Lesharet Zemirot

The syntax problem with rendering Jer. 31:31 as a Renewed Covenant

The syntax problem with rendering  Jer. 31:31 as a Renewed Covenant 

By Yonatan Perry

Due to language rules with regards to syntax and agreement in Hebrew as is the case with all languages.   It is impossible because of Syntax and the parts of speech of the underlying words that one cannot honestly or faithfully render it as a “RENEWED COVENANT”  First “renewed”  would have to be a verb in the perfect Tense –[completed i.e. like the Past tense in English] describing action completed in the past, but it is not, rather it is an adjective modifying a noun in the imperfect (Future).   “Renewed” leaves us with a bigger theological problem, if it is being rendered completed already (as this is a prophecy about the future in Jer. 31:31-40 as well as in Heb 8:8-13 (outside of the accepted precept that lamb was slain before the foundations of the Earth).

Here are very basic foundational rules of Biblical Hebrew grammar parsing.
1.) Most of the time in Hebrew the subject (noun) follows the verb.  (With some exception primarily in Heb. Poetry i.e. Psalms 51) ¹
2.) In Hebrew the adjective follows the noun which it describes, the adjective will also match the gender of the noun.

In order to use H2318 (verb) “renew(-ed)” it would have to PRECEDE the NOUN  as a verb in the imperfect (future tense) i.e. “I will renew the covenant”,  because this prophecy is speaking about a future fulfillment, even much of  the book of Hebrews is written in the future tense or on-going present tense [a verb in the indicative mood,  and the present tense denotes action taking place or going on in the present time.]  Deeper still is that this is a two part or phase prophecy that will be fulfilled, we can see that there are at two distinct times and with two distinct groups of people involved. I elaborate on this below. 

Even the Greek in Heb 8:8 has Kainos as an adjective describing the noun “covenant”. While the word “renewed” is used in Heb 6:6  it is a verb [G340], but it is not in the context of  describing the covenant, it is a derivative  of “Kainos” but it is modified by a preposition [G303] to change it into an action verb that means renew.

The two part Prophecy of Jer 31.

Verse 31 “Behold, the days are coming (pt1)… a new covenant(A or pt 1) with the House of Judah and Israel.” then in verse 33 “ but THIS is the covenant(B or pt 2) that I will make with the house of Israel [two houses reunited as one  Eze 37:15-28 the evidence of the fulfillment of this prophecy in ver 31:33-34]  after those days (pt 2).” Then as we read on  through the end of verse 34, we see a list of signs of the Covenant .  Other places in scripture  that support the signs of the covenant being in effect and fulfilled are in Eze. 37:22, 24, 26-28 with supporting Verse in Rev. 21:3,22; Eze 11:17-21, Lev 26:11-15, et al.   Yet it looks like this can only be fully ratified or fulfilled under David on the throne.  Eze 37:24 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.

The Heart of the Issue is that until about a thousand years ago, Hebrew had no vowel points to aid in pronunciation.   Hebrew is based on a three letter root.  For this issue of the “new” versus “renewed” The three letter root in this case is חדשׁ the three Hebrew letters from right to left are Chet, Dalet and Shin.  Possibly a cognate of the Aramaic [H2323] Which is rendered with the Hebrew letters Chet, Dalet and Tav חדת  (Aramaic).

So the issue at hand is that you have three Hebrew words that are all spelled with the same חדשׁ   Chet, Dalet and Shin.  Strong’s list them as H2318, H2319, and H2320 The first is a verb, the second an adjective the third is a noun.   

The first H2318 is a verb, it is used in the sense of "repair" or "rebuild” as well it is used to indicate the action renew(ed),  [like one renews a book at the library – it is an action word or a verb]. Also David’s heart cry to renew a right spirit in Him in Psa 51.

The second is an adjective H2319 meaning new, fresh or new thing.  “This adjective, usually attributive, describes, as in English, a variety of physical objects.” [TWOT def 0613a.]

The third and last H2320 is a masculine noun used for month or the New Moon [which is the begging of the month in the bible], it can also indicate the lunar month.  [TWOT 613b]

Why is this important, because the underlying meaning is determined in the absence of vowel points by its syntax or arrangement in the sentence and the modifiers that are attached to the root.

Where the word is in the sentence and what it comes before or after indicates the part of speech and which definition that one has to use.

While perhaps well meaning people have desired to “label it a renewed covenant”  in order to strengthen the application of Torah under the Grace and the blood of Yeshuah.   Yet poor scholarship and errant exegete of scripture actually weakens and undermines the message of Grace in walking out Torah as an integral part of the faith. 

 If it is done deceptively or purposefully it is intellectually dishonest as well as violating Torah, this maybe the case for some people that have tried to shoehorn it in to Doctrine.   Yet, the problem is if one part of our message is discredited based on translation mistakes, what keep a person seeking the truth of the ancient paths from throwing the baby out with the bath water?    It becomes a stumbling stone to the truth of Torah instead of a beacon or a banner that draws men to Yeshuah and walking out Torah.

The message of walking out Torah with grace, is easy to defend and plenty of great apologetics exist, the truth can stand on its own. It doesn’t need help.  It is more a matter of knowing the most common arguments and then knowing how to defeat them with the truth and just the bible in your hand.   The great majority of the time they are overcome simply by reading the full context of the verse.   It is also much easier to convince some of our evangelical brethren using a mainstream translation that has wide acceptance or recognition, over one of our “boutique” translations.  [i.e. KJV, NKJV, NIV, NASB]  by using one of these mainstream version you remove one more brick in the wall to sharing and hopefully sharing and showing them the Truth of Torah for all believers. 

While they may not be perfect translations, sometimes were only planting little more than a seed of doubt that they will then start seek the truth in the scriptures for themselves.

SO LET US PUT THIS INTO THE PRACTICAL
Lets Parse the syntax of  Jer 31:31

- Do you remember how to diagram a sentence from your English class or Latin Class? Same basic principles apply in Hebrew. (See rules above).

So Let’s parse this sentence in Hebrew: I have set off the parts with **

Jer 31:31 הנה H2009 Behold, ימים H3117 the days באים H935 come, נאם H5002 saith יהוה H3068 the LORD, **VERB וכרתי H3772 that I will make**  את H854 with בית H1004 the house ישׂראל H3478 of Israel, ואת H854 and with בית H1004 the house יהודה H3063 of Judah: **NOUN-Fem SUBJECT ברית H1285 covenant** ** ADJ Fem חדשׁה׃ H2319  a new**

H2319
חדשׁ châdâsh
BDB Definition:
1) new, new thing, fresh
Part of Speech: **ADJECTIVE**
Same Word by TWOT Number: 613a
Derivative TWOT Number: 613a
Derivative Transliteration: hadash
Derivative Strong’s Cross Reference: H2319
Derivative Definition: new, new thing, fresh.
hadash. New, new thing, fresh. This ADJECTIVE, usually attributive, describes, as in English, a variety of physical objects (e.g., house, wife, cords, sword, garment, cruse, meal offering, king, gate, etc.). It is also used for non-material things as name (Isa_62:2), song (Psa_149:1), covenant (Jer_31:31), God’s mercies (Lam_3:23), heart, and spirit (Eze_36:26). While suffering, Job longed for the time when his glory was “fresh” in him (Job_29:20).
———————————————————————————————
H2318
חדשׁchâdash
BDB Definition:
1) to be new, renew, repair
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to renew, make anew
Part of Speech: **VERB**
 ————————————————————————————————
H1285
בּרית berîyth
BDB Definition:
1) covenant
Part of Speech: **NOUN feminine**
Same Word by TWOT Number: 282a

¹   http://www.sil.org/acpub/repository/31850.pdf  18 page pdf that explains the deviation from the standard syntax structure (Verb Preceding the noun) in Psalms 51..

Does it really matter who is elected this Fall?

Something that I asked people in 2008,  what if it is God's plan for Barack Obama to become president,  are you supposed to vote for him or against Him, if that is who Abba Father  has purposed to win the Election.  In order that He might turn our hearts back to the Father.

I think far to often we have blind allegiances to men and political parties that rival our allegiance to the Kingdom of Heaven.

How many people last election - prayed Father "who am I to vote for?"  

Did we bother, or is that a silly prayer, because we already know. It is  X, Y, or Z of course. Based on our party platform or preference.  

I think that the Biblical point of view and pattern that we can see through out  scripture is that it is not about the person that is elected or in power, rather it is an issue of the heart of the people that vote to elect the next "President,  Prime Minister,  or the next School board". 

Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 

Pro 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. 

It is not about the "King/President/Governmental person in Power" it is about the heart of the subjects.

But it in the Western Church it is as popular as the talking about the Torah.  

Speaking against an authority that you live or work under, either a boss, mayor,  PM or President - it is the same as speaking against God. 

If you read the above verses you'll understand why it is not the ruler that matters, rather those who are ruled that matter the most. 

We read in the Torah and Paul quotes this verse in Acts 23:3-5 while an identifiable spiritual ruler existed on earth, an earthly high priest not a Pope.

Exodus 22:28 You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

This is a Sin I have to repent of more than once.   I know that I have not always kept a bridle on my tongue when it has come to politicians. 

May we become more like David, whose conscience was pierced when He cut the corner of king Saul's garment (1 Sam 24:4-5) .  We can see the polar opposite heart in king Saul ( 1 Sam 15:26-28).

Test #1

Um'Taher? What in the world is Um'taher?

Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier (Um'Taher) of silver;
He will purify (V'Tiher) the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the LORD
An offering in righteousness.

The Hebrew verb Taher s Strongs defines it this way: H2891 טהר
(taw-hare) A primitive root; properly to be bright; that is, (by implication) to be pure (physically sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically uncontaminated; morally innocent or holy): - be (make, make self, pronounce) clean, cleanse (self), purge, purify (-ier, self).

Most Americans have lost a connection to the value of Gold and Silver - which we read of its value as "money" The Hebrew word for silver - Kesef. is the same word that is used for the word money. The first place we see it used as a store of Value is with Abram when He buy the land and the Caves to bury Sarah. - If you have bought a house in America - you have had a title search done on the land to make sure that you actually have a deed to ownership. This is one of several of the greatest recordings of a land transaction in the world, a few others are the Temple mount - Mount Moriah - that King David bought.

I digres. I use this verse because - Gold and Silver have often been presented as items of Values. The buried Treasure chest filled with items of Gold and silver, and coins and tokens and jewels. This is what Treasure is or a "Segullah" Heb. We read of it in Mal 3:17 and how HE will spare them.

Truly we will see the YHVH ( The LORD) Purify His sons and daughters, in these last days.

Those that Fear the LORD. The Hebrew is Yare (Yiray) YHVH. We read that those who fear HIS name.

Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
And the LORD listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the LORD
And who meditate on His name.

Mal 3:17 "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts,
"On the day that I make them My Treasure Heb. Segullah (Exo 19:5-6; 1 Pet 2:5-10)
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him."

Mal 3:18 Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.

In verse 18 we read that He will make a distinction once again. We read of distinction being made on behalf of peoples. The children of Israel had to go through some of the plagues. Just the first three of them, then He made a distinction between the Children of Israel and the Egyptians.

While it popular and comforting to think that God is just going to wisk His people away and protect them from any discomfort or trouble. I think that if HE doesn't do it now in "normal" life, and more "normal times, why should that change? Do we not know or have we not seen many that have had a small taste of discomfort or trials or tribulations in life?

I am not looking to debate, "rapture eschatology". I will present this question - what happens when a generation perhaps close to a billion people have been told that the ride only cost $.25 and that your going to be wisked away in the twinkle of an eye. What happens if the reality is that the ride is really going to cost us $1.25 or that your going to go through some or all of the tribulation?

I think that this will be a portion of the great falling away. When people are shocked, when they look around and the things that they read that were not supposed to happen to them, are shockingly happening to them, that they are still here and not up there. I think that another portion of the great falling away is the seeker friendly - Golden Ticket Gospel.

I am greatly grieved when the people are crying out that their Constitutional rights are being taken away. Many are more concerned about thier "rights" than their righteousness. It is righteousness that exalts a nation. The nation that Murmurs together, gets to die together in the wilderness.

Frankly, unless we have a major heart change, and start crying out to YHVH (the LORD), and stop crying about what ails the political system. I pray for hearts that will do Teshuvah (Heb. word for repentance) that we will not see an acceleration of the downfall. I shared a prophetic word in 2007 or 2008 that we were at the end of Pax Americana - or Peace of America. Sadly, we are that ride, and the roller coaster clicks ratchet by ratchet, slowly toward that sudden plunge and drop.

Many people are worried that they are going to be rounded up or enslaved through our loss of personal freedoms. I embrace it. Cause I can see it now and coming fast and furious. We are already slaves or prisoners in a cell without walls. Most just don't get it yet. I am just waiting for more people to wake up. Then they can repent, and cry out, then those that start to cry out will see salvation or deliverance.

Rather than repenting and praying for forgiveness, they pray but for the wrong thing. They pray for a "return to the hey-day of extravagant and luxurious living , of easy money, easy credit and easy street.

Eze 22:18 "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver.

Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the LORD
An offering in righteousness.