Study Notes Week 21

Torah Study Notes for Week 21 of the Torah Reading Cycle

• Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 21:1-34
• Prophets (P): 1 Samuel 2:21-28
• Apostolic (A): Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:22-31
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 16:10-31; Jubilees 17:1-14

1. Genesis 21:1 [Elohim]^(LXX) visited Sarah as he had said, and did to Sarah as he had spoken.
   1. “as he had said” means this is the same angel from Genesis 18 who was sent to tell Abraham she was to have a child (cf. Genesis 18:10) and that he would “return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah will have a son” (cf. Genesis 18:14)
   2. Genesis 18:9-10 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.” 10 He said, “I will certainly return to you at the time of life; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.
      1. Romans 9:8-9 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs. 9 For this is a word of promise, “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” (cf. Genesis 18:10, 14)
   3. Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age and Sarah ceased to be in the feminine way.
   4. Genesis 18:12 Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
   5. Genesis 18:13-15 [Elohim]^(LXX) said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’ 14 Is any word too wonderful for [Elohim]?^(LXX) At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah will have a son.” 15 Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
      1. Jubilees 16:1-4 And on the new moon of the fourth month we (the angels) appeared unto Abraham, at the oak of Mamre, and we talked with him, and we announced to him that a son would be given to him by Sarah his wife. 2. And Sarah laughed, for she heard that we had spoken these words with Abraham, and we admonished her, and she became afraid, and denied that she had laughed on account of the words. 3. And we told her the name of her son, as his name is ordained and written in the heavenly tables (Isaac) 4. And that when we returned to her at a set time, she would have conceived a son.
      2. Jubilees 16:12-13 And in the middle of the sixth new moon the Lord visited Sarah and did unto her as He had spoken, and she conceived. 13. And she bare a son in the third new moon, [1980 A.M.] and in the middle of the new moon, at the time of which the Lord had spoken to Abraham, on the festival of the first fruits of the harvest, Isaac was born.
2. Genesis 21:2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the appointed time of which Elohim had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Yitschaq.
   1. יִצְחָק Yitschaq (H3327) literally means “he laughs” and is from צָחַק tsachaq (H6711) means “to laugh in play or in mockery” (cf. Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:12; Genesis 19:14; Genesis 21:6; Genesis 21:9; Genesis 26:8; Genesis 39:14)
3. Genesis 21:4 Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as Elohim had commanded him.
   1. Jubilees 16:14 And Abraham circumcised his son on the eighth day: he was the first that was circumcised according to the covenant which is ordained for ever.
   2. Genesis 17:12 “He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your seed.” Only those “bought with money from any foreigner who is not of Abraham’s seed” are circumcised outside of the eighth day (e.g. Ishmael, which will be discussed in Genesis 21:10 and Galatians 4:22-31 below)
   3. This would make Isaac the “first fruits” of the covenant of circumcision according to the eighth day commandment.
      1. James 1:17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor turning shadow. 18 Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
      2. Romans 8:28-30 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
      3. Romans 16:3-5 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Messiah Yeshua, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles. 5 Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Messiah.
4. Genesis 21:5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “Elohim has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7 She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse sons? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”
5. Genesis 21:8 The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
   1. 2 Maccabees 7:27 But bending toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, she spoke this in the language of her fathers: “My son, have pity upon me who carried you nine new moons in my womb, and nursed you three years, and nourished and brought you up to this age, and sustained you.
6. Genesis 21:9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, [playing with Isaac her son].^(LXX)
7. Genesis 21:10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this servant and her son! For the son of this servant will not be heir with my son, Isaac.” 11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son. 12 Elohim said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For your seed will be named through Isaac.
   1. There’s a common saying that, “we are all God’s children” and this is not true. We are all God’s creation, but only those who believe in Yeshua are called children of God (cf. Luke 20:34; John 3:15-16)
      1. John 3:14-21 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For Elohim so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For Elohim didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of Elohim. 19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in Elohim.”
      2. Matthew 17:24-27 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your rabbi pay the didrachma?” 25 He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Yeshua anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?” 26 Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Yeshua said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. 27 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
      3. Luke 20:34-36 Yeshua said to them, “The children of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels and are children of Elohim, being children of the resurrection.
      4. Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of Elohim; 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of Elohim and joint heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
      5. Romans 9:1-9 I tell the truth in Messiah. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Messiah for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh 4 who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Messiah as concerning the flesh, who is over all, Elohim, blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of Elohim has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel that are of Israel. 7 Neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children. But, “your seed will be accounted as from Isaac.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs. 9 For this is a word of promise, “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.”
   2. Galatians 4:22-31 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. 23 However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, [and she is our mother].^(mss) 27 For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.” (cf. Isaiah 54:1) 28 Now [you],^(LXX) brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.” (cf. Genesis 21:10) 31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
   3. Hebrews 11:17-19 In faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son, 18 to whom it was said, “Your seed will be accounted as from Isaac,” 19 concluding that Elohim is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.
   4. Yeshua prophesied in the Book of Jubilees
      1. Jubilees 16:10-15 And in this new moon Abraham moved from Hebron, and departed and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur in the mountains of Gerar. 11. And in the middle of the fifth new moon he moved from thence, and dwelt at the Well of the Oath. 12. And in the middle of the sixth new moon the Lord visited Sarah and did unto her as He had spoken, and she conceived. 13. And she bare a son in the third new moon, [1980 A.M.] and in the middle of the new moon, at the time of which the Lord had spoken to Abraham, on the festival of the first fruits of the harvest, Isaac was born. 14. And Abraham circumcised his son on the eighth day: he was the first that was circumcised according to the covenant which is ordained for ever. 15. And in the sixth year of the [third] week we came to Abraham, to the Well of the Oath, and we appeared unto him [as we had told Sarah that we should return to her, and she would have conceived a son.
         1. Jubilees 16:16-27 And we returned in the seventh new moon, and found Sarah with child before us] and we blessed him, and we announced to him all the things which had been decreed concerning him, that he should not die till he should beget six sons more (cf. Genesis 25:1-6), and should see (them) before he died; but (that) in Isaac should his name and seed be called: 17. And (that) all the seed of his sons should be Nations, and be reckoned with the Nations; but from the sons of Isaac one should become a holy seed, and should not be reckoned among the Nations. 18. For he should become the portion of the Most High, and all his seed had fallen into the possession of Elohim, that it should be unto the Lord a people for (His) possession above all nations and that it should become a reign and priests and a holy nation. 19. And we went our way, and we announced to Sarah all that we had told him, and they both rejoiced with exceeding great joy…26. And he blessed his Creator who had created him in his generation, for He had created him according to His good pleasure; for He knew and perceived that from him would arise the plant of righteousness for the eternal generations, and from him a holy seed, so that it should become like Him who had made all things. 27. And he blessed and rejoiced, and he called the name of this festival the festival of the Lord, a joy acceptable to the Most High Elohim.
8. Genesis 21:13 I will also make a [great]^(LXX) nation of the son of the servant, because he is your seed.”
9. Genesis 21:14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Be’ersheba. 15 The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs. 16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice, and [the child cried aloud and wept].^(LXX)
10. Genesis 21:17 Elohim heard the voice of the boy. The angel of Elohim called to Hagar out of the heavens, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For Elohim has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.” 19 Elohim opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.
11. Genesis 21:20 Elohim was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.
    1. Josephus 1.12.4 When the lad was grown up, he married a woman, by birth an Egyptian, from whence the mother was herself derived originally. Of this wife were born to Ismael twelve sons; Nabaioth, Kedar, Abdeel, Mabsam, Idumas, Masmaos, Masaos, Chodad, Theman, Jetur, Naphesus, Cadmas. These inhabited all the country from Euphrates to the Red Sea, and called it Nabatene. They are an Arabian nation, and name their tribes from these, both because of their own virtue, and because of the dignity of Abraham their father.
12. Genesis 21:22 At that time, Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “Elohim is with you in all that you do. 23 Now, therefore, swear to me here by Elohim that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a sojourner.” 24 Abraham said, “I will swear.”
    1. Genesis 20:1-13 Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He sojourned in Gerar. 2 Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But Elohim came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is married to a husband.” 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation? 5 Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister’? She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.” 6 [The Elohim]^(MTT) said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her. 7 Now therefore, return the man’s wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don’t return her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours.” 8 Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. [All]^(LXX) the men were very scared. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my reign a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!” 10 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of Elohim is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 When Elohim caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go, say of me, “He is my brother.” ‘ ”
       1. Genesis Apocryphon 1Q20 Column 19 …I, Abraham built and altar (at Bethel) and called to God, praising him. I then went to the Holy mountain and to Hebron where I lived for two years. Because there was famine in the land my family and I traveled to Egypt where grain was plentiful. I went across the branches of the Nile to enter Egypt, the land of the sons of Ham. I had a dream about a cedar tree and a date-palm tree. When people came to cut down the cedar tree, the date-palm tree objected, saying that they were grown from a single root. The cedar tree was spared. I became fearful of the dream and told it to my wife. I explained it as it pertained to us telling Sarah that the men will come for her and try to kill me. I warned Sarah that she must tell everyone that I am her brother so that my life can be spared…
    2. Genesis 20:14-16 Abimelech took [a thousand double-drachmas,]^(LXX) sheep, and cattle, male servants and maids, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah, his wife, to him. 15 Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated.”
       1. “These will be to you for the value of your person, and to all the women with you; and you speak the truth in all things.”^(LXX)
    3. Genesis 20:17 Abraham prayed to [the Elohim].^(MTT) So Elohim healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maids, and they bore. 18 For [Elohim]^(LXX) had closed up tight all the bowels of the house of Abimelech, upon the word of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
13. Genesis 21:25 Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. 26 Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”
14. Genesis 21:27 Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two cut a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?” 30 [Abraham]^(LXX) said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.” 31 Therefore he called that place Be’ersheba, because they both swore an oath there. 32 So they cut a covenant at Be’ersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
15. Genesis 21:33 And [Abraham]^(LXX) planted a tamarisk tree in Be’ersheba, and there he called on the name of YHWH, the Everlasting Elohim. 34 Abraham lived as a sojourner in the land of the Philistines many days.
    1. Genesis 4:25-26 Adam knew his woman again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, [saying],^(LXX) “for Elohim has given me another seed instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. [This one]^(LXX)(syr) [hoped]^(LXX) to call on the name of [Elohim].^(LXX)
    2. Genesis 12:8 He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There he built an altar [and called on the name]^(LXX) of [Elohim].^(LXX)
    3. Genesis 13:1-4 Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 He went on his journeys from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on the name of [Elohim].^(LXX)
    4. Genesis 26:25 He built an altar there, and called on the name of YHWH, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac’s servants dug a well.

Prophets Portion Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

1 Samuel 2:21-28

2:21 YHWH visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. The boy Samuel grew before YHWH. 22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they slept with the women who served at the door of the Appointed Tent. 23 He said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear! You make the people of YHWH disobey. 25 If one man sins against another, Elohim will judge him; but if a man sins against YHWH, who will intercede for him?” Notwithstanding, they didn’t listen to the voice of their father, because YHWH intended to kill them. 26 The boy Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with YHWH and also with men. 27 A man of Elohim came to Eli and said to him, “YHWH says, ‘Did I reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house? 28 Didn’t I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? Didn’t I give to the house of your father all the offerings of the sons of Israel made by fire?

• Exodus 38:8 He made the basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, out of the mirrors of the [women] assembling who assembled at the door of the Appointed Tent.
• Exodus 38:8 as translated from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan And he made the brasen laver, and its foundation of brass, from the brasen mirrors of the pious women, who, at the season, came to pray at the door of the tabernacle of appointment, standing with their oblations, giving thanks and confession, and returning to their husbands, the mothers of righteous children, who had been purified from the uncleanness of their blood. [JERUSALEM. And he made the laver of brass, and the base thereof of brass, with, the mirrors of the pious women who were devout at the gate of the tabernacle of appointment.]
• Exodus 38:8 (38:26) as translated from the Greek Old Testament (LXX or Septuagint) He made the brazen laver, and the brazen base of it of the mirrors of the women that fasted, who fasted by the doors of the tabernacle of witness, in the day in which he set it up.

Apostolic Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

1. Today’s Apostolic portion contains the passage where our great Savior receives His Name.
   1. We’re going to explore this topic with a focus on the following questions:
      1. What is our Savior’s name and how do we pronounce it? 
      2. How did we end up calling Him “Jesus”?
      3. What things are most important in this conversation?
2. Let’s look first at the relevant verses from our portion:
   1. “’[Mary] shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Yeshua, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.’” Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel,’ which is, being interpreted, ‘El with us.’ Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Yeshua”.
      1. Yeshua’s Name was decided in heaven before His conception.
         1. “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb” (Luk. 2:21). 

KEY POINT:

The Savior’s identity precedes – and transcends — His Name.

1. If the Lord’s Name was predetermined, decreed by an angel and recorded in scripture, why is there any debate what we should call him? 
   1. Names, like all words, have meaning. 
      1. Meaning /ˈmiːnɪŋ/ (noun): the idea that is represented by a word, phrase, etc.
   2. Ideas are immaterial and are brought into existence through language. 
      1. Language is earthly, imperfect and inherently imprecise, especially across time and culture.
      2. Language leads us all down a certain path in our lives (i.e. forms our understanding), and rarely is it one that we choose for ourselves.
         1. We need to show grace and acceptance for every individual and how they chose to call upon Name of the Lord.

KEY POINT:

It is Yeshua’s identity – not His Name – that represents the fullness of the One we call Messiah.

Exhortation
Counsel, comfort, and encouragement (Acts 13:14-15)

1. What is our Savior’s name and how do we pronounce it? 
   1. “You shall name Him ‘Yeshua’ (#2424)…” (Mat. 1:21b).
      1. G 2424. Iésous – “Jesus; the Greek form of Joshua”.
         1. Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew name יְהוֹשׁוּעַ H3091 (Yehoshua), which is a combination of יְהוָה (YHWH, the name of God) and יָשַׁע (yasha, meaning “to save” or “to deliver”).
   2. Two passages in the Apostolic scriptures use this same Greek name and translate it as Joshua.
      1. “After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua (#2424) brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David” (Acts 7:45).
      2. “For if Joshua (#2424) had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day” (Heb. 4:8).
   3. In Hebrew, “Yeshua” is the contracted form of “Yehoshua”.
      1. Yehoshua = וִיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ  — Yod-Hay-Vav-Shin-Vav-Hayin
         1. Exodus 24:13
            HEB: וַיָּ֣קָם מֹשֶׁ֔ה וִיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ מְשָׁרְת֑וֹ וַיַּ֥עַל
            NAS: arose with Joshua his servant,
            KJV: and his minister Joshua: and Moses
      2. Y’Shua =  יֵשׁ֡וּעַ — Yod-Shin-Vav-Hayin
         1. In the Tanakh, it is usually translated in English as “Jeshua”.
            1. Ezra 2:2
               HEB: עִם־ זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל יֵשׁ֡וּעַ נְ֠חֶמְיָה שְׂרָיָ֨ה
               KJV: with Zerubbabel: Jeshua (#3442), Nehemiah,
               1. H3442. – “Yeshua; Jeshua”.
                  1. Word Origin: A shortened form of the Hebrew name יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yehoshua), which means “YHWH is salvation.”
                  2. Corresponding Greek Entries: – G2424 (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The Greek equivalent of Yeshua, used in the New Testament to refer to Jesus Christ.
      3. The translators of the Tanakh used the same Greek word in the LXX to translate Joshua and Jeshua; it is also the same word used to translate Jesus in the Apostolic scriptures.
         1. “Then Moses set out with Joshua (Ιησους), his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God” (Exo. 24:13 LXX).
         2. “These came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua (Ιησους), Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel” (Ezra 2:2 LXX).
         3. “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus (Ιησους), for he will save his people from their sins” (Mat. 1:21).

KEY POINT:

The original languages of Hebrew and Greek in the biblical record are consistent with conveying the idea that Yehoshua, Joshua, Jeshua, Yeshua, and Jesus are all the same names.

1. So, how did our English Bibles end up with the name Jesus (and not Joshua)? 
   1. The Latin form of the Greek name, “Iesus (Ee-Aye-Soos)”, was used in the Vulgate, the standard Latin Bible, which was the primary Bible used in Western Europe for centuries.
   2. As English translations of the Bible began to appear, “Iesus” was transliterated into “Jesus”.
   3. The first English translations of the Bible, like the Tyndale Bible, which appeared in the 16th century, used the name “Jesus”.

KEY POINT:

The predominance of certain languages – first, Latin and later, English – is the primary reason why most people know the Messiah as Jesus and not Yeshua or Joshua.

1. The question we hate to even ask is, “So, by what name should we refer to Messiah?”
   1. Our primary job as Believers is to know Yeshua personally, regardless of what Name we use to refer to Him.
   2. Like all sound teaching, our goal is clear.
      1. “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim.1:5).
   3. Over-emphasizing and/or discouraging the use of a particular name places undue importance on Messiah “in the flesh”, which scripture tells us not to do.
      1. “Therefore, from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Messiah according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer” (2 Cor. 5:16).
   4. The Cord community will not encourage or discourage the use of any particular name but rather the fervent pursuit of the One to whom it belongs.
      1. “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8).
2. Scripture provides a record to answer this question for us.
   1. The 1st-century Jewish baby born in Bethlehem during Sukkot was named after Joshua and given a Hebrew name that was most likely pronounced, “Yeshua”.
   2. The name by which Messiah is most commonly known today is an evolution of Greek to Latin to English that occurred approximately sixteen centuries after His birth.

KEY POINT:

While we know what the Savior’s name was, what each of us decide to call Him is a personal decision. 

Does anyone have specific questions or need any clarification from what was said during the Summary or Exhortation?

Application & Discussion
Living the Word and following Yeshua (Acts 2:37; Romans 2:13)
Questions, input, and sharpening (Proverbs 27:17; Luke 2:46)

Romans 2:13 For it isn’t the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before Elohim, but the doers of the Torah will be justified.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

1. 1. What questions or comments came up during your family’s discussion of this week’s study?
   2. “What other related Scriptures did you find during your study of this week’s portion?”
   3. Have you ever experienced something from this study or something related to it?
   4. “What changes do you need to make in your life to align with what you learned during this week’s Torah Study?”

Additional Study Notes