“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Plans – The word “plans” is from the Hebrew root hashav.  In this case it is the noun mahashavah.  The verb form “make plans, reckon, account [...]

But YHWH was pleased to crush him, putting him to grief; if he would render himself as a guilt offering, Isaiah 53:10 Was Pleased – How are we supposed to understand this callous and brutal declaration?  Do we really believe that YHWH found delight in the abuse of HaMashiach?  How is it possible that God [...]

“Now this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which shall be presented to the LORD.” Leviticus 7:11 Peace Offerings – Do the Levitical offerings confuse you?  Do they seem strange, ancient and (perhaps) irrelevant?  Some of that discomfort might be the fault of the translation.  When we take a closer look, we [...]

You shall not test YHWH your Elohim as you tested In Massah. Deuteronomy 6:16 Test – God commands us not to test Him.  Hmm.  What do you suppose that means?  Am I not to doubt?  Am I not to question?  Am I not to ask?  I won’t be able to answer these questions unless I [...]

For a God jealous (is) YHWH your God Deuteronomy 6:15 Jealous – Biblical metaphors depend on the cultural behaviors and expectations of the audience.  Just like the parables of Yeshua, metaphors don’t make a lot of sense if they are removed from their cultural background.  The description of God as el qana’ YHWH (God jealous [...]