Blog 205. Power of God

I am going to preface this blog with a statement. If you have been reading along and have gotten to know my work, I hope you will be able to trust that I have done some deep digging before I share. Nevertheless, it is very important for you to “be Berean.“ Make sure that you go to Scripture and double-check everything that I say. Do not take what I say to be “gospel.“

The next part of the preface has to do with the work I’ve been doing in the past couple of years with “cognate permutations.“ I have mentioned before that it “feels to me“ like this was the process that Yeshua/Jesus used to teach his disciples. That is purely speculation/opinion on my part, but I think I’ve shared some of the reasoning before. Please feel free to accept it or reject it. What is to follow is based upon that “cognate permutations” work. Again, if you think I’m moving out of my lane, just move on in your race (1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:1) and don’t let me get in your way. I have not heard the teaching that follows anywhere else. I am one witness. By being Berean, you can bring another witness to bear, to affirm or deny what I share.

I focus here, particularly on one word in the Greek, g1411. δύναμις dynamis. Surely you can see that from this word, we would get some of our English words, such as dynamic and dynamo. I show the Enhanced Strong’ Dictionary from Olive Tree Software (ESD) definition as well as the verb g1410. δύναμαι dynamai from which it is derived. I then search in the Septuagint (LXX) for the usage in the Greek version of the TaNaKH (Hebrew Scriptures) for g1411. δύναμις dynamis. Consistently the referred-to words are forms of the Hebrew root word צבא. From there, I share with you the cognate permutation impressions, which led me to the conclusions I share with you.

⦁ Matthew 22:23-33 (ESV – Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection)

23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”

29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power (g1411. δύναμις dynamis) of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

▸ ESD g1411. δύναμις dynamis; from 1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself): — ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

AV (120) – power 77, mighty work 11, strength 7, miracle 7, might 4, virtue 3, mighty 2, misc 9;

strength power, ability
1. inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
2. power for performing miracles
3. moral power and excellence of soul
4. the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
5. power and resources arising from numbers
6. power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

▸ ESD g1410. δύναμαι dynamai; of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible: — be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.

AV (210) – can (could) 100, cannot + g3756 45, be able 37, may (might) 18, able 3, misc 7;

to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom
to be able to do something
to be capable, strong and powerful

↓

▸ ESD h6635. צָבָא ṣâḇâ’; or (feminine) צְבָאָה tsbadah; from 6633; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship): — appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).

AV (485) – host 393, war 41, army 29, battle 5, service 5, appointed time 3, warfare 2, soldiers 1, company 1, misc 5;

that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1. army, host
  1. host (of organised army)
  2. host (of angels)
  3. of sun, moon, and stars
  4. of whole creation
2. war, warfare, service, go out to war
3. service

▸ h6633. צָבָא ṣâḇâ’; a primitive root; to mass (an army or servants): — assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait upon, war.

AV (13) – fight 4, assemble 3, mustered 2, warred 2, perform 1, wait 1;

to go forth, wage war, fight, serve
1. (Qal)
  1. to wage war, fight, go forth to war
  2. to serve (at sacred tent)
2. (Hiphil) to cause to go forth, muster

Blog 205. Power of God

⦁ ▸

⦁ Matthew 22:23-33 (ESV – Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection)

⦁ ▸

AV (120) – power 77, mighty work 11, strength 7, miracle 7, might 4, virtue 3, mighty 2, misc 9;

strength power, ability
1. inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
2. power for performing miracles
3. moral power and excellence of soul
4. the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
5. power and resources arising from numbers
6. power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

▸ ESD g1410. δύναμαι dynamai; of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible: — be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.

AV (210) – can (could) 100, cannot + g3756 45, be able 37, may (might) 18, able 3, misc 7;

to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom
to be able to do something
to be capable, strong and powerful

↓

AV (485) – host 393, war 41, army 29, battle 5, service 5, appointed time 3, warfare 2, soldiers 1, company 1, misc 5;

that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1. army, host
  1. host (of organised army)
  2. host (of angels)
  3. of sun, moon, and stars
  4. of whole creation
2. war, warfare, service, go out to war
3. service

▸ h6633. צָבָא ṣâḇâ’; a primitive root; to mass (an army or servants): — assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait upon, war.

AV (13) – fight 4, assemble 3, mustered 2, warred 2, perform 1, wait 1;

to go forth, wage war, fight, serve
1. (Qal)
  1. to wage war, fight, go forth to war
  2. to serve (at sacred tent)
2. (Hiphil) to cause to go forth, muster

(Of course, you know the old saying there is strength in numbers. Also you know the topsy-turvy picture of the teaching of YHWH that the greater serves the lesser and of Yeshua/Jesus indicates that “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew23:12; Luke14:11, 18:14).) 🤔 how relates to motivate/dissuade?

Impression צוה “command”/delegate authority while retaining control; grant agency חפץ desire אסף gather; Asaph; collect; I add שבע seven; complete זבח ritual sacrifice שׂפה language חוס pity צבא host cognate permutations(motivate/dissuade)

Now, I ask you to recognize that צבאות is an extremely common word (the plural of the feminine form of צבא, which is צבאה). You see it in the common phrases “LORD of hosts” and “God of hosts” in English translations.
See here the list of words that BDB gives. I have been using BDB, as you know, for my literal translations, and I have most always used the “troops” option. After today’s exercise I am tempted instead to use “power,” which could be a good general term to describe all of the meanings in BDB and in the EDBH entry, and which agree with what the “seventy scholars” used in forming the Septuagint.

Impression צבאות “hosts;” power cognate permutations (inspire/dishearten)

By the way, in ESV and NKJV, there are no occurrences of verses with both “Almighty” and “hosts” in them. Likewise, for a search in AlHaTorah library for שדי צבאות, there are no occurrences in TaNaKh. That must be for another time

So, one thing Yeshua/Jesus might be referring to, when he says to the Sadducees “the power of God” is this idea we see in the spectrum/cline/continuum of thecognate permutations (motivate/dissuade) or even more intensely cognate permutations (inspire/dishearten) is the spectrum which we have seen in many groups, of (encourage/discourage). I cannot guarantee that this is an exhaustive list, but here are several examples:

Impression חבש bind חפץ desire cognate permutations(encourage/discourage)

Impression כזב deceive קצף be angry שכב bed; intercourse קוש snare בקש seek; require כבש subdue cognate permutations (encourage/discourage movement)

From Genesis 8:22 וקציר and harvesting (encourage/discourage)

Impression קוה wait; hope אבי my father אקו wild goat וחי and lived/revived יאבdesire; long באך entering you ואך and surely בכה/בכא weep גבה/גוה loftiness; pride; arrogance cognate permutations (encourage/discourage)

Impression ראה see רעה satisfy needs ארה contain אחר after חרה burn cognate permutations (encourage/discourage)

So, could we say that the power of God to have an ongoing influence in our lives, YHWH’s management of his Creation, is one of making happen things that encourage or discourage mankind? Reward and punishment? Look at the examples following the eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden – for the snake/serpent, for the woman, and for the man, the consequences can be seen with the “new eyes,” the “knowledgeable eyes” as encouragement ↔︎ good; and discouragement ↔︎ evil. See the meanings of all of the listed roots/words. Each of these YHWH may influence by acting surreptitiously/openly. See the cognate meaning for this family of phonetic cognates:

I would like to just point out a few everyday life examples that we can all relate to, that relate to the first definition, “ceasing ongoing activity.“ Think of how you are in the middle of working on a project and a buzzer goes off or a person interrupts you to take a lunch break or similar. Or think of your child being engrossed in a book or on their tablet, focused so much on the task at hand. How hard is it to get their attention? Are you irritated when someone comes and talks to you when you are concentrating on that sport on the television? This is an example of “priorities.” What is the more important? What message are we giving to a person who interrupts our focus? What is more important in our life? The task or the person? What message do we give that person or child? And haven’t all parents struggled to teach their children not to interrupt when others are talking. These are examples of boundary-setting. And it seems to me that only YHWH is really wise enough to set appropriate boundaries. So, we must השמר (recognize/discern and act accordingly).

(I just want to clarify. In the above literal translation, I put bone/power for the Hebrew word עצם instead of simply “bone.” I just wanted to show you the EDBH entry and let you know why I put “power,” and let you know it is NOT the same group as “power” that we are discussing in this entry, δύναμις ↔︎ צבאות/צבא.)

God has qualities/attributes, just as any human parent has qualities/attributes (see the discussion in Blog 204. The Enemy of Good is Perfect about apprenticeship, and in the discussion about the “Ten Words,” and the “authority figure”) that motivate our behavior and that dissuade our behavior. If you are a parent, you can easily relate to this idea. If you’re not a parent, perhaps you can think about your own parents and your relationship with them. Did you not learn (by living with them, “apprenticing”) things that you agreed with and things that you disagreed with? Things that motivated you to be like them and things that dissuaded you from being like them? Did you not seek other mentors that fit more with your own personal perspective? I know I did. Was this especially in your youth, those “rebellious years?” You likely gravitated more toward the “less restrictive” side. You liked the motivation but didn’t like being dissuaded from how you thought things should go. YHWH is NOT an overprotective parent. He allows us to learn from our mistakes. He motivates and dissuades us by way of his written Word and by messengers all around us. But we do have “free will,” permission to make the choices. The key is in knowing that there are consequences to our actions. YHWH is compassionate toward our plight because he is a loving parent. But in his wisdom, he knows that it is often counterproductive to intervene in a case where a consequence will be the best teacher. We cannot know when he might intervene and when he might not. We are not able to see Ashe sees. But we do know the areas where he motivates us and the areas where he dissuades us. As Moshe/Moses says:

⦁ Deuteronomy 30:17-20 ESV

17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land (h0127. אֲדָמָה ’ăḏâmâ) that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land (h0127. אֲדָמָה ’ăḏâmâ) that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Here, where it says “land” h0127. אֲדָמָה ’ăḏâmâ. in my literal translation I would put “ground.” But think of the אדמה cognate permutation group meaning(determine action).

YHWH, as Creator of all things obviously has much greater “power” than what I discuss here. Why do we focus on this aspect? My comment has to do with initial forming of all things, and then, his ongoing maintenance. I believe there are two pictures that help us see these two aspects of YHWH. The first we have shared several times before:

⦁ 1 Kings 19:11-12

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

You might picture “the big bang” of Creation being in wind, earthquake, and fire. And of course YHWH is in all things, but I think the message is that the part that we see in “everyday management” is the low whisper.
The second, you may be less familiar with, but relates to the time in the wilderness when Moses’s father-in-law Jethro came to visit and Moses shared the “warrior aspect” of YHWH, who fought for the Israelites in Egypt/Mitzrayim. That would be “earthquake, wind, and fire.”

⦁ Exodus 18:8-11

8 Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. 9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.”

But next, there was the maternal/nurturing God who sustained them in the wilderness (until the time of weaning when they had to face their own challenges in the “Promised Land”). All through the wilderness passages, we learn of the pillar of fire to light the darkness, the pillar of cloud to protect from the harshness of the days, the provision of water, bread/manna, quail, healing from plagues, learning to work together to build a tabernacle, organization of a camp, and establishment of human leaders to help answer questions. And just as YHWH had told Abram many years before, the Egyptian people themselves helped with provisions for the journey.

⦁ Genesis 15:13-14

13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

⦁ Exodus 11:1-3

1 The LORD said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

These gifts from the Egyptians were apparently later used in furnishing the Tabernacle.

⦁ Exodus 25:2-8

2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, 5 tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, 6 oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.

Encourage/discourage, motivate/dissuade…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blog 205. Power of God

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