Why Learn Hebrew?
A very wise rabbi once said, “Reading the Bible in a translation is like kissing your bride through the veil.”
Studying Greek and Hebrew at 'Greek in a Day'© or 'Hebrew in a Day'© seminar and at Apostolic Theological Seminary and Bible College trains you to lift the veil to really study the Old Testament in the original Hebrew and the New Testament in the original Greek.
Are you tied of someone telling you what the Hebrew says?
The Value of Knowing Biblical Languages Bruce A. Klein, Th.D.
One of my mentors said, ‘A person should not be a Bible teacher unless he or she knows the original Biblical languages.’ I believe one must have learned how to hear from the Holy Spirit to know truth before one can teach Biblical truths.
My goal in this study is to show you value in knowing Hebrew, the written language of the Old Covenant.
What is the root of Potiphar wife’s sin?
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither.” Genesis 39:1
In Genesis 39:1 the word ‘officer’ has a deeper meaning in the Hebrew.
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither” King James Version (KJV) Genesis 39:1
“And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;” Genesis 39:6-8
“And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” Genesis 39:12
Joseph did what every Christian should do in this kind of situation, RUN!
The Hebrew reveals a deep issue with Potiphar’s wife. What was her underlining problem? Her underlining problem was her husband was not fulfilling her sexual needs. You respond by saying, ‘WHAT’!!!!!
The problem originated with Potiphar. The KJV translates ‘H5631’ as ‘officer’, Genesis 39:1. But, it should have been translated ‘eunuch’.
What is the root of Potiphar wife’s sin?
Potiphar is not physically capable of coming together with his wife.
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer/ eunuch of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither” Genesis 39:1 KJV
In the following chart, every place the word ‘officer’ is used in the KJV it could have been replaced with the word ‘eunuch’.
H5631 סָרִס / סָרִיס sârı̂ys / sâris
BDB* Definition:
1) official, eunuch
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Lexicon BDB/Strong’s Number: from an unused root meaning to castrate
*This is a standard Biblical Hebrew lexicon.
Same Word by TWOT Number: 1545
Total KJV Occurrences: 42
Does the KJV translate ‘H5631’ eunuch(s) in other verses? Yes.
eunuchs, 15xs 2Ki_9:32, 2Ki_20:18, Isa_39:7, Isa_56:4, Jer_29:2, Jer_34:19, Jer_38:7, Jer_41:16, Dan_1:3, Dan_1:7-11 (5), Dan_1:18
chamberlains, 9xs Est_1:10, Est_1:12, Est_1:15, Est_2:21, Est_4:4-5 (2), Est_6:2, Est_6:14, Est_7:9
officers, 7xs Gen_40:2, Gen_40:7, 1Sa_8:15, 2Ki_24:12, 2Ki_24:15, 1Ch_28:1, 2Ch_18:8
officer, 5xs Gen_37:36, Gen_39:1, 1Ki_22:9, 2Ki_8:6, 2Ki_25:19
chamberlain, 4xs 2Ki_23:11, Est_2:3, Est_2:14-15 (2)
eunuch, 2xs Isa_56:3, Jer_52:25
H5631 סָרִיס סָרִס cariyc (saw-reece') (or caric {saw-reece'}) n-m.
Mickelson Definition:
1. a eunuch
2. (by implication) valet (especially over the female apartments)
3. (hence) a minister of state
[from an unused root meaning to castrate]
KJV: chamberlain, eunuch, officer. Compare: H7249
Does the New International Version, New American Standard Version, or New King James Version bring out this important meaning? No.
Do any translations bring out this important meaning? Yes.
Genesis 39:1 “And Joseph was carried down to Egypt. And Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, the chief of the executioners, an Egyptian man, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites who had carried him down there.” Jay Green’s Literal Translation
Genesis 39:1 “And Joseph hath been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, head of the executioners, an Egyptian man, buyeth him out of the hands of the Ishmaelites who have brought him thither.” Young’s Literal Translation
Genesis 39:1 “igitur Ioseph ductus est in Aegyptum emitque eum Putiphar eunuchus Pharaonis princeps exercitus vir aegyptius de manu Ismahelitarum a quibus perductus erat” Latin Vulgate
The Old Covenant is full of treasures which can be discovered by knowing Hebrew.
You also may desire to study Biblical Hebrew at a 'Hebrew in a Day'@ seminar.
Anyone can learn Biblical Hebrew!
Every pastor needs to know Biblical Hebrew!
Dr. Bruce Klein, Th.D.
[email protected]
You also may desire to study Biblical Hebrew at a 'Hebrew in a Day'@ seminar.
Anyone can learn Biblical Hebrew!
Every pastor needs to know Biblical Hebrew!
Dr. Bruce Klein, Th.D.
[email protected]