WORD PICTURES IN THE ANCIENT SCRIPT – A closer look at some names and words in their pictographic form

Shalom all,

As you will all know very well, I love to dig into the meanings of the original Hebrew words, as it gives us greater insight into seeing the Word become so much more alive for us, enabling us to further understand the true life that we find in Scripture.

What I also find very interesting to look at, from time to time, is not only the meaning of the words and their roots, but also digging even deeper into their ancient pictographic form, where each letter is depicted as an individual picture that, in itself, can carry some very powerful insight, especially when seeing the groupings of these picture forms being used to spell out the words we read.

While there is always the danger of possibly seeing more into some words than meets the eye, what I love about the study of the ancient Hebrew words, is that we can find their substantive meaning very clear, when the witness and evidence of the text, which we are reading, provides for us the clear context of our interpretation of the pictographic letters..

In this message, I want to show you a few names, or words, in Scripture, as seen in their early pictographic form. This message is called:.

WORD PICTURES IN THE ANCIENT SCRIPT!.

We will begin by looking at Aḇram, to whom the Covenant promise of being the father of many nations was given.

Berěshith/Genesis 17:1-7 “And it came to be when Aḇram was ninety-nine years old, that יהוה appeared to Aḇram and said to him, “I am Ěl Shaddai – walk before Me and be perfect. 2 “And I give My covenant between Me and you, and shall greatly increase you.” 3 And Aḇram fell on his face, and Elohim spoke with him, saying, 4 “As for Me, look, My covenant is with you, and you shall become a father of many nations. 5 “And no longer is your name called Aḇram, but your name shall be Aḇraham, because I shall make you a father of many nations. 6 “And I shall make you bear fruit exceedingly, and make nations of you, and sovereigns shall come from you. 7 “And I shall establish My covenant between Me and you and your seed after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be Elohim to you and your seed after you.”.

It is here that we see Aḇram’s name being changed to Aḇraham, and so I would like us to look at his name in its pictographic form:

אַבְרָם Aḇram – Strong’s H87, means, ‘exalted father’ which is pictured as:.

Aleph – אַ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of an ox’, and represents ‘strength’, meaning ‘muscle’ as the ox is the strongest of the livestock animals.

This also carries the meaning of ‘yoke’, as an ox is placed in a yoke in order to plough or pull a heavy load in the right direction. This can also picture for us the ‘red heifer’ sacrifice that יהושע Messiah fulfilled!.

Beyt – בְ:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself..

Resh – רָ

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of a man’ and has the meaning of the head of a man as well as chief, top, begging or first. Top as in the top or head of a body and chief an is head of a tribe or people as well as the one who rules the people..

Mem – מַ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. This also carries for us the picture of washing, as we understand the function of water being that which cleanses us and sustains us, showing us how we are washed and sustained by the Living Waters of the Word! This letter also can represent any liquid, especially blood!.

From this we are able to see the clear meaning of his name:

THE HEAD AND STRENGTH OF THE HOUSE, IS THE MIGHTY CHIEF.

The name of Aḇraham reveals for us, through the pictographic form of his name, just who our head and Chief of a covenanted people is! As we read above, his name was changed from Aḇram to Aḇraham:.

אַבְרָהָם Aḇraham – Strong’s H85 means, ‘father of a multitude, chief of multitude’ which is pictured with an additional letter ‘הָ’ (the letter hey), and is pictured in the ancient text as:.

The extra letter that was added to his name:

Hey – הָ

It also has the meaning of revelation or to reveal something by pointing it out.

It also symbolises the action of surrender and praise, lifting hands to the one who is to be praised!.

The Name of Aḇraham reveals who our Head and Chief is!!!

The Covenant of Elohim is established through the revelation of יהושע Messiah who offered Himself for all, who is the seed to which the promises were spoken to Aḇraham, and pictured through Yitsḥaq, who was offered on the slaughter place unto Elohim:

Galatiyim/Galatians 3:16 “But the promises were spoken to Aḇraham, and to his Seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Messiah.”

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 11:17-19 “By belief, Aḇraham, when he was tried, offered up Yitsḥaq, and he who had received the promises offered up his only brought-forth son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Yitsḥaq your seed shall be called,” 19 reckoning that Elohim was able to raise, even from the dead, from which he received him back, as a type.”.

What is worth taking note of, when considering to whom the Covenant Promises were given, and to whom they were not, we are able to recognise this clear division of those who walk according to the flesh and those who walk in the Spirit..

As we look at another two names in Scripture – both who were born to Aḇraham – we are able to see one who would represent a people of the Covenant promises spoken to Aḇraham and his Seed, and one who would not..

In these two names we are able to identify the fate of those who walk according to the flesh and shall die, as opposed to those who walk according to the Spirit and live:

Romiyim/Romans 8:1 “There is, then, now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah יהושע, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Romiyim/Romans 8:5-8 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the matters of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 Because the mind of the flesh is enmity towards Elohim, for it does not subject itself to the Torah of Elohim, neither indeed is it able, 8 and those who are in the flesh are unable to please Elohim.”

Romiyim/Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live.”

Let us first look at יִשְׁמָעֵאל Yishma’ĕl – Strong’s H3458 which means, ‘El hears, my El hears, El hears me’...

In understanding that Yishma’ĕl represents for us those who walk according to the flesh and shall not inherit the promise of Elohim, we are able to see a great picture, when looking at the name of יִשְׁמָעֵאל Yishma’ĕl – Strong’s H3458, in the ancient script, as his name is pictured as:.

Yod – יִ:

The ancient script has this letter as which is ‘an arm and hand’ and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this.

The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!.

Shin – שְׁ:

This is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as, , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food..

Mem – מָ:

We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture.

This also carries for us the picture of washing, as we understand the function of water being that which cleanses us and sustains us, showing us how we are washed and sustained by the Living Waters of the Word! This letter also can represent any liquid, especially blood!.

Ayin – עֵ

The original pictograph for this letter is which is pictured as an ‘eye’ and carries the meaning ‘to watch, pay attention, take heed, look’, in the understanding of ‘keeping one’s eye on something’ and illustrates the importance of what one sets their eyes upon and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’, as the eye is the window of knowledge.

Aleph – א:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of an ox’, and represents ‘strength’, meaning ‘muscle’ as the ox is the strongest of the livestock animals. This also carries the meaning of ‘yoke’, as an ox is placed in a yoke in order to plough or pull a heavy load in the right direction. This can also picture for us the ‘red heifer’ sacrifice that יהושע Messiah fulfilled!.

Lamed – ל:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority..

When looking at Yishma’ĕl’s name, in the pictographic form, we can see how he represents those who walk in the flesh and despise the authority of Elohim, and in doing so their works of the flesh will see them being destroyed before Elohim!.

Looking at this pictographic form, the following verses becomes clear:

Berěshith/Genesis 16:11-13 “And the Messenger of יהוה said to her, “See, you are conceiving and bearing a son, and shall call his name Yishma’ĕl, because יהוה has heard your affliction. 12 “And he is to be a wild man, his hand against everyone and every one’s hand against him, and dwell over against all his brothers.” 13 And she called the Name of יהוה who spoke to her, “You are the Ěl who sees,” for she said, “Even here have I seen after Him who sees me?” .

Clearly pictured in his name, is the one whose hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him – and this Elohim sees! Pictured through Yishma’ĕl, we can see the picture of strife that would come between those who walk according to the flesh and those who walk in the Spirit!.

As we look at Yitsḥaq’s name, we can see the true difference of a people of the Covenant Promise:

יִצְחָק Yitsḥaq – Strong’s H3327 means, ‘He laughs’, and in the ancient script is pictured as:

Yod – יִ:

Tsadey – צְ:

The Ancient picture for this letter is , which is ‘a man on his side’, and it can represent the act of lying on one’s side in order to hunt or chase, when crouching I concealment, as well as ‘laying one’s self down for another’.

We can also see how this can represent that which comes forth from the side! This can also picture for us a fish hook, giving us the meaning of ‘hunt or fish’..

Ḥet – חָ

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘separation’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’. As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, and represents a ‘boundary’, or better understood as our ‘boundaries’ in recognising the need to walk within the boundaries of the Torah and not step outside of that which has been prescribed for us!.

Quph – ק:

This can very well picture for us ‘consistency’, in guarding the commands without compromise, as we do not neglect to adhere to the commands of the House!.

The meaning of his name carries a powerful picture of how יהוה, through the work our His hands, ‘laughs at His enemies’.

Tehillah/Psalm 2:4-7 “He who is sitting in the heavens laughs, יהוה mocks at them. 5 Then He speaks to them in His wrath, and troubles them in His rage, saying, 6 “But I, I have set My Sovereign on Tsiyon, My set-apart mountain.” 7 “I inscribe for a law: יהוה has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have brought You forth.”.

When we recognise that Yishma’ĕl was a man of the bow, a hunter, then Yitsḥaq’s name, as pictured in the ancient text can have a twofold meaning, depending on ‘which side of the wall’ you are on! His name could represent for us:.

THE OUTSTRETCHED ARM AND HAND OF ELOHIM, WHO, AS A MAN, LAID DOWN HIS LIFE IN THE FLESH, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH HIS COVENANTS OF PROMISE, FOR ALL ETERNITY.

We who were once far off from the Covenants of Promise have been brought near by the Blood of Messiah, who was pierced in His side, and established His secure promises for us who are built up in Him..

Yitsḥaq’s name can also picture for us a severe warning and rebuke for those who walk according to the flesh, as we can see that:.

THE WORKS OF THE HUNTER SHALL BE CUT OFF FOR ALL TIME!.

The life of Yitsḥaq is a clear shadow picture of יהושע Messiah, by the sacrifice that Aḇraham was asked to make of Yitsḥaq, in offering up His son to Elohim, who established His Covenant with Aḇraham and promised His blessing upon Him for not withholding his son..

Berěshith/Genesis 22:15-18 “And the Messenger of יהוה called to Aḇraham a second time from the heavens, 16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares יהוה, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 that I shall certainly bless you, and I shall certainly increase your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore, and let your seed possess the gate of their enemies. 18 “And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” .

As a people who walk according to the Spirit, we are able to have full confidence in our Master, High Priest and King, and are now able to faithfully serve our Master in the priestly order of Malkitseḏeq!

Malkitseḏeq was the ‘King of Shalĕm’, who Aḇraham was blessed by, and who Aḇraham paid tithes to – and is a clear shadow picture and reference to יהושע Messiah, our eternal Creator, Redeemer and King, who has no beginning or end!

This king of Shalĕm came out to the sovereign’s valley to meet with Aḇram after his victory of Keḏorlaʽomer and the sovereigns who were with him, and brought Aḇram bread and wine and blessed him..

The name מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק Malkitseḏeq – Strong’s H4442 means, ‘my king is righteous’ which comes from the two words:

1) מֶלֶךְ Meleḵ – Strong’s H4428 meaning, ‘king’ and

2) צֶדֶק tseḏeq – Strong’s H6664 which means, ‘righteous, just, righteousness’!.

And so, here in the name of Malkitseḏeq, we have a clear and powerful picture of Messiah – our High Priest and King, who, by His own blood, has provided us with the True Bread and Wine, which we partake of in the Pěsaḥ meal and recognise how He has delivered us from the enemies hand and defeated death at the grave, removing the curse of the Torah, which is death, and nailing it (death) to the stake!.

The Hebrew word מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק Malkitseḏeq – Strong’s H4442 which means, ‘my king is righteous’, is pictured in the ancient pictographic script, as follows:.

Mem – מַ:

We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. Knowing this letter represents ‘water’, we are also able to see how this can render for us the meaning of ‘washing’ or ‘cleansing’..

Lamed – לְ:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority..

Kaph – כִּ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as – – which is a picture of an open palm of a hand and can symbolise that to which submission is given – ‘under the hand’. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch, from the curved palm shape, picturing our praise to the One to whom we submit..

Yod – י

In the Ancient Script, this is the letter ‘yad or yod’ which is pictured as – – which is the picture of an arm and hand and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’ from the primary functions of the arm and hand and also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this.

This also reveals to us a stretched-out arm and hand..

Tsadey – צֶ:

We can also see how this can represent that which comes forth from the side! This can also picture for us a fish hook, giving us the meaning of ‘hunt or fish’..

Dalet – דֶ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of ‘a back and forth movement’, as one goes back and forth through a tent door, and so speaks of an access point. It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent. It speaks a great deal in terms of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access..

Quph – ק:

In the ancient script this letter is pictured as , a ‘horizon’ and depicts the elements of ‘time’, as it pictures the sun in its rising and setting. It therefore carries the meaning of ‘circle’ or ‘to go around’, representing for us both, appointed cycles or times as well as eternity. This can very well picture for us ‘consistency’ in guarding the commands without compromise, as we do not neglect to adhere to the commands of the House!.

From these 7 letters, we can see how Messiah has indeed become High Priest forever, in the order of Malkitseḏeq, and the individual pictures of this High Priest and King of Shalĕm, can render for us the meaning of:.

THE NATIONS THAT ARE LED BY THE HAND, AND SUBMIT TO, THE ONE WHO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US, FOR HE IS THE DOOR TO ETERNAL LIFE IN HIM!

THE MIGHTY RIGHTEOUS KING TO WHOM WE SUBMIT AND GIVE OUR PRAISE, HAS REVEALED HIS OUTSTRETCHED ARM AND HAND, AND IS THE ONE WHO LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US, GIVING US ACCESS TO ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM!.

We, as children of the promise, are equipped to give our lives as a daily living sacrifice unto Elohim, as we faithfully submit to and walk in His commands!

Galatiyim/Galatians 4:28-31 “And we, brothers, as Yitsḥaq was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him born according to the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the female servant and her son, for the son of the female servant shall by no means be heir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the female servant but of the free woman.”

Children of the Promise are children of the free woman – and this is a clear lesson on how we walk according to the Torah of Freedom, for it was the children of the free woman that went to Mount Sinai to receive the Covenant of Marriage from Elohim!

Those who say there is no need for Torah observance, are misled in their understanding, for those without the Torah are children of the slave woman, and can never serve as a royal priesthood in the order of Malkitseḏeq..

As we consider these pictographs, we can be reminded how we are to be a covenant people that walk according to the Spirit, being the True Bride that is preparing herself.

In speaking of being a proper Bride of Messiah, it is worth taking a look at the name of Aḇraham’s wife, Sarah, in the ancient text too, as we can glean some wonderful insight, on us being the bride we are called to be..

The name שָׂרָה Sarah – Strong’s H8283 means, ‘princess, noblewoman’, which is the feminine of the word שַׂר sar – Strong’s H8269 which means, ‘prince, captain, chieftain, ruler’!

The Name of יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra’ĕl – Strong’s H3478 which means, ‘he who prevails, overcomes with El’, comes from the two primitive root words:

1) אֵל ĕl – Strong’s H410 which means, ‘mighty, power, shortened form of Elohim – Mighty One’ and

2) the root word verb שָׂרָה sarah – Strong’s H8280 which means, ‘to persist, exert oneself, persevere, wrestle, contend’, which is spelt the same as the name of Aḇraham’s wife. יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra’ĕl – could also be understood as those who rule with ĔL, as princes!

We are a royal priesthood and, in a manner of speaking, with Aḇraham as our father in the belief, we are also children of Sarah the ‘princess’ and so, are also ‘princes’ in the Kingdom of our King, and we who overcome shall rule with Him!.

As we consider the ‘life’ of Sarah, which means ‘princess’, and how she represents for us a clear picture of a faithful bride, let us be true to the Covenants of promise that we have been grafted in to by the Blood of Messiah and live faithfully as a bride who is making herself ready for her coming Husband and King, in whom we have abundant life!.

What is also worth taking note of, when considering the life of Sarah, is that there is another Hebrew root word that has the same phonetic sound as this princess bride, yet carries the opposite meaning, in a manner of speaking, as it highlights one who is an apostate bride, so to speak.

This is the Hebrew root word סָרָה sarah – Strong’s H5627 which means, ‘turning aside, defection, apostasy, rebellion, revolt, wrongdoing’ and as I have mentioned, this word phonetically sounds exactly the same as the name of Aḇraham’s wife: שָׂרָה Sarah – Strong’s H8283, yet these two similar sounding words do not carry the same meaning!.

The Hebrew root word סָרָה sarah – Strong’s H5627, which is translated as apostasy, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:5, is spelt with the letters: סָ ‘samek’, רָ ‘resh’ and ה ‘hey’; while שָׂרָה Sarah – Strong’s H8283, Aḇraham’s wife, is spelt with the letters: שָׂ ‘Sin’, רָ ‘resh’ and ה ‘hey’ and her name carries the opposite picture of an apostate Bride, as her name means ‘princess or noble woman’..

The Hebrew root word סָרָה sarah – Strong’s H5627, is translated as apostasy in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:5 “Why should you be stricken anymore? You continue in apostasy! All the head is sick, and all the heart faints.”.

As we know, Aḇraham’s wife: שָׂרָה Sarah – Strong’s H8283, is used in Scripture, as a picture of the obedient wife; and therefore, the play on words here in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:5 is profound, as this ‘apostate’ nation was being called to look into the mirror of the Word, that would show them how they were not being who or what they ought to have been, but were rather being the complete opposite and had become a disobedient and rebellious wife that was sick from head to toe!

They were not being the picture of a princess or noble woman and Bride of יהוה.

Yehuḏah looked like the adulterous whore and were not being a faithful Bride!

And while so many people today claim to be the bride – through the mirror of the Word of Truth, they will simply be found out to be nothing more than an adulterous, dressed up whore!!!.

יהוה appeals to them here by saying, ‘Why should you continue to be beaten down’ – there is not a part of the body that has not been beaten – why do you keep disobeying!!!

You continue in apostasy!.

The English word apostasy means ‘a renunciation of one’s belief and an abandonment to loyalty’ – and this is exactly what Yehuḏah had done..

We get our English word ‘apostasy’ from the Greek word ἀποστασία ‘apostasia’ – Strong’s G646 and it is translated as a ‘falling away’, in reference to how many will abandon their faith and belief in the Truth before the man of lawlessness is revealed:

Tas’loniqim Bět/2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no one deceive you in any way, because the falling away is to come first, and the man of lawlessness is to be revealed, the son of destruction,”.

As we consider this play on words, in regards to the life of Sarah that we are looking at, we are to be on guard against apostasy, by guarding the commands of our Master and Elohim, showing ourselves to be His perfect and set-apart princess bride, that is making Herself ready for His return!.

The name שָׂרָה ‘Sarah’ – Strong’s H8283 which means, ‘princess, noblewoman’, in the ancient pictographic alphabet, looks like this:.

Shin – שָׂ:

Resh – רָ

Hey – ה

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a man standing with his arms raised up and out as if pointing to something, and in essence carries the meaning of ‘behold’ as in when looking at something very great. It can also have the meaning to ‘breath’ or ‘sigh’ as when looking at a great sight and having your breath taken away so to speak! It also has the meaning of revelation or to reveal something by pointing it out. It also symbolises the action of surrender and praise, lifting hands to the one who is to be praised!.

When considering the life of Sarah and how she reflects for us a ‘noble woman’ who embraced the life that was given to her, we can see that her name teaches us how we are to live as a capable bride unto our Master.

For the true Bride of Messiah:

MEDITATES UPON THE WORD OF OUR MASTER AND CHIEF

UNTO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE!

BEHOLD THE WORD OF THE HEAD WHOM WE PRAISE!.

The names of Aḇraham, Sarah, Yitsḥaq, Yishma’ĕl and Malkitseḏeq, are just a couple of the names that I wanted to highlight in this message, especially as we consider the importance of us being a people who have been grafted in to the Covenants of Promise, by the Blood of Messiah. And in seeing their pictographic renderings, we can be equipped in recognising how we are to be the set-apart bride that we have been called to be, as we walk in the Torah of our Master, for it is our life, which causes us to be properly built up, as living stones in the Master!.

What gives us our ability to be built up as living stones in the Master, is our continued obedience to walking in that which is our life – His Torah!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:45-47 “And when Mosheh ended speaking all these words to all Yisra’ĕl, 46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah. 47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.”.

In Hebrew, the word for ‘life’ is חַי ḥay – Strong’s H2416 which means, ‘life, alive, living, flowing, fresh, running’.

In the ancient pictographic symbols of the word for life – חַי ḥay – Strong’s H2416, we are given a greater insight in understanding how יהושע Messiah is THE LIFE!

This word – חַי ḥay – Strong’s H2416, in the ancient pictographic script, look like this:

Ḥet – חַ

Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’.

As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall..

Yod – י

The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!.

From this ancient pictographic lettering of the word for LIFE: חַי ḥay – Strong’s H2416, we are clearly able to see how by the work of Messiah – the outstretched arm and hand of Elohim, we as living stones, are built up in Him as the Dwelling Place of the Living Elohim and have been separated to serve and worship Him in Spirit is Truth..

These two pictographs can render for us the clear meaning:.

SEPARATED TO SERVE.

Our Master has called us out of darkness, into His Marvellous Light, and has separated us, in order to serve and worship Him in Spirit and Truth, which we do, as we hear, guard and do His Torah..

In closing, I want to show you two more words.

Firstly, I would like to show you a word that is often dodged as a sensitive topic, yet, when we understand that which Aḇraham, our father in the faith did, and look at it, in its ancient pictographic form, we are able to get greater confidence and clarity on being faithful in our loving-commitment toward our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah..

The word I am referring to is ‘tithes’..

The Hebrew word for ‘tithes’ is מַעֲשֵׂר ma’aser – Strong’s H4643 – ‘tenth part, tithe’.

We read in Berěshith/Genesis 14:20 that Aḇram gave Malkitseḏeq a tenth/tithe of all.

We also read in:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 7:4-6 “Now see how great this one was, to whom even the ancestor Aḇraham gave a tenth of the choicest booty. 5 And truly, those who are of the sons of Lĕwi, who receive the priesthood, have a command to receive tithes from the people according to the Torah, that is, from their brothers, though they have come from the loins of Aḇraham, 6 however, the one whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Aḇraham, and blessed the one who held the promises.”.

The Lĕwitical priesthood, and its functions, serve as a type or picture of how we now serve, in the order of Malkitseḏeq, as tithes are still valid, and are given to those whom Messiah has appointed to serve and teach, in equipping and building up of the body of Messiah, unto maturity in Him.

Let us look at this word מַעֲשֵׂר ma’aser – Strong’s H4643, in its ancient form:

In the ancient pictographic script, the Hebrew word מַעֲשֵׂר ma’aser – Strong’s H4643 which means, ‘tenth part, tithe’ looks like this:.

Mem – מ:

We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture.

Knowing this letter represents ‘water’, we are also able to see how this can render for us the meaning of ‘washing’ or ‘cleansing’..

Ayin – עָ:

The original pictograph for this letter is: and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’ as the eye is the window of knowledge..

Shin – שֵׁ:

It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food..

Resh – ר:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief.

Our true life of praise unto יהוה, our Head, begins when we fear Him, for He is the beginning of our strength, and true separated praise entails a true fear of the One who is Chief over us!.

From this pictographic description of this word מַעֲשֵׂר ma’aser – Strong’s H4643 we can see the following:

THE NATIONS HAVE SEEN THE DESTRUCTION

OF THE HEAD/FIRST BORN!.

יהוה told Aḇraham that He would make him a great nation, and then asked Aḇraham to sacrifice his only son, Yitsḥaq, who was the ‘only son’ according to the Promise.

The Hebrew word for ‘tithe’ can, in many, ways picture Aḇraham (the great nation), seeing the destruction of the first son (the son of the promise)..

Understanding this picture, we can also see how the tithe can, in many ways, represent the act that was reciprocated by Elohim, in part, due to Aḇraham’s obedience, and so Elohim ‘gave of Himself’ as seen in His ‘Outstretched Arm and Hand’, as revealed through the ‘firstborn of all creation’: יהושע Messiah – The Right Hand of Elohim!.

At the death of Messiah on the stake, the nations saw the destruction of Elohim’s firstborn, who is the head of all creation!

Aḇraham ‘tithed’ to Malkitseḏeq, after having been blessed by him, and Aḇraham’s grandson, Lĕwi, got credit for it, as he received ‘tithes’ from the rest of the nation!

Bearing in mind that Lĕwi means ‘joined to’, we see how we have become a royal priesthood, having been grafted in and joined to the Body of Messiah by His own Blood, and can therefore faithfully give back to Him, our all!.

Let us therefore look at the name of Lĕwi, as pictured in the ancient pictographic script, in order to get a better understanding of the authority under which we are led, having been joined to our Head and King, יהושע Messiah, who has, by His own blood, secured for us His Covenant Promises, having worked redemption for us, by taking the punishment of death on a stake, having been nailed death to the stake and giving all who call upon His Name, the ability to be joined to Him, as Head, High Priest and King. Therefore, making us, who are in Him, a royal priesthood that are able to serve in Him Spirit and Truth and walk with confidence in the Spirit, putting to death the flesh!.

The name Lĕwi – לֵוִי – Strong’s H3878 has the meaning, ‘joined to’, and in the ancient pictographic script, is as follows:

Lamed – לֵ:

Waw/Vav – וִ:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off.

The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’ as well as ‘bind’..

Yod – י:

The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!.

BY THE BLOOD OF MESSIAH, WE HAVE BEEN JOINED TO HIM AND SUBMIT UNDER HIS AUTHORITY, BY HIS SECURING FOR US AS A PRIESTHOOD IN HIS COVENANT, THROUGH THE WORK OF HIS HAND

What better reason can you think of, regarding being faithful with your tithes and offerings, than to simply understand the true work of Messiah, and how יהוה Himself came down and blessed us, in giving us of Himself, causing us to be a people who have been joined to Him, and in response give your all, in complete obedience, with ‘tithes’ simply being the beginning of the active obedience to which the body of Messiah faithfully responds to!.

In gaining a clearer understanding of these few Word pictures that we are able to dissect in the Scriptures, we can be encouraged to be a joyful people who have been called out of darkness into the Marvellous Light of our High Priest and King.

And as children of the Promise, who walk according to the Spirit, we can, with great joy, give our Father in the Heavens the praise that is due to His Name!.

יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show you favour; יהוה lift up His face upon you and give you Shalom!