Health and Holiness

Ve Emet Le Adonai

Another Look at the Hebrew Word Adonai

Introduction

The following is not meant to be an exhaustive study. However, as the Torah states, “At the mouth of 2 or more witnesses let a truth be established (Deut. 19:15).” You will see that more than 2 witnesses are provided to show that the word Adonai is used in the Hebrew Scriptures.

First are 2 statistics:

אֲדֹנָ֑י (Adonai) - Occurs 439 times by itself in the Hebrew Tanach

אֲדֹנָ֑י יהוה (Adonai YHWH) - Occurs 310 times in the Hebrew Tanach

I have not ventured into the use of “adon” in this paper, which was a term used amongst Semitic peoples as a form of respect. Searching the Hebrew text, one will find many verses containing this word.

First, I am blessed that we are being immersed in the Hebrew language at this time. Needless to say, when reading the Hebrew we were quite surprised at what we found.

I pray that one would not call into question the validity of the Hebrew text. Doing this would merely give the enemy fuel he needs to cast doubt among Yah's sheep who are unaware.

The following Scriptures need to be read in Hebrew. The Sacred Name translators deliberately changed the אֲדֹנָ֑י to יהוה in many instances. These are some of the verses I am supplying as an example, providing plenty of witnesses of translator bias.

I will show you this bias in the “Halleluyah Scriptures” and “The Scriptures” by comparing them to the actual Hebrew text. Since these 2 translations are derived from the Chris Koster 1996 translation of “The Scriptures” differences were not found. After reading this, you will see how important it is to learn and comprehend Hebrew and hold the translators to account.

Reader Note: Where you see the English translation with YHWH in purple and underlined, the corresponding word Adonai appears in the Hebrew text below in red.

Genesis 18:3 and said, “יהוה, if I have now found favour in Your eyes, please do not pass Your servant by.

Hebrew Verse 3:

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֗י אִם־נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ אַל־נָ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר מֵעַ֥ל עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃

Genesis 18:27 And Aḇraham answered and said, “Look, please, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to יהוה, v28 “Suppose there are five less than the fifty righteous, would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” And He said, “If I find there forty-five, I do not destroy it.” 29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there are found forty?” And He said, “I would not do it for the sake of forty.” 30 And he said, “Let not יהוה be displeased, and let me speak: Suppose there are found thirty?” And He said, “I would not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 And he said, “Look, please, I have taken it upon myself to speak to יהוה: Suppose there are found twenty?” And He said, “I would not destroy it for the sake of twenty.” 32 And he said, “Let not יהוה be displeased, and let me speak only this time: Suppose there are found ten?” And He said, “I would not destroy it for the sake of ten.”

Hebrew starting with Verse 27:

וַיַּ֥עַן אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הִנֵּה־נָ֤א הֹואַ֙לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔י וְאָנֹכִ֖י עָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר׃ 28 א֠וּלַי יַחְסְר֞וּן חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים הַצַּדִּיקִם֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה הֲתַשְׁחִ֥ית בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה אֶת־כָּל־הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית אִם־אֶמְצָ֣א שָׁ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃ 29 וַיֹּ֨סֶף עֹ֜וד לְדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם אַרְבָּעִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה בַּעֲב֖וּר הָאַרְבָּעִֽים׃ 30 וַ֠יֹּאמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה אִם־אֶמְצָ֥א שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִֽׁים׃ 31 וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּֽה־נָ֤א הֹואַ֙לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔י אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֶשְׂרִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָֽעֶשְׂרִֽים׃ 32 וַ֠יֹּאמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אַךְ־הַפַּ֔עַם אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֲשָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָעֲשָׂרָֽה׃

Exodus 4:10 And Mosheh said to יהוה, “O יהוה, I am not a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

Hebrew Verse 10:

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶל־יְהוָה֮ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנָי֒ לֹא֩ אִ֨ישׁ דְּבָרִ֜ים אָנֹ֗כִי גַּ֤ם מִתְּמֹול֙ גַּ֣ם מִשִּׁלְשֹׁ֔ם גַּ֛ם מֵאָ֥ז דַּבֶּרְךָ * אֶל־עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֧י כְבַד־פֶּ֛ה וּכְבַ֥ד לָשֹׁ֖ון אָנֹֽכִי׃

Exodus 4:13 But he said, “O יהוה, please send by the hand of him whom You would send.”

Hebrew Verse 13:

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר בִּ֣י אֲדֹנָ֑י שְֽׁלַֽח־נָ֖א בְּיַד־תִּשְׁלָֽח׃

Exodus 5:22 And Mosheh returned to יהוה and said, “יהוה, why have You done evil to this people? Why did You send me?

Hebrew Verse 22:

וַיָּ֧שָׁב מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֗י לָמָ֤ה הֲרֵעֹ֙תָה֙ לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה שְׁלַחְתָּֽנִי׃

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore יהוה Himself gives you a sign: Look, the maiden conceives and gives birth to a Son, and shall call His Name Immanu’ĕl

Hebrew Verse 14:

לָ֠כֵן יִתֵּ֨ן אֲדֹנָ֥י ה֛וּא לָכֶ֖ם אֹ֑ות הִנֵּ֣ה הָעַלְמָ֗ה הָרָה֙ וְיֹלֶ֣דֶת בֵּ֔ן וְקָרָ֥את שְׁמֹ֖ו עִמָּ֥נוּ אֵֽל׃

Verses with Adonai YHWH together (Master YHWH underlined in purple and Hebrew Adonai YHWH in red below):

Genesis 15:2 And Aḇram said, “Master יהוה, what would You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eli‛ezer of Damascus?”

Hebrew verse 2:

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָ֗ם אֲדֹנָ֤י יֱהוִה֙ מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִ֔י וְאָנֹכִ֖י הֹולֵ֣ךְ עֲרִירִ֑י וּבֶן־מֶ֣שֶׁק בֵּיתִ֔י ה֖וּא דַּמֶּ֥שֶׂק אֱלִיעֶֽזֶר׃

Genesis 15:8 And he said, “Master יהוה, whereby do I know that I possess it?”

Hebrew Verse 8:

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהוִ֔ה בַּמָּ֥ה אֵדַ֖ע כִּ֥י אִֽירָשֶֽׁנָּה׃

Isaiah 7:7 ‘Thus said the Master יהוה, “It is not going to stand, nor shall it take place.

Hebrew Verse 7:

כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֖ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֑ה לֹ֥א תָק֖וּם וְלֹ֥א תִֽהְיֶֽה׃

Deut. 3:24 ‘O Master יהוה, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand, for who is a mighty one in the heavens or on earth who does according to Your works and according to Your might?

Hebrew Verse 24:

אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֗ה אַתָּ֤ה הַֽחִלֹּ֙ותָ֙ לְהַרְאֹ֣ות אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶ֨ת־גָּדְלְךָ֔ וְאֶת־יָדְךָ֖ הַחֲזָקָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִי־אֵל֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם וּבָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה כְמַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ וְכִגְבוּרֹתֶֽךָ׃

Deut. 9:26 “And I prayed to יהוה, and said, ‘O Master יהוה, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance whom You have redeemed in Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Mitsrayim with a strong hand.

Hebrew Verse 26:

וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל אֶל־יְהוָה֮ וָאֹמַר֒ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֗ה אַל־תַּשְׁחֵ֤ת עַמְּךָ֙ וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּדִ֖יתָ בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁר־הֹוצֵ֥אתָ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה׃

Reader Note: Where you see the English translation with YHWH in purple and underlined, the corresponding word Adonai appears in the Hebrew text below in red.

Other verses to look at:

Exodus 15:17 “You bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O יהוה, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the set-apart place, O יהוה, which Your hands have prepared. (Part of the song the children of Israel sang after crossing the Sea of Reeds)

Hebrew Verse 17:

תְּבִאֵ֗מֹו וְתִטָּעֵ֙מֹו֙ בְּהַ֣ר נַחֲלָֽתְךָ֔ מָכֹ֧ון לְשִׁבְתְּךָ֛ פָּעַ֖לְתָּ יְהוָ֑ה מִקְּדָ֕שׁ אֲדֹנָ֖י כֹּונְנ֥וּ יָדֶֽיךָ׃

Numbers 14:17 “And now, I pray, let the power of יהוה be great, as You have spoken, saying, .....

Hebrew Verse 17:

וְעַתָּ֕ה יִגְדַּל־נָ֖א כֹּ֣חַ אֲדֹנָ֑י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ לֵאמֹֽר׃

Conclusion

Moses was the most humble man on the earth in his day.

Now the man Moses was very humble, above all the men who were on the surface of the earth. Numbers 12:3

This paper has highlighted many passages where the actual Hebrew text shows Moses referring to YHWH as Adonai. Is there a lesson in this for us?

Why did the translators in Sacred Name Bibles deliberately ignore the Hebrew text?

Hopefully, exposing these truths will put an end to division, criticism, contention, and strife in the Body of Messiah today. Mercy should also be extended to Beit Yehudah. Clearly, the examples I have shown in these Hebrew verses show that the use of Adonai is not pagan or a replacement, but used out of respect for the Set-Apart One of Yisrael. As long as the person using Adonai knows they are addressing Yud Hey Vav Hey, it cannot be construed as idolatrous.

Biblical linguistic experts have demonstrated that the Hebrew language predates all languages. This study is referred to as “Edenics”. Before the tower of Babel, a type of Hebrew was spoken. Pagan cultures prostituted Hebrew words to use them to refer to their elohim. The Greeks called one of their elohim adonis as a prostitution of the Hebrew word adonai. For further research on this topic please refer to www.edenics.org. Isaac Mozeson is the founder of edenics and has done significant research discovering the Hebraic origins of languages.

Shalom,

Tzefanyah Pappas

-- 

Chazak Chazak v'nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

The Darkness of Jezebel: An Examination of Spiritual Realities Related to Her Whoredoms

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent of her works. 23 I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. (Rev. 2:20-23)

If everyone of us were to be totally honest, we would have to confess that we have tolerated Jezebel and allowed her enticements to touch us at some level in our lives both currently or in the past. Because of this, we are vulnerable to her caresses. Her seduction continues to allure those who are not keeping watch as this is an unclean, wicked spirit of a kingdom founded in darkness.

A Dream in The Night

I recently had a dream that was both challenging and disturbing to my spirit. YHWH used this dream to teach and exhort me to keep watch over my house in these evil days ahead. I hope the message of the dream will do the same for you. In the dream, I was working at a place where there were several buildings that looked like houses. It looked like what could be some type of convalescence home. I am trying to describe this in detail because some of you may even discern further spiritual realities related to this dream.  I entered a room in one of the buildings. The room was totally dark, but from the far corner of the room I heard a female voice that was very evil and seductive. While standing in the dark, I felt a kiss upon my lips. Briefly I was under this woman's spell, then a set-apart fear overcame me. Because of reverence for YHWH I was able to shake off her continued advancements and ran with lightening speed out of that place. Next I was in a car with my wife and acknowledged to my shame what happened. I said to her that we must leave this place and go far away from here because Jezebel will tell the community that I love her when I only love you. My wife's response was that I know you love me and to flee is the right decision. The final portion of the dream, I was in a conversation with Abba. He said, “Elijah ran from Jezebel and this was a righteous thing. Joseph ran from Jezebel and this was a righteous thing. Elijah knew his frailty and he was not ready to see her (Jezebel's) destruction, he needed to come away with Me to strengthen himself spiritually for his next confrontation. Joseph knew not to permit himself to be in the clutches of Jezebel.”

A Warning to the Community of Yisrael

Jezebel is in our community. My wife represented Y'shua, my husband, in the dream. Because we have let Jezebel in, she has continued to wreak her destruction upon our community. We have tolerated her. Through her enticements we have eaten of her delicacies which are filled with the worship of human knowledge and reason. We should all be in a state of repentance. Will we flee from her clutches and go to our husband Y'shua? She has now told the community of Yisrael that we love her more than Y'shua. The word is out.

Jezebel Lives in Darkness

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you, that Elohim is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Y'shua the Messiah, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 Yochanon (John) 1:5-7

There are a lot of people fighting each other in the community of Yisrael these days. Love is growing cold and fellowship is ceasing. Have we walked into that darkened room where Jezebel is? She dwells only in darkness. Has she enticed us into her darkened chamber and her bed of sickness (the convalescence home in the dream)? Is that why love has grown cold and fellowship is ceasing? My beloved, stay in the Light. Walk in the Light and stay away from the darkened rooms of men that bring you further away from your First Love. It is in the light of Y'shua where fellowship is sweet and love for one another is stronger than death. Beloved, there are no elitist agendas in His Light for we are all fellow partakers of righteousness. We are not in a convalescence home, for sickness has no dominion over us where the cleansing power of Y'shua's blood is. This is our fellowship and this is our call. The epistle above continues into chapter 2, “My little children I write these things to you so that you may not sin.” If you do sin, don't go to a man, but go to your Husband Y'shua the Messiah, your Counselor, and run away with Him from the clutches of sin.

Flee from Jezebel: A Warning for Our Day

The Scriptures give us an understanding how this spirit will be particularly rampant in the last days. If we were to bullet point aspects of Jezebel what would they be?

• Worshipper of Baal (1 Kings 16:31)
• Murderer of the prophets of YHWH (1 Kings 18:4)
• Instrumental in bringing prophets of Baal into the Northern Kingdom of Yisrael (1 Kings 18). The same prophets were confronted by Eliyahu (Elijah) at Mount Carmel.
• Usurper of YHWH's authority structure (1 Kings 21)
• Manipulative, controlling, cunning and able to persuade others to do her bidding (1 Kings 21:11)
• Seductive and persuasive enough to lead YHWH's servants into sexual immorality and the committing of idolatry (Revelations 2:20; author's note: I tend to believe that the eating of food sacrificed to idols means assimilating practices of idolatry into ones life, since medically speaking, the process of eating is assimilation.)

Will ancient Hebrew reveal more about this spirit and why Yehu (Jehu) was given the privilege of commuting YHWH's revenge for the killings of His prophets? Jezebel's name in Hebrew is spelled with the following Hebrew letters, Aleph, Yud, Zayin, Vet, Lamed = Strong Hand that is a Weapon in the House of Authority or House of the Shepherd. In other words, Jezebel operates among the assembly of believers! Doesn't the Scripture even demonstrate that she operated in the assembly of Yisrael bringing mixed worship?

I have always wondered why Eliyahu nor Elisha were not given the privilege of being YHWH's chosen one to exact His vengeance. Perhaps, YHWH needed to confront this woman in such a way that it would be Him exacting the vengeance and no one else. Yehu's name (translated meaning, “YHWH is He”) is spelled with these Hebrew letters, Yud, Hay, Vav, Aleph = Hand to Behold who Secures the Strong. Yehu beheld YHWH's hand against the strong evil of Jezebel! We all have to be honest with YHWH and know whether he has chosen us to confront Jezebel (Author's note: We will flee no matter what since light has no fellowship with darkness). If we have any doubts about confronting this spirit, we should flee from her, for she seduces the spiritually unaware. We must all walk in the light. This is the walk that Jezebel hates.

Final Exhortation

12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore put on the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13)

I exhort you brothers and sisters to remember that this battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers of wickedness who will seek to turn your attention to people and not to the spirits behind them. One of the primary operations of the spirit of Jezebel is to produce infighting amongst the assembly of Yisrael. Jezebel works with Balaam, Balak, and the Nicolaitans (see previous blog at chazakyisrael.blogspot.com - “Nimrod the Mighty Hunter is Hunting for You”). This spirit is being unleashed in an unprecedented fashion during these end times. I pray that we will stay keenly aware of this spirit's devices and strategies against our people.

Shavua tov,

Tzefanyah Pappas

-- 

Chazak Chazak v'nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

Enter by the Door

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter through the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up by another way, that one is a thief and a robber. 2 “But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 “The doorkeeper opens for him, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 “And when he has brought out his own sheep, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 “And they shall by no means follow a stranger, but shall flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Y'shua used this figure of speech, but they did not know what He had been saying to them. 7 Y'shua therefore said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the Door of the sheep. 8 “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 “I am the Door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture. 10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to slaughter, and to destroy. I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure. 11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 “But the hireling, not being a shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. 13 “Now the hireling flees because he is a hireling and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 “I am the Good Shepherd. And I know Mine, and Mine know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold – I have to bring them as well, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd.” (Yochonan/John 10: 1-16 emphases added)

Some of you have been wondering what has happened to all the letters. The Father was still speaking to me, but because of the job I was in, I was not hearing His voice. Since leaving that job I have been hearing Him again. I've learned my lesson. I will accept no job, nor remain in a job that stands in the way of my relationship with my Shepherd. I would rather be rich in the Kingdom and poor in this world!

I write this letter as a heart-felt cry to not grow weary in doing what is right! I exhort you to walk according to the calling you have been called to. There are no retired workers of YHWH. He has shown you great things by His Ruach (Spirit), but you have grown weary. Just as Shaul (Paul) exhorted the Galatians and the Thessalonians, so I exhort you. Yochanon (John), in Revelation 14:12, encouraged the set-apart ones to endure and keep the commandments and the testimony of Y'shua. Some have mistaken man's laws and the traditions of men for the precious commandments that Y'shua followed perfectly. Do not allow yourselves to be bewitched. Y'shua is your Door; Y'shua is your Gate to life eternal. The end of the age is coming and some of you have put your sword down. This could be an exhortation to myself. The Father has taught my wife and I many lessons this past year. The battle has grown more intense. I found myself allowing the cares of this world to drain me. Y'shua Himself, at times, had to come away briefly with His Father and commune with Him. It is within the truths of His Word that He will remind all of us, that He deeply cares for His flock, and will not allow you to be consumed by this world. He cares so much more for you than the birds of the air or the flowers of the field.

The way is narrow to eternal life and there are few who find it (see Mtthw 7:13-16) . Many are leaving their first love, Y'shua, and accepting a bowl of pottage. The spirit of Esau has trampled so great a salvation. The worship of man has become the order of the day. This is not a popularity contest. Those with flattering speech have come in amongst the flock without checking in at the Gate (Y'shua). There is only one King of Yisrael and there is only one Master of all – follow Him; listen only to His voice. Listen not to the whispers of the flatterer. Come out from among them declares YHWH, the Shepherd calls you! (see 2 Corinth. 6:17-18, Rev. 18:4-5)

I leave you with the following exhortation from Shaul (Paul) in Titus Chapter 2:

11 For the all-saving grace of Elohim has appeared to all men, 12 and teaches us to deny wickedness and the lusts of the world, and to live in this world in purity, and in righteousness, and in the fear of Elohim, 13 while expecting the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of the great Elohim and our Saviour Y'shua the Messiah; 14 who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to cleanse unto Himself a new people, who are zealous of good works. 15 As to these things, keep speaking and exhorting and reproving, with all manner of precept: let, no one, disregard you!

May you continue to cling to the blessed hope of our Master Y'shua the Messiah and follow Him alone.

Shalom shalom,

Tzefanyah Pappas

--
Chazak Chazak v'nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

Nimrod, The Mighty Hunter Is Hunting for You

Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before YHWH. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before YHWH. 10 ” The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Bereshit (Genesis) 10:8-10 (emphases added)

Who is Nimrod? What significance does he have to do with you as a believer in Y'shua today? I hope the Ruach will enable me to demonstrate to you that Nimrod's spirit is alive and well and hunting for you today. Are you on your guard? Do you know his motives and his goals to capture you?

Nimrod, Who Is He?

Verse 9 above says that Nimrod was a mighty hunter before YHWH. The translated English word “before” is the Hebrew word “panim” which means face. Here “panim” can also mean “against”. As we read further we will understand this to be the meaning because Nimrod was against YHWH in every way. Nimrod comes from the Hebrew word “marad” which means “to rebel”. If you add an “n” before the “m” it becomes a verb that functions as the noun Nimrod (Nun, Mem, Raysh, Dalet). (also BDB 1962: 597).

Jeff Benner from the Ancient Hebrew Research Center says something interesting about the name Nimrod. Here is his research on the name direct from this website url http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/emagazine/022.html.

Name of the Month - Nimrod

By: Jeff A. Benner

The name nimrod is not Hebrew but it is a Semitic name and is therefore closely related to Hebrew. The name comes from the Semitic root מרד (MRD) meaning "to rebel". In the Ancient Hebrew/Semitic cultures a person’s name was closely related to their character and therefore Nimrod's name fits well with his personality. The name is formed by placing the letter נ (N) before the root. A common means of forming words and names out of a root in Hebrew is by placing the letter מ (M) before the root while other Semitic languages use the letter נ (N). Because of this we know that Nimrod is of a non-Hebrew Semitic origin.

The person Nimrod is only mentioned in Genesis 10:8,9 but these two passages speak volumes about the character of Nimrod. The standard translation for verse 9 is something like "He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD". It would appear that there is nothing out of the ordinary about Nimrod. So, why is he so often seen as such an evil person?

Only two persons in the Bible are identified as "hunters", Nimrod and Esav, the twin brother of Ya'acov. From the story of Esav and Ya'acov we know that Esav was not the most respectful person. Not only did he despise his birthright but to spite his parents married foreign women. From this we can conclude that from an Hebraic perspective hunters are seen in a negative light. In verse 8 it states "he was the first on earth to be a mighty man". The Hebrew phrase may also be translated as "He made a profaning by being a mighty one in the land". To add to this verse 9 states that he was a "mighty hunter 'before' Yahweh". The word for "before" in Hebrew is "liph'ney" and literally means "to the face of" and in this case "to the face of Yahweh" and can mean that he was a mighty hunter in place of Yahweh implying that he, rather than Yahweh is the provider of the people.

One final clue into the character into the personality of Nimrod is how the Semitic root MRD has been used even into our own time. The Ancient Semitic root MRD (marad) is the origin of our words MaRauDer and MuRDer. (End Jeff Benner research)

So Nimrod was a murderer who stood opposed to YHWH Himself. What else can we find out about him? The writer Josephus has some interesting things to say about Nimrod.

The Antiquities of the Jews/Book 1/Chapter 4/Section 2:

Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah, a bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness. He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers! (emphases added)

According to Josephus, Nimrod, through the incident of the Tower of Babel, brought people into a constant dependence on him. We are formulating an understanding of just who this man is and what he was about.

When researching Nimrod you will find a connection to Baal. The idol Baal was connected to Ashtoreth (the Queen of Heaven). These two idols are none other than a deification of Nimrod and Semiramis (Nimrod's wife).

Refusing to Bow the Knee to Nimrod

Yet will I leave seven thousand in Yisrael, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal (Nimrod), and every mouth which has not kissed him.” (parenthesis added) 1 Kings 19:18

Religion believes that a man has to be between you and your relationship with Abba YHWH. These institutions of men will convince you that their leaders have to be your covering. This is the spirit of Nimrod who convinced the people of his day to depend upon his power and authority. Y'shua is your only Rabbi. He has put His Ruach in you to lead you into all Truth. I have found that there are very few who travel this road. Most are uncomfortable living their life free of a religious institution or organization. My wife and I have found that the greatest satisfaction comes in networking with other redeemed Yisraelites and discussing Scripture with them. We find that during these times we become “oxen” of the Torah treading out the grain to receive nourishment from the Bread of Life.

Sometimes, I will admit, we feel alone in this walk of being free from the institutions of men. The last time I was thinking about this Abba spoke in His still small voice, “Seven thousand have not bowed their knee to Baal.” This all occurred while thinking of being free from the spirit of Nimrod and his influence. I then knew that Baal and Nimrod were connected. The preceding research about Nimrod verified it.

Recently during one of those “treading out the grain” sessions with a brother, I received a revelation about Yirmeyahu 31:33-34:

33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisrael after those days, says YHWH: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people: 34 and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know YHWH; for they shall all know me, from their least to their greatest, says YHWH: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more. (emphases added)

The Hebrew word for “know” in the verse above is “yada”. According to Strong's Hebrew “yada” means to know through an assortment of the senses. I used to think that this passage was not fulfilled, but I began to see that we are now in the place to where we can all know YHWH. We do not need the pope, a bishop, a rabbi, a pastor, or any other man with a title to help us “know” our Abba. From the least to the greatest can know him in deepest intimacy. Why would we use a man as a mediator if we can know him intimately ourselves? Do you want to know Nimrod or do you want to know YHWH? Will you wait for Eliyahu the prophet to sort you out or will you allow His still small voice to work on you today?

The Fishermen and the Hunters

Therefore behold, the days come, says YHWH, that it shall no more be said, As YHWH lives, who brought up the children of Yisrael out of the land of Egypt; 15 but, As YHWH lives, who brought up the children of Yisrael from the land of the north, and from all the countries where he had driven them. I will bring them again into their land that I gave to their fathers. 16 Behold, I will send for many fishermen, says YHWH, and they shall fish them up; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks. 17 For my eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from my face, neither is their iniquity concealed from my eyes. 18 First I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable things, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations. 19 Adoni, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity and things in which there is no profit. Yirmeyahu 16:14-19 (emphases added)

The fisherman have already gone out. Abba has sent them out as a witness for Him and His ways. The fisherman waits for the fish to come to him. The hunter goes out to the prey. Nimrod, the mighty hunter, made a building among the people when they were supposed to traverse the earth and fill it. Y'shua seeks fishermen who use no enticements only nets waiting for the Ruach to lead the fish into the net. The hunters of Nimrod have enticed multitudes and have lead Yisrael into iniquity. Nimrodic systems of men are full of vanity and lies. The hunters have gone out to bewitch Yisrael into their lies. Will the spirit of Nimrod seek to hinder Yisrael from hearing the Great Shepherd's whistle during the Exodus (see Conductor of A Symphony – http://chazakyisrael.blogspot.com/2008/05/conductor-of-symphony.html)? Are we too caught up in the religious institutions of Nimrod to leave all behind?

Abba, we only desire your Kingdom Yisrael with Y'shua as its King. Abba, give us discernment to know the wiles of the enemy. Help us to confront the unclean spirits in our lives that attempt to lead us down a path not ordained for us. We thank you and praise you Abba for placing your Son Y'shua as King over us. Amein v' Amein.

Shalom shalom,

Tzefanyah Pappas

--

Chazak Chazak v'nitchazek

Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us

strengthen (encourage) one another!

Ted (Obed) Barnett of Blessed Memory: 9/23/1947 to 5/26/2010

When Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Yirmeyahu into the cistern—the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate— 8 Ebed-melech went from the king's house and said to the king, 9 “My master the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Yirmeyahu the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city.” 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take three men with you from here, and lift Yirmeyahu the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” 11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Yirmeyahu in the cistern by ropes. 12 Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Yirmeyahu, “Put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.” Yirmeyahu did so. 13 Then they drew Yirmeyahu up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Yirmeyahu remained in the court of the guard. Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 38:7-13

Ted was a precious brother. Many folks will truly miss him. I know I will. If I can think of one defining character quality of Ted, it was that of being a servant. The Hebrew name he chose for himself was Obed which means servant. If Ted knew that you were about the Father's business, it would not take long for him to express his desire to help in whatever way he can. Ted was one of the best men at our wedding. He blew the shofar (biblical ram or antelope horn) and held the chuppah (canopy) up during the wedding. Ted was not afraid to express his enthusiasm for something that touched him. I can hear his voice now. His jubilant jumping, his loud laugh, and praises to YHWH saying, “Blessed be the name of YHWH!! Blessed be the name of YHWH!!” He brought that same enthusiasm to our wedding.

I cannot remember a time when I needed help that he wasn't there to come and assist me. Quite a few times he either let me borrow his truck or he would come over and help me if I was moving or needed a truck for something else.

The verse at the beginning, I believe, is a very appropriate description of Ted. Here, Ebed-melech (which means servant to the king) wants to help the man of YHWH who is in a hole and could die. That was how our brother was. If you were in distress he wanted to be there. Being a trucker was really hard on him because he realized how much he was missing. He commented on it several times to me. Yet, at the same time YHWH used Ted to witness to other truckers about Israel and its importance to our understanding of Scripture. Without this, you would never know that Scripture is totally Hebraic.

When the resurrection takes place and we are able to stand on solid ground in Israel, I know I will see Ted standing on the Golan Heights! He loved that place and adopted (in his heart) an Israeli fighting unit called the Golani brigade.

Finally, I want to share an incident with you that describes how warm Ted's heart was for other people. When we were living at his home and were preparing for Passover, I connected with a friend, Israel, who owns a kosher deli/market in the South Miami area. Reyyna and I went to purchase lamb and Israel offered to deliver it to the house. This gesture really blessed us. Before the delivery, I had a conversation with Israel on the phone, he said, “Tzefanyah if we only knew how important shevet achim gam yachad is. It is everything.” Shevet achim gam yachad is a Hebrew expression meaning brothers dwelling together in unity. I shared this conversation with Ted. It so moved Ted that when Israel came to deliver our lamb order, Ted gave him a huge Hebrew hug! It was funny. Israel said, “Oh yes, I like hugs!” That evening the 3 of us all embraced in the warm reality of “shevet achim gam yachad.” (see blog chazakyisrael.blogspot.com "A Prophetic Friendship" on Sunday, May 24, 2009 about Israel and Ted's hug)

That Passover of 2009 was the first Passover that Ted ever led. It was a special seder (the Passover service). Everyone was blessed. And Ted knew how significant it was for him to have the opportunity to lead one in his home.

My brother Ted, I love you, Reyyna loves you. We feel privileged and honored that you were a part of our lives. Let the people of Israel live!! Am Yisrael Chai!

Picture of Golan Heights mountain range.  We thought of Ted 

when taking this picture while in Israel

Tzefanyah Pappas

--
Chazak Chazak v'nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

You Are Not A Dry Tree

1 Thus says YHWH, “Keep justice, and do righteousness; for my salvation [yeshuah-ti] is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”3 Neither let the foreigner, who has joined himself to YHWH, speak, saying, “YHWH will surely separate me from his people”; neither let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says YHWH, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast my covenant: 5 to them I will give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the foreigners who join themselves to YHWH, to minister to him, and to love the name of YHWH, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant; 7 even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” 8 YHWH Elohim, who gathers the outcasts of Yisrael, says, “Yet will I gather others to him, besides his own who are gathered.” 9 All you animals of the field, come to devour, all you animals in the forest. 10 His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they can’t bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yes, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds who can’t understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter. 12 “Come,” say they, “I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, great beyond measure.” Yeshayahu 56 (emphases added)

I don't usually do this, but I think it is important that we speak the truth to ourselves. So repeat after me - Ready? - 1 – 2 – 3 “I am not a dry tree. I am not a dry tree. I am not a dry tree!” Do you feel better? The truth will set you free. There are principalities in wicked realms that have sent their messengers out to convince you that you are a dry tree. These are the same spirits that have killed the prophets and they will kill you if you let them. It's time for the people of Yisrael to stand up against these enemies! The people of Ephrayim have a history of committing idolatry on every high hill and under every green tree. We have spent a life time allowing unclean spirits to seduce us away from our heritage, our inheritance, and our beloved Land. And now as we are returning we have forgotten that we are in a spiritual battle. We have failed to address the unclean fruit manifesting from the hidden enemy within. Ephrayim has one big problem. You want to be validated by man. If you believe you are a dry tree this will be one manifestation.

When I think of a well watered tree, I think of the following passage:

1 Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, and shall not stand in the path of sinners, and shall not sit in the seat of scoffers, 2 But his delight is in the Torah of YHWH, and he meditates in His Torah day and night. 3 For he shall be as a tree planted by the rivers of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither, and whatever he does prospers. 4 The wrong are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wrong shall not rise in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For YHWH knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wrong comes to naught. Tehillim 1 (emphases added)

The principalities and powers of wickedness have been our counselors.  They keep saying, “You don't measure up! Look at how the Greeks and Assyrians don't accept you. Join the idolators.”

The Spirit of Cain

1 The man knew Havah his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with YHWH’s help.” 2 Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 As time passed, it happened that Cain brought an offering to YHWH from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. YHWH respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. 6 YHWH said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will it not be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” 8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” It happened when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.  Bereshit (Genesis) 4:1-8 (emphases added)

There is a spirit of Cain in the camp. This spirit will seek to destroy individuals who seek to desire the commands of their Father. Instead of adjusting and correcting their own wrongs, these individuals have a strong spirit of Cain in them that rises up to kill their brother. I have met these spirits face to face. The person on the surface may appear as one of you. But, if they see you attempting to walk in a way that is pleasing to your Father, the spirit rises up within them to kill and discredit you. The spirit of Cain will turn you over to the persecutors. The spirit of Cain was present that attempted to usurp Moshe's leadership among the children of Yisrael (see Bamidbar (Numbers) Ch. 16). The spirit of Cain was present when those citizens in the Northern Kingdom of Yisrael wanted to go up to Yerushalayim to celebrate the pilgrimage feasts. Yeroboam ordered them to return to worship 2 golden calves, thus killing the peoples desire to please their Abba (see 1 Kings 12:25 and following verses). The Yisraelites who returned to Yeroboam had another spirit – the spirit of the fear of man. The operating of the spirit of Cain through Yisrael would make a very thick history book! I only gave 2 examples, but you will see it rearing its ugly head through the history of our people.

The purpose and driving force behind the murdering spirit of Cain is the denial of access to the Torah which is life. Remember, this spirit manifests through one who is your brother.

92 If Your Torah had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 Let me never forget Your orders, For by them You have given me life. 94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your orders. 95 The wrong have waited for me to destroy me; I understand Your witnesses. Tehillim 119:92-95 (emphases added)

23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.....Proverbs 6:23

There is the blessing and the curse. The spirit of Cain will attempt to keep you in the curse and the curse may kill you. (See Devarim 23) A curse does not come without a cause (see Prov. 26:2). If we stand against the spirit of Cain, life surrounds us.

What Shall We Do?

11 And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove or expose them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of what is done by them in secret.  13 But all matters being reproved or exposed aremanifested by the light, for whatever is manifested is light. 14 That is why He says, “Wake up, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Messiah shall shine on you.” 15 See then that you walk exactly, not as unwise, but as wise, 16 redeeming the time,because the days are wicked.     (Ephesians 5:11 -16 emphases added)

We may, unknowingly, have these spirits, in ourselves. First we must expose them. Once we expose them in our own members, we can then begin to have no fellowship with them. Do not entertain their thoughts or ideas. Send those spirits back to their dry places to roam (see Mtthw 12:43-45). A good cleaning on the inside will allow us to see and discern these spiritual manifestations around us. Once we deal with the enemy within, we will be able to handle attacks from without.

Closing Thoughts

Since we are in the Messianic Age (time of Y'shua's first appearance up to His second), these verses are pertinent for us today from Luke 11: 46 "He said, ""“Woe to you Torah scholars also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens. " 47 "Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. " 48 "So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs. " 49 "Therefore also the wisdom of Elohim said, ‘I will send to them prophets and emissaries; and some of them they will kill and persecute, " 50 "that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; " 51 "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zekaryah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. " 52 "Woe to you Torah scholars! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.”" (emphases added)

During these dark times it is vitally important to associate with those who will exhort and encourage you. Ephesians 4 offers us sound advice, 29 “"Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. " 30 "Don’t grieve the Ruach Ha Kodesh, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. " 31 "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. " 32 "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as Elohim also in Messiah forgave you.

Also what will proceed out of your mouth? For Yaacov 3 says, 8“"For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. " 8 "But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. " 9 "With it we bless our Elohim and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of Elohim. " 10 "Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. " (emphases added) For those who are like-minded let us take the time to encourage one another and leave the bitterness and hatred to the enemies of our souls.

Love,

Tzefanyah Pappas
--
Chazak Chazak v'nitchazek
Let us be strong,
let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

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