{"id":9054,"date":"2017-12-30T23:00:39","date_gmt":"2017-12-30T17:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=9054"},"modified":"2023-05-08T18:23:33","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T23:23:33","slug":"fear-deuteronomy-part-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=9054","title":{"rendered":"Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve been considering<\/a> yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h\u2019s <\/em>fearful pronouncement: I punish <\/em>(p\u00e2qad<\/em>, \u05e4\u05e7\u05d3<\/a>) the sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons for the sin of the fathers who reject me<\/em>\u2026[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The third of the three times forms of p\u00e2qad<\/em>\u00a0were translated punish <\/em>or punishment<\/em> in the NET prior to Deuteronomy 5:9 was Leviticus 18:25, and I have brought the punishment<\/em> (p\u00e2qad<\/em>, \u05d5\u05d0\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3).\u00a0 I want to consider it in context.\u00a0 A table follows with the English translations of Leviticus 18:24-30 from the Hebrew in the NET and Tanakh, and from the Greek Septuagint in the NETS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Leviticus 18:24-30 (NET)<\/a><\/td>\nLeviticus 18:24-30 (Tanakh)<\/a><\/td>\n\n

Leviticus 18:24-30 (NETS)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Do not defile <\/strong>(\u1e6d\u00e2m\u00ea\u02bc<\/em>, \u05ea\u05d8\u05de\u05d0\u05d5<\/a>) yourselves with any of these things, for the nations which I am about to drive out before you have been defiled<\/strong> (\u1e6d\u00e2m\u00ea\u02bc<\/em>, \u05e0\u05d8\u05de\u05d0\u05d5) with all these things.<\/td>\nDefile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out from before you.<\/td>\nDo not defile (\u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u1f77\u03bd\u03b5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5<\/a>, a form of \u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>) yourselves in any of these ways.\u00a0 For by all these things the nations I am sending out before your face were defiled (\u1f10\u03bc\u03b9\u1f71\u03bd\u03b8\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd<\/a>, another form of \u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Therefore the land has become unclean<\/strong> (\u1e6d\u00e2m\u00ea\u02bc<\/em>, \u05d5\u05ea\u05d8\u05de\u05d0) and I have brought the punishment for its iniquity upon it, so that the land has vomited out its inhabitants.<\/td>\nAnd the land was defiled, therefore I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomited out her inhabitants.<\/td>\nAnd the land became defiled (\u1f10\u03bc\u03b9\u1f71\u03bd\u03b8\u03b7<\/a>, another form of \u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9), and I repaid their evil because of it, and the land was angry with its inhabitants.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You yourselves must obey my statutes<\/strong> (ch\u00fbqq\u00e2h<\/em>, \u05d7\u05e7\u05ea\u05d9<\/a>) and my regulations and must not do any of these abominations, both the native citizen and the resident foreigner in your midst,<\/td>\nYe therefore shall keep My statutes and Mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations (t\u00f4\u02bd\u00eabah<\/em>, \u05d4\u05ea\u05d5\u05e2\u05d1\u05ea<\/a>); neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourneth among you–<\/td>\nAnd you shall keep all my precepts (\u03bd\u1f79\u03bc\u03b9\u03bc\u1f71<\/a>, a form of \u03bd\u03cc\u03bc\u03b9\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2[2]<\/sup><\/a>) and all my ordinances and not commit any of all these abominations (\u03b2\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u1f71\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03b2\u03b4\u03ad\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>), the inhabitant and the guest among you who has come<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
for the people who were in the land before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become unclean <\/strong>(\u1e6d\u00e2m\u00ea\u02bc<\/em>, \u05d5\u05ea\u05d8\u05de\u05d0).<\/td>\nfor all these abominations (t\u00f4\u02bd\u00eabah<\/em>, \u05d4\u05ea\u05d5\u05e2\u05d1\u05ea) have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled–<\/td>\n(for the men of the land, who were before you, committed all of these abominations [\u03b2\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u1f7b\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1<\/a>, another form of \u03b2\u03b4\u03ad\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1], and the land became defiled);<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
So do not make the land vomit you out because you defile <\/strong>(\u1e6d\u00e2m\u00ea\u02bc<\/em>, \u05d1\u05d8\u05de\u05d0\u05db\u05dd) it just as it has vomited out the nations that were before you.<\/td>\nthat the land vomit not you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.<\/td>\nOtherwise the land will become angry with you when you defile (\u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u1f77\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd<\/a>, another form of \u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9) it, as it became angry with the nations that were before you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
For if anyone does any of these abominations, the persons who do them will be cut off from the midst of their people.<\/td>\nFor whosoever shall do any of these abominations (t\u00f4\u02bd\u00eabah<\/em>, \u05d4\u05ea\u05d5\u05e2\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea), even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.<\/td>\nFor anyone who commits any of all these abominations (\u03b2\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u1f71\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03b2\u03b4\u03ad\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1)\u2014the souls that do so shall be exterminated from their people.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You must obey my charge to not practice any of the abominable statutes <\/strong>(ch\u00fbqq\u00e2h<\/em>, \u05de\u05d7\u05e7\u05d5\u05ea) that have been done before you, so that you do not defile <\/strong>(\u1e6d\u00e2m\u00ea\u02bc<\/em>, \u05ea\u05d8\u05de\u05d0\u05d5) yourselves by them. \u00a0I am the Lord your God.<\/td>\nTherefore shall ye keep My charge, that ye do not any of these abominable (t\u00f4\u02bd\u00eabah<\/em>, \u05d4\u05ea\u05d5\u05e2\u05d1\u05ea) customs, which were done before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am HaShem your G-d.<\/td>\nAnd keep my ordinances: not to commit any of all these abominable (\u1f10\u03b2\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03c9\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03b2\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03cd\u03c3\u03c3\u03c9<\/a>) precepts (\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u1f77\u03bc\u03c9\u03bd, another form of \u03bd\u03cc\u03bc\u03b9\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2) that were done before you, and you shall not be defiled (\u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03bd\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03b5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5<\/a>, another form of \u03bc\u03b9\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9) by them, for I am the Lord your God.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Abominations<\/a> <\/em>(t\u00f4\u02bd\u00eabah<\/em>, \u05d4\u05ea\u05d5\u05e2\u05d1\u05ea; Septuagint<\/a>: \u03b2\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u1f71\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd, a form of \u03b2\u03b4\u03ad\u03bb\u03c5\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1) clearly refers to all acts described in verses 6-22<\/a>. \u00a0Bestiality in verse 23<\/a> may be distinguished from abominations <\/em>as perversion <\/em>(tebel<\/em>, \u05ea\u05d1\u05dc<\/a>; Septuagint<\/a>:\u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c1\u1f78\u03bd, a form of \u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03b5\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2[3]<\/sup><\/a>) or perversion <\/em>may be a special class of abominations<\/em>.\u00a0 But quoting Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination<\/em> (t\u00f4\u02bd\u00eabah<\/em>)[4]<\/sup><\/a> out of context doesn\u2019t make male-on-male homosexual acts<\/a> a peculiar class of abomination.\u00a0 It is not more abominable than adultery (verse 20<\/a>) for instance, or approaching a woman in her menstrual impurity to have sexual intercourse with her<\/em>[5]<\/sup><\/a> for that matter.\u00a0 And these abominations<\/em> (with the possible exception of bestiality) were legal\/religious statutes <\/em>in Egypt and Canaan at the time of the Exodus (Leviticus 18:1-5 NET):<\/p>\n

The Lord (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4<\/a>)<\/em> spoke to Moses: \u00a0\u201cSpeak to the Israelites and tell them, \u2018I am the Lord (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> your God (<\/em>\u02bc\u0115l\u00f4h\u0131\u0302ym, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05db\u05dd<\/a>)<\/em>! \u00a0You must not do as they do in the land of Egypt where you have been living, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan into which I am about to bring you; you must not walk in their statutes (<\/em>ch\u00fbqq\u00e2h, \u05d5\u05d1\u05d7\u05e7\u05ea\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd) [Table<\/a>]<\/em>. \u00a0You must observe my regulations and you must be sure to walk in my statutes (<\/em>ch\u00fbqq\u00e2h, \u05d7\u05e7\u05ea\u05d9)<\/em>. \u00a0I am the Lord (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> your God (<\/em>\u02bc\u0115l\u00f4h\u0131\u0302ym, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05db\u05dd) [Table<\/a>]. \u00a0<\/em>So you must keep my statutes (<\/em>ch\u00fbqq\u00e2h, \u05d7\u05e7\u05ea\u05d9)<\/em> and my regulations; anyone who does so will live by keeping them. \u00a0I am the Lord (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em>\u2019\u201d [Table<\/a>].<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The NET translators tended to translate two Hebrew words\u2014g\u00e2l\u00e2h <\/em>(\u05dc\u05d2\u05dc\u05d5\u05ea<\/a>; uncover<\/em>) and \u02bderv\u00e2h<\/em> (\u05e2\u05e8\u05d5\u05d4<\/a>; nakedness<\/em>)\u2014with the words to have sexual intercourse<\/a><\/em>.\u00a0 I\u2019ll quote the Tanakh instead for two reasons: 1) My hard core of materialism<\/a> sweetened with Jesus jelly is all too willing to hear that only sexual intercourse<\/em>, specifically vaginal penetration with and only with a penis resulting in orgasm, is sin; and, 2) I don\u2019t want to miss ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h’s <\/em>disruption of nude pagan worship within families, what contemporary witches call skyclad<\/a><\/em>.\u00a0 Families<\/a>, law<\/a> and religion<\/a> are the primary conduits of visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons whether I consider that visiting<\/em> punishment are the means of transmitting iniquity<\/a> to others.<\/p>\n

The statutes yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h <\/em>called my statutes<\/em> to countermand the legal\/religious statutes of the Egyptians[6]<\/sup><\/a> and Canaanites follow (Leviticus 18:6-19 Tanakh):<\/p>\n

None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness.\u00a0 I am HaShem (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4) [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 The nakedness of thy father,[7]<\/sup><\/a><\/em> and the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or the daughter of thy mother, whether born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover; for theirs is thine own nakedness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister; for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy fathers brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness: they are near kinswomen; it is lewdness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 And thou shalt not take a woman to her sister, to be a rival to her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 And thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Practicing these would make it extremely difficult for a family to engage in pagan worship.\u00a0 It would greatly inhibit the family patriarch from seducing the younger women of his family or asserting his \u201csacred\u201d rights over them.\u00a0 I won\u2019t deny that it could also inhibit the transmission of recessive traits to offspring.\u00a0 But that seems almost incidental when the Hebrew is translated literally.<\/p>\n

Other statutes of Egypt and Canaan were countermanded as well (Leviticus 18:20-23 Tanakh):<\/p>\n

And thou shalt not lie carnally[8]<\/sup><\/a><\/em> with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.\u00a0 And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to set them apart to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy G-d: I am HaShem (<\/em>ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em>.\u00a0 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.\u00a0 And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto; it is perversion [Table<\/a>]<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Adultery and male homosexual acts<\/a> were not prohibited as uncover nakedness<\/em> but with the words n\u00e2than <\/em>(\u05ea\u05ea\u05df<\/a>; give<\/em>) shek\u00f4beth <\/em>(\u05e9\u05db\u05d1\u05ea\u05da<\/a>; copulation<\/em>) in verse 20<\/a> and sh\u00e2kab <\/em>(\u05ea\u05e9\u05db\u05d1<\/a>; lie<\/em>) and mishk\u00e2b <\/em>(\u05de\u05e9\u05db\u05d1\u05d9<\/a>; bed<\/em>) in verse 22<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All of these abominations <\/em>defile those who commit<\/a> them. \u00a0But since the land was also defiled<\/a>, it is perhaps fair to ask if these statutes offer knowledge of sin<\/a> <\/em>for the land of Canaan only.\u00a0 Consider the origin of the Samaritans<\/a> (2 Kings 17:24-28 NET):<\/p>\n

The king of Assyria brought foreigners from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the cities of Samaria in place of the Israelites. \u00a0They took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. \u00a0When they first moved in, they did not worship the Lord (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em>. \u00a0So the Lord (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> sent lions among them and the lions were killing them. \u00a0The king of Assyria was told, \u201cThe nations whom you deported and settled in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God (<\/em>\u02bc\u0115l\u00f4h\u0131\u0302ym, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9)<\/em> of the land, so he has sent lions among them. \u00a0They are killing the people because they do not know the requirements of the God (<\/em>\u02bc\u0115l\u00f4h\u0131\u0302ym, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9)<\/em> of the land.\u201d \u00a0So the king of Assyria ordered, \u201cTake back one of the priests whom you deported from there. \u00a0He must settle there and teach them the requirements of the God (<\/em>\u02bc\u0115l\u00f4h\u0131\u0302ym, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9)<\/em> of the land.\u201d \u00a0So one of the priests whom they had deported from Samaria went back and settled in Bethel. \u00a0He taught them how to worship the Lord (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>The king of Assyria and his pagan servant considered yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h <\/em>a local Canaanite god.\u00a0 It comes down to one’s faith<\/a>.\u00a0 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins<\/em>, Jesus said, for unless you believe that I<\/em> (\u1f10\u03b3\u1f7d<\/a>) AM <\/em>(\u03b5\u1f30\u03bc\u03b9<\/a>), you\u2019ll die in your sins<\/em>.[9]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I chose the ISV<\/a> translation because it is the most accurate here in stating that John claimed that Jesus claimed to be the I AM<\/em>\u00a0(Exodus 3:14, 15<\/a>) who spoke to Moses. \u00a0Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD<\/em> (yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h<\/em>, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4), and my servant<\/a> whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.\u00a0 I, even I, am the LORD <\/em>(yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h<\/em>, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4); and beside me there is no saviour<\/em>.[10]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded<\/em>.[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Do not defile yourselves with any of these things, <\/em>He said, for the nations which I am about to drive out before you have been defiled with all these things. \u00a0Therefore the land <\/em>(\u02bcerets<\/em>, \u05d4\u05d0\u05e8\u05e5<\/a>) has become unclean and I have brought the punishment<\/em> (p\u00e2qad<\/em>, \u05d5\u05d0\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3) for its iniquity upon it<\/em> (Tanakh: I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it<\/em>), so that the land<\/em> (\u02bcerets<\/em>, \u05d4\u05d0\u05e8\u05e5) has vomited out its inhabitants<\/em>.[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The land<\/em> has vomited out its inhabitants <\/em>is an amazing word picture of the flood: all the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened<\/em>.[13]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But this was not the flood.\u00a0 No more than forty years earlier the promised land was a land<\/em> (\u02bcerets<\/em>, \u05d0\u05e8\u05e5) flowing with milk and honey<\/em>.[14]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0When Israel\u2019s spies came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a staff between two men<\/em>\u2026[15]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Was the knowledge that the land<\/em> has vomited out its inhabitants <\/em>something only ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h <\/em>could perceive since He promised, I will never again curse the ground<\/em> (\u02bc\u0103d\u00e2m\u00e2h<\/em>, \u05d4\u05d0\u05d3\u05de\u05d4<\/a>) because of humankind<\/em>?[16]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0Or was it prophetic of the war of extermination Israel was about to unleash in Canaan?<\/p>\n

And surely your blood of your lives will I require<\/em>, ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h <\/em>said after the flood, at the hand of every beast will I require it; and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, will I require the life of man.\u00a0 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of G-d made He man<\/em>.[17]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0Then He promised (Genesis 9:9-11 Tanakh):<\/p>\n

‘As for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you; \u00a0and with every living creature that is with you, the fowl, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that go out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.\u00a0 And I will establish My covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of the flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>In this sense then Israel\u2019s army became a limited<\/a> cleansing flood<\/em>, as opposed to the flood ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h <\/em> promised not to unleash again to destroy the earth<\/em>.\u00a0 Now if someone deprived me and my family of life and claimed all that I owned for himself and his act was righteous, then I was clearly punished<\/em> for a serious offense.\u00a0 This is the way the translators of the Septuagint understood the verse: \u201cAnd the land became defiled, and I repaid their evil because of it\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Notice below that yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h repaid<\/em> the Canaanites\u2019 for defiling the land in the NETS translation of the Septuagint rather than punishing the land for its iniquity in the NET translation of the Hebrew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Leviticus 18:25 (NET)<\/td>\nLeviticus 18:25 (Tanakh)<\/td>\nLeviticus 18:25 (NETS)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Therefore the land has become unclean and I have brought the punishment for its iniquity upon it, so that the land has vomited out its inhabitants.<\/td>\nAnd the land was defiled, therefore I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomited out her inhabitants.<\/td>\nAnd the land became defiled, and I repaid (\u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u1f73\u03b4\u03c9\u03ba\u03b1<\/a>, a form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9<\/a>) their evil because of it, and the land was angry with its inhabitants.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The translators of the Septuagint have tipped their hand here, translating p\u00e2qad <\/em>(\u05d5\u05d0\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3) \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u1f73\u03b4\u03c9\u03ba\u03b1 (a form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9).\u00a0 To them visiting the iniquity<\/em> was how ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h <\/em>repaid sin: Vengeance is Mine, and recompense<\/em> (shill\u00eam<\/em>, \u05d5\u05e9\u05dc\u05dd<\/a>; Septuagint<\/a>: \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u1f7d\u03c3\u03c9, another form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9), against the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that are to come upon them shall make haste<\/em>.[18]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Here shill\u00eam <\/em>(\u05d5\u05e9\u05dc\u05dd, requital<\/em>) was translated \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u1f7d\u03c3\u03c9 (another form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc).\u00a0 Is corruption His?<\/em>\u00a0 No; His children’s is the blemish; a generation crooked and perverse.\u00a0 Do ye thus requite <\/em>(g\u00e2mal<\/em>, \u05ea\u05d2\u05de\u05dc\u05d5<\/a>; Septuagint<\/a>: \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u1f77\u03b4\u03bf\u03c4\u03b5, another form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9) HaShem <\/em>(ye<\/sup>h\u00f4v\u00e2h<\/em>, \u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4), O foolish people and unwise?<\/em>[19]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Here even g\u00e2mal<\/em> (\u05ea\u05d2\u05de\u05dc\u05d5) was translated \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u1f77\u03b4\u03bf\u03c4\u03b5 (another form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9).\u00a0 When Isaac grew and was weaned<\/em> (g\u00e2mal<\/em>, \u05d5\u05d9\u05d2\u05de\u05dc) Abraham prepared a great feast<\/em>\u2026[20]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted, and brought forth buds, and produced blossoms, and yielded<\/em> (g\u00e2mal<\/em>, \u05d5\u05d9\u05d2\u05de\u05dc) almonds!<\/em>[21]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0I can\u2019t say it was wrong to translate g\u00e2mal <\/em>with a form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9: After their father\u2019s death Joseph\u2019s brothers feared, What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay <\/em>(sh\u00fbb<\/em>, \u05d5\u05d9\u05e9\u05d1<\/a>; Septuagint<\/a>: requite<\/em> [\u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u1ff7, another form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9] us a requittal<\/em> [\u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u1f79\u03b4\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>] Genesis 50:15 NETS<\/a>) us in full for all the harm we did<\/em> (g\u00e2mal<\/em>, \u05d2\u05de\u05dc\u05e0\u05d5) to him?<\/em>[22]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 <\/em>But it does reveal a particular fixation since the word signifies a ripening of fruit, whether good fruit or bad fruit. (Here, by the way, g\u00e2mal<\/em> was translated \u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03b4\u03b5\u03b9\u03be\u1f71\u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03b1 [a form of \u1f10\u03bd\u03b4\u03b5\u03b9\u03ba\u03bd\u03cd\u03c9;[23]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0NETS<\/a>: show<\/em>] in the Septuagint<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

<\/a>If I consider who translated the Septuagint their fixation on retribution makes a lot of sense (Deuteronomy 31:24-29 Tanakh):<\/p>\n

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of HaShem (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em>, saying: ‘Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of HaShem (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> your G-d, that it may be there for a witness against thee.\u00a0 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against HaShem (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em>; and how much more after my death?\u00a0 Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them.\u00a0 For I know that after my death ye will in any wise deal corruptly, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the end of days; because ye will do that which is evil in the sight of HaShem (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em>, to provoke Him through the work of your hands.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How could they help but perceive their world in terms of retribution (Deuteronomy 32:19-27 Tanakh)?<\/p>\n

And HaShem (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> saw, and spurned, because of the provoking of His sons and His daughters. \u00a0And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be; for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faithfulness. \u00a0They have roused Me to jealousy with a no-god; they have provoked Me with their vanities; and I will rouse them to jealousy with a no-people; I will provoke them with a vile nation [Table<\/a>]<\/em>. \u00a0For a fire is kindled in My nostril, and burneth unto the depths of the nether-world, and devoureth the earth with her produce, and setteth ablaze the foundations of the mountains. \u00a0I will heap evils upon them; I will spend Mine arrows upon them; The wasting of hunger, and the devouring of the fiery bolt, and bitter destruction; and the teeth of beasts will I send upon them, with the venom of crawling things of the dust. \u00a0Without shall the sword bereave, and in the chambers terror; slaying both young man and virgin, the suckling with the man of gray hairs. \u00a0I thought I would make an end of them, I would make their memory cease from among men; Were it not that I dreaded the enemy’s provocation, lest their adversaries should misdeem, lest they should say: Our hand is exalted, and not HaShem (<\/em>yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4)<\/em> hath wrought all this.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>As I began<\/a> this study I noticed that the rabbis who translated the Septuagint had translated p\u00e2qad <\/em>(\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3) \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03b9\u03b4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2 (a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9<\/a>) but I really didn\u2019t know what to make of it: Thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for I HaShem <\/em>(yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h<\/em>, \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4) thy G-d am a jealous G-d, visiting the iniquity<\/em> (p\u00e2qad<\/em>, \u05e4\u05e7\u05d3; Septuagint<\/a>: \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03b9\u03b4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9) of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate Me<\/em>…[24]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I was questioning, but still more or less persuaded, that visiting the iniquity <\/em>was how God repaid sin.\u00a0 Only through this study itself did I begin to wonder if visiting the iniquity<\/em>, through family (Mark 3:20, 21<\/a>), through law<\/a>, through religion<\/a>, was how God has consigned all people to disobedience<\/em>.[25]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

If I consider who I am, my developing fixation makes quite a lot of sense, too.\u00a0 I am the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous<\/em>\u2026[26]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I am one of the no-people <\/em>of a vile nation<\/em>.\u00a0 I am one of the Gentiles<\/a> <\/em>who has received salvation <\/em>by Israel\u2019s transgression<\/a><\/em>, one of the Gentiles Paul addressed in his letter to believers in Rome (Romans 11:22-36 NET):<\/p>\n

Notice therefore the kindness and harshness of God \u2013 harshness toward those who have fallen, but God\u2019s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. \u00a0And even they \u2013 if they do not continue in their unbelief \u2013 will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. \u00a0For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree?<\/p>\n

For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. \u00a0And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Deliverer will come out of Zion;<\/em><\/strong> he will remove ungodliness from Jacob<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em>\u00a0And this is my covenant with them<\/em><\/strong>, when I take away their sins.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but in regard to election they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers. \u00a0For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. \u00a0Just as you were formerly disobedient (\u1f20\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03b8\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>)<\/em> to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience (\u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03b8\u03b5\u1f77\u1fb3<\/a>)<\/em>, so they too have now been disobedient (\u1f20\u03c0\u03b5\u1f77\u03b8\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd, another form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03b8\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em> in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. \u00a0For God has consigned all people to disobedience (\u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u1f77\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03af\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1)<\/em> so that he may show mercy to them all.<\/p>\n

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! \u00a0How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! \u00a0For who has known the mind of the Lord<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> or who has been his counselor?<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0Or who has first given to God<\/em><\/strong>, that God needs to repay <\/strong>(\u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03bf\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9, another form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9)<\/em> him? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

For from him and through him and to him are all things. \u00a0To him be glory forever! \u00a0Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Coda: I attended a pagan feast Christmas evening.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know it was a pagan feast until it was over.\u00a0 It was an ecumenical<\/em> pagan feast: I was asked to pray before the meal.\u00a0 Interestingly, I didn\u2019t eat, not because I had some scruple about eating a pagan feast but because I wasn\u2019t hungry.\u00a0 Caring<\/a> for my mother has me eating way too much way too often.\u00a0 My intent was to arrive before Grandmother<\/a><\/em>, Mother <\/em>and Daughter <\/em>dispersed so I could visit with them all together.\u00a0 I arrived earlier than anticipated.<\/p>\n

I realized it was a pagan feast when Mother <\/em>began to outline their preparations for Imbolc<\/a>.\u00a0 (I had to look it up, too.)\u00a0 The women plan to write on paper scrolls what each is grateful for day by day, attach the scrolls to a stick or branch and burn the stick or branch with the scrolls on Imbolc (February 1).\u00a0 As religious works go, it’s not too bad.<\/p>\n

The next morning I delivered coffee and cigarettes to Mother<\/em>.\u00a0 She was too depressed to venture out into the cold.\u00a0 Her lover had left her a few days before.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just so fucking sad all the time,\u201d she said.\u00a0 I remembered how the Holy Spirit bolstered<\/a> me when my wife divorced me, and was reminded of Paul\u2019s letter to struggling believers in Galatia (Galatians 3:2b-5):<\/p>\n

Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? \u00a0Are you so foolish? \u00a0Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort? \u00a0Have you suffered so many things for nothing? \u2013 if indeed it was for nothing. \u00a0Does God then give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Of course, Paul meant the law God<\/a> spoke at Sinai.\u00a0 But clearly pagan ritual in obedience to pagan law (or creative imagination) was no better at filling Mother <\/em>with Jesus\u2019 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control<\/em>.[27]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Two days later Mother <\/em>asked me to pray for her job interview.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know whether she also sought Brigid\u2019s<\/a> aid (though I haven\u2019t met any pagans who believe the gods are real, merely imaginary personifications of nature or ideas).\u00a0 I left it to God\u2019s discretion when my mother and I prayed.\u00a0 Mother\u2019s <\/em>interview went well, and I\u2019m happy<\/a> that I\u2019m not visiting her in rehab<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n

\n
Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 12<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to To Make Holy, Part 4<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 13<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 14<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to A Monotonous Cycle Revisited, Part 5<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

<\/a>[1]<\/sup> Deuteronomy 5:9b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[2]<\/sup> https:\/\/greekdoc.github.io\/lexicon\/no.html#nomimos<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[3]<\/sup> https:\/\/greekdoc.github.io\/lexicon\/mu.html#museros<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[4]<\/sup> \u05ea\u05d5\u05e2\u05d1\u05d4, Leviticus 18:22 (Tanakh) Table<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[5]<\/sup> Leviticus 18:19 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[6]<\/sup> http:\/\/www.reshafim.org.il\/ad\/egypt\/people\/couples.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[7]<\/sup> This seems to have been established as a tradition by Noah\u2019s time (Genesis 9:20-23<\/a>).<\/p>\n

<\/a>[8]<\/sup> http:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/030751338407000113?journalCode=egaa<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[9]<\/sup> John 8:24 (ISV)<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[10]<\/sup> Isaiah 43:10, 11 (Tanakh)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[11]<\/sup> Isaiah 45:12 (Tanakh)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[12]<\/sup> Leviticus 18:24, 25 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[13]<\/sup> Genesis 7:11b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[14]<\/sup> Exodus 33:3a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[15]<\/sup> Numbers 13:23a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[16]<\/sup> Genesis 8:21b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[17]<\/sup> Genesis 9:5, 6 (Tanakh)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[18]<\/sup> Deuteronomy 32:35 (Tanakh) Table<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[19]<\/sup> Deuteronomy 32:5, 6a (Tanakh)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[20]<\/sup> Genesis 21:8 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[21]<\/sup> Numbers 17:8b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[22]<\/sup> Genesis 50:15 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[23]<\/sup> https:\/\/greekdoc.github.io\/lexicon\/end.html#endeiknuw<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[24]<\/sup> Deuteronomy 5:9 (Tanakh)\u00a0 \u201cYou shall not do obeisance to them, nor are you to serve them, because I am the Lord your God, a jealous God, repaying (\u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03b9\u03b4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9) the sins of fathers upon children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me…\u201d (Deuteronomy 5:9 NETS<\/a>)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[25]<\/sup> Romans 11:32a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[26]<\/sup> Romans 4:5 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[27]<\/sup> Galatians 5:22, 23a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve been considering yeh\u00f4v\u00e2h\u2019s fearful pronouncement: I punish (p\u00e2qad, \u05e4\u05e7\u05d3) the sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons for the sin of the fathers who reject me\u2026[1]\u00a0 The third of the three times forms of p\u00e2qad\u00a0were translated punish or punishment in the NET … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3604,3833,1240,4062],"tags":[4144,4157,4158,4153,4154,3931,1904,4048,415,4155,1505,4149,4151,1374,4152,4146,4147,4145,4141,170,4143,166,4148,4140,4142,4150,4156,4159,1352],"class_list":["post-9054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deuteronomy-the-fear-of-the-lord","category-section-four","category-the-fear-of-the-lord","category-visiting-iniquity","tag-2-kings-1724-28","tag-deuteronomy-3124-29","tag-deuteronomy-3219-27","tag-deuteronomy-3235","tag-deuteronomy-325-6","tag-deuteronomy-59","tag-exodus-333","tag-galatians-32-5","tag-galatians-522-23","tag-genesis-218","tag-genesis-5015","tag-genesis-711","tag-genesis-821","tag-genesis-95-6","tag-genesis-99-11","tag-isaiah-4310-11","tag-isaiah-4512","tag-john-824","tag-leviticus-181-5","tag-leviticus-1819","tag-leviticus-1820-23","tag-leviticus-1822","tag-leviticus-1824-25","tag-leviticus-1824-30","tag-leviticus-186-19","tag-numbers-1323","tag-numbers-178","tag-romans-1122-36","tag-romans-45"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9054"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20971,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9054\/revisions\/20971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}