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.
Anonymous
William DeArteaga Neil Steven Lawrence Nelson Banuchi Link Hudson Terry Wiles Peter Vandever Joseph D. Absher I trust the Lord to grant a revival when it is most needed! However, I think that we Pentecostals who see revival as the normative position for the Church are wrong. Revival comes when the Church needs it, and a revival like that of Azusa Street can kick those who are disposed to following Christ, to a new level of commitment. Once they have reached it, the need for revival is gone. Besides, the energy level that it takes to run a revival for even three years is exhausting! People get tired.
Anonymous
This is what works Joseph D. Absher Robert Dickinson Robert Davis Robert Cox Jesse Morrell https://www.pentecostaltheology.com/tips-for-street-preaching-personal-witnessing/
Anonymous
Ilya Okhotnikov apart from this old video I really did not find much on the subject obviously disregarding the Tommy Welchel telling it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdD2RfcJXp0
Anonymous
Troy Day I would not reference anything from Sid Roth.
Anonymous
Bishop Bernie L Wade Ricky Grimsley Peter Vandever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGde14OSkL0
Anonymous
I have heard the idea that restoring praise restores the tabernacle of David in Indonesia. Was thatba latter rain teaching. I never heard it in GBI but maybe the Pak Niko teaches it now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmm8u25VrhQ
Anonymous
hey Link Hudson remember when Jim Price stated that HE read Dr. Niko’s message and certainly it was very moving, more so to listen to than to read as is most messages when you or in a great convention. Most of us who grew up in a pentecostal environment have heard such rousing sermons. There was a lot of rhetorical content but I think it was meant to persuade and motivate in a positive way. However any good bible student could find points of disagreement. His comments about the third pentecost was somewhat different than I have ever heard. ” The first pentecost was when God came to His people. The second pentecost was when He came upon His people, and the third pentecost will be when He comes into His people. ” The words TO and UPON and INTO and the timing of that could certainly be argued. But it looked like several thousand were in the giant convention hall in Indonesia that alone is something to shout about. Some might complain about all the money spent on airline tickets,hotel rooms and meals but Amway representatives fill up that same hall and spend millions to push their products; so why not those that go in the name of Jesus?
Anonymous
Troy Day that sort of thing might have to be judged like a prophecy. It is confusing when such is just delivered as a seemin and you can’t tell what is the speaker’s theological explanation.
I don’t know if I’ve heard a prophecy given in GBI, but back when Pak Niko was the leader of the Jakarta Bethany leaders before the split, in a worker’s meeting for a Bethany English service, one woman gave one in Indonesian but I didn’t know the language enough to understand. I think it was first person style prophesy. I remember a friend not agreeing with it and expressing concern at people receiving it with Amen. She thought it was judgemental, and I don’t know if the issue was her theoligical grid. I have heard of prophecies from smaller GBI churches outside of Jakarta.
Anonymous
Azusa street was a false spiritual event; deception.
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess what is @everyone thinking on this one?
Anonymous
Troy Day he needs to be removed from the group….he’s against the Pentecostal faith….always talking down on us
Anonymous
At Pentecost they were accused of being drunk. But They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess no matter what you said just stick to the scriptures, but make sure nothing plasphiem.
Anonymous
Stevenson Mark well how do you apply Scripture here? You got to show some logic and wisdom from time to time
Anonymous
Christopher Wiles the question was about the post not about our old friend Duane L Burgess maybe if you are spiritual enough the Spirit will jump from you on him? 🙂
Anonymous
David Levandusky question is about the 100yr prophecy ppl promoted but Peter Vandever said it was fake AND William DeArteaga may have wrote about it in the book J.D. King published @ one time or another
Anonymous
Troy Day plasphiem against the Holy Spirit is nothing to do at all.
Anonymous
Troy Day I got some spirit for him alright
…I pray the holy ghost hit him so hard he can’t talk for 3 days but nothing but tongues will come from his mouth
Anonymous
Stevenson Mark are you still talking about the OP or is this some random rant before your morning coffee ?
Anonymous
Troy Day 🙄😣
Anonymous
Christopher Wiles maybe you better pray then instead of slander so early in the morning NOW what is your take on the actual OP
Anonymous
DrCarmen Aiken-Isaac yes pls DO enlighten us good Dr
Anonymous
Troy Day He’s ignorant and derives pleasure from trolling. I’d remove him.
Anonymous
Jack Marsh my question was bout OP brother 🙂
Anonymous
Troy Day John MacArthur would say the same thing. Nothing new … & this person may not even be a cessationist. I don’t know. I rarely participate here. There was one guy a couple of yrs ago who let it be known that he didn’t believe that Jesus was the God-Man, so, there’s no tellin’ what kind of beliefs are flying around in this group. But you go get ‘em, Troy. …👍🏾
Anonymous
DrCarmen Aiken-Isaac who cares about ol crazy John MacArthur here? tell us your thinking on the OP
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess Then why are you in a Pentecostal group who treasure what happened ar Azusa Street as revival from Heaven?
Anonymous
Mike Crain back to the OP maybe?
Anonymous
Troy Day I just don’t get why he would want to be here if he doesn’t hold to traditional Pentecostal beliefs
Anonymous
Mike Crain my question was bout the actual OP here
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess
Prove it.
Anonymous
Junior Beasley are you 2 NOT talking about the OP?
Anonymous
Troy Day I’ll have to check out the video and see.
Anonymous
Mike Crain oh sorry – was thinking you know well Azusa related prophecy and other documented Pentecostal matters
Anonymous
Troy Day
Anonymous
yes Joellen?
Anonymous
Troy Day mistake,I’m sorry
Anonymous
Joellen Akers no prob What is your take on this OP?
Anonymous
Troy Day
I don’t know what ur talking about
Anonymous
Junior Beasley you dont see the OP? what are you talking about here then? There is a specific OP posted – stay withing the current discussion and keep focused
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess
Media: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia3.giphy.com%2Fmedia%2Fv1.Y2lkPTk5OWFjZWFjYzZzcmE4a2p5ZWVhdW84b3F1ODRlNHNlc2x6ZGZneW1pOGlsZWRhcSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n%2Fi7PM4udF7hrjzmojpd%2Fgiphy.gif&h=AT1UClznMTZR1osG_MFODRNv5C78ziiShOzTvisUa1yAnEHOtPQDrWHE4AoH0YVfg3h-twcfe0mTjQiuJcIl49NH_UoxS-k5q3uPhmgY1Cgw9FBWxdszCLvHDQZppKlU&s=1
Anonymous
Troy Day receive the Holly Ghost 🙏
Anonymous
Mark Aponte anything on the actual OP
?
Anonymous
Troy Day Duane L Burgess Is a liar and doesn’t even know what he is talking about.
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess amen
Anonymous
Troy Day with respect, as a former Pentecostal I simply don’t believe Azusa street was a legitimate revival.
Anonymous
Sinadou Marcellin with respect, I simply don’t think Azusa street was Holy Ghost led. I’m willing to be corrected.
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess I can see why the narrative would say that, but we know better
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess
On what do you base this?
Anonymous
Barrie Bloxsom Careful study of Scripture. II Tim. 2:15. Pentecostalism has always been an aberration in the Church. Theological problems.
Anonymous
Mark Aponte what proof do you have?
Anonymous
Troy Day
I thank he need to pray and ask God to open his under standing, because he is blind to the truth and the word of God
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess hard statement to back up. It happened in our generation with eyewitness who were interviewed. The structure which was only wood is long gone. Unfortunate for Spiritual Tourism, could you imagine what could have happened if a denomination say Foursquare or Trinity Broadcasting purchased it.built a chapel much with a museum having pictures of the events with present day intercessions and prophets working there?
Anonymous
many of yall here are not nice to ol Duane and are way OFF topic too
Anonymous
Where’s the part about Pentecostalism?
Anonymous
Duane L Burgess Were you THERE?
Anonymous
Christopher Wiles, he must be Baptist and if so, talking about false, most of them believe that the only true Bible is the KJV, but most of them call it the King James Bible (that’s false) and adhere to their church comes from John the Baptist
Anonymous
Dwayne Faircloth oh I know about the Baptist beliefs
Anonymous
Christopher Wiles there are many things they are strong and deep in scripture but miss many.
Anonymous
Dwayne Faircloth are you baptist too or cog?
Anonymous
Troy Day blasphemy
Anonymous
DrCarmen Aiken-Isaac didn’t believe that Jesus was the God-Man?
This must have been Philip Williams or some other pope-lover
Anonymous
Brownsville if he was off by 15 years.
Anonymous
Junior Beasley Brownsville was a sham like I told Peter Vandever what about the actual AZUSA prophecy ?
Anonymous
Troy Day we’ll thatvyiur opinion I was there it was a mighty out pouring that hit every church around there.
Anonymous
Troy Day people who got saved at Brownsville might disagree.
Anonymous
Link Hudson let them speak on their behalf then
Anonymous
Melvin Harter Junior Beasley Bishop Bernie L Wade Peter Vandever
There are no contemporary witnesses to this “prophecy.” Zero. It is fictional as are many Azusa stories. If it was a prophesy given by Seymour (and it was not) it would most certainly be a false prophesy. Seymour died more than 100 years ago and the window for such a prophesy to be fulfilled has closed.
It seems he means well, but the Azusa Mission could not hold hundreds of people. Lots of smoke and mirrors in this report (literally and figuratively) While nearly all of those who recognize the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in a Pentecostal or Apostolic imprimatur have commonality with the Topeka Outpouring, there are many who have no connection to Los Angeles. Those connected to the Los Angeles Outpouring came from some 8 different churches – not just the Azusa Street Mission. The Apostolic Faith Movement was already global before 1906. Likely, the largest outpouring of the day was in Zion, Illinois. Norris repeatedly mentions the Shekhinah. Does he understand that is a Kaballistic term describe the “feminine nature of God” or “the Divine Feminine”? Lots of things sound cool, but we must be careful. That is the view from my porch.
Anonymous
This is all I could find about Seymour’s prophecy. It is NOT well documented @ all. There’s lots of speculation 1909, 1910, 1913, 1922 around his death and so on… Apart from that ppl seem NOT to know that Azusa was over and gone by 1909. Some cite the prophecy from his travelling notes, which you have studied extensively for your book series on Azusa…
It all comes down to Tommy’s book with a single quote from a testimony by one David Garcia who was a boy during Azusa, but recalls being told the words of the prophecy. I will try to attach Tommy’s whole book, but here is the only quote of interest:
“p38 Brother Garcia was the first to tell me of Seymour‘s prophesy that in about 100 years there would be a return of the Shekinah Glory and a revival that would surpass the Works of God at Azusa.*
It was forty years ago that we spoke, and Brother Garcia told of the 100 year prophesy by Brother Seymour concerning the fresh outpouring of God‘s Spirit.
As this book is being written, people all over the world are celebrating the Azusa Centennial. I pray the prayer of my dear friend and brother, David Garcia, that soon we will see Brother Seymour‘s prophesy fulfilled and the greatest visitation of God ever known to man fall fresh on this world.
*Charles Parham also prophesied that another great revival would happen in about 100 years.
Seymour, who made the prophesy around 1909 or 1910 may have made this prophesy after Parham.”
Anonymous
Troy Day is Dr Larry Martin part of this group, he could possibly cast more light on the subject. We none were there but the effect is undeniable. I was there at the 100th anniversary along thousands of others. I would want to know the actual wording of the prophecy.
Anonymous
Azusa had good and bad! It really did!
You can’t do camera trick in 1901 like you could in even 1991 technologies!
I’ve seen raw footage about 10yrs ago of Azusa meeting where a woman’s leg appeared to grow 3 inches! There was no AI, or IGI etc, per-se! There was no big screens, and pi k lights, with a punky youth pastor hyping the crowd!
It’s not Azusa you should worry about, it’s the stuff that yet another almost 100yrs more! This weird spooky spiritual “Dance in the River of wine, Feel God’s heartbeat in your ear, Call down fire: hoopla! The drunken and drugged references to God and Holy Spirit!
Azusa might have scared the 1848 Wesleyans…..but this 100yr yet more New-Age, Mysticism coated in Pentecistal stule meryingvwirzhip….makes even half Bible based fear of God Pentecostals of all generations if truly in the word; cringe!
And that’s what we should be warning about, not Azusa, to be honest!
Anonymous
Jàyson Jàyson Jàyson OK spill it out what was the bad?
Anonymous
In what? The Azusa or this newer ladt 3 decades crap?
The Azusa well, okay maybe it wasn’t any bad back then that you can see per-se like now, but any true move of God always had Medium to major hindrances that maybe the average person couldnt even detect! Like someone mocking, or deliberate fake tongues along with the real!
There wasn’t near as much crap there as there is in this new century!
Maybe it wasn’t even Azusa then I’m thinking of….But Im sure itvwas there, or something shortly shortly after in the same tome frame related to Azusa with a lady Aimee MacPherson that a couple things was a no no!
I’m not going into everything, because I’d have to find it! It may be no longer available on YouTube!
Anonymous
BOTTOM LINE Jàyson Jàyson Jàyson Peter Vandever not even Philip Williams or Link Hudson has produced a single shred of evidence that any such prophecy ever took place @ Azusa
Anonymous
Troy Day have I claimed to have any?
Anonymous
I dont know Link Hudson have you?
Anonymous
There is a lot of sensationalism connected to the Apostolic Faith Gospel Mission (modern apologists have renamed it Azusa Street). It was evident to Bishop William Seymour knew this first hand. We have the letter he wrote to his spiritual father, Charles F. Parham asking for help against these workers of darkness. They were so powerful they put Charles Parham out of their building (but he remained in Los Angeles area preaching). So it is possible that such a thing was offered there, but the prophecy is bogus regardless of the source.
Anonymous
Bishop Bernie L Wade but there is NO 100 year prophecy, right ?
Anonymous
https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Charles-Sarah-Eleanor-Parham/dp/195225325X
Anonymous
so where is all this sensationalism connected 100 yr fake prophecy comes from?
Anonymous
What is the purpose of looking back at Azusa to judge? Many great people and things came out of Azusa Street. Who here can judge what God used to win many souls?
Anonymous
Judith Smith thats the point
we are looing back at Azusa to preserve our heritage
but we do look at fake prophecy to sort them out William DeArteaga
Anonymous
Troy Day Generally it is good to ignore those who hide behind fake profiles. Especially if they are atempting to protect fake prophecy. Very suspect! Smile.
Anonymous
Judith Smith like Bishop Bernie L Wade just said !!! Alan Smith 🙂
Anonymous
Troy Daynothing in the past can be changed. There’s enough fake prophesy to deal with today.
Anonymous
Bishop Bernie L Wadeinstead if answering the question, you have to dig into someone’s profile? Profiles are not the topic of the discussion, is it? The one who concerns themself with a profile rather than the topic is fake.