When we read an English translation of the Bible we define the words within it according to our modern vocabulary allowing our culture and language to influence how we read and interpret the Bible. The Bible was written by ancient Hebrews whose culture and language was very different from our own and must be read and interpreted through their eyes. When we define the names of God using our culture and language we lose the Hebraic meanings behind the original Hebrew names of God. Consequently the true nature and character of ...
Read More
When we read an English translation of the Bible we define the words within it according to our modern vocabulary allowing our culture and language to influence how we read and interpret the Bible. The Bible was written by ancient Hebrews whose culture and language was very different from our own and must be read and interpreted through their eyes. When we define the names of God using our culture and language we lose the Hebraic meanings behind the original Hebrew names of God. Consequently the true nature and character of God is hidden behind the veil of time and culture. By understanding the various names of God through the vocabulary and language of the ancient Hebrews, the nature and character of God is revealed to us in a new light. The prophet Zechariah described the character of God with the words "sh'mo ehhad" translated as His Name is One (Zechariah 14:9). This phrase beautifully describes the character of God from a Hebraic perspective that is lost to us through translation and unfamiliarity with ancient Hebrew culture.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
?His Name is One? helps us to understand the mind of the people through whom God chose to reveal Himself. Author, Jeff A. Benner helps us better understand our God by helping us understand the Hebraic people God chose to inspire and write through.
Using pictographs of the ancient Hebrew language, which are similar to the hieroglyphics of Egypt, Mr. Benner explains the difference between the Hebraic Eastern mind of the original scriptures and the Greek mind that interpreted them.
A name, in the Hebrew mindset, is more than a sobriquet by which we are known. In the Eastern mind ?the name of a man is his breath. It is the essence or character of the individual. The actions of the individual will always be related to his character. From this we understand the name, the breath, is the place of origin of all the actions of the individual.? We can begin to understand the names God discloses to us reveal His essence to us. The names He calls Himself unveil His character to us.
This wonderful reference tool further explains, through pictographs, the ?one? of His name to give us further understanding of Zechariah 14:9.
Zech 14:9 9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. (KJV)
Mr. Benner chose this passage, he says, because of its unique ability to express the full character of God. ?A verse such as this has very little meaning in our modern Western culture, but, when understood in its original Eastern culture, it beautifully expresses the nature of God.?
The word translated ?one? here means those that are separate come together in unity. Usually translated as ?one?, where the actual Hebraism is lost, it is better translated as ?unity?. ?To the ancient Hebrew Eastern mind, nothing is ?one?; all things are dependent upon something else.? He sums this thought up with, ?The first use of this word (Hebrew ? ehhad ? translated ?one?) is found in Genesis 1:5 where ?evening? and ?morning?, two states of opposite function, are united to form ?one? day.
I would like to conclude my review of this insightful reference work, with a portion of Jeff A. Benner?s own conclusion to ?His Name is One?:
?The breath of God, his character or his name, functions within a unity. Throughout the Bible we see different manifestations of God. Some of these we have discussed, such as the fire that gives warmth, the cloud that gives shade, the ox that teaches, the bird that protects its young, the lord who brings life and the shepherd that protects the flock. These all work together in harmony to protect and provide for his people. While God has many names, he only has one name. The many characteristics of God function in unity. The ultimate purpose of this book is not only to show the characteristics of God, but also to show the potential characteristics of man.?
I would love to quote this whole chapter for you, but rather, I will highly recommend you buy ?His Name is One? so you can refer to it often and draw nearer to God because of it. After reading ?His Name is One? I purchased the ?Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible?, also authored by Jeff A. Benner. I have not been disappointed. It has the Strong?s reference numbers by which we can look up words in the way we are accustomed to doing, and is a help to a deeper understanding of God who wants us to know Him.
Jeff A. Benner is the founder of ?Ancient Hebrew Research Center? and the author of several books related to the study of the Ancient Hebrew language and thought, including Learn to Read Biblical Hebrew, The Ancient Hebrew Language and Alphabet, His Name is One, and Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible. I highly recommend Jeff?s books to anyone who wants to know God better.
