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My First Demonic Encounter
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Question with regard to dual meanings in the Hebrew words "Erev" and "Boker" in Genesis 1
This is a long and sometimes rambling account of my investigation into the creation account, specifically with regard to the word “Boker” or morning. It is one of the most fascinating concepts I have ever discovered with regard to the Torah and the Hebrew language. The question is, do the ideas contained within hold up to scrutiny?
I happened upon this thought whilst researching the creation account. I don’t know if it’s original or has been discussed before, but if anyone is familiar with this idea, can you point me towards an analysis (if such a thing exists)?
After researching their etymology, the words Erev and Boker (or Voker) seem to have dual meanings, and thus could be used to gain further insight into the text. The commonly accepted literal translation of the phrase “Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom echad” reads “And it was evening and it was morning, one day”.
I was initially interested in the word “boker” and why it has the same root as “bakar” or cattle. This led to me discovering that “boker” fundamentally means “splitting” or “cleaving”.
I was excited but not surprised to find that upon researching the word “Erev” that it held the opposite connotations, ideas of mixture or gathering.
Leaving aside discussion over the word “Yom“, literally meaning day for the moment (I have other theories about that), it is highly interesting to then read the verses in this new light (if you’ll pardon the pun).
“And it was unified, and it was split, day one” obviously makes perfect sense with regard to day one and holds interesting implications for the subsequent days.
The idea that the creation can be reconciled scientifically by a series of “splitting of states” is highly fascinating for me. This also resonates with the idea (as stated in the Shema) of God being “One” – perhaps this reality is just the result of the splitting of that “one” into smaller discrete parts?
Edit: I have recently found an independent version of a similar theory in the book “The Science of God” by Dr. Gerald Schroeder. He describes the same ideas (which he attributes to Nachmanides), but instead relates ‘erev’ to mixture as in disorder or chaos. And to ‘boker’ he ascribes the idea of order (from bikoret-orderly, able to be observed). However he still seems to have missed the fundamental idea of ‘splitting’ which in my opinion is the key to unlocking the whole thing.
So to clarify the question: Has anyone written an analysis of Genesis 1 through the lens of these alternate meanings of ‘erev’ and ‘boker’? Is mine a plausible theory? Why or why not?
Edit 2: I just thought of another key argument which (again very simply but elegantly) supports my claims. In conversation with AbuMunirIbnIbrahim he challenged me on the meaning of בָּקָר, saying there is no evidence of linkage with the idea of splitting or division. I answered him thusly:
“In the case of בָּקַע and בָּקָר, however there is a clear linkage, which is discernible from one key translation of the root word:”בְּקַר: to plough, to break forth, to inspect. The Gesenius Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon translated by Friedrich Wilhelm states that the word בָּקָר is named for its purpose: of ploughing. This shows an undeniable link. Additionally there is also a second link which is that of the cloven hoof, which is one of the fundamental aspects of Kashrut.”
Coincidentally the other defining feature of a Kosher animal is that it is ruminant, ie. It has a divided or split stomach relative to other mammals. So both aspects of Kashrut involve the idea of splitting or division.
However, his reference to Ezekiel 34:12 really got me thinking…
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are separated, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the day of clouds and thick darkness.
Look at this verse closely. “his sheep that are separated”. It hit me that this a fundamental characteristic of “בָּקָר” or cattle:- to flock or herd. A single animal from a flock represents the division of a whole into smaller discrete parts. Again this consistent use of language resonates perfectly and works with everything in its context. Sheep separating from the flock. The flock separating from the shepherd. Man separating from God. This verse (intentionally or not) uses the three letter root בקר twice and is directly concerned with the idea of unification (the flock) and divison (the scattering) and the subsequent reunification.
Edit 3: After some more research I am convinced that the two letter root “בק” literally means divide or split. Further, I am starting to think that the two letter root forms a fundamental part of the 3 letter root (which I have now subsequently learned is also a major part of Kabalistic thought). http://www.2letterlookup.com/ is a very useful tool in efficiently searching for patterns in the letter combinations and in the brief time I’ve been using it, I’ve seen some remarkable results.
In addition to the words listed above, I started looking for 3 letter root words with בק at the end (letters 2 and 3). Again I found multiple references to the idea of splitting, but one in particular stood out:
-Abaq (אָבַק or אָבָק) according to Gesenius means “fine dust” or “light particles” His conjecture as to the etymology reads:
“אָבַק a root not used in Kal, which I suppose to have had the force of to pound, to make small, from the onomatopoetic syllable בק, בך, פג, פק, which, as well as דך, דק (see דָּקַק, דָּכַךְ ), had the force of pounding; comp. בָּכָה to drop, to distil;”
The feminine form of the word also means powder. Clearly the idea of dust or powder as small particles removed from a larger whole again demonstrate exactly the same concept.
But this isn’t where it ends- it gets far more interesting. Genesis Chap. 32 recounts the story of Yaakov wrestling with the angel. The story often seems to be making cryptic allusions. First, Yaakov and his family crossed the ford of Yabok (יבק) – a name which appears to be highly symbolic. Then they wrestled (וַיֵּאָבֵק) the etymology again goes back to dust.
However, Rashi has a different interpretation attributing the word to an Aramaic expression found in the Talmud: דָּאִבִיקוּ. This is derivative of the 3 letter root דבק, meaning adhere, glue or impinge. Again the word references the concept of unification and division, since glue binds two discrete objects together.
I realise that this is moving away somewhat from a hermeneutic question, but I think it needs to be discussed. Either way I have realised that the Hebrew language is so much more complex and ingenious than I ever realised.
Varnel Watson
yap Isara Mo it sure was for him as it seems The slickest deception Satan has ever put across, primarily through the church, is to get people to embrace his work as the work of God. In my estimation, this is the worst doctrine in the body of Christ. If you really believe God controls everything, why do anything? Why pray? Why study the Word? Why resist? Just eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you die, and whatever God wills will happen.
Isara Mo
Troy Day
What has this quote to do with the post?
The slickest deception Satan has ever put across primarily thru preachers and teachers like Womack. and John Hagee is the notion that Satan doesn’t exist and that is why they don’t cast out DEMON SPIRITS in their churches but with eloquence of words lull the congregations to a false theology of biscuits and cakes and sweet milk..
Jesus cast out demons so did the apostles so who had led astray THE WHOLE WORLD ASTRAY?
Isara Mo
John Hagee testimony of first demonic encounters has holes in it.
He says the lady who had a demon was not FROM HIS CHURCH wanting us to believe his congregation has no demon spirits..
And he says at first that he is educated and doesn’t know anything about “these things*(demons) then gives a dramatic explanation how he cast out the demon ftom a woman
I wish if the exercise or the exorcism of the casting of the demon which John Hagee had done was done in public in front of the congregation, just as Jesus did and the apostles..Why all this fuss about a tel conversation and a secret deliverance session?
Isara Mo
My first demonic encounter happened during a three day family prayer and Fasting.
On the close of the fast on the third day while we were worshiping a girl shrieked and rushed at me saying “I hate you I hate you… I will kill you..”
I was pacing to and fro before the incident and when the girl rushed at me my first impulse was to run out of the house fast and save myself.but was late because the girl was already all over me.
Fortunately my wife who had know Christ ten years before me was with me and I heard her say “in the name of Jesus out.. Out.. Out” and I learnt the trade immediately and because I have a thunderous voice I shouted the loudest(possibly out if fear)..
OUT OUT IN THE NAME OF JESUS..
Then the girl collapsed and writhed like a snake then lay dead still..not responding to any of our shouts.
Immediately I called a taxi and by the time the taxi arrived thd girl woke up by herself..
We bundled her into that taxi and rushed her to a lady minister whom we know and dumped her there..
Guess what..
Seven days later the minister who was a very close friend brought the girl back and told us “I have failed. This one is a highly evolved witch. In the space of one week while we were staying together she has attempted to kill me seven times. Take her back..”
From that day I sought to know the tools of trade and the Lord had trained me a lot that is why I am very suspect of a minister
who doesn’t cast out demons. K pi TV
Varnel Watson
Isara Mo let me put it plainly HERE you said a lot but what about Haggi himself Is HE known for demonic deliverance ministry? He had an encounter – he explained Is this JUST a promo video or a deeper theological encounter – what were the missing holes you mentioned?
Isara Mo
Troy Day
Honor the “man of God” by keeping quiet..
I know Hagee doesn’t have a public ministry of demon casting..
Pro MO videos are watched by many when you have “influence”
Nothing of a deeper theological encounter in the testimony..
If demons say Troy Day we know you.. What do you want with us wouldn’t everyone around you bestow honor on you.. thinking that you are real spiritual McCoy?
You have listened to John Hagees and Isara Mos first demonic encounter what about yours Troy..
Michael Green
I was demon possessed once in Germany.