Thursday, November 14, 2024

NUN - 50

 


2 Samuel 24:24 -- And the king said to Aravnah, "No; for I will only buy it from you at a price; so that I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt-offerings [which I had received] for nothing." And David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Does the letter 'Nun' point to the name of the Messiah? Is the name of the Messiah hidden in the number 50?  Let's explore that. 

The Hebrew letter NUN has a numerical value of 50. The ancient Hebrew letter NUN is a seed or fish. Or maybe it is both, a swimming seed. 

Some believe the hieroglyph may have been of a fish in water, as nun means "fish" in Aramaic and Akkadian, and "large fish" or "whale" in Arabic. A large fish should remind some of my readers of an important 'sign' of the Messiah. 

Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, was the "son of Nun." “Nun his son, Joshua his son” (I Chronicles 7:27)  

Here is a very interesting clue in a Jewish Midrash: Genesis Rabba 97:3 -- "[T]he son of him whose name was as the name of a fish would lead them [the Israelites] into the land." 

Psalm 119 has a deep message about each of the Hebrew letters.  Eight verses are dedicated to each of the 22 Hebrew letters. The letter NUN corresponds to verses 105 - 112. Psalm 119:105 reads: 

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

I encourage you to read the remaining verses in Psalm 119 that pertain to the letter Nun! 

Are you starting to form a sense of what/whom the letter "Nun" is pointing to?  There's more, so keep reading!

The Hebrew word for "faithful one," ne'eman, is signified by the letter NUN. 

The Hebrew word for faith is "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah). The root of this word is "אָמַן" (aman), which means to be firm, to support, or to be faithful. We get the word "Amen" from this Hebrew root. This root conveys a sense of stability, reliability and trustworthiness, which are core aspects of the concept of faith in the biblical context.

The Hebrew root "אָמַן" (aman) consists of three letters: Aleph (א), Mem (מ), and Nun (ן). Each of these letters carries its own symbolic meaning:

1. Aleph (א): This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and often represents God, unity, and leadership. It symbolizes the beginning, strength, and the oneness of God.

2. Mem (מ): This letter is associated with water/blood, which in Hebrew symbolism can represent wisdom, the flow of life, and the source of all things. Mem can also signify the hidden and revealed aspects of reality.  (The modern Hebrew form of Nun has two forms—open (מ) and closed (ם).)

3. Nun (ן and נ): This letter often symbolizes faithfulness, humility, and the concept of "falling" and "rising." In Hebrew, the letter Nun is associated with continuity and perpetuity, reflecting a sense of enduring faith. 

The shape of the Nun can be seen as a symbol of a humble, bent figure, which represents the humility necessary for true faith. In a spiritual context, humility often precedes exaltation, and the Nun embodies this dynamic

Together, these letters form the root "אָמַן" (aman), which conveys the idea of firm faith, trust, and reliability. The root suggests a strong, unwavering foundation, which aligns with the concept of faithfulness and trust in the divine.

Nun is 50

50 has major biblical associations: 

  • Shavuot
  • Pentecost 
  • Feast of Weeks and Firstfruits
  • The Jubilee

Shavuot is mentioned in the Torah in the context of the agricultural festival celebrating the harvest. 

Exodus 34:22 -- "And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end."

Shavuot/Feast of Weeks occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, also known as Pentecost, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the beginning of the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel. It also marks the end of the spring barley harvest and the start of the summer fruit harvest. Shavuot is the second of the three Pilgrim Festivals, sometimes referred to as a "Foot Festivals." 

Leviticus 23:15-16 -- Counting the Omer:

In Leviticus, Jews are instructed to count the Omer (an amount of wheat) to mark the Feast of Weeks leading up to Shavuot.

 "You shall count from the day after the Sabbath (the first Passover) from the day when you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord."

Exodus 16:1-4 describes how, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from Egypt, the Israelites began to grumble about the lack of food. In response, God provided manna from heaven to sustain them throughout their journey in the desert.

The first explicit command to keep the Sabbath is given in the context of the manna in the desert. 

Exodus 16:23-30, Moses instructs the Israelites to gather double the amount of manna on the sixth day because no manna would fall on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath of rest.

The Hebrew word for manna is מָן (mon). You'll notice that מָן is only one letter less than the root of the word for faith, אָמַן. The one letter is אָ, aleph. That's very cool. 

I remind you that the wheat harvest would be taken to the threshing floor. David purchased the biblical threshing floor, which was on top of Mount Moriah, from Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah and Emunah (Faith) - Notice the phonetic similarities. King David Paid 50 Shekels of Silver:

In Genesis 22:2, the Threshing floor is where Abraham prepared to Sarcafice his son Issac.  Isaac was spared by God and a ram caught in a thicket by it's horn (yovel) became the sacrafice. 

This location, the Threshing floor would ultimately be where the 1st temple was built. 

2 Samuel 24: 14-25 

David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for His compassion is great; and let me not fall into the hands of men.” 

The LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from morning until the set time; and 70,000 of the people died, from Dan to Beer-sheba. 

But when the angel extended his hand against Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD renounced further punishment and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Stay your hand!” The angel of the LORD was then by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 

When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “I alone am guilty, I alone have done wrong; but these poor sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house!” 

Gad came to David the same day and said to him, “Go and set up an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 

David went up, following Gad’s instructions, as the LORD had commanded. 

Araunah looked out and saw the king and his courtiers approaching him. So Araunah went out and bowed low to the king, with his face to the ground.

And Araunah asked, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David replied, “To buy the threshing floor from you, that I may build an altar to the LORD and that the plague against the people may be checked.” 

And Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take it and offer up whatever he sees fit. Here are oxen for a burnt offering, and the threshing boards and the gear of the oxen for wood. 

All this, O king,-e Araunah gives to Your Majesty. And may the LORD your God,” Araunah added, “respond to you with favor!”

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I will buy them from you at a price. I cannot sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 

And David built there an altar to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and offerings of well-being. The LORD responded to the plea for the land, and the plague against Israel was checked.

50 - Jubilee

7 Shabbat years marks a time of economic, cultural, environmental, and communal reset. The word "jubilee" comes from the Hebrew word jobel, which means "ram's horn". A ram's horn trumpet was used to signal the beginning of the Jubilee year.

The Hebrew word "Yovel" (יוֹבֵל) is often translated as "Jubilee." The root meaning of the word "Yovel" has several interesting connotations:

1. Ram's Horn: One of the primary meanings of "Yovel" is "ram's horn" or "trumpet." This derives from the practice of blowing a ram's horn to proclaim the beginning of the Jubilee year. The sound of the ram's horn signified freedom and the start of a new cycle of renewal.

2. To Bring or Lead: Another related meaning of the root "יובל" (Yovel) is "to bring" or "to lead." This is seen in the context of leading something, like leading animals or people, which fits with the concept of leading the people back to their ancestral lands and freedom.

These root meanings highlight the themes of liberation, return, and renewal that are central to the concept of the Jubilee in biblical tradition.

The Hebrew Jubilee, or "Yovel," is a significant concept in the Torah, particularly described in Leviticus 25. Here are some of the intriguing aspects and mysteries associated with it:

1. Timing and Observance: The Jubilee year occurs every 50 years, following seven cycles of seven years. The exact timing and historical observance of the Jubilee are somewhat unclear. It's debated whether it was consistently observedwith the Sabbatical year cycles.

2. Economic and Social Reset: During the Jubilee, all agricultural land was to be left fallow, debts were forgiven, and Hebrew slaves were freed. This economic reset is unique and raises questions about its practical implementation and long-term societal effects.

3. Land Restitution: One of the central tenets of the Jubilee is the return of all sold or leased land to its original familial owners. This concept emphasizes the belief that the land ultimately belongs to God. The implications for property rights and economic systems are profound and complex.

4. Theological Significance: The Jubilee year underscores themes of freedom, redemption, and social justice. It symbolizes a time of renewal and divine mercy. The deeper spiritual and prophetic meanings of the Jubilee continue to be subjects of theological exploration.

5. Messianic Associations: Some interpretations link the Jubilee to messianic expectations. The proclamation of liberty and the restoration of rights are seen as foreshadowing the ultimate redemption in Jewish eschatology.

6. Historical Evidence: There is limited historical and archaeological evidence about the actual practice of the Jubilee. Scholars debate how often and how strictly these laws were observed, and what historical records indicate about its impact on Israelite society.

These aspects contribute to the enduring fascination with the Jubilee, both as a historical institution and as a symbol of spiritual ideals.

In Hebrew, each letter can have its own significance and can sometimes be explored for deeper meanings. Here's a look at the individual letters of "Yovel" (יוֹבֵל) and their potential meanings:

1. י (Yod): 
   - Meaning: Hand, work, or deed.
   - Symbolism: Represents the hand of God, divine action, or a spark of inspiration.
2. ו (Vav):
   - Meaning: Hook, nail, or connector.
   - Symbolism: It often signifies connection and continuity, linking different aspects together.
3. ב (Bet):
   - Meaning: House, dwelling, or family.
   - Symbolism: Symbolizes a house or a place of dwelling, also representing community and family.
4. ל (Lamed):
   - Meaning: Goad, staff, or to teach.
   - Symbolism: Often associated with learning, teaching, and guidance.

The letters in the word for "Yovel" (יוֹבֵל) can be seen as a word that embodies the concept of divine action (Yod) connecting (Vav) people to their homes and families (Bet) and guiding them towards learning and renewal (Lamed). Yovel aligns well with the themes of liberation, return, and spiritual renewal inherent in the Jubilee year.

Joshua was the Son of Nun.

Nun in the Bible is the Father of Joshua who led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua's name in Hebrew was Hoshea ( הוֹשֵׁעַ 'Save'). He was the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, but Moses called him "Yehoshua." 

The word Jesus is the Latin form of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew Jeshua, or Joshua, or again Yehoshua. The name means: God/YHVH is Salvation.

In Joshua 6, seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

When Joshua went out to conquer Jericho, the seven priests went out in faith and blew a Yovel in proclamation of Jubilee.  

I encourage you to read all of Joshua 6. 


Book of Ruth And the Harvest

Ruth 1:22, 2:23 -- Ruth arrives in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest and continues working in the fields through the wheat harvest

Jews celebrate Shavuot by studying Torah all night long, including reading the Book of Ruth and eating dairy (cheesecake and blintzes). A central theme and setting in the story of the Book of Ruth is the barley harvest. 

The Book of Ruth is associated with the Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot or Pentecost, in the Jewish tradition?

This connection is both thematic and agricultural:

1. Agricultural Significance: The story of Ruth takes place during the barley and wheat harvests, which align with the timing of Shavuot. Ruth arrives in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest and continues working in the fields through the wheat harvest (Ruth 1:22, 2:23). Shavuot is an agricultural festival that marks the end of the grain harvest, particularly the wheat harvest.

2. Theme of Giving and Charity: Shavuot emphasizes the importance of giving and taking care of the poor and strangers. The Book of Ruth exemplifies these themes through Ruth's gleaning in the fields and Boaz's generosity. The practice of leaving the edges of the fields for the poor and the stranger, which Ruth benefits from, is a key aspect of the agricultural laws given in the Torah (Leviticus 23:22).

3. Covenant and Conversion: Shavuot also commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, a covenant between God and the Israelites. Ruth's story is often seen as a parallel to this, as Ruth, a Moabite, chooses to join the Israelite people and accept their God, symbolizing a personal conversion and commitment akin to the collective acceptance of the Torah by the Israelites.

4. Lineage and Redemption: The story of Ruth culminates in her marriage to Boaz, which leads to the birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David. This lineage is significant in Jewish tradition, and Shavuot is seen as a time to reflect on the continuity and fulfillment of God's promises through generations.

Ruth's narrative is intertwined with the themes of harvest, generosity, covenant, and the continuity of the Israelite lineage, all of which resonate deeply with the festival's significance.

The Book of Ruth is a short narrative found in the Old Testament of the Bible. It tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who, after the death of her husband, remains loyal to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi. Here is a brief overview of its content and themes:

1. Loyalty and Devotion: After the death of her husband, Ruth decides to stay with Naomi and accompany her back to Bethlehem in Israel. Ruth's famous declaration of loyalty to Naomi includes the words, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16).

2. Providence and Redemption: The concept of a "kinsman-redeemer" is central to the story of Ruth. Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer by marrying Ruth and preserving the family line of her deceased husband.

In Bethlehem, Ruth gleans in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi. She meets Boaz, a relative of Naomi's late husband. Boaz is impressed by Ruth's loyalty and kindness and eventually becomes her kinsman-redeemer, marrying her and securing their future.

This act of redemption is a powerful theme that parallels the Christian understanding of Jesus as the ultimate Redeemer, who saves and restores humanity.

The inclusion of a Gentile in the ancestry of Jesus prefigures the Christian message that salvation through Jesus is available to all people, not just the Israelites. It underscores the universality of God's plan for redemption.

3. Lineage of David: The story concludes with Ruth and Boaz having a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David, establishing Ruth as an important figure in the lineage of David, and by extension, in the genealogy of Messiah.  (See Isaiah 11:1 and Jeremiah 23:5.)

4. Genealogy of Jesus:  Genealogy plays a major role in the prophecy of Messiah for both Jews and Christians. 

In the New Testament, both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke trace the genealogy of Jesus back to David. The Gospel of Matthew explicitly includes Ruth in the genealogy, emphasizing her role in the lineage that leads to Jesus (Matthew 1:5-6). This connection highlights Jesus' fulfillment of the messianic prophecies that required the Messiah to be a descendant of David. 

In summary, The Book of Ruth highlights themes of faithfulness, kindness, and God's providence, illustrating how God works through ordinary lives to fulfill His purposes. The Book of Ruth, which is read on Shavuot/Pentecost/Feast of Weeks. These holidays have a direct connection to 50. The letter NUN is pointing to Messiah.

The Name of the Messiah Saves

2 Samuel 24:24-25 -- And the king said to Aravnah, "No; for I will only buy it from you at a price; so that I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt-offerings [which I had received] for nothing." And David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25And David built there an altar to the Lord, and he offered up burnt-offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

David buys the threshing floor from Aravnah for fifty shekels. The name Aravnah is repeated seven times in verses before on the 7th time we find his name hidden in fifty. 

The Gematria (numeric) Value of FIFTY

The word fifty in Hebrew is חֲמִשִּֽׁים

David paid חֲמִשִּֽׁים 50 shekels for the threshing floor. Here is the gematria of חֲמִשִּֽׁים:

8 חֲ 
מ 40
שִּֽׁ 300
י 10
ם 40
= 398 

The gematria of “name of his son” שֶּׁם-בְּנוֹ is 398
The gematria of “This is Yeshua” זֶה יֵשׁוּעַ is 398.

WOW!



Aravnah (Faith) is mentioned seven times in 2 Samuel 24:13-25 before David buys the temple floor for fifty shekels.  

Below are those 7 statements. I posted some verses from Genesis 22 and the Binding of Isaac which took place on the same threshing floor. 

1. "Go up to erect an altar to the Lord in the threshing-floor of Aravnah the Jebusite."

2. And Aravnah looked afar and he saw the king

(Genesis 22.4 - the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.)

3. and Aravnah went out and he bowed down to the king with his face to the ground.

(Genesis 22.5 will go yonder, and we will prostrate ourselves and return to you.")

4. And Aravnah said, "Why has the lord my king come to his servant?

5. And Aravnah said to David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good in his eyes; 

(Genesis 22.8 -- Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb)

6. And Aravnah said to the king, "May the Lord your God accept you."

7. And the king said to Aravnah, "No; for I will only buy it from you at a price; And David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

(Genesis 22.14 -- Abraham named that place, The Lord will see, as it is said to this day: On the mountain, the Lord will be seen.)

In conclusion, there are powerful parallels and connections between different stories in the Bible and the letter Nun - 50. Woven into the letter Nun is: faith, the Jubilee, the Bread of Life, redemption, forgiveness, payment, the Word, the Harvest, the promise land and ultimately the lineage and name of Yehoshua.  

JUBILEE AND THE LAST LETTER IN THE BIBLE

In the last book of the Bible, Revelation, verse 13 reads "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

I love how this works with the Hebrew.  The first Hebrew letter in the Torah is "Bet." The last letter in the bible is "N" in the final word, "Amen." Amen is the same as the Hebrew word אָמֵן. The last Hebrew lettet in אָמֵן is the letter Nun in Hebrew.  The letter is equivalent to 50, Pentecost. 50 is Jubilee! 

If we combine the first and the last, we get "Bet Nun" which is the Hebrew word pronounced as "Ben" for "Son."

You gotta love the letter Nun! 

The Lord utters His Voice.