• Torah (T): Wayiqra (Leviticus) 9:1 – 11:47
• Prophets (P): 1 Kings 8:56-58
• Apostolic (A): Mark 7:1-23
• Additional (ADD): Sirach 15:1-20

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Hebrews 7:26-28 (T)
• 1 Kings 18:38-39 (T)
• 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 (T)
• Exodus 30:34-38 (T)
• Numbers 3:1-4, 26:60-61; 1 Chronicles 24:1-2 (T)
• Leviticus 21:10-12 (T)
• Titus 1:1-16 (T)
• Ezekiel 22:23-31 (T)
• 1 Samuel 2:22-36 (T)
• Leviticus 4:5; 6:26; 16:27 (T)
• Genesis 7:1-3; Genesis 8:18-20; Genesis 9:1-4 (T)
• Leviticus 20:22-26 (T)
• Deuteronomy 14:3-20 (T)
• Acts 10:1-28 (T)
• Romans 14:1-26 (T)
• 1 Corinthians 10:19-33 (T)
• Colossians 2:6-23 (T)
• 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (T)
• Hebrews 9:7-12 (T)
• Mark 1:6 (T)
• Leviticus 19:2; 20:7; 1 Peter 1:13-16 (T)
• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (T)
• Ephesians 5:1-11 (T)
• Revelation 18:1-3 (T)
• Revelation 21:1-27 (T)

RELATED ADDITIONAL REA.D.INGS

• Sirach 1:1-30; 17:1-26 (T)
• Prayer of Manasseh 1:1-15 (T)
• 1 Maccabees 1:29-64 (T)
• 2 Maccabees 6:18-31; 7:1-42 (T)
• Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 3.8.6-7 (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)

9:1 On the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; 2 and he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, a perfect one, and bring them before YHWH. 3 You will speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, a perfect one, for a burnt offering; 4 and a bull and a ram for peace offerings, to slaughter before YHWH; and a grain offering mixed with oil: for today YHWH appears to you.’ ” 5 They brought what Moses commanded before the Appointed Tent. All the congregation came near and stood before YHWH. 6 Moses said, “This is the thing which YHWH commanded that you should do; and the glory of YHWH will appear to you.” 7 Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar, and do your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself, and for the people; and do the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as YHWH commanded.” 8 So Aaron came near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar; 10 but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar, as YHWH commanded Moses. 11 The flesh and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp. 12 He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar. 13 They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head. He burned them upon the altar. 14 He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar. 15 He presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first. 16 He presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the judgment. 17 He presented the grain offering, and filled his hand from there, and burned it upon the altar, in addition to the burnt offering of the morning. 18 He also killed the bull and the ram, the slaughter of peace offerings, which was for the people. Aaron’s sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar; 19 and the fat of the bull and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the innards, and the kidneys, and the cover of the liver; 20 and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat on the altar. 21 Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh for a wave offering before YHWH, as Moses commanded. 22 Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings. 23 Moses and Aaron went into the Appointed Tent, and came out, and blessed [the whole congregation];^(DSS) and the glory of YHWH appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from before YHWH, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat [of the peace offering]^(DSS) upon the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

10:1 Nadab and Abihu, the [two]^(DSS)(LXX) sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered [foreign]^(LXX) fire before YHWH, which [YHWH]^(LXX)(DSS) had not commanded them. 2 Fire came out from before YHWH, and devoured them, and they died before YHWH. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what YHWH spoke of, saying, ‘I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” Aaron held his peace. 4 Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Draw near, carry your brothers from before the sanctuary out of the camp.” 5 So they came near, and carried them in their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said. 6 Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons [that were left],^(LXX) “Don’t let the hair of your heads go loose, and don’t tear your clothes, so that you don’t die, and so that he will not be angry with all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which YHWH has kindled. 7 You will not go out the door of the Appointed Tent, lest you die; for the anointing oil of YHWH is on you.” They did according to the word of Moses. 8 Then YHWH said to Aaron, 9 “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink whenever you go into the Appointed Tent [or when you approach the altar],^(LXX) or you will die. This will be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean. 11 You are to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which YHWH has spoken to them by Moses.” 12 Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons who were left, “Take the grain offering that remains of the offerings of YHWH made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar; for it is most holy; 13 and you will eat it in a holy place, because it is your portion, and your sons’ portion, of the offerings of YHWH made by fire; for so I am commanded. 14 The waved breast and the heaved thigh you will eat in a clean place, you, and your sons, and your daughters with you: for they are given as your portion, and your sons’ portion, out of the slaughters of the peace offerings of the sons of Israel. 15 They will bring the heaved thigh and the waved breast with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before YHWH. It will be yours, and your sons’ with you, as a portion forever, as YHWH has commanded.” 16 Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burned. He was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying, 17 “Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is most holy, and he has given it to you [to eat,]^(LXX) to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before YHWH? 18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly should have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.” 19 Aaron spoke to Moses, “Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before YHWH; and such things as these have happened to me. If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in the sight of YHWH?” 20 When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight.

11:1 YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘These are the living things which you may eat among all the animals that are on the land. 3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat. 4 Nevertheless these you will not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those who part the hoof [and divide claws]:^(LXX) the camel, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you. 5 The hyrax, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you. 6 The hare, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you. 7 The pig, because it has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 You will not eat their flesh. You will not touch their carcasses. They are unclean to you. 9 You may eat of all these that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat. 10 All that don’t have fins and scales in the seas and rivers, all that swarm in the waters, and all the living souls that are in the waters, they are detestable to you, 11 and you will detest them. You will not eat of their flesh, and you will detest their carcasses. 12 Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters is detestable to you. 13 You will detest these among the birds; they will not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, [and]^(LXX) any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. 20 All flying that swarm on all fours are detestable to you. 21 Yet you may eat these: of all winged swarmers that go on all fours, which have long, jointed legs for hopping on the land. 22 Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper. 23 But all winged swarmers which have four feet are detestable to you. 24 By these you will become unclean. Whoever touches their carcass will be unclean until the evening. 25 Whoever carries any part of their carcass will wash his clothes [and wash himself in water],^(DSS) and be unclean until the evening. 26 Every animal which parts the hoof and is not cloven-footed or doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them will be unclean. 27 Whatever goes on its paws [or, belly],^(DSS) among all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass will be unclean until the evening. 28 He who carries their carcass will wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. They are unclean to you. 29 These are they which are unclean to you among the swarmers that swarm on the land: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard, 30 the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. 31 These are they which are unclean to you among all that swarm. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean until the evening. 32 Anything they fall on when they are dead will be unclean; whether it is any vessel of wood, or clothing, or skin, or sack, whatever vessel it is, with which any work is done, it must be put into water, and it will be unclean until the evening. Then it will be clean. 33 Every vessel of clay into which any of them falls and all that is in it will be unclean. You will break it. 34 All food which may be eaten which is soaked in water will be unclean. All drink that may be drunk in every such vessel will be unclean. 35 Everything whereupon part of their carcass falls will be unclean; whether oven, or range for pots, it will be broken in pieces. They are unclean, and will be unclean to you. 36 Nevertheless a spring [of water]^(LXX)(SP) or a cistern in which water is gathered will be clean, but that which touches their carcass will be unclean. 37 If part of their carcass falls on any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean. 38 But if water is put on the seed, and part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you. 39 If any animal of which you may eat dies, he who touches its carcass will be unclean until the evening. 40 He who eats of its carcass will wash his clothes, [and bathe himself in water,]^(LXX) and be unclean until the evening. He also who carries its carcass will wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. 41 Every swarmer that swarm on the land is detestable. It will not be eaten. 42 Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all (שֶׁרֶץ sherets) on the land, them you will not eat; for they are detestable. 43 You will not make your souls detestable with any swarmer that swarm. You will not make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled by them. 44 For I am YHWH your Elohim. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I [YHWH your Elohim]^(LXX) am holy. You will not defile your souls with any kind of swarmer that creeps on the land. 45 For I am YHWH who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim. You will therefore be holy, for I am holy. 46 This is the Torah of the animal, and of the bird, and of every living that creeps in the waters, and of every soul that swarms on the land, 47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living that may be eaten and the living that may not be eaten.’ ”

Prophets Portion (P)

8:56 “Blessed be YHWH, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant. 57 May YHWH our Elohim be with us as he was with our fathers. Let him not leave us or forsake us, 58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to guard his commandments, his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

Apostolic Portion (A)

7:1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with common, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches. 5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?” 6 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 “For you set aside the commandment of Elohim, and hold tightly to the tradition of men.” the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.^(mss) 9 He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of Elohim, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ (cf. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ (cf. Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 20:9) 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban,” ‘ ” that is to say, a gift, 12 “then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making void the word of Elohim by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.” 14 He called [again]^(mss) the multitude to himself and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 There is nothing from outside of the man that going into him can make him common; but the things which proceed out of the man those^(mss) are what make the man common. 16 [… …] 17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 He said to them, “Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t make him common, 19 because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine? [… …]” 20 He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that makes him common. 21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, covetous desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and make the man common.”

Additional Portion (ADD)

15:1 He who fears the Lord will do this. He who has possession of the law will obtain her. 2 She will meet him like a mother, and receive him like a woman married in her virginity. 3 She will feed him with bread of understanding and give him water of wisdom to drink. 4 He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved. He will rely upon her, and will not be confounded. 5 She will exalt him above his neighbors. She will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation. 6 He will inherit joy, a crown of gladness, and an everlasting name. 7 Foolish men will not obtain her. Sinners will not see her. 8 She is far from pride. Liars will not remember her. 9 Praise is not attractive in the mouth of a sinner; for it was not sent to him from the Lord. 10 For praise will be spoken in wisdom; The Lord will prosper it. 11 Don’t say, “It is through the Lord that I fell away;” for you will not do the things that he hates. 12 Don’t say, “It is he that caused me to err;” for he has no need of a sinful man. 13 The Lord hates every abomination; and those who fear him don’t love them. 14 He himself made man from the beginning and left him in the hand of his own counsel. 15 If you will, you will keep the commandments. To be faithful is good pleasure. 16 He has set fire and water before you. You will stretch forth your hand to whichever you desire. 17 Before man is life and death. Whichever he likes, it will be given to him. 18 For the wisdom of the Lord is great. He is mighty in power, and sees all things. 19 His eyes are upon those who fear him. He knows every work of man. 20 He has not commanded any man to be impious. He has not given any man license to sin.

Related Scriptures

7:26 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up slaughters daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.

18:38 Then YHWH’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust; and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. They said, “YHWH, he is Elohim! YHWH, he is Elohim!”

7:1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from the heavens and consumed the burnt offering and the slaughters; and the glory of YHWH filled the house. 2 The priests could not enter into YHWH’s house, because the glory of YHWH filled YHWH’s house. 3 All the sons of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of YHWH was on the house. They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, worshiped, and gave thanks to YHWH, saying, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever!”

30:34 YHWH said to Moses, “Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum: sweet spices with pure frankincense. There will be an equal weight of each. 35 You will make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. 36 You will beat some of it very small, and put some of it before the covenant in the Appointed Tent, where I will meet with you. It will be to you holy of holies. 37 You will not make this incense, according to its composition, for yourselves: it will be to you holy for YHWH. 38 Whoever will make any like that, to smell of it, he will be cut off from his people.”

Numbers 3:1 Now this is the history of the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that YHWH spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office. 4 Nadab and Abihu died before YHWH when they offered [foreign]^(LXX) fire before YHWH in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no sons. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the face of Aaron their father.

Numbers 26:60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61 Nadab and Abihu died when they brought strange fire before YHWH.

1 Chronicles 24:1 These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no sons; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

21:10 He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and who is consecrated to put on the garments, will not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes. 11 He must not go in to any dead body, or defile himself for his father or for his mother. 12 He will not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his Elohim; for the crown of the anointing oil of his Elohim is upon him. I am YHWH.

1:1 Paul, a servant of Elohim and an emissary of Yeshua the Messiah, according to the faith of Elohim’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which Elohim, who can’t lie, promised before time began; 3 but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of Elohim our Savior, 4 to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from Elohim the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah our Savior. 5 I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you— 6 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one woman, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. 7 For the overseer must be blameless, as Elohim’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; 8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. 10 For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped: men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.” 13 This witness is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess that they know Elohim, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

22:23 the word of YHWH came to me, saying, 24 “Son of man, tell her, ‘You are a land that is not cleansed nor rained on in the day of indignation.’ 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets within it, like a roaring lion ravening the prey. They have devoured souls. They take treasure and precious things. They have made many widows within it. 26 Her priests have done violence to my Torah and have profaned my holy. They have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hidden their eyes from my Sabbaths. So I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes within it are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets have plastered for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, ‘The Lord YHWH says,’ when YHWH has not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery. Yes, they have troubled the afflicted and needy, and have oppressed the foreigner wrongfully. 30 “I sought for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have brought their own way on their heads,” says the Lord YHWH.

2:22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they slept with the women who assembled at the door of the Appointed Tent (cf. Exodus 38:8). 23 He said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear! You make the people of YHWH disobey. 25 If one man sins against another, Elohim will judge him; but if a man sins against YHWH, who will intercede for him?” Notwithstanding, they didn’t listen to the voice of their father, because YHWH intended to kill them. 26 The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with YHWH and also with men. 27 A man of Elohim came to Eli and said to him, “YHWH says, ‘Did I reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house? 28 Didn’t I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? Didn’t I give to the house of your father all the offerings of the sons of Israel made by fire? 29 Why do you kick at my slaughter and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people?’ 30 “Therefore YHWH, the Elohim of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father should walk before me forever.’ But now YHWH says, ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me will be cursed. 31 Behold, the days come that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, that there will not be a bearded man in your house. 32 You will see the affliction of my habitation, in all the wealth which I will give Israel. There will not be a bearded man in your house forever. 33 The man of yours whom I don’t cut off from my altar will consume your eyes and grieve your heart. All the increase of your house will die in the flower of their age. 34 This will be the sign to you that will come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they will both die. 35 I will raise up a faithful priest for myself who will do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind. I will build him a sure house. He will walk before my anointed forever. (cf. 1 Kings 2:35; Ezekiel 40:46; Ezekiel 43:19; Ezekiel 44:15; Ezekiel 48:11) 36 It will happen that everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and will say, “Please put me into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread.” ‘ ”

Leviticus 4:5 The anointed priest will take some of the blood of the bull, and bring it to the Appointed Tent.

Leviticus 6:26 The priest who offers it for sin will eat it. It will be eaten in a holy place, in the court of the Appointed Tent.

Leviticus 16:27 The bull for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, will be carried outside the camp; and they will burn their skins, their flesh, and their dung with fire.

Genesis 7:1 YHWH said to Noaḥ, “Come with all of your household into the ark, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation. 2 You will take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female. 3 Also of the birds of the heavens, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the land.

Genesis 8:18 Noaḥ went out, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him. 19 Every animal, every creeping, and every bird, whatever moves on the land, after their families, went out of the ark. 20 Noaḥ built an altar to YHWH, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Genesis 9:1 Elohim blessed Noaḥ̣ and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the land. 2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every [wild]^(LXX) beast of the land, [and on all livestock of the land,]^(LXX) and on every bird of the heavens. All that creep along the ground, and all the fish of the sea, are delivered into your hand. 3 All creeping that live will be food for you. As I gave you the green herb, I have given all to you. 4 But flesh with its life, that is, its blood, you will not eat.

20:22 You will therefore guard all my statutes and all my judgments, and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 23 You will not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I have said to you, “You will inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am YHWH your Elohim, who has separated you from the peoples. 25 “You will therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean. You will not make yourselves abominable by animal, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean for you. 26 You will be holy to me, for I, YHWH, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine.”

14:3 You will not eat any abominable thing. 4 These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, 5 the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the chamois. 6 Every animal that parts the hoof, and has the hoof split in two and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. 7 Nevertheless these you will not eat of them that chew the cud, or of those who have the hoof split: the camel, the hare, and the rabbit. Because they chew the cud but don’t part the hoof, they are unclean to you. 8 The pig, because it has a split hoof but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. You will not eat their meat. You will not touch their carcasses. 9 These you may eat of all that are in the waters: you may eat whatever has fins and scales. 10 You will not eat whatever doesn’t have fins and scales. It is unclean to you. 11 Of all clean birds you may eat. 12 But these are they of which you will not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, 13 the red kite, the falcon, the kite of any kind, 14 every raven of any kind, 15 the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any kind, 16 the little owl, the great owl, the horned owl, 17 the pelican, the vulture, the cormorant, 18 the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat. 19 All winged creeping things are unclean to you. [You will not eat of them.]^(DSS) 20 Of all clean birds you may eat.

10:1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man, and one who feared Elohim with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to Elohim. 3 At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of Elohim coming to him and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 He, fastening his eyes on him and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before Elohim. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Shimon, who is also called Peter. 6 He is staying with a tanner named Shimon, whose house is by the seaside. 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually. 8 Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the heavens opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the land, 12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the land, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the heavens. 13 A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 A voice came to him again the second time, “What Elohim has cleansed, you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times, and immediately the thing was received up into the heavens. 17 Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Shimon’s house, stood before the gate, 18 and called and asked whether Shimon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you. 20 But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears Elohim, and well spoken of by all the Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.” 23 So he called them in and provided a place to stay. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and did bow down to him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together. 28 He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but Elohim has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man common or unclean.

14:1 Now accept one who is weak in faith, not for disputes over opinions. 2 One man has faith to eat all, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for Elohim has accepted him. 4 Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for Elohim has power to make him stand. 5 One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives Elohim thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives Elohim thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Messiah died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah. 11 For it is written, As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to Elohim.’ ” 12 So then each one of us will give account of himself to Elohim. 13 Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Yeshua that nothing is common of itself (cf. Mark 7:18-19); except that to him who considers anything to be common, to him it is common. 15 Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Messiah died. 16 Then don’t let your good be slandered, 17 for the reign of Elohim is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Messiah in these things is acceptable to Elohim and approved by men. 19 So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. 20 Don’t overthrow Elohim’s work for food’s sake. All indeed are clean, but evil to the man who creates a stumbling block by eating. 21 Good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before Elohim. Happy is he who doesn’t judge himself in that which he approves. 23 But he who differs is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. 24 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the proclaiming of Yeshua the Messiah, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, 25 but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal Elohim, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; 26 to the only wise Elohim, through Yeshua the Messiah, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

10:19 What am I saying then? That a thing slaughtered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 But I say that the things which the Nations slaughter, they slaughter to demons and not to Elohim, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. 21 You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to zeal? Are we stronger than he? 23 “All are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All are lawful for me,” but not all build up. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good. 25 Whatever is sold in the market, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, 26 for “the land is the Lord’s, and its fullness.” (cf. Psalms 24:1) 27 But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the land is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.” 29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for? 31 Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of Elohim. 32 Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, to Greeks, or to the assembly of Elohim; 33 even as I also please all in all, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

2:6 As therefore you received Messiah Yeshua the Lord, walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thankfulness. 8 Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elemental spirits of the world, and not after Messiah. 9 For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, 10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Messiah, 12 having been buried with him in immersion, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of Elohim, who raised him from the dead. 13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 wiping out the handwriting in the decrees which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. 15 Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no one therefore judge you in eating or drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, 17 which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body of the Messiah. 18 Let no one rob you of your prize by self-abasement and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with Elohim’s growth. 20 If you died with Messiah from the elemental spirits of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to decrees, 21 “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch,” 22 all of which perish with use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body, but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

4:1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron, 3 forbidding marriage and commanding to get away from foods which Elohim created for partaking with thankfulness by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of Elohim is good, and nothing to be thrown away if it is received with thankfulness. 5 For it is sanctified through the word of Elohim and prayer.

9:7 but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. 8 The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn’t yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and slaughters are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper perfect, 10 but deal only with foods and drinks and various washings; they are regulations for the flesh imposed until the time of setting things right. 11 But Messiah having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.

1:6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and tell them, ‘You will be holy; for I, YHWH your Elohim, am holy.

Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am YHWH your Elohim.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, having girded up the hips of your mind, being sober, 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.

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. I will receive you. 18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

5:1 Be therefore imitators of Elohim, as beloved children. 2 Walk in love, even as Messiah also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a slaughter to Elohim for a sweet-smelling fragrance. 3 But whoring, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes holy ones; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks. 5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Reign of Messiah and Elohim. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of Elohim comes on the children of disobedience. 7 Therefore don’t be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, 10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. 11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

18:1 After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the heavens, having great authority. The land was illuminated with his glory. 2 He cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and detested bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her whoring, the kings of the land committed whoring with her, and the merchants of the land grew rich from the abundance of her luxury.”

21:1 I saw a new the heavens and a new land, for the first the heavens and the first land have passed away, and the sea is no more. 2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of the heavens from Elohim, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice out of the heavens saying, “Behold, Elohim’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and Elohim himself will be with them as their Elohim. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.” 5 He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of Elohim are faithful and true.” 6 He said to me, “I am the Alef and the Tav, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his Elohim, and he will be my son. 8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, drug sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls which were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of the heavens from Elohim, 11 having the glory of Elohim. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 having a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Emissaries of the Lamb. 15 He who spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. 16 The city is square. Its length is as great as its width. He measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. 17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. 19 The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire; the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord Elohim the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of Elohim illuminated it and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the land bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day, for there will be no night there, 26 and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. 27 There will in no way enter into it anything common, and making an abomination, and a lie, but those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Related Additional Readings​

Sirach, or Wisdom of Sirach, and also known as the Book of Ecclesiasticus (abbreviated Ecclus.) or Ben Sira, is a work of ethical teachings, from approximately 200 to 175 B.C., written by the Jewish scribe Ben Sira of Jerusalem, on the inspiration of his father Joshua son of Sirach, sometimes called Jesus son of Sirach or Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira. The Sirach was almost completely uncovered in Hebrew in the Dead Sea Scrolls, at Masada, and the Cairo Geniza. The multiplicity of manuscript fragments uncovered in the Cairo Genizah evidence its authoritative status among Egyptian Jewry until the Middle Ages. Quotes from Sirach can be found in Rabbinic literature in multiple places  including the Talmud in Bava Kamma 92b:13 and Hagigah 13a:2. Additionally, the Gospels and other Apostolic Scriptures quote from the Book of Sirach including the Song of Miriam in Luke 1:52 (cf. Sirach 10:14); the description of the seed in Mark 4:5, 16–17 (cf. Sirach 40:15); the statement by Yeshua in Matthew 7:16,20 (cf. Sirach 27:6); and Ya’aqov (James) 1:19 (cf. Sirach 5:11).

Sirach 1:1 All wisdom comes from the Lord, and is with him forever. 2 Who can count the sand of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity? 3 Who will search out the height of the heavens, the breadth of the land, the deep, and wisdom? 4 Wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. 5 [… …] 6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? Who has known her shrewd counsels? 7 [… …] 8 There is one wise, greatly to be feared, sitting upon his throne: the Lord. 9 He created her. He saw and measured her. He poured her out upon all his works. 10 She is with all flesh according to his gift. He gave her freely to those who love him. 11 The fear of the Lord is glory, exultation, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. 12 The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give gladness, joy, and length of days. 13 Whoever fears the Lord, it will go well with him at the last. He will be blessed in the day of his death. 14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It was created together with the faithful in the womb. 15 She nested an eternal foundation with men. She will be trusted among their seed. 16 To fear the Lord is the fullness of wisdom. She inebriates men with her fruits. 17 She will fill all her house with desirable things, and her storehouses with her produce. 18 The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, making peace and health of cure to flourish [… …] 19 He both saw and measured her. He rained down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalted the honor of those who hold her fast. 20 To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom. Her branches are length of days. 21 [… …] 22 Unjust wrath can never be justified, for the sway of his wrath is his downfall. 23 A man that is patient will resist for a season, and afterward gladness will spring up to him. 24 He will hide his words for a season, and the lips of many will tell of his understanding. 25 A parable of knowledge is in the treasures of wisdom; but godliness is an abomination to a sinner. 26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments and the Lord will give her to you freely; 27 for the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction. Faith and humility are his good pleasure. 28 Don’t disobey the fear of the Lord. Don’t come to him with a double heart. 29 Don’t be a hypocrite in the mouths of men. Keep watch over your lips. 30 Don’t exalt yourself, lest you fall and bring dishonor upon your soul. The Lord will reveal your secrets and will cast you down in the midst of the congregation, because you didn’t come to the fear of the Lord and your heart was full of deceit.

Sirach 17:1 The Lord created mankind out of the land, and turned them back to it again. 2 He gave them days by number, and a set time, and gave them authority over the things that are on it. 3 He endowed them with strength proper to them, and made them according to his own image. 4 He put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and birds. 5 [… …] 6 He gave them counsel, tongue, eyes, ears, and heart to have understanding. 7 He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom, and showed them good and evil. 8 He set his eye upon their hearts, to show them the majesty of his works. 9 [… …] 10 And they will praise the name of his holiness, that they may declare the majesty of his works. 11 He added to them knowledge, and gave them a law of life for a heritage. 12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and showed them his judgments. 13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory. Their ears heard the glory of his voice. 14 He said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.” So he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbor. 15 Their ways are ever before him. They will not be hidden from his eyes. 16 [… …] 17 [… …] For every nation he appointed a ruler, but Israel is the Lord’s portion. 18 [… …] 19 All their works are as clear as the sun before him. His eyes are continually upon their ways. 20 Their iniquities are not hidden from him. All their sins are before the Lord. 21 [… …] 22 With him the alms of a man is as a signet. He will keep the bounty of a man as the apple of the eye. [… …] 23 Afterwards he will rise up and recompense them, and render their recompense upon their head. 24 However to those who repent he grants a return. He comforts those who are losing patience. 25 Return to the Lord, and forsake sins. Make your prayer before his face offend less. 26 Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity. [… …] Greatly hate the abominable thing.

The Prayer of Manasseh is a short work of 15 verses recording a penitential prayer attributed to king Manasseh of Judah. The majority of scholars believe that the Prayer of Manasseh was written, in Greek, in the first or second century B.C. Another work by the same title, written in Hebrew and containing distinctly different content, was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.

1:1 O Lord Almighty, Elohim of our ancestors, of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and of their righteous seed; 2 you who made the heavens and land with all their order; 3 who shackled the sea by your word of command, who confined the deep and sealed it with your terrible and glorious name; 4 at whom all things shudder, and tremble before your power, 5 for your glorious splendor cannot be borne, and the wrath of your threat to sinners is unendurable; 6 yet immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy, 7 for you are the Lord Most High, of great compassion, long-suffering, and very merciful, and you relent at human suffering. [… …] 8 Therefore you, O Lord, Elohim of the righteous, have not appointed repentance for the righteous, for Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, who did not sin against you, but you have appointed repentance for me, who am a sinner. 9 For the sins I have committed are more in number than the sand of the sea; my transgressions are multiplied, O Lord, they are multiplied! I am not worthy to look up and see the height of the heavens because of the multitude of my iniquities. 10 I am weighted down with many an iron fetter, so that I cannot lift up my head because of my sins, and I have no relief; for I have provoked your wrath and have done what is evil in your sight, setting up abominations and multiplying offenses. 11 And now I bend the knee of my heart, imploring you for your kindness. 12 I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my transgressions. 13 I earnestly implore you, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me! Do not destroy me with my transgressions! Do not be angry with me forever or store up evil for me; do not condemn me to the depths of the land. For you, O Lord, are the Elohim of those who repent, 14 and in me you will manifest your goodness; for, unworthy as I am, you will save me according to your great mercy, 15 and I will praise you continually all the days of my life. For all the host of the heavens sings your praise, and yours is the glory forever. Amen.

1 and 2 Maccabees are set during the reign of the Seleucid Greek empire (the part of the Greek empire that found its roots in Syria). It tells the story of how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attested to suppress Temple worship and to destroy the practice of Jewish law. This caused the Maccabean revolt, led by Mattathias and his sons. As a part of the revolt, the Temple was freed from the control of the Greek empire and rededicated (an act that is still commemorated yearly in the festival of Hanukkah). The Maccabees then ruled over Israel, first as High Priests and then as High Priests and Princes of Israel. 1 Maccabees follows this story until the death of Shimon (the third son of Mattathias to rule over Israel) at the hands of the Egyptian Greeks (from about 175-134 B.C.). 2 Maccabees recaps some of the story (until the events of 161 B.C.) and adds in details about Elohim’s intervention into the events reports.

1:29 And after two full years the king sent a chief collector of tribute to the cities of Judah, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude. 30 And he spoke words of peace to them in subtlety, and they gave him credence: and he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it very sore, and destroyed much people out of Israel. 31 And he took the spoils of the city, and set it on fire, and pulled down the houses thereof and the walls thereof on every side. 32 And they led captive the women and the children, and the cattle they took in possession. 33 And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, with strong towers, and it became to them a citadel. 34 And they put there a sinful nation, transgressors of the law, and they strengthened themselves therein. 35 And they stored up arms and food, and gathering together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and they became a sore snare: 36 and it became a place to lie in wait in against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel continually. 37 And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. 38 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them; and she became a habitation of strangers, and she became strange to those who were born in her, and her children forsook her. 39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, her honor into contempt. 40 According to her glory, so was her dishonor multiplied, and her high estate was turned into mourning. 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. 50 And whoever will not do according to the word of the king, he will die. 51 According to all these words wrote he to his whole reign; and he appointed overseers over all the people, and he commanded the cities of Judah to slaughter, city by city. 52 And from the people were gathered together to them many, every one that had forsaken the law; and they did evil things in the land; 53 and they made Israel to hide themselves in every place of refuge which they had. 54 And on the fifteenth day of Kislev, in the hundred and forty and fifth year, they built an abomination of desolation upon the altar, and in the cities of Judah on every side they built idol altars. 55 And at the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. 56 And they tore in pieces the books of the law which they found, and set them on fire. 57 And wherever was found with any a book of the covenant, and if any consented to the law, the king’s sentence delivered him to death. 58 Thus did they in their might to Israel,to those that were found new moon by new moon in the cities. 59 And on the five and twentieth day of the new moon they slaughtered upon the idol altar of Elohim. 60 And the women that had circumcised their children they put to death according to the commandment. 61 And they hanged their babes about their necks, and destroyed their houses, and those who had circumcised them. 62 And many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat unclean things. 63 And they chose to die, that they might not be defiled with the meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: and they died. 64 And there came exceedingly great wrath upon Israel.

2 Maccabees 6:18 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, a man already well stricken in years, and of a noble countenance, was compelled to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh. 19 But he, welcoming death with renown rather than life with pollution, advanced of his own accord to the instrument of torture, but first spat forth the flesh, 20 coming forward as men ought to come that are resolute to repel such things as not even for the natural love of life is it lawful to taste. 21 But those who had the charge of that forbidden sacrificial feast took the man aside, for the acquaintance which of old times they had with him, and privately implored him to bring flesh of his own providing, such as was befitting for him to use, and to make as if he did eat of the flesh from the slaughter, as had been commanded by the king; 22 that by so doing he might be delivered from death, and for his ancient friendship with them might be treated kindly. 23 But he, having formed a high resolve, and one that became his years, and the dignity of old age, and the gray hairs which he had reached with honor, and his excellent education from a child, or rather that became the holy laws of Elohim’s ordaining, declared his mind accordingly, bidding them quickly send him to Hades. 24 For it becomes not our years to dissemble, said he, that through this many of the young should suppose that Eleazar, the man of fourscore years and ten, had gone over to a foreign religion; 25 and so they, by reason of my dissimulation, and for the sake of this brief and momentary life, should be led astray because of me, and thus I get to myself a pollution and a stain of my old age. 26 For even if for the present time I will remove from me the punishment of men, yet will I not escape the hands of the Almighty, either living or dead. 27 Wherefore, by manfully parting with my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age, 28 and leave behind a noble example to the young to die willingly and nobly a glorious death for the reverend and holy laws. And when he had said these words, he went immediately to the instrument of torture. 29 And when they changed the good will they bore toward him a little before into ill will, because these words of his were, as they thought, sheer madness, 30 and when he was at the point to die with the stripes, he groaned aloud and said, “To the Lord, who has the holy knowledge, it is manifest that, whereas I might have been delivered from death, I endure sore pains in my body by being scourged; but in soul I gladly suffer these things for my fear of him.” 31 So this man also died after this manner, leaving his death for an example of nobleness and a memorial of virtue, not only to the young but also to the great body of his nation.

2 Maccabees 7:1 And it came to pass that seven kindred also with their mother were at the king’s command taken and shamefully handled with scourges and cords, to compel them to taste of the abominable swine’s flesh. 2 But one of them made himself the spokesman and said, What would you ask and learn of us? for we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our fathers. 3 And the king fell into a rage, and commanded to heat pans and cauldrons: 4 and when these forthwith were heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that had been their spokesman, and to scalp him, and to cut off his extremities, the rest of his kindred and his mother looking on. 5 And when he was utterly maimed, the king commanded to bring him to the fire, being yet alive, and to fry him in the pan. And as the vapor of the pan spread far, they and their mother also exhorted one another to die nobly, saying thus: 6 The Lord Elohim sees, and in truth is entreated for us, as Moses declared in his song, which witnesses against the people to their faces, saying, And he will be entreated for his servants. 7 And when the first had died after this manner, they brought the second to the mocking; and they pulled off the skin of his head with the hair and asked him, “Will you eat, before your body is punished in every limb?” 8 But he answered in the language of his fathers and said to them, “No.” Therefore he also underwent the next torture in succession, as the first had done. 9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said, “You, miscreant, release us out of this present life, but the King of the world will raise up us, who have died for his laws, to an eternal renewal of life.” 10 And after him was the third made a mocking-stock. And when he was required, he quickly put out his tongue, and stretched forth his hands courageously, 11 and nobly said, From the heavens I possess these; and for his laws’ sake I treat these with contempt; and from him I hope to receive these back again: 12 insomuch that the king himself and those who were with him were astonished at the young man’s soul, for that he nothing regarded the pains. 13 And when he too was dead, they shamefully handled and tortured the fourth in like manner. 14 And being come near to death he said thus: It is good to die at the hands of men and look for the hopes which are given by Elohim, that we will be raised up again by him; for as for you, you will have no resurrection to life. 15 And next after him they brought the fifth, and shamefully handled him. 16 But he looked toward the king and said, Because you have authority among men, though you are yourself corruptible, you do what you will; yet think not that our race has been forsaken of Elohim; 17 but hold you on your way, and behold his sovereign majesty, how it will torture you and your seed. 18 And after him they brought the sixth. And when he was at the point to die he said, Be not vainly deceived, for we suffer these things for our own doings, as sinning against our own Elohim: marvelous things are come to pass; 19 but think not you that you will be unpunished, having assayed to fight against Elohim. 20 But above all was the mother marvelous and worthy of honorable memory; for when she looked on seven sons perishing within the space of one day, she bare the sight with a good courage for the hopes that she had set on the Lord. 21 And she exhorted each one of them in the language of their fathers, filled with a noble temper and stirring up her womanish thought with manly passion, saying to them, 22 I know not how you came into my womb, neither was it I that bestowed on you your spirit and your life, and it was not I that brought into order the first elements of each one of you. 23 Therefore the Creator of the world, who fashioned the generation of man and devised the generation of all things, in mercy gives back to you again both your spirit and your life, as you now treat yourselves with contempt for his laws’ sake. 24 But Antiochus, thinking himself to be despised, and suspecting the reproachful voice, while the youngest was yet alive didn’t only make his appeal to him by words, but also at the same time promised with oaths that he would enrich him and raise him to high estate, if he would turn from the customs of his fathers, and that he would take him for his Friend and entrust him with affairs. 25 But when the young man would in no wise give heed, the king called to him his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the lad to save himself. 26 And when he had exhorted her with many words, she undertook to persuade her son. 27 But bending toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, she spoke thus in the language of her fathers: My son, have pity upon me that carried you nine new moons in my womb, and gave you suck three years, and nourished and brought you up to this age, and sustained you. 28 I beseech you, my child, to lift your eyes to the heavens and the land, and to see all things that are in it, and thus to recognize that Elohim made them not of things that were, and that the race of men in this wise comes into being. 29 Don’t be afraid of this butcher, but, proving yourself worthy of your kindred, accept your death, that in the mercy of Elohim I may receive you again with your kindred. 30 But before she had yet ended speaking, the young man said, Whom wait you for? I obey not the commandment of the king, but I listen to the commandment of the law that was given to our fathers through Moses. 31 But you, that have devised all manner of evil against the Hebrews, will in no wise escape the hands of Elohim. 32 For we are suffering because of our own sins; 33 and if for rebuke and chastening our living Lord has been angered a little while, yet will he again be reconciled with his own servants. 34 But you, O unholy man and of all most vile, be not vainly lifted up in your wild pride with uncertain hopes, raising your hand against the heavenly children; 35 For not yet have you escaped the judgment of the Almighty Elohim that sees all things. 36 For these our kindred, having endured a short pain that brings everlasting life, have now died under Elohim’s covenant; But you, through the judgment of Elohim, will receive in just measure the penalties of your arrogance. 37 But I, as my kindred, give up both body and soul for the laws of our fathers, calling upon Elohim that he may speedily become gracious to the nation; and that you amidst trials and plagues may confess that he alone is Elohim; 38 and that in me and my kindred you may stay the wrath of the Almighty, which has been justly brought upon our whole race. 39 But the king, falling into a rage, handled him worse than all the rest, being exasperated at his mocking. 40 So he also died pure from pollution, putting his whole trust in the Lord. 41 And last of all after her sons the mother died. 42 Let it then suffice to have said thus much concerning the enforcement of sacrificial feasts and the king’s exceeding barbarities.

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.).

3.8.6. Now when Moses had bestowed such honorary presents on the workmen, as it was fit they should receive, who had wrought so well, he offered slaughters in the open court of the tabernacle, as Elohim commanded him; a bull, a ram, and a kid of the goats, for a sin-offering. Now I will speak of what we do in our sacred offices in my discourse about slaughters; and therein will inform men in what cases Moses bid us offer a whole burnt offering, and in what cases the law permits us to partake of them as of food. And when Moses had sprinkled Aaron’s vestments, himself, and his sons, with the blood of the beasts that were slain, and had purified them with spring waters and ointment, they became Elohim’s priests. After this manner did he consecrate them and their garments for seven days together. The same he did to the tabernacle, and the vessels thereto belonging, both with oil first incensed, as I said, and with the blood of bulls and of rams, slain day by day one, according to its kind. But on the eighth day he appointed a feast for the people, and commanded them to offer slaughter according to their ability. Accordingly they contended one with another, and were ambitious to exceed each other in the slaughters which they brought, and so fulfilled Moses’s injunctions. But as the slaughters lay upon the altar, a sudden fire was kindled from among them of its own accord, and appeared to the sight like fire from a flash of lightning, and consumed whatsoever was upon the altar.

3.8.7. Hereupon an affliction befell Aaron, considered as a man and a father, but was undergone by him with true fortitude; for he had indeed a firmness of soul in such accidents, and he thought this calamity came upon him according to Elohim’s will: for whereas he had four sons, as I said before, the two elder of them, Nadab and Abihu, did not bring those slaughters which Moses bade them bring, but which they used to offer formerly, and were burnt to death. Now when the fire rushed upon them, and began to burn them, nobody could quench it. Accordingly they died in this manner. And Moses bid their father and their brethren to take up their bodies, to carry them out of the camp, and to bury them magnificently. Now the multitude lamented them, and were deeply affected at this their death, which so unexpectedly befell them. But Moses entreated their brethren and their father not to be troubled for them, and to prefer the honor of Elohim before their grief about them; for Aaron had already put on his sacred garments.