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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
http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/trump-suspended-all-europe-united-states-travel-because-of-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR1UISX7SD4ShD1vwr3R6orLAzY9EeTlAApwEygHDGVsdHH1-gyS-Hz6aoE
Varnel Watson
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/peter-wehner-trump-presidency-over/607969/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share&fbclid=IwAR1JaQjFAEayedELnB_8cmggsv1k-HSiNLNkfNsJ6CkVHnK_nCUpxiNwxvk
Robert W. Graves
Troy Day and if Trump wins in 2020 does that make Peter Wehner a liar since he says the Trump presidency is over? Trump haters and Never-Trumpers are weaponizing a crisis, which is to be expected. Truth is, every government reaction to a crisis can be shown in its worst light or its best light, Wehner chose the former. The truth is somewhere in between. Too bad you can’t see that.
Varnel Watson
Robert W. Graves what does this have to do with #coronavirus updates on this OP? OFF topic again?
Robert W. Graves
Troy Day What? Everything! Direct reply to your own update. Sorry you can’t keep up with your own posts. Did you not read your own attachment?
Varnel Watson
Robert W. Graves seems like you have not even seen the update yet 🙂 youdve known its not mine
Robert W. Graves
Troy Day all I know is that your name is at the top and the link to Wehner’s article is embedded below it. What am I missing?
Varnel Watson
Robert W. Graves ppl share LOTS of things on the internets When you click on the actual link and go see what this is about it may change your mind (and life) Jim Bakker
Robert W. Graves
Troy Day are talking about this post with this link? If so, it lead me to the Wehner article.
Varnel Watson
Robert W. Graves I see what you are saying now You meant my comment not the post itself Well we are about to see if you are right or wrong very very soon
Varnel Watson
give us the scoop on the ground Joseph Castillo Are you still there and preaching every week in the country ?
Varnel Watson
Luke 21:11 cautions us that there will be ‘pestilences in various places & fearful events’ in the final days. While we don’t know if the ‘pestilences’ Jesus mentions refers directly to COVID-19, is it a warning?
Most will admit it is definitely ‘fearful!’
Revelation 6:5-8 says that in the final days, the world will be rocked by subsequent famines & plagues.
In the U.S., (as of yesterday, Friday 3/13) the cases of Coronavirus in 47 states have crossed 1600 infections & the death toll has risen to over 40 with an even larger impact globally. Around the world, there are over 137,445 cases & over 5,000 deaths from the virus affecting over 118 countries.
The word pestilence comes from the Greek word “loymos” which means plague, a fatal epidemic disease.
There are many who believe that the pestilences that Jesus spoke about will be fulfilled in the first 3 1/2 years of the seven-year tribulation period that follows the rapture.
Varnel Watson
Robert W. Graves I just read where Neil Steven Lawrence wrote
Keep the BIG PICTURE IN MIND: Coronavirus is small compared to what happened TODAY in the world (and every single day this year on average). This is according to worldometers.info that uses sources like the WHO and CDC. I just took a screenshot. So seriously–we have to clean out the shelves in our local grocery store because of coronavirus? Looks like they are shutting them down in Kenya as well
THE BIGGEST problem I’ve seen so far – and I am no medical person IS THAT
even when ppl are well after the #coronavirus their LUNGS have a loss of 20-30% Alan Smith can tell us if its true
Neil Steven Lawrence
Troy Day every disaster presents an opportunity. Kingdom opportunities, investment opportunities, relationship opportunities, influence opportunities… Don’t waste your opportunities!
Varnel Watson
GoMitt https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/03/16/mitt-romney-proposes-sending-americans-dollar1000-to-deal-with-coronavirus-downturn/23951917/