March 30 - The Many Names of God

1. The English words for Deity, God, Gods, gods, Jehova, Lord, LORD, etc, come from three basic Hebrew words (Elohim, Jehova, Adonai). The English word choice depends upon the context of the sentence. In many cases it simply is not known which specific God is being dealt with. 
2. Deuteronomy 10:9 is a good example of the frequent repetition of various names for Deity. What is the point of this repetition? Anytime a word is repeated is for emphasis (Verily, Verily / Wo,wo / Lord of Lords, etc). The point of the repetition in this verse is simply to say "The True God"... Which true God? It doesn't matter, because as we learned from the word Ma'lak, anyone who is a messenger of God will deliver the same message.
3. Genesis 22:12 - There are two words used before verbs that NEGATE the verb : אַל־ and לֹו. The first use means "Not right now", and the second means "Not EVER". The "Not Ever" form is the one used with regard to the Ten Commandments. In this verse, the messenger of the Lord told Abraham not to lift his hand (to slay) using the "Not right now" form, because a ram was about to become the sacrifice. 
4. Sometimes literary license is needed in translation, due to idiomic expressions, or cases where there are no similar words in English. This license can introduce doctrinal/theological bias. The ram is significant to Christians because it becomes a symbol of the Savior's sacrifice in saving Isaac. To the Jews, who don't believe in Jesus as the Messiah, this command to not slay Issac is interpreted as the divine direction not to perform human sacrifice. Bruce Satterfield's argument then is "Why did they use the 'don't kill right now' form of the negation word?", surely the Lord would use the "Not Ever" form if that were the case.
5. The sacrificed ram following the test of Abraham sealed the Abrahamic Covenant.

March 27 - Ministering Angels / Messengers

1. We had a really interesting discussion on the Hebrew word, מַלְאַךְ (Maw-lach), which means "Messenger". But this word often gets translated as "Angel" in the scriptures. Hebrew doesn't have the word for the English word "Angel". Messengers in Hebrew can be mortal or immortal, or can even be God Himself. The same word in Greek is translated "Angelos", and also does not have the divine overtones we have in English. 
2. Some rules about the word מַלְאַךְ: (click here for more rules)
1. Messengers represent the one who sent them (And often speak in first person) 
2. Messengers do not usually provide details concerning their commission (who sent them) 
3. Bro. Satterfield said The Lord can send whoever He wants as a messenger (whether living, dead, or whatever) 
3. Judges 2, references an 'angel' who was actually a mortal prophet from the nearby community of Gilgal, who was sent by the Lord to deliver a message. It is interesting to note the 1st person aspect of his communication. Messengers represent the one who sends them. 
4. We should translate this word as "Messenger", rather than "Angel". It is more accurate. 
5. The same organization that exists in the LDS church, namely the priesthood lines of authority through prophets, apostles, stake and ward leaders, and ultimately quorum leaders, must surely exist on the other side of the veil. 
6. The Holy Ghost has an important responsibility as a messenger (מַלְאַךְ) , testifying of the Father and the Son. We learned that the Holy Ghost is an orchestrator for providing our spiritual experiences, and is the one responsible for assigning messengers to us. Many doctrinal examples support this idea, including the story of Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, who were continually followed by their מַלְאַךְ, and who often heard his voice, literally beheld him, and felt his promptings at times. These מַלְאַךְ act under the directing influence of the spirit, and convey the feelings, thoughts, peace, guidance, etc. we associate with the Holy Ghost. This doctrine is further discussed by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the quorum of the 12 apostles in his talk, "The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament". This doctrine does not in any way take away from the divine role of the Holy Ghost. Understanding that he is the one orchestrating each spiritual manifestation in my life, whether it is Him directly, or one He sends to me (Likely an ancestor) it doesn't matter, the message is the same. This doctrine is strongly supported in D&C 1:38, whether it is the Lord's voice, or the voice of his servants, it is the same. Frankly, I LOVE the concept of my ancestors having direct dealings with me, and having my own 'assigned' מַלְאַךְ. I think most people love this doctrine and want to believe it is true. 
7. Lastly, he spoke of the need for the Nephites who were having a difficult time understanding the Savior's words, to go home, pray for the spirit, and return the next day. They did so, gathered others, fasted, prayed, and had the literal ministration of מַלְאַךְ (Angels), and the Savior immediately appeared. The point is that The Holy Ghost can not always strive with us when we sin. But our מַלְאַךְ can minister to us, get us to repent, and bring the Holy Ghost back in our lives, and allow the Savior to administer to us.

________________________________

see also: Bruce Satterfield's collection of sources on this topic
Rules for the understanding of the Hebrew word Mal'ak - http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/Rel302/MalakMessengerAngel.html

March 25, 2015 - Voices in the wilderness, and Stuff

1. *The definition of truth is: Things as they WERE, things as the ARE, and things as they WILL BE. Hebrew words and letter order often have symbolic meaning. The three letter word for Truth in Hebrew is ---, or in English is A-M-T, or "Amet". These are the first, middle, and last letters in the Hebrew alphabet. A is symbolic of things past, M is symbolic of things present, and T is symbol of things future. 
2. *מדבר (Mah-deh-bar) is a Hebrew word meaning Wilderness, but also has a connotation of the words that come from the Lord in the wilderness, or the importance of relying on the word, and not bread alone (Luke 4:4; Matthew 4:4; Israel Genesis??)

March 23, 2015 - Covenants, Land, and Sacrifice

1. The King Follet Discourse was compiled from many people's notes, and was reported to have lasted 2 1/2 hours long. The amalgamated version of the talk would be no longer than 45 minutes long. Lesson: There is missing material! This is likewise true of our scriptures, and many of the prophetic experiences prophets have held. Though we certainly have what we need, we can definitely ascertain that there is missing material.
2. Verbless sentences (See NOTE 49B in Workbook)
3. When translating, stick as close to the word order as possible
4. *COVENANTS: Always include two things; 1) Cutting 2) Blood. In Genesis 15:12, Lucifer attempts to stop the covenant Abraham was about to enter into, which would establish this very critical covenant that would bind the Lord to the House of Israel. NOTE: This is similar to Joseph Smith's experience with the adversary just before offering his prayer in the Hill Cumorah. 
5. *Abraham and his posterity (at different times) both lived in Egypt to gain posessions/substance before passing into the promised land of Canaan, which is essentially a desolate place (no resources). 
6. *Abraham's covenant included receiving a promised land. Lehi also made a covenant similar to Abraham's. We don't have an account of the experience, but we have Lehi's testimony: "But behold, I have obtained a land of promise" (see 1 Ne 5:5). His confidence in the Lord was sure, many years before (and on a different continent) he even received it! He knew God does not break his promises.
7. *ALTARS - Altars are commonly understood in Hebrew as "Places of slaughtering" - a connotation that totally doesn't exist in English. But understanding this when we visit modern day temples can deepen the experience if we bring a part of ourselves to slaughter there upon the altar.  Furthermore, in ancient times the animal was cut up, washed, annointed, and then offered up to God. This pattern still exists in temples today, but not with regard to animal slaughtering. Therefore, what do we slaughter on our altars?

March 18, 2015 - Another slight mistranslation with huge significance

1. "Paul used the septuagint, but knew his Hebrew". The New testament verse Hebrews 11:19 gives a strong indication that Paul knew something about Abraham's faith that we don't quite have in the KJV translation. "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." The Old Testament says nothing of this belief held by Abraham. 
2. There are intensive verb forms in Hebrew, that are relatively uncommon, and Gen 22:6 has three of them, each of which failed to make the KJV translation. The first is on the word "Nelcah", or "we will go". Intensify that phrase and you have "We will indeed go". It doesn't sound like a significant difference but it is. Abraham was eager to obey the Lord's command, and possessed a sense of confidence.
3. *The second intensive verb that was lost was on the word for "worship". This opened an awesome discussion on the word in English. In the USA, we don't really use the word, or practice the word like it was used in practically every other culture, and age. We are all equal, so we do not show respect as in the form of bowing to our superiors, like the President. This is common in even present day cultures elsewhere to bow to a superior. "The higher the rank, the deeper the bow in other societies", bro. Satterfield said. He then demonstrated a short quick bow, a deeper longer bow, and then got on his knees in front of the class and got VERY low. Then he said, "This is still not the form of the word for worship used here." He then laid completely prostrate, as low as he could possibly go, and said "This is the kind of worship this verse is talking about". It's an intensive form of worship. Abraham knew what kind of intensive slaughtering and consuming that was about to occur on the altar. Intense sacrifice equals intense worship.
4. *This led to a discussion on the "olah sacrifice", the most intense sacrifice of Hebrew times spoken of in previous class notes. In this type of sacrifice you divide the body by the head, fat, inwards, arms, legs, and skin. You wash certain parts. Then you burn them in their entirety This is the most intense sacrifice. 
5. *He then spoke about the symbolism of each part of the sacrifice, and listed three rules for interpreting symbols:
1. Look beyond the symbol itself
2. Examine the nature, characteristics, and attributes of the symbol which reveals meaning
3. Look to the Lord for the interpretation
6. *The head has the brain, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and represents our senses, and thinking, and intellect. (Tangent, the nose is the only organ that produces an actual direct connection with the brain). Fat cells store energy, and thus represents all of the strength. The inwards come from the part of the body that feels emotion in all its varieties and thus represents feeling, emotion, heart, etc. Consuming these things upon the altar and sending them up in smoke represents giving our all to him. This is an intense sacrifice and form of worship.
7. *The third intensive verb form is in the expression "and return unto you". Intensify this expression and you have "We will indeed return unto you". Notice the inclusion of Isaac in this expression that missed the KJV translation. Abraham had the confidence and faith that he would go worship, perform the complete sacrifice of his son, and yet would return (in a very intensive form) with his son.

March 16, 2015 - Slaves; Abrahamic Tests

1. * indicates doctrinal significance
2. *Gen. 22:4 - It is difficult to translate the word "Na'ari", into English. The same word is used for Abraham's servants and his son, Isaac. It has the context of belonging to Abraham, servants, slaves, etc. 
3. *Slaves - This word has negative context in English. I think of task masters with whips. However, ancient apostles referred to themselves as 'slaves' to the Lord's work, and used expressions like "We are bought with a price". Brother Satterfield said "I would be God's slave any day - He treats his slaves really well". Unlike Lucifer. In short, we should not judge scriptures and the people for using phrases like this using our cultural norms... as if to say our cultural norms have gotten it right??!?! We should seek to be "Na'arim"(slaves) of Abraham, or Christ, or the Father.
4. How old was Abraham/Isaac at the time of the test? No one is certain, but the Hebrew account of Josephus (Apocryphal ancient writings?) said Abraham was 125 years old (100 years old when he and Sarai bore Isaac), so Isaac would have been about 25 years old. The Old Testament study manual puts Isaac at 33, but this is probably speculation based on the strong comparisons that exist between Isaac as a Type of the Savior.
5. **Gen 22:4 - "And he lifted up his eyes"... this is a possible indication of the state of depression, remorse, or whatever the right word for the deep feelings Abraham must have experienced the previous three days of his journey, knowing what he was about to do to his son.

March 15, 2015 - Abrahamic Covenant

Best day of class yet. Brother Satterfield jumps into the doctrine of Abraham. The discussion was so involved I couldn't take notes, so here are some highlights:

1. *As discussed previously, Abraham's offering of Isaac was more than just a commandment to kill his most loved son. Abraham knew full well that the Lord intended for him to take his son and literally butcher him, divide his body parts and fat, and then consume him on the altar. The word in Hebrew is Olah, which means to cause to go up. There would have been nothing left of Isaac since he would have gone up in smoke and ash to God. Abraham knew all this is what God was asking of him.
2. *Abraham got up early the next day to commence the three day journey. He was eager to serve the Lord, but must have walked in absolute disgust (not the best word... remorse, melancholy, terror, horror, depression??)
3. *Genesis 22:2-4 says "go to the land I will show you and 'olah an olah'". That means "go up and cause to go up". This is common Hebrew talk, to take a verb and turn it into a noun. Other examples include for example Lehi who said "I have dreamed a dream" (I have verbed a noun, same word), "or in other words, I have seen a vision (or I have seen a seen... same word). 
4. *The best part of the lesson for me was when the class was over, I went up and asked him a follow up question. I have loved the scripture Abraham 1:2-3 for a long time and wanted him to connect the two scriptures together. He did... He explained it something like this: Abraham was living in a land of heathon's and had attained the lower gospel from someone, somehow - meaning he was baptized and may have attained the lesser priesthood. Then he sensed there was something greater to be had and longed for it, the Lord led him to a strange land and ultimately to Melchizedek, where he attained the higher priesthood and higher laws and ordinances he so desperately sought.
5. *He then explained the power of Abraham's covenant with God, how diligent he was to the Lord, and how his righteous faithfulness had placed God in a position to honor His part of the covenant to feel after Abraham's posterity, and reclaim them. God is bound to do this because of Abraham's faithfulness. This concept is prominently declared on the Title Page of the Book of Mormon, where it says "Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever". I loved hearing this! It made me rejoice in Abraham's faithfulness, and made me want to do my part to fulfill this covenant. 
6. *Lastly, he spoke of the return of Elijah in this dispensation and the important event that was in fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant, I suppose in part to turn our hearts to the Abrahamic Covenant, but also in providing ordinances of exaltation.
7. This discussion really moved me today. As I write this two days later, I'm exploring everything I can get my hands on related to Abraham and am really overwhelmed by what an amazing person he was and what a special role he plays in the Plan of Salvation. I may need to make a blog post on this stuff soon!

March 4, 2015 - No Original Bible

I haven't made a post for awhile because we have been focusing on Hebrew grammar, which is important to be able to translate. But today had some doctrinal significance worth writing about...

1. Brother Satterfield begins the discussion by saying "I'm not here to teach you grammar - I'm here to teach you doctrine!" (LOVE IT!!)
2. *There is NO Original Hebrew version of the bible! Consequently, there really is no original bible. Moses received revelations and wrote them down, and these revelations may have been changed slightly until we received the Masoritic Hebrew bible we have today.
1. This is important. Best translations come from original texts. 
2. *Even the Doctrine & Covenants written in the early 1800's doesn't have the same meaning we infer today due to changes in language over the years. Therefore, it is wise to consult Webster's Dictionary of 1828, a dictionary written precisely at Joseph Smith's time, and which he is known to have owned. Looking up such words as "Chastise" can reveal a different meaning than we might use today
3. The ongoing translation of Genesis 22 1-3 deals with Abraham's test. This test is more significant than I realize!