Study Helps - Lesson 6

Lesson 6 January 30 - February 5

The Languages and Translations of the Bible

Memory Verse: (Rev 14:6 KJV) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people

Sabbath Afternoon

Sunday

Biblical Hebrew

(Isa 19:18 NIV) In that day five cities in Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD Almighty. One of them will be called the City of Destruction.

(2 Ki 18:26 NIV) Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah said to the field commander, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don't speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall."

(2 Ki 18:28 NIV) Then the commander stood and called out in Hebrew: "Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria!

(Neh 13:24 NIV) Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.

(2 Cor 3:14 NIV) But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.

(Jer 32:14 NIV) 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time.

(Luke 24:27 NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Monday

Aramaic In The Bible

(Ezra 4:8-24 NIV) Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows: {9} Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, together with the rest of their associates--the judges and officials over the men from Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, {10} and the other people whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates. {11} (This is a copy of the letter they sent him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men of Trans-Euphrates: {12} The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations. {13} Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer. {14} Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, {15} so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. {16} We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates. {17} The king sent this reply: To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates: Greetings. {18} The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence. {19} I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. {20} Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. {21} Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. {22} Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests? {23} As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. {24} Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

(Ezra 5 NIV) Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. {2} Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them. {3} At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?" {4} They also asked, "What are the names of the men constructing this building?" {5} But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received. {6} This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius. {7} The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: Cordial greetings. {8} The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction. {9} We questioned the elders and asked them, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?" {10} We also asked them their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information. {11} This is the answer they gave us: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, one that a great king of Israel built and finished. {12} But because our fathers angered the God of heaven, he handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar the Chaldean, king of Babylon, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon. {13} "However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.

{Ezra 5:14-17} He even removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple in Babylon. "Then King Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor, {15} and he told him, 'Take these articles and go and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem. And rebuild the house of God on its site.' {16} So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished." {17} Now if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.

(Ezra 6:1-18 NIV) King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. {2} A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it: Memorandum: {3} In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be ninety feet high and ninety feet wide, {4} with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. {5} Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God. {6} Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you, their fellow officials of that province, stay away from there. {7} Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. {8} Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. {9} Whatever is needed--young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem--must be given them daily without fail, {10} so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons. {11} Furthermore, I decree that if anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. And for this crime his house is to be made a pile of rubble. {12} May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence. {13} Then, because of the decree King Darius had sent, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates carried it out with diligence. {14} So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. {15} The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. {16} Then the people of Israel--the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles--celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. {17} For the dedication of this house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel. {18} And they installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

(Ezra 7:12-16 NIV) Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings. {13} Now I decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who wish to go to Jerusalem with you, may go. {14} You are sent by the king and his seven advisers to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in your hand. {15} Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have freely given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, {16} together with all the silver and gold you may obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests for the temple of their God in Jerusalem.

Read Daniel chapters 2:4 - 7:28

(Jer 10:11 NIV) "Tell them this: 'These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.'"

(Dan 2:4 NIV) Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it."

(Dan 7:28 NIV) "This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."

(Gen 31:47 NIV) Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.

(Mark 5:41 NIV) He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!").

(Mark 15:34 NIV) And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

(1 Cor 16:22 NIV) If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him. Come, O Lord !

(Mark 5:41 NIV) He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!").

(Mark 15:34 NIV) And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Tuesday

New Testament Greek

(Acts 21:37 NIV) As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, "May I say something to you?" "Do you speak Greek?" he replied.

(Acts 22:2 NIV) When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said:

(Acts 21:38-39 NIV) "Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?" {39} Paul answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people."

(Acts 22:3 NIV) "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

(1 John 3:4 NIV) Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

(2 Cor 7:9 NIV) yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.

(Rom 3:20 NIV) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

(Eph 4:22 NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

(Mat 16:18 NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

(1 Cor 3:11 NIV) For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(1 Cor 10:4 NIV) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

Wednesday

What About The Versions

(Rev 22:18-19 NIV) I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. {19} And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Early Writings, pp. 220 - 221

I saw that the heavenly host were filled with indignation at this bold work of Satan. I inquired why all these delusions should be suffered to take effect upon the minds of men when the angels of God were powerful, and if commissioned, could easily break the enemy's power. Then I saw that God knew that Satan would try every art to destroy man; therefore He had caused His word to be written out, and had made His purposes in regard to the human race so plain that the weakest need not err. After having given His word to man, He had carefully preserved it from destruction by Satan or his angels, or by any of his agents or representatives. While other books might be destroyed, this was to be immortal. And near the close of time, when the delusions of Satan should increase, it was to be so multiplied that all who desired might have a copy, and, if they would, might arm themselves against the deceptions and lying wonders of Satan. {EW 220.1}

I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean (p. 221) to their established views, which were governed by tradition. But I saw that the Word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed. {EW 220.2}

I saw that the angels of God are never to control the will. God sets before man life and death. He can have his choice. Many desire life, but still continue to walk in the broad road. They choose to rebel against God's government, notwithstanding His great mercy and compassion in giving His Son to die for them. Those who do not choose to accept of the salvation so dearly purchased,

Early Writings, pp. 220 - 221 (continued)

Must be punished. But I saw that God would not shut them up in hell to endure endless misery, neither will He take them to heaven; for to bring them into the company of the pure and holy would make them exceedingly miserable. But He will destroy them utterly and cause them to be as if they had not been; then His justice will be satisfied. He formed man out of the dust of the earth, and the disobedient and unholy will be consumed by fire and return to dust again. I saw that the benevolence and compassion of God in this matter should lead all to admire His character and to adore His holy name. After the wicked are destroyed from off the earth, all the heavenly host will say, "Amen!" {EW 221.1}

Satan looks with great satisfaction upon those who profess the name of Christ, yet closely adhere to the delusions which he himself has originated. His work is still to devise new delusions, and his power and art in this direction continually increase. He led his representatives, the popes and the priests, to exalt themselves, and to stir up the people to bitterly persecute (p. 222) and destroy those who were not willing to accept his delusions. Oh, the sufferings and agony which the precious followers of Christ were made to endure! Angels have kept a faithful record of it all. Satan and his evil angels exultingly told the angels who ministered to these suffering saints that they were all to be killed, so that there would not be left a true Christian upon the earth. I saw that the church of God was then pure. There was no danger of men with corrupt hearts coming into it; for the true Christian, who dared to declare his faith, was in danger of the rack, the stake, and every torture which Satan and his evil angels could invent or inspire in the mind of man.{EW 221.2}

(Exo 16:33 NIV) So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come."

(Heb 9:4 NIV) which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

(Psa 102:25-27 NIV) In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. {26} They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. {27} But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

(Heb 1:10-12 NIV) He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. {11} They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. {12} You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."

(Psa 40:6 NIV) Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced ; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

(Heb 10:5 NIV) Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;

(Deu 32:35-36 NIV) It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." {36} The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.

(Heb 10:30 NIV) For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."

Thursday

What About Modern Versions

(Gal 4:17 NIV) Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.

(Job 20:3 NIV) I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.

(Joel 2:24 NIV) The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

(Joel 3:13 NIV) Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow-- so great is their wickedness!'

(Deu 28:6 NIV) You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

(Isa 43:13 NIV) Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

(Exo 28:11 NIV) Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings

(1 Th 4:15 NIV) According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

(Ezek 35:6 NIV) therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you.

(2 Tim 2:15 NIV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Friday

(Acts 2:47 NIV) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.