The language of ivrit ( עברית ) Exodus 12, Post #4
Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Exodus 12:16-19
We saw the beginning of the Pesach (passover) instructions last week, endng with a consequence for breaking them. We are continuing to read those instructions today. The entire set of verses for today are in quotations marks because this is all coming from God, to Moshe (Moses), more regarding unleavened bread.
He starts off saying that they will hold a Meek'rah Kodesh (Holy Assembly) and another one on the seventh day. No work shall be done on those days. The only work that can be done is the preparation of the food that they will eat. To me, that is similar to the weekly shabbat that is observed and obeyed today.
He then calls for them to observe haMatsoat (the Unleavened Bread). The Hebrew does not say "The Feast of Unleavened Bread." The people have not heard any of this and the plague has not fallen on Mitsraim (Egypt) yet, but Elohim (God) then says, "... for on this very day I brought your multitude out of the land of Mitsraim."
He speaks as if he had already done it. That is not unusual because the Creator exists outside of time, and he sees it as already done. I have seen this many times in my readings. It is not odd at all.
He then states that this is a statute forever and reiterates on which days it will occur and the consequence, v'neech-r'Tah haNefesh (and she will be cut off, the person), if anyone is caught eating leaven. Note: Nefesh speaks of the person, soul or being and the word is feminine, for that reason the translation is "she will be cut off" (above).
This memorial was and still is kept and has been a memorial for God's people and those who choose to "sojourn" among them to this day. He always allowed people to join Israel. Later in this book, we will see more about the process of becoming a sojourner.
Today's reading
English
"On the first day you shall hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days. But what everyone needs to eat, that alone may be prepared by you. And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever. In the first month, from the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven is to be found in your houses. If anyone eats what is leavened, that person will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land."
Hebrew
Next week, CovID-like lock downs...
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