Discussion hints: ELTBefore Word formations

Discussion hints: ELTBefore Word formations [∞]

1. How did the introduction of the nikud system change the way Hebrew was read, and what impact did this have on understanding the deeper meanings in the Bible?
   • The nikud system was introduced to help with pronunciation by adding vowel markings to Hebrew words. While this helped people read more easily, it also obscured the deeper meanings embedded in the letters themselves. These deeper meanings, which were clearer before the vowel markings were added, included connections to Jesus and God's plan. With nikud, it became more difficult to recognize these hidden meanings within the text.
2. In what ways did Hebrew before nikud offer a richer understanding of words, and how were connections, like that between the words "lamb" and "word," more easily seen without the vowel markings?
   • Before the nikud system, Hebrew words carried a more profound, symbolic meaning because the letters themselves told a story. For example, the words "אמר" (lamb) and "אמר" (word) are the same word without nikud and thus pointed to a deeper connection between Jesus (the Lamb) and the Word of God. Without the nikud markings, these connections were more apparent, as the letters naturally linked key biblical ideas.
3. How do specific Hebrew letters, such as א (Aleph) and ב (Bet), reveal truths about Jesus, and how did the introduction of nikud make these connections more difficult to identify?
   • the letter א (Aleph) represents the creation of the heavens and the earth. The diagonal line is his speech and the two yods are two new creations. The letter ב (Bet), is a revelation (the rosh ר ) to man (the lower horizontal). The Bet follows the Aleph in 'father' ab. So we can say that after God spoke and created the heavens and the earth he revealed himself to man. This reveals something deeper about the Father.
4. Why is the Hebrew alphabet described as a "treasure map," and how does understanding the meanings of individual letters help uncover hidden truths about God’s plan for salvation?
   • The Hebrew alphabet is described as a "treasure map" because each letter holds a deeper meaning that reveals aspects of God’s plan for salvation. Understanding the individual meanings of the letters allows us to uncover hidden truths about the nature of God, His creation, and His plan to redeem humanity. The alphabet is seen as a guide to understanding the Bible and God's intentions, with each letter pointing to deeper, often concealed, truths about Jesus.
5. How did the nikud system potentially obscure the deeper meanings of Hebrew, and in what ways did it affect people’s ability to see the messages about Jesus that were embedded in the Hebrew language before the vowel markings were added?
   • The nikud system obscured the deeper meanings of Hebrew by focusing more on pronunciation rather than the intrinsic meanings of the letters. Before the nikud was added, Hebrew words contained layers of meaning that pointed to Jesus and God's plan. The addition of vowel markings altered the way people approached the text, making it more challenging to perceive the symbolic connections that were once clear in the letters themselves. This shift in focus led to a loss of the profound, hidden messages that were embedded in the Hebrew language before the vowel markings were introduced.