It is usually referring to a specific location, somewhere we can physically go to.
In Hebrew the words are:
מקום Makom and מיקום Mikum.
Both can be translated to “place” or “location” in English, but they are used in different contexts.
The word in Strongs #4725:
מקום makom is more for a location whereas
מיקום Mikum is used “to place” or “to position” something.
In both languages it’s also the word we use when we say: we are laying a place at the table for a meal. Other uses for the word place, are when we position items, like placing cushions or pillows on a bed, sofa/couch; or where we would place a garden shed or build a structure. These are all physical things of the natural realm; however there are spiritual places too.
In Mark 9:2, Matthew 17:2 and Luke 9:29 when Messiah took His disciples up to a high mountain, it was a place of revealed glory. It was where Messiah was transfigured before them in a manner they had not experienced before. They were exposed to the shekinah as Yeshua/Jesus was exalted and spoke with two famous figures who had lived long ago. They were understandably fearful and yet they marveled at the privilege of seeing things in the spiritual realm from our Heavenly Fathers perspective.
There have been times in all our lives where we have seen things from that same place, but just like Peter, James and John, we are never allowed to stay there and camp out in those mountain top experiences. The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to come down from the mountain. If we only have power to ascend then something is wrong because although it’s wonderful to be up on that mountain in His presence; we are only brought there so that we can be spiritually energized and empowered to later go down and minister to the spiritually oppressed people in the valley of everyday life. This is very clear if we read verses 14-18.
The height of the mountain top is measured by the boring drudgery of the valley but it’s there we have to live for His glory. In the place of challenge, when we go through those times of embarrassment, dishonor and shame that our true worth is revealed. Most of us can accomplish things if we are full of the mountain top experience; but we are called to walk where we live, in the ordinary day to day level of life, depending on our personal relationship with Him. It is the quality and depth of that relationship that is revealed during these experiences, showing us the areas of our character that need adjustment.
Peter wanted to stay longer on the mountain but Yeshua/Jesus took them down to the valley, where the true meaning of their experience was explained. Vs9: 5-6 14-23.
We are not to live on the mountain top or to prolong other similar experiences, these are moments of inspiration to encourage and strengthen our faith. We are made for the ordinary places in life and that’s where we have to prove our stamina, endurance and faithfulness; yet our spiritual selfishness wants these mountain top moments on a consistent level. We think we would live a more holy life if only we could remain in His glory on the mountain top. These moments are by their very nature, out of the ordinary, and have their purpose and meaning; but we must avoid our spiritual selfishness in wanting them all the time.
The mountain top is not meant to teach us anything, it’s meant to make us something, to mature us by forming in us the character of Messiah. (Galatians 4:19). Many times we think everything is a teaching point and we are not to always measure spiritual matters that way; because this place on the mountain top is a rare and unique moment and is meant for something in our Fathers’ purpose.
In this passage of scripture, immediately afterwards the power of the Lord was channeled out through Him to set a captive free. In Luke 9:38-42 we read:
Suddenly a man in the crowd cried out,“Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him. I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”
He had received power to heal and restore, both physically and spiritually. He told His Disciples/talmidim, that spiritual preparedness by prayer and fasting is essential.
When we are on that place on the mountain, we learn Who Messiah really is and what our Heavenly Father is capable of. At that moment, in that place, our faith soars high like the mountain and we can believe for anything and everything, but what about down in the valley when we are faced with everyday life and its problems, tests and trails?
There is a well known verse in Isaiah 60:1 that not only applies to us but is a great encouragement for our walk through the valley and to set the captives free.
Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.”
arise, shine – qumi ‘ori קומי אורי
is telling us more than to just wake up.
In Hebrew/Aramaic the word arise is kumi/cumi,
which has a very broad range of meanings.
kumi generally has the idea of:
arising and being restored.
There are places where we read this same word one is in
Mark 5:41, Jesus speaks in Aramaic as he resurrects a young girl:Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” …and be restored.
Another is in John 5:1-16 When Messiah healed the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, He most likely used the identical word in Aramaic in His command to be healed.
“Arise, (and be restored) pick up your mat, and walk” John 5:8.
Messiah had the power to heal and restore, both physically and spiritually and it is available to us today.
As we walk through the dark valley that David speaks of in Psalm 23, we all receive the same command,
kumi – arise and be restored.
When we feel beaten down, oppressed, tired and worn out, His command to us is to: arise and be restored.
As well as arise and be restored we are also to shine.
In Hebrew shine is the word ’or
which is the word for light.
The Hebrew verb אוֹר (ʾōr), meaning:
“ to shine,” “ to give light,” or “ to illuminate,”
and is often used for glory /shekinah; and a grammatically correct translation here is enlightened.
1 John1:5 tells us God is light and the fact that Messiah, Who is the light of the world, has come. This is what we are
enlightened
about, that will cause us
to arise and be restored.
When the light – or, the Messiah, comes into our lives it means that our restoration is already here and if we are oppressed in that dark valley, we need to be enlightened to that fact. He has come to bring light to that valley which is dark only because our eyes need to see and focus on Yeshua/Jesus. Even though we may still be in the valley, He will lighten our way ahead out of that place and will restore our strength to pass through and continue on beyond that valley.
The last part of the verse tells us that:
The glory of the Lord has risen on you.
Here the word for risen is zarach, which has a common use for example, with the rising of the sun.
The compassion and loving-kindness of our Heavenly Father is expressed in zarach and gives a picture of looking to the direction of the rising son/sun while walking through that dark valley; because our Heavenly Father’s loving-kindness and compassion are rising to bring the needed warmth and comfort for our journey.
Many times as we are walking through life’s many dark valleys, places which give us feelings of hopelessness, abandonment, loneliness, loss of direction and meaning assault our minds and try to crush our faith.
It is at these moments in this place of testing and trial that we are to remember Isaiah’s words; that the coming of Messiah, brings us enlightenment.
We are to hear that He is saying: Arise and be restored; because without any doubt,
He will impart to us the strength we need,
He will be the light on our path and the lamp to our feet.
Consider the Hebrew letters and ancient word picture of the word for light. See chart below.
Recall from previous posts that each pictograph reveals the original function of the word and that similar to every translation, there are several words to choose from. So it’s always possible to alter a meaning to support an individuals personal opinion. Because of this tendency, we must examine each word picture, in its original culture and context for the most accurate understanding.
The first and most well known use of light/oor/’or is in the very first chapter of Beresheet/Genesis.
And God – אֱלהִים Elohim said, “Let there be Light – אוֹר Oor,” and there was Light – אוֹר – Oor) Genesis 1:3
The original Hebrew wordאוֹר, pronounced Or with a Hebrew letter Resh, shows us a word picture of its function, meaning what Light does:
Yeshua/Jesus, the Living Word of YHVH, will walk through that place, that valley, with us, His banner over us, covering us with His victory, loving-kindness and compassion.
(Song Sol 2:4 and also Jehoveh Nissi – The phrase “the Lord is my banner” comes from Exodus 17:15)
As David said in
Psalm 23concludes with the promise that for those walking in that place, in harmony with our Heavenly Father,“Surely goodness and mercy/loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.”
The Messiah is here in wherever the place is that we are right now. We do not have to be alone passing through any valley in darkness for He is the or/Light, He will walk with us as He places His hand and His presence upon us.
Surely we will find Him when we seek Him in the secret place of Psalm 91, which is not so secret that we cannot find it
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.
It is usually referring to a specific location, somewhere we can physically go to.
Alef א = Ox Head, Strong, Power, Master, Teacher, Leader, Elohim
Vav וֹ = Nail, Tent Peg, Hook, to Attach, Secure, Establish, (Adding the. letter resh/reysh)
Resh ר = Head, Person, Highest, Top, Chief, Beginning
