Manoakh/M’nukhah: a RESTING PLACE for your Soul

RESTING PLACE/ PLACE OF REST: manoakh, masculine noun (Strong’s 4494); m’nukhah, feminine noun (Strong’s 4496). 

The root of manoakh/m’nukhah (“resting place”/“place of rest”) comes from the word nuakh (נוּחַ) meaning “rest”. Rest (nuakh) is actually one of the most re-visited postings on HebrewWordLessons blog. If you recall the infamous Noah of the Bible, his name literally meant rest, noakh. There was also a man called “resting place” in the Bible; it was Samson’s father, Manoakh (see Judges 13).

Finding a Place of Rest

It could be argued that this is the great human search… the longing for a resting place. As soon as we’re born we seek comfort because, to be a healthy person, we need a place where we can feel content and safe. We are born searching for a place of rest on this earth, and when we die we discover the final place of rest. Ultimately a place of rest on earth prepares us for a place of rest with God.

When Naomi and her widowed daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, found themselves on their own without a male support system,  Naomi encouraged the young women to return to their Moabite birth families to find a place of rest:

Ruth 1:6-9

Then she [Naomi] arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the land of Moab, because she had heard in the land of Moab that YHWH had visited His people by giving them food. So she departed from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to your mother’s house. May YHWH deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me. May YHWH grant that you may find a place of rest [m’nukhah], each one in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they raised their voices and wept. 

Orpah returned to her Moabite birth family, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi:

Ruth 1:16-17

But Ruth said, “Do not plead with me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you sleep, I will sleep. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May YHWH do so to me, and worse, if anything but death separates me from you.”

Ruth wanted her resting place to be alongside Naomi’s resting place. Until they found safety together, they would be each other’s comfort. Naomi accepted Ruth’s kind gesture, but she took it as her mission to find a resting place for Ruth:

Ruth 3:1

Then her mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security a resting place [manoakh] for you, that it may go well for you?”

So they headed to Bethlehem, Naomi’s hometown, to find safety and a family rescuer who would save the women from poverty and homelessness. There Ruth met Boaz and he became redeemer husband to Ruth and saved the women from poverty. Together, Ruth and Boaz became the parents of Obed, the grandparents of Jesse, and the great grandparents of King David. This was the line of the Messiah to come.  Naomi sought a resting place for Ruth, and Ruth would sire the One who would open the doors to an eternal Resting Place for everyone to be at peace.

God Provides a Resting Place as an Inheritance

There was also a resting place promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-7 & 15:18-21), Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13 & Genesis 32:28)… a land where God’s chosen people could rest together: Israel.

When the Hebrew people escaped Egypt they headed for the land promised to their forefathers. Moses led the people and, after three days, sought a resting place:

Numbers 10:29-36

So they moved on from the mountain of YHWH three days’ journey, with the ark of the covenant of YHWH going on in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place [m’nukhah] for them. And the cloud of YHWH was over them by day when they set out from the camp. Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said,

“Rise up, YHWH! And may Your enemies be scattered, and those who hate You flee from Your presence.” 

And when it came to rest [u-v-nukhoh], he said,

“Return, YHWH, to the myriad thousands of Israel.”

As they set out on a three day journey, Moses prayed to YHWH to rise up and protect them; when they stopped for rest Moses prayed that YHWH return and rest with them.

[As a side note, Yeshua (Jesus) wandered in the realm of the dead for three days before rising up and living in His true resting place.]

Immediately after this passage the people start to grumble about their journey. They were tired, hungry, and thirsty. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Repeatedly the Hebrew people questioned Moses’ leadership and YHWH’s ability to rescue them. But Moses was faithful to God. God had made a promise to the people that there was a land that would be a place of rest for them and, regardless of their behaviour, Moses encouraged the people to carry on towards the promised resting place:

Deuteronomy 12:8-10

“You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, everyone doing whatever is right in his own eyes; for you have not as yet come to the resting place [ha-m’nukhah] and the inheritance which YHWH your God is giving you. And (when) you cross the Jordan and live in the land which YHWH your God is giving you as an inheritance, He will give you rest [w-hey-niakh] from all your enemies around you so that you live in security.”

The Promised Land would be the people’s resting place, but it was a hard journey to get there. In fact, the hardship that the wanderers faced made them doubt God’s promise. As a result, that generation would not enter the promised land:

Psalm 95:5-11

“When your fathers put Me to the test, they tested Me, though they had seen My work. For forty years I was disgusted with that generation, and said they are a people who err in their heart, and they do not know My ways.

Therefore I swore in My anger, they certainly shall not enter into My resting place [el m’nukha’ti].”

Moses died before ever reaching God’s promised resting place and the first generation of wanders would also not live to see the promised land. It was Joshua that led the younger generation into the land of milk and honey. Israel, their new home,  would become the resting place for the Jewish people.

A Place of Rest for the Feet

The first time we see manoakh pop up in the Hebrew Bible, it was all about a bird couldn’t find a place of rest. During the great flood, and after 40 days of floating on the waters, Noah looked for dry land:

Genesis 8:8-9

Then he [Noah] sent out a dove, to see if the water was low on the surface of the land; but the dove found no resting place [manoakh] for the sole of its foot, so it returned to him in the ark, for the water was on the surface of all the earth. Then he put out his hand and took it, and brought it into the ark to himself.

This phrase, the dove found no manoakh l-kaf rag’lah (resting place for the sole of its foot), is almost identical to a passage found in Deuteronomy: 

Deuteronomy 28:64-66

Furthermore, YHWH will scatter you among all the peoples, from one end of the earth to the other; and there you will serve other gods, made of wood and stone, which you and your fathers have not known. Among those nations you will find no peace, and there will be no resting place [manoakh] for the sole of your foot; but there YHWH will give you a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and despair of soul. So your lives will be hanging in doubt before you; and you will be terrified night and day, and have no assurance of your life.

This passage highlights the point that those who turned their backs on YHWH would find themselves in a restless state. Their lives, in the land of pagans, would be at risk.  They wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to put their feet up because they were in no place of security or comfort.

And the dove found no manoakh l-kaf rag’lah (resting place for the sole of its foot) (Genesis 8:9)

And there will be no manoakh l-kaf rag’leka (resting place for the sole of your foot) (Deut 28:65)

These two passages, describing two different time periods, made the same point. The dove found no resting place so it had to come back to Noah (whose name, Noakh, literally means rest) and Noah “put out his hand and took it, and brought it into the ark to himself.”  In other words, the dove, finding no rest, returned to the only one who could give it rest.

In Deuteronomy, God’s scattered people could only be saved by returning to the only One who could give them rest… YHWH!

Zechariah 1:3

[YHWH to Zechariah:] Therefore say to them, ‘This is what YHWH of armies says: “Return to Me,” declares YHWH of armies, “that I may return to you,” says YHWH of armies.

Ultimate rest comes from YHWH. He provides the true resting place for all of those who love and seek Him. 

Zion: God’s Resting Place on Earth

The Bible tells us that humans sought resting places for their feet. So YHWH turned the tables and made the earth a resting place for His feet:

Isaiah 66:1-2

This is what YHWH says: 

“Heaven is My throne and the earth is the footstool for My feet. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where, then, is the place of My resting [m’nukha’ti]?

For My hand made all these things, so all these things came into being,” declares YHWH. “But I will look to this one, at one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

YHWH’s home-base (footstool) on earth would be the Temple in Zion:

Psalm 132:7-14

Let’s go into His dwelling place;  let’s worship at His footstool.

Arise, YHWH, to Your resting place [li-m’nukha’teka],  You and the ark of Your strength. May Your priests be clothed with righteousness,  and may Your godly ones sing for joy. For the sake of Your servant David, do not turn away the face of Your anointed. YHWH, has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back: 

[YHWH:] “I will set upon your throne one from the fruit of your body. If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also will sit upon your throne forever.”

For YHWH, has chosen Zion; He has desired it as His dwelling place. “This is My resting place [m’nukha’ti] forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.”

The 23rd Psalm: a Place of Rest

Moses led the people to the borders of the land, and Joshua led the people across the Jordan River and into the land of rest that God had promised them. But it was King David who would establish the united Kingdom of Israel. He was the great grandson of Ruth and Boaz and he was born in Bethlehem (the House of Bread) where Ruth could rest after finding redemption and security.

David is recognized as the most faithful king of Israel’s golden age, but he was also a thoughtful and reflective poet. His life was not easy. He was constantly at war with neighbouring nations and he was also frequently at odds with his own family. His son, Absolom, tried to take over the kingdom, which sent David and his faithful followers into exile by way of the Kidron Valley (2 Samuel 15:23). The valley was lined with cave tombs, so it was literally a valley of death. One of the most recognizable Davidic poems is the 23rd Psalm which many believe he wrote during this terrible time of his son’s rebellion:

Psalm 23

[David:] YHWH is my shepherd, I will not be in need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet restful waters [waters of resting: mey m’nukhoht]. He restores my soul;  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, and my dwelling will be in the house of YHWH forever.

The usual translation of “quiet waters” doesn’t quite capture the meaning in Hebrew. The waters were a place of rest. YHWH would bring comfort and salvation through the waters. This is a baptismal image. A renewing of life through the waters of resting would restore the soul and lead them to YHWH. God took charge of the chaotic waters at the time of creation and calmed them into the restful waters. Death had no power over the ones protected by God’s life giving place of rest. The 23rd Psalm is a beautiful reflection of what a resting place really looks like: God leads, restores, guides; He walks with us, comforts us, anoints us, and brings us home.

A Man of the “Resting Place”

Although a resting place could be a physical, geographic location, it could also be a person. When David wanted to build a Temple, God turned down his request. Instead, God told David that Solomon would build Him a temple:

1 Chroncles 22:8-10

David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house for the name of YHWH my God. But the word of YHWH came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me. 9Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of resting [m’nukhah], and I will give him rest [wa-ha-nikhoti] from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ 

YHWH called Solomon “a man of resting [m’nukhah]” because his kingdom would provide rest from enemy attack. There would be a time of peace for Israel.

Solomon obeyed his father and built a House for YHWH. At the dedication of the newly built Temple Solomon prayed:

1 Kings 8:56-58

“Blessed be YHWH, who has given a resting place [m’nukhah] to His people Israel in accordance with everything that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant. May YHWH our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; may He not leave us nor forsake us, so that He may guide our hearts toward Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.”

It was good to be a Hebrew inhabitant in the kingdom of Solomon. There was no war or threat of exile, and there was an abundance of wealth and security. Life was comfortable enough that you could, for the most part, rest your feet and live contently. 

Solomon was, as God called him, “a man of resting [m’nukhah]”. But he was a forebearer of the true“man of resting [m’nukhah]”.

Providing Good Places of Rest

Those who live in security ought to provide secure resting places for those in need. As God’s image bearers, we are responsible for providing good resting places. The prophet Micah warned the people that they were not being places of refuge for the needy, rather they were being oppressors of the needy:

Micah 2:8-10

“Recently My people have arisen as an enemy— You strip the robe off the garment from unsuspecting passers-by, from those returned from war. You evict the women of My people, each one from her pleasant house. From her children you take My splendour forever.

Arise and go, for this is not the resting place [ha-m’nukhah] because of the uncleanness that brings on destruction, a painful destruction.”

We are called to provide resting places for those in need or we will be in violation of our mission to reflect YHWH’s face to those around us. Fortunately, the Spirit of God builds, within us, a merciful love that reflects a place of comfort for those around us:

Isaiah 32:15-18

Until (the time when) the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field is considered as a forest, then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness will remain in the fertile field. And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

Then my people will live in a peaceful settlement, in trustworthy dwellings, and in secure resting places [u-vi-m’nokhoht].

The Spirit of God is a force of righteousness and peace that builds secure resting places for everyone who is in need. Those whose hearts are devoted to YHWH will reflect God’s face and build a kingdom of justice and rest. This is what the planet ought to look like: a refuge for the needy, sustained by God’s image bearers who live in security. If only we lived up to our potential as human beings, this planet could be a resting place for some many lost, tired, and lonely people.

No Resting Place in their Restless Exile

YHWH always wanted to be with His human creation. He wanted a relationship with each of His image bearers. He wanted earth to be a flourishing place of rest for Him and His people. But, YHWH also wanted His human creation to love Him by their own volition. To those who rejected Him, He respected their decisions. He stepped away and allowed the nations to do their worst. For this reason, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians and the people lost their home and culture, and were exiled to Babylon. There, they would fully understand restlessness:

Lamentations 1:3

Judah has gone into exile out of affliction and harsh servitude; she lives among the nations, but she has not found a resting place [manoakh]; all those who pursued her have overtaken her in the midst of distress.

What made the exile experience so utterly devastating was that there was no longer a resting place for the people. They had lost their homes, their Temple, and their cultural identity. There was no place to rest their feet, so they continually marched on as wanderers in a foreign, hostile, land.

The Future Resting Place

But there was hope! The prophet Isaiah spoke of an anointed Branch who would come from the stem of Jesse, the grandson of Ruth and Boaz.

Isaiah 11:1-10

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of YHWH will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of YHWH.

And He will delight in the fear of YHWH, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make decisions by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the humble of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the belt around His waist.

And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fattened steer will be together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of YHWH as the waters cover the sea.

Then on that day the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal flag for the peoples; and His resting place [m’nukha’tow] will be glorious.

This Messianic figure, from the root of Jesse, would be Spirit-filled. He would fulfill the human mission to share His security with the tired, the lost, and the lonely. He would bring with Him a glorious place of rest.

This was a beautiful promise: a saving Messiah and a glorious place of rest. But the people rejected YHWH and chose to live life on their own terms. They had made a pact with death and they remained firmly on the path to it.

But YHWH had a different plan. He would lay down a building block that would destroy the curse of death. Regardless of His peoples behaviour, He would bring forth His resting place to the planet and He would conquer death and make life victorious:

Isaiah 28:11-18a

Indeed, He will speak to this people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, He who said to them, “This is the resting place [ha-m’nukhah]”, “Give rest [ha-nikhu] to the weary”, and “Here is repose,” but they would not listen.

So the word of YHWH to them will be, “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line, a little here, a little there,” that they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared, and taken captive.

Therefore, hear the word of YHWH, you scoffers, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made a pact. The gushing flood will not reach us when it passes by, because we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.” 

Therefore this is what the Lord YHWH says: “Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level; then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the secret place. Your covenant with death will be canceled, and your pact with Sheol will not stand.”

Yeshua (Jesus) would be the Resting Place that every human needs. We’re all headed to the grave, but only Yeshua can get us out of there. YHWH provided the way of escape, but we would have to chose to take it.

And I will give you rest

At the beginning of the Biblical story, Eve and Adam disobeyed God and couldn’t stay in the Garden of Eden. They were exiled from the God’s Place of Rest and were subject to the curse of death. But God provided a beautiful promise. He would provide a solution to the death problem. He would send His anointed Son to defeat death and provide a key to God’s eternal Resting Place.

Yeshua would go to the cross and lay down His life in order for us to enter the eternal resting place with the Father. His death and resurrection paid the entrance fee back into the Garden of God, where we belonged from the beginning. 

But we have to want to go there. We have to choose life:

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest [Greek: anapauso]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find a resting place [Greek: anapausin] for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”

Yeshua has handed us an invitation to live with Him in the beautiful Resting Place designed for us. It’s up to us to accept the invitation:

John 14:1-3

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.”

It is a beautiful thing to know that, at the end of our days, we will be generously welcomed in God’s Kingdom, free of charge. The Resting Place that Yeshua has prepared for us will be the true Land of the Living where we can walk alongside God in His Garden. What a beautiful day that will be:

Psalm 116:5-9

Gracious is YHWH, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate. YHWH watches over the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your resting place li-m’nukhah’y’ki], my soul, for YHWH has dealt generously with you. For You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before YHWH in the land of the living.

Next week: Revising Father and Exodus 20:12a