• Torah (T): Shemot (Exodus) 31:1 – 32:14
• Prophets (P): Ezekiel 20:1-17
• Apostolic (A): Acts 7:37-56
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 1:1-15

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• 1 Chronicles 2:18-20 (T)
• 1 Kings 7:13-14 (T)
• John 7:39 (T)
• Matthew 10:28 (T)
• Leviticus 19:1-4 (T)
• Jeremiah 17:21-27 (T)
• Ezekiel 20:10-25 (T)
• Exodus 35:1-3 (T)
• Numbers 15:27-36 (T)
• Genesis 1:31 – 2:3 (T)
• Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15  (T)
• Exodus 23:12 (T)
• Hebrews 4:1-11 (T)
• Exodus 24:12-18; 32:16; 34:28 (T)
• Deuteronomy 9:7-21 (T)
• Nehemiah 9:13-19 (T)
• Psalms 106:19-23 (T)
• Romans 1:18-32 (T)
• Acts 7:37-56 (T)
• 1 Corinthians 10:1-7 (T)
• Genesis 26:6-9 (T)
• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (T)
• 1 Kings 12:19-31 (T)
• Jeremiah 15:1-3 (T)
• Hosea 13:1-16 (T, H)
• Leviticus 18:1-5; Romans 10:1-5; Galatians 3:10-12 (P)
• Psalms 110:1 (A)
• Hebrews 8:1-5 (A)
• Romans 6:1-23 (A)

RELATED ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Jubilees 3:8-14 (T)
• 1 Maccabees 1:41-49 (T)
• Baruch (Letter of Jeremiah) 6:1-58 (T)
• Exodus 31:1 – 32:14 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 3.5.7-8 (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

Torah Portion (T)

19:1 In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3 Moses went up to Elohim, and YHWH called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed hear in my voice and guard my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the land is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a [royal priesthood]^{(LXX)(cf. 1 Peter 2:9)} and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” 7 Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which [Elohim]^(LXX) commanded him. 8 All the people answered together, and said, “All that [Elohim]^(LXX) has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to [Elohim].^(LXX) 9 YHWH said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to YHWH. 10 YHWH said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 and be ready for the third day; for on the third day YHWH will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don't go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.' When the [yovel] sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don't have sexual relations with a woman.” 16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud shophar; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet Elohim; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai smoked, because [Elohim]^(LXX) descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 When the voice of the shofar grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and [the elohim]^(MTT) answered him by a voice. 20 YHWH came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. YHWH called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 [Elohim]^(LXX) said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to [Elohim]^(LXX) to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Let the priests also, who come near to [Elohim],^(LXX) sanctify themselves, lest YHWH break out on them.” 23 Moses said to [Elohim],^(LXX) “The people can't come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.' ” 24 YHWH said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don't let the priests and the people break through to come up to [Elohim],^(LXX) lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people, and told them.

Prophets Portion (P)

20:1 In the seventh year, in the fifth new moon, the tenth day of the new moon, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of YHWH, and sat before me. 2 the word of YHWH came to me, saying, 3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, ‘The Lord YHWH says: “Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live,” says the Lord YHWH, “I will not be inquired of by you.”’ 4 “Will you judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers. 5 Tell them, ‘The Lord YHWH says: “In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, ‘I am YHWH your Elohim;’ 6 in that day I swore to them to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands. 7 I said to them, ‘Each of you throw away the abominations of his eyes. Don’t defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am YHWH your Elohim.’ 8 “‘“But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me. They didn’t all throw away the abominations of their eyes. They also didn’t forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the middle of the land of Egypt. 9 But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them out of the land of Egypt. 10 So I caused them to go out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. 11 I gave them my statutes, and showed them my judgments, which if a man does, he will live in them. 12 Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am YHWH who sanctifies them. 13 “‘“But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They didn’t walk in my statutes, and they rejected my judgments, which if a man does, he will live in them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them. 14 But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out. 15 Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [to them],^(mss)(LXX) flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands; 16 because they rejected my judgments, and didn’t walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols. 17 Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn’t destroy them. I didn’t make a full end of them in the wilderness.

Apostolic Portion (A)

Additional Portion (ADD)

Between 1947 and 1956 approximately 15 Jubilees scrolls were found in five caves at Qumran, all written in Hebrew. The large number of manuscripts (more than for any biblical books except for Psalms, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Exodus, and Genesis, in descending order) indicates that Jubilees was widely used at Qumran. A comparison of the Qumran texts with the Ethiopic version, performed by James VanderKam, found that the Ethiopic was in most respects an accurate and literalistic translation. Scholars have dated Jubilees to have been written sometime around 160-150 B.C.

1:1 And it came to pass in the first year of the exodus of the sons of Israel out of Egypt, in the third new moon, on the sixteenth day of the new moon [2450 A.M.], that Elohim spake to Moses, saying: “Come up to Me on the Mount, and I will give thee two tables of stone of the law and of the commandment, which I have written, that thou mayst teach them.” 2. And Moses went up into the mount of Elohim, and the glory of YHWH abode on Mount Sinai, and a cloud overshadowed it six days. 3. And He called to Moses on the seventh day out of the midst of the cloud, and the appearance of the glory of YHWH was like a flaming fire on the top of the Mount. 4. And Moses was on the Mount forty days and forty nights, and Elohim taught him the earlier and the later history of the division of all the days of the law and of the witness. 5. And He said: “Incline thine heart to every word which I will speak to thee on this Mount, and write them in a book in order that their generations may see how I have not forsaken them for all the evil which they have wrought in transgressing the covenant which I establish between Me and thee for their generations this day on Mount Sinai. 6. And thus it will come to pass when all these things come upon them, that they will recognize that I am more righteous than they in all their judgments and in all their actions, and they will recognize that I have been truly with them. 7. And do thou write for thyself all these words which I declare unto thee this day, for I know their rebellion and their stiff neck, before I bring them into the land of which I sware to their fathers, to Abraham and to Isaac and to Jacob, saying: “Unto your seed will I give a land flowing with milk and honey. 8. And they will eat and be satisfied, and they will turn to strange elohim, to (elohim) which cannot deliver them from aught of their tribulation: “and this witness will be heard for a witness against them. 9. For they will forget all My commandments, (even) all that I command them, and they will walk after the Nations, and after their uncleanness, and after their shame, and will serve their elohim, and these will prove unto them an offence and a tribulation and an affliction and a snare. 10. And many will perish and they will be taken captive, and will fall into the hands of the enemy, because they have forsaken My judgments and My commandments, and the festivals of My covenant, and My sabbaths, and My holy place which I have hallowed for Myself in their midst, and My tabernacle, and My sanctuary, which I have hallowed for Myself in the midst of the land, that I should set My name upon it, and that it should dwell (there). 11. And they will make to themselves high places and groves and graven images, and they will worship, each his own (graven image), so as to go astray, and they will slaughter their children to demons, and to all the works of the error of their hearts. 12. And I will send witnesses unto them, that I may witness against them, but they will not hear, and will slay the witnesses also, and they will persecute those who seek the law, and they will abrogate and change everything so as to work evil before My eyes. 13. And I will hide My face from them, and I will deliver them into the hand of the Nations for captivity, and for a prey, and for devouring, and I will remove them from the midst of the land, and I will scatter them amongst the Nations. 14. And they will forget all My law and all My commandments and all My judgments, and will go astray as to new moons, and sabbaths, and festivals, and jubilees, and ordinances. 15. And after this they will turn to Me from amongst the Nations with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength, and I will gather them from amongst all the Nations, and they will seek Me, so that I will be found of them, when they seek Me with all their heart and with all their soul.

Related Scriptures

2:18 Caleb the son of Hezron became the father of children by Azubah his wife, and by Jerioth; and these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. 19 Azubah died, and Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. 20 Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel.

7:13 King Solomon sent and brought Hiram out of Tyre. 14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill to work all works in bronze. He came to king Solomon and performed all his work.

John 7:39 (T)

7:39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Yeshua wasn’t yet glorified.

Matthew 10:28 (T)

10:28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehinnom.

19:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and tell them, ‘You will be holy; for I, YHWH your Elohim, am holy. 3 Each one of you will respect his mother and his father. You will guard my Sabbaths. I am YHWH your Elohim. 4 Don’t turn to idols, nor make molten elohim for yourselves. I am YHWH your Elohim.

17:21 YHWH says, “Be careful, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. 22 Don’t carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day. Don’t do any work, but make the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. 23 But they didn’t listen. They didn’t turn their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction. 24 It will happen, if you diligently listen to me,” says YHWH, “to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but to make the Sabbath day holy, to do no work therein; 25 then there will enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on David’s throne, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city will remain forever. 26 They will come from the cities of Judah, and from the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country, and from the South, bringing burnt offerings, slaughters, grain offerings, and frankincense, and bringing slaughters of thanksgiving to the house of YHWH. 27 But if you will not listen to me to make the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem. It will not be quenched.”

20:10 So I caused them to go out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. 11 I gave them my statutes and showed them my judgments, which if a man does, he will live in them. 12 Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am YHWH who sanctifies them. 13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They didn’t walk in my statutes and they rejected my judgments, which if a man does, he will live in them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them. 14 But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out. 15 Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands, 16 because they rejected my judgments, and didn’t walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols. 17 Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn’t destroy them. I didn’t make a full end of them in the wilderness. 18 I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Don’t walk in the statutes of your fathers. Don’t observe their judgments or defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am YHWH your Elohim. Walk in my statutes, guard my judgments, and do them. 20 Make my Sabbaths holy. They will be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am YHWH your Elohim.’ 21 But the children rebelled against me. They didn’t walk in my statutes, and didn’t guard my judgments to do them, which if a man does, he will live in them. They profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness. 22 Nevertheless I withdrew my hand and worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out. 23 Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries, 24 because they had not executed my judgments, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols. 25 Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and judgments in which they couldn’t live.

35:1 Moses assembled all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which YHWH has commanded, that you should do them. 2 ‘Six days will work be done, but on the seventh day there will be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to YHWH: whoever does any work in it will be put to death. 3 You will kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.'”

15:27 If a person sins unwittingly, then he will offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. 28 The priest will make atonement for the soul who errs when he sins unwittingly before YHWH. He will make atonement for him; and he will be forgiven. 29 You will have one Torah for him who does anything unwittingly, for him who is native among the sons of Israel, and for the stranger who sojourns among them. 30 But the soul who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a foreigner, blasphemes YHWH. That soul will be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of YHWH, and has broken his commandment, that soul will be utterly cut off. His iniquity will be on him. 32 While the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him. 35 YHWH said to Moses, “The man will surely be put to death. All the congregation will stone him with stones outside of the camp.” 36 All the congregation brought him outside of the camp, and stoned him to death with stones, as YHWH commanded Moses.

1:31 Elohim saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. 2:1 The heavens, the land, and all their vast array were finished. 2 On the seventh day Elohim finished his work which he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. 3 Elohim blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.

Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart. 9 You will labor six days, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to YHWH your Elohim. You will not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your maid, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; 11 for in six days YHWH made the heavens and land, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.

Deuteronomy 5:12 Guard the Sabbath day, to set it apart, as YHWH your Elohim commanded you. 13 You will labor six days, and do all your work; 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to YHWH your Elohim, in which you will not do any work— neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your maid, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your maid may rest as well as you. 15 You will remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and YHWH your Elohim brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore YHWH your Elohim commanded you to do the Sabbath day.

23:12 “Six days you will do your work, and on the seventh day you will rest, that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant, and the sojourner may be refreshed.

3:1 If then you were raised together with Messiah, seek the things that are above, where Messiah is, seated on the right hand of Elohim. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the land. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in Elohim. 4 When Messiah, [your]^(mss) life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the land: whoring, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6. For these things’ sake the wrath of Elohim comes.^(mss) 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them, 8 but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

4:1 Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard. 3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “Elohim rested on the seventh day from all his works;” 5 and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.” 6 Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again defines a certain day, “today”, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of Elohim. 10 For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as Elohim did from his. 11 Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

Exodus 24:12 YHWH said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the stone tablets, and the Torah, and the Command that I have written, that you may teach them.” 13 Moses rose up with Joshua, his minister, and Moses went up onto Elohim’s Mountain. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us, until we come again to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever is involved in a dispute can go to them.” 15 Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 the glory of YHWH settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud. 17 The appearance of the glory of YHWH was like consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the sons of Israel. 18 Moses entered into the middle of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 32:15 Moses turned, and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand; tablets that were written on both their sides. They were written on one side and on the other. 16 The tablets were the work of Elohim, and the writing was the writing of Elohim, engraved on the tablets.

Exodus 34:28 He was there with YHWH forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread, nor drank water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

9:7 Remember, and don’t forget, how you provoked YHWH your Elohim to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you left the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against YHWH. 8 Also in Horeb you provoked YHWH to wrath, and YHWH was angry with you to destroy you. 9 When I had gone up onto the mountain to receive the stone tablets, even the tablets of the covenant which YHWH made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water. 10 YHWH delivered to me the two stone tablets written with Elohim’s finger. On them were all the words which YHWH spoke with you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly. 11 It came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights that YHWH gave me the two stone tablets, even the tablets of the covenant. 12 YHWH said to me, “Arise, get down quickly from here; for your people whom you have brought out of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned away from the way which I commanded them. They have made a molten image for themselves!” 13 Furthermore YHWH spoke to me, saying, “I have seen these people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people. 14 Leave me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under the heavens; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.” 15 So I turned and came down from the mountain, and the mountain was burning with fire. The two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands. 16 I looked, and behold, you had sinned against YHWH your Elohim. You had made yourselves a molded calf. You had quickly turned away from the way which YHWH had commanded you. 17 I took hold of the two tablets, and threw them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes. 18 I fell down before YHWH, as at the first, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you sinned, in doing that which was evil in the sight of YHWH, to provoke him to anger. 19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which YHWH was angry against you to destroy you. But YHWH listened to me that time also. 20 YHWH was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him. I prayed for Aaron also at the same time. 21 I took your sin, the calf which you had made, and burned it with fire, and crushed it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust. I threw its dust into the brook that descended out of the mountain.

9:13 “You also came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from the heavens, and gave them right judgments and Torah of truth (teachings of truth), good statutes and commandments, 14 and made known to them your holy Sabbath, and commanded them commandments, statutes, and a Torah, by Moses your servant, 15 and gave them bread from the heavens for their hunger, and brought water out of the rock for them for their thirst, and commanded them that they should go in to possess the land which you had sworn to give them. 16 “But they and our fathers behaved proudly, hardened their neck, didn’t listen to your commandments, 17 and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are an Elohim ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them. 18 Yes, when they had made themselves a molded calf, and said, ‘This is your Elohim who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed awful blasphemies, 19 yet you in your manifold mercies didn’t forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud didn’t depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither did the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way in which they should go.

106:19 They made a calf in Horeb, and did bow down to a molten image. 20 Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass. 21 They forgot Elohim, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, 22 wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Sea of Reeds. 23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he wouldn’t destroy them.

1:18 For the wrath of Elohim is revealed from the heavens against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known of Elohim is revealed in them, for Elohim revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse. 21 Because knowing Elohim, they didn’t glorify him as Elohim, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible Elohim for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things. 24 Therefore Elohim also gave them up in the coveting of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves; 25 who exchanged the truth of Elohim for a lie, and did bow down to and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason, Elohim gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their coveting toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 28 Even as they refused to have Elohim in their knowledge, Elohim gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, whoring, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 30 backbiters, hateful to Elohim, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the ordinance of Elohim, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

10:1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all immersed into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Messiah. 5 However with most of them, Elohim was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not covet after evil things as they also coveted. 7 Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

26:6 Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife”, lest, he thought, “the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at.” 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was playing with Rebekah, his wife. 9 Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister?’ ”

6:14 Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What agreement does Messiah have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement does a temple of Elohim have with idols? For you are a temple of the living Elohim. Even as Elohim said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their Elohim and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. 18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

12:19 So Israel rebelled against David’s house to this day. 20 When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed David’s house, except for the tribe of Judah only. 21 When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the reign again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 22 But the word of Elohim came to Shemayah the man of Elohim, saying, 23 “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying, 24 ‘YHWH says, “You will not go up or fight against your brothers, the sons of Israel. Everyone return to his house; for this thing is from me.” ‘ ” So they listened to the word of YHWH, and returned and went their way, according to the word of YHWH. 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived in it; and he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the reign will return to David’s house. 27 If this people goes up to offer slaughters in the house of YHWH at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me, and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold; and he said to them, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Look and behold your elohim, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 29 He set the one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 This thing became a sin, for the people went even as far as Dan to worship before the one there. 31 He made houses of high places, and made priests from among all the people, who were not of the sons of Levi.

15:1 Then YHWH said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not turn toward this people. Cast them out of my sight, and let them go out! 2 It will happen when they ask you, ‘Where will we go out?’ then you will tell them, ‘YHWH says: “Such as are for death, to death; such as are for the sword, to the sword; such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.” ‘ 3 “I will appoint over them four kinds,” says YHWH: “the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, the birds of the heavens, and the animals of the land, to devour and to destroy.

13:1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel, but when he became guilty through Baal, he died. 2 Now they sin more and more, and have made themselves molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen. They say of them, ‘They offer human slaughter and kiss the calves.’ 3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the dew that passes away early, like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor, and like the smoke out of the chimney. 4 “Yet I am YHWH your Elohim from the land of Egypt; and you will acknowledge no elohim but me, and besides me there is no savior. 5 I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. 6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted. Therefore they have forgotten me. 7 Therefore I am like a lion to them. Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path. 8 I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs, and will tear the covering of their heart. There I will devour them like a lioness. The wild animal will tear them. 9 You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your helper. 10 Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’? 11 I have given you a king in my anger, and have taken him away in my wrath. 12 The guilt of Ephraim is stored up. His sin is stored up. 13 The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him. He is an unwise son, for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb. 14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? “Compassion will be hidden from my eyes. 15 Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of YHWH coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure. 16 Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her Elohim. They will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”

Leviticus 18:1-5; Romans 10:1-5; Galatians 3:10-12 (P)

Leviticus 18:1 YHWH said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am YHWH your Elohim. 3 You will not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived. You will not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You will not follow their statutes. 4 You will do my judgments. You will guard my statutes and walk in them. I am YHWH your Elohim. 5 You will therefore guard my statutes and my judgments, which if a man does, he will live in them. I am YHWH [your Elohim].^(LXX)

Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Messiah is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.” (cf. Leviticus 18:5; Ezekiel 20:11)

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the scroll of the Torah, to do them.” (cf. Deuteronomy 27:26) 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.” (cf. Habakkuk 2:4) 12 The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” (cf. Leviticus 18:5; Ezekiel 20:11)

110:1 YHWH says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”

8:1 Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a servant of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and slaughters. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 For if he were on land, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the Torah, 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by Elohim when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you will make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.”

6:1 What will we say then? Will we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were immersed into Messiah Yeshua were immersed into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him through immersion into death, that just as Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; 6 knowing this, that our bearded man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 But if we died with Messiah, we believe that we will also live with him, 9 knowing that Messiah, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him! 10 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to Elohim. 11 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to Elohim in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. 12 Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its coveting. 13 Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to Elohim as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to Elohim. 14 For sin will not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Will we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to Elohim that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered. 18 Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh; for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification. 20 For when you were servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of Elohim, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result of eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of Elohim is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.

Additional Readings​

3:8 In the first week was Adam created, and the rib – his wife: in the second week He showed her unto him: and for this reason the commandment was given to keep in their defilement, for a male seven days, and for a female twice seven days. 9. And after Adam had completed forty days in the land where he had been created, we brought him into the garden of Eden to till and keep it, but his wife they brought in on the eightieth day, and after this she entered into the garden of Eden. 10. And for this reason the commandment is written on the heavenly tablets in regard to her that gives birth: ‘if she bears a male, she will remain in her uncleanness seven days according to the first week of days, and thirty and three days will she remain in the blood of her purifying, and she will not touch any hallowed thing, nor enter into the sanctuary, until she accomplishes these days which (are enjoined) in the case of a male child (cf. Leviticus 12:1-4). 11. But in the case of a female child she will remain in her uncleanness two weeks of days, according to the first two weeks, and sixty-six days in the blood of her purification, and they will be in all eighty days.’ (cf. Leviticus 12:5-7) 12. And when she had completed these eighty days we brought her into the garden of Eden, for it is holier than all the land besides and every tree that is planted in it is holy. 13. Therefore, there was ordained regarding her who bears a male or a female child the statute of those days that she should touch no hallowed thing, nor enter into the sanctuary until these days for the male or female child are accomplished. 14. This is the law and witness which was written down for Israel, in order that they should observe (it) all the days.

1:41 And king Antiochus wrote to his whole reign, that all should be one people, 42 and that each should forsake his own laws. And all the nations agreed according to the word of the king; 43 and many of Israel consented to his worship, and slaughtered to the idols, and profaned the Sabbath. 44 And the king sent letters by the hand of messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, that they should follow laws strange to the land, 45 and should forbid whole burnt offerings and slaughter and libation offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts, 46 and pollute the sanctuary and those who were holy; 47 that they should build altars, and temples, and shrines for idols, and should slaughter swine’s flesh and unclean beasts: 48 and that they should leave their sons uncircumcised, that they should make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation; 49 so that they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances

The Book of Baruch is named after Baruch ben Neriah, Jeremiah’s well-known scribe, who is mentioned at Baruch 1:1, and has been presumed to be the author of the whole work. The Letter of Jeremiah is a book in the Roman canon appended as a sixth chapter to the book of Baruch. The work is a letter sent by Jeremiah to Jews exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C., but it is not a letter, nor was it written by Jeremiah. It is a polemic against the worship of idols, developed around a verse in The Book of Jeremiah (10:11), stating that false elohim will perish. Possibly composed about 300 B.C. by a Jew living in Babylonia, the text suggests by its intensity that idolatry threatened fidelity to the Elohim of Israel. The author’s primary target was probably the Babylonian deity Tammuz, an agricultural elohim whose cult was associated with orgiastic fertility rites. Although the letter is extant only in Greek, certain linguistic and stylistic elements point to an original composition in Hebrew or Aramaic.

6:1 A copy of a letter, which Jerem[iah] sent to them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of Elohim. 2 Because of the sins which you have committed before Elohim, you will be led away captives to Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians. 3 So when you come to Babylon, you will remain there many years, and for a long season, even for seven generations: and after that I will bring you out peaceably from thence. 4 But now will you see in Babylon elohim of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear. 5 Beware therefore that you in no wise become like to the strangers, neither let fear take hold upon you because of them, when you see the multitude before them and behind them, worshiping them. 6 But say you in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship you. 7 For my angel is with you, and I myself do care for your souls. 8 For their tongue is polished by the workman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and with silver; yet are they but false, and can’t speak. 9 And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loves to be happy, they make crowns for the heads of their elohim: 10 and sometimes also the priests convey from their elohim gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves; 11 and will even give thereof to the common whores: and they deck them as men with garments, even the elohim of silver, and elohim of gold, and of wood. 12 Yet can’t these elohim save themselves from rust and moths, though they be covered with purple raiment. 13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, which is thick upon them. 14 And he that can’t put to death one that offends against him holds a sceptre, as though he were judge of a country. 15 He has also a dagger in his right hand, and an axe: but can’t deliver himself from war and robbers. 16 Whereby they are known not to be elohim: therefore fear them not. 17 For like as a vessel that a man uses is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their elohim: when they be set up in the temples their eyes be full of dust through the feet of those who come in. 18 And as the courts are made sure on every side upon him that offends the king, as being committed to suffer death; even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest they be carried off by robbers. 19 They light them candles, yes, more than for themselves, whereof they can’t see one. 20 They are as one of the beams of the temple; and men say their hearts are eaten out, when things creeping out of the land devour both them and their raiment: they feel it not 21 when their faces are blackened through the smoke that comes out of the temple: 22 bats, swallows, and birds land on their bodies and heads; and in like manner the cats also. 23 Whereby you may know that they are no elohim: therefore fear them not. 24 Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful, except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for not even when they were molten did they feel it. 25 Things wherein there is no breath are bought at any cost. 26 Having no feet, they are borne upon shoulders, whereby they declare to men that they be nothing worth. 27 They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they can’t rise up again of themselves: neither, if they are bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but the offerings are set before them, as if they were dead men. 28 And the things that are slaughtered to them, their priests sell and spend; and in like manner their wives also lay up part thereof in salt; but to the poor and to the impotent they will give nothing thereof. 29 The menstruous woman and the woman in childbed touch their slaughters: knowing therefore by these things that they are no elohim, fear them not. 30 For how can they be called elohim? because women set meat before the elohim of silver, gold, and wood. 31 And in their temples the priests sit on seats, having their clothes tore, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads. 32 They roar and cry before their elohim, as men do at the feast when one is dead. 33 The priests also take off garments from them, and clotheir wives and children withal. 34 Whether it be evil that one does to them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down. 35 In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow to them, and keep it not, they will never exact it. 36 They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty. 37 They can’t restore a blind man to his sight, nor deliver any that is in distress. 38 They can show no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless. 39 They are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain, these elohim of wood, and that are overlaid with gold and with silver: those who minister to them will be confounded. 40 How should a man then think or say that they are elohim, when even the Kasdim themselves dishonor them? 41 Who if they will see one mute that can’t speak, they bring him, and entreat him to call upon Bel, as though he were able to understand. 42 Yet they can’t perceive this themselves, and forsake them: for they have no understanding. 43 The women also with cords about them sit in the ways, burning bran for incense: but if any of them, drawn by some that passes by, lie with him, she reproaches her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken. 44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how should a man then think or say that they are elohim? 45 They are fashioned by carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be. 46 And they themselves that fashioned them can never continue long; how then should the things that are fashioned by them? 47 For they have left lies and reproaches to those who come after. 48 For when there comes any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them. 49 How then can’t men understand that they be no elohim, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague? 50 For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, it will be known hereafter that they are false: 51 and it will be manifest to all nations and kings that they are no elohim, but the works of men’s hands, and that there is no work of Elohim in them. 52 Who then may not know that they are no elohim? 53 For neither can they set up a king in a land, nor give rain to men. 54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor deliver him that is wronged, being unable: for they are as crows between the heavens and land. 55 For even when fire falls upon the house of elohim of wood, or overlaid with gold or with silver, their priests will flee away, and escape, but they themselves will be burned apart like beams. 56 Moreover they can’t withstand any king or enemies: how should a man then allow or think that they be elohim? 57 Neither are those elohim of wood, and overlaid with silver or with gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers. 58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong will take from them, and go away withal: neither will they be able to help themselves.

Josephus was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 AD in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 AD he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession of Nero’s wife, Poppaea, he returned to Jerusalem in 65 AD to find the country in revolt against Rome. Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. He predicted that Vespasian would become the ruler of the ‘entire world’. His prophecy became true in 68 AD when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Rome and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 AD, the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 AD. The extant manuscripts of the book Antiquities of the Jews contain two references to Yeshua of Nazareth (18.3.3. and 20.9.1.) and one reference to the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (18.5.2.).

3.5.7. When matters were brought to this state, Moses went up again to Mount Sinai, of which he had told them beforehand. He made his ascent in their sight; and while he staid there so long a time, [for he was absent from them forty days,] fear seized upon the Hebrews, lest Moses should have come to any harm; nor was there any thing else so sad, and that so much troubled them, as this supposal that Moses was perished. Now there was a variety in their sentiments about it; some saying that he was fallen among wild beasts; and those that were of this opinion were chiefly such as were ill-disposed to him; but others said that he was departed, and gone to Elohim; but the wiser sort were led by their reason to embrace neither of those opinions with any satisfaction, thinking, that as it was a thing that sometimes happens to men to fall among wild beasts and perish that way, so it was probable enough that he might depart and go to Elohim, on account of his virtue; they therefore were quiet, and expected the event: yet were they exceeding sorry upon the supposal that they were deprived of a governor and a protector, such a one indeed as they could never recover again; nor would this suspicion give them leave to expect any comfortable event about this man, nor could they prevent their trouble and melancholy upon this occasion. However, the camp durst not remove all this while, because Moses had bidden them afore to stay there.

3.5.8. But when the forty days, and as many nights, were over, Moses came down, having tasted nothing of food usually appointed for the nourishment of men. His appearance filled the army with gladness, and he declared to them what care Elohim had of them, and by what manner of conduct of their lives they might live happily; telling them, that during these days of his absence he had suggested to him also that he would have a tabernacle built for him, into which he would descend when he came to them, and how we should carry it about with us when we remove from this place; and that there would be no longer any occasion for going up to Mount Sinai, but that he would himself come and pitch his tabernacle amongst us, and be present at our prayers; as also, that the tabernacle should be of such measures and construction as he had shown him, and that you are to fall to the work, and prosecute it diligently. When he had said this, he showed them the two tables, with the ten commandments engraven upon them, five upon each table; and the writing was by the hand of Elohim.