When does the day begin? Well we all know that nowadays its begins at one second after midnight, but, that was not always so although we have some good precedents for saying it does start then.
But then, there are some good precedents for saying, "No. It starts in the evening," too. For instance when Jehovah God gave the Jewish nation instructions regarding observing the Sabbath he told them at Leviticus 21:28, 32 : "From evening to evening you should observe your sabbath." For God and the Jewish nation the day started at sundown and ran until the next sundown.
This was a pattern that God set himself. in the Bible account of creation Genesis 1:5 says about the first figurative creative day: "There came to be evening -- and there came to be morning, a first day." And the the other verses concerning the other creative days show that each of the other days also started in the evening.
The Jews had company in this practice of starting their days in the evening as well for the Phoenicians, Athenians, and Numidians also counted their days in this way.
On the other hand we too had some good precedents for starting our days sat the stroke of midnight. Both the Egyptians and the Romans began their days at this time -- as does most of the world today.
It has all come down to a matter of choice but it is easy to see why Jews today still count their sabbath day from sundown to sundown: this is a very logical ending to the day.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
A Bible Translator Who Used God's Name?
Hiram Bingham realized early in his life that God -- must like everyone does -- must have have a name and when he learned it and started a Bible translation for the natives of the Gilbert Islands in 1857 he made sure he used it.
This was no easy task. First of all he had to learn the Gilbertse language. He did this making pointing at things and asking their names, gradually making up a list he could use in his translation.
He was hindered in all of this by bowel and throat problems as well as weak eyesight which prevented him from reading more than two or three hour at a time, but he persevered.
And by 1865 when he had to leave the islands because of poor health he had not only given the natives a printed language but also had succeeded in translation the Bible books of Matthew and John into Gilbertese.
This he followed up by translating the the entire New Testament into that native language by the time he returned to the islands in 1873. And by 1890 he had translated the entire Bible in that language -- featuring God's name lehova in Gilbertese (Jehovah in English) thousands of times in the Old and New Testament, sometimes called the Hebrew and Christian Greek Scriptures today.
His is one of the few -- but not the only Bible translator who respected and used God's personal name in his translation.
Later this week we'll look at a few more who followed his example.
-----------------------------
If you have ever wondered just how big those blocks of stone were in the Jerusalem Temple. Take a look below.
This was no easy task. First of all he had to learn the Gilbertse language. He did this making pointing at things and asking their names, gradually making up a list he could use in his translation.
He was hindered in all of this by bowel and throat problems as well as weak eyesight which prevented him from reading more than two or three hour at a time, but he persevered.
And by 1865 when he had to leave the islands because of poor health he had not only given the natives a printed language but also had succeeded in translation the Bible books of Matthew and John into Gilbertese.
This he followed up by translating the the entire New Testament into that native language by the time he returned to the islands in 1873. And by 1890 he had translated the entire Bible in that language -- featuring God's name lehova in Gilbertese (Jehovah in English) thousands of times in the Old and New Testament, sometimes called the Hebrew and Christian Greek Scriptures today.
His is one of the few -- but not the only Bible translator who respected and used God's personal name in his translation.
Later this week we'll look at a few more who followed his example.
-----------------------------
If you have ever wondered just how big those blocks of stone were in the Jerusalem Temple. Take a look below.
How Big Were The Stone Temle Blocks?
Have you ever wondered just big those stones in the Jerusalem temple were? I know from visit to the stone quarry where my step grandfather was the foreman years ago that such blocks can get pretty big.
The big blocks of stone my step grandfather's crew cut out were used in the granite city hall here in Vancouver BC and know it was not a simple matter to cut the huge blocks out using drills and dynamite and then loading them onto huge barges to be towed to the finishing plan in Vancouver was no easy task.
And the quarring of the huge stones used by Jewish builders must have been a mammoth task judging by a picture I have seen of them. They must have been pretty impressive for Mark 13:1 Jesus' disciples exclaimed: "Teacher, see what sort of stones, and what sort of buildings!"
The temple area itself was one of the wonders of the ancient world. King Solomon's original temple was awesome enough and King Herod in Jesus time made a huge expansion of the Temple platform to 480 metres by 280 meters making it the largest man-made platform in the world up to that time/
One of these temple stones examined by archaeologists was a whopping 400 tons. The majority of these buildings were smaller than that but were still extremely with a a few weighing in at more than 50 tons each.
Naturally depending on their location in the temple these stones could be smaller or larger but some of them were reportedly 11 meters long, 5 meters wide and 3 meters high.
You can imagine the difficulty in moving such huge building stones from the quarry to the building site and them lifting them into place.
The big blocks of stone my step grandfather's crew cut out were used in the granite city hall here in Vancouver BC and know it was not a simple matter to cut the huge blocks out using drills and dynamite and then loading them onto huge barges to be towed to the finishing plan in Vancouver was no easy task.
And the quarring of the huge stones used by Jewish builders must have been a mammoth task judging by a picture I have seen of them. They must have been pretty impressive for Mark 13:1 Jesus' disciples exclaimed: "Teacher, see what sort of stones, and what sort of buildings!"
The temple area itself was one of the wonders of the ancient world. King Solomon's original temple was awesome enough and King Herod in Jesus time made a huge expansion of the Temple platform to 480 metres by 280 meters making it the largest man-made platform in the world up to that time/
One of these temple stones examined by archaeologists was a whopping 400 tons. The majority of these buildings were smaller than that but were still extremely with a a few weighing in at more than 50 tons each.
Naturally depending on their location in the temple these stones could be smaller or larger but some of them were reportedly 11 meters long, 5 meters wide and 3 meters high.
You can imagine the difficulty in moving such huge building stones from the quarry to the building site and them lifting them into place.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
What Languages Did Jesus Speak?
Have you ever wondered that? What languages did Jesus speak?
That's an interesting question isn't it for the Jews of Jesus day did speak speak a form of Hebrew and possibly an Aramaic dialect. However, when Jesus read the the words of Luke 4: 16-21 concerning the coming of the Messiah it reportedly was in Hebrew and he apparently did not translate what he read into any form of Armaic.
But would he have been clearly understood? There was a number of languages in common use during this time in Palestine. Professor G. Ernest Wright says that "Greek and Aramaic were evidently the common tongues" and that the Roman military and officials used mainly Latin. And orthodox Jews could have used a late form of Hebrew -- the the Hebrew Isiah was originally written in.
Greek was also frequently used by Roman governors according to Alan Millard in his book Discoveries from The Time of Jesus. And according to Millard Jesus could have answered Pilate during his tile in that language.
The Bible is silent on this at John 18: 28-40 but there is no mention of an interpreter and Pilate more than likely would have likely understood only Greek and Latin.
According to professor Wright he is uncertain whether Jesus could spreak Greek or Latin, but it is known that during Jesus' ministry he regularly spoke in either Aramaic or highly Aramaized Hebrew.
For more information on this refer to Biblical Archaeology; 1962, page 243.
That's an interesting question isn't it for the Jews of Jesus day did speak speak a form of Hebrew and possibly an Aramaic dialect. However, when Jesus read the the words of Luke 4: 16-21 concerning the coming of the Messiah it reportedly was in Hebrew and he apparently did not translate what he read into any form of Armaic.
But would he have been clearly understood? There was a number of languages in common use during this time in Palestine. Professor G. Ernest Wright says that "Greek and Aramaic were evidently the common tongues" and that the Roman military and officials used mainly Latin. And orthodox Jews could have used a late form of Hebrew -- the the Hebrew Isiah was originally written in.
Greek was also frequently used by Roman governors according to Alan Millard in his book Discoveries from The Time of Jesus. And according to Millard Jesus could have answered Pilate during his tile in that language.
The Bible is silent on this at John 18: 28-40 but there is no mention of an interpreter and Pilate more than likely would have likely understood only Greek and Latin.
According to professor Wright he is uncertain whether Jesus could spreak Greek or Latin, but it is known that during Jesus' ministry he regularly spoke in either Aramaic or highly Aramaized Hebrew.
For more information on this refer to Biblical Archaeology; 1962, page 243.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Who Was This Annas of the Gospels?
Exactly who was Annas of the Gospel accounts?
Annas, described at Luke 3:32 as a "chief priest" during Jesus trial was a powerful member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a shrewd politician and manipulator of others.
He played at least two roles amongst the religious elite of him time, serving both as High Priest after Quirinius, the Roman governor of Syria, removed his predecessor Joazar in 6 or 7 C.E. until he was removed himself from office by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus.*
After This Annas still wielded enormous power throughout Israel directly as a chief priest as well as through his family.
Five of his sons came to be High Priests following his ouster from that office and his immediate family was notoriously wealthy, gaining much of their wealth through their monopoly on the sales of doves, sheep, oil, and wine used in temple ceremonies.
During their era corruption amongst the religious rulers was common Even some of the servants of his sons were involved in such things as taking by force tithes from the priests and even beating those who refused to hand these tithes over to them.
*Until the Romans became the rulers of Israel High Priests normally held their offices for life.
-------------------------------
See "First Food Inspectors Below.
Annas, described at Luke 3:32 as a "chief priest" during Jesus trial was a powerful member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a shrewd politician and manipulator of others.
He played at least two roles amongst the religious elite of him time, serving both as High Priest after Quirinius, the Roman governor of Syria, removed his predecessor Joazar in 6 or 7 C.E. until he was removed himself from office by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus.*
After This Annas still wielded enormous power throughout Israel directly as a chief priest as well as through his family.
Five of his sons came to be High Priests following his ouster from that office and his immediate family was notoriously wealthy, gaining much of their wealth through their monopoly on the sales of doves, sheep, oil, and wine used in temple ceremonies.
During their era corruption amongst the religious rulers was common Even some of the servants of his sons were involved in such things as taking by force tithes from the priests and even beating those who refused to hand these tithes over to them.
*Until the Romans became the rulers of Israel High Priests normally held their offices for life.
-------------------------------
See "First Food Inspectors Below.
Early Food Inspectors
Food inspectors are one of the oldest professions -- particularly in Bible lands.
According to a first century CE Jewish writer, Philo, priests of that era took no chances with sacrificial animals saying that Jewish priests examined the animals carefully "from head to foot" to ensure that they were not diseased in any way and "without spot or defect of any kind."
According to Bible scholars like E. P. Sanders this was ensured by a chit or clay seal that was attached to animals and birds accepted for sacrificial use -- after they had been carefully inspected for such blindness and other defects described in Leviticus 22. The T
A coin-sized clay found discovered in 2011 corroborates Sanders idea. This seal or chit archaeologists discovered was made somewhere between the first century B.C.E. and 70 C.E.
The two Aramaic words inscribed on it read: "Pure for God" Researchers believe that only animals and birds with such tags would be accepted for sacrifices to God for such sacrifices were to have "No defects at all."
The 22nd chapter of Leviticus has a fairly extensive list of things that would disqualify such animals and birds for sacrificial use.
According to a first century CE Jewish writer, Philo, priests of that era took no chances with sacrificial animals saying that Jewish priests examined the animals carefully "from head to foot" to ensure that they were not diseased in any way and "without spot or defect of any kind."
According to Bible scholars like E. P. Sanders this was ensured by a chit or clay seal that was attached to animals and birds accepted for sacrificial use -- after they had been carefully inspected for such blindness and other defects described in Leviticus 22. The T
A coin-sized clay found discovered in 2011 corroborates Sanders idea. This seal or chit archaeologists discovered was made somewhere between the first century B.C.E. and 70 C.E.
The two Aramaic words inscribed on it read: "Pure for God" Researchers believe that only animals and birds with such tags would be accepted for sacrifices to God for such sacrifices were to have "No defects at all."
The 22nd chapter of Leviticus has a fairly extensive list of things that would disqualify such animals and birds for sacrificial use.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
When Did Jesus Step-Father, Joseph, Die?
We all know Jesus died on Nisan 14 according to the Jewish calendar, but have you ever wondered when his human-step-father, Joseph died?
Joseph did not likely live long enough to see Jesus begin his earthly ministry, but he was alive when Jesus was a 12-year-old boy and was still alive when Jesus was 15 years old when Jewish youths entered their trade apprenticeship -- in this case, carpentry for Jesus as Joseph was a qualified carpenter who taught Jesus the trade.
But it seems unlikely Joseph was still alive when his son began his earthly ministry 15 years later when he was 30 years old. For one thing, all of Jesus brothers are sisters were living at that time, but their father, Joseph, was not mentioned at all.
Then at Mark 6:33 Jesus is referred to as the "son of Mary" not the son of John and at John 2: 1-5 the Apostle John portrayed Mary as taking the iniitative on her to own to ensure that there was enough wine at a wedding feast. Joseph again is not mentioned at all. This is not something she would likely have done in the Jewish world of that time -- unless -- she was a widow.
And finally, when dying on the torture stake Jesus said to the apostle John: "See! your mother!" entrusting the care of his Mother to to this apostle whom he felt very closely. He would not have done this if his father, Joseph, was still alive.
So it is thought that Jesus must have died when Jesus was still quite young -- definitely before he was 30 years old -- but he set a memorable example in taking care of his young human-step son who went on to become the most influential man who ever lived.
Joseph did not likely live long enough to see Jesus begin his earthly ministry, but he was alive when Jesus was a 12-year-old boy and was still alive when Jesus was 15 years old when Jewish youths entered their trade apprenticeship -- in this case, carpentry for Jesus as Joseph was a qualified carpenter who taught Jesus the trade.
But it seems unlikely Joseph was still alive when his son began his earthly ministry 15 years later when he was 30 years old. For one thing, all of Jesus brothers are sisters were living at that time, but their father, Joseph, was not mentioned at all.
Then at Mark 6:33 Jesus is referred to as the "son of Mary" not the son of John and at John 2: 1-5 the Apostle John portrayed Mary as taking the iniitative on her to own to ensure that there was enough wine at a wedding feast. Joseph again is not mentioned at all. This is not something she would likely have done in the Jewish world of that time -- unless -- she was a widow.
And finally, when dying on the torture stake Jesus said to the apostle John: "See! your mother!" entrusting the care of his Mother to to this apostle whom he felt very closely. He would not have done this if his father, Joseph, was still alive.
So it is thought that Jesus must have died when Jesus was still quite young -- definitely before he was 30 years old -- but he set a memorable example in taking care of his young human-step son who went on to become the most influential man who ever lived.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Where Did Idea of Going the Second Mile For Somebody Come From?
The concept of going the second mile for somebody -- or doing more than is expected of you is well known, but did you ever stop to think where it came from?
If you answered: "Jesus" you're right. Remember in his Sermon on the Mount he encourages his disciples to do this with the words recorded at Mathew: 5:4l, "If someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles."
It seems that Jesus was referring to the compulsory service that the Roman authority of his day could demand from citizens. Apparently they could commander anything they need to accomplish their tasks from animals to men.
Such demands were highly oppressive ( such as the time that Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus' torture stake) and of course highly unpopular amongst the Jewish people and naturally they would not want to go any farther than absolutely necessary.
But Jesus urged his followers to be willing to carry out such work willingly and without resentment when the ruling authorities had legitimate demands -- and not only that -- but to be willing to go that "extra mile" or do more than what was expected of them.
This no doubt created a good name for early Christians and the same attitude can also help us to create a good name when some friend -- or boss -- or government officials asks us to carry out some task.
If you answered: "Jesus" you're right. Remember in his Sermon on the Mount he encourages his disciples to do this with the words recorded at Mathew: 5:4l, "If someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles."
It seems that Jesus was referring to the compulsory service that the Roman authority of his day could demand from citizens. Apparently they could commander anything they need to accomplish their tasks from animals to men.
Such demands were highly oppressive ( such as the time that Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus' torture stake) and of course highly unpopular amongst the Jewish people and naturally they would not want to go any farther than absolutely necessary.
But Jesus urged his followers to be willing to carry out such work willingly and without resentment when the ruling authorities had legitimate demands -- and not only that -- but to be willing to go that "extra mile" or do more than what was expected of them.
This no doubt created a good name for early Christians and the same attitude can also help us to create a good name when some friend -- or boss -- or government officials asks us to carry out some task.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Did Jesus Really Exist?
Yes. There has been conjecture about whether Jesus really existed or not. And, of course,the big argument of those trying say he was just the figment of somebody's imagination would be that there is no mention of him outside of the Bible.
But there is. There are at least two secular historians who mention him. The first of these is Corneliuis Tactus, a Roman historian. In his account of the fire that destroyed Rome in AD 64 he said that Nero tried to blame members of a sect called "Christus" for the fire.
According to Tactus the people gave this group this name because they were followers of Christus {or Christ}who died at the hand of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate.
Another well known historian, Flavius Josephus also writes of Jesus as a historical figure describing how High Priest Ananus {Ananias},"convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ, and several others."
This record of Tactus can be found in Anals, XV, 44 and that of Josephus in Jewish Antiquities, XX, 200 (ix1).
So no, the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life were not fictional. He did exist.
But there is. There are at least two secular historians who mention him. The first of these is Corneliuis Tactus, a Roman historian. In his account of the fire that destroyed Rome in AD 64 he said that Nero tried to blame members of a sect called "Christus" for the fire.
According to Tactus the people gave this group this name because they were followers of Christus {or Christ}who died at the hand of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate.
Another well known historian, Flavius Josephus also writes of Jesus as a historical figure describing how High Priest Ananus {Ananias},"convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ, and several others."
This record of Tactus can be found in Anals, XV, 44 and that of Josephus in Jewish Antiquities, XX, 200 (ix1).
So no, the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life were not fictional. He did exist.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tracing Family Histories
Although the checking of personal ancestries has never been more popular than it is today with numerous magazines and web sites offering help to trace your family roots the idea is not new at all.
Ancestral records were vital in the ancient nation of Israel where such records were used in setting up tribal and family relationships such as land divisions and inheritances and they were particularly vital in proving the lineage of the promised Messiah.
That is no doubt why both Mathew and the physician, Luke in their accounts of the life of Jesus started out tracing the lineage of Jesus all the way back to both King David and Abraham. You will remember how Jehovah God made a promise to Abraham that through his family someone would be born who would help mankind to regain God's favour and how King David was told that this one -- the Messiah -- would come through his family line.
The Jews of were well aware of this as shown at John 7:42 Where members of a crowd are quoted by John say, "Does not scrpture not say that the Christ [Messiah] is coming from the offspring of David?" So the Gospel writers wanted to make this relationship between Abram, David and the Messiah, Jesus, clear.
But where did Mathew and Luke get their information? Likely from an ancestral record. These took two forms. The ancestral records of priestly families which according to The Jewish Encyclopedia were given special care and the "public registers".
These were still very accurate histories of Jewish families as seen by the fact that one Hillel, a rabbi of Jesus time was able to prove he was a descendant of King David according to a Jewish midrash or commentary and the first century historian Flavius Josepheus also claimed that such records proved his ancestors were priests and that through his mother's side of the family he had "royal blood".
These public archives were maintained by family heads recording family information at centers in their home towns such as ones the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar had set up during Jesus' era as recorded at Luke 2: 1-5.
Ancestral records were vital in the ancient nation of Israel where such records were used in setting up tribal and family relationships such as land divisions and inheritances and they were particularly vital in proving the lineage of the promised Messiah.
That is no doubt why both Mathew and the physician, Luke in their accounts of the life of Jesus started out tracing the lineage of Jesus all the way back to both King David and Abraham. You will remember how Jehovah God made a promise to Abraham that through his family someone would be born who would help mankind to regain God's favour and how King David was told that this one -- the Messiah -- would come through his family line.
The Jews of were well aware of this as shown at John 7:42 Where members of a crowd are quoted by John say, "Does not scrpture not say that the Christ [Messiah] is coming from the offspring of David?" So the Gospel writers wanted to make this relationship between Abram, David and the Messiah, Jesus, clear.
But where did Mathew and Luke get their information? Likely from an ancestral record. These took two forms. The ancestral records of priestly families which according to The Jewish Encyclopedia were given special care and the "public registers".
These were still very accurate histories of Jewish families as seen by the fact that one Hillel, a rabbi of Jesus time was able to prove he was a descendant of King David according to a Jewish midrash or commentary and the first century historian Flavius Josepheus also claimed that such records proved his ancestors were priests and that through his mother's side of the family he had "royal blood".
These public archives were maintained by family heads recording family information at centers in their home towns such as ones the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar had set up during Jesus' era as recorded at Luke 2: 1-5.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Is The Bible Not A Book Worth Looking Into?
Is the Bible not a book spending time looking into to learn more about?
Is there one that can match it's influence on the world's greatest art, its literature, its music -- and legal systems?
Is there another book that has been copied thousands of times over the centuries yet today is basically the same today as when it was written?
Is there another publication that has inspired so many persons to risk hardship and even death in order to translate it?
Is there another book with accurate scientific information about our earth written thousands of years ago?
Is there another book with clear predictions concerning mankind that came true, as proved by historical facts?
And is there any other book that contains timeless principles that can help people off all races and ethnic groups to solve problems in their lives?
Is there one that can match it's influence on the world's greatest art, its literature, its music -- and legal systems?
Is there another book that has been copied thousands of times over the centuries yet today is basically the same today as when it was written?
Is there another publication that has inspired so many persons to risk hardship and even death in order to translate it?
Is there another book with accurate scientific information about our earth written thousands of years ago?
Is there another book with clear predictions concerning mankind that came true, as proved by historical facts?
And is there any other book that contains timeless principles that can help people off all races and ethnic groups to solve problems in their lives?
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
How Would You Have Made Contributions?
You are quite familiar with the picture of a plate been passed around the isles of a local church for members to add their contributions -- but in the ancient Jewish temples people were not confronted by such a plate when they came to worship.
According the book The Temple -- Its Ministry and Services persons wishing to make a contribution did by dropping money into a chest built in the walls of the Court of Women.
This Court had a colonnade and within it, against a wall, there were thirteen trumpet shaped chests. Each chest was used to collected money for different uses which were clearly marked on the chest itself. People made contributions in various amounts depending on their financial situation. This could vary widely as seen by Jesus comments about a widow who was making a voluntary contribution of a few small coins at Luke 21: 1-2 which he commended her for.
The chests were set up as follows:
Sometimes the person could afford more than the stipulated amounts for these temple and other contribution and had other options to choose from:
All of this was done anonymously and according to each person's financial ability.
According the book The Temple -- Its Ministry and Services persons wishing to make a contribution did by dropping money into a chest built in the walls of the Court of Women.
This Court had a colonnade and within it, against a wall, there were thirteen trumpet shaped chests. Each chest was used to collected money for different uses which were clearly marked on the chest itself. People made contributions in various amounts depending on their financial situation. This could vary widely as seen by Jesus comments about a widow who was making a voluntary contribution of a few small coins at Luke 21: 1-2 which he commended her for.
The chests were set up as follows:
- One chest for temple tax for current year
- One chest for temple tax for past year
Sometimes the person could afford more than the stipulated amounts for these temple and other contribution and had other options to choose from:
- Chest 8 was used for money left over from sin offerings.
- Chests 9 through 12 used for money left over from guilt offerings, from the sacrificing of birds, from offerings of Nazarites, and from offerings of leppers.
All of this was done anonymously and according to each person's financial ability.
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