Some scriptures are not always straightforward or clear to the modern way of speaking. The meaning may be obscure to us because of language translations and original meanings. Several examples follow beginning with one in

Isaiah 8:11

the Lord spoke with a strong hand.

What does that mean?

We speak with our mouth and voice so how does the Lord speak with a strong hand?

As we read our Bibles, when terms used are unclear to us, we will often guess or surmise what it is trying to convey; however taking a little time to look at the meaning of the Hebrew word gives us a clearer understanding of the context of the scriptures.

In Hebrew the word for

hand is

yad:

Strongs #3027

Original Word: יָד
Transliteration: yad
Pronunciation: yahd
Phonetic Spelling: yawd
Definition: Hand
Meaning: a hand

From an unused root meaning: to extend.

The Hebrew word yad primarily means hand and is used in a variety of contexts throughout the TaNaKH/Old Testament.

It can refer to the physical hand of a person or be used metaphorically to denote power, control, or possession.

The term is also employed in idiomatic expressions, such as:

by the hand of, to indicate agency or means.

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the hand was a symbol of strength, power, and authority. It was often associated with the ability to act, create, or destroy. The hand was also a symbol of blessing and favor, as seen in the practice of laying hands on someone to confer a blessing or authority. In the biblical context, God’s hand is frequently mentioned as a symbol of His power and intervention in human affairs.

This means He spoke then and still does today, by the pressure of the persons circumstances.

Chastening is not always correction, as in discipline because we sinned; but is designed to bring us to the place before our Heavenly Father where we say:

Speak Lord and we are listening

and wait for Him for His direction

and don’t immediately run to our Eli to tell

him/her what our Father has said to us.

1Samuel 3:15

Strongs #5046 nagad:

To tell, declare, make known, report, announce

Original Word: נָגַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nagad
Pronunciation: naw-GAD
Phonetic Spelling: naw-gad’
Definition: To tell, declare, make known, report, announce
Meaning: to front, stand boldly out opposite, to manifest, to announce, to expose, predict, explain, praise

The Hebrew verb “nagad” primarily means:

to tell or declare something.

It is used in various contexts:

to convey the act of making something known, whether it be a message, a report, or a declaration.

The word often implies a sense of clarity and authority in the communication, suggesting that what is being told is of importance or significance.

In ancient Hebrew culture, oral communication was a primary means of conveying information, teachings, and traditions. The act of declaring or telling was not merely about transferring information but was often seen as a way to affirm truth, establish authority, or fulfill a duty. Prophets, leaders, and messengers frequently used “nagad” to communicate divine messages or important news to the people.

Our intervention in another persons life can often be a prevention to what our Heavenly Father is doing and we get in the way. His hand/yad is always upon us as protection providing we walk in step with Messiah. When we step outside His given parameters and are in deliberate sin rebellion and doing what we think is right the protection is lifted.

Our personal opinions will almost always pervert the truth of the Word. Many times think we know best, even when a scripture is clear on a subject we still blur the conditions and skew it to accommodate what we want to make our life easier; and help it fit to what we want at the time to support our plans. This is usually a compromise in order to keep what we want because it is beneficial at the time. In these cases we will eventually lose what we thought we gained because it was our plan and not the Fathers plan. Often the consequences of our ways are not immediately felt or obvious and we continue to think we are doing the right thing. 

Proverbs 21:2

1870 derek: Way, road, path, journey, manner, conduct

Original Word: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: DEH-rek
Phonetic Spelling: deh’-rek
Definition: Way, road, path, journey, manner, conduct
Meaning: a road, a course of life, mode of actionFrom the root verb דָּרַךְ (darakh), meaning “to tread” or “to walk.”

 ὁδός (hodos) – Strong’s Greek 3598: Often used in the New Testament to denote a way or path, both literally and metaphorically, similar to “derek.”

 The Hebrew word derek primarily refers to a physical path or road, but it is also used metaphorically to describe a course of life or mode of action. It can denote a journey or the manner in which one conducts oneself. In the Bible, derek often signifies the moral and spiritual path one chooses, reflecting obedience or disobedience to God’s commandments.

In ancient Israel, roads and paths were crucial for travel, trade, and communication. The concept of a way was deeply embedded in the culture, symbolizing not only physical journeys but also spiritual and ethical directions. The Israelites understood life as a journey, with Adonai’s covenant directions/law/teaching, providing guidance on the right path to follow. This is the way walk ye in it. The metaphor of a way is prevalent in wisdom literature, emphasizing the importance of choosing the path of righteousness.

When He calls us by name, we are to answer to Him first and obey what He is asking of us; because primarily our Heavenly Father is looking for obedience, even when it is uncomfortable or painful to our flesh life.

 Hebrew 5:8 tells us that Messiah learned to obey by the things He suffered and for us we learn obedience by the difficult circumstances we go through. When we obey the Word of the Lord spoken to us by His Holy Spirit, this is how we grow. We mature in the times of suffering and trails. Just knowing what scripture says is not the answer, but being obedient to what it tells us to do is the key to walking the walk/Halakhah. הֲלָכָה It is also spelled halachah, its literal translation, “the way,” halach, the day-to-day life and is similar to derek, the way.  Recall that the first followers of Messiah were known as the followers of the way.

 Obedience is the fabric of joy, not happiness as an emotion, but the joy of the lord which is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10. It’s that spiritual force of His joy in our spirit that propels us to instant and total obedience. Its substance not only energizes us but supports and provides endurance to our walk.

To rebel is to seek sorrow, only a yielded heart can find rest in the Lord and to know true contentment. There must be resignation of personal rights in favor of directing our will to be aligned with our Heavenly Fathers.  We must give up all rights to ourself and what we want.  He owns us because He paid the ultimate price for each of us. He gave His life by His own yielded will, His mind, emotions, His heart focus. All that makes us human must be honed and directed to His will.

Until we can see ourselves as we truly are,

a spirit,

we will not have the correct view of our life’s purpose.

As long as we identify self only as the one we see in the mirror,

the physical body,

we will be lacking in the revealed knowledge given in His Word as to what and who we are in reality.

We are to focus on things above, the heavenly things of the spiritual realm and not on the things beneath, those of the earthly world systems. The things we choose to focus on, spend our time on will determine our final destination. There are so many things vying for our attention and not all of them are evil by the Lords standards; but they pull us away from Him and our part in His plans. The enemy is subtle because not everything that looks or seems good is from the Heavenly Father.

The truth is that if we obey the Lord it will cost others more than us; if we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything because it’s a delight, but to those who don’t love Him our obedience costs a great deal. If we obey then other peoples plans are upset but we must let the cost be paid. Our relationships will then mirror those Messiah had in Luke 8:1-3.

We are to be workmen approved to the Lord, 2 Timothy 2:15. Our position is not really ours until we make it ours through suffering, which is by lifes experience and study.

“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1Peter 4:13.  We are called to find joy in suffering, not because suffering is pleasant, but because it aligns them with Messiah and His mission. Our Heavenly Fathers way is always the way of suffering— the way of the long narrow road home. Are we partakers of His sufferings? Are we prepared for Him to stamp out our personal ambitions?

The author or speaker from whom we learn the most is not the one who teaches us something we didn’t know before, but the one who helps us take a truth with which we have been quietly struggling; give it expression and be able to apply it to our lives, then to speak it clearly and boldly.

The world has become too much a part of us and we are consumed and pressured with the idea that we are not accomplishing anything unless we’re always busily running back and forth. We no longer believe in the importance of a calm, quiet retreat where we sit silently in the shade of the most High.

As the people of Adonai we have become entirely too practical. We believe in having all our irons in the fire and that all the time we spend away from that fire is wasted time. Yet our time is never more profitably spent than when we set aside quiet time for meditation; which is simply talking with Him and looking up to heaven. Sadly the word meditation has taken on a new age inference but in the biblical meaning based in Hebrew thought it is the word

suwach –  שׂוּחַ

Genesis 24:63 
HEB: וַיֵּצֵ֥א יִצְחָ֛ק לָשׂ֥וּחַ בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה לִפְנ֣וֹת
NAS: went out to meditate in the field
KJV: went out to meditate in the field
INT: went Isaac to meditate the field toward

7742 suach: To meditate, to muse, to ponder

In different versions:

He went out to meditate (or pray) in the field at the even-tide. 

One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields.

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening.

Original Word: שׂוּחַ
Transliteration: suwach
Pronunciation: soo’-akh
Phonetic Spelling: soo’-akh
Definition: To meditate, to muse, to ponder
Meaning: to muse pensively

While there is no direct Greek equivalent in the Strong’s Concordance, the concept of meditation can be related to Greek words such as:

“μελετάω” (meletao – G3191), which means:

to care for, attend to, or practice, often used in the context of meditative thought or study.

The Hebrew verb suach primarily conveys the act of meditating, pondering or musing. It suggests a deep, contemplative thought process, often associated with prayer or reflection. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, it implies a form of communication with the Lord God, where one engages in thoughtful consideration or silent prayer.

In ancient Hebrew culture, meditation was not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discipline. It involved engaging the heart and mind in the contemplation of God’s word and works. This practice was integral to the spiritual life of the Israelites, who valued meditation as a means of drawing closer to God and understanding His will.

This should encourage us to take a tip from Isaac and that time spent in quiet, thoughtful consideration, is also integral to our spiritual life as we seek to draw closer to our redeemer. Let’s leave the world, the flesh and the enemy of our souls behind for at least some quality time with our Heavenly Father, so we can better understand His will plan and purposes.

Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.