Whenever I read Psalms in Hebrew and think about their language in the light of Jewish culture, history, and other passages in the Bible, I always walk away with a much deeper understanding of God. Besides being beautiful and inspiring, the Psalms teach me so much about God’s will and purposes. Here is an example.
דָּבַקְתִּי בְעֵדְוֹתֶיךָ יהוה אַל־תְּבִישֵׁנִי׃
(davakti vaedutecha Adonai al tvisheni)
I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD,
do not put me to shame! (Ps. 119: 31)
What are “God’s testimonies”? We’re familiar with “testimony” as a term used in courtroom proceedings. Many readers of the Bible do not realize is that in Hebrew עֵדְוֹת (edot) which is translated as “witnesses” or “testimonies,” is not used in a judicial or courtroom sense. God commanded Israel to behave in a certain way and “testimonies” fall into the category of those commandments. These עֵדְוֹת (edot) have to do with remembrance – visual and tangible representations of past events or the Almighty’s covenants. They are witnesses of God and His works. Join me and discover the practical simplicity of Hebrew Language.
For example, Israel stored the tablets of commandments in the ark of the testimony, and then placed the ark inside God’s dwelling place as a “witness” of the covenant at Sinai. Another example of “testimony” is the unleavened bread eaten on Passover – a visual reminder of Israel’s speedy deliverance from Egypt. The custom of writing Scriptures on the doorposts of Jewish homes (mezuzot) is a “testimony” of commitment to God’s instructions (Deut 6:9). All these commandments have to do with remembrances of God. That is why they are called “witnesses” or “testimonies”.
Psalm 119 speaks about “clinging” to these tangible witnesses of God. The Hebrew verb דָּבַק (davak) indeed means “to cling,” “to adhere,” “to fasten,” “to hold on to,” and even, “to be glued.” Israel, as a people, has done this for many centuries. We clung to the testimonies of God as they are expressed in peculiar customs, ethnic traditions, and cultural ways of life. And clinging to these “testimonies,” we have never been ashamed, but have witnessed God’s presence over and over.
Are you ready to see something deeper in your study? So much more can be uncovered even if you know just a little Hebrew and understand how to dig beneath English translations of Scripture. Join me and discover the practical simplicity of Hebrew Language.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay. A useful and thought provoking word. Thank you..
Colin, welcome to our forum!
Yes I to read one Psalms 37 when I had to get a devorice from my first husband. He was the one going out on me and sleeping with them. I thought that he was a beliver when I married him. But that proved to wrong. I have been married to my second husband for 41 years going on 42 in Aug. After I got the devorice I prey to G~D all the time after. We still do for the people that needs pray. I am also taking Hebrew for the third time. Because I have trouble remebering the Hebrew.
Sandra, you testimony is a living proof that divorce is not the end of the world or the life. That after divorce there is live abundant. There is only one things worse than divorce – bad marriage.
Thank you for this answer.I always worried that maybe I went against Gods word,I know He saw what went on in my first marriage and I don’t think He would place blame on me.My husband was abusive to myself and our 3year old daughter.I had to leave and take her away from that.We may never have survived. I have my talks with God every night.I love Him and I know He loves me.
You should see this article – https://israelbiblecenter.com/did-jesus-forbid-remarriage
Don’t give up on Hebrew, Sandra. It may take time, but it will sink in. We all learn differently.
Are you ready to get more serious about God’s Word? I invite you to enroll into either The First Commandment: Deuteronomy in the Gospels or The Stories of Jewish Christ: Among the Rabbis. Don’t waste another minute! Let’s get busy impacting the world for Him. Are you with me?
LOL, I hate to say it, but “I feel her pain!” At any rate, I really do enjoy al the insights from Hebrew you (all of you) share here.
Daniel, we are honored to have you as a part of our learning community!
Your description of “testimonies” is so fulfilling. Writing “my testimony” was a part of my Christian identity, but the premise (Why did you come to Christ?) did not match my revelations (remembrances of past events that were witnesses of God and His works). I neither knew Christ or came to Him, it was the work of God. I am so glad I read this article. “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Can you recommend a good commentary on the book of Revelation?
hm… not really :-). But you should probably get a number of decent commentaries and we work with many of them.
These are among the best – https://www.ligonier.org/blog/top-5-commentaries-on-the-book-of-revelation/
There are a number of “good” commentaries, but all of them are written from a particular Christian theological perspective. Each ignores important ideas and aspects to emphasize the ones that work with their theology. I recommend our courses on Revelation. https://israelbiblecenter.com/courses/revelation-jewish-context-i-orientation/ We teach HOW TO STUDY in the process to be able to see the book from a Jewish perspective. It’s more work to do your own research, but it is better.
I’m so glad that you’re a part of our forum. Don’t stop here though. Now that you’ve seen the tremendous spiritual value you’re receiving, what stops you from getting equipped even more? I think you should start with either The First Commandment: Deuteronomy in the Gospels or The Stories of Jewish Christ: Among the Rabbis. Are you with me?
Awsome. Reading about the meaning of testimoni in Hebrew. Thank you for sharing. Adele/ Jakarta
Shalom Adele, I am glad! You are very welcome.
I’m a “new comer” and very excited to start. In 1999, i threw my Bible down on my desk and declared rhetorically, “This book is so disconnected! I can’t “connect the dots.” Lord, how will I ever understand it unless I become Jewish!” Had NO IDEA what I just said. Over the years (and thanks to the increasing volumes on the internet) my SEARCHES always included “Jewish perspective.” I did learn a lot since then but now I have a sense of being in “warp drive!” Thank you so much for providing this service to a “Believing G_d-fearer!”
Dear Larry, I am honored to welcome into our family! We will grow together!
Dear Larry welcome to our family (I actually thought that I approved your comment and answered it). So sorry… very exciting to have join us in our quest to recover that which was lost. Blessings and much peace, Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg
In the class THE GOSPELS AS JEWISH LITERATURE Class 1.8 Literary Hebraisms @ 16:24 – 23:10 in the recorded lecture, Mark asks about Aramaic or Hebrew texts that may be a written substratum for the Greek gospels. No mention was made of the Syriac Gospels or the Peshitta that some scholars date to the 2nd century CE. Why were they not mentioned? Any further thoughts on this? Thank you.
Shalom, Dr. DeFrancisco. Largely because we think that in all likelihood these are translations of the Judeo-Greek originals, although I must admit that this something that I should look into more. Perhaps in time you can help us with this, my good brother. There is no doubt that Peshitta studies are VERY important and certainly will add to the discussion. My friend Andrew Gabriel Roth will be soon helping us with these kinds of issues.
Thank you Dr. Eli. I would be happy to help. I know Andrew Gabriel Roth and have read his work. He will be an asset. There are others as well that are doing research that will be of value. Perhaps you could set up a section on your blog to accommodate comments on Syriac and the Peshitta. Thank you. Shlama.
I think it would be good that you make comments as appropriate on any blog post you see fit. Thank you!
Thank you for this insight. The Hebrew meaning of scripture is so helpful in grasping better understanding of the Bible.
🙂
Are you ready to get more serious about God’s Word? I invite you to enroll into either The Stories of Jewish Church I: Acts 1-5 or Biblical Hebrew I: First Steps. Don’t waste another minute! Let’s get busy impacting the world for Him. Are you with me?
Psalm. 35. Matthew. 5:11-12. PSALM 107 You. Know. Unfortunatly. Their. Are. False. Witnesses. Bribed. Witnesses. Corruption. And. People. Who. Not. Only. Get. Paid. Off. To. Be. A. False. Witness. But. Will..do. anything. For. Money. Sad. Even. People. Who. Call. Themselves. Believers. I. Am. A. Witness. To. That. LovelifeinJesusChrist!!!!! FOREVER FREE
I see many of the events in Revelations as running congruent,not consecutive
Mementos, relics, reminders, the Stradivarius violins were saved by a people who recognised quality beyond silver or gold or trinkets. Though it must be said the right trinket can be very precious and fetch a real market value. Christ (ha Mashiach) promised a living witness,a comforter, counselor, The Spirit to rely on forever, just believe it, attend to it and respond