Month: July 2025

Why Is The Red Heifer In The News?

What is all the talk about the red heifer…

a cow with red-brown hair in Israel?

Readers may have seen the news reports from Israel about the ancient ceremony that requires the sacrifice of a red heifer.

In Hebrew parah adumah. פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה

What is behind the mystery of the

red heifer – parah adumah – פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה

What is it exactly

and

why is it important?

First of all we should remember that this sacrificial ritual given to Moses was applicable before Messiah came and when the Temple still existed. As Messiah was, and remains, the perfect eternal sacrifice for all sin and everything connected to that sacrificial system; these laws are unnecessary for Messianic Jewish believers in Yeshua/Jesus and also for all those who are the born again from above believers/ecclesia.

The attention to this red heifer and the need for one, is connected to the Torah directives/laws governing the Temple and for the covering of sin until Messiah came. The red heifer/cow was specifically needed in a ceremony whose ashes were used in the purification rites, for one who had been contaminated through having come into contact with a dead body; and to purify the priests before they served at the Temple to conduct the sacrificial rituals on behalf of the people. Since the Temple was destroyed in 70AD, there would have to be a new Temple built in order for these ceremonies to be performed; and the red heifer would be needed as a sacrifice to complete the preparedness of the priests who would serve in that 3rd Temple.

According to Jewish tradition, these instructions were given to Moses in the 2nd year of the Exodus on Nisan 1, the day that the Mishkan was first erected. However the instructions appear here at this point in the scripture because of the need to purify the people after Miriam’s death, which is mentioned in the following chapter.

This ritual is considered chok- חֹק- within the Hebrew/Jewish tradition, which basically means that it makes no rational sense.

It is an incomprehensible Mitzvah that could not be understood, a law with an unspoken reasoning, and is supposed to be followed with blind faith.

In fact the Jewish literature states that of all of the 613 commandments in the Torah, this is the only one that King Solomon could not understand, because this sacrifice is the most paradoxical of all the sacrifices found in the Torah.

However the symbolism of the red heifer is a clear foreshadowing of the sacrifice for the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus to deliver us from spiritual death.

 

The red heifer-parah adumah, had to be a perfect specimen that was completely red, without blemish in which there is no defect. The rabbis interpreted the meaning of being without blemish, as referring to the color of the animals hair, that is, without having so much as a single white or black hair anywhere on its body.

This is the only sacrifice in the Torah where the color of the animal is absolutely necessary as required by scripture. The parah adumah was never to have had a yoke upon it, meaning that:

it must never have been used for any profane purposes.

Unlike all of the sacrifices that were offered at the brazen altar, the parah adumah was taken outside the camp to be slaughtered before the priest, who then took some of its blood and sprinkled it seven times before the Mishkan; thereby designating it as a purification offering, in this case it was Eliezer, Aaron son.

‘Outside the camp’, meant:

beyond the city boundaries or walls;

and during the second Temple era, the Kohen haGadol-High Priest performed this ceremony from the top of the Mount of Olives while facing the Temple.

Then the red heifer would be burned in its entirety, it’s hide, flesh, blood and even dung were to be burned in the fire, unlike other Levitical sacrifices.

Recall the blood from the other sacrifices had to be sprinkled on the altar.

Also a hyssop,

a scarlet thread and

a cedar stick

would then be thrown up on to the burning parah adumah; these were the same items used to cleanse leprosy/tzara’at. In this process, the blood was assimilated into the ashes of the sacrifice, which would’ve been gathered and mixed with water to create the water of separation for the Israelite community.

The purification procedure took seven days using small twigs of hyssop dipped into the water with the ashes mixed in. Then it was shaken over the ritually defiled person both on the third day, then again on the seventh day. After the second sprinkling, the person undergoing the purification process would be immersed in a mikveh, and then be clean until the following evening.

 

Note that the word separation refers to menstrual impurity spoken of in Leviticus, and also to Zechariah 13:1. On the day that shall be a fountain open for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and from niddah.

Niddah (Heb. נִדָּה “menstruating woman”; literally, “one who is excluded” or “expelled”) is the practice according to Jewish law where a man is forbidden to maintain sexual relations with his wife.

Numbers 19:1-22

 water of separation — that is, of “sanctification” for the people of Israel.

Anyone or anything that came into contact with a corpse, a dead body whether human or otherwise, it was the physical embodiment of sin and death. Every individual thus contaminated, was required to be purified using the water of separation.

Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

In order to prepare for their God-ordained purpose of being a kingdom of priests and ministers of God, they would need to confess their sins and avail themselves of the waters of separation.

It underscores the Holiness of YHVH and the necessity for His people to be Holy before Him.

The water of separation could be said to be symbolized in other places in the scriptures, food for thought as possible examples:

The main creation work of YHVH, on the 2nd day of His Creation, was the separation of waters by putting a vault or expanse between them. And God separated water above the sky and water below.

Genesis 1:6-7 
6 Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” 7 And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens.

Exodus 14:15-22

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Joshua 3:5-17 through 4:1-18 (NKJV)
5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”  So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

The uniqueness of the sacrifice and the purification procedure took 7 days, a type and shadow of the creation in Genesis/Bereshit and of the 7000 year Salvation/Redemption plan of our Creator.

 

This sacrificial ceremony of the parah adumah is entirely unique for the following reasons:

It was the only sacrifice that specifically required an animal of a particular color.

This animal was an extremely rare and entirely unique.

Maimonides wrote: “9 parah adumah were prepared from the time the commandment was given until the destruction of the second Temple. Moses our teacher prepared one. Ezra prepared one and seven more were prepared until the destruction of the Temple. The 10th will be prepared by the Messiah.”

We would say… was prepared by the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, as Himself.

It was the only sacrifice where all the rituals were carried out outside of the camp and later outside the Temple precinct. That means, the applying of blood from this sacrifice took place away from the altar. Jewish historians state that the high priest performed the blood applications of the red heifer while gazing at the Temple mount and at the Holy of Holies from a mountain opposite the temple mount.

It was the only sacrifice with a paradox, meaning that:

it contaminated the priest who offered it,

but made the one who was sprinkled by it clean.

It was the only sacrifice where the ashes were preserved and used for a specific purpose, when all of the other sacrifices required that the ashes be disposed of outside the camp.

Messiah Yeshua/Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the parah adumah since:

He was completely without sin or defect. 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 8:46.

He was sacrificed outside the camp. Hebrews 13:13.

He made Himself sin for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21.

The sprinkling of His blood makes us clean. 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 12: 24; Revelation 1:5.

And the water of separation that His sacrifice created, is the means by which we are made clean from the impurity of sin. Ephesians 5:25/26; Hebrews 10:22.

Further reading in Hebrews clearly shows Messiah’s sacrifice is superior to the parah adumah – red heifer.

Who is the fulfillment of the types and shadows of the Torah?

Hebrews 10:1-2.

For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctified for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the Blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

The truth is that

for sanctification, redemption and salvation,

a red heifer

is no longer needed and neither is a third Temple.

Messiah Yeshua/Jesus fulfilled all the Torahs sacrificial requirements. He said Himself in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill, complete them.”

And in 1Cor. 3:16 Paul confirms that, every born from above believer is an individual Temple /Sanctuary of His Holy Spirit.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]? Amp.

The belief of the need for a red heifer and a third Temple in Jerusalem Israel, is what the orthodox Jewish people understand is necessary because they have not yet accepted Yeshua/Jesus as their Messiah.

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born again from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Semper fi?

No doubt many of us have heard these 2 words spoken, it is a common phrase and motto among the ranks of the military.

So what does it mean?

Semper fidelis is a Latin phrase that means

“always faithful” or “always loyal”

Fidelis or Fidelity.

Latin pronunciation:  sɛmpɛr fɪˈdeːlɪs

It has been the official motto of the U.S. Marine Corps since 1883 by Colonel Charles McCawley; usually shortened to Semper Fi.

It reflects the bond, loyalty, and courage of Marines in battle and in service to the nation. That Marines have lived up to this motto is proved by the fact that there has never been a mutiny, or even the thought of one. 

It is also in use as a motto for towns, families, schools, and other military units.

The earliest definitively recorded use of semper fidelis is as the motto of the French town of Abbeville since 1369. It has also been used by other towns, and is recorded as the motto of various European families since the 16th century, and possibly since the 13th century or earlier. Records show many families in England, France and Ireland using this motto.

Most well known in the USA and represents the loyalty and collective commitment of Marines to their country and mission and to the success of battles, and the steadfast loyalty to each other and to the battles ahead. This motto distinguishes the bond developed and shared between Marines, it goes beyond words that are spoken, as it is a warriorhood that is lived.

It is the fighting spirit of every Marine that can make the promise to win a Nation’s battles. This promise is proclaimed in the motto, Semper Fidelis, and it means that they are always faithful to those on their left and right and to those in the communities for which they fight. It’s meant to signify the dedication and loyalty that Marines have for their country and fellow Marines, even after they become veterans.

Semper Fidelis is used as a greeting, a motivation, and an expression that unites past and present Marines. During war or peacetime, Semper Fidelis speaks volumes. It represents tradition and responsibility—beginning the moment a young man or woman commits to earning the title of U.S. Marine. It is a mindset, it is a perspective, a mentality, an attitude. It is a term spoken one to another for encouragement and comaraderie.

Most military personnel will know the meaning of semper fi, however, it is not exclusive to the Marine Corps The earliest recorded use of semper fidelis by a military unit is by the Duke of Beaufort’s Regiment of Foot, raised in south-western England in 1685. This is apparently linked to its use as a motto by the city of Exeter no later than 1660. Subsequently, a variety of military organizations adopted the motto. This phrase was used in Europe, at least in Great Britain, Ireland and France and probably in other countries as well. 

Another term is

no one left behind.

This is a military understanding between soldiers whose job it is to fight on behalf of those who cannot, or are unable; and to maintain the freedom we enjoy from foreign oppression and rule. Let us all pray for and remember the cost, the price all soldiers pay, many with their lives, to maintain that freedom. 

 

There are many references to soldiers throughout the Scriptures describing the good fight of faith. 1Tim.6:12.

Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2Timothy 3-5

And of course Ephesians 6 and 2Cor.10:4 describing the weapons of our warfare which is first of all spiritual in nature. Armies and troops fight as a unified group. A force connected by mutual goals and the mental fortitude to endure and to have one another’s backs. If there should be a man down there is an immediate intervention to support that individual in their time of need. Faithful, trustworthy, courageous team members, do not hesitate to put their own lives in harms way to prevent anothers’ life being lost. Or to intervene and reduce the extent of physical injury and the commitment to leave no one behind.

These soldiers become close under conflict and form bonds of loyalty, often as strong or stronger, that natural family ties.

Semper fi – always faithful to each other and to the cause for which they are willing to lay down their lives.

As believers we are charged to endure hardships as good soldiers

We are soldiers of the lion of the tribe of Judah.

We all called to fight the good fight of faith and to be a band of brothers and sisters who stand unified, with one goal, to fulfill the call on our lives.

This call is one of reconciliation, one of carrying the gospel of that good news to the ends of the earth.

That promise of forgiveness of sins, the good news of a Savior Who died that we might live, and the One who is

always faithful – semper fi.

He willingly laid down His life for us, and there are countless thousands who have also paid the ultimate price on the behalf of others. They did this for the freedoms we often take for granted and think it is our right to live as we please with a selfish attitude of entitlement; believing that we can have what ever we want and that somehow we are owed and deserve the best of Life.

Because of a merciful Heavenly Father, we are saved by grace/chen through faith; a measure of which each of us has been given. Romans 12:3

The measure of faith is a gift from YHVH.

Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:22.

It is a small thing for us to be semper fi, always faithful to the One Who has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light, 1Peter 2:9, and to stand together, united, to enforce the victory over darkness, sin and death.

We are to occupy until He comes. Luke 19:13

To be semper fi, always faithful to His cause and to our fellow believers.

Are we truly willing to lay down our lives for others? How much more should we be faithful to the members of His Body?

1 Thess. 5:24 Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you…

Right now there is a rallying cry for all those who identify as His, to rise up and be all that we are called to be.

Honor and duty, commitment and submission to authority, with un questioning obedience to directives. We understand these qualities among others are basic requirements of all military personnel.

Are they not also how every believer should be, by everyone who confesses Messiah Jesus/Yeshua to be Savior Lord and King?

Paul was overwhelmed with the sense of his indebtedness to Yeshua/Jesus and he spent his life expressing it. Romans 1:14.

As a believer, our lives, spiritual honor and duty, is to fulfill our debt to Messiah in relation to every unsaved soul. Every bit of our lives that has value, we owe to the redemptive work of Messiah.

Are we doing anything to enable Him to bring His redemptive power into the lives of others?

1Corinthians 6:19–20

We are not our own we were bought with a price.

It’s time we stopped living for ourselves, we are free only that we may be absolute bond servants of His.

Once this level of spiritual honor and duty becomes real, that is the characteristic of a born-again-from-above believers life. It is time we stop praying only about ourselves and instead spend our lives for the sake of others us a bondservant of Yeshua/Jesus.

That is the true meaning of being broken bread and poured out wine, it is the ultimate goal of the One Who is

always faithful, semper fi.

The faithfulness of our Heavenly Father means He is unchanging in His nature, and true to His Word, has promised salvation to His people, and He will keep His promises forever. He is worthy of eternal trust, no matter what, because His character is entirely good and righteous. 

His faithfulness is His reliability, trustworthiness, and consistency in accordance with His character, covenant, Word, salvation, and plan. 

The scriptures below are just a few of the promises to us that we can rely on.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

1 Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.

2 Thessalonians 3:3. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Lamentations 3:22–23. The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Let us be

Always Faithful, Semper Fidelis 

to our Heavenly Father, Messiah,

to each other, and

to the battles ahead and

commit to leave no one behind.

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born again from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

When Did The Hebrews/Israelites Become Known As Jews?

In the Old Testament/TaNaKH,

we read that YHVH’s people were known as

Hebrews and as

the children of Israel or Israelites;

however, when we reach the Brit Chadashah/New Testament, they are primarily called, or referred to as Jewish, Judeans or the Jews.

How, when and why did that change occur?

First of all a root meaning of the word

Hebrew – Ivri – עברי

is passing beyond or

on the far shore.

The first use of the term is in Genesis 14:1

when Abraham is called a Hebrew.

Joseph Yosef יוֹסֵף‎

is also called

a Hebrew in

Gen. 39:14, 17; 41:12.

The people whom YHVH delivered from Mitzryim / מִצְרַיִם / Egypt through Mosheh/משֶׁה/Moses were called Hebrews.

The word ‘Hebrew’ may be derived from the name of one of Abraham’s ancestors, the patriarch Eber

noted in Gen. 10:21–25, 11:14–17.

The term Hebrew is the same word used for both

the language and the people.

It is עברי  Ivri or Ibri

pronounced: Erverh

and literally means:

from the other side

and also means:

to pass through to the other side

or one crossed over.

Related to Abraham crossing over from his fathers home of idol worship to follow the call of the One True and Living God.

This is one reason Jews were originally called Hebrews, or in Hebrew, Ivriyim, because they were willing to take on, and take down, the idols of the day.

 

Abraham was known as Ha’Ivri, the Hebrew, in context, this meant Abraham from the other side of the Euphrates. Then prophetically to the crossing over of the Reed Sea out of Egypt and again across the Jordan River into the Promised Land/Canaan/Yisrael; and to our future crossing over into the spiritual Promised Land of the Heavenlies.

IVRI

The script used in the Torah scrolls is the original

Ktav Ivrit which was revealed to

Avraham Avinu who was the first

Ivri-Hebrew.

The proper pronunciation in the native language of the ancient Israelites’ designation, commonly known, as Hebrew in English is IVRI

pronounced; Erh-Verh.

Many believe Hebrew in this context is related to Eber, an ancestor of Abraham mentioned in Genesis 11:14–16.

Independent of the term’s meaning, its original connection is with Abraham as founder of the YHVH’s chosen people.

To be a Hebrew literally means:

to possess the courage to stand apart,

to dare to be different,

and Abraham was the first to proudly bear this title of distinction.

According to the Bible, Abraham left polytheism to follow the God who made the universe. Abraham lived about 2,000 BC and he and his descendants were known as Hebrews recorded in Gen. 14:13. In fact the Pentateuch/Torah/ was written by Moses in the Hebrew language.

תּוֹרָה Tōrā, “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law” is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

 

YHVH’s people are referred to by many different names in the scriptures.

They are called:

Israelites,

Jews,

Hebrews,

children of Abraham,

Daughter of Zion,

YHVH’s chosen people, etc.

One of the most common names for

YHVH’s chosen people

in the Scriptures is Israelites.

This name came from through

Isaac יִצְחָק Yitschaq

and Jacob יַעֲקֹב  Yaʿaqov

who were

Abraham’s son and grandson respectively.

Jacob’s name was changed to

Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra’el

as recorded in

Gen. 32:28; 46:1.

Since this time Israel’s descendants were known as

the children of Israel

or Israel or Israelites.

Israel’s family moved to Egypt where his son Joseph was second in command to the Pharaoh. In Egypt the Israelites grew to 2 million people when they subsequently migrated to Canaan in the Middle East under the leadership of Moses and Joshua.

 

Another common name for the Jewish people is Jews.

The word Jew comes from the name Judah, the leading tribe of the 12 sons or tribes of Israel.

After the Israelites invaded Canaan, they were ruled by the kings Saul, David and Solomon. King David lived about 1,000 BC. After this, the kingdom was divided into two, with 10 tribes in the northern kingdom of Israel and two in the southern kingdom of Judah as recorded in 1 Ki. 12; 2 Chron. 10. Samaria was the capital of Israel and Jerusalem the capital of Judah.

The Hebrew noun

Yehudi – Jew, 

Strongs #3064, 

Yehudi: Jews, Jew, Jewish

Original Word: יְהוּדִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: Yhuwdiy
Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-DEE
Phonetic Spelling: yeh-hoo-dee’
KJV: Jew
NASB: Jews, Jew, Jewish, Jews’, Judeans
Word Origin: [patronymically from H3063 (יְהוּדָה – Judah)]

1. a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)….

is derived from the name Judah,

who was one of Jacob’s twelve sons.

Yehudi occurs 76 times in the following books of the Old Testament:
 11 times in Jeremiah (written about 600BC), where it describes Judeans,
Twice in 2 Kings (written about 550BC), where it describes Judeans who lived about 750BC and 590BC,
Once in Zechariah (written about 520BC), where it may describe both Judeans and Israelites,
 52 times in Esther (written about 460BC), where it describes those dispersed after the Babylonian invasions and living in the Persian kingdom, including Mordecai a Benjaminite Esther. 2:5; 5:13, and
 10 times in Nehemiah (written about 430BC), where it describes exiles who returned to Jerusalem.

A related word Yehudain Strongs #3062 only occurs in the books of Daniel and Ezra, written about 530BC and 440BC respectively. 

Originally, the word referred to members of the tribe of Judah, but later it described anyone from the kingdom of Judah. This would include those from the northern kingdom of Israel who moved to Judah, including Mordecai’s and his ancestors, who was called a Jew in the book of Esther. Also, as those who returned after the exile settled in Judea, they were called Jews regardless of their ancestral tribe. In the New Testament, the words, Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews are used interchangeably to describe the descendants of Jacob. John. 4:9; 2 Cor. 11:22.  this is the same today as the words Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews are used as synonyms.  A Jew was, literally,

one from the land of Judah,

although the word later came to be applied to any Israelite, regardless of the tribe to which he belonged.

In 722 BC, Samaria was conquered by the Assyrians and the Israelites were dispersed into surrounding nations as recorded in 2 Kings 17. As they assimilated and now have no national identity, they are known as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. However, they weren’t all lost because some remained in Israel and some moved to Judah, 2 Chron. 15:9; 35:18.

In 605 BC and 598 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia invaded Judah and in 586 B.C. Jerusalem was destroyed. Many of the Jews were taken to exile in Babylon. When the Persians conquered Babylon in 538 BC, the Persian King Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to their homelands and many returned to Judah. After the Babylonian exile, Jew replaced Israelite as the most widely-used term for these survivers. This was because, by that time, virtually all Israelites were descendants of the kingdom of Judah. Also, the Jewish religion was known as Judaism.

After Jerusalem was rebuilt, Judea was ruled by the Greeks, Egyptians, Syrians and Romans. Although the terms Hebrew and Israelite continued in use into the New Testament period as recorded in Rom. 9:4; 2 Cor. 11:22; Phil. 3:5; by then the term Jew was more commonly used. The Romans referred to Yeshua/Jesus as the king of the Jews at His death. Matt. 27:37.

In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, however, this didn’t destroy all the Jews as many were living in other countries. In 134 AD the Romans attacked again and the Jews were killed, enslaved and dispersed to surrounding countries including Europe and North Africa. Since this time, Judea has been ruled by the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic Empire, the Crusaders, the Mamluk Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire. The Jews were persecuted and driven out of many regions culminating in the holocaust. Despite these difficulties, the Jews maintained their identity, even in foreign lands. The need to find a homeland for Jewish refugees led to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.

Today, the word Jew is now used to refer to all of the descendants of Jacob and those who adhere to Judaism.

To summarize the usage of the word Jew.

The Hebrew word translated Jew in the Bible originally meant the tribe of Judah and the kingdom of Judah/Yehudah. Judah’s father Israel died in about 1680BC showing that the name Judah originated in the 17th century BC. With the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, the kingdom of Judah became the sole Jewish state and the name was applied to all Israelites. The Hebrew name for Judean or Jew appears in the Bible from about 600BC during the Babylonian Exile. This name was also applied to those who were dispersed in 586 BC. The term became more common in the Hellenistic period, 4th century BC.

After the Israelite exiles returned to Palestine, the region began to be known as Judea. And the dispersed Israelites began to be known as Judean. By the time of the Roman Empire, Jew was widely used to describe the people of Judea.

Below is the same word as spoken in various languages:
Yehudi – Hebrew
Yehudai – Aramaic

 Ioudaios – Greek
Iūdaeus – Latin
 Judeu, then Juiu, then Juif  – French
 Gyv, then Ive, Iewe, Iew – Old English
 Jew – English (1775)

So we can conclude that the Hebrew word translated Jew in the Bible is used for all the descendants of Jacob or Israel; and also note that in the Bible, Jewishness was determined through the father’s line, as is clear from the genealogies.Today, depending on context, it can also mean one who follows the Jewish religion. The date that Hebrews or Israelites become known as Jews is from about 600BC and specifically, this word derives from Judah/ Yehudah, one of Yaaqov/Jacob’s 12 sons, and the one who was the ancestor of

Yeshua Hamashiach /Jesus Christ

Matt. 1:3, Luke 3:33.

Yeshua/Jesus is Jewish, 

Yeshua Hamashiach/Jesus the Messiah.

However the term Jew became used for all descendants of Israel. So the term Jew was used interchangeably with Hebrew and Israelite. Thus a Jew is biblically defined as a descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born again from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are We Kings & Priests?

The scriptures say we are

kings and priests

but what does that really mean?

In Revelation 1:6

ESV: and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

NIV: and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

NASB: and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

CSB: and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

NLT: He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

KJV: And athites hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

NKJV: and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

and

Rev 5:10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth”

If we look at the role of a king and a priest, it may help us to know if that applies to us or not. Furthermore taken in context and remembering both the old and renewed covenants were made with Abraham, the first Hebrew, and the children of Israel/Jacob. In the renewed testament/covenant, it was first given

from the Jewish Messiah Yeshua

to

all the Israelites

and then to the gentiles/goy.

Romans 1:16 …first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

The Jews have a priority over the Gentiles in that the Messiah himself, Yeshua haMashiach/Jesus Christ, came first as a Jew to the Jews.

Romans 9:5.

Our understanding must be based on the times and culture when it was happening and written, and to whom it was given.

Exodus 19:6a

“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”

The role of kings in the earth is that of sovereign rule over a people or nation, where the people are the subjects and have to live and abide by the rules and regulations set by the king. There are nations/countries today that still retain a monarchy whose ruling king and or queen maintains all or a measure of control over the population. There are those whose overall rule even tells the people who and what to worship and give allegiance to. Some nations have separation between church/religion and state.

To get our understanding correct, we need to look at the scriptures and see that it was YHVH’s people that wanted a king over them so they could be like the other nations.

“We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1Samuel.

Our Heavenly Father wanted to be their god, their king, their provider and protector; and to reign over them in righteousness and truth. He wanted relationship, their love, worship, their obedience and faithfulness to the covenant that He had made with them. He wanted to dwell among them, which is the reason for the building of the mishkan and the forming of the priesthood; because of mans sinfulness there had to be a way where they could approach a Holy God. The life blood of an innocent, sinless animal was the sacrifice put in place until Messiah fulfilled it by His sacrificial death.

The role of the priests was first given to the firstborn of each of the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 sons of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. We need to remember that the 12 tribes of Israel is not the same as the country named Israel. Not everyone can trace their lineage back to those 12 sons who are the children of Jacob/Israel. Even Messiah Yeshua/Jesus challenged the leaders of His time calling them snakes and vipers and that they were not the true sons of YHVH. They may have had Abraham as their ancestral ‘father’ but were not directly descended from his son Isaac and grandson Jacob/Israel. Recall Abraham had another son, Ishmael, who also had 12 sons. Herod who was the King in Messiahs day, was an Edomite whose lineage was from Esau, Jacob’s brother, who sold his birthright to Jacob. Jacob/Israel became the chosen line through whom Messiah came.

The 12 tribes of the Israelites, apart from the tribe of Levi, were all involved with the sin of the golden calf right after the Sinai covenant had been made. Initially the firstborn sons of each tribe were to be priests before the Lord but after this event the privilege of the firstborn sons was taken away and given only to the tribe of Levi.

Num. 3:11-13

Levi had 3 sons Gershon, Kohath and Merari who became the heads of the clans of the Levites.

However we read in Num. 17:1-10, that YHVH chose Levis great, grandson Aaron and his descendants

to be His Priests from among all the Levites.

Num. 1:47-54.

There are 4 divisions of Levites:

The Gershonites descendants of Levis firstborn. who were responsible for caring for the Mishkans woven articles, the coverings of the walls and roof of the Tabernacle. They dwelt on the west side of the Mishkan.

The Kohanites descendants of Levis middle son Kohath. They carried the the sacred objects of the Mishkan. They dwelt on the south side of the Mishkan.

The Meranites descendants of Levis youngest son Merari. They carried the wooden parts of the Mishkan as well as the ropes and sockets used for the curtain of the courtyard. They dwelt on the north side of the Mishkan.

The Kohanim descendants of Levis great grand son Aaron. This clan were responsible for performing all of the korbanot/sacrifices and other ritual on behalf of all Israel. Only the kohanim were allowed to perform avodah/priestly service on behalf of Israel. They dwelt on the east side of the Mishkan.

The other Levites were employed in more menial tasks, such as the housekeeping of the tabernacle, keeping oil in the lamps, transporting the Ark of the Covenant, taking down and setting up the tabernacle when moving, and related tasks in assisting the priests

The priests could offer sacrifices for the people, burn incense on the altar, and teach the law.

The Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood thus functioned only within the tribe of Levi, and the right to have it conferred upon one was determined by lineage and worthiness.

The lineal restrictions of that Aaronic (Levitical) Priesthood were lifted when the law of Moses was fulfilled, and thereafter the offices of the priesthood were conferred upon worthy men without limitation to the tribe of Levi. Numbers 8. (10)

This was the way it was all the years that they travelled through the wilderness and afterwards in the promised land. The priesthood continued after the Temple was built in Jerusalem up until it was destroyed in 70AD. We understand that as Messiah was the perfect sacrifice no more sacrifices are needed.

Under the Old Covenant, repeated sacrifices were necessary because they could not fully remove sin, they could only cover them for a period of time. Hebrews 10:18; Hebrews 10:1-4. However, through Messiah/Christ’s sacrifice, sins are forgiven once and for all. 

In all of the Israelites, Levis sons were not to be enlisted in the army to risk their lives on behalf of the people. By putting themselves in harms way for the preservation all of the innocent. Instead they were called for a service even more important, more holy and sacred than that of their brothers. The Levites were appointed over the Mishkan to carry it and all its vessels and to serve it every time they moved camp. They were set apart for the most important work of all which was manual labor!

As disciples of Messiah we all desire to be closer to our Heavenly Father. What we often don’t realize however it is that the closer we get, the more of the lowly, manual, time consuming work we’re likely to be given. Being close to Him doesn’t necessarily mean that we are offered more visible or celebrated tasks, but on the contrary it means that He can trust us to work in anonymity, joyfully putting our backs into even the most menial of tasks.

The reality of their calling was the equivalent of furniture moving, to serve Him with sweat of their brows and the strength of their hands and backs. They were responsible for carrying all the pieces of the Mishkan from one camping place to the next. Num. 3:5-7. Despite this high calling and position, the Levites soon learned that a life of service to the Lord was a far from glamorous one. Their special place of honor among the sons of Israel may have earned them respect but not so much glory. Instead of an high standing among their brothers, the Levites were set apart as servants…. Their charge was to assist the High Priest and to labor on behalf of the whole Israel community.

Fast forward this to today, if we are believing that we are the kingdom of priests, we too are set apart as servants just as Messiah came as a servant of all.

In Revelation, John contemplates what YHVH has done for believers by making us a kingdom of priests. 

Once we were helpless sinners, but now, as John explains in this verse, we are a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:9. Once we served sin; now we worship and serve YHVH, as a kingdom of priests. In Old Testament times, priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people of Israel and stood as mediators between them and the Lord. Now we can come directly to our Heavenly Father through Yeshua/Jesus, and we offer ourselves and spiritual sacrifices to Him.

Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5.

Under the New Covenant, Yeshua/Jesus  is the

“high priest”

(the one who makes atonement for our sins) of

“our confession” (the Son of God) is Yeshua/Jesus.

Hebrews 3:1

 He’s was sent to put into effect, to execute, to carry out the words that we say according to the scriptures. 

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus;

He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.…

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God..
This phrase reflects the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel and the Church, echoing Exodus 19:6, where God declares Israel to be a “kingdom of priests.”

Exodus 19:6
And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

It signifies a spiritual transformation and elevation of believers, who are now part of God’s royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9.

The concept of a kingdom implies

governance and authority,

while priests indicate

a role of mediation and service.

This dual role highlights the believers’ responsibility to:

represent our Heavenly Father and Yeshua to the world

and: to intercede on behalf of others.

The imagery of a kingdom and priests also connects to the Davidic covenant, where the Messiah would establish an everlasting kingdom. 2 Samuel 7:16.

Those who have been made a kingdom of priests, refers to believers who have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and are called to serve the Lord.

Believers are called to:

recognize their identity as a kingdom and priests

which is:

not based on personal merit but on the redemptive work of Messiah/Christ.

As priests, believers are called to serve YHVH, to intercede for others, and live lives of holiness and worship.

The promise of reigning on earth, points to the hope of Messiah/Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom. Believers are encouraged to live with this future hope in mind.

The collective identity as a kingdom of priests emphasizes the unity and shared purpose of the church. Believers are called to work together in fulfilling His mission.

While the fullness of this reign is in the future, believers are called to live out the values of His kingdom now, demonstrating His love, justice, and righteousness in the world.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;

Isaiah 61:6
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.

In Messiah/Christ, our High Priest, we have a closeness to the Father, and no earthly mediator is necessary. As priests in His kingdom, we recognize that salvation is not merely an insurance it’s a way of life…

Prophet, Priest and King were the only ones anointed before Messiah came. Now His Holy Spirit is available to all. His presence was only in the Mishkan and inner Sanctuary within the holy of holies in the Temple. When there is a Temple, it is their privilege and obligation to serve.

Messiah came and now we are the sanctuary, the holy of holies in His temple-our bodies, where His Holy Spirit is present.

Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1Cor. 6:19. you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Sometimes we like to think that our Father has something more for us, something grander, or of more of a public display than what we are doing with our lives right now. But if our hearts truly desire to serve Him, we need to serve Him well today, where we are right now; and not neglect our duties where He has called us at present. As His servants, our lives are His to do with as He wills. Our only job is to dedicate ourselves to the service of our calling, not seeking glory or fame but Him only.

Even though the Levites daily bore the weight of their selection, their service was not without reward. For a life of selflessness and sacrifice, a life of lifting and carrying the burdens of others, there is this prize ….they are MINE… Numbers 3 :11–13. By redeeming the lives of the firstborn of Israel, the Levites themselves became the first born of Adonai, owned by no one and nothing, they belong solely to Adonai.

The anointing and privileges of a Priest and a King are now available to every born-again-from-above believer/disciple. We can come into the Lords presence any time, no mishkan or temple required. No sacrifice needed and no high priest to speak for us. We are not literally priests and kings but rather have the same privileges they once had and more because of Messiah.

He gave a Holy Nation access to Himself. He did not give them all the same function, but He did give them all the same rights to

pray, petition and worship.

He made a Nation with

priestly access

and

kingly access to Himself.

Neither are we actual literal Kings because the Kingship was given by Covenant only to David and his descendants through Solomon and Messiah is the King of those kings. All gentiles/goy are grafted into His people Israel by the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father through Messiah.

In the days the scriptures were written, the common people had

no personal relationship

with the king or the priests!

According to Job 22:28

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

Kings decree and as discipled believers we can decree, or have the king like privilege to declare His words, (not ours) into being. His will, not ours. This is the sword of His Spirit, His word in our mouth, to speak into situations the double edged sword/word to both defend against and destroy the works of darkness and the author of them. Ephesians 6.

As disciples of Messiah we have been charged with carrying the burden for all mankind. The question is, are we willing to relinquish ownership of ourselves that we maybe used to give life to the world? Out of all the people on earth Adonai has taken us for Himself, but not for our sake alone. By submitting our lives completely to His will, the loss of self will be gain for others and we will fulfill the…

sacrifice of service to which we have been called. So now maybe we better understand our positions and roles as, kings, priests and a kingdom of priests.

Matthew 26:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Whoever counts his life of so much value that he will preserve it by sacrificing his godly integrity, or will renounce his beliefs to save his life, will find in the end that he has lost his soul.

For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].

Is the price of our lives too to high to pay for the Master to call us His?

He glorifies Himself through our humility. As we give up our lives daily to Him, taking up our cross to follow Him, are we willing to have our hands calloused and our back broken for the sake of the service for which He has set us apart?

Today is the day to be serious about our commitment to the One Who gave it all for us.

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.