samedi 9 mai 2015

36Parsha Emor – Say - Vayiqra 21 :1 – 24 :23 Yechezk’El 44 :15-31, 1 Kefa 2 :4-10


The thirty-first reading from the Torah is called Emor (אמור), a title that comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Speak (emor) to the priests, the sons of Aaron ...'" (Leviticus 21:1). Emor begins with special laws of sanctity, propriety and purity for the priesthood. Leviticus 23 provides an overview of the biblical calendar, a listing of the LORD's appointed times.


Portion Outline

  • TORAH
    • Leviticus 21:1 | The Holiness of Priests
    • Leviticus 22:1 | The Use of Holy Offerings
    • Leviticus 22:17 | Acceptable Offerings
    • Leviticus 23:1 | Appointed Festivals
    • Leviticus 23:3 | The Sabbath, Passover, and Unleavened Bread
    • Leviticus 23:9 | The Offering of First Fruits
    • Leviticus 23:15 | The Festival of Weeks
    • Leviticus 23:23 | The Festival of Trumpets
    • Leviticus 23:26 | The Day of Atonement
    • Leviticus 23:33 | The Festival of Booths
    • Leviticus 24:1 | The Lamp
    • Leviticus 24:5 | The Bread for the Tabernacle
    • Leviticus 24:10 | Blasphemy and Its Punishment
  • PROPHETS
    • Eze 44:15 | The Levitical Priests


The Parasha “emor” goes on with instruction in a “Qadosh” (holy) life style. It is יהוה’s will that his people be “Qadosh”, Set apart. Today in the world everything is up side down. In the Christian world many think that, because they are saved “by grace through faith”, they don’t have to care so much concerning their life style, it will not change their destiny. More, they believe that all commandments from the “old testament” as they call the Tanak, are no more for believers today! יהושע and the apostles do not share this point of view (Yochan. 14:15, 15:10, Matt.19:17, 1 Yochan.5:3, Rev. 12:17, 14:12).  It is obvious that today there is no love for the Torah, only a small remnant gives themselves to the learning of the Torah and wait patiently to the return of their Master יהושע Messiah. I have even seen among the messianic, those who think it is not necessary to learn Torah, it’s enough to keep the Shabbat and feast. The result is that their carnal nature remains not renewed!  Only those who are in Messiah, those who walked as he walked can see the truth that is in the Torah.  1Jn 2:6 The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked (He Messiah). Today יהוה’s people are under the priesthood of Melkitzedek, we know that the Levitical priesthood has been put aside by Messiah יהושע, this do not make the commandments void.  The Levites, sons of Levi were chosen to serve יהוה in the Mishkahn, the Tabernacle and to teach the Torah to יהוה’s people (D’varim 24:8, Vayiqra 10:11). Today those who are called have also the responsibility to teach others, the way of יהוה.  .........Mar 4:1 and He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea.  Mar 6:2 and Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the congregation. And many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did He get all this? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him that such miracles are done through His hands? Mar 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Aḏam has to suffer much, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days to rise again. Joh 7:35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? Will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles (nations), and teach the Gentiles (nations)?
1Co 4:17 for this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and trustworthy son in the Master, who shall remind you of my ways in Messiah, as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 2Ti 2:2 and what you have heard from me among many witnesses, entrust these to trustworthy men who shall be competent to teach others as well. 1Ti 2:7 for which I was appointed a proclaimer and an emissary – I am speaking the truth in Messiah and not lying – a teacher of the gentiles in belief and truth.  Eph 4:11 and He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers ..........
Sha’ul was from the tribe of Benyamin (Philip 3:5), יהושע from the tribe of Yehuda (Hebr.7:14).
The gifts of the Ruach HaQodesh (Set Apart Spirit) are given to some for the same purpose as it was in the time of Moshe under the Levitical priesthood:
Eph 4:11 and He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers
Eph 4:12 for the perfecting of the set-apart ones, to the work of service to a building up of the body of the Messiah, Eph 4:13 until we all come to the unity of the belief and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the completeness of Messiah, Eph 4:14 so that we should no longer be children, tossed and borne about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men, in cleverness, unto the craftiness of leading astray,1 Footnote: 15:6, also 2 Cor. 10:5, 2 Cor. 11:3-14, Gal. 1:6-9, 2 Tim. 3:1-8, 2 Tim. 4:2-4, 2 Peter 2:2-22, Jud. vv. 10-19.Eph 4:15 but, maintaining the truth in love, we grow up in all respects into Him who is the head, Messiah, Eph 4:16 from whom the entire body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the working by which each part does its share, causes growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  
Once again this “parasha” will bring us into a new spiritual understanding as we go on to see behind the letter, as has been prepared of יהוה for those who love him.  I remember years ago, whenever I read Torah, my mind was darkened and the reading of all this “laws” was for me hard. I just saw the “p’shat”, literal level and couldn’t enjoy such reading.  Today thanks be to our Elohim, I want to encourage all those who start to read, to dig behind the letter and ask our Heavenly Father for “binah”, understanding. I know perseverance is one of the fruit of the Ruach.  Shaul was among the apostles one having a deep understanding. Today unfortunately, many because of rejecting the Torah have made their own interpretation. I tell you as I have done it many times before, that Shaul was very knowledgeable in Torah, having been raised at the feet of Gamaliel . 
Act 5:34 But a certain one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamli’ĕl, a teacher of the Torah, respected by all the people, and ordered them to put the emissaries outside for a little while, Act 22:3I (that is Shaul) am indeed a Yehuḏite, having been born in Tarsos of Kilikia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamli’ĕl, having been instructed according to the exactness of the Torah of our fathers, being ardent for Elohim, as you all are today, ...For those who do not know, I encourage to do what I did before, and still do today, take somebody, even if you don’t know him by sight and learn from him, asking Abba יהוה to help you to discern. I tell you that by the power of the Ruach HaQodesh in you, if indeed the Ruach HaQodesh dwells in you, that you will not be lead astray, but the Ruach Himself will enlighten your path.  It takes humility, patience, endurance and a willing heart to learn from others. Accepting our deficiency in Torah’s knowledge, we can learn always, growing in faith by accepting that others knows better than we do!  It is said that Shaul was able to quote the whole Torah by heart, from the first verse of B’reshit (Genesis) to the last one from D’varim (Deuteronome).  Why is it so important?
To know the Torah to the best of our ability will give substance to the Ruach HaQodesh to teach us all truth reflected in the Brit Chadasha. Nothing in the Brit Chadasaha, is made up of “new teaching” from the apostles but much more established in the Tanak (Torah, Prophets and writings) itself.  Today we are going through several laws pertaining to the priest, the High priest, to man and woman in their obligation toward יהוה and how to approach him.  I read before all this laws and was bored, unable to understand what the reason we shall learn Torah was!  Today we are going to see, the beauty “Tiferet” of the Torah as we go deeper in the “sod”, the mystery of the Torah.
Mar 4:11 andG2532 he saidG3004 unto them,G846 Unto youG5213 it is givenG1325 to knowG1097 theG3588 mysteryG3466 of theG3588 kingdomG932 of God:G2316 butG1161 unto themG1565 thatG3588 are without (outside)t,G1854 all these thingsG3956 are doneG1096 inG1722 parables:G3850
Mystery: strong’s #G3466 mustērion moos-tay'-ree-on.....From a derivative of μύω muō (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): - mystery.
Parable: Strong’s #G3850 parabolē par-ab-ol-ay'  From G3846; a similitude (“parable”), that is, (symbolically) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apoth gm or adage: - comparison, figure, parable, proverb.....
The Hebrew word Sod: Strong’s #H5475 sôd sode  ...From H3245; a session, that is, company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication intimacy, consultation, a secret: - assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel). 
Psa 25:14 the secretH5475 of YHWH is with them that fearH3373 him; and he will shewH3045 them his covenant.H1285 ............
Parables are concealed words for those outside the covenant in order that they seek and will not understand, until they have brought genuine repentance and turned to the Torah’s instruction (i.e. Christianity).  We see that the meaning of “sod” and “mystery” is the same. Indeed יהוה keep “secrets” for those that fear Him and seek Him daily.  Today you will see that to build our faith need study and that the faith will come when the inner man is fed with the Torah, יהוה’s Ruach. The time will come when the birth pangs (tribulations) will increase that those who have neglected to study the Torah will be shaken, because their “House” has been built on “sand” (Matt.7:26) and the enemy will have easy way to overcome them.
Chapter 21. 
- Verse 1-3…..”Speak to the priests…….no one is to be defiled for the dead……..except for….relatives….mother….father….son….daughter….brother…sister near to him who has no husband
The “parasha” title “Emor” is the Hebrew word:
Emor: Strong’s #H559 אמר written aleph, mem,resh, 'âmar aw-mar', written aleph, mem, resh.....A primitive root; to say (used with great latitude): - answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command (ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use [speech], utter, X verily, X yet.
This word “emor” implies unconditional obedience as it is a command from יהוה. Law for the priests, sons of Aharon and of course his descendants, was “not to defile” themselves.
To defile: Strong’s #H2930 טמא ṭâmê' taw-may'  ...A primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense (contaminated): - defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, X utterly.
If you remember we saw this word “tame” already in other “parasha”:  The parasha Emor bring us to make difference between death and living. A dead body has no more life or “Elohim given breath of life” and become “tame” affecting those who touch the dead.
Lev 11:4 neverthelessH389 (H853) theseH2088 shall ye notH3808 eatH398 of them that chewH4480 H5927 the cud,H1625 or of them that divideH4480 H6536 the hoof:H6541 as(H853) the camel,H1581 becauseH3588 heH1931 chewethH5927 the cud,H1625 but dividethH6536 notH369 the hoof;H6541 heH1931 is uncleanH2931 unto you. ....
Centuries later, the prophet Yechezk’el reminds the people: 
Eze 44:23 “And they (the priest) are to teach My people the difference between the set-apart and the profane, and make them know what is unclean and clean.
Eze 44:24 “And they are to stand as judges in a dispute, and judge it according to My right-rulings. And they are to guard My Torot (plural of Torah) and My laws in all My appointed festivals, and set apart My Sabbaths.  Eze 44:25 “And they are not to defile themselves by coming near a dead man. Only for a father or mother, for a son or daughter, for a brother or unmarried sister they defile themselves.  Eze 44:26 “And after his cleansing, they count seven days for him, Eze 44:27 and on the day that he comes into the inner court of the set-apart place to attend in the set-apart place, he brings his sin offering,” declares the Master יהוה.
Now to understand the word for “dead” in the first verse is the Hebrew word:  Strong’s #H5315 נפשׁ nephesh neh'-fesh..From H5314; properly a breathing creature, that is, animal or (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental): - any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead (-ly), desire, X [dis-] contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart (-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortality, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
We read:  Gen 2:7 and YHWHH3068 ElohimH430 formedH3335 (H853) manH120 of the dustH6083 ofH4480 the ground,H127 and breathedH5301 into his nostrilsH639 the breathH5397 of life;H2416 and manH120 becameH1961 a livingH2416 soul.H5315
We see that in B’reshit (Gen.) the word is translated as soul (nephesh) and preceded from the word “living” which is the Hebrew word “chay” from “chayah” to live. This is in opposite to the “dead”.
In the p’shat or literal it is not easy to understand the reason why יהוה command the priest not to be “tame”, defiled by the dead. We can see for some understanding: 
Mat 22:31 “And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by Elohim, saying, Mat 22:32 ‘I am the Elohim of Aḇraham, and the Elohim of Yitsḥaq, and the Elohim of Yaʽaqoḇ’? Elohim is not the Elohim of the dead, but of the living.”
The physical meaning it implies also the spiritual meaning:
Rom 4:19 And not having grown weak in belief, he did not consider his own body, already dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, Rom 5:15 But the favourable gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass many died, much more the favour of Elohim, and the gift in favour of the one Man, יהושע Messiah, overflowed to many.
This man was “Adam” the first mankind from the earth (1st Corint. 15:47). You remember we read that the carcase of dead animals:
Lev 5:2 orH176 if a soul (nefesh)H5315 touchH5060 anyH3605 unclean (tame)H2931 thing,H1697 whetherH176 it be a carcaseH5038 of an uncleanH2931 beast,H2416 orH176 a carcaseH5038 of uncleanH2931 cattle,H929 orH176 the carcaseH5038 of uncleanH2931 creeping things,H8318 and if it be hiddenH5956 fromH4480 him; heH1931 also shall be unclean,H2931 and guilty.H816 
Carcasse: Strong’s#H5038 נבלה nebêlâh neb-ay-law'
From H5034; a flabby thing, that is, a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collective); figuratively an idol: - (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dies of itself.
The torah tells us that when the priest touched the carcase of a dead animal or even of man “nephesh”, he becomes unclean, “tame”. We have seen the reason יהושע tells us that יהוה is the Elohim of the living, not from the dead. Death came because of sin, which is the transgression of the Torah (mitzvoth), commands. Sin separates us from Elohim, making us unacceptable before Elohim, thus death while living is a state of spiritual condition. Death came though transgression and thus dead bodies make man “tame”, “unclean” and inacceptable before Elohim.  I remember when I was a young boy, we went to the supermarket and when we saw a Muslim buying we enjoyed to put “pork” in his caddy (wagon) and observed him. When he saw the pork in the caddy, he just let all stay and went to take another wagon. All was made “tame” by coming in contact with “pork”. It is amazing that today Christians are blinded to the truth and boast to be able to eat all kind of food, adhering to Constantine pagan law. .....Keil and Delitzsch give us following explanation:  The priest was not to defile himself on account of a soul, i.e., a dead person (nephesh, as in Lev_19:28), among his countrymen, unless it were of his kindred, who stood near to him (i.e., in the closest relation to him), formed part of the same family with him (cf. Lev_21:3), such as his mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or a sister who was still living with him as a virgin and was not betrothed to a husband (cf. Eze_44:25). As every corpse not only defiled the persons who touched it, but also the tent or dwelling in which the person had died (Num_19:11, Num_19:14); in the case of death among members of the family or household, defilement was not to be avoided on the part of the priest as the head of the family. It was therefore allowable for him to defile himself on account of such persons as these, and even to take part in their burial.
Num 19:14 thisH2063 is the law,H8451 whenH3588 a manH120 diethH4191 in a tent:H168 allH3605 that comeH935 intoH413 the tent,H168 and allH3605 thatH834 is in the tent,H168 shall be uncleanH2930 sevenH7651 days.H3117 .
May be we can see that the priest and the High Priest, where to come into the tabernacle for the service and thus couldn’t enter in a “tame” (unclean) condition! We can explain it because in the “sod” the Tabernacle is a picture of Messiah and the Body of Messiah where no unclean is to be brought. The Tabernacle in the wilderness is also a picture of the Assembly (all Israel) in the world as it is today in the spiritual.  Dead is the opposite of life (Chay), we can ask what life is? 
Deu 32:46 and he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this Torah. Deu 32:47 for it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
Life = keeping and doing things written in the Torah!
Death= Rejecting the Torah!
Verse 5……… they do not make any bald place on their heads…………..
Remember the children of Israel (carnal man) came out from Egypt, Mytzrayim where they spent four hundred thirty years. This is a long period of time. It is like if we say today we were slave in a foreign country since the year 1579 and had been penetrate by their traditions. Here making bald place on the head or cutting the corner of the beard was pagan tradition as Keil and Delitzsch explain:  the prohibition which is addressed to individuals being applicable to the whole: upon their head shall no one shave a bald place, namely, in front above the forehead, “between the eyes” (Deu_14:1). We may infer from the context that reference is made to a customary mode of mourning for the dead; and this is placed beyond all doubt by Deu_14:1, where it is forbidden to all the Israelites “for the dead.” According to Herodotus, 2, 36, the priests in Egypt were shaven, whereas in other places they wore their hair long. In other nations it was customary for those who were more immediately concerned to shave their heads as a sign of mourning; but the Egyptians let their hair grow both upon their head and chin when any of their relations were dead, whereas they shaved at other times. The two other outward signs of mourning mentioned, namely, cutting off the edge of the beard and making incisions in the body, have already been forbidden in Lev_19:27-28, and the latter is repeated in Deu_14:1. The reason for the prohibition is given in Lev_21:6 - “they shall be holy unto their God, and therefore not disfigure their head and body by signs of passionate grief, and so profane the name of their God when they offer the firings of Jehovah; that is to say, when they serve and approach the God who has manifested Himself to His people as the Holy One. On the epithet applied to the sacrifices, “the food of God,” see at Lev_3:11 and Lev_3:16.  Cutting the flesh disqualified somebody to serve יהוה: Lev 21:21 ‘No man among the offspring of Aharon the priest, who has a defect (mark in the flesh, i.e. broken bones, mark, tattoo….) is to come near to bring the offerings made by fire to יהוה
Verse 7……. they do not take a woman put away from her husband………

Put away: Strong’s #H1644 גּרשׁ gârash gaw-rash' written gimel,resh, shin....A primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce: - cast up (out), divorced (woman), drive away (forth, out), expel, X surely put away, trouble, thrust out.  We see here clearly the woman who got a “get of divorce” from her husband.
Deu 24:1 whenH3588 a manH376 hath takenH3947 a wife,H802 and marriedH1166 her, and it come to passH1961 thatH518 she findH4672 noH3808 favourH2580 in his eyes,H5869 becauseH3588 he hath foundH4672 someH1697 uncleannessH6172 in her: then let him writeH3789 her a billH5612 of divorcement,H3748 and giveH5414 it in her hand,H3027 and sendH7971 her out of his house.H4480 H1004 ..................Do not forget this statement because the House of Israel got a “bill of divorce” called a “Sefer Keritut”, or “get of divorce” (Colossians 2:14) which has been nullified by יהושע Messiah, paying the price for us.  Col 2:14 having blotted out the certificate of debt against us – by the dogmaswhich stood against us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the stake. ........
Dogma: G1378 dogma dog'-mah......From the base of G1380; a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical): - decree, ordinance.............In Hebrew there are at least two words for “ordinances”, “choq” which is used for custom, decree or appointment; the other word used for “ordinances” is:
Strong’s:H4941 משׁפּט mishpath written mem, shin,peh, tav,meaning: mishpâṭ mish-pawt'
From H8199; properly a verdict (favourable or unfavourable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (particularly) divine law, individual or collectively), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly justice, including a particular right, or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style: -  + adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just (-ice, -ly), (manner of) law (-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
We can see that this “dogma” “mispath” were referring to the “sefer keritut”, the bill of divorced proclaimed against the House of Israel, you and me, according to the prophets Hosea, YrmeaYahu and others.
Elohim required this standard from the priest and more also from the High Priest. The reason is given us verse 8……..he is set-apart to you. For I, יהוה, setting you apart, am set-apart. The priest serving in the Tabernacle had to be “Qadosh”, “Set apart”, because they were to be like Elohim who is “Qadosh”, “Set apart”.  Now let us see what the meaning for us today is, and how it applies to our life. 
Question: Who are the priests today, the Levites?
1Pe 2:9 But you (you and me) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light,  
Now we can see the standard of life we are called to live! How can we come into יהוה’s presence in our worship or personal prayers, been “tame”, defiled, by having followed the world standard? 
1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the Dwelling Place of the Set-apart Spirit who is in you, which you have from Elohim, and you are not your own?  1Co 3:17 if any manG1536 defileG5351 theG3588 templeG3485 of Elohim,G2316 himG5126 shall ElohimG2316 destroy;G5351 forG1063 theG3588 templeG3485 of GodG2316 isG2076 holy,G40 whichG3748 temple yeG5210 are.G2075
As we go on, we will see that there is more to see in the “sod” meaning. יהוה’s people are called to be set apart every day, not from Shabbat to Shabbat.  The body is also call Tabernacle:
2Pe 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
2Pe 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Master Yehoshua the Messiah hath shewed me. …………
Verses 10-15……… And the high priest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil was poured…………..let him take a wife in her maidenhood (virgin)……………a widow or one put away or a defiled woman or a whore – these he does not take. But a maiden of his own people he does take as a wife.
The high priest has rules which are more restrictive than the priest. The High Priest is the only one to minister in the Most Set Apart place. He was commanded to take a wife in her maidenhood, the King James used the word “virgin” which is the Hebrew word “bethûlîym”, no widow, no divorced woman, no harlot, no profane that is polluted!  Let us see now the spiritual meaning:
Who is our High Priest, is it not יהושע Messiah?
Heb 2:17 WhereforeG3606 inG2596 all thingsG3956 it behovedG3784 him to be made like untoG3666 his brethren,G80 thatG2443 he (Yehoshua) might beG1096 a mercifulG1655 andG2532 faithfulG4103 high priestG749 in thingsG4314 pertaining to Elohim,G2316 to make reconciliation forG2433 theG3588 sinsG266 of theG3588 people.G2992 Heb 3:1 Therefore, set-apart brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, closely consider the Emissary and High Priest of our confession, Messiah יהושע, Heb 4:15 ForG1063 we haveG2192 notG3756 an high priestG749 which cannotG1410 G3361 be touched with the feeling ofG4834 ourG2257 infirmities;G769 butG1161 was inG2596 all pointsG3956 temptedG3985 like asG2596 G3665 we are, yet withoutG5565 sin.G266
What our condition was before: Harlot, divorced, polluted…
Jer 3:8 And I saw,H7200 whenH3588 forH5921 allH3605 the causesH182 wherebyH834 backslidingH4878 IsraelH3478 committed adulteryH5003 I had put her away,H7971 and givenH5414 H413 her(H853) a billH5612 of divorce;H3748 yet her treacherousH898 sisterH269 JudahH3063 fearedH3372 not,H3808 but wentH1980 and played the harlotH2181 also.H1571
Bill of divorce: Sefer H5612, Kerituth H378...................But look what Shaul write in his Elohim given wisdom:
2Co 11:2 ForG1063 I am jealousG2206 over youG5209 with godlyG2316 jealousy:G2205 forG1063 I have espousedG718 youG5209 to oneG1520 husband,G435 that I may presentG3936 you as a chasteG53 virginG3933 to Messiah.
Chaste.Strong’s#G53 hagnos hag-nos'  From the same as G40; properly clean, that is, (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect: - chaste, clean, pure...............
Virgin. Strong’s #G3933 parthenos par-then'-os
Of unknown origin; a maiden; by implication an unmarried daughter: - virgin.
Shaul is speaking of those belonging to the body of Messiah, be presented to him to the wedding been “virgin”.
Rev 14:4 TheseG3778 areG1526 they whichG3739 were notG3756 defiledG3435 withG3326 women;G1135 forG1063 they areG1526 virgins.G3933 TheseG3778 areG1526 they which followG190 theG3588 LambG721 whithersoeverG3699 G302 he goeth.G5217 TheseG3778 were redeemedG59 fromG575 among men,G444 being the firstfruitsG536 unto GodG2316 andG2532 to theG3588 Lamb.G721
Do you still doubt, it is about you and me? 
Eph 2:1 AndG2532 youG5209 hath he quickened, who wereG5607 deadG3498  (without Torah) in trespassesG3900 andG2532 sins;G266
Eph 2:2 WhereinG1722 G3739 in time pastG4218 ye walkedG4043 accordingG2596 to theG3588 courseG165 of thisG5127 world,G2889 accordingG2596 to theG3588 princeG758 of theG3588 powerG1849 of theG3588 air,G109 theG3588 spiritG4151 that now workethG1754 G3568 inG1722 theG3588 childrenG5207 of disobedience:G543 Eph 2:4 ButG1161 Elohim who isG5607 richG4145 inG1722 mercy,G1656 forG1223 hisG848 greatG4183 loveG26 wherewithG3739 he lovedG25 us,G2248
Eph 2:5 EvenG2532 when weG2248 wereG5607 deadG3498 in sins,G3900 hath quickened us togetherG4806 with Messiah, (byG5547 graceG5485 ye areG2075 saved;)G4982 Eph 2:6 AndG2532 hath raised us up together,G4891 andG2532 made us sit togetherG4776 inG1722 heavenlyG2032 places inG1722 Messiah  יהושע      Eph 2:13 ButG1161 nowG3570 inG1722 Messiah יהושע yeG5210 who sometimes wereG5607 G4218 far offG3112 are madeG1096 nighG1451 byG1722 theG3588 bloodG129 of Messiah .................
When Messiah will come back at his second advent, there will be a beautiful wedding for those who are this royal priesthood, a virgin (spiritual see the 10 virgins parabel in Matthew 25), those who have followed Messiah יהושע in all his way and have not defiled (tame) themselves.
Rev 19:7 let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Rev 19:8 and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Rev 19:9 and he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of YHWH.
Verse 11. ………nor defile himself for his father or his mother,......Compare with what Shaul says to the Corinthians:  2Co 11:3 But I am afraid, lest, as the serpent deceived Ḥawwah (Eve) by his trickery, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Messiah.  The Greek word used here for “corrupted” is:
Strong’s #G5351 phetheirō fthi'-ro.  Probably strengthened from φθίω phthiō (to pine or waste): properly to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process) or (genitive) to ruin (especially figuratively by moral influences, to deprave): - corrupt (self), defile, destroy.  Verses 22-23……..He does eat the bread of his Elohim………... he shall notH3808 go inH935 untoH413 the vail,H6532 norH3808 come nighH5066 untoH413 the altar,H4196 becauseH3588 he hath a blemish;H3971...The priest is called to eat the bread of His Elohim, the blemish make the priest unacceptable to come to the veil or the altar and be partaker to eat the bread of Elohim! This make all of us disqualified to come to יהוה, but thank be to Elohim that יהושע came to restore us unto יהוה in order that we can be partaker of eating the bread of our Elohim, that is to “eat” the bread, the Torah.
Pro 9:5 Come,H1980 eatH3898 of my bread,H3899 and drinkH8354 of the wineH3196 which I have mingled.H4537
Isa 55:2 WhereforeH4100 do ye spendH8254 moneyH3701 for that which is notH3808 bread?H3899 and your labourH3018 for that which satisfiethH7654 not?H3808 hearken diligentlyH8085 H8085 untoH413 me, and eatH398 ye that which is good,H2896 and let your soulH5315 delight itselfH6026 in fatness.H1880
Mat 4:4 But He answering, said, “It has been written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה.’1 Footnote: 1Dt. 8:
 1Co 10:17 because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 
Lev 21:1 and יהוה said to Mosheh, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aharon, and say to them: ‘No one is to be defiled for the dead among his people, ...
Lev 21:23 only, he does not go near the veil or approach the altar, because he has a defect, lest he profanes My set-apart places. For I am יהוה, who sets them apart.’ ” Lev 21:24 Thus Mosheh spoke to Aharon and his sons, and to all the children of Yisra’ĕl. …………

Chapter 22.- Verse 3. Read following:
Lev 15:3 ‘And this is his uncleanness in regard to his discharge; whether his flesh runs with his discharge, or his flesh is stopped up by his discharge, it is his uncleanness. 
The required high standard of purity applied to the priest and High Priest in any form of his life. His daily behaviour qualified or disqualified him to come into יהוה presence. How it is with us today?
The world since Adam’s sin is in a state of impurity and has need of restoration: 
Act 3:21  WhomG3739 the heavenG3772 mustG1163(G3303) receiveG1209 untilG891 the timesG5550 of restitutionG605 of all things,G3956 whichG3739 GodG2316 hath spokenG2980 byG1223 the mouthG4750 of allG3956 hisG848 holyG40 prophetsG4396 since the world began.G575 G165 .
Restitution: Strong’s #G605 apokatastasis ap-ok-at-as'-tas-is  From G600; reconstitution: - restitution. 
Rom 8:19 for the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of YHWH.  Rom 8:20 for the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Rom 8:21 because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of YHWH.  Rom 8:22 for we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  Rom 8:23 and not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 
We see here Shaul speaking of: Creation and of the children of Elohim. 
1Co 11:27 So that whoever should eat this bread or drink this cup of the Master unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Master. 1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. 1Co 11:29 For the one who is eating and drinking unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Master. 1Co 11:30 Because of this many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (are dead).
We can see that immoral behaviours affect the body. Many today neglect the spiritual and moral attitude, been entangle by the world system.
To be dead is opposite to life. In D’varim we read:
Deu 32:46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah.
Deu 32:47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.”

Verse 4……or a man who has had an emission of semen…
We read:
Lev 15:16And when a man has an emission of semen, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until evening.
After sunset, the man was restored…...

Verses 8.Corruption or to be defiled (tame) comes also through false company beast are considered to be picture of demons and pagans:
1Co 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone called ‘a brother,’ if he is one who whores (fornicator), or greedy of gain (abuser of others), or an idolater, or a reviler (abusive), or a drunkard, or a swindler – not even to eat with such a one.
Shaul is not speaking from those outside the covenant, but from those “called brother”! We should take time to let this think in our heart to help us when challenged by others.
Verse 9……lest they bear their sin for it and die….Today many are dead spiritually and don’t even know. If you look at the world, many speak of “refreshing their spiritual condition”, “to do something for the spirit”, but these things are a lie, because they only search to satisfy the “ego” of the carnal nature. 
Verse 10-13……………. but no stranger eats of it.
Shaul says: That at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth, being stranger from the covenant of promises……..
In verse 10 the Hebrew word for “stranger” is not the same meaning as for “foreigner”: Stranger: Strong’s #H2114 זוּר zûr zoor written zayin, vav,resh...A primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging); strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery: - (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange (-r, thing, woman).....
Foreigner: Strong’s#H8453 תּשׁב to-shawb' written tav,shin, beth....(The second form used in Kings Num_17:1); from H3427; a dweller (but not outlandish, H5237); especially (as distinguished from a native citizen (active participle of H3427) and a temporary inmate, H1616, or mere lodger, H3885) resident alien: - foreigner-inhabitant, sojourner,
To eat of his meat verse 11: Remember “to eat of the meat” is a euphemism for “taking part of somebody’s life”:
Rom 6:16 KnowG1492 ye not,G3756 thatG3754 to whomG3739 ye yieldG3936 yourselvesG1438 servantsG1401 toG1519 obey,G5218 his servantsG1401 ye areG2075 to whomG3739 ye obey;G5219 whetherG2273 of sinG266 untoG1519 death,G2288 orG2228 of obedienceG5218 untoG1519 righteousness?G1343
Joh 6:56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood stays in Me, and I in him.
Verse 16………….. Allow them to bear the crookedness of trespass………..
1Co 11:27 So that whoever should eat this bread or drink this cup of the Master unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Master. 1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. 1Co 11:29 For the one who is eating and drinking unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Master.
To eat of the bread is to remind us that we are partaker of Messiah’s suffering............How many times believers take part in the Feast of יהוה or Shabbat having bitterness, grudge, unforgiveness or bitterness in their heart and don’t even think about it, been ignorant of the Torah. 
Verses 17-24. We see again that the same rule work for the sacrifices. In order to understand, we shall have in mind that this sacrifices point to יהושע, the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the all world (1st Yochan.2:2).  In these verses, we find again two words for “stranger”. The first is verse 18 in Hebrew “ger” a guest, but in the verse 25, we have again stranger which in Hebrew is the word “nekar” which carry the meaning of paganism. All this disappear in the English translation! 
Verse 25. from a son of a stranger (nekar)’s hand you do not bring…………for their corruption is in them, and defects are in them,
Here the word for “corruption” is: Strong’s#H4825 “m’shoah” from #H7843 “schachath” to decay i.e. (cause) ruin. 
Read now what Shaul says:
1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead: it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption;
Verses 31-33.Elohim reminds the children of Israel (carnal man) again and again to keep the commandments (mitzvoth) and to do them, because He is יהוה their Elohim. Today majority of Christianity call “L-rd” and reject the commandments! Concerning Yehuda they call Elohim:HaShem !
Jer 44:26 “Therefore hear the word of יהוה, all Yehuḏah who are dwelling in the land of Mitsrayim, ‘See, I have sworn by My great Name,’ declares יהוה, ‘My Name shall no longer be called upon by the mouth of any man of Yehuḏah in all the land of Mitsrayim, saying, “As the Master יהוה lives...”
Do you think it’s a coincidence?  33. That brought you out of Egypt…..Remember the reason, יהוה sent Moshe to deliver the Children of Israel (carnal man) from the bondage of Mitzrayim (Egypt): They were called to serve Elohim:
Exo 9:1 and יהוה said to Mosheh, “Go in to Pharaoh and speak to him, ‘Thus said יהוה Elohim of the Heḇrews, “Let My people go, so that they serve Me.
How it is with us today, are we exempt from following the Torah, as it is taught in Christianity, the Constantine religion?  Today the Torah is followed with a willing heart, and love for יהוה through Messiah יהושע who has open the way for us to do it by faith: 
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands,1 and His commands are not heavy. 
Jas 1:22 And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only,1 deceiving yourselves. Footnote: 1See Mt. 7:24-27, Lk. 6:46-49, Lk. 8:21, Rom. 2:13, Heb. 4:11, Rev. 22:14. Jas 1:23 because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, Jas 1:24 for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what he was like. Jas 1:25 But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom,1 and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah. Footnote: 1See 2:12. 
Joh 14:15 “If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.1 Footnote: 1See Ex. 20:6, vv. 21&23, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John v. 6.............
Lev 22:1 and יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,...Lev 22:28 “But do not slaughter a cow or a sheep and its young on the same day. Lev 22:29 “And when you bring a slaughtering of thanksgiving to יהוה, bring it for your acceptance. Lev 22:30 “It is eaten that same day, leave none of it till morning. I am יהוה. Lev 22:31 “And you shall guard My commands and do them. I am יהוה. Lev 22:32 “And do not profane My set-apart Name, and I shall be set-apart among the children of Yisra’ĕl. I am יהוה, who sets you apart, Lev 22:33 who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, to be your Elohim. I am יהוה.”

Chapter 23: The Feast of Yehowah :
This chapter is the exhaustive giving of יהוה’s feast and its regulation. For an in deep ..Study, look at my “midrash” the feast of יהוה.The Feasts of יהוה are the pattern of redemption for all those who believe in יהושע HaMoschiach. The Feast are embedded in the scriptures and connected directly to יהושע for their fulfillment. They are a shadow of good things to come. There is a clear parallel between Moshe the savior of the carnal man, the children of Israel and יהושע, the savior of the spiritual man and redeemer of the body.. The parallel is also found in Yehushua son of Nun, who brought the Children of Israel (carnal man) into the promise land after Moshe’s death.:
Feast: Strong’s מועד #H4150 “moed, mem(40), ayin(70), dalet(4) (total 114)From H3259; properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): - appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed)..............
H3259 yâ‛ad yaw-ad'........A primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage): - agree, (make an) appoint (-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time). 
Convocation: Strong’s #4744 מקרא miqra mem(40), qaf(100), resh(400), aleph(1), (541)...........miqrâ' mik-raw'......From H7121; something called out, that is, a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the palce); also a rehearsal: - assembly, calling, convocation, reading.  H7121 to call out a person, to meet, to invite. 
Verse 3. The first of His Qadosh, set apart convocation is the weekly Shabbat which nowadays is rejected by the majority of people who follow the doctrines of demons proclaiming that we are done with the Shabbat, following the false Shabbat introduced by Constantine in the 4th century C.E. It is very sad when we know that the all world is populated with a majority of Ya’acov descendants (B’reshit 48:16).
Shabbat is marked been the seventh day of the week. Seven is a number for divine perfection on earth.
Verse 4…..which you shall proclaim in their season….
Season is the same Hebrew word used for “feast” Strong’s#H5150 “moed” appointed time:  Deu 16:16 Three times a year all your males appear before יהוה your Elohim in the place which He chooses (1st King 11:36): at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and at the Festival of Weeks, and at the Festival of Booths. And none should appear before יהוה empty-handed,
Then the Feast proclamation goes on:
Verses 5.
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to יהוה
There are many things to say concerning the “first month” because it is יהוה who told Moshe that the month of Aviv is the first month of the year:
Exo 12:2 This month is the beginning of months for you, it is the first month of the year for you.
This is clear enough to see that the year start on the month of Aviv. Is there any other way to count the year or to start the counting of years?  If we follow the way of Judaism there are many ways, are they completely wrong?
Lev 25:8And you shall count seven Sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years. And the time of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. When do they start to count the years?
Lev 25:9 ‘You shall then sound a ram’s horn to pass through on the tenth day of the seventh month, on the Day of Atonement cause a ram’s horn to pass through all your land. Lev 25:10 ‘And you shall set the fiftieth year apart, and proclaim release throughout all the land to all its inhabitants, it is a Jubilee for you. And each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you return to his clan.................
In order to have seven full years, the counting must begin at the same point, for the Yovel (Jubilee) it was at Yom Kippur. There is a deeper meaning beside it, but the rabbis on this point are not wrong calling the First of the seventh month “Etanim, tishrei” the beginning of the year in another counting. In Fact יהוה count the Jubilee (see my midrash on “12O years)…………….
Verse 7.On the first day……you shall do no servile work
That is Aviv 15 the day of full moon, when the light of the moon is fully seen in the night. We know that the moon is a metaphor representing the assembly of the all House of Israel. Israel has been called to be light to the world (shine in darkness), the moon itself receiving light from the sun, a picture of Messiah giving light to the Assembly. In the midst of the moon the time of the full moon represents also the completion of Israel Gathering who goes from less to full again to less when decreasing. It is a rehearsal for all those who know Torah, that one day soon the Full moon will shine for Israel redemption. 
Verses 9-14.When you come into the land, you shall bring a sheaf (omer) of your harvest…….
To come into the land is a euphemism for “salvation”
11. and the priest shall wave before יהוה, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Shabbat, the priest shall wave it. 
12;and you shall offer that day when you wave……
יהושע is our first fruit .
1Co 15:23 and each in his own order: Messiah the first-fruits, then those who are of Messiah at His coming, ................
We will see when studying the Feast (see my midrash).  Verses 39.The fruit of the land.  It is interesting to see that the Feast were given to the Children of Israel (carnal man) while wandering in the wilderness, which is a picture of you and me in the world today, our own wilderness.  The last ingathering, the fruits of the land represent the last believers (you and me) who will enter the Kingdom at the time of the fall feast or just before the second coming of Messiah יהושע. This time of harvest is no more the harvest of corn, but the harvest of fully ripe fruits (grapes, and other fruits). The wheat (believers from the first harvest during Shavuot in the spring) has produced new fruits when dying. The fall harvest in the seven month (fall season) has been always the biggest one and therefore the time of fullness and rejoicing. In Yochanan
chapter 7, we see יהושע at the feast of Tabernacle (verse1). The Yehudin knew that the end cannot come until the dispersed among the nations (gentiles) have been brought back into the fold (7:35). The last great day is called  Hoshana Rabba”, the drawing of water.  In Zecharyahu 14, we see that this feast will still go on when Messiah יהושע comes back (14:16-18). Zec 14:16 And it shall be (future) that all who are left from all the gentiles (nations) which came up against Yerushalayim, shall go up from year to year to bow themselves to the Sovereign, יהוה of hosts, and to observe the Festival of Booths. Zec 14:17 And it shall be, that if anyone of the clans of the earth does not come up to Yerushalayim to bow himself to the Sovereign, יהוה of hosts, on them there is to be no rain. Zec 14:18 and if the clan of Mitsrayim does not come up and enter in, then there is no rain. On them is the plague with which יהוה plagues the gentiles who do not come up to observe the Festival of Booths. Zec 14:19 this is the punishment of Mitsrayim and the punishment of all the gentiles (nations) that do not come up to observe the Festival of Booths.
Lev 23:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, Lev 23:2 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘The appointed times of יהוה, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these: Lev 23:3 ‘Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to יהוה in all your dwellings....
Lev 23:42Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native Yisra’ĕlites dwell in booths, Lev 23:43 so that your generations know that I made the children of Yisra’ĕl dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.’ ” Lev 23:44 Thus did Mosheh speak of the appointed times of יהוה to the children of Yisra’ĕl.

Chapter 24:
Command the Children of Israel (carnal man) to bring pure oil to make the lamp (menorah) to burn continually! The “menorah” burning is a picture of Messiah יהושע and the Ruach HaQodesh the Set Apart Spirit, bringing light. The menorah (lamp) was placed in the Tabernacle, a picture of the body of Messiah. The anointing represented by the oil burning in the menorah is only available through Messiah יהושע. In order to receive the light and the anointing, one must come through the door: Joh 10:9I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture. Joh 14:6 יהושע said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. …….
There were three doors to enter the Tabernacle:  The entrance to the inner court (the way where common people had access)
-         The entrance to the Tent (the truth where only the priest had access)
-         The entrance to the Qadosh place (the life where only the High Priest had access)
יהושע says: Verse 5-7. And you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes………….and thou shall set them in two rows…..upon the pure table before יהוה …….. and you shall put clear frankincense on each row
These verses contain many hidden truth. The fine flour represents the purity and holiness brought by crushing the corn (Children of Israel, you and me), twelve cakes fro the twelve tribes of Israel. The frankincense is the sweet odour of the saints’ prayers ascending before the throne of יהוה        .
Rev 8:4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the set-apart ones, went up before Elohim from the hand of the messenger.
In two rows: Two been the number for division (B’reshit 1:7-8), representing the future splitting of the House of Israel and the House of Yehuda. The number six, the number of man shows that it was not יהוה’s will for His children.
Verses 10-16 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name of יהוה and was put to death:
1Jn 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin, not unto death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for those not sinning unto death. There is a sin unto death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
Mar 3:28Truly, I say to you, all the sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they speak, Mar 3:29 but he who blasphemes against the Set-apart Spirit has no forgiveness forever, but is subject to everlasting judgment,”
Verse 20. Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth;…………….
Mat 5:38You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’
Mat 5:39 but I say to you, do not resist the wicked. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
We shall remark that יהושע do not say I change the saying but he just add “do not resist the wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  Who are the wicked, are they not those who where abusing people with their “takanot” doctrines of the Pharisee because they were the one making “halachah”, the way to interpret the Torah?  The meaning of turning of other check is not as Christianity teaches, to give his face for a slap, but in the context of “love your neighbour has yourselves”:
Tobbia from Yashanet writes: 
This is one of the most commonly misunderstood concepts in Judaism. Ask most people and they will say that this has something to do with "retaliation in the Old Testament" versus "love and forgiveness in the New Testament." This is incorrect - Judaism has never interpreted the verse in this fashion. The Torah command regarding "eye for eye" had to do with providing for limited liability in matters of legal compensation. Here Yeshua is teaching to go beyond the minimum required of you, especially when you have wronged someone.(turning the other check when one slap you on the right check)…….
In the Torah the rule is that when somebody abuses his neighbor or any man, the one abused brought him to the judge who gave him compensation (read Vayyira/Lev.6:1-6). Now the measures are made in imagery, i.e. the value of an eye, thus an eye for an eye. In no case was and eye to be removed for the person. I is the same with the slap in the face, the man slapped brought his opponent to the judge who determined the price to pay for reparation. יהושעgoes behind and tells his disciples to go more then it was required by the Torah. 
Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary (opponent) quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary (opponent) deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.  Mat 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing (paid fully thy debt).
Verse 22. You are to have one right-ruling, for the stranger and for the native…………
Right ruling: Strong’s #H4941 משׁפּט “mishpat” From H8199; properly a verdict (favourable or unfavourable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (particularly) divine law, individual or collectively), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly justice, including a particular right, or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style: -  + adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just (-ice, -ly), (manner of) law (-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
Stranger. Strong’s #H1616, גּר ger êr  gêyr gare, gare written gimel, resh.  From H1481; properly a guest; by implication a foreigner: - alien, sojourner, stranger. 
It is amazing to me that today Christians proclaim to be “free from the law” when Elohim says that there is one law for the Children of Israel and for the “Ger”, the stranger. D’varim 6:4 confirm that there is ONLY ONE ELOHIM: 
Deu 6:4Hear, O Yisra’ĕl: יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one!
This means that He is also the Elohim of the none Israelite, no matter what they think about it!
Lev 24:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,  Lev 24:2 “Command the children of Yisra’ĕl that they bring to you clear oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually....Lev 24:23 And Mosheh spoke to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and they brought the one who cursed outside the camp, and stoned him with stones. And the children of Yisra’ĕl did as יהוה commanded Mosheh.
Haftorah
Eze 44:15 “But the priests, the Lĕwites, the sons of Tsaḏoq, who guarded the duty of My set-apart place when the children of Yisra’ĕl went astray from Me, they shall draw near to Me to serve Me, and shall stand before Me to bring to Me the fat and the blood,” declares the Master יהוה. Eze 44:31

“The priests are not to eat any bird or beast found dead or torn to pieces. 1Pe 2:4 Drawing near to Him, a living Stone – rejected indeed by men, but chosen by Elohim and precious – 1Pe 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up, a spiritual house, a set-apart priesthood, to offer up spiritual slaughter offerings acceptable to Elohim through יהושע Messiah. 1Pe 2:6 Because it is contained in the Scripture, “See, I lay in Tsiyon a chief corner-stone, chosen, precious, and he who believes on Him shall by no means be put to shame.”1 Footnote: 1Isa. 28:16. 1Pe 2:7 This preciousness, then, is for you who believe; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner-stone,”1 Footnote: 1Ps. 118:22. 1Pe 2:8 and “A stone of stumbling and a rock that makes for falling,”1 who stumble because they are disobedient2 to the Word, to which they also were appointed. Footnotes: 1Isa. 8:14. 2See John 3:36, Heb. 3:18. 1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light,  1Pe 2:10 who once were not a people, but now the people of Elohim; who had not obtained compassion, but now obtained compassion.
May יהוה bless you as you keep the way through Messiah יהושע

jeudi 9 octobre 2014

Languages spoken by Josephus?



Josephus knew Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (which he must have learned when he was in the service of the the Roman Emperor Vespasian, if not earlier). A quick look on JSTOR turns up this article for reference.
In Tessa Rajak's book "Josephus" (Appendix 1), she considers whether Aramaic or Hebrew was his primary language. She concludes that, while we cannot know with certainty, the evidence implies that he was equally capable in both languages.
Josephus was able to read and write in several languages.
·        Obviously Greek as he wrote most of his books in it.
·        Aramaic, which was often called Syriac in his time.
·        Latin maybe. Even though he was associated with Vespasian, that would not necessitate knowing Latin. The Romans spoke Greek as it was the lingua franca of the day. Once Josephus was given a Latin name and adopted (as seen by his name change from Joseph ben Matityahu to Titus Flavius Josephus), he might have learned Latin as it was used inside parts of the Empire.
·        Hebrew. Archeology and historical literature have shown that Hebrew was a living language in use among the common people of the day as well as the educated and religious. For example, the author of the Letter of Aristeas writes "The Jews are supposed to use Syrian [Aramaic] language, but this is not so, for it is another form [of language]." This ancient scholar specifically denies that Aramaic and Hebrew are the same thing. And he is not referring to the languages using different scripts because they did not. Paleo Hebrew had been discontinued at this time and the Hebrews used the same Aramaic square script that the Aramaics did.
Also, parables in the Talmud and Mishnah are always in Hebrew. Even when the Talmudic text around them is Aramaic, the parable will be in Hebrew. Parables were sermon illustrations meant to be delivered to the common person.
Specifically from Josephus on his language, we read:
Josephus in Antiquities 10 1.2 says this: "When Rabshakeh had made this speech in the Hebrew tongue, for he was skillful in that language, Eliakim was afraid lest the multitude that heard him should be disturbed; so he desired him to speak in the Syrian tongue." This is an event from the Old Testament, but Josephus uses the same words to describe the language spoken by Rabshakeh as he does to describe his own language and that of his fellow Jews. He does not say that now they speak the Syrian tongue.
Josephus (War 5 6.3) points out that Jewish soldiers used a play on words that only makes sense in Hebrew. In 6.3, whenever a stone was on its way (being thrown from ballistea), the watchmen would shout "in their native language, 'The Son Cometh!'" While translators are confused by the Greek text, the answer makes sense in Hebrew. Whiston, the translator, admits how the words could be confused in Hebrew but not Aramaic. The watchmen would have shouted, in Hebrew, Ha-even ba’ah ("the stone is coming!"). However, because of urgency, the words would be clipped to ben ba ("son comes!").* They reduced the syllables due to time constraints. This pun is known in Hebrew and even appears in the NT (Matthew 3:9 and Luke 3:8) "God is able from these avanim [stones] to raise up banim [sons] to Abraham."
This wordplay is unambiguously Hebrew. In Aramaic, the phrase would be kefa ate ("the stone is coming") or the more literary avna ata. Neither sounds like bara ate ("the son is coming"). Another option for Aramaic would be to use the word aven, which is related to the Hebrew. However, aven would change the gender of the verb and still not work to make a pun on "son," bar.
*Similar to how modern soldiers reduce "Enemy fire incoming" to simply "Incoming!"
In Wars 5 9.2, Josephus tells how after he was captured, he was sent as an envoy to negotiate his people's surrender. "And being sensible that exhortations are frequently more effectual than arms, [Titus] persuaded them to surrender the city, now in a manner already taken, and thereby to save themselves, and sent Josephus to speak to them in their own language; for he imagined they might yield to the persuasion of a countryman of their own."
As Josephus just established through the use of the pun that the soldiers were speaking Hebrew, it stands to logical reason, that he too spoke Hebrew.
It should also be noted that Josephus refers to biblical words many times and explains what they mean in the Hebrew/Jewish tongue/language (i.e. Contra 2.2, Anti 1 1.1,2 (2x); Anti 5 2.2). At times, he explains these biblical words by saying "in our own tongue/language" (i.e. Wars 6 10.1, Antiquities 7 1.3). (There are many other examples of the above.) Logically, Josephus is drawing a connection between the language spoken by Jews in the Tanakh period and the common language spoken among his people of that time.
Language spoken by Jewish Priest Josephus: Aramaic as his first language and Greek as his secondary language
Language known by Jewish Priest Josephus - Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew (used for religious purposes only by Jewish Priests), and "possibly" some Latin.
Josephus' language was Aramaic. Although he spoke Greek as a secondary language, still he couldn't pronounce Greek with sufficient exactness. It is uncertain how much Latin Josephus knew since Josephus had difficulty pronouncing Greek with sufficient exactness. Since Josephus was a Jewish Priest from Judea, he used Old Hebrew for religious purposes. But he didn't know how to use it conversationally due to the fact that Old Hebrew was never used as a spoken language in first century Israel. Aside from Jewish Priests and Chief Scholars at Jerusalem, nobody knew anything about Hebrew. That's why Aramaic Old Testament (known as Peshitta Tanakh) was used in first century Israel. More infos about Peshitta Tanakh is available here - www.pshitta.org
This is just like Hindu religious scholars using Sanskrit in Kerala (South India). They use Sanskrit only for religious purposes. But the spoken language of Kerala is Malayalam and English as secondary language.
First century Jewish Historian and Jewish Priest Josephus wrote –
"I have also taken a great deal of pains to obtain the learning of the Greeks, and understand the elements of the Greek language, although I have so long accustomed myself to speak our own tongue, that I cannot pronounce Greek with sufficient exactness; for our nation does not encourage those that learn the languages of many nations, and so adorn their discourses with the smoothness of their periods; because they look upon this sort of accomplishment as common, not only to all sorts of free-men, but to as many of the servants as please to learn them. But they give him the testimony of being a wise man who is fully acquainted with our laws, and is able to interpret their meaning; on which account, as there have been many who have done their endeavors with great patience to obtain this learning, there have yet hardly been so many as two or three that have succeeded therein, who were immediately well rewarded for their pains." - Antiquities of Jews XX, XI
Jewish Wars (Book 1, Preface, Paragraph 1): "I have proposed to myself, for the sake of such as live under the government of the Romans, to translate those books into the Greek tongue, which I formerly composed in the language of our country, and sent to the Upper Barbarians. Joseph, the son of Matthias, by birth a Hebrew, a priest also, and one who at first fought against the Romans myself, and was forced to be present at what was done afterwards, [am the author of this work]."
Notice the fact that he wrote Jewish Wars formerly in the language of his country and sent to Upper Barbarians. We read that Josephus translated into Greek for the sake of such as live under the government of the Romans. Josephus wrote Jewish Wars in 2 languages. Josephus states one reason (below) why he translated Jewish Wars from his language into Greek.
Jewish Wars Book 1 Preface, Paragraph 2 - "I thought it therefore an absurd thing to see the truth falsified in affairs of such great consequence, and to take no notice of it; but to suffer those Greeks and Romans that were not in the wars to be ignorant of these things, and to read either flatteries or fictions, while the Parthians, and the Babylonians, and the remotest Arabians, and those of our nation beyond Euphrates, with the Adiabeni, by my means, knew accurately both whence the war begun, what miseries it brought upon us, and after what manner it ended."
Notice the fact that Parthians, Babylonians, remotest Arabians, and those of his nation beyond Euphrates with Adiabeni knew accurately about Jewish Wars through Josephus. This easily concludes that Josephus first wrote Jewish Wars in his tongue "Aramaic" due to the fact that the language of Parthians, Babylonians, etc. during this time period was Aramaic.
In Acts 1:19, Field of Blood was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem in their own language as Akeldama which is the transliteration of Aramaic words "Khqel Dama."
If I translate aramaic words "Khqel Dama" into Hebrew, then "Khqel Dama" will become "Sh'deh Hadam."
Through this, we can read that all inhabitants of Jerusalem spoke in their own language in first century AD which was Aramaic. If Hebrew was used as spoken language in first century Israel, then "Sh'deh Hadam" would have been mentioned along with "Khqel Dama" (a.k.a akel dama in Greek and English NT) in Acts 1:19.
Here is the link to Acts Chapter 1 (Hebrew translation from Greek)
http://www.bayithamashiyach.com/Acts_1.pdf
You will see "s'deh Hadam" at the end of Acts 1:19. To match the words, see S'deh (Green color) and Field (Green Color). Hadam (in purple color) and Blood (in purple color).
There is no indication of a single person speaking Hebrew. If there was any possibility of Hebrew being spoken, then it should have started with Jerusalem (the center city of all Judaism). But let's also focus on the writings of Jewish Priest Josephus from first century AD.
Josephus calls Hebrew "Hebrew tongue" while he calls Aramaic as "our tongue" or "our language" or "the language of our country" or similar phrases like that. Aramaic (also known as Syriac) became the language of Jews during Babylon captivity (after 586 BC).
Daniel comment: knowing this, the word from Zephnayah makes sense:
(Zeph 3:9 [NRKJV])
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of יהוה, to serve him with one consent.

Old Hebrew was preserved for religious purposes by Jewish Priests at Jerusalem. But it was never used as a spoken language in first century Israel. Here is the below information from Josephus.
Hebrew
Antiquities of Jews Book 1. Chapter 1. Paragraph 1 - "And that the seventh day was a rest, and a release from the labor of such operations; whence it is that we Celebrate a rest from our labors on that day, and call it the Sabbath, which word denotes rest in the Hebrew tongue."
Antiquities of Jews Book 5. Chapter 2. Paragraph 2 - "But the affairs of the Canaanites were at this thee in a flourishing condition, and they expected the Israelites with a great army at the city Bezek, having put the government into the hands of Adonibezek, which name denotes the Lord of Bezek, for Adoni in the Hebrew tongue signifies Lord. "
Antiquities of Jews Book 1, Chapter 1, Paragraph 2 - "Now a woman is called in the Hebrew tongue Issa; but the name of this woman was Eve, which signifies the mother of all living."
Antiquities of Jews Book 1, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1 - "This man was called Adam, which in the Hebrew tongue signifies one that is red, because he was formed out of red earth, compounded together; for of that kind is virgin and true earth."
Aramaic
1) Josephus' Antiquities of Jews 3:32 - Now the Hebrews call this food manna; for the particle man, in our language, is the asking of a question, What is this?
"Man" is Aramaic (Source - Book "Introduction to Syriac" written by Wheeler Thackston - Page 209). In Hebrew, Aramaic word "Man" will become "Mah" (Source -http://biblesuite.com/hebrew/4101.htm).
If Hebrew was used as a spoken language along with Aramaic by both Josephus and first century Israel, then Josephus would have written "our languages" (plural) or "our tongues" (plural) instead of "our language" (singular) or "our tongue" (singular).
2) Antiquities of Jews Book VIII, Chapter 3, Paragraph 9 - “He also placed a partition around the temple, which in our tongue we call Gison, but it is called Thrigeos by the Greeks.”
3) Jewish Wars 1:3 - I have proposed to myself, for the sake of such as live under the government of the Romans, to translate those books into the Greek tongue, which I formerly composed in the language of our country..."
Notice the fact that only one language represented first century Israel which was Aramaic.
4) Jewish Wars Book 5, Chapter 4, Paragraph 2 - This new-built part of the city was called "Bezetha," in our language, which, if interpreted in the Grecian language, may be called "the New City."
Bezetha is Aramaic, because Aramaic places the definite article ("tha") at the end of the word, thus the 'tha' at the end of 'Bezetha' is the Aramaic definite article on a feminine noun in an emphatic state (Source - Book "Introduction to Syriac" by Wheeler Thackston, Page 44). This is the same thing with the Aramaic words in Bible like Gabbatha (John 19:13) and Talitha (Mark 5:41). The 'tha' at the end of both "Gabbatha" and "Talitha" is the Aramaic definite article on a feminine noun in an emphatic state.
Unlike Aramaic, the definite article of Hebrew ("Ha") is always at the beginning of the word. So if I loan Aramaic word "Bezetha" into Mishnaic Hebrew, then Aramaic word "bezetha" will become "Ha Bezeth" in Mishnaic Hebrew. Let me give you a famous example in Hebrew. HAARETZ newspaper in Israel. ARETZ means land in Hebrew. HAARETZ means "the land."
In first century AD, Jews also called their Aramaic "Hebrew", because that is the language of Hebrews. Jews are also called Hebrews, because they are the descendants of Abraham the Hebrew (Genesis 14:13, Philippians 3).
That is why NIV, ESV, and other bible versions write the words like "Gabbatha" "Golgotha", etc. as Aramaic instead of Hebrew.
John 19:13 (NIV): "When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha)".
Even today, Many Iraqi Jews call their Aramaic "Hebrew" ("Ibraith" in Aramaic), because it is the language of Hebrews. So when Jews said "Hebrew" in first century AD, they are referring to their Hebrew tongue which was Aramaic in first century AD. We call Deutsch "German", because it is the language of German People.
Also note the names in English Bible of New Testament - "Bar"tholomew, "Bar"abbas, "Bar"nabbas, "Bar"sabbas, "Bar" Jesus, Simon "Bar" Jonah, "Bar" Timaeus, etc.
Aramaic word Bar means Son. In Hebrew, Ben means Son ("Ben"jamin and Israeli Prime Minister David "Ben" Gurion). In Josephus' Jewish Wars, one of the top 3 leaders who fought against Romans was Simon Bar Giora. Bar Giora means "Son of a proselyte" in Aramaic.
Till 130 AD, Aramaic was the spoken language of Jews. From 131 AD through the rise of Bar Kokhba and Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 AD), the beginning process of reverting back to Hebrew occured. Although Aramaic was spoken by Jews from 131 AD to 135 AD, still they were encouraged to bring back Hebrew as their spoken language instead of Aramaic. After 135 AD, Jews continued to revert back to Hebrew. By the end of second century AD, Hebrew was a common spoken language among Jews.
According to Dead Sea Scrolls archaeologist, Yigael Yadin, Aramaic was the spoken language of Jews until Simon Bar Kokhba tried to restore Hebrew as the official language of Jews during Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 AD). Yigael Yadin noticed the shift from Aramaic to Hebrew during the time of Bar Kokhba revolt. In Book "Bar Kokhba: The rediscovery of the legendary hero of the last Jewish Revolt Against Imperial Rome" Yigael Yadin notes, "It is interesting that the earlier documents are written in Aramaic while the later ones are in Hebrew. Possibly the change was made by a special decree of Bar-Kokhba who wanted to restore Hebrew as the official language of the state" (page 181).
In Book "A Roadmap to the Heavens: An Anthropological Study of Hegemony among Priests, Sages, and Laymen (Judaism and Jewish Life)" by Sigalit Ben-Zion (Page 155), Yadin remarked: "it seems that this change came as a result of the order that was given by Bar Kokhba, who wanted to revive the Hebrew language and make it the official language of the state."
Many People ask why Josephus does mention this below.
Josephus in Antiquities 10 1.2 says this: "When Rabshakeh had made this speech in the Hebrew tongue, for he was skillful in that language, Eliakim was afraid lest the multitude that heard him should be disturbed; so he desired him to speak in the Syrian tongue."
Josephus was writing about 2 Kings Chapter 18. You may ask why is it that Josephus calling Aramaic "Syrian tongue" instead of saying "our own tongue or our own language."
Josephus was writing about the time period of first temple of Jerusalem when Old Hebrew was the language of Jews in Judea. Aramaic (a.k.a Syriac) wasn't the language of Jews during First temple period (till 587/586 BC). Only some Jewish scholars in Judea knew Aramaic during this time period. Aramaic became the language of Jews during Babylonian Captivity (only after the destruction of first temple in 587/586 BC).
It must also be noted that early manuscripts of New Testament are found in Greek (For Example, Codex Vaticanus) and in Aramaic (For Example, Syriac Manuscript no. 14,470). But earliest Hebrew NT manuscripts only date to 13th century AD. I also thought I should post this information (below).
AS you know, Aramaic Peshitta Tanakh is Aramaic Old Testament used in first century AD (source -http://www.pshitta.org/english/intro.php).
YA (Yodh Alap) is Aramaic form of Hebrew "YH" in Old Testament. In Aramaic Peshitta Tanakh, YA is written as MarYA (Master YA in English) for respect.
Here are some examples. I will put Hebrew on the left, Aramaic in the middle, and English on the right.
YH (Hebrew) - YA (Aramaic) - English
Yehochanan - Yochanan - John
Yehonathan - Yonathan - Jonathan
Yehoseph - Yoseph - Joseph
Yehoyachim - Yoyakim - Joachim
If Josephus' language was Hebrew, then his name would have been Yehosephus instead of Aramaic "Yosephus." And the name "Yehosephus" would have become "Jehosephus" in English instead of "Josephus."
When Bar Kokhba revived Hebrew, the names also "started" to convert from Aramaic to Hebrew during Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 AD). From this point onwards, Hebrew "YH" was used instead of Aramaic "YA."
For Example, Yoseph Bar Yoseph in Aramaic became Yehoseph Ben Yehoseph in Hebrew during Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 AD).
Here is the link where you can see Yehoseph Ben Yehoseph in Bar Kokhba letters.
http://cojs.org/cojswiki/The_Bar_Kokhba_Letters:_Day-to-Day_Conduct_of_the_Revolt
In 1961, Yigael Yadin mentions that out of 15 Bar Kokhba letters from Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 AD) found at Nahal Hever, 9 of them are in Aramaic, 4 in Hebrew, and 2 in Greek [Source - The Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 24, No. 3 (Sep., 1961)].
You may ask what about Letter of Aristeas.
The author of the Letter of Aristeas writes "The Jews are supposed to use Syrian [Aramaic] language, but this is not so, for it is another form [of language]."
The letter's author alleges to be a courtier of Ptolemy II Philadelphus reigned from 281-246 BCE (Check this link for easy access - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_Aristeas).
Letter of Aristeas points out that the Jews are supposed "to use" Syrian language and "not speak."
Letter of Aristeas is actually referring to Syrian Script (Estrangela script) due to the fact that Aramaic was the spoken language of Jews during that period. But Jews didn't use Estrangela script in Judea and in Idumea. Notice the fact that letter of Aristeas is mentioning about "using." "Not speaking."
Even in first century AD, Aramaic in Judea and in Idumea was written in Dead Sea Scrolls Script (the script in Dead Sead Sea Scrolls and Bar Kokhba letters) while Lebanon, Syria, and Galilee used Estrangela script (Aramaic Peshitta Tanakh).
During Maccabean period (167 BC-), we read that the spoken language of Jews was Aramaic (Caphenatha in 1 Maccabees 12:37 of Septuagint). Not Hebrew. "tha" in Caphenatha is Aramaic definite article on a feminine noun in an emphatic state. According to Book "City of Jerusalem" by Colonel C. R Conder (Pg. 100), Caphenatha is Aramaic word for a "heap."
Also notice the fact that there are no Hebrew versions of Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, 3 Maccabees, and 4 Maccabees. Only Greek version (Septuagint) and Aramaic version (Aramaic Peshitta Tanakh in Codex Ambrosianus). If I loan Aramaic word (in Septuagint) "caphenatha" into Hebrew, then it will become "Ha Caphenah" or "Ha Caphenath."
It must be noted that Septuagint was also translated from Aramaic (a.k.a Syriac). Aside from Judith and books of Maccabees, let me also take the Book of Job.
Book "Targum and Testament Revisited: Aramaic Paraphrases of the Hebrew Bible" by Martin McNamara, Page 96 - In Septuagint manuscripts (Manuscripts- Aleph, A, B, and C), there is an epilogue in Book of Job which is introduced with the words: "houtos hermeneutai ek tes syriakes bibliou."
This means - "this was translated from the Syriac book."
Scholar William Norton provided this information (below) in his 1889 book “A translation, in English daily used, of the Peshito-Syriac text, and of the received Greek text, of Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, and 1 John: with an introduction on the Peshito-Syriac text, and the revised Greek text of 1881 (1889).”
Page ix-x (Introduction) – “Josephus is a very important witness in proof of the extent to which Syriac was known and used in the first century. He took part in the war against the Romans which led to the destruction of Jerusalem, A. D. 70. He was taken captive by them, and was well acquainted with all the events connected with the war. He wrote a history of it in Syriac; and states how great a multitude of people, living in different nations, from near the Caspian Sea to the bounds of Arabia, could read and understand what he had written in Syriac. He afterwards wrote the same history in Greek, that those who spoke Greek, and those of the Romans, and of any other nation who knew Greek, but did not know Syriac, might read it also.


Josephus' testimony on "Greek wasn't spoken in first century Israel" and "the extreme rarity in terms of a Hebrew knowing Greek" is also supported by Aramaic New Testament known as Aramaic Peshitta. Although Greek NT and the translations of Greek NT contradicts the testimony of Josephus by saying that there were Greeks who communicated with Jesus and Apostle Paul, still Aramaic NT supports the testimony of Josephus by saying that they were either Aramaean(s) or Pagan(s).

Below are some examples.

1. Mark 7:26 (NIV Translation) - "The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter." 

But in Mark 7:26 (Book "The Original Aramaic New Testament in Plain English", Page. 68) - "But she was a pagan woman from Phoenicia of Syria, and she was begging him to cast out the demon from her daughter."

2. Acts 20:21 (NIV) - "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

Acts 20:21 (Book "The Original Aramaic New Testament in Plain English", Page. 206) - "While I was testifying to the Jews and to the Aramaeans about returning to God and the faith in Our Lord Yeshua The Messiah."

3. Acts 19:17 (KJV) - "And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified."

Acts 19:17 (Book "The Original Aramaic New Testament in Plain English", Page. 204) - "And this became known to all the Jews and Aramaeans dwelling in Ephesaus and great fear fell upon all of them, and the name of Our Lord Yeshua The Messiah was exalted."

It must be noted that Judean(s) is often mistranslated as Jew(s).

Here is also the actual truth about Judaism with quotes from Jewish rabbis - http://en.metapedia.org/wiki/Christianity_older_than_Judaism

Here is a link (below) about Jewish Hebrew Propaganda where Hebrew is deceptively promoted as the language of first century Israel when Dead Sea Scrolls Archaeologist Yigael Yadin points out that Aramaic was the language of Hebrews until Hebrew was revived by False Messiah Simon Bar Kokhba during Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 AD).

http://en.metapedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Hebrew_Propaganda

For more evidences about Original Aramaic NT, I highly recommend this video and this document in the below links.

https://archive.org/details/AramaicNewTestamentRarelyWouldOneDieForTheRighteousRomans578
https://archive.org/details/WastheNewTestamentReallyWritteninGreek1e

If anyone is interested in learning Aramaic (aka Syriac) spoken by Jesus Christ, first century Israel, and in Aramaic Peshitta, then I highly recommend the book "Introduction to Syriac" by Wheeler Thackston. The pdf file of this book was posted in the below link in zipx.
https://sites.google.com/site/syriacaramaicstudies/home/Introduction_To_Syriac_By_Thackston.zipx?attredirects=0&d=1

Paul Younan's Interlinear Translation (Aramaic Peshitta) - Gospel of Matthew 1 to Acts 16 - https://archive.org/details/GospelOfMatthewPaulYounansInterlinearTranslation

Paul Younan Interlinear Translation of Aramaic Peshitta (Aramaic NT - Gospel of Matthew & Mark 1 to 11) organized in English is available here - https://archive.org/details/PaulYounanInterlinearTranslation

I thought I should share this information as well.

1 Maccabees in Aramaic version is available here - https://archive.org/details/1MaccabeesAramaicVersionFromCerianiVeterisTestamentum

Josephus' Judean Wars Book Six (in Aramaic) is available below. Josephus's Judean Wars Book Six explains about the fall of Jerusalem which occured in 70 AD. 
https://archive.org/details/JosephusJudeanWarsBookSixFromCerianiVeterisTestamentum

Quotation: from Glenn David Bausher following. 






 Hope this was a help to see which language wasspoken in the day of Yehoshua!


20 Parasha Tetzaveh - You shall command

  Parsha Tetzaveh -You shall command Sh’mot 27:20, 30:10 Yechezk’el 43:10-27 1 st Shmuel 15: 1-34, Mattityahu 5:14-16 ...