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Jun 27, 2017 · In Scripture, yes, we see that names often had a prophetic meaning, and in biblical times parents named their children with a meaning in mind. In today’s world, names are chosen for a variety of reasons, and often not just meaning. But it can be fascinating to study the history of your given name ( Behind the Name is one site to explore).
Apr 3, 2020 · This fact has caused many biblical scholars to spiritualize the meaning of the term land and equate it with heaven. Others claim these promises were conditional and were forfeited by Israel's disobedience. In refutation of these interpretations, Dr. John F. Walvoord wrote: The term land . . . used in the Bible, means exactly what it says.
The first occurrence of the word gives little clue as to its meaning: Abimelech is told that Abraham is a prophet and will pray for him . This is the only time the word occurs in the Book of Genesis, and it yields little meaning of the term beyond that the prophet had an esp. close relationship to God and could pray effectively.
- Introduction
- Questions Which Provide The Key to This Passage
- Observations Concerning The Prophecy of Jacob Regarding His Offspring
- Reuben
- Simeon and Levi
- Judah
- Zebulun and Issachar
- Dan
- Gad and Asher
- Naphtali
As a student in my senior year of seminary, I was required to write a thesis. I chose to write on the themes of the Exodus as they were employed in Isaiah 40-55. During my Christmas break I was trying to put all the pieces together and complete the thesis. At one point I became totally lost in the project and, in the midst of all the particulars, l...
You may not agree with the answers which I find in this text, but I am convinced that none of us will understand the passage without answering a few key questions. (1) Did every detail of Jacob’s prophecy come to pass? If not, why not? (2) What purpose does this prophecy serve for the sons of Jacob, since none of them will live to see the fulfillme...
Before we give our attention to some of the details of the prophecies of this passage, it would benefit us to look at the passage as a whole. Several characteristics can be identified. First of all, these are the last words of Jacob. The prophecy is literally the final word of Jacob, spoken with his dying breath. When Jacob finished charging his so...
Reuben, by virtue of his position as the first-born of Jacob, should have had pre-eminence over his brothers and the double portion of the inheritance (which was given to Joseph (cf. 48:5,6,22; I Chronicles 5:1-2). But these were taken from Reuben because of his instability: Reuben, you are my first-born; My might and the beginning of my strength, ...
Like Reuben, Simeon and Levi had demonstrated character that was not befitting to godliness: Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. Cursed be their an...
After learning of Judah’s folly in Genesis 38we would not expect him to prosper spiritually, but Jacob’s words speak of a bright future for his descendants: Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up...
The prophecy concerning Zebulun is disturbing, for it has not yet come to pass: Zebulun shall dwell at the seashore; And he shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon (Genesis 49:13). Kidner comments: Zebulun’s allotted land in Joshua 19:l0-l6 did not reach the coast, unlike the neighboring Asher’s (cf. Jdg. 5:l7), nor did it c...
Our hopes are raised initially, for it seems that the prospects for this tribe are bright, but they are suddenly dashed upon the rocks of reality: Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned snake in the path, That bites the horse’s heels, So that his rider falls backward (Genesis 49:16-17...
As for Gad, raiders shall raid him, But he shall raid at their heels. As for Asher, his food shall be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties (Genesis 49:19-20). Gad would be continually plagued by his neighbors, but would not be overcome.111Asher, With a fertile plain and trade routes to the sea, … would ‘dip his foot in oil’ (Duet. 33:24) and pro...
Naphtali is a doe let loose, He gives beautiful words (Genesis 49:21). The portrait of Naphtali’s future is one of unhindered freedom and increase. While the NASV translates verse 21 to read “words” in the second line, it seems preferable to render it more naturally, “fawns,” as in the King James Version. Under Barak, Israel was led to break their ...
The introduction to the prophecy of Daniel 11 is given in the preceding chapter. This introduction is quite extensive—all of Daniel 10. It begins: “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the ...
The name Zephaniah can be understood to be derived from the Hebrew root tsâphan, meaning to hide, protect, cover, or treasure up. Accordingly, the name Zephaniah can be translated as one who is protected or hidden by the Lord. [3] The name seems to summarize the prophet’s message. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah ...
Dec 3, 2012 · A. In the Old Testament there seems to be a development of the concept of "prophet" and "prophecy." In early Israel there developed a fellowship of prophets, led by a strong charismatic leader such as Elijah or Elisha. Sometimes the phrase, "the sons of the prophets," was used to designate this group ( 2 Kings 2 ).
