חד sharpen
חד sharpen [∞]
chad חד
| Interpreting word formations is not as simple as merely replacing the letters with a meaning. Such replacement forms a riddle which is answered by scripture.
'Sharpen' chad חד is formed as 'understand ח the command ד'. It is not easy to see the connection between the two. But God says the same thing in different ways until we understand. He has given another clue to the connection in the verse: ▸ ± Pr 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Now we understand how to sharpen our friends better. To improve the countenance of the friend, we help them understand God's commands. 'Command' is used in a technical sense as that which God makes God known as he says and it happens... no discussion. We would remind our friend that God spoke and as a result of his command, the universe sprang into existence. We might also confront his sin and bring hope for a changed life based on God's mercy and power in overcoming sin. Without the underlying meaning of chad we are left to guess as to how we sharpen one another. |
