• Torah (T): Shemot (Exodus) 30:11-38
• Prophets (P): 2 Kings 12:1-16
• Apostolic (A): 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 16:24-29

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Numbers 1:1-4; Numbers 26:1-4 (T)
• 2 Samuel 24:1-10; 1 Chronicles 21:1-8 (T)
• Matthew 17:24-27 (T)
• Leviticus 27:1-8 (T)
• Matthew 20:23-28; Mark 10:39-45 (T)
• 1 Timothy 2:5-7 (T)
• 1 Peter 1:1-25 (T)
• Psalms 26:6-8 (T)
• Psalms 89:19-37 (T)
• Psalms 133:1-3 (T)
• Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:37-38 (T)
• 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; 1 John 2:20-29 (T)
• Mark 6:7-13 (T)
• Luke 7:36-50 (T)
• Ya’aqov (James) 5:12-16 (T)
• Matthew 23:16-22 (T)
• Matthew 7:6 (T)
• Colossians 4:1-6 (T)
• Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4 (P)
• Psalms 112:9 (A)
• Isaiah 55:10-11 (A)

RELATED ADDITIONAL READINGS

• Jubilees 3:26-31 (T)
• Ordinances 4Q159 Fragment 1 Column 2 (T)
• Exodus 30:11-38 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 3.8.2-3 (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)

18:1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, the father-in-law of Moses, heard of all that Elohim had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how YHWH had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, received Zipporah, the wife of Moses, after he had sent her away, 3 and her two sons. The name of one son was Gershom, for Moses said, “I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land”. 4 The name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, “The Elohim of my father was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” 5 Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, came with the sons of Moses and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the Mountain of Elohim. 6 He said to Moses, “[Look, Jethro, your father-in-law],^{(DSS)(LXX)(SP)} has come to you with your wife, and her two sons with her.” 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that YHWH had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for the sake of Israel, all the hardships that had come on them on the way, and how YHWH delivered them. 9 Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which YHWH had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians [and out of the hand of Pharaoh].^(LXX)(Syr) 10 Jethro said, “Blessed be YHWH, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that YHWH is greater than all elohim because of the way that they treated people arrogantly.” 12 Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, took a burnt offering and slaughters for Elohim. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with the father-in-law of Moses before Elohim. 13 On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from the morning to the evening. 14 When the father-in-law of Moses saw all that he did to the people, he said, “What is this thing that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?” 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of Elohim. 16 When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of Elohim, and his Torot.” 17 The father-in-law of Moses said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone. 19 Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and Elohim be with you. You represent the people before Elohim, and bring the causes to Elohim. 20 You shall teach them the statutes [of Elohim]^(LXX) and the Torot, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover you shall provide [for yourself]^(LXX)(SP) out of all the people able men which fear Elohim: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you. 23 If you will do this thing, and Elohim commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. 27 Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.

Prophets Portion (P)

12:1 Jehoash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Be’ersheba. 2 Jehoash did that which was right in the eyes of YHWH all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 However, the high places were not taken away. The people still slaughtered and burned incense in the high places. 4 Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the holy that is brought into the house of YHWH, in current money, the money of the people for whom each man is evaluated, and all the money that it comes into any man’s heart to bring into the house of YHWH, 5 let the priests take it to them, each man from his donor; and they will repair the damage to the house, wherever any damage is found.” 6 But it was so, that in the twenty-third year of King Jehoash the priests had not repaired the damage to the house. 7 Then King Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and for the other priests, and said to them, “Why aren’t you repairing the damage to the house? Now therefore take no more money from your treasurers, but deliver it for repair of the damage to the house.” 8 The priests consented that they should take no more money from the people, and not repair the damage to the house. 9 But Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of YHWH; and the priests who kept the threshold put all the money that was brought into the house of YHWH into it. 10 When they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king’s scribe and the high priest came up, and they put it in bags and counted the money that was found in the house of YHWH. 11 They gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of YHWH; and they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the house of YHWH, 12 and to the masons and the stone cutters, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the damage to the house of YHWH, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it. 13 But there were not made for the house of YHWH cups of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of YHWH; 14 for they gave that to those who did the work, and repaired the house of YHWH with it. 15 Moreover they didn’t demand an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to give to those who did the work; for they dealt faithfully. 16 The money for the trespass offerings and the money for the sin offerings was not brought into the house of YHWH. It was the priests’.

Apostolic Portion (A)

9:6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for Elohim loves a cheerful giver. 8 And Elohim is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the needy. His righteousness remains forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to Elohim through us.

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.

16:24 And morning and evening he burnt fragrant substances, frankincense and galbanum, and stackte, and nard, and myrrh, and spice, and costum; all these seven he offered, crushed, mixed together in equal parts (and) pure. 25. And he celebrated this feast during seven days, rejoicing with all his heart and with all his soul, he and all those who were in his house, and there was no stranger with him, nor any that was uncircumcised. 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. 28. And we blessed him for ever, and all his seed after him throughout all the generations of the land, because he celebrated this festival in its season, according to the witness of the heavenly tablets. 29. For this reason it is ordained on the heavenly tablets concerning Israel, that they will celebrate the feast of tabernacles seven days with joy, in the seventh new moon, acceptable before the Lord – a statute for ever throughout their generations every year.

Related Scriptures

Numbers 1:1 YHWH spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Appointed Tent, on the first day of the second new moon, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “Lift up the heads of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one, 3 from a son of twenty years and upward, all who are able to go out to war in Israel. You and Aaron will count them by their divisions. 4 With you there will be a man of every tribe, each one head of his fathers’ house.

Numbers 26:1 After the plague, YHWH spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2 “Lift up the heads of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go out to war in Israel.” 3 Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4 “from a son of twenty years and upward, as YHWH commanded Moses and the sons of Israel.” These are those who came out of the land of Egypt.

2 Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, “Go, count Israel and Judah.” 2 The king said to Joab the captain of the army, who was with him, “Now go back and forth through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Be’ersheba, and count the people, that I may know the sum of the people.” 3 Joab said to the king, “Now may YHWH your Elohim add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?” 4 Notwithstanding, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Joab and the captains of the army went out from the face of the king to count the people of Israel. 5 They passed over the Jordan and encamped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and to Jazer; 6 then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; and they came to Dan Jaan and around to Sidon, 7 and came to the stronghold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites and of the Canaanites; and they went out to the south of Judah, at Be’ersheba. 8 So when they had gone back and forth through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine new moons and twenty days. 9 Joab gave up the sum of the counting of the people to the king; and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. 10 David’s heart struck him after he had counted the people. David said to YHWH, “I have sinned greatly in that which I have done. But now, YHWH, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.”

1 Chronicles 21:1 An adversary stood up against Israel (cf. 1 Kings 11:14; 1 Kings 11:23; 1 Kings 11:25), and moved David to reckon of Israel. 2 David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, count Israel from Be’ersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know how many there are.” 3 Joab said, “May YHWH make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?” 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, then came to Jerusalem. 5 Joab gave the number of the reckoning of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew a sword; and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew a sword. 6 But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. 7 Elohim was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel. 8 David said to Elohim, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

17:24 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, Shimon? From whom do the kings of the land 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.”

27:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man performs a vow, by your valuation of souls unto YHWH, 3 your valuation of a male from twenty years old to sixty years old will be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 4 If she is a female, then your valuation will be thirty shekels. 5 If the person is from five years old to twenty years old, then your valuation will be for a male twenty shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 6 If the person is from a new moon old to five years old, then your valuation will be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a female your valuation will be three shekels of silver. 7 If the person is from sixty years old and upward; if he is a male, then your valuation will be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 8 But if he is low [in poverty] from your valuation, then he will be set before the priest, and the priest will assign a value to him. The priest will assign a value according to that which the hand of him who is vowing does reach.

Matthew 20:23 He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be immersed with the immersion that I am immersed with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give, but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Yeshua summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It will not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you will be your servant. 27 Whoever desires to be first among you will be your bondservant, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:39 They said to him, “We are able.” Yeshua said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you will be immersed with the immersion that I am immersed with; 40 but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward Jacob and John. 42 Yeshua summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it will not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant. 44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you will be bondservant of all. 45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

2:5 For there is one Elohim and one mediator between Elohim and men, the man Messiah Yeshua, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the witness at the proper time, 7 to which I was appointed a proclaimer and an emissary—I am telling the truth in Messiah, not lying—a teacher of the Nations in faith and truth.

1:1 Peter, an emissary of Yeshua the Messiah, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Diaspora in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of Elohim the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Yeshua the Messiah and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah from the dead, 4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 5 who by the power of Elohim are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah— 8 whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, 9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently. They prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Messiah which was in them pointed to when he predicted the sufferings of Messiah and the glories that would follow them. 12 To them it was revealed that they served not themselves, but you, in these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from the heavens; which things angels desire to look into. 13 Therefore gird up the hips of your mind. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah— 14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former coveting as in your ignorance, 15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, 16 because it is written, “You will be holy, for I am holy.” 17 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear, 18 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Messiah, 20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake, 21 who through him are believers in Elohim, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in Elohim. 22 Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of Elohim, which lives and remains forever. 24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; 25 but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.

26:6 I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, YHWH, 7 that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard and tell of all your wondrous deeds. 8 YHWH, I love the habitation of your house, the place where your glory dwells.

89:19 Then you spoke in vision to your holy ones, and said, “I have given strength to the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people. 20 I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil, 21 with whom my hand will be established. My arm will also strengthen him. 22 No enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him. 23 I will beat down his adversaries before him, and strike those who hate him. 24 But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn will be exalted. 25 I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers. 26 He will call to me, ‘You are my Father, my Elohim, and the rock of my salvation!’ 27 I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the land. 28 I will guard my loving kindness for him forever more. My covenant will stand firm with him. 29 I will also make his seed endure forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens. 30 If his children forsake my law, and don’t walk in my ordinances; 31 if they break my statutes, and don’t guard my commandments; 32 then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33 But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail. 34 I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered. 35 Once I have sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. 36 His seed will endure forever, his throne like the sun before me. 37 It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the heavens.”

133:1 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down on the edge of his robes, 3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion; for there YHWH gives the blessing, even life forever more.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of [the Lord]^(DSS)(LXX) YHWH is on me, because [he]^(LXX)  has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and [recovering of sight to the blind]^(DSS)(LXX)

*The Masoretic text reads, “release to those who are bound”, however, both the Septuagint (LXX) and Dead Sea Scrolls from 250 B.C. and earlier read, “recovery of sight to the blind,” and matches Luke’s quotation of this verse in Luke 4:18.

Acts 10:37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the immersion which John preached; 38 how Elohim anointed Yeshua of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with him.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For however many are the promises of Elohim, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of Elohim through us. 21 Now he who establishes us with you in Messiah and anointed us is Elohim, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

1 John 2:20 You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all. 21 I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Yeshua is the Messiah? This is the Anti-messiah, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father. 25 This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him. 28 Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

6:7 He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, 9 but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a witness against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them.

7:36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table. 37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.” 40 Yeshua answered him, “Shimon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Rabbi, say on.” 41 “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?” 43 Shimon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning to the woman, he said to Shimon, “Do you see this wife? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48 He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

5:12 But above all things, my brothers, don’t swear— not by the heavens, or by the land, or by any other oath; but let your “yes” be “yes”, and your “no”, “no”, so that you don’t fall into hypocrisy. 13 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. 14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

23:16 “Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’ 17  You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18  And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?’ 19  You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20  He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it. 21  He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it. 22  He who swears by the heavens, swears by the throne of Elohim and by him who sits on it.

7:6 Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens. 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying together for us also, that Elohim may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Messiah, for which I am also in bonds, 4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Mark 12:41 Yeshua sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. 42 A poor widow came and she cast in two small lepta coins, which equal a quadrans coin. 43 He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Amen, amen, I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, 44 for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”

Luke 21:1 He looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small lepta coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, 4  for all these put in gifts for Elohim from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”

112:9 He has dispersed, he has given to the needy. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.

55:10 For as the rain comes down and the snow from the heavens, and doesn’t return there, but waters the land, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

Related Additional Readings​

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.

Jubilees 3:26 And He made for them coats of skin, and clothed them, and sent them forth from the Garden of Eden. 27. And on that day on which Adam went forth from the Garden, he offered as a sweet savour an offering, frankincense, galbanum, and stacte, and spices in the morning with the rising of the sun from the day when he covered his shame. 28. And on that day was closed the mouth of all beasts, and of cattle, and of birds, and of whatever walks, and of whatever moves, so that they could no longer speak: for they had all spoken one with another with one lip and with one tongue. 29. And He sent out of the Garden of Eden all flesh that was in the Garden of Eden, and all flesh was scattered according to its kinds, and according to its types unto the places which had been created for them. 30. And to Adam alone did He give (the wherewithal) to cover his shame, of all the beasts and cattle. 31. On this account, it is prescribed on the heavenly tablets as touching all those who know the judgment of the law, that they should cover their shame, and should not uncover themselves as the Nations uncover themselves.

“…the legislation contained in 4Q159 was not intended as a simple repetition of already known biblical law, but as an affirmation of specific biblical laws being interpreted in a new way. Despite the fact that STRUGNELL objects to ALLEGRO’s title, “Ordinances”, as being too modern, ALLEGRO has correctly perceived that the legislative material in 4Q159 was intended for practical observance by the authors’ audience. Even the more traditional title, “halakhah”), would have its drawbacks, and would be applied to 4Q159 only if one were to understand that the regulations in this text antedate the more codified rabbinic “halakhah” and that, however much the legislation in 4Q159 may have essentially had the force of halakhah it is still not, technically speaking, a collection of halakhot.” – 4Q159: Legislation For an Essene Community Outside of Qumran? by Francis D. Weinert

[… concern]ing [the Ransom:] the money of the valuation which a man gives as ransom for his life will be half [a shekel in accordance with the shekel of the sanctuary]. He will give it only o[nce] in his life. A shekel is twenty gerahs in accordance with [the shekel of the sanctuary]. For the six hundr[e]d thousand, one hundred talents; for the third (i.e., three thousand), half a talent, (which is thirty minas; for the five hundred, five minas]; ‘and for the fifty, one half a mi[n]a, [which is twenty-] five shekels. The total [is six thousand thirty-five and one half of a] mina. [… me]n for ten minas; […] [… fi]ve shekels of silver are a tenth of a [mina…] [… the shekel is equivalent to twenty gerahs in accordance with the shekel of the sanctuary. A hal[f of a shekel is twelve meahs and two zuzim …]

The above excerpt is from Wise, Michael Owen, et al. The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.

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.).

3.8.2. Now Moses commanded them to make use of all the utensils which were more than were necessary to the structure of the tabernacle, for covering the tabernacle itself, the candlestick, and altar of incense, and the other vessels, that they might not be at all hurt when they journeyed, either by the rain, or by the rising of the dust. And when he had gathered the multitude together again, he ordained that they should offer half a shekel for every man, as an oblation to Elohim; which shekel is a piece among the Hebrews, and is equal to four Athenian drachmae. Whereupon they readily obeyed what Moses had commanded; and the number of the offerers was six hundred and five thousand five hundred and fifty. Now this money that was brought by the men that were free, was given by such as were about twenty years old, but under fifty; and what was collected was spent in the uses of the tabernacle.

3.8.3. Moses now purified the tabernacle and the priests; which purification was performed after the following manner:—He commanded them to take five hundred shekels of choice myrrh, an equal quantity of cassia, and half the foregoing weight of cinnamon and calamus [this last is a sort of sweet spice]; to beat them small, and wet them with an bin of oil of olives [an hin is our own country measure, and contains two Athenian choas, or congiuses]; then mix them together, and boil them, and prepare them after the art of the apothecary, and make them into a very sweet ointment; and afterward to take it to anoint and to purify the priests themselves, and all the tabernacle, as also the slaughters. There were also many, and those of various kinds, of sweet spices, that belonged to the tabernacle, and such as were of very great price, and were brought to the golden altar of incense; the nature of which I do not now describe, lest it should be troublesome to my readers; but incense was to be offered twice a-day, both before sun-rising and at sun-setting. They were also to keep oil already purified for the lamps; three of which were to give light all day long, upon the sacred candlestick, before Elohim, and the rest were to be lighted at the evening.