In the beginning...
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In the beginning...
The first word in the Bible is the Hebrew word barasheet, most frequently translated, "In the beginning...". Hebrew, as a language, evolved from an ancient pictographic alphabet comprised of various pictures that could be used to spell words (not merely pictographs as words, a picture of a bird to mean a bird, but pictographs as letters that could be used to spell B-I-R-D).
Each Hebrew letter was represented by a picture, and each picture had a letter value, a numeric value, and a symbolic meaning. For example, the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet is the letter ALEPH, pictured as an ox head and meaning strength or God, as in "the Lord is my strength".
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"In the beginning..." In Hebrew
Part of what I will do here is take various words or phrases from the Bible and look at them how they would have looked in the original pictographs to see the richer story within the story.
How does this all work? The Hebrew word barasheet, most frequently translated "In the beginning...", is comprised of the Hebrew letters BET, RESH, ALEPH, SHIN, YOD, TAV. The letter BET is the equivalent of our letter "B", and it is pictured in the ancient Hebrew as a House or Tent, meaning house, as in "the house of David". RESH is the equivalent of the letter "R", and is pictured as a man's head, meaning the first or highest person. ALEPH ("A"), is pictured as an ox head, meaning God and/or strength. SHIN ("Sh") is pictured as two teeth, meaning to destroy or consume. YOD ("Y") is pictured as an arm from the fist to the elbow, meaning my hand/efforts. TAV ("T") is pictured as two crossed sticks, meaning a mark or covenant.
So, looking at the ancient pictographs, this is what we see: the Hebrew letters BET and RESH together form the Hebrew/Aramaic word "bar", or Son. Thus, the SON of GOD will be DESTROYED with his HANDS on a CROSS.
To make this easier to see, I have tried to give a visual representation of "In the beginning..." below. Note: Hebrew is read right to left, so the pictographs are arranged right to left.
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Comments
Thank you LDSNana. I believe exactly what John says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." I'm just thankful that we are able to explore the Word.
Yes, it is a grand old Canaanite language that spread throughout the ancient Mediterrainean world by the Phoenicians, those great traders and sea farers. related to ancient Egyptian. It's interestig to note that Canaan was the son of Ham, the Biblical father of the Africans and Canaanites, As Hebrew is a Canaanite language I've often wondered how the Hebrews could be considered sons of Shem, the brother of Ham. It's also interesting that the bull head should represent God. Worshipping the bull as symbolic of God is an ancient tradition found throughout the middle east, depicted so well in the Book of Exodus, when Arron made the Golden Calf. Osiris, the Egyptian god, was symbolized as a bull. Bull fighting is a remnant of this ancient practice of God dying and shedding his blood so that life may be renewed. The Spanish probably kept the tradition alive from after the great Canaanite city of Carthage was reduced to rubble by the Romans. Spain was a vast Phoenician colony.
Thank you for your insight hucktunes. The Hebrews are Semites (or descendants of Shem) going back to before Abraham's calling to Canaan. Recall, it was the Canaanites who labeled Abraham a Hebrew, or one who passes over. I'm sure that the languages became intermingled in the land of Canaan just as they do today. I appreciate your readership, keep coming back.
My Grandfather held a PHD in Hebrew and a Masters in Greek. He claimed that he still knew almost nothing about the compexities of Hebrew. You have taken on a great work here. The depth of expression and meaning built into Hebrew is profound and much like a fractal image gives more complexity with every increased magnification. Thank you for showing the glory of this ancient tongue.
Thank you, MortimerWorth. I think it would take a lifetime to make a dent in understanding the fullness of the Hebrew language. Evidence, in my opinion, of its divine origin.
I have heard it said that it is Hebrew that is spoken in Heaven. I also find it very awesome when I contemplate the depth and richness of the wisdom contained within every letter. The wisdom of God is contained in His Creation....and language is the way He chose to reach us, consider the "code" of our own DNA....or the structure of the atom....consider what kind of reality we would have if there were no languages. And the WORD of God became flesh....there is much to learn.
Everything in the Bible, Old & New Testaments, is a reflection of this truth: the Word became flesh.
Peter, The word of G-d is so awesome! I am giving a small study to my home group next month. I have chosen the letter TAV to share with them. I so appreciate your studies and they will help ke greatly! Keep up the great work!
Lisa
Thanks, Lisa. If you are studying the tav, try these others:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Language-of-God
http://hubpages.com/hub/Signature-of-God
Good luck with your Bible study.
Hi Peter. I love your stuff. I am not so sure about this one. It is easy to not get the lanuage just right. I don't think that the context of this one permits me to conclude what you see hear. I have another interpretation of bereshyth, perhaps when I fnish the writing I will be able to share it with you. God Bless you and keep you, I enjoy your fellowship.
working
LdsNana-AskMormon says:
12 months ago
Peter -
I am moved.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saint teaches that this covenant was made before the worlds were created. We believe in a pre-mortal life where we knew of this covenant as a way that would return us, back into the presence of God, if we accept His Atonement on our behalf.
I am aware that many do not understand the teachings of the Lds Church. That is why I am here. But what you have taught here, is very symbolic of what we believe, and bears witness to much of our doctrine. We are a covenant making people.
God reveals Himself to us, so that we will know Him. And know that His love for us, began before we came to this earth, which He created, so that we might learn, by our own experiences -- to know the good 'from' the evil.
Again, I thank you deeply, for this witness to that which I hold sacred. I know that this is your desire, that we might see Him. I do.
tDMg