The root of tefillah is palal and has its foundation in the prayer of Pinchas (Phineas) and means ‘to judge’ (Numbers 25). Pinchas was a Levitical high priest who stood against idolatry and ‘judged’ a Midianite woman and Israelite man whose marriage had brought a plague upon the Israelites. This suggests that tefillah is the ‘judging of oneself before a holy God’ through self-examination.
Category: Hebrew Lexicon
These articles give insight into the meaning of Hebrew words.
Pure Heart – Hebrew: Lev Tahor
Purity of heart is not something to be attained or acquired, it is the removal of all that is impure or tumah in the heart. In order to have pure gold, the gold must go through the smelting process of heat to remove the impurities. When it is pure, it becomes clear and malleable.
Eve – Hebrew: Havah or Chavah
חוה Eve or Havah in Hebrew means ‘mother of all life.’ “The man called his wife Havah [life], because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). Hebrew Word Pictures ח Chet – A Fence means ‘protect.’ ו Vav – A Nail means ‘binding.’ ה Hey – A Window means ‘reveal’ or ‘behold.’ The…
Nations – Hebrew: Goyim
Abraham did not become the ‘father of many pagans’ nor should every gentile be considered pagan. Abraham became the ‘father’ of many geographical peoples with many different origins, languages, and governmental identities: the goyim [nations]. Though those living in the nations may have had a pagan belief system, many within those systems recognize Abraham as their ‘father of faith.’ These are the goyim promised to ‘the father of many nations.’