An Online Greek and Hebrew Bible

I found an online Greek and Hebrew Bible that may be a useful tool for those who have some knowledge of these languages but need help with the details.  You will need to be able to recognize enough of the Hebrew or Greek to locate a word that you are interested in.  The site is located here.

Point at a word on the page and a popup will provide you with a dictionary definition. With this site, you can also print selections from the Bible that include glosses of less common words at the bottom of the page.

Repentance (Part 3)

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 

This is part 3 in a series of studies on repentance.

Wikipedia has an entry on Repentance in Judaism; it defines t'shuva (repentance) as:

• confessing the sin;
• if the sin was committed against another person, asking that person's forgiveness;
• ceasing to commit the sin;
• regretting the sin;
• firmly resolving never to repeat the sin.

I am looking at the topic of repentance from a Christian perspective.  However, if I find relevant information that comes from a different perspective and I can support it from the Bible, I am for it. More important than asking, "is it 'Christian'"— which often means, "is it my culture"— is asking, "is it Biblical"?  Can we find biblical support for these five aspects of repentance?  I believe the answer is yes.


Confessing the Sin

Leviticus 26:40-42: "But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me,... then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember; I will remember the land. "

Nehemiah 10:1: "Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly."

Proverbs 28:13: "He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."

Mark 1:5: "Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins."

Luke 18:13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 

James 5:16: "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Asking Forgiveness


The Wikipedia article (Repentance in Judaism) adds that when a sin is committed against another the offender must "ask the wronged person for forgiveness, and make it up to them. For example, if one stole an object, the stolen item must be returned, or if one has pained someone else in any way, he must be placated."

Exod 22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 

Numbers 5:6: "Speak to the children of Israel: 'When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the LORD, and that person is guilty, then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged.'"

Ezek 33:15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 

Matt: 5:23-24: "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Matt. 6:12: "And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors."

Luke 17:4: "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Luke 19:8: "Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.'" 

Ceasing to Commit the Sin

2 Chron. 7:14: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Proverbs 28:13: "He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." 

Mark 9:43-48: "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- where 'Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.' And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- where 'Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.' And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire-- where 'Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.'"

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Regretting the Sin

Ezra 10:1:  'Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly."

Joel 2:12: "'Now, therefore,' says the LORD, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.'"

Matt. 21:28: "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went."

Matt 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Luke 6:21: "Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh."

Resolving to Never Repeat the Sin

Prov. 4:14: "Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on."

Jeremiah 35:15: "I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, 'Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.' But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me."

Ezekiel 18:23: "'Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?' says the Lord GOD, 'and not that he should turn from his ways and live?'"

Jonah 3:8: "But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands."

This five-step process of repentance is much more than just a feeling of regret or simply asking God for forgiveness.  It is a major reformation of character.

Matt. 9:13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (μετανοιαν)."

Matt. 11:20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent (μετενοησαν): 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented (εν σακκω και σποδω μετενοησαν) long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

In the previous text, notice that Jesus says that Tyre and Sidon would have repented "in sackcloth and ashes" (sakko kai spoda / cilicio et cinere / saq va'efer / saco y en ceniza).  The Greek word for sackcloth is sakko; the Hebrew word is saq; and the Spanish word is saco.  The Latin word cilicium is defined in Wikipedia as "a covering made of goat's hair from Cilicia, a Roman province in south-east Asia Minor." The cloth made from the goat hair was almost black and was used for sacks, tents and also for clothing by sailors and fishermen because it was resistent to decay caused by wetness. Other definitions of these words include a "poor quality of material of goat-hair" and "a course cloth, a dark course stuff made especially from the hair of animals" and "a garment of the like material, and clinging to the person like a sack, which was worn by mourners, penitents, suppliants and also by those who like the Hebrew prophets, lead an austere life."  The exact form in which this garment was worn is uncertain.  One scholar described the saq as "like a corn-bag with an opening for the head, and another for each arm, an opening being made in the garment from top to bottom" but there are others think it was a "hairy mantle" or simply a loincloth made of the course material. Sackcloth was made of camel's hair in some regions, which adds additional significance to the Biblical description of John the Baptist's clothing.

Matt. 12:41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented (μετενοησαν) at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

The book of Jonah, in chapter 3, describes the repentence of Ninevah this way: "5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn (shuv) from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands."  Notice the intensity in this description.

Repentance was not simply a private meditation or an internal feeling; rather, it was a very public change that was visible to all.

Hebrews 4:15 – For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I Will Come and Dwell in Your Midst, Says the LORD

This is a simple study— sometimes it is interesting to see a collection of related verses all together.  Apparently God wants to live with us.

Exodus 25:8---- And have them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them. 

Exodus 29:45,46---- I will dwell among the Israelites, and I will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them; I am the LORD their God.

Numbers 5:3---- you shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp; they must not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.

Numbers 35:34---- You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the Israelites.

1 Kings 6:13---- I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

1 Kings 8:13---- I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.

1 Kings 8:27---- But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built!

Psalm 85:9---- Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

Isaiah 57:15---- For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Jeremiah 7:3---- Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings, and let me dwell with you in this place.

Jeremiah 7:7---- then I will dwell with you in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your ancestors forever and ever.

Ezekiel 34:24---- And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

Ezekiel 37:26---- I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore.

Ezekiel 37:28---- Then the nations shall know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forevermore.

Ezekiel 43:9---- Now let them put away their idolatry and the corpses of their kings far from me, and I will reside among them forever.

Joel 3:17---- So you shall know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.

Zechariah 2:10---- Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the LORD.

Zechariah 2:11---- Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

Zechariah 8:3---- Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts shall be called the holy mountain.

Revelation 21:3---- And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;

Repentance (Part 2)

At the end of part one on repentance, I asked: "If repentance is a turning, what are we turning from?  What are we turning to?"  In this post, part two, I will look at one aspect of what the Bible tells us to turn away from.

Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; ... 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

John the Baptist condemned the sins of the people with the strongest possible language: "Brood of vipers!" (Luke 3:7).  Jesus himself used similar language in his harshest condemnation of sin: "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?" (Matt. 23:33).  In this text, the English word serpent translates the Greek word ophis (οφις). The same word is used in the Septuagint Greek translation of Genesis 3:1: "Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made."  It is also the same word used in Revelation 20:2: "He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years."  A brood of vipers is a family of young snakes; were John and Jesus suggesting that the people were the offspring of Satan?

What were the sins that John was condemning with such harsh language? What did John advise the people to do? Luke chapter 3 tells us: "10 So the people asked him, saying, 'What shall we do then?' 11 He answered and said to them, 'He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.' 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?' 13 And he said to them, 'Collect no more than what is appointed for you.' 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, 'And what shall we do?' So he said to them, 'Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'"  Does "give to him who has none" and "collect no more than what is appointed for you" suggest that repentance means more than to be sorry or to feel regret?  Is John's list of offenses what we usually think of when we think of major sins?

What kinds of sins did Jesus condemn? When Jesus preached "repent!" was thinking only of sins such as murder, stealing, adultery and dishonesty?  Or was he also thinking of greed and self-indulgence? Matthew chapter 23 tells us: "23 Woe to you [who] have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith" (ESV faithfulness) and "25 Woe to you [who are inside] full of extortion and self-indulgence."  (The ESV translates it as "greed and self-indulgence.")  Luke chapter 6 includes some more woes: "24 But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. 25 Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger."  Ezekiel 16:49 describes the sin of Sodom with these words: "Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."  There are many texts in the Gospels that add to our understanding: "the deceitfulness of riches choke the word" (Matt. 13:22), "it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:23), "the rich He has sent away empty" (Luke 1:53).

Jesus describes the judgement in Matthew 25; what are the offenses of the lost? "41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'"

In January, I wrote a post called "Jesus, A Man of Action" that may add to our understanding; repentance is active.  It is something we do.  John the Baptist said, "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:8)— or as the CEV puts it "Do something to show that you really have given up your sins."

It is not enough to just "feel or express sincere regret or remorse."  We should ask, as the people asked John the Baptist:

Teacher, what shall we do?

Who is the Good Shepherd?

John 10:11,14,15 – I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.... 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

It is a familiar text.  We have all see the pictures— a very tranquil looking Jesus holding a shepherd's staff in one hand and a little lamb in the other.  What was Jesus saying about himself?

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

So, is he saying that he "has come to save that which was lost?"  Is it a metaphor about salvation? Yes.  But that isn't the main point that he is making.  He is talking about his identity.  For anyone familiar with their Scriptures— the Law and the Prophets and the Writings— he is saying, "This is who I Am."  When Jesus had something challenging to say, he told a parable.  He didn't say it directly— he used word pictures to say it.  Let's look at the Law and Prophets and Writings— who is the Good Shepherd?

The Shepherd in the Hebrew Scriptures

Genesis 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). 15 And he blessed Joseph and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Psalm 23:1 ... The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 28:8 The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 80:1 ... Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. 2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us! 3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Ezekiel 34:11 For thus says the Lord God : Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. 17 As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God : Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats.

Ezekiel 34:23 Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD have spoken.

Ezekiel 34:31 And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.

Look closely at Ezekiel 34.  "For thus says the LORD God : Behold, I, I myself ....  I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep."  And then, a few verses later.  "Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd."  And then, "And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them."   On the one hand, God is saying "I myself" will be the shepherd, and then he will set "one shepherd, My servant David" over the sheep.  This is Ezekiel writing— long after the death of King David.  Who is he talking about?

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 9:16 16 On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.

Zechariah 13:1 On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.... 6 And if one asks him, 'What are these wounds on your back?' he will say, 'The wounds I received in the house of my friends.' 7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me," declares the Lord of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

New Testament Shepherd Texts

Matthew 25:31 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  (Compare with Ezekiel 34:17)

Mark 14:26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.  (Compare with Zechariah 13:7)

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.... 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (Compare with Ezekiel 34:31) 

Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,...

1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

What was Jesus saying, when he said, "I am the Good Shepherd," he was saying,....  (you fill in the blank)

I AM .....

The Hebraic New Testament (Part 5)

Have you ever noticed phrases in the New Testament similar to "began to say" or "began to rebuke" or "began to teach?"  Do those phrases sound redundant to you?  It is a common pattern in Matthew, Mark and Luke and it also occurs in Acts.  If you have read any other posts I have written on the Hebraic New Testament, you will recognize that these are the books that are especially Hebraic in their language.

Following is a graph of occurrences of this "began to ... verb" pattern in the Greek New Testament.

Here is an example in context.  Notice how this pattern is invisible in some of the more recent translations (paraphrases).  The translators apparently felt that it was awkward English and chose to remove it— the Hebraisms are probably the first things to go in the paraphrases.

Matt 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke (ηρξατο επιτιμαν – erxato epitiman) him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 

• The Message – Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"
• CEV – Peter took Jesus aside and told him to stop talking like that. He said, "God would never let this happen to you, Lord!"
• NCV – Peter took Jesus aside and told him not to talk like that. He said, "God save you from those things, Lord! Those things will never happen to you!"
• God's Word Translation – Peter took him aside and objected to this. He said, "Heaven forbid, Lord! This must never happen to you!"
• Bible in Basic English – And Peter, protesting, said to him, Be it far from you, Lord; it is impossible that this will come about. 

These Hebraic New Testament posts are intended to illustrate the Hebraic character of the New Testament.  I have read about some of these patterns, but only after I have actually gone and looked for them myself and documented them do I really start to notice them.  Once I recognize them I start to see them everywhere.

Although I find languages to be interesting in themselves, my purpose for looking at this topic is primarily as a tool for looking at the New Testament through the lens of the Old Testament.  Once we see the Hebraic character of the New Testament, we are motivated to look to the Old Testament for texts that help us better understand the New Testament.

I have not discovered any site on the Internet that documents and illustrates these Hebraic patterns.  It is my hope that these posts will be useful to those who are interested in this topic.

(All texts that follow are from the King James Version.)


Some New Testament Texts Containing The "Began To" Pattern


Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach (ηρξατο ο Ιησους κηρυσσειν – erxato o Iesous keryssein), and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matt 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say (ηρξατο ο Ιησους λεγειν  – erxato o Iesous legein) unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Matt 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck (ηρξαντο τιλλειν – erxanto tillein) the ears of corn, and to eat.

Matt 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful (ηρξατο λυπεισθαι – erxato lypeisthai) and very heavy.

Mark 1:45 But he went out, and began to publish (ηρξατο κηρυσσειν – erxato keryssein) it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Mark 5:17 And they began to pray (ηρξαντο παρακαλειν – erxanto parakalein) him to depart out of their coasts.

Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth (ηρξατο αυτους αποστελλειν – erxato autous apostellein) by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach (ηρξατο διδασκειν – erxato didaskein) them many things.

Mark 8:11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question (ηρξαντο συζητειν – erxanto syzetein) with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell (ηρξατο αυτοις λεγειν – erxato autois legein) them what things should happen unto him,

Mark 10:47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out (ηρξατο κραζειν – erxato krazein), and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out  (ηρξατο εκβαλλειν – erxato ekballein) them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Mark 14:65 And some began to spit (ηρξαντο τινες εμπτυειν – erxanto tines emptyein) on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Mark 14:71 But he began to curse (ηρξατο αναθεματιζειν – erxato anathematizein) and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

Mark 15:8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire (ηρξατο αιτεισθαι – erxato aiteisthai) him to do as he had ever done unto them.

Mark 15:18 And began to salute (ηρξαντο ασπαζεσθαι – erxanto aspazesthai) him, Hail, King of the Jews!

Luke 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason (ηρξαντο διαλογιζεσθαι – erxanto dialogizesthai), saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash (ηρξατο βρεχειν – erxato brechein) his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away (ηρξατο κλινειν – erxato klinein), then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat (αρξηται τυπτειν – arxetai typtein) the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without (αρξησθε εξω εσταναι – arxesthe exo estanai), and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Luke 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock (αρξωνται εμπαιζειν – arxontai empaizein) him,

Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want (ηρξατο υστερεισθαι – erxato ystereisthai).

Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse (ηρξαντο δε κατηγορειν – erxanto de kategorein) him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

John 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash (ηρξατο νιπτειν – erxato niptein) the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.


Examples of The "Began To" Pattern in the Septuagint and Hebrew Text


Deut 3:24 O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew (ηρξω δειξαι – erxo deixai / החלות להראות – hachilota l'har'ot) thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

Josh 3:7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt (αρχομαι υψωσαι – archomai ypsosai / אחל גדלך – achel gadelkha) you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

Judg 13:5 For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver (αρξεται σωζειν – arxetai sozein / יחל להושׁיע – yahel l'hoshi'a) Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Judg 20:39 whereupon the men of Israel would turn in battle. Now Benjamin had begun to strike (ηρκται του τυπτειν – erktai tou typtein / החל להכות – hechel l'hakot) and kill about thirty of the men of Israel. For they said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.”

Jer 25:29 For behold, I begin to bring (αρχομαι κακωσαι – archomai kakosai / מחל להרע – mechel l'hara) calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the LORD of hosts.’


List of Some New Testament Texts with the "Began To" Pattern


Matt 4:17; 11:7, 20; 12:1; 14:30; 16:21–22; 18:24; 24:49; 26:22, 37, 74; Mark 1:45; 4:1; 5:17, 20; 6:2, 7, 34; 8:11, 31–32; 10:28, 32, 41, 47; 11:15; 12:1; 13:5; 14:19, 33, 65, 69, 71; 15:8, 18; Luke 3:8; 4:21; 5:21; 7:15, 24, 38, 49; 9:12; 11:29; 12:1, 45; 13:25–26; 14:18, 29–30; 15:14, 24; 19:45; 21:28; 22:23; 23:2, 30; John 13:5; Acts 1:1; 2:4; 11:15; 18:26; 24:2; 27:35; 2 Cor 3:1


List of Some Old Testament Texts with the "Began To" Pattern


Gen 4:26; 6:1; 10:8; 11:6; Lev 21:9; Num 25:1; Deut 2:25, 31; 3:24; 16:9; Josh 3:7; Judg 10:18; 13:5, 25; 16:19; 20:31, 39–40; 1 Sam 14:35; 22:15; 2 Kgs 10:32; 15:37; Jer 25:29; Ezek 20:21; Jonah 3:4; Mal 1:12; Esth 6:13; 9:23; Ezra 3:6; Neh 4:7; 1 Chr 1:10; 27:24; 2 Chr 3:1–2; 31:7, 10; 34:3

Our Father...

Jesus often referred to God as "father."   He began His model prayer with "Our Father which art in Heaven" (Matt 6:9 KJV)— Πατερ ημων ο εν τοις ουρανοιςn — Pater emon o en tois ouranois.  His use of the word father in reference to God is so frequent in comparison to Old Testament usage that we might get the impression that it is his own distinctive idiom.  Although it is not a common mode of expression for God in the Old Testament, it does exist.

The phrase our father occurs two times in the Septuagint clearly referring to God:

Isa 63:16 KJV – Doubtless thou art our father (ημων ει πατηρ – emon ei pater / אבינו – avinu), though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father (πατηρ ημων – pater emon / אבינו – avinu), our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. 

Isa 64:8 KJV – But now, O LORD, thou art our father (πατηρ ημων – pater emon /  אבינו – avinu); we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. 

The phrase our father apparently is referring to God in the Septuagint translation of 1 Chronicles 29:10; the punctuation suggests it in the Greek edition I am using (Ευλογητος ει, κυριε ο θεος Ισραηλ, ο πατηρ ημων – Eulogetos ei, kyrie o theos Israel, o pater emon) and in the Septuagint translations to English.

1 Chr 29:10 NETS – And Dauid blessed the Lord before the assembly, saying, "Blessed are you, Lord God of Israel, our father (ο πατηρ ημων – o pater emon / אבינו – avinu) from age even unto age."

1 Chr 29:10 Brenton – And king David blessed the Lord before the congregation, saying, Blessed art thou, O Lord God of Israel, our Father (ο πατηρ ημων – o pater emon / אבינו – avinu), from everlasting and to everlasting. 

Translations of 1 Chronicles 29:10 from Hebrew are ambiguous or clearly tilt toward "God of our father Israel" (NIV).

Other Old Testament texts that speak of God as a father include:

Ps 68:5 KJV – A father (אבי – avi) of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. 

Ps 89:26 KJV – He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father (אבי – avi), my God, and the rock of my salvation. 

Prov 3:12 KJV – For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father (וכאב – ukh'av) the son in whom he delighteth. 

Isa 9:6 KJV – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father (אביעד – avi'ad), The Prince of Peace. 

Jer 3:19 KJV – But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father (אבי – avi); and shalt not turn away from me. 

Jer 31:9 KJV – They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to (לאב – l'av) Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. 

Mal 2:10 KJV – Have we not all one father (אב – av)? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? 

The apocryphal book Tobit refers to God as a father:

Tob 13:4 Brenton Septuagint – There declare his greatness, and extol him before all the living: for he is our Lord, and he is the God our Father (πατηρ ημων – pater emon) for ever. 

I especially like the text in Psalm 89.  (I have encountered this Psalm several times recently in other studies.  The word emunah (אמונה – faithfulness) occurs seven times in it— Ps 89:1–2, 5, 8, 24, 33, 49.)

Palms 89:26
He shall cry unto me,
Thou art my father, my God,
and the rock of my salvation.