Day of Atonement in Noah's Ark.
When God instructed Noah to build the ark, He commanded him to pitch it within and without with pitch (Gen 6:14). In English, this seems like a simple technical description. However, the Hebrew reveals a mysterious element connected to the Day of Atonement, which is celebrated this week. What is this connection?
A whole story in one Hebrew word
The Flood and the Ark are great symbols of salvation for those who put their trust in God. In order to fully grasp this idea, we need to look deep into the Hebrew of it all. In the original text, we find a particular verb כפר “kafar” (to atone) which shares the same root of the word used for “Yom Kippur”, the Day of Atonement. This verb is used to express both the idea of “to cover with pitch” and “atone for sin”. Thus, this simple practical command made by God sounds in Hebrew almost like a theological statement. Understanding the Hebrew, it becomes immediately clear that the story of Noah is essentially a story of redemption and atonement.
To discover the deeper meanings of almost every biblical story, you need to understand the original Hebrew of the Bible. Enroll today in our live online Biblical Hebrew course and let us help you see the depth of the Scripture.
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