Blog Archives

HaMakom (THE PLACE) and its meaning in the Bible...

25/7/2019

From an article by
Rabbi Professor Yoel Elitzur (circa 2014)

‘Ha-makom in Genesis
Once we understand the significance of “the place,” we can see that this keyword – ha-makom – is a keyword that is emphasized in the stories of the patriarchs in the book of Genesis as well. It appears in the story of the binding of Isaac and in Jacob’s Bethel narrative. The proof that the prominent role of the word ha-makom in these passages is no coincidence lies in the fact that often, the word is stressed in the Biblical text much more than what would be linguistically reasonable. That is to say, there are several instances in Genesis where the word ha-makom makes it difficult to understand the simple meaning of the verse. The Torah says:

Jacob left Beer-sheba, and set out for Haran. He came upon that place (ba-makom) and stopped there for the night, for the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of that place (ha-makom), he put it under his head and lay down in that place (ba-makom). (Genesis 28:10-11)
The word appears again shortly thereafter: “Surely the Lord is present in this place (ba-makom)… How awesome is this place (ha-makom)! This is none other than the abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven” (28:16-17)’ (end quote)

Discover the secrets of this mysterious and unique place--THE PLACE--in the book...
'THE PLACE HaMakom; where Jerusalem's temples stood'
See details here

1 Comment

ON 'THE SONS OF MEN' IN PSALM 31:19

22/7/2019

0 Comments

‘'Oh how great is your goodness which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have prepared for those who trust in you in the presence of the sons of men’

Can you see the distinction David makes here between 'those who fear you' (known elsewhere as the sons of God) and, 'the sons of men' (Hebrew benei adam) before whom the blessings and benefits are dispayed?

Throughout the Bible the distinction between the two groups becomes plain: those who choose not to follow Yahweh are known as the benei adam, whilst those who fear and follow Him are distinguished as benei haElohim—the sons of God.

In ‘THE PEOPLE, the sons of God (through the eyes of a Watcher)’ you will see how the distinction is employed and becomes clear throughout your Bible, right into the New Covenant where the term is also used, for example, by Paul when he describes the whole creation as eagerly awaiting the revealing of ‘the sons of God’ (Romans 8:19, Greek ‘huion tou theou’).

Told in stimulating narrative style by Shaqaad, an angelic Watcher, you will travel through our time sojourn as a fellow-observer with Shaqaad (‘The Wakeful One’) gaining a new perspective on God’s redemptive plan to bring many ‘sons’ to glory!

See details and how to purchase at Base Camp page on this site.

0 Comments

WHY DID JOHN WRITE ‘the place of the City where Jesus was crucified was near’ (John 19:20)?

13/7/2019

0 Comments

He was writing about the inscription that Pilate had put on Jesus’ cross, which, said John, 'was read by many Jews'—and the reason it was read by many Jews was because it was where all the Jewish people were gathered—near and around, the temple!

A correct reading of John 19:20 indicates that John used the ancient name by which the temple was known...’The Place’ (in Greek ho topos and in Hebrew HaMakom)

John’s Greek uses the Genitive Case denoting possession: it’s ‘the place OF the city where Jesus was crucified.’

Darby translates it quite correctly as, ‘This title therefore many of the Jews read, for the place of the city where Jesus was crucified was near; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, Latin.’

It is not the only occasion where John uses this name for the temple: in John 4:20 where the Samaritan woman converses with Jesus. She says ‘you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship’ (see KJV, NAS, Jubilee, ASV, Darby and others. Note, not ‘Jerusalem is the place’)

Find out about The Place (HaMakom) so designated from the days of Abraham, set apart for the presence of God among his people and known by Jacob as Bey-tel, the House of God.

'THE PLACE HaMakom: where Jerusalem's temples stood' is available from Wipf and Stock Publishers or Amazon

0 Comments

HaMakom (THE PLACE) and its meaning in the Bible...

ON 'THE SONS OF MEN' IN PSALM 31:19

WHY DID JOHN WRITE ‘the place of the City where Jesus was crucified was near’ (John 19:20)?

Archives

Jerusalem Temple

Location