharias,
and they marveled in his delay of coming out of the Temple.
He was not able to speak to them, but they knew that he had seen a visionin the Temple;
He was signaling (this) to them, but remained a mute.
And it came to pass, when the days of his service was fulfilled, he went away to his house [which was located in a city of Judah. verse. 39]
After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, but she hid for 5 months, saying,
Thus has YHVeH done to me in the time which He saw (fit) to remove the reproach of me (from) among men.
In then, the sixth month [Adar II], the Angel Gabriel was sent from G-D into a city of Galilee, the which named Nazareth, up to and along-side a virgin having been betrothed to a man (by) name, Joseph, out of David’s house: and the name of the virgin: Mariam [Mary].
And (upon) entering, the angel up toand along-side of her said, Hail highly favored (one of grace), YHVeH* is with thee: blessed (art) thou among women.
She then beholding (him), was troubled upon his word and its reasoning behind or in it, and cast her mind (as to) what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said unto her, May (you) not greatly fear Miriam, for thou hast found favor with G-D.
And behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bear a Son, and you will call His name Y’shua [Jesus].
This One will grow to be Great, and will be called Son of the Most High;
And YHVeH Elohim will give Him the throne David, the father of Him;
And He will reign and rule upon the House of Jacob to the Ages;
And of His Kingdom, there will never be an end.”
* Gk. Kurios - L-RD, translated back into Hebrew here would be the Tetragrammaton: YHVH / YHWH.
** Gk. Probebakotes - the low end Septuagint use of this word appears to be that of a 70 year old King David in 1 Kings 1:1, and a high end use of a 110 year old Joshua in Joshua 23:1,2 (cf. Joshua 24:29). It appears that because of a low birth rate in this family group, the age of 60 was waived as a limit for priestly service…and her barrenness is reason behind Elizabeth’s reproach from men of the priesthood, as if secret sin were the cause instead of righteousness and the will of G-D for the miraculous of reminiscence of the matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. .
*** The Greek word, “etarachthe” is rendered as “destruction” in 1 Samuel 5:9 of the Septuagint. The Hebrew word that is translated here is “Mehuma”. Mehuma is used only 6 times in the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel, its use suggests something more than just a rottenness of outward boils upon the groin, or in the arm-pits (after the manner of the Bubonic Plague. Rather than a past tense happened event, Mehuma should be viewed as a present tense “happening now” event. This would be likened to watching the body and skin rolling back and forth as if suffering an earthquake upon the skin and flesh, until the boils and tumors (in minutes) bubbled up into huge appendages and settled.
Although the boils and tumors did not settle upon Zacharias, defiling his pure and unblemished flesh, Zacharias did feel as if such an event were moving back and forth upon his skin. In other words, the presence of Gabriel made his skin crawl, and made Zacharias want to jump out of his skin (as it were). This sensation is found to be associated with the Hebrew word “Charada” and its event in Daniel 10:7-8, at the presence of both Michael and Gabriel. In that event, we see the same horrific fear suffered by the Babylonians and the Prophet Daniel which was a precedent to that experienced by the Roman Guard at Jesus’ Resurrection Tomb in Matthew 28:4. The only difference between the Babylonians and the Romans was that the Romans were assigned under penalty of death to stay and defend a location, whereas the guard with Daniel was but an escort free to flee in the few seconds they had opportunity to, before being sapped of all strength (as they suffered the sensation of corruption and rolling boils and a severe nervous system attack).
**** Cf. the Gk. megas with the Hebrew gadol in prophetic usage, such as in Micah 5, etc.
***** Reminiscent of the Gabriel that was familiar to pre-1st Century Jews as most recently discovered through the Hazon Gabriel stone:
Table of Contents | Biblical Archaeology Review
http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=34&Issue=5&ArticleID=14
Entering into the Temple of YHVeH.*
All the multitude was praying outside at the hour of incense.
[This use of the word “multitude” suggests a detail not given us by the Temple Institute…that on memorial days, the priests were accompanied by more than just a single family or clan of service. Rather, perhaps here, are all the priestly clans and families gathered on a solemn occasion, such as the 9th of Av, 6 B.C., making John the Baptist’s coming birth in the spring of 5 B.C., and Jesus’ birth in the fall of 5 B.C.]
But to him, an Angel of YHVeH appeared standing out from the altar of incense on the right.
Seeing (this), Zacharias was stirred up emotionally with great alarm and dread [Gk., etarachthe], ***
and fear fell upon him.
The Angel said to him, Do not fear.
Zacharias, your request and petition has been heard;
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son;
You shall call his name Yochanan [John].
He shall be your joy and exultation, and many will rejoice over the birth of him.
He will grow great. ****
In the sight of YHVeH, wine and intoxicants he may not at all drink.
The Holy Spirit will fill him while he is yet in the womb of his mother.
He will turn many of the Sons of Israel on (to) YHVeH their G-D.
He will go ahead before Him in spiritual power of Elijah:
to turn the hearts of the fathers upon (their) children,
the disobedient to just wisdom,
making YHVeH prepared for a people already having been made ready.
Zacharias said to the Angel,
By what shall I know this? I am quite old, and my wife is well-advanced in her days.
Answering, the Angel said to him,
I am Gabriel -- the One standing before G-D.*****
I was sent to speak up along-side with you,
to give good news to you of these things.
Behold, look and see! [ Cf. Hebrew, V'Hinneh!]
You will be silent, not able to speak,
Until which day these things begin to come into existence,
Because you believed not my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.
The multitude(s) were expecting Zacharias,
and they marveled in his delay of coming out of the Temple.
He was not able to speak to them, but they knew that he had seen a visionin the Temple;
He was signaling (this) to them, but remained a mute.
And it came to pass, when the days of his service was fulfilled, he went away to his house [which was located in a city of Judah. verse. 39]
After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, but she hid for 5 months, saying,
Thus has YHVeH done to me in the time which He saw (fit) to remove the reproach of me (from) among men.
In then, the sixth month [Adar II], the Angel Gabriel was sent from G-D into a city of Galilee, the which named Nazareth, up to and along-side a virgin having been betrothed to a man (by) name, Joseph, out of David’s house: and the name of the virgin: Mariam [Mary].
And (upon) entering, the angel up toand along-side of her said, Hail highly favored (one of grace), YHVeH* is with thee: blessed (art) thou among women.
She then beholding (him), was troubled upon his word and its reasoning behind or in it, and cast her mind (as to) what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said unto her, May (you) not greatly fear Miriam, for thou hast found favor with G-D.
And behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bear a Son, and you will call His name Y’shua [Jesus].
This One will grow to be Great, and will be called Son of the Most High;
And YHVeH Elohim will give Him the throne David, the father of Him;
And He will reign and rule upon the House of Jacob to the Ages;
And of His Kingdom, there will never be an end.”
* Gk. Kurios - L-RD, translated back into Hebrew here would be the Tetragrammaton: YHVH / YHWH.
** Gk. Probebakotes - the low end Septuagint use of this word appears to be that of a 70 year old King David in 1 Kings 1:1, and a high end use of a 110 year old Joshua in Joshua 23:1,2 (cf. Joshua 24:29). It appears that because of a low birth rate in this family group, the age of 60 was waived as a limit for priestly service…and her barrenness is reason behind Elizabeth’s reproach from men of the priesthood, as if secret sin were the cause instead of righteousness and the will of G-D for the miraculous of reminiscence of the matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. .
*** The Greek word, “etarachthe” is rendered as “destruction” in 1 Samuel 5:9 of the Septuagint. The Hebrew word that is translated here is “Mehuma”. Mehuma is used only 6 times in the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel, its use suggests something more than just a rottenness of outward boils upon the groin, or in the arm-pits (after the manner of the Bubonic Plague. Rather than a past tense happened event, Mehuma should be viewed as a present tense “happening now” event. This would be likened to watching the body and skin rolling back and forth as if suffering an earthquake upon the skin and flesh, until the boils and tumors (in minutes) bubbled up into huge appendages and settled.
Although the boils and tumors did not settle upon Zacharias, defiling his pure and unblemished flesh, Zacharias did feel as if such an event were moving back and forth upon his skin. In other words, the presence of Gabriel made his skin crawl, and made Zacharias want to jump out of his skin (as it were). This sensation is found to be associated with the Hebrew word “Charada” and its event in Daniel 10:7-8, at the presence of both Michael and Gabriel. In that event, we see the same horrific fear suffered by the Babylonians and the Prophet Daniel which was a precedent to that experienced by the Roman Guard at Jesus’ Resurrection Tomb in Matthew 28:4. The only difference between the Babylonians and the Romans was that the Romans were assigned under penalty of death to stay and defend a location, whereas the guard with Daniel was but an escort free to flee in the few seconds they had opportunity to, before being sapped of all strength (as they suffered the sensation of corruption and rolling boils and a severe nervous system attack).
**** Cf. the Gk. megas with the Hebrew gadol in prophetic usage, such as in Micah 5, etc.
***** Reminiscent of the Gabriel that was familiar to pre-1st Century Jews as most recently discovered through the Hazon Gabriel stone:
Table of Contents | Biblical Archaeology Review
http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=34&Issue=5&ArticleID=14
Repost from Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Davidic
kingship is a concept carried through in history as a real family from a real
Patriarchal Kingship. Modern scholars like Israel Finkelstein may live in a
state of utter denial of David being a real figure in real history, but the
entire nation of Israel would not have wrestled with this issue over 2000 years
ago in always adhering and teaching compliance of kingship to David’s House
alone if it were mythical…nor would there be a total acceptance of David’s
historicity by both Jews and Christians, as witnessed in their writings in the
succeeding 5 centuries from this Lukan (A.D. 50) passage.
In fact, the lawyers who exalted themselves in the Sanhedrin some 2000 years ago -- had David been mythical -- would have cast the entire sacrificial system of Judaism aside and formulated their own government and own worship system with the help of the Caesars or various Roman emperors, casting off the old and leaving some new and alien tradition (for posterity) behind to justify their legal view. No Sanhedrin faction or persons (so far as history is known) so allied with Rome or any other Occupation Nation, to cast off David and openly wrest kingship away from David in great antiquity...even philosophically.
Whether or not we have an artifact as yet, stating "King David" dating to the era of David's reign is somewhat irrelevant to whether or not there is veracity to his existence. That evidence will someday come. But until then, as with the issue of the Hittites and other finds only taken on Biblical assurance just 200 years ago, we need to trust the Biblicalarchaeological guidebook that led to those kinds of finds. And that guidebook of archaeology hasn't changed...it's still the SAME Holy Bible now as it was then, 200 years ago before the age of modern archaeology.
The Temple and Religious Service
As we study the building of the Temple, we are able to better identify what those who viewed a still thriving and existing Temple (the first hearers and readers of Luke’s Gospel) knew. Zacharias received the pre-dawn lot to carry incense into the Holy place, and thereafter, his assignment was to come just outside the door, and lower and raise (cleanse and fill) the washing laver on a loud pulley system, out of view of the foremost group of waiting priests assigned with him.
We are left this knowledge by literary historical sources from as little as 900 years ago, dating back to that preserved from the First Century Era. And using that data left by Maimonides and others, Biblical archaeologists are also instructed and educated as to what they should be looking for and where...rather than making guesses as to religious ritual in antiquity that may or may not be factually correct without the literary support to verify the claims made upon the past.
The New Testament is clear that despite John's pedigree as a Kohen, John the Baptist was reared as a Nazirite (as well as a Temple priest) by Zacharias. John also had the advantage of being an ordained Semikah rabbi (by the laying on of hands and accepted by Jewish authorities in Jerusalem), taking to himself disciples. As a recognized prophet, in Josephus and in the New Testament, it may be safe to say that there may have been a touch of the miraculous in his ministry. What the bounds and scope of that miraculous was ... we don't know, except that it could not rival the healings and miracles performed by Jesus that were by the thousands at a time, and beyond every medical dispute.
As a Nazirite, John the Baptist's and even Jesus' appearance of living 33 years without a hair-cut or trim isn't readily envisioned.
[cf. Hegesippus on James in Eusebius History 2.23
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.vii.xxiv.html
In fact, the lawyers who exalted themselves in the Sanhedrin some 2000 years ago -- had David been mythical -- would have cast the entire sacrificial system of Judaism aside and formulated their own government and own worship system with the help of the Caesars or various Roman emperors, casting off the old and leaving some new and alien tradition (for posterity) behind to justify their legal view. No Sanhedrin faction or persons (so far as history is known) so allied with Rome or any other Occupation Nation, to cast off David and openly wrest kingship away from David in great antiquity...even philosophically.
Whether or not we have an artifact as yet, stating "King David" dating to the era of David's reign is somewhat irrelevant to whether or not there is veracity to his existence. That evidence will someday come. But until then, as with the issue of the Hittites and other finds only taken on Biblical assurance just 200 years ago, we need to trust the Biblicalarchaeological guidebook that led to those kinds of finds. And that guidebook of archaeology hasn't changed...it's still the SAME Holy Bible now as it was then, 200 years ago before the age of modern archaeology.
The Temple and Religious Service
As we study the building of the Temple, we are able to better identify what those who viewed a still thriving and existing Temple (the first hearers and readers of Luke’s Gospel) knew. Zacharias received the pre-dawn lot to carry incense into the Holy place, and thereafter, his assignment was to come just outside the door, and lower and raise (cleanse and fill) the washing laver on a loud pulley system, out of view of the foremost group of waiting priests assigned with him.
We are left this knowledge by literary historical sources from as little as 900 years ago, dating back to that preserved from the First Century Era. And using that data left by Maimonides and others, Biblical archaeologists are also instructed and educated as to what they should be looking for and where...rather than making guesses as to religious ritual in antiquity that may or may not be factually correct without the literary support to verify the claims made upon the past.
The New Testament is clear that despite John's pedigree as a Kohen, John the Baptist was reared as a Nazirite (as well as a Temple priest) by Zacharias. John also had the advantage of being an ordained Semikah rabbi (by the laying on of hands and accepted by Jewish authorities in Jerusalem), taking to himself disciples. As a recognized prophet, in Josephus and in the New Testament, it may be safe to say that there may have been a touch of the miraculous in his ministry. What the bounds and scope of that miraculous was ... we don't know, except that it could not rival the healings and miracles performed by Jesus that were by the thousands at a time, and beyond every medical dispute.
As a Nazirite, John the Baptist's and even Jesus' appearance of living 33 years without a hair-cut or trim isn't readily envisioned.
[cf. Hegesippus on James in Eusebius History 2.23
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.vii.xxiv.html
cf. Numbers 6:1-21,
http://www.hebrewoldtestament.com/B04C006.htm#V1
and Babylonian Talmud. tractate Nazir
http://comeandhear.com/nazir/index.html ]
In fact, this very issue of Nazirite practice is lost upon most western minds and representations of Jesus, and of John the Baptist. Did or did not Jesus ever drink wine? He is accused of wine drinking by mere presence of being with others who did so. But it appears that His ministry was more of a residing overseer conducting sober ceremony, rather than any imbibing (Luke 22:17-18,20).
Therefore, we ought not only to look at John the Baptist, but at Jesus as having the right of free access to the Temple’s Holy Place, especially since Jesus apparently enjoyed visiting the Temple often and was respectedeven by his enemies with an authority exceeding the scribes. Perhaps, in part, because of Jesus' Nazirite separation -- as well as being a Semikah rabbi next in line to the Throne of David.
John the Baptist chose the wilderness areas to call the people out of Jerusalem, and make them a people having hearts made ready for the appearance of a G-D Messiah or YHVeH Messiah ... A concept of G-D as the Messiah that is clearly Biblical and known then, but debated by those who have been wrongly swayed otherwise…and refuted by the archaeological literary evidence coming to light, such as the Hazon Gabriel stone, which invokes the Isaiah prophecy in the name Eliakim (the G-D who rises / resurrects [as from the dead, like Jesus would later do]).
Isaiah 22:20-23
"And it shall come to pass in that day,
that I will call my servant Eliakim [the G-D who rises / resurrects]
the son of Hilkiah [YHVeH who is my protection / portion]:
And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
And I will fasten him as a nail [hang, such as the crucifixion] in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house."
The very use of Eliakim as the identity, more than just simply as the Name of
the Messiah, teaches us that He is to be a G-D figure, who is the son of G-D
the Father (of Him). Thus, Jesus concept of his being G-D from G-D is seen by
just one of various examples through the prophets and various books through the
entire Old Testament (with perhaps Esther being the exception). This lack of
like translations of the meaning of Hebrew names into English, is perhaps a
project which one day needs to be remedied.
There is some controversy among Dead Sea Scroll scholars and commentators as to whether or not John the Baptist was a Qumranian Essene. It appears to me that he was not likely to have been.
In the Dead Sea Manual of Discipline, 6:11-12 it reads:
"And in the Assembly of the [i.e., of the leaders of the] the Congregation, no man shall speak without the consenting of [the leaders of the] Congregation, nor indeed [without the consenting of] the Guardian of the Congregation."
In the role of a prophet, John would not have needed this permission of the Guardian of the Congregation. And clearly, it does not appear as if HE were guardian over any group, other than his small band of disciples...which included Andrew, the later disciple of Christ and brother to Simon (later called Peter).
"...(leave) from the dwelling-place of the men of perversion, in order (that you may) go to the Wilderness to prepare the WAY of Him, as it is written:
'In the Wilderness, prepare the way of ****
[YHVeH is referenced here in the scroll by 4 dots],
make straight in the desert a mecillah for our G-D.
This is the search of the Law."
There is some controversy among Dead Sea Scroll scholars and commentators as to whether or not John the Baptist was a Qumranian Essene. It appears to me that he was not likely to have been.
In the Dead Sea Manual of Discipline, 6:11-12 it reads:
"And in the Assembly of the [i.e., of the leaders of the] the Congregation, no man shall speak without the consenting of [the leaders of the] Congregation, nor indeed [without the consenting of] the Guardian of the Congregation."
In the role of a prophet, John would not have needed this permission of the Guardian of the Congregation. And clearly, it does not appear as if HE were guardian over any group, other than his small band of disciples...which included Andrew, the later disciple of Christ and brother to Simon (later called Peter).
"...(leave) from the dwelling-place of the men of perversion, in order (that you may) go to the Wilderness to prepare the WAY of Him, as it is written:
'In the Wilderness, prepare the way of ****
[YHVeH is referenced here in the scroll by 4 dots],
make straight in the desert a mecillah for our G-D.
This is the search of the Law."
(Manual of Discipline,
8:13-15).
The Madaba Map and the Greek of the Gospel accounts tell us that the wilds of Judea, in this period of the 1st - 6th centuries A.D., could also be defined as that called "the wilderness". It did not have to be the opposite or Eastern side of the Jordan...but it could have been.
In fact, it is also possible that when the Jordan swelled beyond its width of 15-30 feet at Bethabara/ Bethany, and even if it were a width of 200 - 300 feet wide for baptisms, with a depth exceeding 12 feet in the middle of the stream...John's disciples could have easily stood with the hundreds of thousands of Israel at its Western banks while John stood as a witness on its Eastern banks / shoreline, shouting from the wilderness.
However, we might also envision some of John's disciples in the role of lifeguards also, in positions to catch any being carried away downstream...as well as being the ones who directed the crowds in orderly fashion, and served in Levitical priestly functions themselves. Much of this hasn't been fully explored and properly thought out, especially amongst scholars who like to assume an air of authority upon the matter.
However, the idea that John stood on the Wilderness EAST only while the people were baptized in the widerness WEST bank of the Jordan, is not practical.
Certainly John stayed in the river Jordan and not its tributaries east of it...because it was the Jordan that had a spiritual significance. In the north, on another occasion, when the water waned, John would have baptized at the Yarmuk river juncture of the Jordan, which forms a natural shape of the letter Ayin. The concept of "beyond Jordan" in the Gospels appears to relate to a northern Jordan (such as the Yarmuk -Jordan juncture) in respect to how Jerusalemites referred to it from in the south. In contrast, a southern Jordan around Bethany / Bethabara in respect to Galilee, would also be labeled as "beyond Jordan" by those in the north. This appears to be moreso the likelihood than it would for the expression "beyond Jordan" to relate to an Easterly area, because context gives us a picture of baptizing IN the Jordan while yet being BEYOND it. Hence "beyond Jordan" as a north from south (such as that of a "'down below" or "down under") and south from north (such as that of an "up above" or "up beyond") is to be viewed as a localized expression dating to this period in history and among the Israelis of the 1st Century A.D.
But getting back to Bethabara / Bethany in the south. There would have best been a scenario of standing at some kind of elevation, perhaps upon a boulder at the Western Bank to preach...with the occasional descending to personally move among the people and his disciples in the waters and along the banks as if it were a shoreline.
Therefore, if I were in Israel, I would look to this area for such a boulder at the point as indicated on the Madaba map by the log, and then at about a stone's throw or a little more from any likely candidate boulder, then look for the heap of stones that were the memorial stones of Joshua for the tribes of Israel.
If we can find those stones, via John the Baptist's ministry...it would be interesting to see how we could shame the skeptics. Or perhaps they would still have no shame, regardless.
The Madaba Map and the Greek of the Gospel accounts tell us that the wilds of Judea, in this period of the 1st - 6th centuries A.D., could also be defined as that called "the wilderness". It did not have to be the opposite or Eastern side of the Jordan...but it could have been.
In fact, it is also possible that when the Jordan swelled beyond its width of 15-30 feet at Bethabara/ Bethany, and even if it were a width of 200 - 300 feet wide for baptisms, with a depth exceeding 12 feet in the middle of the stream...John's disciples could have easily stood with the hundreds of thousands of Israel at its Western banks while John stood as a witness on its Eastern banks / shoreline, shouting from the wilderness.
However, we might also envision some of John's disciples in the role of lifeguards also, in positions to catch any being carried away downstream...as well as being the ones who directed the crowds in orderly fashion, and served in Levitical priestly functions themselves. Much of this hasn't been fully explored and properly thought out, especially amongst scholars who like to assume an air of authority upon the matter.
However, the idea that John stood on the Wilderness EAST only while the people were baptized in the widerness WEST bank of the Jordan, is not practical.
Certainly John stayed in the river Jordan and not its tributaries east of it...because it was the Jordan that had a spiritual significance. In the north, on another occasion, when the water waned, John would have baptized at the Yarmuk river juncture of the Jordan, which forms a natural shape of the letter Ayin. The concept of "beyond Jordan" in the Gospels appears to relate to a northern Jordan (such as the Yarmuk -Jordan juncture) in respect to how Jerusalemites referred to it from in the south. In contrast, a southern Jordan around Bethany / Bethabara in respect to Galilee, would also be labeled as "beyond Jordan" by those in the north. This appears to be moreso the likelihood than it would for the expression "beyond Jordan" to relate to an Easterly area, because context gives us a picture of baptizing IN the Jordan while yet being BEYOND it. Hence "beyond Jordan" as a north from south (such as that of a "'down below" or "down under") and south from north (such as that of an "up above" or "up beyond") is to be viewed as a localized expression dating to this period in history and among the Israelis of the 1st Century A.D.
But getting back to Bethabara / Bethany in the south. There would have best been a scenario of standing at some kind of elevation, perhaps upon a boulder at the Western Bank to preach...with the occasional descending to personally move among the people and his disciples in the waters and along the banks as if it were a shoreline.
Therefore, if I were in Israel, I would look to this area for such a boulder at the point as indicated on the Madaba map by the log, and then at about a stone's throw or a little more from any likely candidate boulder, then look for the heap of stones that were the memorial stones of Joshua for the tribes of Israel.
If we can find those stones, via John the Baptist's ministry...it would be interesting to see how we could shame the skeptics. Or perhaps they would still have no shame, regardless.
Repost from Sunday, August 5, 2012
Matthew
Chapter 2 in the King James Version (KJV) and Alternate with Word Pictures and
Reiterations Version (AWPR)
Matthew
Chapter 2
King
James Version (KJV)
Alternate
Word Pictures with Reiterations (AWPR) - Translation mine.
1 Now
when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king,
behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, (KJV)
1) Then
Jesus / Yeshua, having been born in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king:
Behold, look and see;
Magi from (the) rising sun – from (the) dawn – from
(the) East
(publicly and noticeably) arrived into Jerusalem,
(AWPR)
2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him. (KJV)
2) Uttering definite words – saying:
‘In what place – Where is He (whom is) brought forth – born
King of the Jews?
For – Because we beheld – saw –
observed – watched
the
luminous body – the star of Him in the East,
and came forth publicly so as to make an appearance
to
kiss – to adore – to show respect and falling/ prostrating obeisance
- to worship him.
(AWPR)
3 When
Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with
him. (KJV)
3) Then (paying heed and) hearing intently –
listening (carefully),
Herod the king
was stirred up and agitated / troubled with great fear and
questions,
and all of Jerusalem with
him.
(AWPR)
4 And
when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together,
he demanded of them where Christ should be born. (KJV)
4) And
gathering – assembling together
the first / chief priests and Scribes
[Scribes - includes scribes who copy the Torah, Accountants,
and
Civil Servant / Officials that were Recorders, Librarians, and other
various
forms of Book or Document Keepers (including tax-collectors
like Matthew, author of this Gospel).]
of the people,
he asked – inquired – examined from them
where – in what place the Christ was to be born.
(AWPR)
5 And
they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the
prophet, (KJV)
5) Then
they said – spoke – replied to him,
‘In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus – in this manner or way
it has been engraved – inscribed – carved
– written
through the
prophet,
(AWPR)
6 And
thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of
Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people
Israel. (KJV)
6) ‘And
you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
by no means – not at all
are you least in rank – dignity –
importance
in – amongst the leaders – rulers –
governors of Judah;
for – because out of you will proceed
/ come forth
a leader – chief – commander – ruler,
someone who will Shepherd the people –
nation
of Me, Israel.
(AWPR)
7 Then
Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently
what time the star appeared. (KJV)
7) At
that time then, Herod in a manner or way concealed from notice –
secretly – discreetly – privately
calling – summoning forth – authoritatively invited
the Magi – the wise men
(and) asked precisely - inquired accurately / inquired exactly
from them the Time – Period – Season
of the shining – illuminating – giving light
[and remaining in that state of excessive illumination]
star – luminous body.
(AWPR)
8 And
he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young
child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and
worship him also. (KJV)
8) And
causing to go – sending them
[implies a military escort for part of the journey to ensure
they
went on
the correct road and were certainly on their way. Herod was in Jerusalem
only 4.1 plus miles to the north, where sending word back to him could be done
by one servant sent back on foot, even walking by lamp or torch by night, in
just inside one hour]
into Bethlehem, he said,
‘Having walked and passed – having gone
through,
accurately examine – exactly with
diligence find out –
inquire thoroughly about
regarding the little child.
Then, as soon as – whenever you find and
search out / discover,
announce it to – send word to – make
known to
me, so that I may also come up
alongside with (you)
to worship Him.’ (AWPR)
Comment on distance:
Justin,
in his Apology, 1.34, says: "And
thou, Bethlehem, the land of Judah" etc. ‘Now there is a village in
the land of the Jews, 35 stadia [4.1 miles] from
Jerusalem, in which Jesus Christ was born, as you can [still] ascertain
also from the registers of the taxing made under Cyrenius, your first
procurator in Judea." It appears to me that the
Inn or House to where Jesus was to be located was in this general vicinity at
least a mile closer than the boundaries of modern Bethlehem and in the hills
northeast of the current modern city, as yet unexcavated. That makes
sense that if Bethlehem was so crowded that there was no room, they would be
forced to make the best they could in the outskirts of the city, at a in
Bethlehem point closest to Jerusalem, and yet above the primary dust and smog
(that generally settles upon the first 200 feet of a civilization and makes the
air tan or brownish as one looks down across a valley or plain of it), it seems
to me.
9 When
they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in
the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child
was. (KJV)
9) Then
they, having heard and listened to the king carefully – intently
(continued and) passed through – departed.
And behold, look and see; the luminous body – the star
which they saw – beheld – observed – watched
in the rising sun – in the dawn – in the East
preceded before and led them forth until, coming,
it stood up above / over and upon
where the little child was.
(AWPR)
10 When
they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (KJV)
10)
Then seeing – beholding – observing the luminous body / star,
they rejoiced with great – abundant
joy – delight – gladness,
with very much eagerness.
(AWPR)
11 And when
they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures,
they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
(KJV)
11) And
coming into the house / building, 1
They saw – beheld – observed the little
child
with Miriam / Mary the mother of Him.
And falling down prostrate they adored – showed obeisance to –
worshiped Him.
And opening the treasures put – set – stored of them,
they brought up alongside with / next to – near to Him
gratuitous – generous gifts of
gold and frankincense and myrrh.
(AWPR)
12 And
being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they
departed into their own country another way. (KJV)
12) And
having been addressed
in a very straight-forward business-like warning – oracle
by a dream that they should not go back again – return
up alongside with Herod,
through another of the same kind of way – highway – route
they departed back again into
the country – land – region – territory of them.2 (AWPR)
13 And
when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a
dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into
Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young
child to destroy him. (KJV)
13) Then
they, having left – having departed back again:
behold, look and see;
an angel / messenger of (the) LORD
shone – gave light / illumination – appeared
down in a dream to Joseph,
uttering definite words – saying,
‘Rise (from sleep and sluggishness) – Rise up!
take up and seize the little child and the mother of Him,
and hurriedly flee – escape quickly into Egypt;
and be you in that place there
until I shall speak to you:
for Herod is at the point of – is about to
look for and strive to find
the little child, to kill – put to death – destroy Him.’
(AWPR)
14 When
he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into
Egypt: (KJV)
14) Then
he rising up (from sleep and sluggishness)
Took up and seized – snatched up
The little child and the mother of Him by night,
And departed back again into Egypt.3
(AWPR)
15 And
was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
(KJV)
15) And
he was in that place there until
the end – completion (death) of Herod,
in order that would be fulfilled that spoken
under the LORD through the prophets,
laying down definite words saying – speaking,
‘Out of Egypt I have called / summoned forth
The Son of Me.’
(AWPR)
16 Then
Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and
sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the
coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he
had diligently inquired of the wise men. (KJV)
16) At
that time then, Herod (upon) seeing –beholding that
he was deluded – deceived – played the fool
under – by the Magi,
(he) was provoked into a great wrath –
indignation – rage.
And sending forth [soldiers on his resulting orders],
He took away in death – he murdered
All the male children in Bethlehem,
And in all the boundaries – frontiers – limits – region of it,
From 2 years and downwards,
According to the Time he diligently and accurately inquired
From the proximity of
[i.e.,
that Herod posed to a group presented before him
who were also far enough away to converse in whispers secretly
among themselves]
The Magi.
(AWPR)
17) Then
was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet,
saying, (KJV)
17) Then at that time was
fulfilled – accomplished – completed
that
definitely uttered / said
under – by – through Jeremiah the
prophet
saying,
(AWPR)
18 In
Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are
not. (KJV)
18) ‘A voice – A sound
Shone
forth –toned forth
[and
would echo in the recurring recollections of the minds
of those who heard it]
in Rama was attentively
heard – listened carefully to:
loud
wailing and grievous weeping with tears,
and
much (tormented – sorrowful) bewailing;
Rachel
grievously weeping with tears for the children of her,
And
certainly not willing / certainly not having the
will
– desire – purpose
to have called to the side of – to be aided or comforted
because
they certainly were not.’
(AWPR)
Comment:
The tomb of Rachel, wife of Jacob, who died in giving birth to Benjamin (cf.
Genesis 35:16-19), was and is located in the region that is now the city of
modern Bethlehem. Benjamin was called Ben-Oni “son of I / son of me”,
which some have mistranslated as “son of my sorrow”. However, Jacob
affirms it was “son of I / son of me” when he renamed the child as Ben-Yamin
“Son at my Right Hand”. Indeed, Jesus / Yeshua would eventually be known
to humanity as “the son at the Right Hand” of GOD the Father Almighty.
19 But
when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to
Joseph in Egypt, (KJV)
19) Then
Herod
having come to his end – having expired / completed / died;
behold, look and see: an Angel of (the) LORD
down in a dream gives light – shines – appears
to Joseph in Egypt,
(AWPR)
20
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of
Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. (KJV)
20) Speaking
with definite words – saying,
‘Rising up (from sleep and sluggishness).
Take up – possess – seize – take along
the little child and the mother of Him,
and pass through into (the) Land of Israel:
for – because those seeking – striving to find
the soul of / the life of the little child
have died (by natural means).’ (AWPR)
21 And
he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of
Israel. (KJV)
21) Then
he [Joseph] rising up,
took up – seized and took along – snatched up
the little child and the mother of Him,
and came forth publicly into (the) Land of Israel.
(AWPR)
22 But
when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father
Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a
dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: (KJV)
22) Then,
hearing attentively and hearkening that Archelaus
reigns upon Judea against / in place of – in lieu of /
in substitution as a successor of
Herod the father of him,
he [Joseph] feared and trembled with fright and terror
(so as to run away) [rather than] to go there in that
place:
Then, down in a dream,
being addressed
in a very straight-forward business-like
order - response - warning – oracle,
he [Joseph] departed back again into the [sea
– waters
of the] sides – parts – coasts.4
And behold, look and see;
The heavens to him were opened,
And he saw – beheld – observed (it was) the Galilee.
(AWPR)
23 And
he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (KJV)
23) And
having come forth publicly,
He dwelt in a permanent dwelling / he resided
Into a city – protected settlement called Nazareth;
So as to accomplish – make full – complete – fulfill
That spoken – foretold through the prophet:
‘He shall be summoned forth / called Nazarene.”
(AWPR)
Disclaimer: The Alternate Word Pictures with Reiterations
(AWPR) translation should be used as a Bible Study Aid only, and it is
recommended that a direct literal translation or the King James Bible be used
for regular and ecclesiastical purposes, and that the AWPR be used in
association only as a Bible study aid so as to help the reader / user in their
Bible Studying to clarify context and Scriptural
Intent. Thanks. -- Brianroy
End-notes:
1. The
events of the Magi arriving is AFTER the events listed in Luke Chapter 2.
Finding Mary and Jesus the angelically announced Messiah in a manure filled
stall, it is not a stretch in any way that the Shepherds (who possibly were
raising their flocks primarily in the valley of Achor, south of Jericho –
Isaiah 65:9-10, before proceeding round about to Jerusalem through the south
via Bethlehem) could easily have used sheep as payment for someone or the Inn
itself to take Miriam and her baby in out of doors. Judaism often places
an emphasis of the relationship of child and mother, and of common
decency. A trade (for example) of 7 fat sheep for eating, and perhaps a
lamb without spot or blemish for trade or sacrifice for the Temple would have
been more than sufficient payment. There is absolutely no justification
for any relocation of the event to Nazareth or anywhere else. In fact,
the events of both the Shepherds and the visit by the Magi would have preceded
the actual day of circumcision of the little child Jesus, meaning the visits by
the Shepherds in Luke 2 (written in A.D. 50) and that of the Magi in Matthew 2
(written between June of A.D. 55 and the early fall of A.D. 56 at the latest),
both were completed within the first 8 days of Jesus birth.
2. The
Highway to Israel from Babylonia would have been via: Accad, Mari,
Tadmor, Damascus, Capernaum, Jericho, Jerusalem, and points along that route.
The
exit taken by the Magi away from Herod, would likely have been south from
Bethlehem to the road that passed from Kadesh Barnea (around the southern part
of the Dead Sea traveling East then North through Edom on the King's Highway)
to Rabboth-Bene-Ammon, then due east to Dumah, and from Dumah to Babylonia.
3. “Departed
back again” is the most accurate translation possible for the Koine Greek
Word of this verse, which is “anechoresen” – the aorist
indicative active of anachoreo. This means that
Joseph, although of the House of David, was a Jew who was previously living in
Egypt and for some time had made his home and livelihood there. Most
likely that home was in Alexandria, and the use of the aorist indicative active
of anachoreo in the way it is presented in this verse suggests that is where
Mary also had spent some time as the wife of Joseph upon her marriage to him.
It also gives cause for a working hypothesis as to part of the reason why Mark
took his Gospel to Alexandria after the death of the Apostle Peter on June 29,
57 A.D., and founded what would be the Coptic Church before his own death in
the 8th year of Nero in A.D. 62 (just 5 years after that of Peter’s death in
Rome). There must have been some sort of familiarity and testimony that
joined Joseph by family and (Mary and the LORD Jesus to that city later, albeit
briefly) as a city of refuge away from and out of Herod’s jurisdiction and
influence.
4. Joseph,
it seems to me, most clearly took the little child / baby Jesus and the mother
of Him out of Egypt by ship back to Israel. They probably first embarked
to Joppa, heard the news of Archelaus, and then took the journey to the next
stop of Caesarea (Song of Solomon 2:1) on the coast of Samaria and entered
through the plain of Sharon. Prophecy related to Sharon in the Old
Testament informs us that Joseph then would have proceeded by land up to Mount
Carmel (Isaiah 35:1-2) before turning aside to Galilee, so as to appear to
enter it from an origin in the north and avert suspicion as having actually
come from the south.
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Repost from Saturday, December 15, 2012
[For many decades now]... America has watched a family tradition called a Charlie Brown Christmas, in which a fictional cast (cartoon children) strive to find the meaning of Christmas among themselves. When asked lamentingly about what the real meaning of Christmas is, one of these characters, named Linus, takes center stage and recites Luke 2:8-14.
For many tens of millions in America, driven to faithlessness by godless progressives who rape the minds of children and fill them with self-destructive ideals and push them into drugs and various vices to help fill the void that only GOD through His Son Jesus Christ can fill, this annual cartoon broadcast may be the only meaningful proclamation of the Gospel they will be willing to stop, watch, and for a moment intently hear.
Most will not hear the necessity of WHY we need to believe on Jesus...to escape damnation that is already manifest upon us before we are even born. Our life is to be one that rediscovers GOD and clings to Him, and trusts in His word. As John the Baptist testified of Jesus / Yeshua in John 3:31,33-36
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV)
Whether it is a Charlie Brown Christmas or a simple proclamation and sharing of kindness that comes only when we are in the month leading into a remembrance of Christ's Birth (GOD with us, who came as a gift among the most poor, showing he neglects no one)...let us share the message of hope and love and faith, and say Merry Christmas, in both words and extra acts of kindness this holiday. And in so doing, share abroad the love of Christ Jesus, which is the love of GOD toward us, that whosoever believes exclusively into Jesus and what he did for us at the Cross, and that by faith also into His resurrection from the dead and ascension, they should not perish when his or her life ends here upon the Earth...for through Christ alone, our soul will live forever, and that with joy and peace and blessings beyond what any words can describe. Thank you.
King James Version (KJV)
Alternative Word Pictures with Reiterations translation - translation mine (AWPR)
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (KJV)
(8) And Shepherds were in the fields and grazing ranges of the country-side,
the same (also) abiding / lodging in the fields (with the flocks [of sheep])
and keeping a doubly protective guarded watch of the night over the flock
of them.
(AWPR)
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (KJV)
(9) And behold, look and see,
an Angel (of the) LORD stood above and over them,
and (the) LORD’s glory shone forth [great light] around them;
and they were terrified with such a fright so as to run away,
[it being such a mentally and spiritually overwhelming] great fleeing terror.
(AWPR)
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (KJV)
(10) But the Angel said to them,
(Although you can)
‘Do not fear or be terrified with such a fright so as to run away.
Behold, look and see,
for I am giving forth a good proclamation of good tidings,
of good news to you,
which will be to the people a great joyous exultation;
(AWPR)
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (KJV)
(11) because was born to you this day / today
a Savior / Deliverer (from destruction) and benefactor
who is Christ / (the Anointed (One),
LORD / YHVeH / JeHoVaH,
in the city of David.
(AWPR)
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (KJV)
(12) And this to you is a miraculous (and visible) Sign /
proof of a Miracle Of Fulfillment:
you will search out – inquire and find a (nourishing) baby
having been enwrapped about as in a band
in a swathing / in swaddling clothes,
laid down – placed – set in a stall.
[alternatively: a feeding trough].
(AWPR)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (KJV)
(13) And of a sudden – suddenly
there was together with the Angel
a fullness – multitude – throng of a Heavenly / Celestial army
singing praises of approval – benefits – commendations / praising
GOD,
and laying down forth definite words, saying:
(AWPR)
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (KJV)
(14) ‘Praise – honor – applause duly rendered / Glory
in the highest to GOD;
and upon Earth,
Peace – Tranquility – Rest – and Every Kind Of Good;
in men, benevolent pleasing favor – kindness and good will.’
(AWPR)
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (KJV)
(15) And it so happened in what manner or way,
the angels withdrew and went away / departed
from them into the Heaven.
And the men, the Shepherds, spoke up alongside and with one another,
(saying),
‘Let us most definitely (now) pass through and go
as far as / unto Bethlehem,
and let us behold, see and know this pronouncement / command,
that having occurred and come into being,
the which the LORD / JeHoVaH / YHVeH
made known / revealed unto us.’
(AWPR)
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (KJV)
(16) And they came forth so as to make a public appearance,
urging themselves on hastily – quickly,
and diligently sought and found out both Mariam / Mary and Joseph
and the newborn child / baby lying down in a stall
[alternatively: a feeding tough].
(AWPR)
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (KJV)
(17) Then seeing and being made aware with understanding,
they went around making it known regarding the
Statement / Pronouncement / Command spoken to them
regarding this child.
(AWPR)
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (KJV)
(18) And all those hearing and listening intently
were struck with astonishment and marveled / wondered
regarding / concerning the thing spoken about the Shepherds
(who were) up alongside and with them.
(AWPR)
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (KJV)
(19) Then Mariam / Mary
kept considering – pondering – mulling over – meditating
(upon) these spoken words / sayings, in the heart of her.
(AWPR)
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (KJV)
(20) And the Shepherds turned about and returned,
[alternatively: Gr. epistrephan also means “having converted”]
(verbally and publicly [with loudness])
recognizing – honoring – glorifying and singing praises to GOD
for / upon / regarding all (the) things
which they attentively heard and beheld / saw,
even as (it) was spoken / proclaimed up to and alongside with them.
(AWPR)
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (KJV)
(21) And when were fulfilled – completed – accomplished
(made fully past) 8 days to circumcise the baby,
moreover was called forth the name of Him, Jesus / Yeshua;
that called forth / That called from through the Angel
before He was conceived in the womb.
(AWPR)
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And to all I would like to say,
Merry Christmas!
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