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PATTERNS - A REAL MYSTERY |
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Part of the web site
biblesecrets.org
Copyright © 2000 DSOTO--By Keith Hepworth SAMPLE OF PATTERNS FROM MATTHEW 8
Verily I say unto you, I have not found so
great faith, no, not in Israel. These patterns have not been explained yet, not fully anyway. But without a doubt they DO EXIST in all the scriptures, as you will see in all of the books listed after this commentary. These patterns seem to make it much easier to read and understand the scriptures. In fact they make it a pleasure to read the scriptures. The font is a courier type font, which gives each letter an equal amount of space. This makes the patterns form correctly. Many lines fit the context of the line; for example, "down to the sea," or "down to the earth," etc. are very short, while long lines reach up to heaven, or high up where God is, or to the tops of the mountains, or to fill the breadth of the land/page. How could patterns like this come through from the translation of Hebrew to English? My efforts to explain them can be found in the Introduction to Job, but is repeated here. PATTERNS In the commentary following this introduction, I present the KJV of the Book of Job in a poetry like form even though it does not have rhyme or meter. The lines end at the end of phrases and sentences, very much like the Hebrew Bible; i.e., in free verse instead of being cut off to fit within two columns on a page as most scriptures are presented. When the KJV is rewritten in this new way the lines fall into these patterns, the lines changing in length in measured steps. What possible reason could there be for these amazing patterns? I think I know, at least partially, in addition to verifying or authenticating Divine origin. Just recently I learned of a work that re-translates the first five books of the Bible ending each line where it was thought the phrase was complete or a pause was needed, trying to duplicate patterns of speech. The author, Everett Fox, did this because he thinks the Bible should be read aloud to convey its fullest meanings; that speaking it out loud carries an impact that isn't contained in the words themselves; that the rhythm and repetition of words are important; and that the lines should fall upon the ears conveying additional meanings and emotions as if the author were speaking. His claims, of course, are for the Hebrew language, but I think everything he says applies to the English translation as well. It really makes a big difference. These new ideas suddenly explained the pattern phenomenon that I had discovered in the KJV but early on had failed to see any reason for. Now I see how the KJV arranged in lines like this accomplishes most of the things Fox was trying to do (even though I still don't like his translation--not in comparison to the KJV). I think he is a bit fanatical about keeping the Hebrew names, among other things). These patterns really aid in understanding the message, conveying additional information and emotions not contained in the words themselves. Although the books of the Old Testament were originally written, God knew that for thousands of years most people would only be hearing them not reading them. And so, God overcame most of the dullness of reading them aloud by using literary techniques such as Fox points out: e.g., repetition, alliteration, word play, echoes, allusions, and powerful inner structures of sound. These literary techniques and patterns make the words seem to flow smoothly with greater feeling and understanding. Sometimes God uses short, terse words in short, staccato like phrases when He expresses sharpness. Many times the lines do what the words say, like Isaiah 8:8 below--stretching out to fill the breadth of the land /page. Several other good examples of these things are found in Isaiah 8:5-9. These verses prophesy of the great Assyrian army that came in and destroyed Israel, whose power was likened to a great flood. Israel had rejected Jehovah, represented by the softly flowing waters of Shiloah; so instead, they received the destroying waters of Assyria. Likewise, in parallel, they rejected the protection of Jehovah's wings, so instead they got Assyria's wings. This use of "wings" refers to the image of being protected by the wings of a mother hen or winged cherub--an image of Divinity in the Old Testament. This image of God as a bird was well known to Israel; e.g.., "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children have put their trust under the shadow of thy wings " (Psalms 36:7). See also Ruth 2:12; Psalms 17:8, 57:1, 61:4, 63:7. Winged seraphim and\or cherubim were placed on the Ark of the Covenant, on the temple walls, and even on the veil to remind them of this image of God. According to Ezekiel, even the new temple will have these symbols in the Holy of Holies again (Ezek 41). This image appears in the Bible for the first time in Gen 1:2, where the Hebrew word "râchaph" appears. Its root is "brood" or "flutter." The KJV translates this as "moved," while others translate it as "brooding" or "hovering." Jesus used this image when he said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!" (Luke 13:34). We should also consider the symbolism of Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD [i.e., who trust in the Lord] shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Someone suggested, and I cannot remember where, that this verse referred to our rising to an exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom. This image of God as an eagle seems to confirm such an idea. Now Isaiah 8:5-9.
The LORD spake also unto me again, saying, Notice how the length of the lines change and the pace picks up as the lines lead up to the climax of describing their downfall without His protection, especially line 8 as the waters reach up to the neck or as the breadth of Assyria's wings "fills the breadth" of the land/page, suggesting that there will be no room left for Him. Notice the terseness in the words of warning: "Gird yourselves," (pause) "and ye shall be broken in pieces." Notice also the strength of the warning expressed indirectly by the rhythm and repetition. There will be no escape for them in the entire "breadth of thy land," neither if they try to join (associate yourselves) the enemy, nor if they try to flee (gird yourselves)." Rewriting the Old Testament in free verse like this makes it "play" like a great Beethoven symphony, expressing feelings and ideas not contained in the individual phrases. A much greater understanding of the text occurs as a result of these things. This is especially true for the Book of Job, which has been so difficult to understand. It is most extraordinary that the Old Testament could retain these patterns after being translated into English. Could such a thing happen by chance? The author had to have this end in mind when he composed it. Who but God could do such a thing? Who but God knows the end in the beginning? I found these patterns to exist in all of the scriptures that I know as scriptures. INDEX OLD TESTAMENT
BOOKS * (NOT REFORMATTED YET)
The Book of Mormon
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