Life is a little bit hectic right now and it’s time for me to read and follow the signs. I won’t be stopping but I am adhering to a caution (slow down) sign. Actually I’m not slowing down, I’m just redirecting my efforts, with caution. I have a book review to write and two papers (one essay for my degree program and one article for a peer reviewed journal), so for the next few weeks we’ll have some light blog postings to give me a chance to forge ahead with these other commitments. But fear not, hebrewwordlessons is still at the top of my priority list and I’ll be swinging out some new words to you by mid-January!
In the meantime, this week I’ve tidied up the original blog posting on Signs (owt). Check it out below:
SIGNS
So these papers that are taking my attention away from HWL, what are they about?
First, I’m working on a term paper about Biblical Covenants, in particular the Davidic Covenant and the role of family lineage.
I’m also working on a journal article, but I don’t want to give too much away. What I will tell you is that it will have something to do with the nine genealogical chapters in 1 Chronicles, because who doesn’t love to read those! Am I right?
Finally, it wouldn’t be a Hebrew Word Lesson without studying a little bit of Hebrew so, for your prayers, you might want to learn this little phrase from one of the Psalms attributed to David:
Psalm 86:17a
Show me a sign of good… (NASB)
A’seh immi owt l-tovah
עֲשֵֽׂה־עִמִּ֥י אֹ֗ות לְטֹ֫ובָ֥ה
This tends to be translated something like, “show me a sign of your goodness”, but a’seh is usually associated with making, producing or accomplishing (not showing). There is nothing to indicate the word “your” in the passage. Immi is often translated as “with me” but can also indicate the word “me” on its own. The L prefix in front of tovah (good) is usually translated as “to” or “for” and so a solid translation could be “make me a sign for good” or in less awkward English, “make me a sign (pointing) to (God’s) goodness”. Here is the full (NASB) verse:
Psalm 86:17
Make me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O YHWH, have helped me and comforted me.
Next week: Revisiting SHEPHERD
Hebrew Word Lessons 