Israel - the name of destiny
Apr 20, 2020 14:45:23 #
Israel – the name of destiny
honor of Israel’s 72nd Independence Day, let’s look back at the origins of this important name. The biblical name for Jacob’s descendants is “Israelites”. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel after he fought a mysterious man, “Ish” at Penuel. You might know the traditional meaning of the name Israel, but there is a hidden meaning to this name…
Israel: the hidden meaning
Study Hebrew and discover Biblical secrets
Traditional Explanation
The man said to Jacob: “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). Therefore, it is widely believed that the name “Israel” comes from the Hebrew word sharit (שרית), which in biblical Hebrew means “to struggle”, “to exercise influence”, or “to prevail”. There is another way to interpret this name, one which helps us comprehend the depth of the transformation at Penuel.
What happened to Jacob?
The name Israel can be read as Yashar- El (ישר-אל). The Hebrew word Yashar (יָשָׁר) means straight, honest, honorable, law-abiding and in biblical usage, it also means “righteous, God-fearing person”. The root akov (עָקֹב֙), on the other hand, (the root of the name Yakov) might mean also “crooked”, as in this verse: the crooked (הֶֽעָקֹב֙) shall be made straight (Is 40:4). Then we understand the meaning of this change: Israel is the one whom God makes straight, as opposed to “being crooked and uneven”.
Reveal the hidden meanings of the Scripture
Names in the ancient Jewish world carried a very important weight. A name spoke of a person’s character, his deeds and his identity. For a person to be given a new name, meant a change in their identity. Reading the Bible in Hebrew, reveals the real meaning of these names, that are otherwise lost in translation. These difficult times present a great opportunity to reveal the hidden meanings of the Scripture. Enroll in our live online Biblical Hebrew courses and feel closer to Israel!
honor of Israel’s 72nd Independence Day, let’s look back at the origins of this important name. The biblical name for Jacob’s descendants is “Israelites”. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel after he fought a mysterious man, “Ish” at Penuel. You might know the traditional meaning of the name Israel, but there is a hidden meaning to this name…
Israel: the hidden meaning
Study Hebrew and discover Biblical secrets
Traditional Explanation
The man said to Jacob: “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). Therefore, it is widely believed that the name “Israel” comes from the Hebrew word sharit (שרית), which in biblical Hebrew means “to struggle”, “to exercise influence”, or “to prevail”. There is another way to interpret this name, one which helps us comprehend the depth of the transformation at Penuel.
What happened to Jacob?
The name Israel can be read as Yashar- El (ישר-אל). The Hebrew word Yashar (יָשָׁר) means straight, honest, honorable, law-abiding and in biblical usage, it also means “righteous, God-fearing person”. The root akov (עָקֹב֙), on the other hand, (the root of the name Yakov) might mean also “crooked”, as in this verse: the crooked (הֶֽעָקֹב֙) shall be made straight (Is 40:4). Then we understand the meaning of this change: Israel is the one whom God makes straight, as opposed to “being crooked and uneven”.
Reveal the hidden meanings of the Scripture
Names in the ancient Jewish world carried a very important weight. A name spoke of a person’s character, his deeds and his identity. For a person to be given a new name, meant a change in their identity. Reading the Bible in Hebrew, reveals the real meaning of these names, that are otherwise lost in translation. These difficult times present a great opportunity to reveal the hidden meanings of the Scripture. Enroll in our live online Biblical Hebrew courses and feel closer to Israel!
Apr 27, 2020 23:04:10 #
Matthew 7:13-14:
“Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus emphasizes that we must continue that "straight" walk, with that same meaning which Jacob's new name indicated; uprightly.
According to the Truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord, we are reminded of the two paths in life, the straight and narrow which leads to eternal life, and the wide, broad gate, that crooked road which leads to eternal destruction.
There is a saying, which is representative of what our Lord says for us to do,
“When presented with a fork in the road, I will chose the road less-traveled.”
The only road to be chosen in life, the one that leads to eternal life, is the "straight road less-traveled.” - that path of righteousness, so there are no more forks in the road!
The gate that leads to death and destruction, is wide and broad, and many go in, and walk that path, - so often, because it is widely accepted by the world, Yet we are reminded of this truth, in the Word of God, to help us to know which gate we are to take.
As in Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We cannot choose, based on what we think, or feel, or on what is popular!
Concerning the wide and broad gate with which we are presented in life, we are confronted with many people who believe that all are saved, all are going to heaven, and that all are God’s children (the majority of the world, other than those “devil-worshipers,” whom they believe to be the only ones not in right standing with God).
That belief which causes people not to seek Jesus the Savior, nor to follow Him, for the Word of God clearly teaches, “many there be which go in” the gate that leads to destruction, and “few there be that find” the straight gate that leads to Life Everlasting
All are not God’s children as shown in John 8:44, though All are God’s creation.
John 8:44
"You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies."
Again, we are told to enter in at the straight gate, which is also noted to be narrow. Some have called the straight and narrow path, the straight and “difficult” path
because the flesh is weak.
According to Jesus in Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And that weak flesh, pushes and strives to travel on that broad path.
The path of righteousness is not difficult except to those walking in the flesh and obeying the lusts thereof, for to walk on it while in the flesh is nearly impossible, just as difficult as it is for a person who trusts in their riches, to enter into the kingdom of God (Mark 10:24)!
Inevitably, our enemy puts obstacles in our way, attempting to push us from the path of Righteousness; this is why we are told to walk in the Spirit, and in the Truth of the Word of God, for then we understand that the path of Righteousness is not a difficult one, but is clear and straightforward.
We are given His Spirit to dwell inside us and we are told to crucify the flesh, because it is through the Spirit of the Living God, we see that path as it is: straight and narrow. It does not twist and turn as He is unchanging and so is His Truth and His Righteousness, and it is narrow because there is but ONE way (Not many that go side by side, for that is the way that leads to destruction, and therefore wide), but rather ONE clear path.
If we walk in faith in Jesus Christ, we are given peace, and strength to see that God has not called us to something we cannot handle while holding His hand, but rather the path is made Straight, and Narrow before us, through God the Father's grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus emphasizes that we must continue that "straight" walk, with that same meaning which Jacob's new name indicated; uprightly.
According to the Truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord, we are reminded of the two paths in life, the straight and narrow which leads to eternal life, and the wide, broad gate, that crooked road which leads to eternal destruction.
There is a saying, which is representative of what our Lord says for us to do,
“When presented with a fork in the road, I will chose the road less-traveled.”
The only road to be chosen in life, the one that leads to eternal life, is the "straight road less-traveled.” - that path of righteousness, so there are no more forks in the road!
The gate that leads to death and destruction, is wide and broad, and many go in, and walk that path, - so often, because it is widely accepted by the world, Yet we are reminded of this truth, in the Word of God, to help us to know which gate we are to take.
As in Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We cannot choose, based on what we think, or feel, or on what is popular!
Concerning the wide and broad gate with which we are presented in life, we are confronted with many people who believe that all are saved, all are going to heaven, and that all are God’s children (the majority of the world, other than those “devil-worshipers,” whom they believe to be the only ones not in right standing with God).
That belief which causes people not to seek Jesus the Savior, nor to follow Him, for the Word of God clearly teaches, “many there be which go in” the gate that leads to destruction, and “few there be that find” the straight gate that leads to Life Everlasting
All are not God’s children as shown in John 8:44, though All are God’s creation.
John 8:44
"You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies."
Again, we are told to enter in at the straight gate, which is also noted to be narrow. Some have called the straight and narrow path, the straight and “difficult” path
because the flesh is weak.
According to Jesus in Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And that weak flesh, pushes and strives to travel on that broad path.
The path of righteousness is not difficult except to those walking in the flesh and obeying the lusts thereof, for to walk on it while in the flesh is nearly impossible, just as difficult as it is for a person who trusts in their riches, to enter into the kingdom of God (Mark 10:24)!
Inevitably, our enemy puts obstacles in our way, attempting to push us from the path of Righteousness; this is why we are told to walk in the Spirit, and in the Truth of the Word of God, for then we understand that the path of Righteousness is not a difficult one, but is clear and straightforward.
We are given His Spirit to dwell inside us and we are told to crucify the flesh, because it is through the Spirit of the Living God, we see that path as it is: straight and narrow. It does not twist and turn as He is unchanging and so is His Truth and His Righteousness, and it is narrow because there is but ONE way (Not many that go side by side, for that is the way that leads to destruction, and therefore wide), but rather ONE clear path.
If we walk in faith in Jesus Christ, we are given peace, and strength to see that God has not called us to something we cannot handle while holding His hand, but rather the path is made Straight, and Narrow before us, through God the Father's grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
bahmer wrote:
Israel – the name of destiny br honor of Israel’s ... (show quote)
Apr 28, 2020 09:02:21 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
bahmer wrote:
Israel – the name of destiny br honor of Israel’s ... (show quote)
Always enjoy your Hebrew lessons! 👍
Apr 28, 2020 09:05:57 #
Zemirah wrote:
Matthew 7:13-14: br “Enter ye in at the straight g... (show quote)
Amen and Amen thank you Zemirah for that description of our walk with the Lord.👍👍👍👍👍
Apr 28, 2020 09:10:41 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
Zemirah wrote:
Matthew 7:13-14: br “Enter ye in at the straight g... (show quote)
........And I always enjoy you sharing your knowledge and wisdom of the many years of studying the greatest book ever written, the Bible!
I sincerely hope that you and Bahmer continue to share with us! You both are a blessing to this section of OPP!
MARANATHA
Apr 28, 2020 13:57:04 #
As are you, TexaCan! 
Bahmer keeps us focused on the written History of God's revelation to man, since His inspired prophets first recorded His Words.
Even if one doesn't know Hebrew, much can be learned by understanding Hebraic concepts.
Below is an ancient Pictograph Hebrew Word "el" meaning God This 4,000 year old Inscription was found in the land of Israel and is composed of two letters written in the ancient pictographic Hebrew script. The letter at the top of the inscription is the aleph and is a picture of an ox head representing strength. Below that is the letter lamed and is a picture of a shepherd staff representing authority. When these pictographs are combined the word "el" is formed meaning "the strong one of authority."
The Hebrew Bible (called the Tanakh by Jews and the Old Testament by Christians) was originally written in this pictographic Hebrew script (as well as a modified form usually refered to as Paleo-Hebrew) by Hebrews whose language and culture were very different from our own. Because of this, it is through the study of the ancient Hebrew alphabet, language and culture we can better understand the Biblical texts.
It is our shared love of God's Word that marks all those who are in the Body of Christ, invisibly united by the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is our teacher, counselor and guide.
Bahmer keeps us focused on the written History of God's revelation to man, since His inspired prophets first recorded His Words.
Even if one doesn't know Hebrew, much can be learned by understanding Hebraic concepts.
Below is an ancient Pictograph Hebrew Word "el" meaning God This 4,000 year old Inscription was found in the land of Israel and is composed of two letters written in the ancient pictographic Hebrew script. The letter at the top of the inscription is the aleph and is a picture of an ox head representing strength. Below that is the letter lamed and is a picture of a shepherd staff representing authority. When these pictographs are combined the word "el" is formed meaning "the strong one of authority."
The Hebrew Bible (called the Tanakh by Jews and the Old Testament by Christians) was originally written in this pictographic Hebrew script (as well as a modified form usually refered to as Paleo-Hebrew) by Hebrews whose language and culture were very different from our own. Because of this, it is through the study of the ancient Hebrew alphabet, language and culture we can better understand the Biblical texts.
It is our shared love of God's Word that marks all those who are in the Body of Christ, invisibly united by the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is our teacher, counselor and guide.
TexaCan wrote:
........And I always enjoy you sharing your knowledge and wisdom of the many years of studying the greatest book ever written, the Bible!
I sincerely hope that you and Bahmer continue to share with us! You both are a blessing to this section of OPP!
MARANATHA
I sincerely hope that you and Bahmer continue to share with us! You both are a blessing to this section of OPP!
MARANATHA
Apr 28, 2020 14:04:30 #
Zemirah wrote:
As are you, TexaCan! img src="https://static.one... (show quote)
Very interesting thanks for that Zemirah I guess I can still learn even at the ripe old age of 77.
Apr 28, 2020 14:39:37 #
I'll be 79 later this year, bahmer,
a Christian since I was eight, so this side of heaven, 70 years of loving God's Word probably does qualify as "many years."
Running into Methuselah in heaven, however, will quickly nullify any illusions I might have of seniority.
We all have the joy of learning every day of the life which is allotted to us by the Almighty.
a Christian since I was eight, so this side of heaven, 70 years of loving God's Word probably does qualify as "many years."
Running into Methuselah in heaven, however, will quickly nullify any illusions I might have of seniority.
We all have the joy of learning every day of the life which is allotted to us by the Almighty.
bahmer wrote:
Very interesting thanks for that Zemirah I guess I can still learn even at the ripe old age of 77.
Apr 28, 2020 15:41:00 #
Apr 28, 2020 21:15:49 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
Zemirah wrote:
I'll be 79 later this year, bahmer, br br a Chri... (show quote)
Can you imagine the stories that Methuselah will tell us!! And then there’s Moses, Abraham, and I can’t wait to hear Elijah’s stories! We will be busy for centuries!
Apr 29, 2020 00:55:47 #
They don't call it eternity for nuttin,' TexaCan! 
TexaCan wrote:
Can you imagine the stories that Methuselah will tell us!! And then there’s Moses, Abraham, and I can’t wait to hear Elijah’s stories! We will be busy for centuries!
May 5, 2020 00:44:36 #
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