Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Exodus 13:1-5
Today we are getting back on track and we are also starting a new chapter.
This reading has us hearing about the first born. I have always wondered about the terms of the deal. Here is an order that all of the first born of the people and animals alike are to be Kadesh (consecrated) to the Almighty. I am curious what that entails. Do the first born children have to be priests? I do not think so because later on, we will see that The Levites will be the priesthood. Plus, animals cannot really be priests.
Next, we see that Moshe (Moses) is telling the people about how this event will be a Moed (Appointed Time) for all generations into the future. I expected to see the word "Moed" in the Hebrew, but I was surprised to see v'abad'tah et ha-aboTah (that you shall perform the service) in this month. This same word, as a noun, is the word for servant and is always translated slave.
When I see the word slave while reading in this same Bible, the Hebrew uses this same word, or word family, with the sounds Ah B and D in them. The words in Hebrew always change and morph to refer to the proper gender or number (plural) for the context, but it is the same word. I was also surprised that the Creator did not use the word Pesach (Passover) in the context of our reading. Maybe someone will name it "Passover" as we read on. I mean, God did use that word in early readings stating it was because "I will pass over you the houses with blood on the door frames".
I am anxious to see what comes next, though I am very familiar with this unconditional event, as you might expect.
On a personal note:
Today, I have completed a full cover to cover reading of the Tanak, which is this same PDF that we read from every week. If I had made a post every day, seven days per week, we all would have completed the scriptures because I read Hebrew every morning when starting my day. I started reading in Genesis in February of 2017 and at the same time, I started posting about it. I have found another PDF Hebrew Bible containing the Tanak and the Brit Hadasha (Renewed Covenant) which I am starting (Matthew) tomorrow.
Today's reading
English
YHVH said to Moses, "Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine."
Then Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand YHVH brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. And when YHVH brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month.
Hebrew
Next week, we hear more on observing the day...
Info on each letter starting at the beginning
If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here
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Thanks for reading.
Shabbat Shalom
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