Daily everyone can take something, or someone and lift them up. Too often we have seen or been the recipient of being pulled down, leaving lasting effects of deep wounding/hurt. It doesn’t take much to be kind and considerate, this also can have lasting effects. Yeshua demonstrated perfect examples of behaviour. Keeping silent at times can speak volumes.
| Parashah #35: Naso (Take) B’Midbar Numbers 4:21-7:89 |
Continuing from Parashah #34, we see further logistical organisational management at work in this week’s Torah portion; Assigning the duties. This is explained in Numbers Chapters 3-4. It also highlights that the Nation needed uplifting too. The community project launched by Moshe, had to be successful as Paesch was approaching.
Naso נָשֹא a (Heb) meaning “lift up,” “carry,” or “elevate”. It’s the first word of Num 4:22, commonly used to mean “take a census” or “raise the head” (Naso et rosh) of the Levite families. From a primitive root word נשׂא nasa pronounced naw-saw.
- bare, lift, bear, take, carry, (take, carry) away, borne, armourbearer, forgive, accept, exalt, regard, obtained, respect
- to lift, bear up, carry, take
lift up
to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
to take, take away, carry off, forgive
to be lifted up, be exalted
to lift oneself up, rise up
to be borne, be carried
to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away
to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist
to desire, long (figuratively)
to carry, bear continuously
to lift oneself up, exalt oneself
to cause one to bear (iniquity)
to cause to bring, have brought
What, and who, do we lift up in our lives, what is the motive?
The actual ages of the following names, the writer was unable to reach a result at this time.
Num 4:23 “counting all those between 30 and 50 years old, all who will enter the corps doing the work of serving in the tent of meeting”. There are parallels between being sent into exile and out of Egypt and Yeshua.
The three sons of Levi serving: Gershon = 2630 (Num 4:39), K’hat/Kohath = 2750 (Num 4:36), M’rari/Merari = 3200 (Num 4:44), Totalling = 8580.
1 Chr 6: (A further expansion that reveals some lineage);
These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei.
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers:
Of Gershon: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son and Jeatherai his son.
The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son
Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son
Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son.
A dictionary of terms, and just the first line of sons;
Num 4:22 Strong’s <01648> Gershon גרשׁון Gerᵉshown pronounced gay-resh-one = “exile“, from the primitive root word גרשׁ garash pronounced gaw-rash. Meaning to drive out, cast out, thrust out, drive away, put away, divorced, driven, expel, drive forth, surely, troubled, cast up, divorced woman.
From corresponding <388> ἀνασταυρόω anastauroo pronounced an-as-tow-ro’-o. From <303> by, apiece, every man, each, several, two and two, among, through, between.
From <4717> crucify afresh, to raise up upon a cross, crucify. (Gk) σταυρόω stauroo pronounced stow-ro’-o.
- to stake, drive down stakes
to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade
to crucify
to crucify one
metaphorically: to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain)
Num 4:23 The sons of Gershon by clans, were Libni and Shimei (Ex 6:17; 1 Chr 6:17).
Ex 6:17 Libni לבני Libniy pronounced lib-nee = “white”, from <03835> a primitive root; לבן laban pronounced law-ban. (Laban (Hebrew: לָבָן, romanized: Lāḇān) is a Hebrew name meaning “white” or “shining”. Laban was the brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel, who famously employed his nephew Jacob for 14 years).
- make white, make, make brick, be white, be whiter
- to be white
to make white, become white, purify
to show whiteness, grow white
to become white, be purified (ethical)
to make bricks
(Gk) γενεά genea pronounced ghen-eh-ah from a presumed derivative of <1085>; generation, time, age, nation
- fathered, birth, nativity
that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
metaphorically: a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
in a sense, a perverse nation
the whole multitude of men living at the same time
an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied by each successive generation), a space of 30-33 years.
Libni, a son of Gershon and grandson of Levi (Exod 6:17; Num 3:18; 1 Chr 6:17, 20). “Libnites” is the patronymic given to his descendants (Num 3:21; 26:58). Libni also is cited as a son of Merari (1 Chr 6:29).
According to 1 Chr 6:20 (and the corresponding list in 1 Chr 6:42), Libni had at least one son named Jahath. The lineage listed in 1 Chr 6:20-21 shows Jahath was the father of Zimmah.
Ex 6:17 Shimei שׁמעי Shim‘iy pronounced shim-ee =”renowned”. from 08088, Greek 4584. <08088> שׁמע shema‘ pronounced shay’-mah. fame, report, hear, tidings, bruit, loud, speech. Shimei = “harkeners: my report”, the father of Mattathias in the genealogy of Christ.
- report, a hearing
(Gk) 4584 ἱεροπρεπής hieroprepes pronounced hee-er-op-rep-ace., from <2413> and the same as <4241> as become holiness
- befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God
reverent
Ex 6:18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel
Amram עמרם ‘Amram pronounced am-rawm = “exalted people”.
Izhar יצהר Yitshar pronounced yits-hawr = “shining oil”, uncle of Moses and Aaron, and father of Korah; progenitor of the Izharites.
Hebron חברון Chebrown pronounced kheb-rone = “association”, (Gk) ἀποθλίβω apothlibo pronounced ap-oth-lee’-bo, from <575> and <2346>
press, to press on all sides, squeeze, press hard, of pressing out grapes and olives
Uzziel עזיאל ‘Uzziy’el pronounced ooz-zee-ale = “my strength is God”, uncle of Moses and Aaron.
Ex 6:19 The sons of M’rari/Merari: Mahli and Mushi.
1 Chron 6:19 M’rari/Merari <04847> מררי Mᵉrariy pronounced mer-aw-ree = “bitter“, a primitive root word. Meaning: bitter + <04751> end of wickedness, crying (figuratively), choler, grieved, vexed, grieved, provoke. <04751> מר mar / מרה marah pronounced maw-raw. (Maror the bitter herbs eaten at the Passover Seder to symbolize the harsh slavery of the Israelites in Egypt).
We read in Ruth in Shavuot, that Naomi understandably felt bitter in some circumstances, and Ruth had compassion, and showed kindness.
Num 3:20 Mahli/Machliy מחלי pronounced makh-lee = “sick”, progenitor of the family of the Mahlites. From primitive root word <02470> חלה chalah pronounced khaw-law.
- sick, beseech, be weak, grievous, be diseased, wounded, pray, intreat, grief, grieved, sore, pain, infirmity, intreated, laid, prayer, sorry, make suit, supplication, travail.
- to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry
to be weak, be sick
to be or become weak, feel weak
to become sick, become ill
to entreat, pray, beg
to make oneself sick
to be made sick
to be tired
to be made weak, become weak
to make oneself sick
to make sore
to make sick
to show signs of sickness, become sick
to grieve
to be made sick
to be wounded
Mushi מושׁי Muwshiy pronounced moo-shee, = “yielding“, from מושׁ muwsh pronounced moosh, a primitive root; feel, handle.
(Gk) δειλιάω deiliao pronounced di-lee-ah’-o, from <1167>; be afraid, to be timid, fearful.
Responsibilities:
Num 4:24 Gershon families = serving in the tent of meeting and for transporting loads. Supervised by Aharon and his sons.
Num 4:31 Descendants of M’rari = To carry the loads. Directed by Itamar te sons of Aharon.
Num 4:37 Descendants of K’hat = serving
The chapters also remind us that not everybody has the same burdens to bear. The Gershonites and Merarites could put their burdens on wagons, but the Kohanthites had to carry their burdens on their shoulders. There are some burdens we can share (Gal 6:2), but there are other burdens that only we can bear (Gal 6:5).
Num 4:15 Burden משׂא massa pronounced mas-saw from <05375> song, prophecy, set, exaction, carry away, tribute
- load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting
lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up
carrying
tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne
utterance, oracle, burden
It was important that the camp be orderly and the work of the tabernacle be organised. Warfare would lead to defeat, if not properly administered. We live in a time not unlike that described in the book of Judges, when everyman did what was right in his own eyes (Jud 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 22:25). But God’s word to His people is just the opposite: See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain (Heb 8:5; Ex 25:40). When God’s work is done God’s way, in obedience to God’s truth, it will never lack God’s blessing.
| Judges 13:2-25 |
Jud 13:2 Zareah or Zoreah or Zorah = “hornet”, a town in Dan, residence of Manoah and the home town of Samson.
Jud 13:15 Manoah מנוח Manowach pronounced maw-no’-akh= “rest”.
Jud 13:24 Samson שׁמשׁון Shimshown pronounced shim-shone’= “like the sun”, a Nazarite for life, and a judge of Israel for 20 years.
From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; שׁמשׁ shemesh pronounced sheh’-mesh, sun (as object of illicit worship), windows.
Jud 13:25 Eshtaol אשׁתאל Eshta’ol pronounced esh-taw-ole = “entreaty”, a Danite city located within Judah.
Samson born in Zorah was unpredictable and undependable because he was double-minded, and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). It has been said that your greatest ability is dependability.
Bold before men, Samson was weak before women and couldn’t resist telling them his secrets. He yielded his body to the appetites of the flesh. He fraternised with the enemy and tried to be unevenly yoked with a Philistine woman. His demise caused him to be blinded by the very enemy he was supposed to conquer. The once light of his soul came to ruins, dying blind under the ruins of a heathen temple.
He was to protect a nation, but instead 43 yrs = 15 706 approx days (365 calculating) of oppression under an enemy’s domination. As you study geography you’ll note that the national life centered around 5 key cities of Ashdod Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron (1 Sam 6:17). The land between Israel’s hill country and coastal plains was called the ‘Shephelah’, which means low country. This oppression dates about 1095 B.C. – 1055 B.C. ending at Mizpeh (1 Sam 7). About the middle of this period occurred the battle of Aphek, where the ark was lost and 3 priests (1 Sam 4).
The Philistines disarmed the Israelites (1 Sam 13:19-23) and had little fear of a rebellion. Judges 15:9-13. Being accustomed to bondage and learning to accept the status quo is disturbing.
Unlike most of the previous judges Samson didn’t deliver the people from foreign domination, but he began what others would finish (13:5). He did though take the prayers of Samuel (1 Sam 7) and the conquests of David (2 Sam 5:17-25) to complete the victory.
Like John the Baptist, Samson would be a Nazirite from his mother’s womb (Lk 1:13-15). The word Nazirite means ‘to separate, to consecrate’. A Nazirite vow can be for a specified/limited time, in Samson’s case it was for a life time.
The time of Judges was one of and anarchy, but there were homes still devoted to prayer and the Lord. Parents were already instructed how to bring up children in Dt 6. God had answered Manoah’s prayer and gave him an opportunity to ask an important question, which the angel of the Lord didn’t answer. “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy’s life and work?” v 12. The messenger simply repeated the warning he had given to Manoah’s wife. Manoah wanted to know the messenger’s name. The man wouldn’t tell his name except to say it as ‘wonderful’, see Gen 32:29. This is the same word used to name the Messiah to in Is 9:6. It is translated ‘wondrously’ in Judges 13:9 ‘an amazing thing’. A rock was used as an altar and the visitor ascended in a flame.
Samson’s inconsistent life brought shame to his father’s house.
While other judges were said to be clothed with God’s Spirit (3:10; 6:34; 11:29), only of Samson is it said, “the Lord blessed him” (13:24; Lk 1:80; 2:52). The source of his strength was God’s Spirit (13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14). Unfortunately, he failed as a leader, we don’t read he rallied the troops. He did might feats, but they all were solo. Readers are reminded in Ps 2:11 to serve the Lord with fear (respectful) and rejoice with trembling. One could say he lived by sight and not by faith. He was controlled by the lust of the eyes (1 Jn 2:16). He was pleasing himself (Jud 14:3, 7; 2 Cor 5:14-15).
When God is not permitted to rule in our lives, He overrules and works out His will in spite of our decisions. God will accomplish His purposes either with us or in spite of us (Es 4:10-14).
| John 7:53-8:11 |
Jn 8:6 ” … and with [his] finger <1147> (Gk) δάκτυλος daktulos pronounced dak’-too-los wrote <1125>…”
The finger of God is also in Ex 8:19 <0676>; Ex 31:18 <0676>; Dt 9:10 <0676>; and Lk 11:20 <1147>.
Jn 8:11 condemn κατακρίνω katakrino pronounced kat-ak-ree’-no, damn to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment, by one’s good example to render another’s wickedness the more evident and censurable.
Ex 22:9 is the first mention of the word condemn רשׁע rasha pronounced raw-shah a primitive root. (Gk) ζωή zoe pronounced dzo-ay from <2198>
- wickedly, wicked, departed, trouble, vexed, wickedness
- to be wicked, act wickedly
to be wicked, act wickedly
to be guilty, be condemned
to condemn as guilty (in civil relations)
to condemn as guilty (in ethical or religious relations)
to act wickedly (in ethics and religion)
<2198; <2222> life, lifetime
- the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate
every living soul
of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic “logos” (Divine word) and to Messiah/Christ in whom the “logos” put on human nature
life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Messiah/Christ.
1 Jn 3:21 last mention of condemn. (Gk) καταγινώσκω kataginosko pronounced kat-ag-in-o’-sko. (Abridged bible Version” says: Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.
from 2596 and 1097; condemn, blame
- to find fault with, blame
to accuse, condemn
Jn 8:11 sin ἁμαρτάνω hamartano pronounced ham-ar-tan’-o
- trespass, offend, for your faults
- to be without a share in
to miss the mark
to err, be mistaken
to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong
to wander from the law of God, violate God’s law, sin
Note verses 8:6, 8 twice wrote in the dust of the temple court.
| Acts 21:17-32 |
Acts 21:24 purify (Gk) ἁγνίζω hagnizo pronounced hag-nid’-zo
purify (one’s) self
- ceremonially
to cleanse themselves from levitical polution by means of prayers, abstinence, washings, sacifices (Jn 11:55 )
to take upon oneself a purification (Ac 21:24,26 24:18) and is used of Nazarites or those who had taken upon themselves a temporary or life long vow to abstain from wine and all kinds of intoxicating drink, from every defilment and from shaving the head.
morally (Jas 4:8; 1 Pet 1:22; 1 Jn 3:3)
Acts 21:25 abstaining from what had been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled and from fornication.
idols (Gk) εἰδωλόθυτον eidolothuton pronounced i-do-loth’-oo-ton
- things offered unto idols, things offered in sacrifice to idols, things sacrificed unto idols, meats offered to idols
- sacrificed to idols, the flesh left over from the heathen sacrifices
it was either eaten at the feasts or sold (by the poor and the miserly) in the market
From root word εἴδωλον eidolon pronounced i’-do-lon from <1491>; an image (i.e. for worship);
- an image, likeness
i.e., whatever represents the form of an object, either real or imaginary
- used of the shades of the departed, apparitions, spectres, phantoms of the mind, etc.
the image of a heathen god
a false god
strangled πνικτός pniktos pronounced pnik-tos
from <4155>;
- suffocate, strangled
- what is strangled, i.e., an animal deprived of life without the shedding of blood
of cooking: our “smothered” as a culinary term
fornication πορνεία porneia pronounced por-ni’-ah
from 4203;
- illicit sexual intercourse
adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev 18:6-23
sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk 10:11,12
metaphorically: the worship of idols
of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
πορνεύω porneuo pronounced porn-yoo’-o
from <4204>; commit fornication
- to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another
- to give one’s self to unlawful sexual intercourse
to commit fornication
metaphorically: to be given to idolatry, to worship idols
to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry
Acts 21:29 Trophimus Τρόφιμος Trophimos pronounced trof’-ee-mos = “nutritious”, from <5160> τροφή trophe pronounced trof-ay’, means some meat, and Goyim friend of the apostle Paul, from the Roman province of Asia.
Missionary Companion: He traveled with Paul from Macedonia to Jerusalem at the end of Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 20:4), serving as a representative of the Gentile churches.
Cause of Paul’s Arrest: In Jerusalem, Trophimus was seen with Paul in the city, leading Asian Jews to falsely accuse Paul of bringing a Gentile into the restricted inner temple courts. This accusation sparked a riot that resulted in Paul’s arrest (Acts 21:29).
Illness at Miletus: Years later, after Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment, Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Tim 4:20).
This event suggests Paul undertook further missionary travels in Asia Minor before his final imprisonment and execution.