There are several interesting Hebrew words in this verse
but primarily it’s saying that,
when we face a real threat
our Heavenly Father is telling us not to fear.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10.
Original Word: יָרֵא Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: yare’ Pronunciation: yah-ray’ Phonetic Spelling: yaw-ray’ Definition: Fear, revere, be afraid Meaning: to fear, to revere, cause to frighten
Corresponding Greek – G5399 (φοβέω, phobeo):
To fear, be afraid, reverence
– G5401 (φόβος, phobos): Fear, terror, reverence
The Hebrew verb yare
primarily conveys the idea of fear,
which can range from:
a sense of terror or dread to reverence and awe.
In the context of the Bible, yare
is often used to describe the fear of God,
which encompasses:
both a profound respect and
a recognition of His power and holiness.
This fear is not merely about being afraid but involves a deep reverence and commitment to God’s commandments and will. In ancient Israelite culture, fear of the Lord was a foundational aspect of religious life. It was understood as the beginning of wisdom,Proverbs 9:10, and was integral to maintaining a covenant relationship with God. This fear was not just an emotional response but a guiding principle that influenced ethical behavior, worship, and community life. The concept of fearing God distinguished the Israelites from surrounding nations, emphasizing a unique relationship with a holy and sovereign deity.
The reason we need not fear
is because our
Heavenly Father is with us –
Emmanuel. עִמָּנוּאֵל
Strongs #6005 Immanuel. (sometimes spelled with an I.)
Derived from the Hebrew words עִם im, with,
אֲנַחְנוּ anu, us,
and אֵל El, God.
He is our spiritual Father and we are His spiritual children.
Original Word: שָׁעָה Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sha`ah Pronunciation: shah-ah Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-aw’) Definition: To look, gaze, regard, pay attention, to gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered, anxious, fearful.
This word occurs only once, in this verse, and apparently comes from a Semitic root meaning – to be blind!
When someone is really frightened or angry, they become irrational and are blind to the real situation, and all they can do is imagine all the horrible things that are about to happen. Being overwhelmed by the circumstances in which they find themselves in which could be some sort of extreme physical or emotional crisis, their reactions become completely unreasonable. In such situations we often say that: a person reacted in blind panic/fear or bind rage/anger.
However our heavenly Father is reassuring usI am with you.
A promise also found in Zephaniah 3:17 among many others.
qereb: midst, inner part, inward part, among, within
7130 Original Word: קֶרֶב Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: qereb Pronunciation: keh’-reb Phonetic Spelling: (keh’-reb) Definition: midst, inner part, inward part, among, within Meaning: the nearest part, the center From an unused root meaning to approach or come near
The Hebrew word qereb primarily denotes:
the inner part or midst of something.
It is often used to describe the innermost parts of a person, such as the heart or soul, and can also refer to the physical center or interior of a group or object. In a broader sense, it can mean “among” or “within,” indicating presence or inclusion within a group or community. In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of the “inner part” or “midst” was significant both physically and spiritually.
The heart or inner being was considered the seat of emotions, thoughts, and will.
This means He is in our midst i.e. literally within us, which is supported by Messiahs statement in John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
There were many gods out there but all these other gods required, pleading, begging with sacrifices, sometime human sacrifices, to get answers and help from them. In contrast, if we go to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel and the Father of our Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach. He will say, I will not only be with you but I am already with you, without the demands made by ‘demonic foreign gods/entities’.
Furthermore we are told in this verse that He will
amets: To be strong, to be courageous, to be firm, to strengthen
Original Word: אָמַץ Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: amats Pronunciation: ah-MAYTS Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mats’) Definition: To be strong, to be courageous, to be firm, to strengthen Meaning: to be alert, courage
Corresponding Greek: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint for ‘amets is ἐνδυναμόω (endunamoō), which means to empower or strengthen.
The Hebrew verb אָמֵץ – ‘amets, primarily conveys the idea of strength and courage. It is often used in contexts where individuals are encouraged to be resolute and steadfast, especially in the face of challenges or adversaries. The term can also imply the act of strengthening or fortifying oneself or others, both physically and spiritually.
In ancient Israelite culture, strength and courage were highly valued traits, especially for leaders and warriors. The concept of ‘amets is deeply embedded in the narrative of the Israelites, who often faced formidable enemies and daunting tasks. The exhortation to be strong and courageous is a recurring theme in the Hebrew Bible, reflecting the need for reliance on God’s power and promises in overcoming obstacles.
This is exactly what those who have endured horrific circumstances will testify, they received the impartation of courage at the moment they needed it most.
Then we have a very interesting word that follows.
It is the word
yea.
In the English language, Yea can be used as an informal adverb meaning yes or to affirm, or as a noun to indicate an affirmative vote. When used in a vote, yea can be pronounced likeyay.
‘Ap is a common word throughout the various Semitic languages.
In the Old Testament /TaNaKH, it is rendered as:
even, indeed, surely, furthermore, how then, how much more, and also.
637 aph: Also, indeed, even, moreover
Original Word: אַף Part of Speech: conjunction Transliteration: aph Pronunciation: ahf Phonetic Spelling: (af) Definition: Also, indeed, even, moreover Meaning: meaning accession, yea, adversatively though
Greek- G2532 (καί, kai) – often translated as “and,” “also,” or “even.” G1161 (δέ, de) – often translated as “but,” “and,” or “moreover.”
The Hebrew word aph is a versatile particle used primarily as a conjunction or adverb. It is often employed to add emphasis or to introduce an additional thought or idea. In English, it is commonly translated as also, indeed, even, or moreover. This word serves to strengthen the statement it accompanies, highlighting the importance or certainty of the assertion. In ancient Hebrew, conjunctions and adverbs like aph played a crucial role in the structure and flow of narrative and poetic texts. The use of aph reflects the Hebrew language’s tendency to build upon ideas, creating a layered and nuanced expression of thought. (PaRDeS). This linguistic feature is evident in the Hebrew Bible, where aph often introduces a significant or unexpected element, underscoring the depth and complexity of the biblical message.
Its Semitic root however, has the idea of
how much more.
In modern English we would probably say one of the following:
But even better yet than that: significantly more than; considerably more than; to a greater extent; and, even more than meets the eye.
So our Heavenly Father is telling us that:
He will not only give us
courage
but better yet/ how much more,
He will help us.
This word for help has a very interesting meaning.
Original Word: עָזַר Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: `azar Pronunciation: ah-ZAR Phonetic Spelling: (aw-zar’) Definition: To help, to support, to assist Meaning: to surround, protect, aid, help support
Greek – G997 (boētheō): To help, to come to the aid of
– G998 (boēthos): Helper, one who provides aid
The Hebrew verb azar primarily means to help or to assist. It conveys the idea of providing aid or support, often in times of need or distress. This term is frequently used in the context of divine assistance, where God is depicted as a helper to His people. It can also refer to human assistance, where individuals support one another. In ancient Israelite culture, the concept of help was deeply embedded in the community and religious life. The Israelites often found themselves in situations where they needed divine intervention, whether in battle, personal distress, or national crises. The idea of God as a helper was central to their understanding of His covenant relationship with them. This divine assistance was not just about physical aid but also encompassed spiritual and moral support.
So we see that this word has the idea of:
protection
not in the way of someone taking control and we don’t do anything
but more of the idea of:
supporting us and assisting us in the battle.
In other words we still need to engage in the fight, but our Heavenly Father is telling us, to not be concerned in any way because,
He is watching over our backs…together with the Ephesians 6 promises of keeping our spiritual armor in place, we are assured our protection is a total of 360 degrees!
There is one more word in this same verse that has the
‘ap/yea – (better yet)
in front of it and that is:
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness
Here it is stating that our Heavenly Father will not only give us
courage /amatz to enter this conflict,
but better than that,
He is watching over our backs.
Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. And Isaiah 52:12. For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
Original Word: תָּמַךְ Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: tamak Pronunciation: tah-mak’ Phonetic Spelling: (taw-mak’) Definition: To hold, support, uphold, sustain Meaning: to sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow close, grasp (1), grasped (1), held (1), held fast (1), hold (1), hold her fast (1), hold fast
Word Origin: A primitive root to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close — (take, up-) hold (up), maintain, retain, stay (up), stick fast to which in its root form means: to take hold, hold fast, or glue oneself to something.
Corresponding Greek G2902 (krateo): To hold fast, to seize
– G472 (antichomai): To hold against, to withstand
The Hebrew verb tamak primarily means to hold or support. It conveys the idea of grasping firmly, sustaining, or upholding something or someone. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, it often refers to God’s sustaining power or the act of supporting others, both physically and spiritually. In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of support and sustenance was vital, especially in a community-oriented society where mutual aid was essential for survival. The imagery of holding or supporting is often used metaphorically to describe God’s relationship with His people, emphasizing His role as a sustainer and protector. This reflects the agrarian/agricultural and pastoral lifestyle of the Israelites, where physical support was often necessary for daily life.
The best part is that our Heavenly Father will not only give uscourage /amatz
andwatch our backs,/ azaretika, but
He willtamak/tamas/glue Himself to us,
And because He will never be defeated, if we are glued to Him, we will not be defeated either, He will literally stick with us to the end! No doubt most readers have super-glued themselves to an item or their own hand, so we know what that means.
Those who have witnessed our Heavenly Fathers miraculous intervention, could testify to the truth of Isaiah 41:10; for as they faced that situation they found courage from and, assurance that, God was watching their backs. But most importantly that the presence of God was glued/tamar to them.
Maybe we do not feel as if we have all this courage and support yet, and hopefully none of us will face insurmountable odds that threaten our very lives. However, if we or our loved ones ever do, one thing we know,courage strengthwill come and it willglueus to our Father. It will be there when we need it, Isaiah 41:10assures us of that.
With all our daily news reports and media platforms raising awareness of negative world events; without a deep personal relationship with our Heavenly Father we might easily begin to fear and be dismayed. The Word of God has been preserved for thousands of years so that we can read, absorb and trust in the Truths it contains. It is our daily bread of life/Chaim and as we feast on all the promises and encouragements within, we will not fear because He will uphold us with
Original Word: יָמִין Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: yamiyn Pronunciation: yah-MEEN Phonetic Spelling: yaw-meen’ Definition: Right hand, right side, south Meaning: the right hand, side, the south. Derived from the root יָמַןyaman, meaning “to go to the right” or “to choose the right.”
Corresponding Greek G1188 (dexios): Refers to the right hand or right side, often used in the New Testament to convey similar meanings of power and authority.
The Hebrew word yamin primarily refers to the right hand or right side. It is often used in the Bible to denote strength, authority, and favor, as the right hand was traditionally considered the hand of power and skill. Additionally, yamin can refer to the south, as directions were often oriented with the east as the primary point of reference, making the right side the south. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the right hand was associated with power and honor. It was customary for the right hand to be used in greetings, oaths, and blessings. The right hand was also symbolic of divine favor and protection. In biblical times, sitting at someone’s right hand was a position of prestige and authority, as seen in royal courts and among disciples.
Original Word: צֶדֶק Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: tsedeq Pronunciation: tseh’-dek Phonetic Spelling: tseh’-dek Definition: Righteousness, justice, rightness Meaning: the right, equity, prosperity. Derived from the root צָדַק (tsadaq), meaning “to be just” or “to be righteous.”
Corresponding Greek: – G1343 (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē):Often translated as “righteousness” in the New Testament, reflecting the same moral and ethical standards as “tsedeq.”
The termRight Hand of Righteousnessis a significant biblical phrase that symbolizes:
strength, authority, and the divine power of God. It is often associated with God’s ability to uphold, protect, and deliver His people.
In the New Testament, Yeshua HaMashiach/Jesus Christ is described as being seated at the right hand of God, signifying His authority and divine status.Mark 16:19
In Ephesians 1:19-21, we see Yeshua/Jesus above all others by Him being seated at the right hand of the Father.
The term God’s right hand in prophecy, refers to the Messiah to Whom is given the power and authority to subdue His enemies,Psalm 110:1; Psalm 118:16. We find a quote in Matthew 22:44 from Psalm 110:1, which is a Messianic Psalm. “The Son of David” is claimed by the Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach, as He is the “greater son of David” or the Messiah. In this passage of Matthew 22, Yeshua/Jesus questions the Pharisees about who they think the Christ or the Messiah is. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make Thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? Matthew 22:41-45, KJV. The position of the Messiah is at God’s right hand.
The fact that Yeshua/haMashiach/Jesus Christ is at the “right hand of God”was a sign to the disciples that He had indeed gone to heaven. In John 16:7-15,Yeshua/Jesus told the disciples that He had to go away and He would send His Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit. So the coming of His Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit in the upper room on the day of Shavuot/Pentecost in Acts 2:1-13,was proof positive that Yeshua/Jesus was indeed in heaven seated at the right hand of God. This isconfirmed inRomans 8:34 where Paul writes that Messiah/Christ is sitting at God’s right hand making intercession for us.
Therefore, what we can say is that God’s right hand, refers to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach, and He is of equal position, honor, power, and authority with God our Heavenly Father, John 1:1-5. The fact that Messiah/Christ is sitting, refers to the fact that His work of redemption is done and when the fullness of the Gentiles is brought inRomans 11:25,Messiah/Christ’s enemies will be made His footstool. When the end of the age comes, all prophecy will be completed, and time will be no more.
God’s right hand refers to the Messiah Himself, Who died to give us eternal life. His promise is that He will never leave us nor forsake us and moments before His ascension into heaven, these are the words that Yeshua/Jesus spoke – I will be with you always. This was His final encouragement to a group of people whose world had been turned upside down and inside out. Some of us may be experiencing our world turned upside down today and if so, then this is an appropriate time to remember nothing happens that He does not know about, and He will intervene when we ask for His help. He is there, the ever-present God reinforcing His omnipresence and faithfulness and providing comfort and hope to every believer facing fiery tests and trials.
He is Yahweh/Jehoveh/Yehoveh Shammah, –
the Lord is there.
Ez.48:35.
and
El Roi –
The God Who Sees me,
Genesis 16:14-15.
So the next time we read Yea in a version of the Bible,
remember that
Yea –ap…means:
also; even much more than that;
but even better yet than that;
significantly more than;
considerably more than;
to a greater extent;
and, even more than meets the eye…..
and apply its meaning because
yea… even much more….
can we can trust in
and rely on His promise
when He said…
surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20.
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.
As we continue our studies of Hebrew words in scripture that are familiar to us, we begin to see that an understanding of the culture and era in which they were written; really helps our comprehension and an appreciation of what the author was trying to convey to the reader.
In almost every modern English translation of
Psalms 139:3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways,
there is a different rendering for the word search.
Comprehend (Hebrew)
Sees me (Living Bible),
Know my ways (Aramaic Bible),
Observes me (Holman),
Scrutinize my life (NAS, ISV),
Compassest me (KJV),
Search me (ESV),
Understood me (Douay),
Carefully observes me (NET),
Discerns me (NIV)
and Girded me (Jubilee).
It is amazing there are so many English words for one Hebrew word. They can be studied at https://biblehub.com/psalms/139-3.htm
If one Hebrew word, zarah, means so many different things, how do we know which translation is correct and gives the most accurate rendering?
Is there only one and the others are not correct?
Maybe the question we should ask is, what David is trying to tell us in this verse?
What if our Heavenly Father allowed all these different words to be used in the many translations as a means to show us the depth of meaning in His Word. Could it be that by allowing such a broad choice of meanings in the various translations we achieve a better comprehension of what He wants us to know? If this is true then we could say that all of them are right and we have a fuller picture of the word within its context.
There are some 500,000 words in the English language, in comparison classical Hebrew has only about 7,500 word; with this in mind one Hebrew word can say a lot.
Psalm 139:3 HEB: אָרְחִ֣י וְרִבְעִ֣י זֵרִ֑יתָ וְֽכָל־ דְּרָכַ֥י NAS:You scrutinize my path KJV:Thou compassest my path INT: my path down scrutinize all my ways
1 (intensive of Qal) scatter, disperse, especially of peoples, with accusative (Israel and Judah)
2winnow, sift (compare Qal 2) only figurative אָרְחִי וְרִבְעִי זֵרִ֑יתָ Psalm 139:3my path and my couch thou siftest (Che; BaZMG 1887, 607measurest, determinest, whence זֶרֶת q. v.) cast away, compass, disperse, fan, scatter away, spread, strew, winnow
A primitive root (compare zuwr); to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow — cast away, compass, disperse, fan, scatter (away), spread, strew, winnow.
In Hebrew a word for search is zarah.
2219 zarah:
To scatter, to winnow, to disperse
Original Word:זָרָה Part of Speech:Verb Transliteration:zarah Pronunciation:zah-RAH Phonetic Spelling:zaw-raw’ Definition:To scatter, to winnow, to disperse Meaning:to toss about, to diffuse, winnow
Greek – G1287 (διασκορπίζω, diaskorpizō): To scatter, disperse
– G4610 (σκορπίζω, skorpizō): To scatter, disperse
The Hebrew verb zarah primarily means:
to scatter or disperse.
It is often used in the context of winnowing grain, where the chaff is separated from the wheat by throwing it into the air so that the wind carries away the lighter chaff. This action symbolizes:
separation, purification, and judgment.
In a broader sense, zarah can also refer to the scattering of people, often as a form of divine judgment or consequence of disobedience.
In ancient societies who farmed the land, winnowing was a crucial step in the process of preparing grain for consumption. The act of winnowing was not only practical but also carried symbolic meaning, representing the separation of what had worth from that which had little to no value. In the biblical context, scattering often served as a metaphor for divine judgment, where Adonai would disperse nations or peoples; sending them into captivity as a consequence of their actions. This would have been a powerful and relatable image to the original audience, who were familiar with agricultural practices.
There are many references to the winnowing process mentioned in the scriptures. Winnowing was the agricultural process that separated the mixed up pile of grain, stalk, and husk so that the edible grain could be sifted and eaten. It involves the separation of grain from chaff using wind. Our Heavenly Fathers Holy Spirit is often described as wind. Acts 2.
Winnowing serves as a powerful symbol of separating the righteous from the wicked. It underscores the themes of divine justice, the refining of believers, and the wisdom required to distinguish between righteousness and wickedness. The imagery of winnowing invites believers to reflect on their spiritual state and the ultimate judgment that separates the faithful from the unfaithful.
The act of winnowing is also associated with discernment and wisdom. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is likened to a winnowing process: “A wise king winnows out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them” Proverbs 20:26. This verse highlights the role of wisdom in discerning and separating good from evil, much like the winnowing process separates grain from chaff.
The Psalms also employ winnowing imagery to convey the fate of the wicked. Psalm 1 verse 4 contrasts the righteous with the wicked, stating, “Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind”.Here, the wicked are likened to chaff, easily blown away and lacking the substance and permanence of the righteous, who are compared to a tree planted by streams of water.
The Lord God also spoke through His prophets warning His people He would winnow them as grain.
Jeremiah 4:11 In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness in the direction of the daughter of My people—not to winnow and not to cleanse.
Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah uses winnowing to describe God’s judgment upon the nations:
Jeremiah 51:2 I will dispatch foreigners to Babylon that they may winnow her And may devastate her land; For on every side they will be opposed to her in the day of her calamity.
Jeremiah 15:7
I will winnow them with a winnowing fork
At the gates of the land;
I will bereave them of children, I will destroy My people;
They did not repent of their ways.
You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away,
And the storm will scatter them;
But you will rejoice in the Lord,
You will glory in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:16
His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12.
His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Luke 3:17.
Here, the winnowing fork represents the tool of judgment, and the process signifies the ultimate separation of those who are faithful to Adonai from those who are not.
Strongs# 4214 mizreh:
Winnowing fork, winnowing shovel
Original Word:מִזְרֶה Transliteration: mizreh Pronunciation:miz-REH Phonetic Spelling:miz-reh’ Definition:Winnowing fork, winnowing shovel, a pitchfork
Meaning:a winnowing shovel derived from the root זָרָה (zarah), meaning “to scatter” or “to winnow.”
While there is no direct Greek equivalent for “mizreh,” the concept of winnowing is present in the New Testament. For example, the Greek word “διασκορπίζω” (diaskorpizō, Strong’s G1287) means “to scatter” and is used in contexts that convey separation and judgment, similar to the Hebrew concept.
The term “mizreh” refers to an agricultural tool used in the process of winnowing, which involves separating grain from chaff. This tool is typically a fork or shovel used to toss harvested grain into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff while the heavier grain falls back to the ground. In a biblical context, “mizreh” is often used metaphorically to describe God’s judgment and purification process, where He separates the righteous from the wicked.
From these word meanings and definitions, it almost seems to infer a desire on Davids part for the Lord to disassemble him piece by piece and to examine him in detail. He seems to be asking Adonai to scrutinize every part and to sift him, to find anything that needs to be removed. David desires the winnowing of his heart motives and thoughts, he wants them cast away from his life, scattering them to the wind where they will be blown far away from him forever.
Psalm 51:8 He has a desire for a deep inner cleansing by the Lord God, which in turn is a reference to David having a heart after the Lord Himself. “This is a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14).
David made a lot of mistakes, he sinned greatly and most of it was very public. Position and power resulted in pride, he gave in to his fleshly desires, he betrayed his friend, coveted his wife and had him murdered; and yet he had a heart that repented and sought the Lord.
The word zarah is spelled
Zayin ז Resh ר Hei ה
The Zayin
is the 7th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Zayin ispronounced ZAH-yeen
and has the sound of
z as in zebra.
It represents a sword, axe or hatchet
and its shape looks like one.
The top of the zayin is the handle, and the vertical leg is the blade that cuts something open to expose the inner layers.
The Zayin means zun:to sustain
and
represents a joining with our Heavenly Father. It is the joining of ourselves with Adonai that produces the two edged sword. The Word of Adonai is sharper than a two edge sword,
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
The Resh ר
The 20th letter of the Hebrew alphabet is called
Resh pronounced raysh
and has the sound of r as in rain.
The letter ר – resh represents wickedness, as the word for a wicked person רָשָׁע – rasha begins with a resh.
When a wicked person wants to correct their bad behavior and return to being a good person, he goes a step back, there he ‘meets’ the letter ק, which representsholiness. Here we see again, that even the order of the Hebrew letters is important and has significance.
The resh is bent over to the left; some of the ancient Jewish sages tell us that it is a sign of humility or shame. When Adonai cuts through us and reveals what is inside of us it brings us to shame and humility.
Then the last letter is the Hei
ה
which is the 5th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
represents the presence of God and spiritual life revelation, and light. It is the symbol of the repentant man, who beholds the revelation of GOD. Hei is spiritual life, the divine breath of GOD, that is the essence of divine grace, revelation, and transformation.
We need to realize and reconcile ourselves to the fact that our Heavenly Father is going to stay on our case, so to speak, until He can open us up. Then we can see ourselves as He reveals our condition to us and the hidden sins in our lives. After He cleanses us and restores us so we are worthy to be a carrier of His presence as He created us to be in the first place.
The Hei
expresses:
revelation of self in the act of giving of oneself to another.
For those who want to study further, there is also a built-in commentary on each word for
zayin, resh and hei
which are the individual letters, that combined spell the word zarah.
He will zarah – search us in our lying down.
The word for lying down is rava’.
raba: To lie down, to rest, to stretch out
Original Word:רָבַע Part of Speech:Verb Transliteration: raba` Pronunciation: rah-BAH Phonetic Spelling:raw-bah’ Definition:To lie down, to rest, to stretch out Meaning:to be quadrate
While there is no direct Greek equivalent for “raba,” the concept of rest and lying down can be related to Greek terms such as “καταπαύω” (katapauō – to rest) and “ἀναπαύω” (anapauō – to give rest).
The Hebrew verb raba primarily means:
to lie down or to rest.
It is often used in the context of animals lying down, but it can also refer to people resting or reclining. The term conveys a sense of relaxation and repose, often after labor or during times of peace. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the act of lying down or resting was significant, symbolizing peace, security, and trust. For pastoral societies, such as those in ancient Israel, the image of sheep lying down in green pastures was a powerful metaphor for divine provision and protection. Such as we read in Psalm 23. The concept of rest was also deeply embedded in the Hebrew understanding of the Sabbath, a day set apart for rest and worship.
In our modern terms Adonai is even watching us during our most private moments, He is right there, looking for anything that may hinder His presence in our lives, and when He finds it He chases after us until we confess anything less than pure motives and intent; which could block Him from being everything He longs to be in our lives.
He is acquainted with all our ways.
his·kan·tāh — 1 Occurrence
Psalm 139:3 HEB: וְֽכָל־ דְּרָכַ֥י הִסְכַּֽנְתָּה׃ NAS: and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all KJV: and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.
If He is observing our paths and our most intimate moments, He is obviously acquainted with all our ways.
5532 cakan סָכַן:
To be of use, to benefit, to be profitable, to be familiar with
Original Word:סָכַן Transliteration: cakan Pronunciation:sah-KAN Phonetic Spelling:saw-kan’ Definition: To be of use, to benefit, to be profitable, to be familiar with Meaning: to be familiar with, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary
A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary — acquaint (self), be advantage, X ever, (be, (un-))profit(-able), treasurer, be wont.
the Greek equivalent concepts can be found in words like “συμφέρω” (sumphero – to bring together, to be profitable)
and “γινώσκω” (ginosko – to know, to become acquainted with), which carry similar meanings of benefit and familiarity.
One reference says that the word katan has its origins in an ancient Phoenician word which developed from examining a wound for a decision on how to care for it. It is a diagnostic search or making one familiar with the condition. When it is used in a Hiphal form it gives the impression of God determining and understanding the best way to correct and heal whatever wounds remained when He fills you with His presence; rather than Him watching all our ways and giving us a final mark like in an exam.
Like David, there are many things in our lives that we are ashamed of and although our merciful Heavenly Father has forgiven us, sometimes we still have wounds that are not totally healed and they remind us of our past sins. These are areas that the adversary will use to torment us emotionally. In this passage, David is saying that as a loving compassionate father, He is searching us out even in our most intimate moments to clean us up and forgive every single sin, no matter how secret it is. Then He can enter our lives and fill us with His presence by closely examining all our wounds to determine the best treatment to administer healing, so we can rest totally in His presence without any torment of guilty thoughts and feelings.
In the previous verse 2, to the one we have just examined, David tells the Lord that: You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]; You understand my thoughts from afar.
Why do we keep fleeing from the presence of the Lord when we know He knows everything about us anyway?
Is it because sometimes we really do not want to be cleaned up, and we are comfortable with our lifestyle and sinful ways; we don’t want our wounds cleansed and healed? However in His great love, and grace He is mercifully chasing after us until we allow Him to catch up with us, clean us up, and heal those wounds; and then we discover something so much better than our sins. We discover the joy of His unhindered presence and an intimacy (katan) with Him.
He is zarith carefully observing us…
so yes our Heavenly Father sees us and knows us.
He observes, carefully observes us,
searches us, discerns us,
scrutinizes our lives; understands us,
compasses us and girds our lives.
He is intimately acquainted with all our ways,
whether we are sitting, standing up or lying down.
This should bring great comfort to us
every time we read this popular Psalm
because
He is El Roi.
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.
There are several interesting Hebrew words in this verse 
As we continue our studies of Hebrew words in scripture that are familiar to us, we begin to see that an understanding of the culture and era in which they were written; really helps our comprehension and an appreciation of what the author was trying to convey to the reader. 
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