The authentic light of Chanukah
Dec 24, 2019 13:41:21 #
The authentic light of Chanukah
Study Hebrew and appreciate Scripture more deeply
The History of Chanukah
Contrary to popular imagination, Chanukah is not a Jewish version of Christmas. The word Chanukah (חנוכה) means “dedication” in Hebrew. It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, in the 2nd century BCE Maccabean Revolt, against the Syrian Empire. After recapturing the Temple, the Maccabees had to cleanse and restore it. Fortunately, a single jar of pure olive oil remained undefiled, which was used to illuminate and rededicate the Temple. Miraculously, the small quantity of oil lasted for eight days, leading to the eight-day festival, The Feast of Dedication.
The light of Israel
The symbol of Chanukah is the Menorah, an eight-branch candelabrum that is lit on each of the eight days of the festival. Menorah comes from the Hebrew word ner (נר) meaning “flame” or “lamp”. Throughout the Bible, this word has a deeper spiritual meaning. For example, when King David grew old he was told by his men not to go with them into battle “so that you do not quench the lamp (ner) of Israel” (2 Sam. 21:17). In the very next chapter, David uttered a magnificent hymn of thanksgiving, “Indeed, you are my lamp (neri), O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness” (2 Sam. 22:29).
See how Hebrew sheds light on the Scripture
It should therefore come as no surprise that Jesus referred to himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12) and preached these words: “If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant…” (Luke 11:36). What is less obvious is that that Jesus uttered these words not in English but in Hebrew. To hear the sounds of the Bible, just as Jesus heard them, enroll in our live online Biblical Hebrew course and shine a clarifying light on the hidden secrets of the Bible!
Study Hebrew and appreciate Scripture more deeply
The History of Chanukah
Contrary to popular imagination, Chanukah is not a Jewish version of Christmas. The word Chanukah (חנוכה) means “dedication” in Hebrew. It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, in the 2nd century BCE Maccabean Revolt, against the Syrian Empire. After recapturing the Temple, the Maccabees had to cleanse and restore it. Fortunately, a single jar of pure olive oil remained undefiled, which was used to illuminate and rededicate the Temple. Miraculously, the small quantity of oil lasted for eight days, leading to the eight-day festival, The Feast of Dedication.
The light of Israel
The symbol of Chanukah is the Menorah, an eight-branch candelabrum that is lit on each of the eight days of the festival. Menorah comes from the Hebrew word ner (נר) meaning “flame” or “lamp”. Throughout the Bible, this word has a deeper spiritual meaning. For example, when King David grew old he was told by his men not to go with them into battle “so that you do not quench the lamp (ner) of Israel” (2 Sam. 21:17). In the very next chapter, David uttered a magnificent hymn of thanksgiving, “Indeed, you are my lamp (neri), O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness” (2 Sam. 22:29).
See how Hebrew sheds light on the Scripture
It should therefore come as no surprise that Jesus referred to himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12) and preached these words: “If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant…” (Luke 11:36). What is less obvious is that that Jesus uttered these words not in English but in Hebrew. To hear the sounds of the Bible, just as Jesus heard them, enroll in our live online Biblical Hebrew course and shine a clarifying light on the hidden secrets of the Bible!
Dec 24, 2019 18:20:26 #
Thank you for posting this, bahmer.
"Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch” (John 10:22-23)
Jesus celebrated this Festival.
This is the only biblical reference to a well-known Jewish winter holiday that Jesus celebrated, a holiday many will celebrate this month, but by another name. From sundown of December 22 ending at sundown on Monday, December 30, 2019, is an eight day festival commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish people will celebrate this Feast of Dedication, commonly known as Hanukkah, which is also known as the "Festival of Lights."
Many are surprised that the only Bible verse mentioning Hanukkah is found in the New Testament, but not in the Old Testament. That is simply because the holiday commemorates an event that occurred during the 400 year inter-Testamental period, approximately 165 BC., after the Old Testament had closed, and before the New Testament began.
A Syrian King named Antiochus invaded the Jewish nation and demanded that their people abandon the God of Israel and His ways. His plan: forced “Hellenization.” That meant imposing Greek customs, including idolatry, on the people. It meant forbidding the practice of the Jewish religion, including circumcision.
Ultimately, to ensure that no one could worship the God of Israel, Antiochus defiled the Temple in Jerusalem. He placed idols in the house of the Lord and sacrificed a sow upon the holy altar. He not only defiled God’s Temple, but he took the title “Epiphanes,” which means “God manifested,” and demanded to be worshiped. In response to his blasphemous claim to deity, the Jewish people modified his title, calling him “Epimanes” (crazy).
It was a terribly dark period in Israel’s history, but God raised up a small band of heroes led by a family known as the Maccabees (Maccabee means “hammer”). They waged a successful rebellion against Antiochus and drove the Syrians out of Israel. The Feast of Hanukkah commemorates the victory God gave the Jewish people over Antiochus and his mighty army. The holiday of Hanukkah (dedication) is so named because the high point of their victory was rededicating the Temple in Jerusalem, to the worship of the one true God.
Jesus recognized the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple as a true historical happening, and celebrated Hannukah in remembrance of it, just as the Jewish people remember it and celebrate it today.
"Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch” (John 10:22-23)
Jesus celebrated this Festival.
This is the only biblical reference to a well-known Jewish winter holiday that Jesus celebrated, a holiday many will celebrate this month, but by another name. From sundown of December 22 ending at sundown on Monday, December 30, 2019, is an eight day festival commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish people will celebrate this Feast of Dedication, commonly known as Hanukkah, which is also known as the "Festival of Lights."
Many are surprised that the only Bible verse mentioning Hanukkah is found in the New Testament, but not in the Old Testament. That is simply because the holiday commemorates an event that occurred during the 400 year inter-Testamental period, approximately 165 BC., after the Old Testament had closed, and before the New Testament began.
A Syrian King named Antiochus invaded the Jewish nation and demanded that their people abandon the God of Israel and His ways. His plan: forced “Hellenization.” That meant imposing Greek customs, including idolatry, on the people. It meant forbidding the practice of the Jewish religion, including circumcision.
Ultimately, to ensure that no one could worship the God of Israel, Antiochus defiled the Temple in Jerusalem. He placed idols in the house of the Lord and sacrificed a sow upon the holy altar. He not only defiled God’s Temple, but he took the title “Epiphanes,” which means “God manifested,” and demanded to be worshiped. In response to his blasphemous claim to deity, the Jewish people modified his title, calling him “Epimanes” (crazy).
It was a terribly dark period in Israel’s history, but God raised up a small band of heroes led by a family known as the Maccabees (Maccabee means “hammer”). They waged a successful rebellion against Antiochus and drove the Syrians out of Israel. The Feast of Hanukkah commemorates the victory God gave the Jewish people over Antiochus and his mighty army. The holiday of Hanukkah (dedication) is so named because the high point of their victory was rededicating the Temple in Jerusalem, to the worship of the one true God.
Jesus recognized the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple as a true historical happening, and celebrated Hannukah in remembrance of it, just as the Jewish people remember it and celebrate it today.
bahmer wrote:
The authentic light of Chanukah br Study Hebrew an... (show quote)
Dec 24, 2019 18:30:20 #
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