Response to Assaf

2002-2-10 15:26:00

JJ:
"Seasons" comes from the Hebrew MOWADAH which literally means "appointment" or "fixed time." It is not a literal word for the four seasons. It only has meaning for words translated from it (such "seasons" or "festivals") as they relate to fixed times.

Assaf:
A correction regarding the pronunciation - In singular form: MO'ED. In plural form: MO'ADIM.

In Genesis 1:14 it is in the plural form.

I put to mark a consonant between the vowels.

JJ Response
I used Strong's Concordance which says that three variations of the word are used. They give MOWED, then a feminine form MOED and finally MOWADAH. I merely attempt to find the base word without checking the tense of plurality unless that will affect the final meaning. From my studies a problem in agreement often occurs because different ancient manuscripts use different variations of many words and also differs from modern Hebrew. What are your thoughts on this Assaf?

JJ
"The scripture ends with "Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven?" "Ordinances" comes from the Hebrew CHOQ which implies "appointed times" again acknowledging the clockwork of the heavens."

Assaf:
This is not correct. CHOK is "Law" in Hebrew. So it can also mean "Ordinance". But even when it is "Ordinances", it is acknowledging the clockwork of the heavens.

JJ Response
Notice I said the Hebrew CHOQ or CHOK which implies "appointed times," not that it is the black and white definition.

Concerning this word Strong's says: It is "an enactment, hence an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) Even though this is often translated as "statute," (implying a law) the word is usually used around the idea that such statutes are "appointed," usually by God, the Pharaoh or some other authority..

A common usage is in the following scripture: "These are the statutes (CHOQ) and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in Mount Sinai by the hand of Moses." Lev 26:46

Next the word is used in relation to God's appointments or statutes over nature. "When he gave to the sea his decree, (CHOQ) that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth." Proverbs8:29

I agree that either variation of the meaning does not alter the argument I made.

JJ:
"It is also interesting that a mysterious astrological configuration is called a "Yod," after the first letter in the Hebrew Alphabet..."

Assaf
YOD is the 10th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. ALEF is the first. BET is the second. Hence - alphabet. Also Greek: Alpha, Beta...

JJ Response
You caught an embarrassing one there. I should have known better, but I copped from some notes I took without checking or apparently thinking. I will make the correction immediately.

I imagine it is sometimes frustrating for you to talk about Hebrew using English letters.

In fact, I am puzzled about my post on astrology and the Bible. I notice that it showed up on Spiritweb, but I never received it back in my personal e-mail. So to make sure everyone does receive it and the corrected version is in the archives I am including it again. I add an interesting bit at the end about Israel and New Moons.

I always appreciate your comments Assaf since your knowledge of Hebrew far exceeds mine. I would be lost without my reference books.