Hebrew Word Study Assignment

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Liberty University *

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Religion

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Dec 6, 2023

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Introduction Biblical interpretation is enhanced through word study(s) of the original language; Hebrew is the initial and primary language of the Old Testament. A single word has little meaning in and of itself. Meaning develops in contextual settings—a cluster of words that form a complete thought. Hence learning Hebrew entails studying how a word or words were used in various contexts. Chet Roden states, “What I want you to realize is that although a single Hebrew word may be used in multiple passages, there will be different English nuances for that word based on the spe-cific context. That context is what causes translators to use different English words in an effort to clarify and expose the specific nuance dictated by the context.” 1 The following information is a word study on the Hebrew word הָלֹע which is mainly translated burnt offering. הָלֹע Hebrew Bible Usage The English Standard Version Bible translates the word 287 times, while the King James Version translates it 289 times. It is most commonly translated as a burnt offering; The KJV uses the English word(s) burnt offering 264(x) for הָלֹע , it is translated, as a burnt sacrifice 21(x), ascent (1), and go up (1). Just over 50% (approx. 148) of its total usage in the Old Testament is recorded in the Pentateuch הָלֹע is recorded 62(x) in the book of Leviticus; this is likely because God instructed Israel how they were to worship Him according to His law(s). The burnt offering was a specific offering instituted and authorized by God. . English Words Used הָלֹע —burnt offering, offerings, leading up/ascend. Contextual Influence In the context of worship: 1. הָלֹע (burnt offering) means sacrificial offering unto God, usually an animal that is totally consumed with fire, ascending to the Lord. 2. In the context of obedient faith, הָלֹע is seen as a sacrificial endearment offering (if called for), e.g., Gen. 22:2, 3, 6, 8. 3. The burnt offering was a voluntary offering unto God that could be performed at any time based on the priest’s availability. 4. The Hebrew word for “burnt offering” also means to ascend; the offering ascends in smoke to God.

5. In the context of one’s relationship with God, the burnt offering was sometimes offered to repair one’s relationship with God (e.g., an offering for one’s sin). 6. Leviticus 1 and 6:8-13 describe the traditional burnt offering. The Israelites brought a bull, sheep, or goat, a male with no defect, and killed it at the entrance to the tabernacle. The animal’s blood was drained, and the priest sprinkled the blood around the altar. The animal was skinned and cut into pieces, the intestines and legs washed, and the priest burned the pieces over the altar all night. The priest received the skin as a fee for his help. A turtledove or pigeon could also be sacrificed, although they were not skinned. 7. In the context of national offerings, God established times for the priests to give a burnt offering for all of Israel. However, the animals required for each sacrifice differed (Ex.29:38-42; Num.28:2,9,10,11,19,27; 29:1,6). 8. Though different from the sin offering, the burnt offering sometimes was offered for atonement. Mark Awabdy and Tobias Taner observe, “For Aaron’s sacrifice for himself and his sons, this entailed a burnt offering, presumably for both unknown or unidentified impurity and sin (as Lev 1:4), but also a sin offering for any exposed violations (as Lev 4:1-5:26). (44) Given that these offerings were inaugural--not a response to identified sin--the burnt and sin offerings of Lev 9:8-14 are understood to atone for offenses against God unknown to Aaron, but either known or unknown to Aaron’s sons.” 2 In the context of spatiality or direction means ascent: 1. In 1kg.10:5, the Queen of Sheba observes the “ascent ( הָלֹע ) by which Solomon went up to the house of the Lord” (Kings James Version). 2. Ezekiel described a part of a temple shown to him by the Lord as having “seven steps leading up ( הָלֹע ) to it (ESV). 3. Richard Whitaker, Francis Brown, S.R. Driver, and Charles Briggs note, “The whole burnt-offering (beast or fowl) is entirely consumed and goes up in the flame of the altar to God expressing the ascent of the soul in worship.” 3 Conclusion The Hebrew word הָלֹע usually translated as burnt offering in English can also mean ascent or leading up. An in-depth word search reveals that the burnt offering(s) almost always consisted of an animal offered to God for various reasons like devotion, obedient faith, appreciation, and forgiveness of sin. The multiple purposes for the burnt offerings signify their popularity and significance. James Watts notes, “Of all the many technical terms from Israel’s cultic worship, the הָלֹע is most frequently mentioned and, when multiple offerings are listed, it is almost always listed first.” 4

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