A Different Take on Creation
65
Hebrew Studies
Creation and the Creator
In a previous hub, In the beginning, I described how Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross was depicted in the ancient Hebrew pictographs that make up the first word in the Bible, the Hebrew word barasheet (translated most frequently as "In the beginning"). This, of course, echoes Isaiah 46:10 “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come...”.
In fact, this confirmation in scripture of the stories told by the ancient pictographs is found throughout the Bible. It is almost as if each Hebrew word is itself a scriptural reference. I have attempted in other hubs in this group to show several of these. The first sentence in most English Bibles is translated: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
I have shown In the beginning and "God" (see The Names of God: Elohim: The Lord is My Shepherd). Now let's look at the word "created". In the Hebrew sentence structure, "created" is actually the second word in the Bible. It would more literally be translated, "In the beginning created Elohim the heavens and the earth." The word translated as "created" is the Hebrew word bara, from the same root as barasheet (In the beginning) and barak (Be Blessd).
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Before I get into the ancient Hebrew pictographs, I want to emphasize the way in which each word tells a scriptural story in itself. For "created", let's look at two scriptures:
- John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.; and
- Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Okay, now the Hebrew pictographs. The Hebrew word bara is spelled BET (the equivalent of our letter "B"), and pictured in the ancient pictographs as a house or a tent, and meaning house, as in "the house of David", RESH (R), pictured as a man's head, meaning the first or highest person, and ALEPH (A), pictured as an ox head, meaning strength or God, as in "the Lord is my strength".
Recall from earlier hubs that the Hebrew/Aramaic word bar (spelled BET RESH) is the word for "son". So, bara, translated "created", though more literally "to create", is actually depicted as the SON of GOD.
So, while I do not speak to the method of creation in this hub, I do believe the Bible is clear about "the creator": the Son of God. Check it out below.
View "Created"
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Comments
You are very welcome Marmalade, and too kind.
Peter-
In the "The Thirteen Articles of Faith", compiled by Joseph Smith, we as Mormons proclaim-
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
What you have taught here, is clear evidence to me, of the truthfulness of this statement. I realize that this is not your cause to give evidence to one sect or another, but this is 'how' and what the Mormons believe in regards to the Creation. Thus, one, of the many reasons that it is claimed, that Mormons are not Christian.
The doctrine of 'gods' is being studied, as you know, by many scholars of religion at this time. When Joseph Smith made this statement, and even more so today -- people interpret it as to mean... that we think less of the Bible. No true. We love the Bible, as it is a testimony of Jesus Christ.
But you will note in the statement made as to HOW we believe in the Bible... It has nothing to do with what God has said, but everything to do with the fallibility of man, in its translation.
You bring evidence, as do many scholars of recent, that what Joseph Smith said about the Bible was true. Have you compared the JST of the Bible to any of your findings that would 'change' or we believe clarify doctrine? I would really be interested to know...
tDMg
LdsNana
I'm not familiar with the JST. I use Hebrew and Greek interlinears, and a couple of Jewish translations of the Old Testament for the Hebrew studies. I find that the NASB and Holman Christian Standard treat the Hebrew quite well, in many respects, although I am certainly not a Hebrew scholar...just a studier and believer of the Word.
Peter
Again, I have been inspired by your HUB. I love the futher insights you offer to the truthfulness of the Bible. Thank you for your research and willingness to share.
I'm always happy to share. Thanks for your interest.
Peter, thank you for the Hebrew and related links that will l help me in my own studies. Please post many more of these Hubs for us.
You are very welcome. I will post as many as I am able.
Hi Peter!
The subject of translations - and how many times the Bible has been translated - has been an objection that many who are either opposed or undecided have used in an attempt to discredit Christianity. The subject of Christ's divinity and the Trinity is also mysterious but there is much scripture to substantiate Jesus' claim of being more than just a prophet or a good man. It is important to examine the original text. Also, in cross referencing Bibles such as the NIV, the NASB, the new King James etc, the difference in words used do have the same meaning if people will take the time to cross reference, just using a dictionary even. Thanks for opening the door to this topic - hopefully it is inspiring to inquiring minds - and look forward to seeing more on it.
Thanks, Christine for your thoughtful comments. I agree, the richness of the original Hebrew is such that one exact translation is so difficult. Yes, a thorough study necessarily includes the use of multiple translations. I hope to continue opening doors.
working
MrMarmalade says:
7 months ago
A fabulous Hub thank you