THE WORD OF ELOHIM

Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

GENESIS 1

The Creation

3 Then Elohim said, “There should be light,” and there was light. 4 Elohim saw that the light was good. And Elohim separated the light from the darkness. 5 Elohim called the light “day”, and the darkness He called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 Elohim said, “There should be an expanse of atmosphere supporting water above it [5], and it should separate the water above from the water on the surface.” 7 Elohim made the expanse and divided the water under the expanse from the water that was above the expanse”, and it happened. 8 Elohim called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

9 Then Elohim said, “The water under the sky should be gathered together into one place, and dry land should appear”, and it happened. 10 Elohim called the dry ground “land”, and the water that was gathered together He called “seas”. And Elohim saw that it was good. 11 Elohim said, “The earth should produce vegetation, plants yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit with seeds in them, each within their kind on the earth”, and it happened. 12 The earth produced vegetation, plants with seeds within their kind, and trees bearing fruit, all of them containing seeds, within their kind. And Elohim saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

14 Then Elohim said, “There should be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They’ll signal 'Appointed Festivals', days and years. 15 They’ll serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light for the earth”, and it happened. 16 Elohim made the two great lights—the greater light to dominate the day, and the lesser light to dominate the night. He also made [or restored] the planets. 17 Elohim set them in the expanse of sky to provide light for the earth, 18 to regulate the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. Elohim (God) saw that it was good. 19 There was evening, then morning, a fourth day.

20 Elohim said, “The water should swarm with swarms of living creatures, and birds should fly above the earth in the open expanse of sky.” 21 Elohim created the huge dragons * and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water 'self replicating' the same kind, and every winged bird after its kind. And Elohim saw that it was good. 22 Elohim blessed them, and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and birds should multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

24 Then Elohim said, “The earth should produce living creatures 'self replicating' the same kind, livestock, creeping things and animals of the earth 'self replicating' the same kind,” And it happened. 25 Elohim made the animals of the earth 'self replicating' the same kind, and the livestock 'self replicating' the same kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. And Elohim saw that it was good.

26 Then Elohim said, “We should make mankind to resemble Us, similar to Us, and give them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds in the sky, and the domestic animals all over the EARTH, and over every creature that walks and moves the earth.”

27 So Elohim created mankind in His own image. In the image of Elohim He created them; He created them male and female.

28 Elohim blessed them. And Elohim told them, “Be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it. Manage the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, and every living thing that moves on the earth.”

29 Then Elohim said, “I’ve given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree with seeds in the fruit [angiosperms]. That will be your food. 30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky and everything that creeps on the earth—every living thing—I’ve given them all green herbs for food,” and it happened.

31 Elohim looked at everything He had made and saw that it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

[1] The Hebrew word usually rendered “God or gods” is “Elohim.” The word “god” came from paganism, as this link explains, all the way back to Abraham. Many other theological terms are likewise derived from paganism, such as theology, amen, church, holy, sacred, saint, sanctuary, and even sacrifice. Note: there is an Enlarged Bet in this verse. [2] An amazing hidden surprise! [3] “First of all, the Hebrew of the Masoretic text ... shows there is a pause/gap symbol between the first and second verses of Genesis ... intended to notify the reader that he should pause before proceeding to the next verse.” [4] There is no specific word or even concept in Hebrew of earth being a planet. The hebrew word ‘eretz’ generally simply means ‘land’—not planet earth. Only the context can determine the extent of the land—whether just Israel, the land surrounding Israel or dry land beyond the region of the middle east. So the Genesis creation account deals with the renewing of dry land that was at the time a water world. While prophecies of the end time are sometimes confined to the nations surrounding Israel, often the powers that be will have caused global disasters. But until recent centuries, if earth been thought of as a planet, it surely would have been given a pagan name like all of the other planets. [5] There seems to have been a protective shield of water surrounding the planet, thought to be pre-flood.

GENESIS 2

The Sabbath Rest

4 This is the historical account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, at the time when Yehovah Elohim made the earth and the heavens. [Small Hey]

5 Before any plants appeared on the earth, no plants had even sprouted—before Yehovah Elohim caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no one to tend the land. 6 A mist went up from the earth, and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Yehovah Elohim formed man from the fine dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and he became a living being [a soul].

8 Yehovah Elohim planted a garden toward Eden, the east, and there He put the man He had formed. 9 Out of the ground Yehovah Elohim caused every tree to grow that is pleasant to see, and good for food; the Tree of Life was also in the middle of the garden, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

10 A river flowed thru Eden and watered the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters: 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It flowed thru the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold, 12 and the gold of that land is exceptionally pure. There is bdellium and onyx there as well. 13 The second river is named the Gihon. It meanders thru the entire land of Cush. 14 The third river is named the Tigris. It flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

15 Yehovah Elohim took the man, and put him into the Garden in Eden [1] to guard it and to tend it. 16 Yehovah Elohim commanded him, “You can freely eat from any tree in the garden, 17 except you must not eat fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, because in the day that you eat from it you are sure to die.”

18 Yehovah Elohim said, “It isn’t good for the man to be alone, so I’ll make him a companion suitable for him.”

19 Out of the ground Yehovah Elohim formed all the ‘wild’ animals, and all the birds in the air, and brought them to the man to see what the man would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the livestock, all the birds in the air, and to every 'wild' animal [2], but Adam didn’t find a helper suitable for him. 21 So Yehovah Elohim caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, He took part of his side [3], and closed up the flesh over it. 22 Then Yehovah Elohim made a woman from the part taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh [not just bone]. I will call her ‘woman’, because she was taken out of man.”

24 This is why a man leaves his father and mother, and unites with his wife and they will become one flesh.

25 The man and his wife were both naked and were not embarrassed.

[1] Where was the Garden in Eden? Is there a place on earth that will return to an Edenic paradise? Yes: Ezekiel 36:35. And wasn’t the Tree of Life in Eden? Where will the Paradise be located where the unchanging Elohim will choose to return the Tree of Life to? See: Revelation 2:7 & 22:14 (Thanks B) [2] “Of all the species of beasts and flying creatures that had already been created and had spread over the face of the earth and the firmament of the heavens, [Yehovah] now formed particular specimens for the purpose of presenting them all before man in the midst of the Garden.”—Cassuto [3] This is the only place of 41 usages where translators chose to insert “rib”.

GENESIS 3

The Test

2 The woman told the shining one, “We can eat fruit from the trees in the garden 3 except for the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. Elohim said, “You must not eat fruit from it or even touch it, or you’ll die.’”

4 The shining one told the woman, “You most certainly won’t die! 5 because Elohim knows that on the day when you eat its fruit, your eyes will be opened, and you’ll be like the Elohim, having knowledge of good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was visually delightful, and that the tree was also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some of the fruit and ate it, and she gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they perceived themselves to be naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 They heard the voice of Yehovah Elohim [the pre incarnate Yeshua] as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yehovah Elohim among the trees of the garden. 9 Yehovah Elohim called to the man and said, “Where are you?”

10 The man said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid.”

11 Elohim asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

12 The man replied, “The woman who You gave me gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.

13 Then Yehovah Elohim asked the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The shining one deceived me, and I ate.”

14 Yehovah Elohim told the shining one, “Because you’ve done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every 'wild' animal. You’ll crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. 15 I’ll put hostility between you and the woman, and between your 'offspring' and her 'offspring'. He will 'crush' your head, and you will bite his heel.” 16 Then he said to the woman, “The one who ambushed you [Satan] has multiplied your sorrow and in that same sorrow you will raise children. You will continually turn to your husband, but he will rule over you!”

16 Then he said to the woman, “I will sharply increase your pain during pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. Your desire will be for your husband [instead of Yehovah], and he will rule over you!”

17 Then He said to Adam, “Because you listened to your wife, and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed [2] because of you. In toil you’ll eat from it all the days of your life. 18 [Outside of the garden] it will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you’ll eat the herbs in the fields [1] 19 By the sweat of your brow you’ll eat your food until you return to the ground, because you were taken from dust, and you’ll return to dust.”

20 The man named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

21 Yehovah Elohim made coats from animal skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 Then Yehovah Elohim said, “The man has become like one of Us knowing good and evil, He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take from the Tree of Life and eat and continue to live forever!” 23 So Yehovah Elohim banished him from of the garden in Eden, to work the ground that he was taken from. 24 So He drove the man out, and He placed cherubim east of the garden in Eden wielding flaming swords that flashed every direction, to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

GENESIS 4

Cain and Abel

6 Then Yehovah asked Cain, “Why are you angry? Why the 'angry' look on your face? 7 If you do things right, won’t you be accepted? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. 'Sin' wants you, but you must subdue it.”

8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go into the field. Then, while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Later, Yehovah asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s handler?”

10 Yehovah said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground! 11 Now you are cursed and ousted from the ground that has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

12 From now on, when you work the ground, it won’t yield its bounty for you. You’ll be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

13 Cain said to Yehovah, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 You’ve forced me off the land today. I’ll be hidden from Your 'presence', and I’ll be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. Anyone who finds me will kill me.”

15 Yehovah told him, “If anyone kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him seven times more.” Yehovah put a mark on Cain so that no one finding him would strike him dead. 16 Cain left Yehovah’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

17 Cain had relations with his wife and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. 'Cain' built a city and named the city after his son Enoch. 18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.

19 Lamech married two women, one was named Adah, and the other was Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the 'first nomad' to live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the 'first musician' to play harps and pipes. 22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, listen to 'me'; wives of Lamech, listen to what I say. I killed a man who attacked me, a young man who wounded me. 24 If Cain will be avenged seven times over, truly Lamech’s killer seventy-seven times.”

25 Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, “because Elohim has given me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began calling on Yehovah by name.

GENESIS 5

Adam’s Family History

3 When Adam was 130 years old he 'had a son' in his own likeness, resembling him, and named him Seth. 4 After the birth of Seth, Adam 'lived' another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 5 'Altogether', Adam 'lived' 930 years, and then he died.

6 When Seth was 105 years old, he 'had a son' named Enosh. 7 After Enosh was born, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 'Altogether', Seth 'lived' 912 years, and then he died.

9 When Enosh was 90 years old, he 'had a son' named Kenan. 10 Enosh 'lived' 815 years after the birth of Kenan, and he had other sons and daughters. 11 'Altogether', Enosh 'lived' 905 years, and then he died.

12 When Kenan was 70 years old, he 'had a son' named Mahalalel. 13 After Mahalalel was born, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 'Altogether', Kenan 'lived' 910 years, and then he died.

15 When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he 'had a son' named Jared. 16 After Jared was born, Mahalalel 'lived' 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 'Altogether', Mahalalel 'lived' 895 years, and then he died.

18 When Jared was 162 years old, he 'had a son' named Enoch. 19 After Enoch was born, Jared 'lived' 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 'Altogether', Jared 'lived' a total of 962 years, and then he died.

21 When Enoch was 65 years old, he 'had a son' named Methuselah. 22 After Methuselah was born, Enoch 'lived' with Elohim for 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 'Altogether', Enoch 'lived' 365 years. 24 Enoch 'lived' with Elohim, then he disappeared, because the Word * took him.

25 When Methuselah was 187 years old, he 'had a son' named Lamech. 26 After Lamech was born, Methuselah lived 782 years and had 'other' sons and daughters. 27 Methuselah 'lived' 969 years, and then he died.

28 When Lamech was 182 years old, he had a son. 29 and he named him Noah, and said, “This one will comfort us in our work and hard 'manual' labor in the ground that Yehovah has cursed.” 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had 'other' sons and daughters. 31 'Altogether' Lamech 'lived' 777 years, and then he died.

32 After Noah was 500 years old, 'he' became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

GENESIS 6

Elohim’s Sons and Daughters of Men

4 The Nephilim were on earth in those days, and also afterward, when Elohim’s sons had sexual relations with human daughters and had children by them. They were the mighty warriors of antiquity, men of renown.

5 Yehovah saw that human wickedness had proliferated on earth, and that their every thought was invariably evil. 6 Yehovah was sorry that he had made mankind on the earth, and He was deeply grieved. 7 Yehovah said, “I’ll wipe humanity that I’ve created from the surface of the earth, people, animals, creeping things and birds from the air, because I regret that I made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in Yehovah’s 'sight'.

9 This is Noah’s geneology. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries. Noah 'pleased' Elohim. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

11 The earth was corrupt in Elohim’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 Elohim saw that the earth was corrupt, because everyone on earth was corrupt. 13 Elohim said to Noah, “The end of all 'humanity' has come before Me. The earth is filled with violence because of them. So I’ll destroy them with the earth! 14 Make an ark of cypress wood. You must make rooms in the ark, and seal them inside and out with tar. 15 This is how you are to make it. The length of the ark will be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 Leave an opening around the roof of the ark, a cubit high from the top. Put a door on the side of the ark. In the hold make lower, second, and third decks. 17 I am going to bring a flood on the earth to destroy every living thing that breathes under the sky. Everything on earth will die. 18 But I’ll establish My covenant with you. You’ll go into the ark together with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives. 19 Bring pairs of every kind of bird and every kind of animal and every kind of small animal, and every kind of crawling animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. 20 Of each kind of bird, each kind of livestock and each kind of every creature that crawls on the ground—a pair from each will go in with you to stay alive. 21 Gather some from every kind of edible food and store it as food for you and for them.”

22 So Noah did everything exactly as Elohim had commanded him to do.

[1] Very few individuals live to be 120 years of age, and the context does not really indicate a life span conversation, but 120 Jubilee years would cover exactly 6,000 years—as I see it ending in Jubilee 2032-2033 when His “spirit will no longer tolerate striving with men”.

GENESIS 7

The Great Flood

5 So Noah did everything that Yehovah had commanded him.

6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood water 'began to cover' the earth. 7 So Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the flood water. 8 Every clean and unclean animal, bird, and every creature that crawls on the ground 9 came to Noah and entered the ark by pairs, as Elohim commanded Noah. 10 Seven days later the flooding of the earth began.

11 During the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great depths [subterranean waters] burst open, and the floodgates of the skies were opened.[1] 12 It continued to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights.

13 On that commemorative day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, along with his wife and the wives of his three sons entered the ark, 14 they, and every kind of animal, all kinds of livestock, every kind of terrestrial crawling creature, every kind of bird and anything else with wings. 15 They entered the ark with Noah by pairs—every kind of living 'creature' with the breath of life. 16 The males and females of each living 'creature' entered the ark as Elohim commanded them, and Yehovah shut them in.

17 The flood continued for forty days on the earth, and as the water rose it lifted the ark so that it floated high above the land surface. 18 The flood water 'surged' and deluged the earth, while the ark floated on the surface of the water. 19 The water surged even higher over the earth until all the high mountains everywhere under the whole sky were covered. 20 The mountains were covered as the water sures to birds in the sky were wiped off the land. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark were left.

24 The flood water surged over the earth for one hundred and fifty days.

GENESIS 8

The Flood Recedes

6 Forty days later Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and he sent out a raven. It flew back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground, 9 but the dove found no place to rest her foot. She returned to him in the ark because water covered the surface of the whole earth. So he reached out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. 10 So he waited another seven days. Then he sent the dove out of the ark again. 11 The dove came back to him that evening with a fresh olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. 12 He waited another seven days and sent out the dove, but she didn’t come back to him again.

13 By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ark and saw that the surface of the ground 'looked' dry. 14 By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry.

15 Then Elohim said to Noah: 16 “Leave the ark, you and your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Release all the animals—birds, livestock, and everything that scurries along the ground—so they can be fertile and multiply on the earth.”

18 So Noah came out along with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. 19 Every animal, every scurrying thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth went out by their kind from the ark.

20 Noah built an altar to Yehovah, and took some of every clean animal and every clean bird and offered burned offerings on the altar. 21 Yehovah smelled the pleasing aroma. Yehovah told Himself, “I’ll never again curse the ground because of human beings since their thoughts are evil from their youth, and I will never again destroy every living thing as I’ve done. [1]

22 As long as the earth exists, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.“

GENESIS 9

The Rainbow Covenant

4 “But you must never eat meat that still has the lifeblood in it. 5 Surely I will require your lifeblood. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And I will demand the life of any person who takes another person’s life.

6 “Whoever sheds human blood, their blood will be shed by humans, because Elohim made humans in His own image.

7 But you, be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly on the earth and repopulate it.”

8 Elohim spoke to Noah and to his sons who were with him, 9 “I am now establishing My covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that accompanied you, the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals of the earth leaving the ark with you, every animal on earth. 11 I confirm My covenant with you: I will never again destroy all living things by a flood; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”

12 Elohim said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I’m making between Me and you and every living creature that’s with you for PERPETUAL GENERATIONS! 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds; and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and a rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I’ll remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature 'made of' flesh. Never again will the flood water destroy all life. 16 When a rainbow appears in the clouds, I’ll see it and remember the everlasting covenant between Elohim and every living creature of every 'kind' on earth.”

17 Elohim said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I’ve established between Me and all the flesh on earth.”

18 Noah’s sons who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were Noah’s sons, and from them the whole earth was populated.

20 Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank some of the wine and got drunk and lay naked in his tent. 22 Ham, Canaan’s father, saw his naked father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a robe and held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their naked father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see their father’s nakedness

24 When Noah awoke from his wine, he discovered what his youngest son had done to him. 25 He said, “Canaan is cursed. He’ll be the lowest of servants to his relatives.”

26 He also said, “Blessed be Yehovah, the Elohim of Shem. May Canaan be his servant. 27 May Elohim expand the territory of Japheth! May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.”

28 Noah lived another 350 years after the flood. 29 In all, Noah lived 950 years and then he died.

GENESIS 10

The Table of Nations

2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras.

3 The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah.

4 The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. 5 From these the maritime nations separated into their lands, each clan and nation separated by distinct languages.

6 The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan.

7 The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

8 Cush was the father of Nimrod. He became a mighty one on earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter in Yehovah’s face. So it’s said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter in Yehovah’s face.” 10 His kingdom started with Babel, Erech, Accad and Calneh in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah 12 and Resen (the great city between Nineveh and Calah).

13 Mizraim was the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim (the Philistines came from them) and Caphtorim.

15 Canaan’s oldest son was Sidon, the ancestor of the Sidonians, the Hittites 16 the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites and the Hamathites. Afterward the clans of the Canaanites were spread abroad. 19 The territory of the Canaanites 'extended' from Sidon toward Gerar, to Gaza, then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.

20 These were the descendants of Ham by their clans and languages, lands and nations.

21 Children were also born to Shem, whose older brother was Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

22 The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud and Aram.

23 The sons of Aram were Uz and Hul and Gether and Mash.

24 Arpachshad was the father of Shelah; and Shelah was the father of Eber.

25 Two sons were born to Eber. One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan.

26 Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were Joktan’s sons. 30 Their settlements extended from Mesha toward Sephar, all the way to Sephar in the eastern highlands.

31 These are the descendants of Shem arranged by clans, languages, territories and nations. 32 These are the clans of Noah’s sons according to their genealogies. From these, nations spread out over the earth after the flood.

GENESIS 11

The Tower of Babel

3 They said to each other, “Let’s make bricks and bake them thoroly. (They used bricks for stones and tar for mortar.) 4 They said, “Hey, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with a summit reaching into heaven[1], and let’s make a name for ourselves so that we won’t be scattered over the entire surface of the earth.”

5 Yehovah came down to examine the city and the tower that the people were building. 6 And Yehovah said [to His Son], “Since they have begun to do this as one people speaking the same language, nothing they want to do will be impossible for them! 7 'So' let’s go down there and confuse their language so they won’t understand each other’s speech.” [2]

8 So Yehovah scattered them from there over the entire surface of the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That’s why the city was called Babel, because from there Yehovah confused the language of the whole earth. From there, Yehovah scattered them over the surface of the whole earth.

10 This is the 'family history' of Shem. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, his son Arphaxad was born.

Shem’s descendants

12 When Arphaxad was 35 years old, his son Shelah was born. 13 After Shelah was born, Arpachshad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

14 When Shelah was 30 years old, his son Eber was born. 15 After Eber was born, Shelah lived 403 year and had other sons and daughters.

16 When Eber was 34 years old, his son Peleg was born. 17 After Peleg was born, Eber lived 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

18 When Peleg was 30 years old, his son Reu was born. 19 After Reu was born, Peleg lived 209 years and had other sons and daughters.

20 When Reu was 32 years old, his son Serug was born. 21 After Serug was born, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters.

22 When Serug was 30 years old, his son Nahor was born. 23 After Nahor was born, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

24 When Nahor was 29 years old, his son Terah was born. 25 After Terah was born, Nahor lived 119 years; he had other sons and daughters.

26 After Terah was 70 years old, his sons Abram, Nahor and Haran were born.

27 This is the genealogy of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot. 28 Haran died during the lifetime of his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans. 29 Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milkah. She was the daughter of Haran, who was the father of Milcah and Iscah. 30 Sarai was unable to become pregnant and have children.

31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran’s son), and his daughter-in-law Sarai (Abram’s wife) and moved out of Ur of the Chaldeans. He intended to go to the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there

32 Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran.

GENESIS 12

Abram Travels to Egypt

4 So Abram left as Yehovah had told him and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their possessions and those who became members of their household in Haran; and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled thru the land until he came to the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. There were Canaanites in the land.

7 Yehovah appeared to Abram and said, “I’ll give this land to your descendants”, so he built an altar there to Yehovah who had appeared to him. 8 Then he traveled from Shechem to the mountain east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to Yehovah and called on Yehovah by name.

9 After this he traveled on toward the Negev.

10 When a famine struck the land, Abram went down to Egypt to live as a foreigner there since the famine was so severe in the land. 11 Just as they were approaching Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This woman is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but they will keep you alive. 13 Please say you’re my sister so that things will go well with me for your sake, and so that I can survive because of you.”

14 When Abram got to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that 'Sarah' was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and commended her to Pharaoh, and they took 'Sarai' into Pharaoh’s palace. 16 'Pharaoh' treated Abram well for her sake; and 'gave' him sheep and bulls and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.

17 But Yehovah plagued Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh sent for Abram and asked, “What’s this you’ve done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’, so that I made her my wife? Now here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Pharaoh gave his men orders about Abram, and they sent him away with his wife and everything he owned.

GENESIS 13

Abram and Lot Separate

1 So Abram left Egypt and traveled into the Negev, he and his wife with everything he had, and Lot with him. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver and in gold.

3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before, 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on Yehovah by name.

5 Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds and tents. 6 The land wasn’t able to sustain them while they lived together, because their 'flocks and herds were so numerous' that they weren’t able to remain together. 7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at the time.

8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or between my herdsmen and your herdsmen since we’re relatives. 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Let’s part company; if you go to the left, then I’ll go to the right; or if you go to the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

10 Lot 'looked up' and saw that the Jordan Valley was well-watered everywhere, like the garden of Yehovah, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. (This was before Yehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose the entire Jordan Valley for himself, and Lot traveled east, and they separated from each other. 12 Abram 'settled' in the land of Canaan, while Lot 'settled' in the cities in the Jordan Valley, and moved his tents near Sodom. 13 The men of Sodom were extremely wicked, constantly sinning against Yehovah.

14 Yehovah told Abram, after Lot had left him, “Look 'all around' from the location where you are—north, south, east and west. 15 because I’m giving all the land that you see to you and your descendants forever 16 I’ll make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can count the dust particles of the earth, then your descendants can also can be counted. 17 Get up, walk thru the length and breadth of the land, because I’ll give it to you.”

18 So Abram moved his tent and went to live by the oaks of Mamre in Hebron, and built an altar to Yehovah there.

GENESIS 14

Abram Rescues Lot

5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and his allies came and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in Mount Seir, as far as El Paran near the edge of the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the entire territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.

8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out and lined up for battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 There were many tar pits in the Valley of Siddim, and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell 'into them', and the rest fled into the highlands. 11 They took everything from Sodom and Gomorrah, including their food, and left. 12 They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and everything he owned since he was living in Sodom.

13 When a survivor arrived, he told Abram the Hebrew, who lived near the oaks of the Amorite Mamre, the Amorites, brother of Eshcol and Aner, who were Abram’s allies. 14 When Abram heard that his 'nephew Lot' had been captured, he called out his 318 trained men who had been born in his household, and pursued them as far as Dan. 15 He divided 'his men' into groups one night and defeated them. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his nephew Lot and his property with all the women and other captives.

17 After 'Abram' returned from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 King Melchizedek [1] of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of the Supreme Elohim. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by the Supreme Elohim, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise the Supreme Elohim, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then 'Abram' gave 'Melchizedek' a tenth of everything. [2]

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

22 Abram told the king of Sodom, “I’ve raised up my hand in an oath to Yehovah, Elohim Supreme, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I won’t take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, otherwise you could say, ‘I’ve made Abram rich.” 24 I’ll accept nothing from you other than what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. They can take their share.

[1] There is a fascinating matrix (acrostic) about the identity of Melchizedek here. I do take exception to “A lamb of Tishri” meaning that Yeshua was born in the month of Tishr, since I don’t believe that is the case. He was born on the first day of Aviv, New Year’s Day in the spring. Of far more relevance tho is His return on Tishri 1, the Day of Trumpets. John is the only apostle to have called Him the “Lamb”, capital “L”, twice in John historically and twenty-eight times in Revelation, mostly in reference to the living Lamb who will be conquering the world—prophecy not history. [2] The Hebrew says 'he' and 'Him'. Compare with Hebrews 7:2.

GENESIS 15

Abram Promised a Son

4 The Word of Yehovah came to him and said, “This man won’t be your heir, but 'your very own son' will be your heir!” 5 Then Yehovah took him outside and said, “Look up into the sky and count the stars, if you’re able to count them.” Then He told him, “That’s the number of your descendants.”

6 'Abraham' believed in Yehovah, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

7 He told him, “I am Yehovah who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to own.”

8 'Abram' said, “Sovereign Yehovah, how can I know that I’ll own it?”

9 He told him, “Bring me a three year old heifer, a three year old female goat, a three year old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon.”

10 He brought him all of these and cut them down the middle, and laid each half opposite the other, but he didn’t cut the birds. 11 Some birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram chased them away.

12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly a great terror and darkness descended on him. 13 Then 'Yehovah' said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, and be oppressed as slaves for four hundred years. 14 I’ll also judge the nation that enslaves them, afterward 'your descendants' will come out with great wealth. 15 But you’ll go to your ancestors in peace; you’ll be buried at a good old age. 16 Then in the fourth generation they’ll return here, since the wickedness of the Amorites hasn’t fully developed.”

17 After sunset and it was dark, a smoking firepot and a blazing torch passed between the pieces. 18 On that same day Yehovah made a COVENANT with Abram and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates River: 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”

GENESIS 16

Abram, Sarai and Hagar

6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Your slave is in your hands; do whatever you want with her.” So Sarai treated her so harshly that she ran away from her.

7 The Messenger of Yehovah found her near a spring in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where did you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai.”

9 The Messenger of Yehovah said to her, “Go back to your mistress, and submit to her authority.” 10 The Messenger of Yehovah told her, “I’ll greatly multiply your descendants, so that they will be beyond counting.”

11 The Messenger of Yehovah told her, “You are pregnant, and will give birth to a son! You’ll name him Ishmael [he became Father of the Arabs], because Yehovah has heard your distress. 12 He’ll be like a wild ass of a man. His fist will be against everyone, and everyone’s fist will be against him. He’ll live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

13 And she referred to Yehovah who spake to her by as, “You are the Elohim who sees me,” for she said, “Have I really seen the One who sees me and lived?” 14 So the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. It’s between Kadesh and Bered!

15 Hagar gave birth to Abram’s son. Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son who Hagar bore. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

GENESIS 17

The Covenant of Circumcision

3 Abram fell facedown, and Elohim told him, 4 “As for Me, My covenant is with you! You’ll be the father of very many nations. 5 You’ll no longer be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, because I’ve made you the father of very many nations. 6 I’ll make you exceedingly fruitful. Your descendants will establish many nations. Kings will be descended from you. 7 I’ll establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, thruout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be your Elohim and the Elohim of your descendants after you. 8 I’ll give you and your descendants after you the land where you are living, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I’ll be their Elohim.”

9 Elohim said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to preserve My covenant, you and your descendants after you thruout their generations. 10 This is the covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, that you are to preserve: Every male among you is to be circumcised. 11 You must be circumcised. It will be a token of the covenant between Me and you. 12 Every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised thruout your generations, including servants, whether 'they’re' born in your house or purchased with silver from a foreigner who’s not 'related' to you. 13 A servant who is born in your house or purchased with your silver must be circumcised; so My covenant will be evident in your flesh as an everlasting covenant. 14 Any male who fails to be circumcised must be removed from his people. He has broken My covenant.”

15 Then Elohim said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, you are no longer to call her Sarai, her name is to be Sarah [Princess]. 16 I’ll bless her, and furthermore I’ll give you a son by her. Yes, I’ll bless her, and she’ll be the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be descended from her.”

17 Then Abraham fell facedown and laughed and thought to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Could Sarah bear a child at ninety years old?” 18 Abraham said to Elohim, “Why not have Ishmael live in Your sight!”

19 Elohim said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac [laugher]. I’ll 'extend' My covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant. 20 As for Ishmael, I’ve heard you. I’ll bless him and give him many 'descendants'. He’ll become the father of twelve tribal leaders, and I’ll make him into a great nation! 21 But I will confirm My covenant with Isaac. Sarah will give birth to him at this specified time next year.” 22 When He finished talking with him, Elohim ascended from Abraham.

23 Then Abraham took his son Ishmael, everyone born in his household, and everyone bought with his silver, every male among the men of Abraham’s household, and circumcised on that commemorative day, as Elohim had told him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised. 25 Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised. 26 On the very same commemorative day Abraham was circumcised, as well as his son Ishmael. 27 All the men of his household, whether born in his household or bought with silver from a foreigner, were circumcised along with him.

GENESIS 18

The Creation

3 and said “Yehovah*, if I’ve found favor in Your sight, please don’t pass by Your servant! 4 Allow me to bring some water for you to wash your feet while you rest under this tree. 5 I’ll bring some bread to strengthen you before you leave, since you have visited your servant.” They said, “Very well, do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick, get three seahs of fine meal ready, knead it and bake bread.”

7 Abraham ran to the herd, and chose a tender and choice calf, and gave it to his servant who hurriedly prepared it. 8 He took butter, milk, and the calf that he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” He said, “She’s in the tent.”

10 He said, “I’ll certainly return to you this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son! Sarah was listening by the tent door behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, “After I and my master have grown old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Yehovah asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and ask, ‘Will I really have a child when I’m so old?’ 14 Is anything too difficult for Yehovah? At the specified time next year I’ll return to you, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid and denied that she had laughed. But He said, “No, you did laugh.”

16 “Then the 'men' got up from ‘the meal’, and looked out toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to send them off. 17 Yehovah asked, “Should I hide what I am about to do from Abraham? 18 since Abraham will certainly become an important and populous nation, and every nation on earth will be blessed thru him?” 19 I [the Son] have selected him to command his children and their families after him, to obey the way of Yehovah [the Father], by doing what is right and just, so that Yehovah will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.

20 Yehovah said, “Because the outcries against Sodom and Gomorrah are so numerous, and because their sin is so very serious, 21 I’m going down now to see if their actions are as bad as the outcries that have come up to Me. If not, I will know.”

22 Then the men turned away and walked toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before Yehovah. 23 Abraham approached Him and asked, “Would you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Would you still sweep them away without sparing the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who live there? 25 Be it far from You to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked,treating the righteous like the wicked. Far be it from You. Shouldn’t the Judge of the entire world be just?”

26 Yehovah said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, then I’ll spare the entire region for their sake.”

27 Abraham answered, “Consider now, since I’ve taken it on myself to speak to Yehovah*, tho I’m only dust and ashes. 28 What if there are only five short of the fifty righteous? Would you destroy the entire city for lack of five?” He said, “I won’t destroy it, if I find forty-five there.”

29 Abraham spoke to Him again and proposed, “Suppose only forty are found there.” And He said, “I won’t do it for the sake of the forty.”

30 Then he said, “Yehovah, please don’t be angry, but I must ask further. What if only thirty can be found there?” He said, “I won’t do it if I find thirty there.”

31 Then he said, “Since I have ventured to speak to Yehovah, suppose twenty are found there?” He replied, “I won’t destroy it for twenty’s sake.”

32 Then he said, “'Please' don’t be angry if I speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He replied, “I won’t destroy it for the sake of ten.”

33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham, Yehovah [1] left, and Abraham returned home.

[1] One of the two Messengers in chapters 18 and 19 was the pre incarnate Yeshua, who was also called Yehovah (Yehovah). See I and My Father are ONE, Part 2.

GENESIS 19

Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

3 He insisted strongly so they went with him to his house. He prepared a banquet, and baked some unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 But before they went to bed, the men of Sodom surrounded the house, young and old—all the people from every 'part of town'. 5 They called to Lot and asked him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

6 Lot went outside to them, shutting the door behind him. 7 He said, “Please, my brothers, don’t do such a wicked thing. 8 I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you can do to them whatever you want! Only don’t do anything to these ‘men’, because they’ve come under the protection of my roof.”

9 But they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This 'guy' came in to live as a foreigner, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat him worse than them!” They started pushing Lot back, and came up to break down the door.

10 But the ‘men’ reached out and pulled Lot into the house with them and locked the door. 11 The 'Messengers' struck with blindness the men who were at the doorway of the house, 'young and old', so that they wore themselves out groping to find the doorway.

12 The two ’men’ asked Lot “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons, daughters, any other 'family' in the city. Get them out of here 13 because we’re about to destroy this place. The outcry to Yehovah against them has become so great that Yehovah has sent us to destroy it.”

14 Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters and said, “Get up! Hurry and leave this place, because Yehovah is about to destroy the city.” But his sons-in-law didn’t take it seriously.

15 When morning dawned, the Messengers became insistent with Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, otherwise you will be destroyed in the 'punishment' of the city.”

16 But he hesitated, so the ’men’ grabbed his hand, and the hands of his wife and his two daughters, and they brought them safely outside the city, because Yehovah was merciful to him. 17 Once they had taken them out, one of them said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stay anywhere on the plain. Escape to the mountain [likely a specific one: KJV], otherwise you’ll be destroyed!”

18 Lot told them, “Oh no Yehovah [1]! [See Gill’s] 19 Your servant has found favor in Your sight, and You’ve shown magnificent faithful love. in saving my life! But I can’t escape to the mountain. Some disaster would overtake me there and I’d die. 20 There is a village near enough to flee to, it’s very small, and I can be spared there.”

21 He told him, “Very well, I will grant your request too, not to overthrow the city you speak of. 22 Hurry! Escape to it! I can’t do anything until you get there.” (That’s why the town was named Zoar.)

23 The sun had risen over the 'horizon' when Lot arrived in Zoar. 24 Then Yehovah [the Son—skip stupid ads] rained burning sulfur stones on Sodom and on Gomorrah from Yehovah [His Father] out of the sky. 25 He overthrew those towns, the entire valley, all the inhabitants of the towns and every bit of vegetation. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

27 Abraham got up early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood in Yehovah’s presence. 28 He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and the entire Jordan Valley, and looked, and saw that the smoke from the land was rising like smoke from a furnace.

29 Then when Elohim destroyed the cities of the valley, Elohim remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the upheaval when He overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and moved to the mountains, because he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters stayed in a cave. 31 The older daughter told the younger, “Our father is old, and there isn’t a man on earth [commentary] to sleep with us was the custom of all the earth. 32 Let’s get our father drunk with wine, then we’ll have sex with him and preserve our father’s 'lineage'.”

33 That night they got their father drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had sex with her father, without him noticing when she lay down or got up.

34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I had sex with our father. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight. Then you go in and have sex with him so we can preserve our father’s 'lineage'.” 35 So they made their father drunk with wine again that night. The younger went and had sex with him. He was unaware of her lying down or getting up.

36 So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi. He became the ancestor of Ammonites of today.

[1] As explained in the link in verse 18, this originally said Yehovah. So the pre-incarnate Yeshua has returned. In verses 19-21 Lot asked for the plan to be changed. Had this been a mere messenger agreeing to the change it would have been insubordination.

GENESIS 20

Sarah Rescued from Abimelech

3 But Elohim came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as a dead man because the woman you have taken is a married woman.”

4 But Abimelech hadn’t come near her, so he said, “Master, would you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Didn’t he tell me, ‘She’s my sister?’ She herself said, ‘He’s my brother.’ I acted with a clear conscience! My hands are clean.”

6 Then Elohim told him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and I also prevented you from sinning against Me. I didn’t let you touch her. 7 Now return the man’s wife. He’s a prophet; he will pray for you and you’ll live. But if you don’t return her, then know for certain that you and all your family will surely die.”

8 Abimelech got up early in the morning and called all his servants and explained what had happened, and his men were terrified. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham to him and asked him, “What have you done to us? What sin did I commit against you that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You did things to me that should never be done.” 10 Abimelech asked Abraham, “What were your motives when you did this?”

11 Abraham said, “I thought to myself, ‘No one here reveres Elohim in this place. They’ll kill me to get my wife.” 12 Besides, she actually is my sister, we both have the same father, but different mothers, and now she’s my wife. 13 Then when Elohim led me wandering from my father’s house, I told her, ‘This is how you can show your love for me: Everywhere we go, say of me, ‘He is my brother.’”

14 Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male sand female servants and gave them to Abraham, and returned his wife Sarah to him. 15 Abimelech said, “Look at my land before you. Live anywhere you want.” 16 He said to Sarah, “I’ve given your brother a thousand pieces of silver! This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared before all who are with you.”

17 Abraham prayed to Elohim, and Elohim healed Abimelech and his wife and his female servants, so they could have children. 18 For Yehovah had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.

GENESIS 21

Isaac Is Born

6 Sarah said, “Elohim has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. 7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I’ve given birth to a son in his old age.”

8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham prepared a huge banquet. 9 But Sarah saw that Hagar the Egyptian’s son, who she had borne to Abraham was mocking Isaac. 10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son! This slave’s son will never share an inheritance with my son Isaac.”

11 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was also his son. 12 Elohim said to Abraham, “Don’t be so distressed about the boy and your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your descendants will be traced thru Isaac. 13 But I’ll also make 'Hagar’s' son Ishmael a great nation, because he is also your descendant.”

14 So Abraham got up early in the morning and took some bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. She left and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water in the skin was gone, she 'left' the boy under a shrub. 16 Then she went and sat down across from him, about a bow shot away and said, “I can’t bear to watch the boy die!” So she sat across from him and cried loudly.

17 Elohim heard the boy crying, and the Messenger of Elohim called to Hagar out of the sky and asked her, “What’s the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. Elohim has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Get up and help the boy up, and hold him by your hand, because I’m going to make a great nation 'from his descendants'.”

19 Then Elohim opened her eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

20 Elohim was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and became an archer. 21 He lived in the Paran desert, and his mother found him a wife from the land of Egypt.

22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol, the commander of his army said to Abraham “Elohim is with you in everything you do. 23 So swear to me here before Elohim that you won’t cheat me, my children or my descendants. I’ve been loyal to you, so now swear that you’ll be loyal to me and to this country where you’re an immigrant.”

24 Abraham said, “I swear to it.” 25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelek’s servants had seized.

26 But Abimelech said, “I don’t know who did this. You never told me, and I hadn’t heard about it until today.”

27 Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech and the two of them made an 'agreement'. 28 Abraham set aside seven ewe lambs from the flock by themselves. 29 Abimelech asked, “Why did you set aside these seven ewes from the others?”

30 'Abraham' replied, “Please accept these seven ewes from 'me' as a witness to your agreement that I dug this well.” 31 So the name of that place is Beersheba, because they both swore there.

32 After making their agreement at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army left and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 'Abraham' planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and called on Yehovah by name, the Everlasting Elohim. 34 And Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines 'for a long time'.

GENESIS 22

Abraham Offers Isaac

2 He said, Please [1] take your son, your only son Isaac who you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll show you.”

3 Abraham got up early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men [employees] with him, and Isaac his son. Then he split wood for the burnt offering, and set out for the place that Elohim had instructed him to go. 4 On the third day Abraham 'looked up' and saw the place in the distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go ahead. We’ll worship, and then come right back.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and loaded it on his son Isaac’s back. Then he picked up the fire coals and the knife, and they both went on together. 7 Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father?” He said, “Here are the fire coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham said, “Elohim will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both walked on together.

9 When they arrived at the place Elohim had told him about, Abraham built the altar there, and carefully arranged the wood. Then he tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham picked up the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the Messenger of Yehovah called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “I’m here.”

12 He said, “Don’t lay a hand on the boy, or do anything to him, because now I know that you fear Elohim [Father], seeing that you haven’t withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

13 Abraham 'looked up' and saw that behind him was a ram caught by his horns in a thicket! Abraham took the ram and offered him up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham named the place “Yehovah Will Provide”. And to this day 'people' say, “On Yehovah’s mountain, it will be provided.”

15 “Then the Messenger of Yehovah called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I’ve sworn by Myself,’ says Yehovah, that because you’ve done this, and haven’t withheld your son, your only son, 17 that I’ll greatly bless you, and I’ll make your posterity as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your Descendant will own the gateways of His enemies. 18 All the nations on earth will be blessed by your descendants, because you obeyed 'Me'.”

19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they all traveled back to Beersheba, where Abraham continued to live. 20 Then afterward, Abraham was told, “Milcah has now given birth to children for your brother Nahor: 21 They are Uz his first son, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the ancestor of the Arameans), 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel.” 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah was the mother of these eight sons, and Nahor, Abraham’s brother was the father. 24 His concubine’s name was Reumah, and she gave birth to Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maacah.

GENESIS 23

The Death of Sarah

3 Abraham got up from before his deceased wife and spoke to the 'Hittites'. He said, 4 “I’m an immigrant and a foreigner living with you. Sell me some property for a burial plot here so I can bury my dead out of my sight.”

5 The 'Hittites' replied to Abraham, 6 “Hear us master. You are a leader of Elohim among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold his burial place from you for burying your dead.”

7 Abraham stood up and bowed down to the people of the land, the Hittites. 8 and said “If you truly are willing to help me bury my wife out of my sight, then ask Ephron, Zohar’s son, for me, 9 to let me buy his cave at Machpelah, that he owns at the end of his field for the full price. Have him charge me the full price in silver, to be witnessed by you as my burial place.” 10 Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites at the city gate. Ephron the Hittite responded to Abraham publicly so that the Hittites and everyone at the city gate could hear: 11 “No, my master,” he said to Abraham. “Listen to me. I will give you the field and the cave. I give it to you in the presence of my people Bury your dead.”

12 Again Abraham bowed down before the citizens of the land 13 He spoke to Ephron in the presence of the citizens of the land, “Please listen to me. I will buy it from you. Accept the full price for the field so I can bury my dead there.”

14 Ephron responded to Abraham, 15 “My master, listen to me. What is four hundred shekels of silver between me and you for the land so that you can bury your dead?”

16 So Abraham agreed to Ephron’s price and paid the amount he had mentioned—400 shekels of silver, in the presence of the Hittites, according to the commercial standard.

17 So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre—both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over 18 to Abraham as his property in the presence of the Hittites who had come to the city gate. 19 After this, Abraham buried his wife, Sarah, in the cave of the field of Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave were deeded over to Abraham as a personal burial place by the Hittites.

GENESIS 24

A Bride for Isaac

5 The servant asked, “What if I can’t find a woman willing to follow me to this land? Should I bring your son back to the land you came from?”

6 Abraham told him, “Make sure you don’t take my son back there!” 7 Yehovah, the Elohim of heaven who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly swore to give this land to my descendants. He’ll send his Messenger ahead of you, and you will find a wife for my son there. 8 If the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from my oath. But you must never bring my son back there.” 9 The servant put his hand under Abraham’s his master’s thigh, and swore to him about this.

10 The servant took ten of his master’s camels, and set out with a variety of his master’s expensive goods and traveled to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city at the well in the afternoon as the women were coming out to draw water.

12 He said, “Yehovah, Elohim of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 I’m standing beside this spring and the young women of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please lower your water jug so that I can drink’, and who responds, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels as well’. May she be the one You’ve chosen for Your servant Isaac. By this I’ll know that You’ve shown kindness to my master.”

15 Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor—coming with a jug on her shoulder. 16 The young lady was very beautiful, a virgin, who had never been intimate with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came up.

17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jug.”

18 She said, “Drink, my master.” She quickly lowered her jug to her hand and gave him a drink.

19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I’ll also draw water for your camels until they’ve finished drinking.” 20 She quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence, to determine whether Yehovah had made his journey successful or not.

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold, 23 “Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to stay the night?”

24 She replied, “My father is Bethuel, the son of Milcah and Nahor.” 25 She continued, “We have plenty of straw and feed, and room to spend the night” 26 Then the man bowed down and praised Yehovah. 27 He said, “Praise Yehovah, the Elohim of my master Abraham, who hasn’t forsaken His faithful love and His truth toward my master. As for me, Yehovah has led me straight to my master’s relatives.”

28 Then 'Rebekah' ran home to tell her family everything that had happened. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban who ran out to meet the man at the spring. 30 When he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and when he heard his sister Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, you blessed of Yehovah. Why are you standing outside since I’ve prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

32 The man went into the house, and 'Laban' unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I won’t eat until I’ve stated my message.” Then 'Laban' said, “Tell us.”.

34 So he said, “I’m Abraham’s servant. 35 Yehovah has greatly blessed my master, He has become 'rich' and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 When Sarah, my master’s wife was very old, she gave birth to a son for my master, and he has given him everything he owns. 37 My master made me swear. He said, ‘You must not choose a wife for my son from the Canaanite 'girls', in whose land I’m living. 38 Go instead to my father’s household, and to my relatives, and choose a wife for my son.’

39 “Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman won’t come back with me?’

40 He replied, ‘Yehovah, in whose presence I have lived, will send His Messenger with you and will make your journey successful. You must find a wife for my son from my relatives, from my father’s 'family', 41 then you’ll be free of my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t allow her go with you, you’ll be free from my oath.”

42 “Today I came to the spring and said, ‘Yehovah, Elohim of my master Abraham, if You want to prosper the journey I’m on, 43 when, I’m standing by this spring, may it be that when a virgin comes out to draw water, and I ask her, “Please give me a little water to drink from your pitcher,” 44 and she responds to me, ‘Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too,” then have her be the woman who Yehovah has selected for my master’s son.’

45 “Before I had finished saying this to myself, I saw Rebekah come out with a jug on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.” 46 She hurriedly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll also give your camels a drink too.’ So I drank, and she also gave water to the camels.

47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The the daughter of Bethuel, and my 'grandparents' are Nahor and Milcah.’ So I put a ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 Then I bowed and worshiped Yehovah, and blessed Yehovah, the Elohim of my master Abraham, who had guided me directly to my master’s 'niece' to be his son’s wife. 49 Now if You will show kindness and faithfulness with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, so I can know 'which way to turn'.”

50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “Yehovah has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say to you 'for or against'. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become your master’s son’s wife as Yehovah has directed!” 52 Then when Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before Yehovah. 53 The servant brought silver and gold jewelry, and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother. 54 He and the men with him ate and drank, and spent the night. When they got up the next morning, 'the servant' said, “Now send me back to my master.”

55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, maybe ten; after that she can go.”

56 But he said, “Don’t delay me, since Yehovah has granted success to my journey. Send me away so that I can return to my master.”

57 So they said, “We’ll call 'Rebekah' and ask her what she wants.” 58 They called Rebekah and asked her, “Are you willing to go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”

59 So they sent their sister Rebekah away, along with her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah and said to her “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and may your descendants take possession of the gates of their enemies.”

61 Then Rebekah got up with her servant girls on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah and left.

62 Now Isaac was returning from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; He 'looked up' and saw that there were camels coming. 64 Rebekah 'looked up' and when she saw Isaac, she jumped down from her camel. 65 She asked the servant, “Who is the man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself.

66 Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

GENESIS 25

Abraham’s Death

5 Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 6 But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to a land in the east.

7 Abraham lived to be 175 years old. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, an old man with 'no regrets', and joined his 'ancestors' in death. 9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave in Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, son of Zohar the Hittite, near Mamre 10 in the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 11 After Abraham’s death, Elohim blessed his son Isaac who settled near Beer Lahai Roi in the Negev.

12 Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, who Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maid had borne to Abraham.

13 These are the names of Ishmael’s sons in their birth order: Nebaioth, the first son, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. 16 These are Ishmael’s sons, and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve leaders of their clans. 17 This is the 'length' of Ishmael’s life: 137 years. He breathed his last and died and joined his ancestors in death. 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur which is 'east' of Egypt as you go toward Assyria. He lived in hostility toward all his 'relatives'.

The Birth of Jacob and Esau

19 This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. 20 When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean.

21 Isaac prayed to Yehovah for his wife, because she was sterile. Yehovah answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The boys struggled together within her. She asked, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to ask Yehovah.

23 Yehovah told her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two groups of people will be separated from your body. One nation will be stronger than the other nation, and the older will serve the younger.”

24 When her time came to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first one came out entirely red, covered with hair like a fur coat, so they named him Esau [hairy]. 26 After that, his brother was born with his hand holding Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob [heel grabber]. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.

27 When the young men grew up, Esau became a skilled hunter, an outdoorsman, but Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 Once when Jacob was boiling stew, Esau came in from the wilderness famished. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have some of that same red stew, because I’m exhausted!” (That’s why Esau was also called Edom.)

31 Jacob replied, “First, sell me your birthright.”

32 Esau said, “I’m dying of starvation! What good is my birthright to me?”

33 But Jacob said, “First swear to me.” So he sold his birthright to Jacob with an oath.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, then got up and left. This is how Esau scorned his birthright.

GENESIS 26

Isaac Lies to Abimelech

7 The men who lived there asked him about his wife. He said, “She’s my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She’s my wife,” because he thought, “The men who live here might try to kill me to get Rebekah, since she is so beautiful.”

8 When Isaac had been there a long time, King Abimelech of the Philistines looked out his window, he saw Isaac looked thru a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah. 9 So Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Look, she’s obviously your wife. Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister?’ Isaac answered, “Because I thought someone might kill me to get her from me.”

10 Then Abimelech said, “What is this you’ve done to us? One of the men might have easily had sexual relations with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!”

11 Abimelech warned all the people, “Anyone who harms this man or his wife will assuredly be put to death.”

12 Isaac sowed in that land, and harvested in the same year one hundred times what he planted because Yehovah had blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he was extremely wealthy. 14 He owned so many flocks, herds and so many servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. 15 So the Philistines filled up all of his wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by his father Abraham’s servants.

16 Abimelech said to Isaac, “Leave us, because you have become much more powerful than we are.”

17 So Isaac moved away from there and camped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. 18 Isaac redug the wells that had been dug during his father Abraham’s lifetime since the Philistines had filled them in after Abraham’s death, and he gave them the same names his father had given them.

19 Isaac’s servants also dug in the valley, and discovered an artesian spring. 20 Isaac’s herdsmen argued with Gerar’s herdsmen, claiming, “This is our water”. So 'Isaac' named that well Argue because they argued with him. 21 They dug another well, and they argued over that one too, so he named it Sitnah [Hostility]. 22 He left that place and dug another well. They didn’t argue over that one. He called it Rehoboth. He said, “At last Yehovah has made room for us, and we’ll flourish in the land.”

23 From there 'Isaac' moved to Beersheba, 24 Yehovah appeared to him that same night and said, “I’m the Elohim of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you, and will bless you, and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”

25 He built an altar there, and called on Yehovah by name, and pitched his tent there, and his servants dug another well.

26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath his advisor, and Phicol the commander of his army. 27 Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and sent me away from you?”

28 They said, “We saw plainly that Yehovah has been with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you, 29 so that you won’t harm us, as we have not harmed you, since we’ve done nothing to you but good, and sent you away in peace. Now you are blessed by Yehovah.”

30 So he prepared a banquet for them, and they ate and drank. 31 They got up early in the morning and exchanged their oaths. Isaac sent them on their way and they left him in peace.

32 That same day, Isaac’s servants came, and told him about the well that they had been digging, they said, “We’ve found water!”. 33 He called it Shibah, and the city is called Beersheba to this day.

34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

GENESIS 27

Isaac Blesses Jacob

2 'Isaac' said, “I’m old and don’t know when I will die. 3 So please take your gear, your quiver and your bow, and go out in the fields and hunt some wild game for me. 4 Make the delicious food just the way I like it, and bring it to me to eat, so that I can bless you before I die.”

5 Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac said to his son Esau. So Esau went into the fields to hunt for game to bring it home. 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I overheard your father saying to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me some wild game, and make a delicious meal for me to eat so that I can bless you before I die.” 8 So my son, listen to me and do exactly what I tell you. 9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, and I’ll prepare a delicious meal for your father, just the way he likes it. 10 Then take it to your father so he can eat it and bless you before he dies.”

11 Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I’m a smooth skinned man. 12 If my father touches me? I’ll be seen as a deceiver, and bring a curse on myself rather than a blessing.”

13 His mother told him, “May your curse fall on me, my son. Just do what I tell you; go get the young goats for me!”

14 So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother. His mother prepared a delicious meal, just the way his father liked it. 15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son that she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. 16 She put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 Then she gave her son Jacob the delicious food that she had made, including freshly baked bread.

18 So He came to his father and said, “My Father?” 'Isaac' replied. “Yes, my son, 'Which' are you?”

19 Jacob replied to his father, “I’m Esau your firstborn. I’ve done what you asked me to do. Sit up and eat some of the game so you can bless me.”

20 But Isaac said to his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” He replied, “Because Yehovah your Elohim made it happen.”

21 Isaac told Jacob, “Please come closer so that I can feel you, son, to make sure that you are really my son Esau.”

22 Jacob approached Isaac his father. He felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He didn’t recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother, Esau’s hands, so he blessed him. 24 He asked, “Are you really my son Esau?” He asked, “I am,” he replied.

25 He said, “Bring it to me, and I’ll eat some of your wild game, so that I can bless you. So he brought it to him, and he ate. He also brought him wine and he drank it. 26 His father Isaac said to him, “Please come close and kiss me son.”

27 So he came close and kissed him. When 'Isaac' smelled the scent of his clothes, he blessed him, and said, “Ah! The smell of my son is like the smell of the open country that Yehovah has blessed! 28 May Elohim give you dew from the sky and bountiful land and an abundance of grain and new wine. 29 May the nations serve you, may 'they' bow down to you. May you be master over your brothers. May your mother’s sons bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”

30 As soon as Isaac finished blessing Jacob, and just as Jacob left his father’s presence, his brother Esau returned from hunting. 31 He too had prepared some delicious food and brought it to his father. He said to his Father, “Sit up father and eat some of your son’s wild game so you can bless me.”

32 His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” He said, “I’m your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

33 Isaac began trembling 'uncontrollably' and asked, “Then who was it who hunted game and brought it to me before you came? I ate all of it before you came, and blessed him—and he’ll certainly be blessed.” 34 When Esau heard what his father said, he let out a loud and bitter cry. He said to his father, “Bless me too father!”

35 'Isaac' said, “Your brother came in and tricked me, and has taken away your blessing.”

36 'Esau' said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has cheated me twice. He took away my birthright, and now he has taken away my blessing.” He said, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”

37 Isaac answered Esau, “I’ve already made him your master, and I’ve given him all his brothers as servants. I’ve provided him with grain and new wine. What can I do for you, my son?”

38 Esau said to his father, “Do you only have one blessing, father? Bless me too, father.” And Esau began to cry out loud. 39 His father Isaac replied, “You will live away from the fertile land, and away from the dew of the sky above. 40 You will live by your sword, and you’ll serve your brother. Then when you become restless, you’ll tear his yoke from your neck.”

41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing that his father had given to him. Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near. Then I’ll kill my brother Jacob.”

42 When Rebekah heard about Esau’s plan to kill Jacob. She called for Jacob, her younger son, and told him, “Your brother Esau is consoling himself by planning to kill you! 43 So then, my son, do what I say: Get ready and flee to my brother, Laban, in Haran. 44 Stay with him for a while until your brother’s rage subsides, 45 until your brother is no longer angry with you and he forgets what you’ve done to him. Then I’ll send for you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?”

46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I’m tired of living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob marries one of these Hittite women, like the women of this land, my life will not be worth living.” [Small Koof]

GENESIS 28

Jacob Sent to Laban

6 Now Esau 'learned' that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram to find a wife there, and that as he blessed him he gave given him a command, “You must not marry a Canaanite 'woman'.” 7 He also knew that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and had gone to Paddan Aram. 8 Esau realized that his father Isaac was displeased with the Canaan women, 9 so Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael the sister of Nebaioth, in addition to the wives he already had.

10 Jacob left Beersheba and headed toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 As he dreamed he saw an elevated highway [or “ladder”] [1] stationed on the earth, and its top reached to heaven! Amazingly, the Messengers of Elohim were ascending and descending on it! 13 Yehovah [Yeshua / Jesus] stood above it and said, “I am Yehovah, the Elohim of Abraham your father, and the Elohim of Isaac. I’m going to give the land you are lying on to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you’ll spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south. Thru you and your descendants, all the families of the earth will be blessed. 15 I’m with you, and I’ll watch over you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land! I won’t leave you until I’ve done what I’ve promised you.”

16 Jacob awakened from his sleep, and he said, “Surely Yehovah is in this place, but I didn’t realize it!” 17 But he was afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! This is none other than Elohim’s house and the GATEWAY [1] [entrance] to heaven!”

18 Jacob got up early in the morning and took the stone he had put by his head and set it up as a marker [pillar] and poured olive oil over it. 19 He renamed the place Bethel [Home of El, {Elohim}], tho previously the city had been called Luz.

20 Then Jacob made a vow, he said, “If Elohim will be with me, and protect me on this journey, and give me 'food' to eat and clothes to wear, 21 allowing me to return to my father’s house in safety, then Yehovah will be my Elohim. 22 This stone that I’ve set up for a marker will become Elohim’s house. And of everything You give me I will give a tenth back to You.”

[1] The word usually translated as ladder only occurs once in the Tanak (“OT”). A better clue to its meaning can be had by checking the root word it’s derived from that is used a dozen times and literally means, “An elevated “highway” or “Way”. Yeshua will fulfill this (John 1:51).

GENESIS 29

Jacob Meets Rachel

4 Jacob asked 'the shepherds', “Brothers, where are you from?” They answered, “We are from Haran.”

5 He asked them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?” They said, “We know him.”

6 Then 'Jacob' asked, “How is he?’ They said, “He is well, and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.”

7 'Jacob' said, “But look, it’s still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep and then put them out to pasture.”

8 They said, “We can’t until all the flocks have gathered together, and then [together] we roll the stone from the well’s opening and we water the sheep.”

9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s flock, because she was a shepherdess. 10 When Jacob saw his cousin Rachel, the daughter of his mother’s brother Laban, and Laban’s sheep, Jacob went over and rolled the stone from the well’s opening, and watered his uncle Laban’s flock. 11 Jacob kissed Rachel and cried aloud. 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was from her father’s family and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran to tell her father.

13 As soon as Laban heard that his nephew Jacob had arrive he ran out to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him home, where Jacob told him everything that had happened. 14 Laban told him, “You are certainly my flesh bone. He stayed with him for a month. 15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Just because you are a 'relative', should you serve me for nothing? Tell me, what would you like me to pay you?”

16 Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah, and the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and was attractive. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”

19 Laban said, “I’d rather give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” 20 Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

21 After seven years Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days of service are finished. I want to have 'marital relations' with her.”

22 Laban invited all the local men to a marriage banquet. 23 Then in the evening, 'Laban' took his daughter Leah, and brought her to 'Jacob', and he had marital relations with her. 24 Laban also gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah for a maid.

25 When morning came, there was Leah! He said to Laban, “What have you done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”

26 Laban said, “It isn’t our custom here to marry off the younger daughter before the firstborn. 27 Complete the bridal week of this one, and we’ll give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.”

28 So Jacob did this. He finished the week with Leah, and then 'Laban' gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. 29 Laban also gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her servant. 30 Jacob had marital relations with Rachel as well. He loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban another seven years.

31 When Yehovah saw that Leah was being 'neglected', He enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben. She said, “Because Yehovah has noticed my misery. Surely my husband will love me.”

33 She became pregnant again, and gave birth to another son, and said, “Because Yehovah has heard that I am unloved, He gave me another son.” So she named him Simeon.

34 She she became pregnant 'a third time' and gave birth to another son and said, “Now this time will my husband will feel affection for me, because I’ve borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

35 She became pregnant again and gave birth to another son and said, “This time I will praise Yehovah.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.

GENESIS 30

The Sons of Jacob

2 Then Jacob became furious with Rachel, and he said, “Am I in Elohim’s place, who has kept you from 'having children'?”

3 She said, “Here’s my servant Bilhah. Go 'sleep' with her so that she can give birth 'for me', so that I can have children thru her.” 4 So 'Rachel' gave him Bilhah her servant as a wife, and Jacob had 'sexual relations' with her. 5 Bilhah became pregnant and she gave birth to a son for Jacob. 6 Then Rachel said, “Elohim has vindicated me! He has heard my request and given me a son. So she named him Dan.”

7 Rachel’s servant Bilhah became pregnant again and gave Jacob a second son. 8 Rachel said, “I’ve had a relentless struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali [My struggle].

9 Leah realizing that she had stopped having children, took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 10 Leah’s servant Zilpah gave birth to a son for Jacob, 11 and Leah said, “By Gawd” [a false god: Clarke’s Commentary]! So she named him Gawd. 12 Leah’s maid Zilpah gave Jacob a second son. 13 Leah said, “I’m happy. Now women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher.

14 During the 'time' of the wheat harvest, Reuben found some mandrakes in a field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”

15 She said to her, “Isn’t it bad enough that you have taken my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” Rachel answered, “He can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”

16 Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must have 'sex' with me tonight because I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night. 17 Elohim responded to Leah. She became pregnant and gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob. 18 Leah said, “Elohim gave me what I paid for, because I gave my maid to my husband.” So she named him Issachar. [Sounds like “paid for’ in Hebrew] 19 Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to a sixth son for Jacob. 20 Then Leah said, “Now my husband will honor me since I’ve given him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun. [Zebulun sounds like “honor”.] 21 Later she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.

22 Then Elohim, mindful of Rachel’s plight responded to her, enabling her to have children. 23 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “Elohim taken away my shame.” 24 She named him Joseph, and said, “May Yehovah give me another son.”

25 After Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, so that I can go to my own place, and my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children who I’ve served you for, and let me go. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”

27 But Laban said to him “If I’ve found favor in your eyes, stay here, because I’ve learned by divination that Yehovah has blessed me because of you.” 28 He said, “Name your price, and I will pay it.”

29 He told him, “You know how I’ve served you, and how your livestock has fared with me. 30 You had little before I came and it has increased dramatically. Yehovah has blessed you wherever I turned. Now, when will I be able to provide for my own household?”

31 So he said, “What should I give you?” Jacob said, “Don’t give me anything. Just do this one thing for me, and I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them:

Jacob’s Odd “Breeding Program’

34 Laban said, “Agreed. We’ll do what you’ve said.” 35 That same day he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and handed them over to his sons 36 who took them a three-days’ journey from where Jacob was, while Jacob continued to tend the rest of Laban’s flocks.

37 Then Jacob 'cut' rods of fresh poplar, almond and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white on the rods. 38 He placed the peeled branches in all the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, since they mated when they came to drink. 39 So the flocks mated by the rods, and they gave birth to striped, speckled and spotted young. 40 Jacob separated the lambs, turning the flock to face the striped and black ones in Laban’s flock, but kept his flock separate from Laban’s flock. 41 Then whenever the stronger of the flock were mating, Jacob would place the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of them so that they mated near the branches. 42 But if the animals were weak, he would not place them there. So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones were Jacob’s. 43 The man became very wealthy, with large flocks of sheep and goats, female and male servants, and many camels and donkeys.

GENESIS 31

Jacob Leaves Secretly

3 Yehovah told Jacob, “Return to the land of your ancestors and to your relatives, and I’ll be with you.”

4 So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out into the field where his flocks were, 5 and told them, “I see your father’s 'attitude' toward me is no longer as it was before, but the Elohim of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I’ve served your father with all of my ability, 7 yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but Elohim hasn’t allowed him to do me any harm. 8 If he said this, ‘The speckled ones will be your payment’, then the entire flock gave birth to speckled. If he said this, ‘The streaked will be your payment’, then the entire flock gave birth to streaked. 9 So Elohim has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me.

10 “Then during mating season I looked up and saw in a dream that the male goats that were 'mating' were striped, speckled and mottled. 11 In the dream the Messenger of Elohim said to me, 'Jacob'! And I replied, ‘Here I am.’ 12 He said, ‘Now look up and see that only the streaked, speckled and spotted male goats are 'mating' because I’ve seen everything that Laban is doing to you. 13 I’m the Elohim who appeared to you in Bethel, where you anointed the stone marker, where you made a vow to Me. Now get up and leave this land, and return to your native land.’”

14 Rachel and Leah replied, “We don’t have any share or inheritance in father’s estate anyway. 15 Doesn’t he consider us foreigners? He sold us to you and then he spent all the silver you paid for us. 16 For all the wealth Elohim took from our father is ours and our children’s. So do whatever Elohim said to you.”

17 So Jacob got up and put his wives and children on camels, 18 and he took all the livestock and property that he had accumulated, including the livestock that he had acquired in Paddan Aram, and he set out to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

19 While Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols [teraphim]. 20 Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was leaving. 21 So he fled with everything that he had. He got up, crossed over the Euphrates River, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.

22 Three days later, Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 So he took his relatives with him, and chased him for seven days and caught up with him in the mountains of Gilead. 24 Elohim came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and told him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

25 Laban caught up with Jacob after Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains. So Laban and his relatives set up camp on the mountains of Gilead. 26 Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like prisoners of ‘war’. 27 Why did you leave secretly and deceive me, without telling me. I could have sent you away with celebration and songs and tambourines and harps? 28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You’ve acted foolishly. 29 I have the ability to destroy you, but the Elohim of your father spoke to me last night and said, ‘Be careful that you don’t say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father’s house, but why did you steal my household idols?”

31 Jacob replied to Laban, “ I was afraid because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 32 Anyone you find your gods with will be killed. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours among my belongings and take it.” But Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen them.

33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two servant wives and didn’t find them. After he came out of Leah’s tent, he went into Rachel’s tent. 34 But Rachel had taken the gods and put them in the camel’s saddlebag, and was sitting on them. Laban rummaged thru the tent, but didn’t find them. 35 She said to her father, “Don’t be angry with me master that I can’t get up for you, because I’m having my period.” So he continued searching, but didn’t find the gods.

36 Then Jacob became very angry and accused Laban. Jacob answered Laban, “What did I do wrong? What law have I broken for you to have chased me down? 37 Now that you’ve rummaged thru all my stuff, what have you found that belongs to you? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and have them judge between us!

38 “I’ve been with you for twenty years. Your ewes and your female goats haven’t miscarried their young, and I haven’t eaten rams from your flocks. 39 When animals were killed by predators, I didn’t bring them to you but took the loss myself. I took the loss. You made me pay for any animal that was stolen by day or night. 40 There I was scorched during the day in the heat, and the cold at night, and real sleep was 'fleeting'. 41 I’ve spent twenty years in your household. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you’ve changed my wages ten times. 42 If the Elohim of my father, the Elohim of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac hadn’t been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. Elohim has seen my oppression and the hard 'work' I did, and admonished you last night.”

43 Then Laban replied to Jacob, “These women are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren, the flocks are my flocks, and everything that you see is mine. But what can I do today to my daughters, or to the children they’ve borne? 44 Come, let’s make a treaty, you and I, and have it serve as a witness between us.”

45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a memorial stone. 46 Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” So they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there beside the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.

48 Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” So he too called it Galeed 49 and Mizpah, because he said, “May Yehovah watch between me and you when we’re away from each other. 50 If you mistreat my daughters, or if you marry other wives besides my daughters, tho no one is with us, Elohim is witness between me and you!”

51 Laban said to Jacob, “Note this heap, and note the pillar that I’ve set between me and you. 52 May this heap and the pillar serve as a witness that I won’t pass beyond this heap to you, and that you won’t pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me to cause harm. 53 May the Elohim of Abraham and the Elohim of Nahor, the Elohim of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered a zebak [sacrifice] on the mountain, and called his relatives to the 'meal'. They ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain.

55 Early in the morning, Laban got up and kissed his sons and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban returned home.

GENESIS 32

Jacob Meets Esau

3 Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother Esau in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. 4 He instructed them: “Say this to my master Esau:‘This is what your servant Jacob says. ‘I’ve been living as a foreigner with Uncle Laban until now. 5 I have cattle, donkeys, flocks and male and female servants. I’ve sent this message to tell my master in order to find favor in your sight.’”

6 The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We met your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men with him.”

7 Jacob was terrified and distressed, so he divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels into two groups. 8 He thought, “If Esau comes to one group and attacks it, then the group that is left will escape.”

9 Then Jacob said, “O Elohim of my father Abraham, and Elohim of my father Isaac, O Yehovah, who told me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I’ll do good for you.’ 10 I don’t deserve the kindness and faithfulness You’ve shown to Your servant. I crossed the Jordan River with just my staff, and now I’ve become two camps. 11 Please rescue me from the grasp of my brother. I’m afraid that he’s coming to attack me and my wives and children. 12 You said, ‘I’ll surely do good for you, and make your descendants like the sand of the sea, so many you couldn’t count them.’”

13 He spent the night there, and selected these gifts from what he had with him for his brother Esau: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty nursing camels and their colts, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 He placed them in the hands of his servants, divvied up the herd and said to his servants, “Go ahead of me and keep some distance between the herds.”

17 He ordered the first group, “When my brother Esau meets you, and asks, “Who do you serve, and where are you going, and who do these herds in front of you belong to?’ 18 Then you are to say, “They belong to your servant Jacob. They’re a gift sent to my master Esau. He’s coming right behind us.”’

19 He also ordered the second, and the third, and everyone following the herds: “You must say the same thing to Esau when you find him. 20 Say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” 'Jacob' thought, ‘I’ll appease him with the gifts that go before me, and afterward I’ll see him 'in person'. Maybe he’ll accept me.” 21 So he sent the gifts on ahead while he spent that night in the camp

22 He got up that night and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok River. 23 He took them, and sent them across the stream, and sent over everything he had. 24 Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until dawn. 25 When He saw that He couldn’t defeat him, He struck Jacob’s hip socket while He wrestled with him. 26 The ‘Man’ said, “Let Me go, because it’s almost dawn.” But Jacob said, “I won’t let You go unless You bless me.”

27 He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Jacob.”

28 He said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you’ve struggled with Elohim and with men, and you won.”

29 Then Jacob asked Him, “Please tell me Your name.” He replied, “Why do you want to know My name?” Then He blessed him there.

30 So Jacob named that place Peniel [Face of El], because he said, “I have seen Elohim face to face, and I’m still alive.”

31 The sun rose as he was leaving Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 So to this day the Israelites don’t eat the tendon near the hip socket because of what happened, because he grabbed Jacob’s thigh muscle at the tendon.

GENESIS 33

Jacob Meets Esau

4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, put his arms around him and hugged him and they both cried. [Jots] 5 When 'Esau' 'looked up' and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these people with you?”” He answered, “The children who Elohim has mercifully given your servant.”

6 Then the servant wives and their children approached and bowed down. 7 Then Leah and her servants also came forward and bowed down. Afterwards Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed down.

8 Esau asked, “What is the purpose of this entire company that I met?” Jacob said, “To find favor in the sight of my master.”

9 But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”

10 Jacob said, “No please, if I’ve now found favor in your sight, then accept the gift I’m handing you, because I’ve seen your face, as one sees the face of Elohim, now that you have received me favorably. 11 Please take the gift that I brought to you, because Elohim has been generous with me, and because I have plenty.” So because 'Jacob' insisted, and 'Esau' accepted it.

12 Esau said, “Let’s get going, and I’ll lead the way.”

13 Jacob told him, “My master knows that the children are frail, and that the flocks and herds with me are nursing their young, and if they’re driven too hard, even for one day, the entire flock will die. 14 Please master, go on before your servant, and I’ll follow behind slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are before me and at the pace of the children, until I meet up with my master in Seir.”

15 Esau said, “Let me leave some of my people with you.” He replied, “But why do that? Just let me find favor in the sight of my master.”

16 So that day Esau started back to Seir. 17 Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made temporary shelters for his livestock. That’s why the place was named Succoth

18 Jacob arrived safely in the city of Shechem, in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-aram, and camped 'east' of the city. 19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of silver. 20 He built an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.

GENESIS 34

Dinah Defiled

5 Jacob learned that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields with his livestock, he kept quiet until they got back.

6 Meanwhile, Shechem’s father Hamor went out to talk with 'Jacob'. 7 When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they came in from the fields. The men were grieved and they were very angry, because he had done such a wicked thing to Israel, by raping Jacob’s daughter, something that should never be done.

8 But Hamor talked to them and said, “My son Shechem is truly in love with Dinah. Please give her to him in marriage. 9 Arrange marriages with us: give your daughters to us and take our daughters for yourselves. 10 You can settle among us; the land is available to you. Live in it, trade in it, and buy property in it.”

11 Then Shechem himself spoke to Dinah’s father and brothers, “If I find favor in your sight, then I will give you whatever you ask. 12 Ask me for whatever you want as a bridal price, and I’ll give it to you—just give me the girl as my wife.”

13 But Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully, because he had violated their sister Dinah. 14 They said to them, “We can’t do such a thing; we can’t give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised, because that would be reprehensible to us. 15 We will consent to an agreement with you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising every male, 16 then we will give our daughters to you, and we’ll take your daughters for ourselves. We will settle among you and become one people. 17 But if you don’t listen to us and become circumcised, then we’ll take our 'sister' and leave.”

18 What they asked seemed reasonable to Hamor and his son Shechem. 19 'Shechem' wasted no time 'being circumcised', because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter, and he was more highly respected than anyone else in his father’s household. 20 Hamor and his son Shechem went to the city gate to speak to the men of their city. 21 “These men are at peace with us. So let them live in the land trade here. There is enough land for them. Let’s marry their daughters, and they can marry our daughters. 22 Only on this condition will the men consent to staying here and becoming one people, if every male among us is circumcised just as they are. 23 If we do this, all their livestock and property will eventually be ours. So let’s agree to their terms and allow them to settle here with us.”

24 Everyone who went out of the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, to Hamor, and to his son Shechem, and every male who exited the city gate was circumcised.

25 Three days later the men who were circumcised were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city and killed every male. 26 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and left. 27 Jacob’s other sons came upon the dead bodies and looted the city because they had defiled their sister. 28 They seized their flocks and herds and donkeys and everything in the city and out in the fields 29 They carried off all their wealth and all their women and children and everything in the houses.

30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and the Perizzites who live in the land. I only have a few 'men'. We are so few that they may join forces and attack us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!”

31 But they answered, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”

GENESIS 35

Jacob Returns to Bethel

2 So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of your foreign 'idols' you have with you. Clean yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Let’s leave and go up to Bethel. I’ll make an altar to the Elohim there who answered me during my time of trouble and has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all of the foreign gods that were on hand, and the earrings they were wearing, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. 5 As they set out, a great terror from Elohim spread over the cities surrounding them, so that they didn’t go after Jacob’s sons.

6 So Jacob and all the people who were with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel), in the land of Canaan. 7 He built an altar there, and named the place El Bethel, because that is where Elohim was revealed to him when he 'fled from' his brother.

8 Rebekah’s nurse Deborah died and she was buried at Bethel under the oak. So they named that place Oak of Crying.

9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, Elohim appeared to him again and He blessed him. 10 Elohim said to him, “Your name is Jacob; but you won’t be called Jacob any longer. Your name will be Israel.” So he was renamed Israel. 11 Elohim also told him, “I’m the Conqueror [El-Shaddai]; be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a Commonwealth [or Assembly] of nations will come from you. Kings will be among your 'descendants'! 12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I’ll give to you, and I’ll give the land to your descendants after you.” 13 Then Elohim ascended from him at the location where He had spoken with him.

14 So Jacob set up a memorial stone in the place where He had spoken with him, a stone pillar, and he poured out a drink offering on it, he also poured olive oil on it. 15 Jacob named the place where Elohim had spoken with him Bethel.

16 Then they left Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was suffering severe difficulties in her labor, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, because you have another son!” 18 As she was breathing her last breath, just before she died, she named her son Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin.

19 Rachel died, and was buried along the road to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Jacob set up a memorial stone over her grave; that same memorial stone 'marks' Rachel’s grave to this day.

21 Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. 22 While Israel was living in that land, Reuben had 'sexual relations' with Israel’s Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard about it.

Jacob had twelve sons:

23 the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, then Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun; 24 The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s concubine, were Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s concubine, were Gawd and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan Aram.

27 Jacob returned to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (now called Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as immigrants. 28 Isaac lived for one hundred eighty years. 29 Then Isaac breathed his last and died, joining his ancestors in death, old and full of days; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

GENESIS 36

Esau’s Genealogical Records

4 Adah gave birth to Eliphaz for Esau and Basemath gave birth to Reuel, 5 Oholibamah gave birth to Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were Esau’s sons who were born in the land of Canaan.

6 Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, along with his livestock, all his animals and everything he owned that he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and moved to a land away from his brother Jacob. 7 Their possessions had become too great for them to live together. The land where they lived couldn’t support all of their livestock. 8 So Esau, that is, Edom, lived in the highlands of Seir.

9 These are the 'descendants' of Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites in the highlands of Seir. 10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath.

11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz. 12 Timna, the concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to a son named Amalek. These are the son's of Esau’s wife Adah.

13 These are Reuel’s sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

14 And these were the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the granddaughter of Zibeon: she gave birth to Jeush, Jalam and Korah.

15 These were the tribal leaders of Esau’s sons. The sons of Eliphaz, Esau’s oldest son: tribal leader Teman, tribal leader Omar, tribal leader Zepho, tribal leader Kenaz, 16 tribal leader Korah, tribal leader Gatam, tribal leader Amalek. These are the leaders 'descended from' Eliphaz in the land of Edom, these were the sons of Adah.

17 These were the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son, tribal leader Nahath, tribal leader Zerah, tribal leader Shammah, tribal leader Mizzah, these were the leaders 'descended from' Reuel in the land of Edom, these were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

18 The sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah became the leaders of the tribes of Jeush, Jalam and Korah. They were the tribal leaders of Esau’s wife Oholibamah the daughter of Anah.

19 These were the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these were their tribal leaders. 20 These were the sons of Seir the Horite who were living in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21 Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These are the leaders 'descended from' the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. 22 Lotan’s sons were Hori and Heman. Lotan’s sister was Timna. 23 Shobal’s sons were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. 24 Zibeon’s sons were Aiah and Anah—he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness when he was grazing his father Zibeon’s donkeys. 25 These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah. 26 These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran. 27 These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan. 28 These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29 These were the leaders of the Horites: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 30 Dishon, Ezer and Dishan, these were the leaders 'descended from' the Horites, according to their leader in the land of Seir.

31 These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites: 32 Bela, Beor’s son, ruled in Edom. His city was named Dinhabah. 33 After Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king. 34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king. 35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad succeeded him as king. He defeated Midian territory of Moab; the name of his city was Avith. 36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king. 37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates River succeeded him as king. 38 When Shaul died, Baal Hanan son of Achbor succeeded him as king. 39 When Baal Hanan son of Achbor died, Hadar succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.

40 These are the names of the leaders 'descended from' Esau, according to their families and their localities and their names: tribal leaders Timna, Alvah and Jetheth, 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 43 Magdiel and Iram. They were the leaders of Edom, listed by their settlements in the land they owned. Esau was the patriarch of the Edomites.

GENESIS 37

Joseph’s Dreams

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a multicolored tunic. 4 His brothers knew that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him and couldn’t say a kind word to him.

5 Then Joseph had a dream. When he mentioned it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 So he asked them to “Please listen carefully to the dream that I had. 7 We were binding sheaves together out in the field. Suddenly my sheaf stood up, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

8 Then his brothers replied, “Do you actually intend to reign over us? Are you really going to rule over us?” So they hated him all the more because of his dreams and what he had said.

9 Then he had another dream. He told his brothers, “I’ve had another dream. I saw the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowing down to me!”

10 He related it to his father as well as to his brothers. His father reprimanded him and asked, “What 'sort' of dream did you have? Should your mother and I and your brothers really come and bow down to the ground in front of you?” 11 His brothers became more jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

12 'One day' his brothers left to graze their father’s flock in Shechem. [Jots] 13 Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the flock near Shechem? Come, I’m going to send you to them.” He replied, “I’m ready to go.”

14 He told him, “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along and bring word back to me. So he sent him from the Hebron Valley, and he came to Shechem. 15 A man found him wandering around the countryside and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

16 “I’m looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Do you know where they’re pasturing the flock?”

17 The man said, “They left here, but I heard them say, ‘Let’s go on to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them near Dothan. 18 When his brothers saw him coming, they recognized him from a distance, and before he reached them, they made plans to kill him.

19 They said to each other, “Here comes that dreamer! 20 Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say, ‘A wild animal has devoured him.’ We’ll see what becomes of his dream!”

21 But when Reuben heard what they said, he rescued him from their 'grasp' and said, “We shouldn’t kill him.” 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” He was really planning to rescue 'Joseph' and take him back to his father.

23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers stripped Joseph of his coat, the multicolored coat he was wearing, 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

25 They sat down to eat 'a meal', and they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying spices, balm and myrrh on their way to Egypt.

26 Judah said to his brothers, “What do we have to gain if we kill our brother and hide his blood? 27 Instead, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, rather than lay a hand on him; after all, he’s our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed.

28 Then as some Midianite traders were passing by, they pulled 'Joseph' out of the cistern, and sold 'him' to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver., and they took Joseph to Egypt.

29 Reuben returned to the cistern, and saw that Joseph wasn’t 'there', and he tore his clothes. 30 Then he returned to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! What should I do now?”

31 So they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a male goat, and dipped the coat in the blood. 32 They took the multicolored coat, and they brought it to their father and said, “We found this. See if it’s your son’s robe or not.”

33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s coat. A wild animal has eaten him. Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces.”

34 Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son for many days. 35 All of his sons and daughters tried to console him, but he could not be consoled. He said, “I’ll go down to the grave (sheol) to my son mourning.” His father cried for him.

36 Meanwhile, the 'Midianites' sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the palace guard.

GENESIS 38

Judah and Tamar

6 Judah arranged for his firstborn son, Er, to marry a woman named Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn was wicked in Yehovah’s sight, so Yehovah killed him.

8 Judah said to Onan, “Have relations with your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise a descendant for your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the child wouldn’t be his; so when he had relations with his brother’s wife, he spilled 'the semen' to keep from providing a child for his brother. 10 What he did was evil in Yehovah’s sight, and He killed him too.

11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah is grown up.” Judah was afraid that Shelah also would die like his brothers. So Tamar returned to her father’s house.

12 In the course of time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had finished mourning, he went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

13 Someone told Tamar, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep!” 14 So she took off the clothes that identified her as a widow, and covered herself with a veil, disguised herself, and sat at the gateway of Enaim on the road to Timnah; because she was aware that Shelah had grown up, but that no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him.

15 Judah saw her and assumed she was a prostitute, because she had covered her face. 16 Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Please let me 'have sex with' you.” She said, “What will you give me to 'have sex with' me?”

17 He said, “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock.” She answered, “Will you give me a pledge until you send it?”

18 He said, “What pledge should I give you?” She said, “Leave your signet and its cord and the staff in your hand.” He gave them to her and 'had sex with' her, and she became pregnant by him.

19 Afterward she went back home, took off her veil, and put on her widow’s clothing.

20 When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite, and to pick up the pledge he had given the woman, he couldn’t find her. 21 He asked the men who lived there, “Where is the cult prostitute who was at Enaim by the road?” They said, “There hasn’t been any cult prostitute here.”

22 He returned to Judah and said, “I couldn’t find her, and the men there said, ‘There hasn’t been a cult prostitute here.’”

23 Judah said, “Let her keep everything so we aren’t laughed at. I sent this young goat, and you couldn’t find her.”

24 About three months later someone told Judah, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law has become a prostitute and as a result she is now pregnant.” Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned!”

25 But as she was being brought out to be killed, she sent a message to her father-in-law that said, “I’m pregnant by the man who owns these.” She also said, “See if you recognize whose seal, cord and staff these are.”

26 Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he didn’t 'have sex with' again.

27 When the time came for her to give birth, she discovered she had twins in her womb. 28 While she was in labor, one of the babies reached out his hand. The midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet thread around his wrist, and said, “This one came out first.” 29 But then he pulled back his hand, and out came his brother! And she said, “You’ve burst out on your own.” So he was named Perez. 30 Afterward his brother with the scarlet thread on his hand came out, and he was named Zerah.

GENESIS 39

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

2 Yehovah was with Joseph, and he became a successful man. He lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that Yehovah was with him, and that Yehovah gave him success in everything he handled. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal assistant. He put him in charge of his household and everything he owned. 5 From the time he appointed him head of his household and of everything he had, Yehovah blessed the Egyptian’s household because of Joseph, and the blessing of Yehovah was on everything that he had, in the house and in the field. 6 So he left him in charge of everything he owned. He didn’t concern himself with anything except for the food he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome. 7 After a while his master’s wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me.”

8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “My master doesn’t concern himself with anything in the house. He has put me in charge of everything he owns. 9 No one in the household has more authority than I do, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a wicked thing, and sin against Elohim?” 10 She spoke to Joseph daily, but he didn’t listen to her pleas to go to bed with her.

11 One day he went into the house to work and none of the other people were inside the house at the time. 12 So she grabbed him by his coat and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his coat in her hand and ran outside. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his coat in her hands and had fled outside, 14 she called to the men of her household, and told them,“Look! This Hebrew slave was brought here to shame us. He came in here to rape me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream, he left his coat with me and ran outside.”

16 So she kept his garment beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him the same story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to make a fool of me. 18 But when I screamed, he ran outside and left his coat with me!”

19 Then when his master heard what his wife said, “This is what your servant did to me,” he was furious. 20 Joseph’s master took him and threw him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and there he remained. 21 But Yehovah was with Joseph, extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the prison warden. 22 The prison warden entrusted Joseph to take care of all the prisoners, and he was made responsible for whatever was done there. 23 The prison warden didn’t concern himself with anything that was under Joseph’s control, because Yehovah was with him, and regardless of what he did, Yehovah caused everything he did to succeed.

GENESIS 40

Joseph Interprets Two Dreams

6 When Joseph saw them the next morning, he saw that they were upset. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why do you look so troubled today?”

8 And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can explain what they mean.” Joseph replied, “Don’t interpretations belong to Elohim? Please tell them to me.”

9 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream, he said, “In my dream I saw a grapevine in front of me, 10 and on the grapevine were three branches. As soon as it budded its blossoms came out and the clusters produced ripe grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, so I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”

12 Joseph told him, “This is what it means: the three branches represent three days. 13 Within three more days Pharaoh will lift 'you' up and restore you to your position. You’ll put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, the way you did when you were his cup bearer. 14 But remember me when everything is going well for you, and be loyal to me by mentioning me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this prison. 15 I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and I have done nothing here that warrants my being thrown into this dungeon.”

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream. I dreamed there were three baskets of white bread on my head. 17 In the top basket there were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

18 Joseph replied, “This is what it means. The three baskets represent three days. 19 Within three days, Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale you on a tree, and the birds will eat away your flesh.”

20 So on the third day, that was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a 'party' [1] for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of his chief cup bearer and his chief baker— 21 that is, he restored the chief cup bearer to his position, so he could resume placing the cup in Pharaoh’s hand, 22 but he hanged the chief baker, just like Joseph had predicted when he interpreted his dream. 23 Yet the chief cup bearer didn’t remember Joseph, he forgot all about him.

GENESIS 41

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams

5 He fell asleep and dreamed a second time. This time he saw seven heads of grain, well filled and healthy, growing on a single stalk. 6 Then seven more heads of grain appeared, shriveled and scorched by the east wind. 7 The shriveled heads of grain swallowed the seven healthy and well filled ears. Pharaoh awoke and saw that it was a dream.

8 The next morning his spirit was troubled, so he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for 'him'.

9 Finally, the king’s chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh: “Today I need to make mention of a great 'oversight'. 10 Some time ago, 'you' were angry with the chief baker and me, and you you put us in prison in the palace of the captain of the royal guard. 11 We both had dreams one night, he and I, and each dream had its own meaning. 12 There was a young Hebrew man with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he explained to each of us what they meant. 13 It turned out just the way he interpreted them to us. I was restored to my position, but the baker was hanged.”

14 So Pharaoh sent 'for' Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. He shaved, changed clothes, and came before Pharaoh.

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and there is no one who can tell me what it means it. I’ve heard it said of you, that when you hear a dream you can explain it.”

16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It’s not me. Elohim will give Pharaoh the satisfactory answer he wants.”

17 So Pharaoh told Joseph, “In my dream, I stood on the bank of the . 18 I saw seven healthy looking, well fed cows coming up out of the river and they began grazing in the marsh grass. 19 Then I saw seven ugly and scrawny cows come up after them. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 These ugly and scrawny cows ate the first seven well fed cows, 21 Yet even after they ate them, no one could tell they had eaten them, but they were just as ugly as they had been. Then I woke up.

22 “I also saw in my dream seven full and healthy heads on one stalk. 23 Then seven other heads of grain sprouted after them. They were thin and scorched by the east wind. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven full and healthy heads of grain. I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean one thing. Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He’s about to do. 26 The seven good cows represent seven years, and the seven good heads of grain represent seven years. Both dreams mean the same thing. 27 The seven ugly and scrawny cows that came up after them represent seven years, as do the seven thin heads of grain scorched by the east wind, they represent seven years of famine.

28 It is just as I told Pharaoh: Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming affecting the entire land of Egypt. 30 After them there will be seven years of famine, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will devastate the land. 31 People will forget about what it was like to have abundance in the land because the famine that follows will be so severe. 32 The repetition of the dream to Pharaoh, was because the matter is established by Elohim, and Elohim will soon bring it about.

33 So Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man, and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and have them collect a fifth of all the harvest of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 Have them gather all such surplus food produced in the good years that are just ahead and store the grain under Pharaoh’s authority as food for the cities, and have them guard it. 36 This food will serve as a reserve for the land in preparation for the seven years of famine that will occur in the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.”

37 This proposal seemed very good to the Pharaoh and all his officials. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, “Could we find another man like this, someone imbued with Elohim’s spirit?”

39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since Elohim has revealed all of this to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my 'palace', and your word will be law for all of my people. Only in regard to the throne will I rank higher than you.”

41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt!” 42 Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and put a gold necklace around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command. They shouted before him, “Kneel down!” This signified that he was in charge of the entire land of Egypt.

44 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tho I’m Pharaoh, without your permission no one will lift up their hand or their foot in the entire land of Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh renamed Joseph’s Zaphenath Paneah, and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. So Joseph 'took charge' of the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he 'began serving' Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled thruout all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance the land produced outstanding harvests. 48 He gathered all the food produced during those seven years in the land of Egypt, and stored the food in the cities. In every city he stored food from its own surrounding fields. 49 Joseph amassed grain like the sand of the sea. He finally quit keeping records because it was beyond measure.

50 Before the years of famine came, Joseph and Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, had two sons. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, and said, “Elohim has helped me forget all of my troubles and all my father’s 'family'.” 52 He named the second Ephraim, and said “Elohim has 'given me children' in the land of my affliction.”

53 When the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. There was famine thruout the region, but there was grain thruout the land of Egypt. 55 When severe hunger afflicted the entire land of Egypt, the people cried out to Pharaoh for grain, and Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”

56 The famine affected the entire 'region'. Joseph opened all the store houses and sold grain to the Egyptians because the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Then the people of the entire 'region' came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe thruout the 'world'.

GENESIS 42

Joseph’s Brothers in Egypt

3 So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. 4 But Jacob didn’t send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for fear that some harm might come to him. 5 Israel’s sons came to buy along with others who came, since the famine affected Canaan as well.

6 Joseph was the governor of the land. So Joseph’s brothers came to him and bowed facedown on the ground before him. 7 Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but he acted as if he didn’t know them. and spoke to them harshly. He spoke to them with a harsh tone and said, “Where are you from?” They answered, “We came from the land of Canaan to buy food.”

8 Altho Joseph recognized his brothers, they didn’t recognize him. 9 Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You’ve come to ascertain the 'vulnerable' parts of the land.”

10 They told him, “No, master, your servants just came to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man. We’re honest men. Your servants aren’t spies.”

12 Yet he insisted, “No, you have come to determine the vulnerable parts of our land!”

13 Yet they insisted, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no longer alive.”

14 Yet Joseph told them, “It is like I told you, you are spies! 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place until your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you to get your brother, while the rest of you remain confined, so that your statements can be verified, whether you are truthful, or by the life of Pharaoh, you are spies.” 17 So he put them all together in custody for three days.

18 On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this, and live, because I fear Elohim. 19 If you are honest men, then have one of your brothers remain confined in prison; but the rest of you, take grain back to those in your hungry households. 20 But bring your youngest brother back to me so that your words can be verified, and you won’t die.” So they did as he said. 21 They said to each other, “Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his 'life', and we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this danger.”

22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the child, but you wouldn’t listen? So now this is 'payback' for his blood.”

23 They didn’t realize that Joseph understood them, since he had been speaking to them 'thru' an interpreter. 24 He stepped away from them and cried. But then came back and spoke to them again. Then he had Simeon bound in front of 'them'.

25 Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and also to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. So that is what was done. 26 So they loaded their donkeys with grain, and they left.

27 But when they stopped for the night at the campsite, one of them opened his sack to get grain for his donkey and found his silver in the top of his sack! 28 He said to his brothers, “My silver’s been returned! It’s in my sack!” In their 'shock' they turned trembling to each other and asked, “What has Elohim done to us?”

29 When they reached their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they described to him everything that had happened to them. They said, 30 ‘The man who is governor of the land spoke very harshly to us, and accused us of spying on his country, 31 We told him, ‘We are honest men. We aren’t spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of one father, one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.”

33 “The man who is governor of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will find out if you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take grain for your hungry households and go on home. 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I’ll know that you aren’t spies but honest men. So I’ll give you your brother back and you can trade in the land.’”

35 Then as they were emptying their sacks, they saw that every man’s bag of silver was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bundles of silver they were afraid. 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You’ve robbed me of my children: Joseph is gone, Simeon is gone, and now you want to take Benjamin away. Everything is against me.”

37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You can kill my two sons if I don’t bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I’ll bring him back to you.”

38 He said, “My son won’t go down with you, because his brother is dead and he’s been left all alone. If anything should happen to him on your journey then you’ll bring my gray 'head' down to sheol in sorrow.”

GENESIS 43

Joseph’s Brothers Return with Benjamin

3 Judah told him, “The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see me again unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food, 5 but if you don’t send him, we won’t go down, because the man told us, ‘You won’t see me again, unless your brother is with you.’”

6 Israel asked, “Why did you cause me so much trouble by telling the man you had another brother?”

7 They said, “The man asked directly about us and our relatives, he asked, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here?’

8 Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll go at once, so that we and you and our children can live and not die. 9 I’ll be collateral for him. You can hold me personally accountable if I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, I will take the blame forever. 10 If we hadn’t waited so long, we could have returned twice by now.”

11 Then their father Israel replied, “If it must be, then do this. Take some of the products of the land in your bags, and carry it down as a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, labdanum resin and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Also take twice as much silver 'with you', and return the silver that was returned in the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man. 14 May the Conqueror grant you mercy before the man, so that he can release your other brother and Benjamin. If I’m bereaved of my sons, I’m bereaved.”

15 So the men took that present, and they took twice as much silver 'with them', and Benjamin, and they traveled down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare a meal, because the men will eat with me at noon.”

17 So the man did as Joseph told him, and took them into Joseph’s house. 18 The men were afraid, because they were being taken to Joseph’s house, and they thought, “We’ve been brought here because of the silver someone put in our sacks the first time we were here, so that he can attack us, overpower us, seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.” 19 So they approached the manager of Joseph’s household, and they spoke to him at the doorway to the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my master, we came down the first time just to buy food. 21 But when we came to the campsite, we opened our sacks and discovered the exact weight of each man’s silver was in the mouth of his sack. So we brought it back with us. 22 We brought additional silver this time to buy food. We don’t know who put that silver in our sacks.”

23 He said, “It’s all right, don’t be afraid. Your Elohim, and the Elohim of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

24 The manager brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet, and he gave their donkeys fodder. 25 They got the gift ready for Joseph’s arrival at noon, because they heard that they were to eat 'a meal' there.

26 When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him into the house, and bowed down to the ground before him. 27 He asked them how they were doing, and said, “How is your elderly father that you told me about? Is he still alive?”

28 They replied, “Our father, your servant is still alive.” Then they bowed down again in homage.

29 He 'looked up' and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son and said, “Is this your youngest brother that you told me about?” 'Joseph' replied, “Elohim be merciful to you, my son.” 30 Joseph then hurried off because he was overcome with emotion for his brother, and he found another place to cry. He went into his private room and cried there. 31 He washed his face, and came back. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.”

32 Then they served him by himself, and Joseph’s brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians don’t 'eat' with Hebrews, since that is abhorrent to Egyptians. 33 They were seated in front of him from the firstborn to the youngest in their exact birth order, and the men looked at each other with astonishment. 34 Then he took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s share was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank freely with him.

GENESIS 44

The Silver Lining

3 At dawn the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. 4 Once they had left the city, and hadn’t gone far, Joseph said to his household manager, “Get up and go after the men! When you catch up with them them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Isn’t this what my master drinks from, and what he uses for divination? What you have done is wrong!’”

6 When he caught up with them, he repeated those words to them. 7 They replied, “Why does my master say such things? We would never do anything like that! 8 We even brought back to you the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks from the land of Canaan. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? 9 Any of your servants found with it must die, and we’ll be my master’s slaves.”

10 The manager replied, “What you said is fine, but instead the one who has taken the cup will become my slave, and the rest of you will be considered innocent.”

11 Then they hurried, and each of them lowered their sacks down to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 He searched, beginning with the oldest, and ending at the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack! 13 Then they tore their clothes, and once they had reloaded their donkeys they returned to the city.

14 When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they threw themselves to the ground in front of him. 15 Joseph asked them, “What have you done? Don’t you know that a man like me can certainly divine? [verb]”

16 Judah said, “Oh master, what can we say? What words can we use? How can we explain this? Elohim has exposed the wickedness of your servants. So all of us will be your slaves, not just the one found with the cup!”

17 But 'Joseph' said, “I would never do that. Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you can go back in peace to your father.”

18 Then Judah approached him and said, “Oh, my master, please let your servant speak 'personally' to you. Don’t be angry with me, even tho you are equal to Pharaoh himself. 19 My master asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ 20 We told my master, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a little one born in his old age. Now his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.’

21 When you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, so I can see him with my own eyes.’ 22 We said to my master, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, because if he were to leave his father, his father would die.’ 23 But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you’ll never see my face again.’ 24 So we returned to your servant, our father, and told him what our master had said.

25 Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy a little more food.’ 26 But we said, ‘We can’t go down. We will only go down if our youngest brother is with us, because we can’t see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’

27 Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife gave birth to two sons. 28 and one of them went away, never to return. Undoubtedly he was torn to pieces by some wild animal, never to be seen again. 29 If you also take this one from me too, and harm happens to him, you’ll bring my gray 'head' down to sheol in sorrow.’ 30 So now, if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life 31 sees that the boy is not with us, he’ll die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, to sheol in sorrow. 32 I, your servant, guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father, telling him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, you can blame me forever.’ 33 So now, please let your servant stay as a slave to my master instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 How could I return to my father if the boy isn’t with me. I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father;”

GENESIS 45

Joseph Reveals His Identity

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers were speechless! They were stunned in his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,“ and they came closer, and he said, “I’m Joseph, your brother, who you sold to Egypt. 5 Now don’t be worried, or angry with yourselves for selling me here, since Elohim sent me before you to save lives. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no harrowing or harvesting. 7 Elohim sent me before you to ensure your survival on earth, saving your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So it wasn’t you who sent me here, but Elohim, and He has made me Pharaoh’s highest officer, master of his entire household, and ruler over the entire land of Egypt.

9 “Now hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: Elohim has made me master over all Egypt. Come down to me immediately! 10 You can live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds and everything you own. 11 I’ll provide for you here because there are still five years of famine yet to come. Otherwise you and your household and everything you own will be wiped out’

12 “Take a 'close look', you and my brother Benjamin, and see that it’s 'really me' speaking to you! 13 Go tell my father about all my honor in Egypt, and everything that you’ve seen. You must hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he 'hugged' his brother Benjamin, and cried, and Benjamin embraced him and cryed. 15 He kissed each of his brothers as he cried, and afterward his brothers talked with him.

16 The news soon reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers have arrived! Pharaoh and his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers to load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best land in Egypt and you can eat the best that the land produces.’

19 Now you are ordered: “Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your children, and for your wives, and pick up your father and come back. 20 Also, don’t bother with your belongings, because the best of the land of Egypt is yours.’”

21 So Israel’s sons did that. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh instructed, and he gave them supplies for the trip. 22 And he gave each of them a change of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23 He also sent his father ten male donkeys loaded with the finest things produced in Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other supplies he would need along the way. 24 So he sent his brothers off; and as they were leaving, he told them, “Don’t argue along the way.”

25 So they left Egypt, and returned to their father Jacob, in the land of Canaan. 26 They announced to him, “Joseph is still alive! He’s actually ruler over the entire land of Egypt!” He was stunned, and he didn’t believe them. 27 But when they told him everything that Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, Jacob’s spirit was revived. 28 Then Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die.”

GENESIS 46

Jacob Moves to Egypt

2 Elohim spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” He said, “Here I am.”

3 He said, “I’m El, the Elohim of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down to Egypt, because I will make a great nation of you there. 4 I’ll go down with you into Egypt. And I’ll surely bring you back again, and Joseph will close your eyes.”

5 So Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him along with their children and their wives, 6 They also took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and arrived in Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him: 7 his sons and his grandsons, his daughters, his granddaughters—all of his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.

8 These are the names of the Israelites who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons, Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. 9 Reuben’s sons were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.

10 Simeon’s sons were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar and Shaul, whose mother was a Canaanite.

11 Levi’s sons were Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

12 Judah’s sons: were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zera (tho Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). Perez’s sons were Hezron and Hamul.

13 Issachar’s sons were Tola, Puvah, Iob and Shimron.

14 Zebulun’s sons were Sered, Elon and Jahleel.

15 These were the sons of Leah and Jacob who were born in Paddan Aram, in addition to their daughter, Dinah; altogether his sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three.

16 Gawd’s sons were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Areli. 17 Asher’s sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah and Serah their sister. Beriah’s sons were Heber and Malchiel. 18 These were the sons of Zilpah, the servant given to Leah by her father, Laban. The number of Jacob’s descendants thru Zilpah was sixteen.

19 The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.

20 Joseph’s sons, born in the land of Egypt, were Manasseh and Ephraim. Their mother was Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, the priest of 'Heliopolis'.

21 Benjamin’s sons were Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.

22 These were the sons of Rachel and Jacob—fourteen in all.

23 Dan’s son was Hushim.

24 Naphtali’s sons were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.

25 These were Bilhah’s sons, who Laban gave to his daughter Rachel. She gave these to Jacob; there were seven in all. 26 The total number of Jacob’s direct descendants who went with him to Egypt, not counting Jacob’s sons’ wives was sixty-six. 27 Joseph had two sons born in Egypt, so the total member of Jacob’s family in the land of Egypt was seventy.

28 'Jacob' sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph, to guide him to Goshen. Then they arrived in the land of Goshen. 29 Joseph hitched up his chariot and went up in Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as he saw him Joseph 'hugged' him and cried. He 'hugged' him for a long while. 30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now I can die, since I’ve seen you face-to-face and know that you are still alive.

31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s entire family, “I should go up and speak with Pharaoh, and tell him, “My brothers, and my father’s family who were in the land of Canaan have come to me. 32 These men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they’ve brought their flocks, and their herds and everything that they own.” 33 When Pharaoh calls for you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34 you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our youth until now, both we, and our ancestors,’ so that you can settle in the land of Goshen, because all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

GENESIS 47

Jacob’s Family Settles in Goshen

1 Then Joseph went in and told the Pharaoh, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds and everything they own have come from the land of Canaan, and they are in the land of Goshen.” 2 He took five of his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh.

3 The Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” They told the Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, just like our ancestors.” 4 They told the Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land since there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks. The famine is severe in the land of Canaan. So please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”

5 The Pharaoh told Joseph, “Now that your father and your brothers have joined you here, 6 the land of Egypt is available to you. Have your father and your brothers settle in the best of the land. They can settle in the land of Goshen; and if you know of any capable men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”

7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 The Pharaoh asked Jacob, “How many years have you lived?”

9 Jacob said to the Pharaoh, “The length of my pilgrimage has been one hundred and thirty years. The years of my life have been few and painful. But they don’t compare to the lifespans of my ancestors pilgrimages.” 10 Jacob blessed the Pharaoh, and then left the presence of the Pharaoh.

11 Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them property in the land of Egypt in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered. 12 Joseph provided his father and his brothers and his father’s entire household with food, according to the number of their children.

13 There was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan wasted away because of the famine. 14 Joseph gathered up all the silver that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan as payment for the grain they were buying, and Joseph brought the silver into the Pharaoh’s treasury. 15 When the silver was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us bread, why should we die in your presence? Our silver is all gone.”

16 Joseph said, “Give me your livestock, and I’ll give you food for your livestock, if your silver is gone.” 17 They brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the herds and the donkeys, and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year.

18 But when that year ended, they came to him the 'next' year and said to him, “We can’t hide from our master the fact that our silver is all spent, and the herds of livestock are my master’s. There is nothing left in the sight of our master but our bodies and our lands. 19 Why should we die before your very eyes, and our land go to waste? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to the Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we can live and not die, and so the land won’t become a desert.”

20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, because every Egyptian man sold his field since the famine was so severe. So the land became the Pharaoh’s. 21 As for the people, he relocated them to the cities from one end of Egypt’s border to the other. 22 But he didn’t buy the farmland from the priests because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they didn’t sell their land.

23 Then Joseph told the people, “I’ve bought you and your land today for the Pharaoh! I will provide you with seed so you can plant the fields. 24 At harvest time you must give a fifth to the Pharaoh, and four fifths will be for you, as seed for your field, for your households, and food for your children.”

25 So they said, “You’ve saved our lives! May we find favor in our master’s sight, and we’ll be the Pharaoh’s servants.” 26 Joseph made it a permanent rule, still in effect today in the land of Egypt, that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. Only the priests’ land did not become Pharaoh’s.

27 The Israelites settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. They acquired property there, were 'prolific', and their population grew rapidly. 28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years; so the 'length' of Jacob’s life was 147 years.

29 The time was approaching that Israel would die, so he called his son Joseph, and told him, “If I’ve found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh [Targums: the place of my circumcision], and deal kindly and truly with me. Please don’t bury me in Egypt, 30 but when I rest with my ancestors, carry me out of Egypt, and bury me 'where my ancestors are' buried.” 'Joseph' said, “I’ll do as you’ve said.”

31 He said, “Swear to me,” and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed in prayer at the head of the bed.

GENESIS 48

Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

3 Jacob said to Joseph, “the Conqueror [El-Shaddai] appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me 4 and told me, ‘I’ll make you fertile, and multiply your descendants. I’ll make of you a commonwealth of nations, and give this land to your descendants as an everlasting possession!’

5 “And now your two sons who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just like Reuben and Simeon are mine. 6 Any children you have after them will be your own, and will be recorded under the names of their brothers in regard to their inheritance [commentary]. 7 As I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were traveling some distance from Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), so I buried her there near the road to Ephrathah.”

8 When Israel saw Joseph’s sons he asked, “Who are these boys?”

9 Joseph said to his father, “They’re the sons Elohim has given me here.“ He said, “Please bring them to me so I can bless them.”

10 Because Israel’s eyesight had 'failed' because of his age he could barely see. So Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, and now Elohim has allowed me see your 'children' as well!”

12 Then Joseph took them from 'Israel’s' knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground. 13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. 14 But Israel reached out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, the younger one, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands, altho Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the Elohim who my fathers Abraham and Isaac 'lived for', the Elohim who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16 the Messenger who has rescued me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name 'live on' in them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they multiply like fish [1] greatly thruout the earth.”

17 When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He grasped his father’s hand, to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “No my father. This is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.”

19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He will also become a people, and he will also be great. But his younger brother will be greater than he is, and his descendants will become a ‘commonwealth’ of nations.” 20 So 'Israel' blessed them that day and said, “By you Israel will pronounce a blessings: ‘Elohim make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I’m about to die., but Elohim will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your ancestors! 22 I gave you one more mountain ridge than your brothers. I took it from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”

GENESIS 49

Israel Blesses His Sons

2 “Gather around and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to your father Israel.

3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, and the very first of my virility, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. 4 Unstable as water, you won’t remain preeminent, because you climbed into your father’s bed and defiled it. He climbed up to my couch!

5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence. 6 May I never be present in their meetings. May my honor never be tarnished in their assemblies, because in their anger they’ve killed men, and on a whim they’ve hamstrung oxen. 7 May their anger be cursed because it’s so fierce; and may their fury be cursed because it’s so cruel. I’ll scatter them thruout the descendants of Jacob and scatter them in Israel. 8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you. You’ll grab your enemies by the neck. Your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9 Judah, you are a lion’s cub. You have returned from the kill, my son. He crouches and lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who will bother 'them'? 10 The scepter won’t depart from Judah, or lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, the One all nations will obey. 11 He tethered his foal to a grapevine, and his donkey’s colt to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

13 “Zebulun will reside by the coast. He’ll be for a haven for ships, and his territory will extend to Sidon.

14 “Issachar is like a strong donkey, crouching down between the sheepfolds [as guardians?]. 15 When he sees that the resting place is good and that the land is pleasant, he will lean his shoulder into the burden and become a slave laborer.

16 “Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.

17 Dan will be a serpent along the way, an adder on the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that his rider falls off backwards.

18 “I wait for Your deliverance, Yehovah.

19 “Gawd will be attacked by a marauding band, but he’ll strike back at their heels.

20 “Asher’s food will be rich. He’ll create royal delicacies.

21 “Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

22 “Joseph is a fruitful grapevine, a fruitful grapevine near a spring; whose 'branches' grow over a wall. 23 The archers savagely attacked him, shot at him and pursed him viciously, 24 But his bow remained steady and his strong arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the 'name of' the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25 by the Elohim of your father, who will help you, by the Conqueror, who will bless you, with blessings from the heavens above, blessings from the depths below, blessings of the breasts and the womb. 26 The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors up to the furthest bounds of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of the 'most' distinguished among his brothers.

27 “Benjamin is a 'ravenous' wolf. In the morning he devours his prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil.”

28 These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father told them as he blessed each of them with the blessing most appropriate for them.

29 Then he gave them these instructions: “I’m about to join my ancestors. Bury me with my ancestors in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave in the field of Machpelah, 'near' Mamre in the land of Canaan that Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial place. 31 Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried there. Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried there, and I buried Leah there. 32 The field and the cave in it were purchased from the Hittites.”

33 When Jacob finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and joined his ancestors in death.

GENESIS 50

Jacob’s Burial

4 When the days of mourning for him were over, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, “If I’ve found favor in your 'sight', please tell Pharaoh: 5 ‘My father made me swear, “I’m dying. Bury me in the grave that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” So please allow me to go up and bury my father, and then I’ll return.

6 Pharaoh said, “Go and bury your father, as he made you swear.” 7 So Joseph went to bury his father, and all of Pharaoh’s officials the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt went with him, 8 the entire house of Joseph, his brothers and his father’s house. Only their children, their flocks and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. 9 Chariots and horsemen accompanied him. It was a very impressive procession.

10 When they reached Atad’s threshing floor, located beyond the Jordan River, they lamented and cried loudly. He mourned for his father seven days. 11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at Atad’s threshing floor, they said, “This is a place of solemn mourning by the Egyptians. That’s why that place near the Jordan River is called Abel Mizraim.”

12 His sons did for him just as he commanded them. 13 So his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, that Abraham bought along with the field as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite. 14 Once he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers, and everyone who left with him to his father’s burial.

15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers wondered, “What if Joseph really hates us and repays us for all the suffering we caused him!” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, asking, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you should say to Joseph. “Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ When Joseph received the message, he cried. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him, and they said, “We’re your slaves.“

19 Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Can I do what only Elohim can do? 20 You intended to harm me, but, but Elohim intended it for good, to bring about the present outcome—the survival of many people. 21 So don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

22 So Joseph continued to live in Egypt with his father’s entire family. Joseph lived 110 years. 23 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children, as well as the children who had been born to Manasseh’s son Machir, who were placed on Joseph’s knees when they were born.

24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m about to die, but Elohim will surely take care of you and bring you 'out of' this land to the land that He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath: “Elohim will certainly take care you, and then you are to carry my bones out of here.”

26 So Joseph died at the age of 110 years, and he was embalmed and put in a coffin in Egypt.

EXODUS 1

Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Israel Oppressed in Egypt

6 'Eventually', Joseph, his brothers, and everyone of that generation died. 7 The Israelites had many children, and their number grew greatly. They became extremely strong, and the land was filled with them.

8 A new king rose to power over Egypt who had not known Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “The Israelite people are more numerous and stronger than we are! 10 Let’s devise a plan against them, or they’ll multiply, and then if a war breaks out they’ll side with our enemies and fight against us, and escape from the country.”

11 So they enslaved and oppressed them with forced labor. They built Pithom and Rameses as supply cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they oppressed them, the more they increased in number and spread. So they came to dread the Israelites. 13 The Egyptians used violence to compel the Israelites to work very hard. 14 They made their lives 'miserable' with hard labor making bricks and mortar and in all kinds of fieldwork. They ruthlessly worked them as [naked] slaves.

15 The king of Egypt said to the [Egyptian] midwives of the Hebrews whose names were Shiphrah and Puah: 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth and you see the baby being born, if it’s a boy, kill him. But if it’s a girl, allow her to live.“ 17 But the midwives feared their elohim, and refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live. 18 So the king of Egypt called the two midwives and asked them, “Why have you been allowing the boys to live?”

19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women aren’t like Egyptian women, they are more vigorous. They give birth before a midwife can get to them.”

20 So Elohim was good to the midwives, and the people kept on multiplying and became even stronger. 21 And because the midwives feared Elohim, he gave them families 'of their own'.

22 So Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River, but let all the girls live.”

EXODUS 2

Moses’ Birth and Adoption

5 Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her servant girls were walking beside the Nile. When she saw the basket among the reeds she sent her maid to get it. 6 When she opened it she saw the baby, and the baby was crying. She felt sorry for him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.“

7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”

8 Pharaoh’s daughter replied, “Yes, go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I’ll pay you.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 When the child was older she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses and said, “I pulled him out of the water.“

11 After some time, when Moses (Not a Jew) had grown up, he went out to his 'own people' and witnessed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his 'own people'. 12 He looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no one around, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 He went out the next day, and saw two Hebrew men fighting with each other. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your 'neighbor'?”

14 The man replied, “Who made you a leader and a judge over us? Are you planning to kill me like you killed that Egyptian?” Moses was afraid and thought, “Now it’s becoming public knowledge.“

15 When Pharaoh heard about it, he tried to have Moses killed. But Moses fled from Pharaoh, and escaped to the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.

16 There was a priest in Midian who had seven daughters, and they came to draw water to fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 Some shepherds came and chased them away, but Moses got up and helped them, and watered their flock.

18 When they returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, “Why were you able to return so soon?”

19 They said, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds, he even helped us draw water for the flock.”

20 He asked his daughters, “Where is this man? Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat.“

21 Long story short, Moses agreed to stay with the man, and the man gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses as a wife. 22 She gave birth to a son, and 'Moses' named him Gershom, because he said, “I’ve become a foreigner in a foreign land.“

23 After a long period of time the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under the burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cries ascended to Elohim because of their slavery. 24 Elohim heard their cries of grief, and Elohim was mindful of His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 And Elohim looked on the Israelites, and Elohim was 'concerned' about them.

EXODUS 3

The Burning Bush

4 When Yehovah saw Moses coming to take a closer look, Elohim called to him from within the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” He replied, “Here I am.”

5 He said, “Don’t come any closer. Take off your sandals, because the place where you are standing is special ground.” 6 He said, “I’m the Elohim of your ancestors [1], the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac and the Elohim of Jacob.”Then Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at Elohim.

7 Yehovah said, “I’ve seen the oppression of My people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their taskmasters. I know how much they’re suffering. 8 I’ve come down to rescue them out of the grasp of the Egyptians, and bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. 9 I’ve heard the cry of the Israelites and I’ve seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 Now go! I’m sending you to Pharaoh Amenhotep II, so that you can bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

11 But Moses asked Elohim, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, or that I should lead the Israelites out of Egypt?”

12 He replied, “Certainly I’ll be with you, and this is the 'proof' that I sent you: When you’ve brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will serve Elohim on this very mountain.”

13 Then Moses said to Elohim, “If I go to the Israelites, and I tell them, “The Elohim of your ancestors has sent me to you.’ And when they ask me, “What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”

14 Elohim said to Moses, “I AM WHO IS AND WAS, AND IS TO COME [2] This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM [The Eternal One: the same yesterday, today, and forever] has sent me to you.” 15 Elohim also said to Moses, “This is what you must tell the Israelites: ‘Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name to remember for all generations.

16 “Now go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me and said, “I’ve been watching closely, and I’ve seen what is being done to you in Egypt, 17 So I said I will bring you up out of misery in Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land that flows with milk and honey.”’

18 “They’ll heed to what you say. Then you and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘Yehovah, the Elohim of the Hebrews has met with us. Now please allow us go three days’ journey into the wilderness to offer zebakim [sacrifices] to Yehovah, our Elohim.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt won’t allow you to go unless a powerful hand forces him. 20 I’ll reach out My hand strike Egypt with all My miracles that I’ll perform among them. After that he’ll let you go.

21 “I’ll grant these people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and then when you leave, you won’t leave empty-handed. 22 But every woman will ask her neighbor and the woman living in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you’ll put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You must plunder the Egyptians for back pay.”

EXODUS 4

Moses Is Given Miraculous Signs

2 Yehovah asked him, “What is that in your hand?” He replied, “A staff”.

3 He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back from it. 4 Yehovah said to Moses, “Reach out with your hand and grab it by the tail. So he reached out his hand and grabbed it, and it turned back into a staff in his hand 5 With this they can believe that Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac and the Elohim of Jacob has appeared to you.

6 Yehovah also told him, “Now put your hand inside your coat.” So he put his hand inside his coat, and when he took it out, he saw that his hand was white as snow with a skin disease. 7 Then He said, “Put your hand inside your coat again.” He put his hand inside his coat again, and when he took it out of his coat it was healthy again, like the rest of his skin.

8 “So if they don’t believe you or respond to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign. 9 But then, if they don’t believe either of these two miracles, or listen to what you 'say', then take some water from the Nile and pour it out on dry ground. The water that you take from the Nile will turn into blood on the dry ground.“

10 Then Moses said to Yehovah, “Oh, Yehovah, I’ve never been eloquent, neither in the past or more recently or even since You started speaking to Your servant. I am slow and hesitant in speech.”

11 Yehovah asked him, “Who gave humanity their mouths? Or who makes someone mute or deaf, able to see or blind? Isn’t it I, Yehovah? 12 Now go! I’ll help you 'speak', and I’ll and teach you what to say.”

13 He said, “Please, Yehovah, send someone else.”

14 The anger of Yehovah burned against Moses, and He said, “What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. He is already coming out to meet you. He’ll be glad to see you. 15 You’ll speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I’ll help both of you 'speak', and instruct you what to do. 16 He’ll speak for you to the people. He’ll serve as your 'spokesman', and you’ll be like Elohim to him. 17 You’ll take this staff in your hand, and use it to perform the miraculous signs.”

18 Moses returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and told him, “Please let me return to my own people in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.“

19 Yehovah told Moses in Midian, “Return to Egypt, because everyone who wanted to kill you has died.“ 20 Moses took his wife and sons, and put them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses took Elohim’s staff in his hand.

21 Yehovah said to Moses, “When you arrive back in Egypt, make sure that you perform all the miracles before Pharaoh that I’ve put within your 'power', but I’ll strengthen his 'resolve' and he won’t let the people go. 22 Then you can tell Pharaoh, ‘This is what Yehovah says, ‘Israel is My firstborn son, 23 and I told you, “Let My son go, so that he can serve me,” and you’ve refused to let him go. So now I will kill your firstborn son.’“

24 On the way to the overnight encampment, Yehovah met Moses and was about to kill him. 25 So Zipporah took a flint stone, and circumcised her son and threw the foreskin at his feet, and she said, “Now you are a bridegroom of blood to me.“ 26 So He let him alone. Then she said, “bridegroom of blood,”referring to the circumcision.

27 Yehovah said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.“ So he went and met him at Elohim’s mountain, and kissed him. 28 Moses told Aaron about everything Yehovah had sent him to say, and all the 'miracles' that He had commanded him to do.

29 Then Moses and Aaron gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. 30 Aaron repeated everything that Yehovah had said to Moses, and performed the miracles for all the people to see. 31 And the people were convinced when they heard that Yehovah was concerned about them and had seen their misery, and they bowed down and worshiped.

EXODUS 5

First Meeting With Pharaoh

2 Pharaoh said, “Who is Yehovah, that I should obey Him and let Israel go? I don’t know Yehovah, and I’m not about to let Israel go.”

3 Then they said, “The Elohim of the Hebrews has met with us. So let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and offer zebakim to Yehovah, our Elohim, otherwise He will discipline us with disease or 'warfare'.”

4 The king of Egypt asked them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you distracting the people from their work? Get back to your jobs!” 5 Pharaoh said, “There are many people in the land, and you would have them stop working!”

6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the people’s slave masters and supervisors: 7 “Don’t give the people straw to make bricks as you previously did. Make the people get it themselves! 8 But require them to make the same number of the bricks as they were before. Don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy, that’s why they cry, “Let us go and offer zebakim to our Elohim. 9 Make these people work harder and keep them busy; rather than focus on these empty lies.“

10 So the slave masters and supervisors went out and they told the people, “This is what Pharaoh says: I won’t give you any straw. 11 Go get straw where you can find it, because none of your work load will be reduced.” 12 So the people scattered all over the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, “Make sure you make the same daily quota as when straw was provided.” 14 Then they whipped the Israelite supervisors they had put in charge of the work and demanded, “Why haven’t you completed your quota of making bricks either yesterday or today, as before?”

15 Then the Israelite supervisors came and cried out to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way? 16 There is no straw provided to your servants, yet they tell us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look at how your servants are being beaten! But your own people are to blame!“

17 But Pharaoh shouted, “You’re just lazy! Very lazy! That’s why you’re saying, ‘Let us go and offer zebakim to Yehovah.’ 18 Go back to work, because you won’t be given any straw, but you must produce the same number of bricks!”

19 The Israelite supervisors realized how dire their situation was when they were told “You must not reduce your daily quotas of bricks!” 20 When they left Pharaoh, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them. 21 and they told them, “May Yehovah look at you, and judge you, because you’ve made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials, to put swords in their hands to kill us.”

22 Moses returned to Yehovah and asked, “Yehovah, why have You brought trouble on these people? Why did You ever send me? 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on these people, and You have done nothing at all to rescue Your people.”

EXODUS 6

You’ll Realize That I am Yehovah!

2 Elohim spoke to Moses, and told him, “I am Yehovah. 3 I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as the Conqueror [El-Shaddai], but I did not reveal My name Yehovah to them. 4 I also established My covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land they lived in as foreigners. 5 I’ve heard the groaning of the Israelites who are now slaves to the Egyptians, and I’ve remembered My covenant.

6 “So tell the Israelites:, ‘I am Yehovah, and I’ll bring you out from under the oppression of the Egyptians. I’ll free you from their slavery, and I’ll redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 Then I’ll claim you as My own people, and I’ll be your Elohim, and you’ll realize that I am Yehovah your Elohim, who brought out from under the forced labor of the Egyptians. 8 I’ll bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I’ll give it to you as a heritage. I am Yehovah.’”

9 Moses told this to the Israelites, but they refused to listen to Moses. They had become too discouraged by their cruel slavery.

10 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 11 “Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites leave his land.“

12 But Moses said to Yehovah, “Look, the Israelites haven’t listened to me. So why would the Pharaoh listen to me, as I am such a poor speaker?”

13 But Yehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them orders concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.

14 These are the 'leaders' of the 'ancestral' households. The descendants of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben.

15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar and Shaul son of a Canaanite woman, these were the clans of Simeon.

16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their genealogy: Gershon, Kohath and Merari; and Levi lived 137 years.

17 The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, 'each' founded their clans.

18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.

19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their genealogy.

20 Amram married Jochebed, the daughter of his paternal uncle, and she gave birth to Aaron and Moses for him. Amram lived 137 years.

21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg and Zichri.

22 The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan and Sithri.

23 Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, and she gave birth to Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

24 The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph, these are the clans of the Korahites.

25 Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she gave birth to Phinehas. These are the leaders of the 'ancestral' clans of the Levites by their clans.

26 It was the same Aaron and Moses to whom Yehovah said, “Lead the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.” 27 They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about leading the Israelites out of Egypt. It was that same Moses and Aaron.

28 On the day when Yehovah spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 Yehovah told Moses, “I am Yehovah. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything that I say to you.” 30 But Moses replied to Yehovah, “Since I am so unskilled in speech; why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

EXODUS 7

Moses and Aaron Confront Pharaoh

6 So Moses and Aaron did precisely what Yehovah commanded them to do. 7 When Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three, they confronted Pharaoh.

8 Yehovah told Moses and Aaron: 9 “When Pharaoh tells you to perform a miracle, then you’ll tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff, and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will become a dragon’ *.

10 Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and they did what Yehovah had commanded. Aaron threw down his staff in front of Pharaoh and his officials and it became a dragon. 11 But then Pharaoh called for his wise men and sorcerers, and the magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their occult practices. 12 Every one of them threw down their staff, and they became dragons, but Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s 'resolve' was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, just as Yehovah had foretold.

14 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Pharaoh’s 'resolve' is unyielding. He refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he is going out to the water. Confront him on the bank of the Nile, and take with you the staff that was turned into a dragon. 16 Then tell him, ‘Yehovah, the Elohim of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you, “Let My people go, so they can serve Me in the wilderness,”. Until now you have not listened. 17 This is what Yehovah says, “This is how you’ll realize that I am Yehovah. I’ll strike the water in the Nile with the staff in my hand, and it will turn into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile will die, and the Nile will begin to stink, and the Egyptians won’t be able to drink water from the Nile.’”

19 Yehovah told Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff, and reach out your hand over their rivers, over their streams, over their pools, and over all their reservoirs of water—and they will become blood. There will be blood thruout the land of Egypt, even in wooden and stone containers.’”

20 So Moses and Aaron did just as Yehovah commanded, and 'Aaron' lifted up his staff, and struck the water in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in front of his officials, and all the water in the river turned into blood. 21 The fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, and the Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the river. There was blood all over the land of Egypt.

22 The magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their occult practices. Pharaoh’s 'resolve' remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as Yehovah had said. 23 Pharaoh returned to his house. He didn’t even take this into consideration. 24 So all the Egyptians had to dig for drinking water along the banks of the Nile, because they couldn’t drink the water from the Nile itself. 25 Seven days went by after Yehovah had struck the Nile.

EXODUS 8

The Plague of Frogs

5 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Tell Aaron to reach out his hand with his staff over the rivers, over the streams and over the pools, and bring frogs up onto the land of Egypt.“ 6 So Aaron reached out his hand over all the water of Egypt, and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. 7 But the magicians did the same thing by their occult practices, and brought frogs up onto the land of Egypt.

8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with Yehovah to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I’ll let the people go, so that they can offer zebakim to Yehovah.”

9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “I’ll give you the honor of setting the time that I should plead for you, your officials, and your people to be rid of the frogs plaguing you and your houses, and they be left only in the Nile.”

10 Then he said, “Tomorrow.” So he said, “May it be as you say, so that you will know that there is no one like Yehovah our Elohim. 11 The frogs will leave you, your houses, your officials and your people. They’ll only remain in the Nile.” 12 Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, and Moses cried out to Yehovah about the frogs that He had inflicted on Pharaoh. 13 Yehovah did what Moses asked, and the frogs died inside the houses, the courtyards and the fields. 14 They gathered them together in piles, and the land reeked of them. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his 'resolve', and didn’t listen to them, just as Yehovah had predicted.

16 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Tell Aaron ‘Stretch out your staff, and strike the dust of the ground, so that it becomes swarms of gnats [?] thruout all the land of Egypt.’” 17 So they did. Aaron reached out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the ground, and there were swarms on the people and the animals, all the dust of the earth became swarms thruout all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried with their occult practices to produce swarms, but they couldn’t. There were swarms on the people and the animals. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of Elohim,” but Pharaoh’s 'resolve' was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as Yehovah had predicted.

20 Then Yehovah said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, and confront Pharaoh, and as he comes out to the water, say to him, ‘This is what Yehovah says: Let My people go, so that they can serve Me. 21 If you refuse to let My people go, I’ll send swarms of flies on you, your officials, your people and into your houses, and the houses of the Egyptians will be filled with swarms of flies, and also on the ground where they’re standing. 22 But this time I’ll set Goshen, the land where My people are living apart, so that no swarms of flies will be there. This way you will realize that I, Yehovah, am here in the land. 23 I’ll make a distinction between My people and yours. This miracle will happen tomorrow.”

24 Yehovah did so, and there was a heavy mixture of flies in Pharaoh’s house, in his officials’ houses, and thruout the land of Egypt the land was ruined because of the swarms of stinging flies.

25 Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, present an offering to your Elohim in this land!”

26 Moses said, “It wouldn’t be right to do that, because we’d be offering something highly detestable to the Egyptians to Yehovah our Elohim. Should we be offering something highly detestable to the Egyptians right before their eyes. They would stone us. 27 We must go three days’ journey into the wilderness to offer zebakim to Yehovah our Elohim as He commands us.”

28 Pharaoh said, “I’ll let you go, so that you can present an offering to Yehovah your Elohim in the wilderness, but you must not go very far away. Plead for me.”

29 Moses said, “I’ll leave you, and I’ll plead to Yehovah for the swarms of flies to leave you, your officers, and your people tomorrow. But Pharaoh, don’t lie to us again by refusing to allow the people to go and offer zebakim to Yehovah.”

30 So Moses left Pharaoh, and pleaded with Yehovah. 31 Yehovah did what Moses had asked, and He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, his officials and his people. Not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his 'resolve' again, and he didn’t let the people go.

EXODUS 9

The Plague on Livestock

6 Yehovah did it the next day, all the livestock in Egypt died [those in the fields, v.3], but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. 7 Pharaoh sent investigators] who saw that not one of the Israelites’ animals had died. But Pharaoh’s 'resolve' was hardened, and he didn’t let the people go!

8 Yehovah told Moses and Aaron, “Take 'some' handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and have Moses toss it into the air where Pharaoh can watch. 9 It will become fine dust over the entire land of Egypt, causing festering boils on man and beast thruout the land of Egypt.”

10 So they took ashes from a kiln and stood in front of Pharaoh, and Moses tossed it up into the air and it produced boils on man and beast. 11 The magicians couldn’t stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians. 12 Yehovah hardened Pharaoh’s 'resolve', and he didn’t listen to them, just as Yehovah had predicted to Moses.

13 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Get up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what Yehovah, the Elohim of the Hebrews, says: Let My people go, so that they can serve Me. 14 This time I’ll send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people. Then you’ll know that there is no one like Me on earth. 15 By now I could have reached out My hand struck you and your people with a plague, and you would have been eradicated from the earth. 16 But the reason I’ve 'spared' you is to show you My power, and make My name known thruout the earth. 17 You are still interfering with My people by not letting them go. 18 So tomorrow about this time I’ll 'send down' the worst hailstorm that has ever been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now! [Today we use exclamation points instead of “Beholds”.] 19 So send a warning that all of your livestock and everything you have in the fields needs to be brought into the houses. Every man and beast still outside in the fields and not brought in will die when the hail falls on them.’”

20 The officials of Pharaoh who believed the Word of Yehovah quickly had their livestock brought into the houses. 21 Anyone who didn’t believe the Word of Yehovah left their officials and livestock in the fields.

22 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Reach out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall all over the land of Egypt on man and beast, and on all the vegetation in the fields thruout the land of Egypt.” 23 Moses reached out his rod toward the heavens, and Yehovah sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashes struck the earth. Yehovah rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and lightning flashing continually with the extremely heavy hail, such as had never occurred anywhere in the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 The hail struck every part of the land of Egypt, everything in the fields, both man and beast, and the hail beat down all the vegetation in the fields and devastated every tree. 26 The only place it didn’t hail was the region of Goshen, where the Israelites lived

27 Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, and told them, “I’ve sinned this time. Yehovah is the Righteous One, and I and my people are the guilty ones. 28 Appeal to Yehovah. We’ve had enough of Elohim’s thunder and hail. I’ll let you go; you don’t need to stay any longer.”

29 Moses told him, “As soon as I leave the city, I’ll reach out my hands to Yehovah. The thunders will cease, and there won’t be any more hail. Then you’ll know that the earth is Yehovah’s. 30 But as for you and your officials, I know that you still don’t fear Yehovah Elohim.”

31 (The flax and the barley were destroyed, since the barley was aviv, and the flax was budding. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not destroyed, since they ripen later.)

33 Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands to Yehovah, and the thunder and hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured down on the earth. 34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder was over, he sinned again, he and his officials hardened their 'resolve'. 35 The heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he didn’t let the Israelites go, just as Yehovah had predicted thru Moses.

EXODUS 10

The Plague of Locusts

3 Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, and told him, “This is what Yehovah, the Elohim of the Hebrews, asks, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so they can serve Me. 4 But if you refuse to let My people go, then tomorrow I’ll bring locusts into your territory! 5 They’ll cover the surface of the land so that no one will be able to see the ground. They’ll also eat the rest of what was missed by the hail, including every tree growing in your fields. 6 They’ll fill your houses, all your officials’ houses, and the houses of all the Egyptians—something your parents and your ancestors have never seen from the day they settled in the land until now.’” Then he turned and left Pharaoh.

7 Pharaoh’s officials asked him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, so that they can serve Yehovah, their Elohim. Don’t you realize that Egypt is ruined?”

8 So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh, and he told them, “Go, serve Yehovah your Elohim, but exactly who will be going?”

9 Moses said, “We’ll go with our young and our old, with our sons and daughters, with our flocks and herds, because we must celebrate a Feast to Yehovah.”

10 He told them, “May Yehovah be with you, if I ever let you go with your children! 'I know' you have evil in heart. 11 No! Only the men can go and serve Yehovah, if that’s what you want!” Then they were driven out of Pharaoh’s presence.

12 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Reach out your hand over the land of Egypt to bring on the locusts, so that they can 'swarm' the land of Egypt, and eat all the vegetation in the land, including everything that the hail left.”

13 So Moses reached out his staff over the land of Egypt, and Yehovah directed an east wind over the land all day and night. By morning the east wind had brought in the locusts. 14 The locusts invaded the entire land of Egypt, and settled down thruout the entire territory. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, and there never will be again. 15 They covered the ground everywhere until it was black. They ate all the plants and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant in the countryside anywhere in Egypt.

16 Then Pharaoh quickly called for Moses and Aaron, and he said, “I’ve sinned against Yehovah your Elohim, and against you. 17 So please forgive my sin again, and intercede with Yehovah your Elohim to remove this death from me.”

18 So he left Pharaoh, and appealed to Yehovah. 19 Yehovah redirected the wind strongly west and blew the locusts into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remained within the territory of Egypt. 20 But Yehovah hardened Pharaoh’s 'resolve' so that he wouldn’t let the Israelites go.

21 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Lift your hand toward the sky, so that there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness that can be felt!” 22 So Moses lifted his hand toward the sky, and there was pitch darkness everywhere in the land of Egypt for three days. 23 They couldn’t see each other, and no one moved around for three days, but all the Israelites had light in their homes.

24 Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, “Go, serve Yehovah, but leave your flocks and your herds behind. Even your children can go with you.”

25 But Moses said, “You must also allow us to take our animals for zebakim [sacrifices] and burnt offerings, to 'present' to Yehovah our Elohim. 26 So our livestock must also go with us; not a hoof will be left behind because we must take some of them to serve Yehovah our Elohim, and we won’t know what we will need to serve Yehovah until we get there.”

27 But Yehovah hardened Pharaoh’s 'resolve', and he refused to let them go. 28 Pharaoh told him, ““Get away from me! Don’t ever let me see your face again, because on the day you see my face, you’ll die!”

29 Moses said, “As you say! I’ll never see your face again.”

EXODUS 11

Death of Egypt’s Firstborn

4 So Moses said, “This is what Yehovah says: ‘At midnight I’ll go out among the Egyptians, 5 and every firstborn son [Commentary] in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl behind the millstone, and all the firstborn of the livestock. 6 There will be terrible cries thruout the land of Egypt, worse than any time before or after this. 7 But not even a dog will bark at an Israelite or at their animals. Then you will know that Yehovah distinguishes between the Egypt and Israel. 8 All these officials of yours will come down to me and bow before me and say, ‘Get out, along with all your 'followers' [1], and after that I’ll leave.’ Then, burning with anger, Moses left Pharaoh.

9 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Because Pharaoh won’t listen to you, My 'miracles' will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these miracles in Pharaoh’s presence, but Yehovah hardened Pharaoh’s 'resolve', and he didn’t allow the Israelites to leave his land.

EXODUS 12

The Month of Passover: 1446 BC

12 “I’ll go thru the land of Egypt that night and strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, whether man or beast. I’ll [1] execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am Yehovah. 13 The blood will serve as a sign on the houses where you are. When I [not some “death angel”] see the blood, I’ll skip [compare to Tyndale] over you, so that no devastation will destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

14 “This day will serve as a memorial. You must celebrate [chagag] it as a Pilgrimage Feast [chag] to Yehovah, a perpetual regulation. 15 ‘You must eat unleavened bread for seven days. On the first day [Preparation day] you must remove the leaven from your houses, because anyone who eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day will be ‘banished’ from Israel. 16 On the first day you must have a special assembly, and on the seventh day another special assembly. No work will be done on those days, other than making your meals. That’s all you can do.

17 “You must celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because on this commemorative day I brought you out of the land of Egypt like an army. So you’ll celebrate this day thruout your generations as a perpetual regulation. 18 In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month, you must eat unleavened bread. 19 For seven days there is to be no leavening found in your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened will be cut off from the assembly of Israel, whether a foreigner, or a native of the land. 20 You are not to eat anything leavened; in all your dwellings you are to eat unleavened bread.”

21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and told them, “Go, select lambs from your flocks for your families, and kill the Passover. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood in a basin and brush the lintel and both sides of the door frame with the blood from the basin. None of you are to go thru the doorway of your house until morning, 23 because Yehovah [1] will go thruout Egypt to kill the Egyptians, and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on both sides of the door frame, Yehovah will pass over the doorway, and won’t allow the destruction to enter your houses and destroy you.

24 “You must observe this event as a perpetual regulation for you and to your descendants. 25 Once you’ve entered the land that Yehovah will give you, as He has promised, you’ll commemorate this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 Tell them, ‘It’s the Passover zebak [sacrifice] to Yehovah, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and spared our houses.’” Then the people knelt down and worshiped.

28 Then the Israelites went and did this; they did exactly what Yehovah had commanded Moses and Aaron. 29 At midnight, Yehovah 'killed' every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in a dungeon, and every firstborn of the livestock. 30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud crying thruout Egypt, because there wasn’t a house without someone dead.

31 During the night 'Pharaoh' called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Get up, get away from my people, both you and the Israelites, and go, serve Yehovah, as you requested. 32 Take your flocks and your herds, as you asked, and leave, and also bless me!” 33 The Egyptians urged the people to leave the land in a hurry, because they said, “We’re all going to die!”

34 So the people picked up their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls wrapped in clothing carried on their shoulders. 35 The Israelites had done [not “did”] as Moses had instructed. They had asked the Egyptians for their silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. 36 Yehovah had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they handed over whatever they asked for, and they stripped Egypt of its wealth.

37 “The Israelites traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, plus all the women and children. 38 Many other people went with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock. 39 They baked unleavened cakes with the dough they brought from Egypt. It wasn’t leavened, because they were quickly forced out of Egypt, and didn’t have time to prepare food for themselves.

40 Now the length of time that the Israelites lived in Egypt was 430 years. 41 Then at the end of the 430 years, that commemorative day [2], all of Yehovah’s people marched out of the land of Egypt like an army. 42 It is a night of vigil for Yehovah, for havingenabled them to leave the land of Egypt. This night is to be celebrated by all of Israel to honor Yehovah; a vigil for every Israelite thruout their generations.

43 Yehovah told Moses and Aaron, “These are the regulations for the Passover. No foreigner is allowed to eat it, 44 any man’s slave you have purchased with silver can eat it after you have circumcised him. 45 No temporary resident or hired worker can eat it.

46 It is to be eaten in a single house. Never take any of the meat outside the house or break any of the bones. 47 The entire assembly of Israel must celebrate it.

48 “If there are foreigners living among you who want to celebrate the Passover to Yehovah, then all the males must be circumcised, then they can participate, like any native-born Israelite. But no uncircumcised male can eat it. 49 The same instructions apply to the native-born and the foreigners who live among you.”

50 All the Israelites did just what Yehovah had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 On that commemorative day, Yehovah brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions. [3]

EXODUS 13

Dedication of the Firstborn

3 Moses told the people, “Remember this day-the day you marched out of Egypt, out of the place of slavery, because by a powerful hand Yehovah brought you out of there. (Remember, don’t eat any leavened bread.) 4 Today, in the month of the aviv, you’re leaving. 5 And when Yehovah brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, that He swore to your ancestors that He would give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you are to celebrate this rite in this month: 6 For seven days you must eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there will be a Feast to Yehovah. 7 Unleavened bread will be eaten thruout the seven days, and no leavened bread should be seen with you. No leavening should be seen anywhere in your territory. 8 You must tell your son on that day, “It’s because of what Yehovah did for me when I came out of Egypt.” 9 This annual commemoration will serve as a sign on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the Torah of Yehovah will remain on your ‘lips’, because Yehovah brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand. 10 So celebrate this regulation at the specified time from year to year.

11 “Then when Yehovah brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and to your ancestors, and gives it to you, 12 then you must dedicate the first offspring of every womb to Yehovah. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to Yehovah. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you must redeem with a lamb, and if you don’t redeem it, then you must break its neck. But you must redeem every firstborn among your sons.

14 Then in the future when your children ask you, ‘What does this mean?’ You’ll tell them, ‘With a powerful hand Yehovah brought us out of Egypt, out of a 'place' of slavery. 15 When Pharaoh was too stubborn to let us go, Yehovah killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, the firstborn of man and beast alike. So we offer zebakim [sacrifices] to Yehovah all the firstborn males, but all the firstborn of our sons we redeem.’ 16 So this commemoration will be like a sign on your hand, and like a symbol on your forehead, because by a powerful hand Yehovah brought us out of Egypt.”

17 Then once Pharaoh let the people go, Elohim didn’t lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, altho it was close, because Elohim said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they experience war.” 18 So Elohim led the people around by way of the wilderness by the Red Sea, and the Israelites went up in battle formation from the land of Egypt.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because 'Joseph' had made the Israelites solemnly swear, “Elohim will surely visit you, and you must take my bones away from here with you.”

20 They took their journey from Succoth, and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 Yehovah went before them during the day in a columnar cloud to lead them on their way, and at night in a column of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day and by night. 22 The columnar cloud was always with the people during the day, as was the column of fire at night.

EXODUS 14

Crossing the Red Sea

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them, and they said, “What were we thinking when we let our Israelite slaves get away?” 6 So he 'harnessed' his chariot, and took his army with him, 7 and he took six hundred elite chariots and all of Egypt’s other chariots, with officers over all of them. 8 Yehovah hardened the 'resolve' of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he chased after the Israelites as the Israelites were leaving triumphantly. 9 The Egyptians chased them with all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his cavalry and his army, and overtook them as they camped by the sea at Pihahiroth next to Baal Zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming after them. The Israelites panicked and cried out to Yehovah. 11 They asked Moses, “Is it because there weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you in Egypt, “Leave us alone so that we can serve the Egyptians?’ It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand there and watch Yehovah save you today, because the Egyptians you have seen today, you will never see again. 14 Yehovah will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

15 Yehovah said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to get moving. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and split it, and the Israelites can go thru the sea on dry ground. 17 I’ll harden the 'resolve' of the Egyptians, and they’ll go in after them, and I’ll gain honor at the expense of Pharaoh and all his armies, his chariots and over his cavalry. 18 The Egyptians will realize that I am Yehovah when I’ve gained honor over Pharaoh, his chariots and his cavalry.”

19 Elohim’s Messenger who had been traveling in front of the camp of Israel moved behind them, and the columnar cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. 20 The 'cloud' came between the Egyptian camp and the Israelite camp. 'The cloud' was dark on one side, but it lit up the night on the other. They didn’t approach each other all night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yehovah swept the sea back by the power of His spirit[1] all night, turning the seabed into dry ground, and the water was split. 22 The Israelites advanced into the sea on the dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

23 The Egyptians set out in pursuit, and all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his charioteers followed them into the sea. 24 Then during the morning watch, Yehovah looked down on the Egyptian army thru the column of fire and cloud, and threw the Egyptian camp into a panic. 25 He jammed their chariot wheels so that they could barely move, so the Egyptians shouted, “Let’s get away from Israel, because Yehovah is fighting for them against Egypt!”

26 Yehovah told Moses, “stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water overwhelms the Egyptians, their chariots and their charioteers.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal depth at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing 'right into it', Yehovah swept the Egyptians into the sea. 28 The water returned and covered the chariots the cavalry and Pharaoh’s entire army that had followed them into the sea. Not even one of them survived.

29 But the Israelites walked on dry ground thru the sea, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 So Yehovah saved Israel that day from the grasp of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the impressive handiwork of Yehovah toward the Egyptians, and the people feared Yehovah, and they believed in Yehovah and His servant Moses.

EXODUS 15

The Song of Moses

“I’ll sing to Yehovah, because He is highly exalted; He has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea. 2 Yah is my strength and song. He has become my deliverance. This is my Elohim, and I’ll praise Him, my father’s Elohim, and I’ll exalt Him. 3 Yehovah is a warrior! His name is Yehovah! 4 He has hurled Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea. The finest of Pharaoh’s officers have drowned in the Red Sea. His elite captains were sunk in the Red Sea.

5 “He has throw Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea. His elite officers sank in the Red Sea. 5 The deep water covered them. They sank to the depths like a stone. 6 Yehovah, Your right hand is majestic in power. Yehovah, Your right hand smashes the enemy. 7 In the greatness of Your excellency, You overthrow those who rise up against You. You sent out Your wrath. It consumes them like stubble. 8 With a blast of Your nostrils, the flowing water piled up. The floods stood up like a dam. The deep water congealed in the 'depths' of the sea. 9 The enemy said, ‘I’ll chase them and catch up with them. I’ll divide the spoils. I’ll take all I want at their expense. I’ll draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ 10 You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. [Fitted with armor] they sank like lead in the 'raging' water.

11 Who among the elohim is like You, Yehovah? Who is like You, splendidly special, awesome in praises and performing miracles? 12 You raised out Your right hand and the earth swallowed 'our enemies'. 13 In Your faithful love You led the people that You’ve redeemed. You’ve guided them in Your strength to Your special resting place. 14 The other nations have heard, they tremble. Anguish has gripped those who live in Philistia. 15 Then the leaders of Edom were terrified; the nobles of Moab tremble. All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away in despair. 16 Terror and fear falls on them. By the greatness of Your arm they are as still as a stone” until Your people pass by, Yehovah, until the people You bought pass by. 17 You’ll bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, Yehovah, You’ve made to live in, the 'cherished' place, Yehovah, that Your hands have created. 18 Yehovah will reign forever and ever.”

19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and cavalry rushed into the sea, Yehovah brought the water of the sea back on them, but the Israelites walked on dry land thru the sea.

20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in hand, and all the women followed her, 'playing' tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam answered,

“Sing to Yehovah, because He is highly exalted. He hurled horses and their riders into the sea.”

22 Moses led Israel away from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur. They traveled three days in the wilderness without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the water of Marah, because it was too bitter. That’s why it was named Marah. 24 The people 'complained' to Moses, “What are we going to drink?”

25 Then he cried out to Yehovah, and Yehovah showed him a tree, and he threw it into the water, and the water became 'drinkable'.

There He made a statute and ordinance for them and there He tested them. 26 He said, “If you’ll carefully obey the voice of Yehovah your Elohim, and do what is right in His view, and pay attention to His Commandments, and obey all His unchanging tenets, I’ll never bring on you any of the diseases I made the Egyptians suffer, because I, Yehovah, am your healer.”

27 Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the water.

EXODUS 16

Manna and Quail

4 Then Yehovah said to Moses, “I’ll rain bread from the sky for you, and the people will go out and gather a day’s worth every day, so that I can test them, to see if they’ll follow My torah [instructions] or not! 5 On the sixth day they’ll prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you’ll know that Yehovah has brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 Tomorrow morning you’ll see the splendor of Yehovah, because He hears your complaints against Yehovah. Who are we, that you complain against us?” 8 And Moses said, “Now Yehovah will give you meat to eat in the evening, and all the bread you want in the morning, because Yehovah hears you grumbling against Him. And who are we? Your complaints aren’t against us but against Yehovah.”

9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the entire assembly of Israel, ‘Approach Yehovah, because He has heard your complaining.’“ 10 As Aaron spoke to the entire assembly of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness, and saw the splendor of Yehovah appearing in a cloud!

11 Then Yehovah said to Moses, 12 “I’ve heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘in the afternoon you’ll eat meat, and in the morning you’ll be filled with bread. Then you’ll realize that I am Yehovah your Elohim.’“

13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a blanket of dew surrounding the camp. 14 Once the blanket of dew evaporated, they saw on the surface of the wilderness thin flakes like frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” They didn’t know what it was.

Moses told them, “It is the bread that Yehovah has given you to eat. 16 This is what Yehovah has commanded, ‘Everyone gather as much as you need to eat, an omer apiece, depending on the number of people in your tents.’”

17 The Israelites did as they were told. Some gathered more, some less. 18 When they measured it by the omer, the person who gathered more did not have too much, and those who gathered only a little didn’t run out. Everyone gathered exactly what they needed to eat.

19 Moses told them, “No one should leave any of it until morning.” 20 But they didn’t listen to Moses. Some of them left part of it until morning, but it became infested with worms and began to stink, and Moses was angry with them.

21 So they gathered as much as they needed every morning, and in the 'heat' of the day it melted away. 22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much 'food', two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the assembly reported it to Moses, 23 he told them, “This is what Yehovah commanded: Tomorrow is a Sabbath commemoration, a Sabbath special to Yehovah. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Keep the rest until morning.”

24 So they set it aside until morning, as Moses ordered, and it didn’t stink or become infested with worms. 25 Then Moses said, “Eat that today, because today is a Sabbath to Yehovah. You won’t find any on the ground today. 26 You can gather it for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There won’t be any then.”

27 Yet on the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather, and they found nothing. 28 Yehovah asked Moses, “How long will y’all [Hebrew: you plural] refuse to obey My Commandments and My torah? 29 Look, Yehovah has given you the Sabbath, that’s why He gives you enough bread for two days on the sixth day! Everyone is to remain where they are on the seventh day; no one is to leave their place.” 30 So the people kept Sabbath on the seventh day.

31 The House* of Israel called the food Manna. It was like coriander seeds, white, and it tasted like honey wafers. 32 Moses said, “This is what Yehovah has commanded, ‘Keep an omer-full of it thruout your generations, so that they can see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”

33 Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer-full of manna in it, and lay it aside before Yehovah to be kept for 'future' generations.“

34 As Yehovah had commanded Moses, so Aaron placed 'the manna' in front of the Testimony [1] for safekeeping. 35 The Israelites ate the manna for forty years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate manna until they reached the border of the land of Canaan. 36 (An omer is a tenth of an ephah.)

EXODUS 17

Water From the Rock

Moses told them, “Why are you arguing with me? Why are you testing Yehovah?”

3 The people were thirsty for water there, and the people complained against Moses. They said, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to kill us, our children and our livestock with thirst?”

4 Moses cried to Yehovah, “What should I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

5 Yehovah told Moses, “Walk on in front of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you, and take the staff 'with you' that you struck the Nile with, and go. 6 I’ll be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will gush out of it for the people to drink!” Moses did so within sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested Yehovah, saying, “Is Yehovah among us, or not?”

8 The Amalekites came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Yehoshua, “Choose men for us to go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with Elohim’s staff in my hand.“

10 So Yehoshua did as Moses told him, and fought the Amalekites, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites would be winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites would be winning. 12 But Moses’ hands grew tired, so they found a stone for him to sit on. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on the one side, and the other on the other. So his hands were steady until sunset. 13 So Yehoshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of swords.

14 Yehovah told Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and read it to Yehoshua, that I’ll completely blot out any memory of the Amalekites from under the sky.” 15 Moses built an altar and named it Yehovah Is My Banner. 16 He said, “Because Yah has sworn, Yehovah will fight against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

EXODUS 18

Jethro Visits Moses

2 After Moses had sent his wife Zipporah away, his father-in-law Jethro took her 3 and her two sons in. One son was named Gershom, because Moses said, “I’ve lived as a temporary resident in a foreign land.” 4 The other son was named Eliezer, because he said, “My ancestor’s Elohim helped me, and rescued me from Pharaoh’s sword.” 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was camped, at the Mountain of Elohim. 6 'Jethro' had sent a message to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed and kissed him. They asked each other about their welfare, and they went into a tent. 8 Then Moses told his father-in-law everything that Yehovah had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships they had along the way, and how Yehovah had rescued them.

9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things that Yehovah had done for Israel, in rescuing them from the grasp of the Egyptians. 10 Jethro said, “Blessed be Yehovah, who has delivered you from the grasp of the Egyptians, from the grasp of Pharaoh and from the grasp of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that Yehovah is greater than all the gods; it became evident when they treated 'Israel' so contemptuously.” 12 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and zebakim [sacrifices] for Elohim. Aaron came with all of the elders of Israel to eat 'a meal' with Moses’ father-in-law before Elohim.

13 The next day Moses sat down to judge the people’s disputes, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw how he dealt with the people, he asked, “What is this thing you’re doing for the people? Why are you sitting here alone as judge while all the people stand around you from morning till evening?”

15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “The people come to me to inquire of Elohim. 16 When they have a dispute, they come to me, and I judge between someone and their neighbor, and I teach them Elohim’s unchanging tenets, and His torah.

17 Moses’ father-in-law told him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You’ll wear yourself out, both you, and these people who are with you, because this is too heavy a burdenfor you. You can’t do it alone. 19 Listen to me, and I’ll give you some advice, and may Elohim be with you. You be the people’s representative before Elohim, and you bring the issues to Elohim, 20 then admonish them about the unchanging tenets and the torah, and explain to them the way that they must ‘live’, and the things they are supposed to do. 21 You should select capable people from the entire population, men who fear [Hebrew: gut feeling] Elohim, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain. Place them over the people as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 They should judge the people all the time. But the more major issues they should bring to you, but every lesser issue they must judge themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they’ll share the load with you. 23 If you do this, and Elohim commands you so, then you’ll be able to endure, and all of these people will go 'home' in peace.“

24 So Moses listened to what his father-in-law said, and did everything he said. 25 Moses chose capable men from all over Israel and made them leaders over the people, leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They judged the people at all times. They brought the difficult issues to Moses, but every lesser issue they judged themselves.

27 Soon after Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, and 'Jethro' returned to his own land.

EXODUS 19

Israel at Mount Sinai

3 Moses went up to Elohim, and Yehovah called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the descendants of Jacob. Tell the Israelites, 4 ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Me. 5 So if you’ll diligently obey My voice, and obey My Covenant, then you’ll be My treasured possession out of all the nations, tho the entire earth is Mine, 6 and you’ll be My Kingdom of priests, and a 'chosen' nation.’ This is what you’ll say to the Israelites.”

7 So Moses went back and called for the elders of the people, and presented to them everything that Yehovah had commanded him to say. 8 All the people answered together, “We will do everything that Yehovah has said.” So Moses brought the people’s answer back to Yehovah.

9 “Yehovah told Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, so the people can hear when I speak with you and believe you forever!” Then Moses told the words of the people to Yehovah.

10 Yehovah said to Moses, “Go to the people, and dedicate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing, 11 and be ready for the third day, because on the third day Yehovah will come down on Mount Sinai in view of all the people. 12 Put boundaries for the people all around and say: “Be careful not to go up onto the mountain or touch the border of it. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death. 13 No one should lay a hand on them [intervene]. They must be stoned or shot thru with arrows, whether man or animal they must not live.’ When the Jubilee shofar sounds a long blast, they must come up to the mountain.”

14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and prepared the people, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”

16 “On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning with a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud shofar sounded. Everyone in the camp was trembling with fear. 17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet Elohim, and they stood at the base of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was entirely covered in smoke, because Yehovah descended on it in fire and its smoke ascended like the smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the shofar escalated more intensely, Moses spoke, and Elohim replied to him. 20 Yehovah came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Then Yehovah summoned Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.

21 Then Yehovah told Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break thru to see Yehovah to gaze, or many of them will die. 22 The priests who approach Yehovah should also dedicate themselves, or Yehovah will break out in judgment against them.”

23 Moses said to Yehovah, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, because You warned us, ‘Set barriers around the mountain, and consider it special.’”

24 Then Yehovah told him, “Go down and bring Aaron back with you. But don’t allow the priests and the people to break thru to come up to Yehovah, or He will break out in judgment against them.”

25 So Moses went down to the people and reminded them.

EXODUS 20

The Ten Commandments

2 “I am Yehovah your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

3 “You must never have any gods ‘other than’ [Keil] Me!

4 “You must never make yourselves an idol or an image of anything in the heavens above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.[1] 5 You must never bow down to them or serve them, because I, Yehovah your Elohim, am a jealous Elohim, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, 6 but showing faithful love to thousands of generations of those who love Me and obey My Commandments [2]

7 “You must never misuse the name of Yehovah your Elohim, because Yehovah won’t let anyone go unpunished who misuses His name.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it special! 9 You have six days to labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yehovah your Elohim. You must never do any work then, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, your livestock or the foreigners living in your 'towns', 11 because in six days Yehovah made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them, and 'ceased' [working] on the seventh day, so Yehovah blessed the Sabbath day and made it special.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be prolonged in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you.

13 “You must never murder!

14 “You must never commit adultery!

15 “You must never steal!

16 “You must never make a false accusation against [to hurt] your neighbor.

17 “You must never desire to take your neighbor’s house! You must never desire to take your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his bull, his donkey or anything that belongs to him.”

18 Everyone heard thunder and saw the lightning, and heard the sounding of a shofar, and saw the mountain smoking. When they saw all this, they trembled, and stood off in the distance. 19 They told Moses, “Speak to us yourself, and we’ll listen, but don’t have Elohim speak with us or we’ll die.”

20 Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid, because Elohim has come to test you, so that the fear of Him will 'remain' with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people stood at a distance while Moses approached the thick darkness where Elohim was.

22 Yehovah told Moses, “This is what you are to tell the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from the sky. 23 Don’t ever make any gods to rival Me. Don’t make gods of silver or gods of gold for yourselves.

24 “You must build an earthen altar for Me, and offer on it your zebakim [sacrifices] and your fellowship zebakim, your sheep and your cattle. I’ll come to you and bless you anywhere I cause My name to be remembered. 25 If you build an altar for Me, you must not build it with cut stones. If you use any tools on it, you will make it profane. 26 You are not to ascend to My altar on steps, or you could expose yourselves as you go up the steps.”

EXODUS 21

Fair Treatment of Indentured Servants

2 “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he will serve you for six years. In the seventh year he is to leave as a free man and owe you nothing. 3 If he comes in ‘single’, he must leave single. If he’s married, then his wife will leave with him.

4 “If his master gives him a wife and she gives birth to sons or daughter, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and only the man will go free. 5 But if the servant plainly says, “I love my master, my wife, and my children, and I don’t want to leave as a free man,’ 6 then his master must bring him to Elohim, and take him to a door or a doorframe, and his master will pierce his ear thru with an awl, and he’ll serve him for life.

7 “If a man sells his daughter as a female servant, she is not to leave as the male servants do. 8 If she doesn’t please her master who has selected her for himself, then he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners since he has treated her unfairly. 9 If he chooses her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. 10 If he marries another woman, he must not reduce her food, her clothing or her marital rights. 11 If he doesn’t provide these three things for her, she can leave without paying any silver.

12 “Anyone who strikes someone and kills them must certainly be put to death. 13 But if a person kills someone unintentionally, and Elohim allows it to happen, then I’ll designate a place of refuge where you can flee to. 14 But if someone deliberately plans and carries out the murder of his neighbor, you must take them even from My altar and put them to death.

15 “Anyone who attacks their father or mother must certainly be put to death.

16 “Anyone who kidnaps someone, whether they have been sold or are still being held captive, must certainly be put to death.

17 “Anyone who curses their father or mother must certainly be put to death.

18 “If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and the victim doesn’t die, but is bedridden, 19 if he is later able to walk outside with a crutch, then he who struck him must not be punished, except to pay for the loss of time and to pay for his full recovery.

20 “If a man strikes his male or his female servant with a club and the servant dies 'as a result', he must be punished. 21 But if the servant survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, because the servant is his property.

22 “When people who are fighting injure a pregnant woman so that she has a miscarriage but no other injury follows, then the 'offender' must pay whatever fine the woman’s husband demands and the judges allow. 23 But if there is serious injury, the penalty is a life for a life, 24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound and a bruise for a bruise.

26 “If someone strikes their male or female servant in the eye, and the eye is blinded, they must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the tooth.

28 “If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must certainly be stoned, and its flesh must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull shouldn’t be punished. 29 But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and its owner had been warned, but failed to keep it under control, and the bull ends up killing a man or a woman, then the bull should be stoned to death, and its owner must also be put to death. 30 However, if payment is accepted, the owner may redeem his life. The owner of the bull must pay whatever is demanded. 31 Even if it gores a son or gores a daughter, the same regulation applies. 32 If the bull gores a male or a female servant, thirty shekels of silver will be paid to their master, and the bull must be stoned.

33 “If someone digs a pit and fails to cover it, and a bull or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit must pay the owner of the animal for the loss. He must pay silver to its owner, and the dead animal will become his.

35 “If one man’s bull injures another’s and it dies, then they must sell the live bull, and divide the silver, and they’ll also divide the dead animal. 36 But if it’s known that the bull was in the habit of goring in the past, and its owner has not confined it, he must make restitution of a bull for a bull, and he can keep the dead animal.

EXODUS 22

Property Rights

2 “If a thief is caught breaking and entering [during the night], and he is beaten to death, the defender is not guilty of murder. 3 But if it happens after sunrise, 'the defender' is guilty of murder.

“'A thief' must make restitution. If they have nothing, then they must be sold to pay for their theft. 4 If someone is caught with the stolen property red handed, whether it’s a bull, a donkey or a sheep, they must repay double.

5 “If someone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, they must make restitution from the best of their own field, and from the best of their own vineyard.

6 “When someone starts a fire and it spreads in thornbushes and the fire gets out control, the person who started the fire must make restitution.

7 “If someone entrusts money or other items to another person for safe keeping, and it’s stolen out of the person’s house, if the thief is found, they must pay back double. 8 If the thief isn’t caught, then the homeowner must appear before Elohim, to determine whether or not the owner stole the neighbor’s property. 9 When any dispute of ownership over a bull, donkey, sheep, article of clothing or any lost property, and someone claims, ’That’s mine,’ the case between the two parties is to come before the judges [elohim]. The person who the judges pronounce guilty must pay double to their neighbor.

10 “If someone leaves a donkey, bull, sheep, or any other animal with a neighbor for safekeeping, and it dies or is injured or driven away and there are no witnesses, 11 That neighbor must swear before Yehovah that they didn’t 'touch' the neighbor’s goods, and its owner must accept it, and no restitution will be required. 12 But if it’s actually stolen from him, restitutiton must be made to the owner. 13 If wild animals killed it, the neighbor must bring the body as evidence. He doesn’t have to make restitution for the 'animal' that was killed.

14 “And if someone borrows an animal from a neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, the 'borrower' must make full restitution. 15 If its owner is with it, the borrower does not have to make restitution. If it was rented, the rent covers the loss.

16 “If a man seduces a virgin who isn’t engaged, and has 'sexual relations' with her, he must pay a bride price for her to be his wife. 17 If her father completely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay in silver the equivalent of the dowry of virgins.

18 “Don’t allow a sorceress to live.

19 “Anyone who has 'sexual relations' with an animal must be put to death

20“Anyone who offers zebakim [sacrifices] to any elohim, other than Yehovah must be destroyed.

21 “You must never mistreat or oppress a foreigner. 'Remember', you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

22 “Never exploit a widow or an orphan. 23 If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to Me, you can be sure that I’ll hear their cry. 24 My anger will burn, and I’ll kill you with a sword, and your wives will become widows, and your children fatherless.

25 “If you lend silver to any of My people among you who is poor, don’t be a creditor to them and charge interest. 26 If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you must return it to them before sunset, 27 because that is their only body covering. What else would they sleep in? When they cry out to Me, I’ll listen, because I’m compassionate.

28 “You must never blaspheme Elohim, or curse a ruler of your people.

29 “You must never withhold an offering from your vineyards and winepresses

“You must give Me your firstborn sons. 30 Do the same with your bulls and with your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to Me on the eighth day.

31 “You are to be special people to Me. So you must never eat any flesh that was killed by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs.

EXODUS 23

Land Sabbaths

2 “You must never follow the crowd in wrongdoing, or testify in court to side with the majority to pervert justice. 3 Never show favoritism to a poor person in their lawsuit.

4 “If you come across your enemy’s bull or his donkey going astray, you absolutely must bring it back to him again. 5 If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, don’t leave it there; be sure to help with it.

6 “Never deny justice to poor people in their lawsuits. 7 Avoid a false charge, and don’t condemn innocent and righteous people to death, because I won’t justify the wicked.

8 “Never accept a bribe, because a bribe blinds those who have sight and distorts the words of the righteous.

9 “Never oppress foreigners, because you know what it’s like to be foreigners, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

10 “You can sow your fields for six years and harvest the crops, 11 but during the seventh year you are to let it rest and lie fallow, so the poor of your people can eat whatever grows there, and what they leave the wild animals can eat. You must do the same with your vineyards and olive groves.

12 “Six days you can do your work, and on the seventh day you must stop [working], so that your bulls and your donkeys can rest. The slaves born in your household and foreigners can also rest.

13 “Be careful to do everything that I’ve told you, and never memorialize the names of other gods [demons] or let them be heard from your ‘lips’.

14 “Three times a year you must celebrate a Feast to honor Me. 15 You must celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, during the specified time in the New Moon of Aviv [green ears of barley], because that’s when you came out from Egypt. No one should appear before Me empty handed.

16 “Also celebrate the Harvest Feast of Firstfruits [Pentecost] of your labor from what you sow in the fields.

“Also celebrate the Harvest Feast at the end of the agrarian [Barnes] year, once you’ve harvested your crops from the fields.

17 “Three times each year all the men must appear before the Sovereign Yehovah [“Yeshua”].

18 “You must never offer the blood of My zebak with leavened bread, and the fat from My Feast should never remain all night until morning.

19 “Bring the first of the firstfruits of your land into the 'Temple' of Yehovah your Elohim.

“You must never boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

20 “I’m going to send a Messenger ahead of you to protect you along the way, and to bring you to the place that I’ve prepared! 21 Pay close attention to Him and do what He says. Don’t defy Him, because He won’t pardon your disobedience since My name resides in Him. 22 But if you pay close attention to Him and do everything I say, then I’ll be an enemy of your enemies, and an adversary of your adversaries. 23 My Messenger will go ahead of you, and bring you into the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I’ll wipe them out. 24 You must never bow down to their gods, or serve them, or imitate their behavior. Instead, you must completely defeat them and smash their sacred pillars. 25 You must serve Yehovah your Elohim, and He’ll bless your food and your water, and I’ll remove sickness from among you. 26 No one will miscarry or be barren in your land; I’ll ensure that you live your full number of days.

27 “I’ll send My terror ahead of you, and throw into confusion every nation you confront. I’ll make all your enemies turn their backs to you and flee. 28 I’ll send hornets ahead of you that will drive the Hivites, the Canaanites and the Hittites 'away from' you. 29 I won’t drive them out ahead of you in a single year, otherwise the land would become desolate, and the wild animals would 'overwhelm' you. 30 Little by little I’ll drive them out ahead of you until you’re numerous enough to take possession of the land.

31 “I’ll establish your borders from the Red Sea all the way to the ‘Mediterranean’ sea, and from the ‘Sinai Desert’ to the Euphrates River, because I’ll hand the inhabitants of the land over to you, and you’ll drive them out of your 'way'. 32 You must never make any treaties with them or their gods. 33 They must not live in your land, or they’ll cause you to sin against Me. If you serve their gods you’ll be trapped in a snare.”

EXODUS 24

Israel Accepts Yehovah’s Covenant

3 Moses went and told the people everything what Yehovah had said, and all the regulations, and all the people answered in 'unison', “We will do everything Yehovah has said.”

4 Moses wrote down all of Yehovah’s words. He got up early in the morning and built an altar at the ‘foot’ of the mountain with twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 He sent young Israelite men who offered zebakim [sacrifices] and made fellowship zebakim of bulls to Yehovah. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and he sprinkled the other half of the blood on the altar.

7 He took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people, and they said, “We will do everything Yehovah has said, and we will be obedient.”

8 Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that Yehovah has made with you based on everything you just heard!”

9 “Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and THEY SAW the Elohim of Israel. Under His feet was something like a 'floor' made of lapis lazuli [“sapphire”], as clear as the sky itself. 11 He didn’t raise His hand against the leaders of the Israelites. They saw Elohim, and they actually ate and drank!

12 Yehovah told Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain, and stay here, and I’ll give you the stone tablets with the Torah and the commandments that I’ve written for their instruction.” 13 Moses set out with his assistant Yehoshua, and Moses climbed up Elohim’s Mountain. 14 He told the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are with you! Whoever is involved in a legal dispute should 'consult' them.”

15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The splendor of Yehovah settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day He called to Moses from inside the cloud. 17 To the Israelites, the appearance of the splendor of Yehovah looked like a blazing fire on the summit of the mountain. 18 Moses entered the cloud, and climbed the mountain, and Moses stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

EXODUS 25

Offerings to Build the Tabernacle

8 “Have them build Me a 'cherished' place so I can live among them. 9 Make everything according to the pattern that I show you, both the Tabernacle and all of its equipment.

10 “They must construct an Ark of acacia wood two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits in height. 11 Overlay it with pure gold inside and out, and put gold molding all around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it, and put them on its four feet, two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other. 13 Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the Ark and use them to carry the Ark. 15 The poles must stay in the rings of the ark; never remove them. 16 Put the Tablets of the Testimony [1] that I will give you into the Ark.

17 “Make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 Make two cherubim of hammered gold, one for each end of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. Make the cherubim on its two ends from a single piece, and make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 The cherubim will spread out their wings upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another. The faces of the cherubim will be turned toward the mercy seat. 21 Put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and put the Testimony that I give you inside the ark. 22 There I’ll meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the Ark of the Testimony, I’ll explain every commandment to you regarding the Israelites.

23 “You are to make a table from acacia wood. It will be two cubits long and one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits in height. 24 Overlay it with pure gold, and put a gold molding around it. 25 Make a rim a handbreadth wide around it and make a gold molding for the rim around it. 26 Make four gold rings for 'the table' and put the rings in the four corners that are on its four legs. 27 The rings are to be close to the rim, as supports for the poles to carry the table. 28 Make the poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, so the table can be carried with them. 29 Make its dishes, pans, jars and its bowls for pouring out drink offerings with pure gold. 30 Continuously set the Bread of the Presence [showbread] on the table before Me.

31 “Make a menorah of pure gold. Its base, its branches, its cups, its buds and its petals must be hammered from one piece. 32 Six branches are to extend from the sides; three branches of the menorah from one side and three branches of the menorah from the other side. 33 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and petals are to be on the first branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and petals on the next, and so on for all six branches extending from the menorah, 34 and in the menorah four cups shaped like almond blossoms, with buds and petals. 35 Put a bud under the first pair of branches extending from it, and a bud under the next pair of branches coming from it, and so on for all six branches extending from the menorah. 36 The buds and branches must be hammered from the same piece of pure gold. 37 Then make seven lamps, and elevate the lamps so they illuminate the space in front of it. 38 Its wick trimmers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 39 ‘The menorah’ and all these accessories will be made from a talent [about 75 lb. or 34 kg] of pure gold.

40 Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.

EXODUS 26

The Tabernacle Drapery

7 “You are to make curtains of goat’s hair for a canopy over the Tabernacle. Make eleven curtains in all. 8 Each curtain is to be thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. The eleven curtains will all have the same measurements. 9 Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Then fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tabernacle. 10 Make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outermost in the set, and fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain in the second set. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps, and put them in the loops of the curtains with the clasps so that it is one continuous unit. 12 The overlapping cubits from the curtains should hang over the sides of the tabernacle, one on either sides of the tabernacle to cover it. 13 The cubit on one side, and the cubit on the other of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tabernacle is to hang over the sides of the tabernacle on either side to cover it. 14 You are to make a covering for the tabernacle of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of fine leather [?] above.

15 “Then you are to make the vertical planks for the Tabernacle of acacia wood. 16 The length of each plank is to be ten cubits, and the width of each plank is to be one and a half cubits, 17 with two dovetails in each plank fitting them together. Cut all the planks of the Tabernacle the same way. 18 Cut twenty planks for the south side of the Tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases to go under the twenty planks—two bases for each plank, one under 'each' dovetail. 20 and for the second side of the Tabernacle, the north side, cut twenty planks, 21 and along with their forty bases of silver, two bases 'under each plank'. 22 For the back side of the Tabernacle, to the west, cut six planks. 23 Cut two planks for the corners of the Tabernacle at the far end. 24 They are to be joined together beneath, and joined together at the top by a single ring. So it should be for both of them; they will form the two [rear] corners. 25 There are to be eight planks with their sixteen silver bases—two bases under 'each plank'.

26 “Then you are to cut five crossbars of acacia wood for the planks on one side of the Tabernacle, 27 and five crossbars for the planks on the other side of the Tabernacle, and five crossbars for the planks on the far side of the Tabernacle to the west. 28 The center crossbar is to run from one end to the other down the middle of the planks. 29 Then overlay the planks with gold, and make gold rings to brace the crossbars, and overlay the crossbars with gold.

30 “Set up the Tabernacle according to the plan that you were shown on the mountain.

31 “Make a canopy of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen with cherubim woven into it by a skilled craftsman. 32 Use gold hooks to hang it on four acacia wood posts and overlay it with pure gold, standing on four silver bases. 33 Hang the canopy under the clasps, and bring the Ark of the Testimony in there within the canopy, and the canopy will separate the 'cherished' place from the Most 'cherished' place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the Ark of the Testimony in the Most 'cherished' place. 35 Then set the table outside the canopy, and the menorah on the south side of the Tabernacle, opposite the table; put the table on the north side.

36 “For the doorway to the Tabernacle make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and spun linen—the work of an embroiderer. 37 Make five posts of acacia wood for the screen and overlay them with gold, also make their hooks of gold, and cast five bronze bases for them.

EXODUS 27

The Bronze Altar

9 “Make a courtyard for the Tabernacle. The south side of the courtyard is to have curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long for one side; 10 with twenty posts set in twenty bronze bases. The hooks and bands on the posts must be made of silver. 11 Likewise for the north side in length there will be curtains one hundred cubits long, with twenty posts set in twenty bronze bases. The hooks and bands on the posts must be made of silver. 12 “The west end of the courtyard will be fifty cubits wide and have curtains hung from ten posts 'set in' ten bases. 13 The width of the court on the east side eastward will be fifty cubits. 14 The curtains for one side will be fifteen cubits with three posts 'set in' three bases. 15 And make the curtains on the other side fifteen cubits long hung from three posts 'set in' three bases.

16 “For the gate of the courtyard there will be a screen twenty cubits long, made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen, the work of an embroiderer—with four posts and four bases. 17 All the pillars around the court should be banded together with silver, their hooks made of silver, and their bases made of bronze. 18 The length of the court is to be one hundred cubits, and the width fifty cubits thruout, and the height five cubits, made of finely spun linen and bases of bronze. 19 All of the equipment used in the service of the Tabernacle, including all the tent pegs for the courtyard, must be made of bronze.

20 “Command the Israelites to provide you with virgin oil from crushed olives for the light, in order to keep the lamp burning continually. 21 In the Tabernacle of Meeting, outside the veil in front of the Ark of the Testimony, Aaron and his descendants are to tend the lamps from evening until morning before Yehovah. This is to be a perpetual statute for the Israelites thruout their generations.

EXODUS 28

The Priestly Array

6 “They are to make the ephod out of gold, blue, purple and scarlet fabric and finely spun linen by a skilled craftsman. 7 It must have two shoulder straps attached at the top corners so that it can be joined together. 8 The exquisitely woven sash on the ephod must be made of the same material: of gold, blue, purple and scarlet fabric and finely spun linen.

9 “Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of Israel’s sons, 10 in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the other six on the second. 11 Engrave the names of Israel’s sons on the two stones the way a gem cutter would engrave a signet ring. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings 12 and fasten the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod as memorial stones for Israel. Aaron will carry their names before Yehovah on his shoulders as a memorial. 13 Make gold filigree settings. 14 and you are to make two pure gold chains like braided ropes, and attach the braided chains to the filigree settings.

15 “Make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilled craftsman, with the same workmanship as the ephod. Make it of gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen. 16 It must be square and folded double, a span long and a span wide. 17 You are to mount four rows of precious stones on it. The first row will be ruby, topaz and emerald. 18 and in the second row a turquoise, lapis lazuli [“sapphire”] and a diamond [?]; 19 and in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; 20 and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx and a jasper mounted in gold filigree. 21 The stones will correspond to the names of Israel’s sons, each must be engraved like a signet ring with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

22 “Make on the breastplate braided cords of pure gold thread. 23 Make two gold rings for the breastplate, and attach the two rings to the two corners of the breastplate. 24 Then attach the two gold cords to the two rings on the corners of the breastplate. 25 You must put the other two ends of the two cords on the two filigree settings, attaching them to the shoulder 'straps' of the ephod in the front. 26 Make two gold rings, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27 Make two gold rings, and fasten them to the bottom of the shoulder straps on the front of the ephod, close to the seam, above the exquisitely woven waistband of the ephod. 28 Bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so it can be on the exquisitely woven waistband of the ephod, so that the breastplate won’t swing out from the ephod.

29 “Aaron will carry the names of the Israelites in the breastplate of judgment over his heart when he enters the 'cherished' place as a continuing reminder before Yehovah. 30 Place the Urim and Thummim into the breastplate of judgment, so it will remain on Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before Yehovah, and Aaron will carry the means of judgment of the Israelites over his heart before Yehovah continually.

31 “You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely blue. 32 Make an opening at the top in the center. It must have a woven collar around the opening, like the opening on a coat of armor, so that it doesn’t tear. 33 'Sew' pomegranates made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn all around the hem with gold bells between them, 34 so that gold bells and pomegranates 'alternate' around the hem of the robe. 35 It must be worn by Aaron whenever he serves as priest. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters and leaves the 'cherished' place before Yehovah, so that he doesn’t die.

36 “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave it as you would a signet ring: “SPECIAL TO Yehovah.’ 37 Fasten it on the front of the turban with a blue chord. 38 It must remain on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron will take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they dedicate their special offerings. It must always be on his forehead so that they will be acceptable to Yehovah.

39 “Weave the checkered tunic of fine linen and make a turban of fine linen. Have an embroiderer make the sash.

40 “You must make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons for splendor and refinement. 41 Put them on your brother Aaron, and on his sons; then anoint them, commission them and have them dedicated to serving Me as priests.

42 “Make them linen undergarments to cover their 'skin', reaching from the waist to the thigh. 43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tabernacle of Meeting, or when they approach the altar to serve as priests in the 'cherished' place, so they don’t incur guilt and die. It will be a permanent rule for him and for his future descendants.

EXODUS 29

Dedication of the Priests

10 “Then bring the bull to the front of the Tabernacle of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the bull’s head. 11 Then slaughter the bull in Yehovah’s presence at the entrance to the Tabernacle of Meeting. 12 Then take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 13 Take all the fat that covers the inner organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys and the fat on them, and burn it all on the altar. 14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its refuse outside the camp; it’s a sin offering.

15 “Next Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the head of a ram, 16 then slaughter the ram and take its blood and sprinkle it around on the altar. 17 Then cut the ram into pieces and wash its inner organs and its legs, and put them with its pieces and its head. 18 Burn the whole ram on the altar as a burnt offering to Yehovah, a pleasing aroma, an offering by fire to Yehovah.

19 “Then take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the ram’s head. 20 Slaughter the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the lobes of his sons’ right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet, and sprinkle the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar. 21 Then take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle them on Aaron and on his clothes and on his sons and on his sons’ clothes; so that he’ll be special, as well his clothing, and his sons, and his sons’ clothing.

22 “Also take some of the ram’s fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (because it’s a ram of 'dedication'), 23 and one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of unleavened bread that is set before Yehovah. 24 Place all of these in Aaron’s hands, and in the hands of his son’s hands and wave them as a wave offering before Yehovah. 25 Then you must take them from their hands, and offer them up in smoke on the altar as a sweet and soothing incense before Yehovah. It’s an offering by fire to Yehovah. 26 Then take the breast of Aaron’s ram of dedication, and wave it as a wave offering before Yehovah, and it will be your share.

27 “Dedicate the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering that was presented from the ram contribution, from the one that was for Aaron and from the one that was for his sons. 28 It will be for Aaron and his sons as their share forever from the Israelites, because it’s a wave offering. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to Yehovah from their fellowship zebakim.

29 “Aaron’s special clothing will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and dedicated. 30 The son who is priest in his place should wear them for seven days when he enters the Tabernacle of Meeting to minister in a special place.

31 “Then take the ram of dedication, and boil its flesh in a 'special' place. 32 Aaron and his sons will eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread in the basket, at the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 33 They are to eat the things that atonement was made for to announce and dedicate them. No one else should eat them because they are special. 34 If any of the dedicated flesh or bread remains in the morning you must burn it 'up'. It shouldn’t be eaten because it’s 'special'.

35 “This is what you are to do for Aaron and his sons, based on everything I’ve commanded you. Take seven days to 'commission' them. 36 Every day you must offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement, and purify the altar when you make atonement for it and anoint it to dedicate it. 37 For seven days you must make atonement for the altar and dedicate it. The altar will be very special, and whatever touches the altar will be special.

38 “Now this is what you are to offer on the altar: two year old lambs, each day continuously. 39 Offer one lamb in the morning and a second lamb between the two evenings. 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of pressed olive oil, and a quarter of a hin of wine for a drink offerings with the 'other' lamb. 41 Offer the other lamb between the evenings, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning, as a soothing aroma, an offering by fire presented to Yehovah.

42 “It is to be a continual burnt offering thruout your generations at the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting before Yehovah, where I’ll meet with you and speak to you. 43 I’ll meet with the 'people' of Israel there, and the place will be made special by My splendor. 44 I’ll dedicate the Tabernacle of Meeting and the altar. I’ll also dedicate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. 45 I’ll live among the 'people' of Israel and be their Elohim. 46 They’ll realize that I am Yehovah their Elohim who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I could live among them. I am Yehovah their Elohim.

EXODUS 30

The Incense Altar

7 “Aaron will burn fragrant incense on it every morning. When he tends the lamps every morning he’ll burn it. 8 When Aaron lights the lamps in the evening, he’ll burn incense. There must be perpetual incense before Yehovah thruout your generations. 9 You must never offer any other kind of incense on it; no burnt offering or grain offering, and you must never pour any drink offering on it. 10 Aaron must make atonement on its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements. Once every year he must make atonement on it thruout your generations. It’s very special to Yehovah.

11 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 12 “When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, then each man must pay a ransom for his life to Yehovah as he is counted, to prevent any plague among them when you count them. 13 Everyone who is 'registered' must give a half shekel like the 'official' shekel of the Temple, (a shekel is twenty gerahs,) half a shekel as an offering to Yehovah. 14 Everyone 'registered' from twenty years old and older must give this contribution to Yehovah. 15 The rich will give no more, and the poor will give no less than half a shekel, when you give your offering to Yehovah for making atonement for yourselves. 16 You must take the atonement silver from the Israelites, and use it for the service of the Tabernacle of Meeting, so that it will serve as a memorial for the Israelites before Yehovah, making atonement for yourselves.

17 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 18 “Make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Place it between the Tabernacle of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and their feet in it. 20 When they go into the Tabernacle of Meeting, they must wash with water so they don’t die, or when they approach the altar to minister, to smoke an offering by fire to Yehovah. 21 They must wash their hands and their feet so that they don’t die, and it will be a permanent ruling for Aaron and to his descendants thruout their generations.

22 Yehovah told Moses, 23 “Take the finest spices: five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, and half as much Ceylon cinnamon—two hundred and fifty shekels, and two hundred and fifty shekels of kaneh bosem, 24 and five hundred shekels of cassia, like the 'Temple' shekel, and a hin of olive oil. 25 Make it an 'exclusive' use anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be an 'exclusive' anointing oil. 26 Use it to anoint the Tabernacle of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony, 27 the table and all its utensils, the menorah and its utensils, the incense altar, 28 the altar of burnt offerings with all its utensils, and the washbasin with its stand. 29 Dedicate them, so that they’ll be very 'special use'. Whatever touches them 'should be burnt with flaming fire'. [[Gill’s Exposition]].

30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons, and dedicate them to Me, so that they can serve Me in the priest’s office. 31 Tell the Israelites, ‘THis 'special', anointing oil is 'reserved for' Me thruout your generations. 32 It must not be poured on anyone’s body, and you are not to make any like it using the same formula. It’s 'exclusive', and you must realize it’s 'reserved for' Me. 33 Whoever blends any like it or puts any of it on someone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’”

34 Yehovah told Moses, “Take fragrant spices, gum resin, onycha, galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense, all in equal proportions 35 and make incense from it, by a skilled perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and 'distinct'. 36 Grind some of it very finely, and put some of it in front of the Testimony in the Tabernacle of Meeting where I’ll meet with you. It will be very 'special purpose'. 37 Never make any incense for yourselves in the same proportions. It is to be regarded by you as 'dedicated' to Yehovah. 38 Anyone who makes something like it to use as perfume must be cut off from their people.”

EXODUS 31

The Skilled Craftsmen

12 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 13 “Tell the Israelites: ‘Most certainly you must celebrate My Sabbaths, because it’s a sign between Me and you thruout your generations, so that you’ll know that I am Yehovah who makes you special.

14 “You must celebrate the Sabbath, because it’s special for you. Everyone who violates 'the Sabbath' must surely be put to death; anyone who works on it will be cut off from the assembly. 15 Work can be done for six days, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, 'blessed' by Yehovah. Whoever works on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. 16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath day, 'celebrating' the Sabbath thruout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It’s a sign between Me and the Israelites forever, because Yehovah made heaven and earth in six days, and on the seventh day He stopped working and was refreshed.”

18 When He finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two Tablets of the Testimony, stone tablets inscribed by the finger of Elohim.

EXODUS 32

The gold Calf

2 Aaron told them, “Rip off the gold earrings from the ears of your wives, your sons and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people ripped off the gold earrings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him, and cast it in a 'mold' {?} and fashioned it into a molten calf, and 'the people' said, “This is your god, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”

5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it, and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow will be a feast to Yehovah.” 6 They got up early the next day, and offered zebakim [sacrifices], and brought fellowship zebakim, and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to 'engage in pagan revelry'.

7 Yehovah told Moses, “Go down, because your people who you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves! 8 They’ve already abandoned the path that I commanded them to take. They’ve made themselves a molten calf and have worshiped it, and have offered zebakim [sacrifices] to it and said, ‘This is your god, Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”

9 Yehovah told Moses, “I’ve been watching these people, and I know how 'headstrong' they are. 10 Now leave Me alone so that My wrath can blaze against them and so I can destroy them, and I’ll make you [your descendants into] a great nation.“

11 But Moses begged Yehovah his Elohim and said, “Yehovah, why does Your wrath blaze against Your people who you’ve brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, “He brought them out with evil intentions to kill them on the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth?’ Turn from Your blazing wrath, and rethink destroying Your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel, Your servants. You swore by Yourself, and told them, ‘I’ll multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky, and all this land that I’ve spoken of I’ll give to your descendants, and they’ll inherit it forever.’” 14 So Yehovah relented from the disaster that He said He would inflict on His people.

15 Moses turned, and went down the mountain with the two Tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on 'both sides, front and back'. 16 The tablets were the work of Elohim; Elohim personally engraved the words on the tablets.

17 When Yehoshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is the noise of war in the camp.”

18 But he said, “It isn’t the cry of victory. It isn’t the cry of defeat. I hear the sound of a celebration.“

19 As Moses approached the camp, he saw the calf and the people dancing, and his anger burned, and he hurled the tablets that he was carrying, shattering them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf that they had made and burned it in a fire; ground it to powder and scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.

21 Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you to cause you bring such a terrible sin upon them?”

22 Aaron said, “Master don’t allow your anger to burn. You know the people, how they are predisposed to evil. 23 They told me, “Make us a god [1] to lead us, because as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.” 24 So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry should take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”

25 Moses saw that the people were totally unrestrained, because Aaron had failed to restrain them, to the ridicule of their enemies). 26 So Moses stood in the entrance of the camp and shouted, “Whoever is on Yehovah’s side, come to me!” All the Levites gathered around him.

27 He told them, “This is what Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel says: ‘Every man fasten his sword to his side, and go back and forth from gate to gate thruout the camp, and every man kill your brothers, friends and neighbors.’” 28 So the Levites did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand people died that day. 29 Then Moses said, “Today you have been dedicated to Yehovah’s service, since each of you were willing to kill your own sons and brothers, and He has blessed you todey.”

30 The next day, Moses told the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I’m going back to Yehovah; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.“

31 So Moses returned to Yehovah and said, “Oh, what a serious sin these people have committed. They have made themselves a god of gold. 32 But now, please remove their sin, and if not, then erase 'my name' from the book You have written.”

33 Yehovah told Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me will be erased from My book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place that I told you about. My Messenger will lead you! But on the day when I visit for punishment, I’ll punish them for their sin.”

35 Then Yehovah struck the people with a plague, because of what they had done with the calf that Aaron had made.

EXODUS 33

Moses Sees Yehovah’s Back

4 When the people heard this distressing news, they mourned and no one put on their jewelry, 5 because Yehovah told Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a 'headstrong' people. If I were to come among you for a single moment, I might exterminate you. Now take off your jewelry and I’ll decide what to do with you.’” 6 The Israelites stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward.

7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far away from the camp, and he called it “The Tabernacle of Meeting”. Everyone who wanted to consult Yehovah went outside the camp to the Tabernacle of Meeting. 8 Then when Moses went out to the Tabernacle, all the people got up and stood by at the entrances of their tents and watched Moses until he had gone into the Tabernacle. 9 Then when Moses entered the Tabernacle, the columnar cloud descended and stationed at the door of the Tabernacle, and Yehovah would speak with Moses. 10 When all the people saw the columnar cloud stationed at the entrance of the Tabernacle, all the people would get up and worship, each at the entrance to their own tents. 11 Yehovah would speak to Moses face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his assistant, the young man Yehoshua, son of Nun, stayed inside the tent.

12 Moses said to Yehovah, “You’ve been telling me to lead these people, but you haven’t let me know who You’ll send with me. You also said, ‘I know you by name, and you’ve found favor in My sight. 13 So if I’ve been pleasing in Your sight, please teach me Your ways so I can know You better and continue to find favor in Your sight. Consider that this nation is Your people.”

14 And He replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I’ll give you rest.”

15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence doesn’t go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone ever know You’re pleased with Your people and me? Isn’t it Your Presence among that us sets Your people and me apart from all other people on the face of the 'earth'?”

17 Yehovah replied to Moses, “I’ll do what you’ve asked, because I’m pleased with you and I know you by name.”

18 Then Moses said, ‘Please let me see Your splendor.”

19 He replied, “I’ll cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and proclaim before you My name, Yehovah. I’ll show favor to anyone I want to, and I’ll be compassionate with anyone I want to. 20 But” He said, “You can’t see My face, because no one can see Me and live.”[1] 21 Then Yehovah said, “Look, there’s a place next to Me where you can stand on the rock. 22 Then, while My splendor passes by, I’ll put you in a crevice in the rock and cover you with My hand until I’ve passed by, 23 then I’ll take away My hand, and you’ll see My back, but you must not see My face.”

EXODUS 34

Moses Makes New Tablets

4 He cut two stone tablets like the first ones, and Moses got up early in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yehovah had commanded him, carrying the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then Yehovah [#2] descended in the cloud, and stood with him there [no cleft of the rock necessary here], and called out His name, Yehovah [#1]. 6 Yehovah [#2] passed by in front of him [again, no special precautions], and proclaimed, “Yehovah [#1]! Yehovah Elohim, [#2]!, compassionate and merciful, patient, and filled with faithful love. and faithfulness, 7 maintaining faithful love for thousands, forgiving wrongdoing, disobedience and sin. But He won’t let the guilty go unpunished, allowing the consequences of the fathers’ wrongdoing 'to pass to' the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.” [Enlarged Nun].

8 Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped. 9 He said, “If I’ve found favor in Your sight now, Yehovah [#1], please let Yehovah [#2] travel with us, even tho the people are 'stubborn' and rebellious, and pardon our wrongdoing and sin and accept us as Your own possession.”

The Covenant Re-established

10 Yehovah said, “I’m making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I’ll do 'miracles' such as have never been done anywhere on earth in any nation, and all the people around you will see the work of Yehovah, because it’s an awesome thing that I’ll do with you!

11 Be sure to comply with what I am commanding you today. I’ll drive the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and the Jebusites away from you! 12 Be careful never to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, or it will become a trap for you. 13 Instead, tear down their altars, smash their sacred trees and cut down their Asherah poles. 14 Never serve another elohim, because Yehovah, whose name is Jealous is a jealous Elohim. [Large Resh]

15 “Don’t make any treaties with the inhabitants of the land. They prostitute themselves to their gods and ze’bak [sacrifice] to their gods. Some will even invite you eat their zebakim. 16 Then you will end up choosing some of their daughters as wives for your sons. And their daughters who prostitute themselves to their gods will seduce your sons to prostitute themselves to their gods. 17 Never make any gods of cast metal for yourselves.

18 “You must celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread as I commanded you, at the specified time in the month of the Aviv, because in the month of the Aviv you came out of Egypt.

19 “The firstborn from every womb belongs to Me, including the firstborn males from your herds of cattle and your flocks of sheep and goats. 20 You can redeem the firstborn of your donkeys with a lamb; and if you don’t buy it back, then you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.

“No one is to appear before Me empty-handed.

21 “You have six days to work, but on the seventh day you must rest, even during harrowing [3] time and harvest you must rest.

22 “You must celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Harvest Feast annually at the end of the tekufat (the autumnal equinox) [a “season of the year”]: [4]. 23 Three times each year all your males must appear before the Sovereign Yehovah [“Yeshua”], the Elohim of Israel. 24 I’ll drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before Yehovah, your Elohim.

25 “You must not offer the blood of My zebak with leavened bread, and none of the ‘meat’ of the Feast of the Passover can be kept until morning.

26 “Bring the very first of the firstfruits of your ground to Yehovah your Elohim’s 'Temple'.

“You must never boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

27 Yehovah said to Moses, “Write down these instructions, because with these words I’ve made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 He was there with Yehovah forty days and forty nights; he ate no bread and drank no water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

29 Then Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. When he came down from the mountain, Moses was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with Him. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses’ face shining, they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called out to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the assembly returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. 32 After that all the Israelites approached him, and Moses gave them all the Commandments that Yehovah had given him on Mount Sinai.

33 When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before Yehovah to speak with Him, he removed the veil until he came out again. Whenever he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 and the Israelites would see that Moses’ face was shining, and Moses put the veil back on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

32 So all the work of the Tabernacle of Meeting was finished. The Israelites did everything just as Yehovah had commanded Moses. 33 Then they brought the Tabernacle to Moses: the Tabernacle, with all its furnishings, its clasps, boards, its bars, its pillars and its bases, 34 the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the cover made of tachash, and the covering curtain; 35 the Ark of the Testimony with its poles, the mercy seat, 36 the table with all its utensils and the Bread of the Presence [showbread]; 37 the pure gold menorah with its row of lamps and all its utensils, and the olive oil for the light; 38 the gold altar, and the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, the screen for the doorway of the Tabernacle, 39 the bronze altar and its bronze grating, its poles and all of its utensils, the basin and its stand; 40 the curtains for the courtyard, its pillars, its bases, the curtain for the courtyard gate, the ropes and tent pegs, and all the equipment for the service of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the Assembly; 41 the woven clothing for ministering in the 'cherished' place, the special clothing for Aaron the priest, and the clothing of his sons to serve as priests.

42 So the Israelites did all the work the way Yehovah had commanded Moses. 43 Moses inspected all the work they had done, and saw that they had done exactly as Yehovah had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

EXODUS 40

Setting Up the Tabernacle

6 “Set the altar of burnt offering in front of the door of the Tabernacle of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 7 Then set the basin between the Tabernacle of Meeting and the altar and put water in it. 8 Set up the surrounding courtyard and hang up the curtain for the gate of the courtyard.

9 “Then take the anointing oil and anoint the Tabernacle and everything in it, and dedicate it and all its furniture, and it will be special. 10 You are to anoint the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and dedicate the altar, and the altar will become quite special. 11 You are to anoint the basin and its stand and dedicate them.

12 “Bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting and wash them with water. 13 Dress Aaron in the special clothing, and anoint him and 'appoint' him to serve Me as priest. 14 Then bring his sons and put tunics on them. 15 You are to anoint them as you anointed their father, so that they can serve Me as priests. Their anointing will qualify them for a permanent priesthood thruout their generations.”

16 Moses did everything exactly as Yehovah had commanded him. 17 So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. 18 Moses set up the Tabernacle and laid its bases, and set up its planks, inserted the crossbars and raised up its columns. 19 He spread the covering over the Tabernacle and put the covering on top of it, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

20 He put the Testimony into the Ark and attached the poles to the ark, and set the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 He brought the Ark into the Tabernacle and set up a veil for the covering and screened off the Ark of the Testimony, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

22 He put the table in the Tabernacle of Meeting on the north side of the Tabernacle, outside of the veil. 23 He arranged the bread on it before Yehovah, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses. 24 He put the menorah in the Tabernacle of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the Tabernacle. 25 He lit the lamps before Yehovah, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

26 He put the gold altar in the Tabernacle of Meeting in front of the veil 27 and he burned fragrant incense on it, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

28 He set up the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 29 He also put the altar for burnt offering at the entrance to the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of Meeting, and offered the burnt offering and the grain offering on it as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

30 He set the large basin between the Tabernacle of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing. 31 Moses, Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet there. 32 Whenever they entered the Tabernacle of Meeting and approached the altar they washed, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

33 He set up the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar and hung up the curtain for the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle of Meeting, and the splendor of Yehovah filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses wasn’t able to enter the Tabernacle of Meeting because the cloud had settled over it, and Yehovah’s splendor filled the Tabernacle.

36 Whenever the cloud rose from the Tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on their journey. 37 But if the cloud didn’t rise, then they didn’t set out until the day it rose. 38 So Yehovah’s cloud hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and there was fire in the cloud at night within view of the entire House* of Israel thruout all their journeys.

LEVITICUS 1

Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Burnt Offerings

3 “If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male with no defects. You must offer it at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting in order to be accepted by Yehovah. 4 You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, so that it will be accepted for you to make atonement for you. 5 Then slaughter the bull before Yehovah. Aaron’s sons, the priests, will present the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 6 He will then skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 7 The sons of Aaron the priest will start a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 Aaron’s sons the priests will arrange the pieces, the head and the fat in order on the wood that is burning on the altar. 9 But the animal’s internal organs and legs must be washed with water. The priest will offer all of it up in smoke on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to Yehovah.

10 “If the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, whether sheep or goat, you must offer a male with no defects. 11 You must slaughter it on the north side of the altar before Yehovah. Aaron’s sons the priests will sprinkle its blood around on the altar. 12 You are to cut it into pieces with its head and its fat. The priest will arrange them on the wood that is on the fire of the altar, 13 but the internal organs and the legs must be washed with water. The priest will offer everything up in smoke on the altar. It’s a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to Yehovah.

14 “If the offering to Yehovah is a burnt offering of birds, you must offer a turtledove or young pigeon. 15 The priest will bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and offer it up in smoke on the altar; and its blood will be drained out on the side of the altar. 16 Then 'the priest' will remove the crop and the feathers and throw them down east of the altar where the ashes are. 17 Then he must tear the bird open by its wings without dividing it into two parts. Then the priest will burn it on the wood that is burning on the altar. It’s a whole burnt offering, an offering made by fire with a pleasing aroma to Yehovah. [1] The word “And” here establishes continuity with Exodus.

LEVITICUS 2

Grain Offerings

4 “When you present a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with olive oil or unleavened wafers anointed with olive oil. 5 If your offering is grain baked on a griddle, it too will be made of unleavened fine flour mixed with olive oil. 6 You’ll tear it in pieces, and pour olive oil on it. It’s a grain offering. 7 If your offering is a grain offering in a pan with a lid, it will be made of fine flour with olive oil. 8 You must bring the grain offering that is made of these things to Yehovah, present it to the priest, and he’ll take it to the altar. 9 The priest will remove part of the grain offering and burn it as a memorial portion, offer it up in smoke on the altar as an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to Yehovah. 10 What is left of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons. It’s a very special part of the offerings to Yehovah made by fire.

11 “No grain offering that you offer to Yehovah will be made with leaven, because you must not burn any leaven or honey as an offering by fire to Yehovah. 12 As an offering of firstfruits you may offer them to Yehovah, but they must never ascend from the altar as a pleasing aroma. 13 You are to season every grain offerings with salt. Don’t allow the salt of the covenant with your Elohim to be missing from your grain offering. You must offer salt with all your offerings.

14 “If you present a firstfruit offering to Yehovah, you must bring your first-fruit offering as aviv [1] roasted in fire—grits. 15 You must put olive oil on it and lay frankincense on it; it’s a grain offering. 16 The priest will then burn some of the grits and some of the olive oil, along with all the frankincense as an offering made by fire to Yehovah.

[1] “ ... green ears of ‘corn’ [grain] dried by the fire; these were ears of barley, which began to be ripe in the month Abib, which month had its name from hence, and is the word here used; these were dried by the fire, being green and moist, or otherwise they could not have been ground ... ”—Gills

LEVITICUS 3

The Fellowship Zebakim

6 “But if your offering to Yehovah is a fellowship zebak from the flock, whether male or female, it must have no defects. 7 If you present a sheep as your offering, you must bring it to Yehovah, 8 lay your hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the Tabernacle of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons will sprinkle its blood around on the altar. 9 From the fellowship zebak you must bring as an offering by fire to Yehovah, its fat, the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 10 and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them near the loins, and the lobe on the liver that should be removed with the kidneys. 11 The priest will offer it up in smoke on the altar as a food offering made by fire to Yehovah.

12 “If you present a goat as your offering, bring it to Yehovah, 13 lay your hand on its head, and slaughter it in front of the Tabernacle of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons will sprinkle its blood around on the altar. 14 From what you offer you are to present the offering as an offering by fire to Yehovah, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 15 the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them near the loins, and the lobe on the liver that should be removed with the kidneys. 16 The priest must offer it up in smoke on the altar as food, an offering by fire as a soothing aroma. All the fat belongs to Yehovah.

17 “You must never eat any fat or blood. This is a perpetual statute thruout your generations in all your dwelling places.”

LEVITICUS 4

The Sin Offering

3 if it is the anointed priest who sins, bringing guilt on the people, then he must offer for his sin a young bull with no defects to Yehovah as a sin offering. 4 He must bring the bull to the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting before Yehovah, and lay his hand on the head of the bull, and slaughter the bull before Yehovah. 5 The anointed priest must take some of the blood from the bull and bring it to the Tabernacle of Meeting. 6 The priest will dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before Yehovah, in front of the veil of the Temple. 7 The priest will put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before Yehovah in the Tabernacle of Meeting, and pour out all of rest of the blood of the bull at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 8 He must remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering from it, the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on the entrails, 9 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, that is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, and remove these with the kidneys, 10 just as it’s removed from the bull for fellowship zebakim; and the priest will offer them up in smoke on the altar of burnt offering. 11 But he must carry the bull’s skin, all its meat, along with its head, its legs, its entrails and its refuse, 12 all the rest of the bull—he must bring to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it up on a wood fire on the pile of ashes.

13 “If the entire Israelite assembly sins inadvertently and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly, but they’ve done something that Yehovah has commanded not to be done, they are still guilty. 14 When they become aware of their sin, then the assembly must offer a young bull as a sin offering, and bring it before the Tabernacle of Meeting. 15 The elders of the assembly will lay their hands on the head of the bull before Yehovah, and the bull will be killed before Yehovah. 16 The anointed priest will bring some of the blood of the bull to the Tabernacle of Meeting, 17 and the priest will dip his finger into the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before Yehovah, in front of the veil. 18 Then he will put some of the blood on the horns of the altar before Yehovah in the Tabernacle of Meeting. All the rest of the blood he must pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 19 He must remove all the fat from it and burn it on the altar. 20 He must also do with the bull the same thing he did with the bull of the sin offering; he must offer it the same way. So the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. 21 Then he is to bring the bull outside the camp and burn it, just as he burned the first bull. It’s the sin offering for the assembly.

22 “When a leader sins, and unintentionally becomes guilty of any of the things that Yehovah his Elohim has commanded not to be done, 23 and then becomes aware of his sin, he must bring as his offering a male goat with no defects. 24 He must lay his hand on the goat’s head and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered before Yehovah. It’s a sin offering. 25 Then the priest will take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 26 He must offer up all of its fat on the altar into smoke, like the fat of a fellowship offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for the leader to remove his sin, and he will be forgiven.

27 “If any ordinary person sins unintentionally and becomes guilty of breaking any of the things that Yehovah has commanded not to be done, 28 and they become aware of the sin, then they must bring as their offering a flawless female goat because for the sin that was committed. 29 They are to lay their hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it in the place of burnt offerings. 30 The priest will take some of its blood with his finger, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 31 He will remove all of its fat, just like the fat removed from a fellowship offering, and the priest will burn it on the altar for a pleasing aroma to Yehovah, and the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. 32 “If someone offers a sheep as a purification offering, it must be a female without defects. 33 They are to lay their hand on its head and slaughter it for a sin offering in the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. 34 The priest will take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and all the rest of its blood he is to pour out at the base of the altar. 35 He must remove all of its fat, just like the fat of a lamb taken away from a fellowship offering, and the priest will burn it up in smoke on the altar, as an offerings by fire to of Yehovah. So the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.

LEVITICUS 5

Accidental Sins

2 “Or if anyone touches any something unclean, whether it’s the carcass of an unclean animal wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that scurries along the ground, but they don’t realize it, they are still unclean and guilty of sin. 3 Someone might touch human uncleanness—anything that makes someone unclean—and not realize what they have done. But upon realizing it, they must admit their guilt. Or suppose someone swears rashly with their lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever it is that someone might utter thoughtlessly with an oath. Even if they forget about it, when they remember, they will be guilty. 5 Then when a person is guilty of any of these things, they must confess the sin they have committed, 6 and bring their 'restitution' offering to Yehovah for the sin that they have committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat as a sin offering, and the priest will make atonement for them concerning their sin.

7 “But if they can’t afford a lamb, then they must bring a 'restitution' offering for their sin of two turtledoves or two young pigeons to Yehovah, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. 8 They must bring them to the priest who will first offer the one for the sin offering. They must wring off its head from its neck, but not sever it completely. 9 He’ll sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, and the rest of the blood will be drained out at the base of the altar. It’s a sin offering. 10 He must offer the second as a burnt offering, according to the ordinance, and the priest will make atonement for them concerning the sin they have committed, and they’ll be forgiven.

11 “But if they can’t afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, they are to bring as an offering for their sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. They must not put olive oil or frankincense on it, because it’s a sin offering. 12 They must bring it to the priest, and the priest will take a handful of it as a memorial portion and offer it up in smoke on the altar, with the offerings of Yehovah by fire. It’s a sin offering. 13 The priest will make atonement for them for any of the sins they have committed, and they’ll be forgiven, and the rest will be the priest’s, as the grain offering.

14 Yehovah said to Moses: 15 “If one of you commits a sin by unintentionally against the special things of Yehovah, then they must bring their 'restitution' offering to Yehovah, a ram without defects from the flock, according to their own valuation in silver by shekels, specifically the shekel of the 'cherished' place for a 'restitution' offering. 16 They must make restitution for what they have done wrong against the special things, and add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram of the 'restitution' offering, and they’ll be forgiven.

17 If anyone sins, and does any of the things that Yehovah has commanded not to be done, tho they didn’t realize it, they are still guilty and must bear their punishment. 18 They must bring a ram without defects from of the flock, according to their own valuation for a 'restitution' offering to the priest, and the priest will make atonement for them concerning the wrong that they committed unintentionally, and they’ll be forgiven. 19 It’s a 'restitution' offering. They were certainly guilty before Yehovah.”

LEVITICUS 6

'Restitution' Offerings

8 Yehovah said to Moses: 9 “Command Aaron and his sons: ‘These are the instructions for the burnt offering; the burnt offering itself must remain on the hearth of the altar overnight as the fire is kept burning. [Small Mem] 10 The priest is to put on his linen clothes, including his linen undergarments next to his body. Then he’ll remove the ashes from where the fire has incinerated the burnt offering on the altar and put them beside the altar. 11 Then he is to take off these clothes and put on others, and carry the ashes outside of the camp to a clean location. 12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning, it must never go out, and the priest is to burn wood on it every morning and lay the burnt offering in order on it and offer up in smoke the fat portions of the fellowship zebakim. 13 Fire must be kept burning continually on the altar. It must never go out.

14 “These are the instructions for the grain offering. Aaron’s sons will offer it before Yehovah in front of the altar. 15 Then one of them will remove a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering with the olive oil and all the frankincense that is on the grain offering and burn it on the altar for a pleasing aroma, as a memorial offering to Yehovah. 16 Aaron and his sons will eat the rest of it. It will be eaten as unleavened bread in a special place. They must eat it in the court of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 17 It must not be baked with leaven. I’ve given it as their share of My offerings made by fire. It’s very special, like the sin offering and like the 'restitution' offering. 18 Every male among the descendants of Aaron will can eat it as their permanent share thruout your generations, from the offerings of Yehovah made by fire. Whoever touches them will be special.”

19 Yehovah said to Moses: 20 “This is the offering that Aaron and his sons are to present to Yehovah on the day he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering every day, half of it in the morning and half of it in the evening. 21 It will be mixed with olive oil and cooked on a griddle. When it’s well soaked, you’ll bring it in and offer the grain offering in baked pieces as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah. 22 An anointed priest that will be in his place from among his sons will offer it. It is Yehovah’s perpetual share and is to be entirely offered up in smoke to Yehovah 23 So every grain offering of a priest must be completely burned; it must not be eaten.“

24 Yehovah said to Moses: 25 “Tell Aaron and to his sons: ‘These are the instructions for a sin offering: The sin offering is to be slaughtered before Yehovah in the place where the burnt offerings are slaughtered. It’s very special. 26 The priest who offers it for sin will eat it. It will be eaten in a special place, in the courtyard of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 27 Anything that touches its flesh will become special; and when any of its blood spatters on a garment, you must wash what was spattered on it in a special place. 28 But the clay pot that it’s boiled in will be broken, and if it’s boiled in a bronze vessel, it will be scoured and rinsed in water. 29 Every male among the priests will eat it, it’s very special. 30 But no sin offering is to be eaten if its blood has been brought into the Tabernacle of Meeting to make atonement in the 'cherished' place is to be eaten; it must be burned.

LEVITICUS 7

'Restitution' Offerings Continued

7 “The same instructions apply to the sin offering as the 'restitution' offering. They belong to the priest who makes atonement with it. 8 The priest who presents anyone’s burnt offering is to keep the hide of the burnt offering that he offered. 9 Every grain offering that is baked in an oven, and everything that is prepared in a pan and on a griddle will be the priest’s who offers it. 10 Every grain offering, mixed with olive oil or dry, will be shared equally by all of Aaron’s descendants.

11 “These are the instructions regarding the fellowship zebakim that anyone may present to Yehovah. 12 If you are offering it as a way of giving thanks, then along with the thankfulness zebak [sacrifice] they are to offer unleavened cakes mixed with olive oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with olive oil, and cakes mixed with olive oil. 13 Along with their zebak for giving thanks, they are to present an offering with cakes of leavened bread. 14 From this you are to offer one of each kind of offering for an uplifted offering to Yehovah. It will belong the priest’s who sprinkles the blood of the fellowship zebakim. 15 The meat of their fellowship zebak of thankfulness must be eaten on the day it is offered. None of it can be saved for the next morning.

16 “If you bring an offering to fulfill a vow or as a voluntary offering, it must be eaten on the day that the zebak is offered, but anything left over can be eaten on the next day, 17 but whatever meat is left over from the zebak on the third day must be burned up. 18 If any of the meat from a fellowship zebak is eaten on the third day, it won’t be accepted. You will not receive credit for it. It is an abomination. Anyone who eats any of it will be punished.

19 “Meat that touches anything unclean must not be eaten; it must be burned up. The rest of the meat can be eaten, anyone who is clean can eat it. 20 But if anyone who is unclean eats any meat of the fellowship zebak belonging to Yehovah, they must be cut off from their people. 21 Anyone who eats meat from the zebak of the fellowship zebakim that belongs to Yehovah while they are unclean, must be cut off from their people.”

22 Yehovah said to Moses: 23 “Tell the Israelites, ‘You must eat no fat of bulls, sheep or goats. 24 The fat of an animal that dies by itself, and the fat of what is torn by animals, can be used for any other purpose, but you must definitely not eat it. 25 Anyone who eats animal fat from an offering by fire presented to Yehovah is a person who must be cut off from his people. 26 You must never consume any blood from any bird or animal in any of your dwellings. 27 Anyone who eats any blood is a person who must be cut off from their people.”

28 Yehovah said to Moses: 29 “Tell the Israelites: Anyone who offers the zebak of his fellowship zebakim to Yehovah must bring his offering to Yehovah from of the zebak of his fellowship zebakim. 30 Your own hands must bring the offerings of Yehovah made by fire. You must bring the fat with the breast, so the breast can be 'presented' as a wave offering before Yehovah. 31 The priest will burn the fat on the altar, but the breast will belong to Aaron’s and his sons.” 32 You must also give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from the zebakim of your fellowship zebakim. 33 When any of Aaron’s descendants offers the blood of the fellowship zebakim and the fat, the right thigh will be his share. 34 I have reserved the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the zebakim, and I have given them to Aaron the priest and to his descendants as a permanent share from the Israelites. 35 This is the allotment to Aaron and his descendants from the offerings made by fire to Yehovah on the day when he presented them to serve Yehovah as priests. 36 These Yehovah commanded to be given to them of the Israelites on the day He anointed them. It’s their allotted share forever thruout their generations.”

37 These are the instructions for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the 'restitution' offering, the dedication and of fellowship zebakim 38 that Yehovah commanded Moses on Mount Sinai on the day He commanded the Israelites to offer their offerings to Yehovah in the Sinai Desert.

LEVITICUS 8

Aaron and His Sons Become Priests

4 So Moses did as Yehovah commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 5 Moses told the assembly, “This is what Yehovah has commanded us to do. 6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them in pure water. 7 He put the tunic on him, tied the sash around him, clothed him in the robe and put the ephod on him. He put the decorative band of the ephod around him and tied it to him. 8 He also placed the breastplate on him, and he put the Urim and the Thummim inside the breastplate. 9 He put the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the gold medallion, the special crown, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it, and dedicated them. 11 He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the wash basin and its stand, to dedicate them. 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him to 'employ' him. 13 Next Moses brought Aaron’s sons forward, put tunics on them and wrapped sashes around them and put caps on them, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

14 He brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. 15 He slaughtered it, and Moses took the blood and put it around on the horns of the altar with his finger, purified the altar, and poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar to dedicate it for service, to make atonement for it. 16 He took all the fat that was on the entrails, and the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and Moses turned them into smoke on the altar. 17 But the bull, its hide, its flesh and its dung, he set on fire outside the camp, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

18 He presented the ram of the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 19 Then Moses slaughtered it and sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 20 He cut the ram into pieces, and Moses burned the head, the pieces and the fat. 21 He washed the internal organs and the legs with water, and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering for a pleasing aroma. It was an offering by fire to Yehovah, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

22 He presented the other ram, the ram of dedication, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram’s head, 23 And Moses slaughtered it and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 24 He also brought Aaron’s sons forward, and Moses put some of the blood on the lobe of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and Moses sprinkled the rest of the blood around on the altar. 25 He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat on the internal organs, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh, 26 and from the basket of unleavened bread that was before Yehovah, he took one unleavened cake, and one cake of bread mixed with oil, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. 27 He put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands and waved them as a wave offering before Yehovah. 28 Then Moses took them from their hands and offered them up in smoke on the altar with the burnt offering. This was the offering for appointing Aaron and his sons as priests. It was an offering by fire to Yehovah, and its aroma was pleasing to Him. 29 Moses took the breast and 'presented' it for a wave offering before Yehovah. It was Moses’ part of the ram of dedication, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

30 Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his clothing, and on his sons and on his sons’ clothing with him, dedicating Aaron, his clothing, and his sons, and his sons’ clothing with him.

31 Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the meat at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting and eat it there along with the bread from the offering for appointing priests as I commanded when I said, ‘Aaron and his sons will eat it.’ 32 Any meat or bread that is left over must then be burned up. 33 You must not leave the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting for seven days, until the period of your appointment is complete, because your appointment takes seven days. 34 What has been done today was commanded by Yehovah to make atonement for you. 35 You must remain at the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting day and night for seven days and obey Yehovah’s command, so that you don’t die. This is what I was commanded.” 36 Aaron and his sons did everything that Yehovah commanded thru Moses.

LEVITICUS 9

The Priests Ministry Begins

5 So they brought what Moses commanded before the Tabernacle of Meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before Yehovah. 6 Moses said, “This is what Yehovah commanded that you should do, so that the splendor of Yehovah will appear to you.”

7 Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar, and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people. Then make the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as Yehovah commanded.”

8 So Aaron approached the altar, and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering that was for himself. 9 Aaron’s sons brought him the blood, and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar, 10 but the fat, the kidneys and the cover from the liver of the sin offering he burned up in smoke on the altar, as Yehovah had commanded Moses. 11 He burned the meat and the hide outside the camp.

12 Then he slaughtered the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons brought the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar. 13 They handed him the burnt offering, piece by piece, and the head, and he turned them into smoke on the altar. 14 He washed the inner organs and the legs and turned them into smoke on top of the burnt offering on the altar. 15 'Aaron' presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering that was for the people, and slaughtered it and offered it for sin, like the first. 16 He presented the burnt offering, and offered it as prescribed by the ordinance. 17 Next he presented the grain offering, and filled his hand with some of it and offered it up in smoke on the altar, in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.

18 He also killed the bull and the ram as the people’s fellowship zebak and Aaron’s sons brought him the blood and he sprinkled it around on the altar, 19 and the fat of the bull and of the ram, the fat tail, what covers the entrails, the kidneys and the lobe of the liver. 20 They put the fat pieces on the breasts, and he turned the fat pieces into smoke on the altar. 21 But the breasts and the right thigh Aaron 'presented' as a wave offering before Yehovah, as Moses commanded.

22 Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them, and he stepped down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship zebakim. 23 Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the splendor of Yehovah appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of Yehovah and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it they shouted and fell facedown.

LEVITICUS 10

The Sin of Nadab and Abihu

3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what Yehovah said: ‘I’ll show Myself special to those who come near Me, and before all the people I’ll be honored.’” So Aaron said nothing.

4 Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron’s uncle, and told them, “, Come here and remove your cousins from the front of the 'cherished' place to an area outside the camp.” 5 So they came forward and carried them, still in their tunics, out of the camp, as Moses had said.

6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Don’t let the hair of your heads be unkempt or tear your clothes or you’ll die too, and He will be angry with the entire assembly. But your relatives, the whole House of Israel may mourn for those who Yehovah has destroyed by fire. 7 You Must not even leave the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting or you’ll die, because the anointing oil of Yehovah is on you.” So they did as Moses said.

8 Yehovah told Aaron: 9 “You and your sons are not to drink wine or liquor when you go into the Tabernacle of Meeting or you will die, it will be a perpetual statute thruout your generations. 10 You must distinguish between the 'pure' and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the Israelites all the unchanging tenets that Yehovah has spoken to them thru Moses.”

12 Moses spoke to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Take the grain offering that is left over from the offerings of Yehovah made by fire, and eat it beside the altar, because it’s very special, 13 and you’ll eat it in a 'cherished' place, because it’s your allotted share, and your sons’ allotted share from the offerings of Yehovah made by fire, because this is what I was commanded. 14 But you can eat the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the offering in a clean place, you and your children, because they are given as your allotted share, and your children’s allotted share of the Israelites’ fellowship zebakim. 15 They are to bring the thigh offered by lifting up and the breast offered by waving, along with the offerings by fire of the fat, to present as a wave offering before Yehovah. These will belong to you and your children as your allotted share forever, just as Yehovah has commanded.”

16 Later, Moses tried to find the goat of the sin offering and found that it had been burned up! So he was angry with Aaron’s surviving sons Eleazar and Ithamar and asked, 17 “Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the 'cherished' place, since it’s very special, and He has given it you to remove the guilt of the assembly, to make atonement for them before Yehovah? 18 Since its blood was not brought inside the inner part of the 'cherished' place, you certainly should have eaten it in the 'cherished' place, as I commanded.“

19 Aaron answered Moses “Today they’ve offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before Yehovah, and such things as these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in the sight of Yehovah?” 20 When Moses heard that, it seemed 'reasonable'.

LEVITICUS 11

Clean and Unclean Animals

9 “Of all the marine animals, these are ones you can eat. You can eat anything from the water if it has both fins and scales, whether from the seas or from streams. 10 But anything in the seas or streams that does not have fins and scales of all the swarming things and other living creatures in the water is to be considered an abomination to you. 11 They will always be an abomination to you. You must never eat their flesh or even touch their carcasses. 12 Anything that lacks fins and scales in the water is highly detestable to you.

13 “These are the birds that are an abomination to you, they must not be eaten: eagles, vultures and buzzards, 14 red kites, any kind of falcon, 15 any kind of ravens, 17 little owls, cormorants, great horned owls, 18 white owls, desert owls, carrion vultures, 19 storks, any kind of heron, hoopoes and bats.

20 “All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination for you. 21 But you can eat certain insects that have wings and walk on four feet. You may eat those that have legs with joints above their feet for hopping on the ground. 22 Of these you can eat the following: any kind of migrating locust, any kind of bald locust, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper. 23 But all other winged creeping insects that have four feet are an abomination for you.

24 “You make yourself unclean by the following creatures, whoever touches the carcass of one will be unclean until the evening, 25 and anyone who picks up any part of their dead bodies must wash their clothes and remain unclean until evening

26 “Any animal that has divided hoof but they are not completely split, or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you; whoever touches them becomes unclean. 27 Of the animals that walk on all fours, those that have paws are unclean. Whoever touches one of their carcasses becomes unclean until evening, 28 Anyone who picks up one of their carcass must wash their clothes, and be unclean until the evening. 'These animals' are unclean for you.

29 “Of the small animals that scurry along the ground, these are unclean for you: the moles, rats, and any kind of large lizard, 30 geckos, monitor lizards, common lizards, skinks and chameleons. 31 All these small animals are unclean for you. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean until the evening. 32 When one of them dies and falls on something it becomes unclean, whether it’s a wooden item, clothing, a hide, a sack or any tool you work with must be put into water, and it will be unclean until the evening, then it will be clean. 33 If one of them falls into a clay container, anything in it becomes unclean and you must shatter the container. 34 If water from such a container gets on any edible food, it will be unclean. And any beverage in such a jar will be unclean. 35 Anything that part of their carcass falls on becomes unclean; whether an oven or a stove, it must be broken in pieces, they are unclean, and will be unclean for you. 36 However, if the carcass of such an animal falls into a spring or a cistern, the water will still be clean. But anyone who touches the carcass will be unclean. 37 If a carcass falls on any seeds that are to be sown, it’s clean. 38 But if the seed is wet when the carcass falls on it, it’s unclean for you.

39 “If an animal that you are allowed to eat dies, anyone who touches its carcass will be unclean till evening. 40 Anyone who eats some of its carcass must wash their clothes and be unclean until evening. Also anyone who picks up its carcass must wash their clothes and be unclean until evening.

41 “Every small animal that scurries along the ground is an abomination, and you must never eat them. 42 This includes all animals that slither along on their bellies, as well as those with four legs, whatever has many feet including anything that creeps on the earth, those you must not eat because they are an abomination. [Long Vav] 43 You must not make yourselves highly detestable by means of any swarming creatures; never make yourselves unclean with them, so as to be defiled by them, 44 because I am Yehovah your Elohim. Set yourselves apart and be special, because I’m special, never defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the ground. 45 I am Yehovah who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your Elohim. You must be special, because I’m special.

46 “These are the instructions concerning the animals, birds, and of every living creature that swims in the water and every creature that scurries along the ground. 47 You must make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living things that can be eaten and the living things that must not be eaten.”

LEVITICUS 12

Laws of Motherhood

6 “When the days of her purification are finished, for a son or a daughter, she must bring to the priest at the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting, a year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering. 7 Then he will offer it before Yehovah, and make atonement for her, and she’ll be cleansed from the flow of her blood. These are the instructions for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl.

8 “But if she can’t afford a lamb, then she must take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering, and the priest will make atonement for her, and she’ll be clean.

LEVITICUS 13

Regulations About Skin Diseases

9 “Whenever someone has a skin disease, then they must go to the priest for an examination. 10 The priest will examine them, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is an open sore in the affected area, 11 it’s a chronic skin disease on the skin, and the priest will pronounce them unclean. He won’t isolate them because they are already unclean.

12 “If the disease breaks out all over their skin, and covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, as far as the priest can see. 13 When the priest examines them, and finds that the skin disease has covered their entire body, he’ll announce that the infected person is clean. The person has turned entirely white and they are clean. 14 But if any open sores appear on them, they’ll be unclean. 15 The priest will examine the open sore, and pronounce them unclean. Open sores indicate a skin disease. 16 But if the open sore turns white again, the person must return to the priest. 17 The priest will examine them, and if the open sore has turned white again, then the priest will announce that they are clean of the disease. They are clean.

18 “If someone has a boil on the skin that has started to heal, 19 and in the place where the boil was, there is a white swelling or a bright red spot, then it must be shown to the priest. 20 If the priest examines it and finds it to be more than skin-deep, and its hair has turned white, then the priest must pronounce them unclean. It’s a skin disease that has broken out in the boil. 21 But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in it, and it isn’t deeper than the skin and it has faded, then the priest will quarantine the person for seven days. 22 If it spreads on the skin, then the priest must declare the person unclean; it is an infection. 23 But if the shiny spot remains in one place, and hasn’t spread, it’s just a scar from the boil, and the priest will pronounce them clean.

24 “Or when there is a burn on someone’s skin, and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a shiny spot, reddish-white or white, 25 then the priest will examine it. And if the hair in the bright spot has turned white and it appears to be deeper than skin deep, it is a skin disease; it has broken out in the burn. So the priest will pronounce them unclean; it is a serious skin disease. 26 But if the priest examines it, and there is no white hair in the shiny spot and it appears to be no deeper than the skin and has faded, then the priest must quarantine the person for seven days; 27 On the seventh day the priest must examine the person again. If it has continued to spread over the skin, then the priest must pronounce them unclean. It’s a skin disease. 28 But if the shiny spot remains where it was, and hasn’t spread over the skin, and is faded, it’s the swelling from the burn, and the priest will pronounce them clean, because it’s just the scar from the burn.

29 “Whenever a man or woman has a sore on their head or on the beard, 30 the priest will examine it. If he finds it is more than skin deep and has fine yellow hair in it, the priest must pronounce them unclean, it’s a scale—a skin disease of the head or beard. 31 But if the priest examines the infection of the scale, and it does not appear to be more than skin deep and there is no black hair in it, then the priest must quarantine the person with the scaly infection for seven days. 32 On the seventh day the priest will examine the sore again, and if the scale hasn’t spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and it does not appear to be more than skin deep, 33 the person must shave themselves except for the hair on the affected area. Then the priest must quarantine the person for seven more days. 34 On the seventh day, the priest will examine the scale again. If it has not spread and appears to be no more than skin deep, the priest will pronounce the person clean. They’ll wash their clothes, and they will be clean. 35 But if the scale spreads further on the skin after their cleansing, 36 the priest will need to examine them, if the scale has spread on the skin, the priest doesn’t need to look for yellow hair, they are unclean! 37 But if the priest believes the sore has stopped spreading and black hair has grown in it, the scale is healed, they are clean. The priest will pronounce them clean.

38 “Whenever a man or a woman has shiny spots on their skin, white shiny spots, 39 then the priest must examine them to see if the shiny spots on their skin are a dull white, it’s a harmless rash, it has broken out in the skin, and they are clean.

40 “If someone loses their hair, they are bald, but they are clean. 41 If the hair is lost in front of the forehead, the person has a receding hairline, but they are clean. 42 But if there is a reddish-white infection in the bald spot or in the receding hairline, it is a skin disease breaking out on his bald head or his bald forehead. 43 Then the priest must examine them. If the swelling of the infection is reddish white in the bald spot or receding hairline and it looks like a skin disease, 44 the person has a skin disease; they are unclean. The priest must declare them unclean because of the sore on their head.

45 “Anyone with a skin disease must wear torn clothes and their hair must be unkempt. They must cover their mouth and call out, “Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 They will be unclean as long as they are infected. They are unclean. They must live in quarantine outside the camp.

47 “When an outbreak of mold occurs on any piece of clothing, whether wool or linen cloth, 48 whether woven lengthwise or crosswise, whether linen or wool or anything made of leather 49 if the mold is greenish or reddish on the garment, or on the leather, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise or in anything made of leather, it’s an outbreak of mold. It must be shown to the priest. 50 The priest will examine the contamination and quarantine the item for seven days. 51 On the seventh day he will examine the contaminated article. If the contamination has spread on the cloth, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise, or on the leather, whatever use the leather is used for, the contamination is a destructive mildew. It’s unclean. 52 He must burn the clothing, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather that has been spoiled; because the serious mold is spreading, the article must be burned.

53 “But if the priest examines it, and the mold hasn’t spread in the clothing, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise, or on any leather article, 54 the priest must order them to wash the infected article, and then examine it again and he will quarantine it for seven more days. 55 Then the priest will examine it after the mold is washed to see if the mold hasn’t changed in appearance, even if the mold has not spread, it is unclean; It must be completely burned up, no matter which side of the item has mold. 56 If the priest notices that the mold has faded after it’s washed, then he must tear it out of the item, or out of the leather, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise. 57 If it appears again in the garment, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise or in anything of leather, it’s spreading. You must burn up anything that’s contaminated. 58 But if the mold disappears from the fabric, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise, or any article made of leather, the mildew is washed out, it must be washed a second time and then it will be clean.”

59 These are the instructions concerning mold contamination in a fabric of wool or linen, whether woven lengthwise or crosswise, or in anything made of leather in order to determine whether an item is clean or unclean.

LEVITICUS 14

Cleansing Skin Diseases

8 “The person being cleansed must then wash their clothes, shave off all their hair, and bathe themselves in water, and they’ll be clean. Afterwards they’ll return to the camp, but remain outside of their tent for seven days. 9 On the seventh day, they must shave off all the hair from their head again, even beards and eyebrows, all their hair must be shaved off. They must wash their clothes, and bathe their body in water, then they’ll be clean.

10 “On the eighth day they must take two defect free male lambs, and one ewe lamb a year old without defects, and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a flour offering, mixed with olive oil, and one log [about half a liter] of olive oil. 11 Then the priest who pronounces them clean will present both the one being cleansed and their offerings before Yehovah at the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 12 The priest will kill one of the male lambs and bring it for a 'restitution' offering, along with the log of olive oil, and present them as a wave offering before Yehovah. 13 He’ll kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offerings and the burnt offerings, in that part of the Temple, because as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the 'restitution' offering. It’s very special. 14 The priest is to take some of the blood from the 'restitution' offering, and the priest will put it on the lobe of the right ear, the right thumb, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being cleansed.

15 “The priest will take some of the log of olive oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. 16 The priest will dip his right forefinger in the olive oil that is in his left hand, and sprinkle some of the olive oil with his finger seven times before Yehovah. 17 The priest will put some of the remaining olive oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the person being cleansed, and on the thumb the person’s right hand, and on the big toe of the person’s right foot, on top of the blood of the 'restitution' offering. 18 The priest will put on the head of the person who is being cleansed the rest of the olive oil in the palm of his hand, to make atonement for the person before Yehovah.

19 “The priest will offer the sin offering, and make atonement for the person who is being cleansed from their impurities, and afterward they’ll kill the burnt offering. 20 The priest will offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. In this way the priest will make atonement for the person, and the person will be clean.

21 “But anyone who is poor and can’t afford so much can bring one male lamb for a 'restitution' offering to be waved, to bring about their atonement, and one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering and a log of olive oil, 22 and two turtledoves or two young pigeons, whatever they are able to afford. One of them will be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. 23 On the eighth day they must bring them for his cleansing to the priest in the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting, before Yehovah. 24 The priest will take the lamb for a 'restitution' offering, along with the log of olive oil, and the priest will wave them before Yehovah as a wave offering. 25 He’ll slaughter the lamb of the 'restitution' offering. The priest will take some of the blood of the 'restitution' offering and put it on the right ear lobe of one who is being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.

26 “The priest will pour some of the olive oil into the palm of his own left hand, 27 and sprinkle with his right finger some of the olive oil that is in his left palm seven times before Yehovah. 28 Then the priest will put some of the olive oil that’s in his palm on the right ear lobe of the person being cleansed, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot in the same place where the blood of the 'restitution' offering was put. 29 And the rest of the olive oil that’s in the priest’s palm will be put on the head of the person who is being cleansed to make atonement for them before Yehovah. 30 Then 'the priest' will offer one of the turtledoves or the pigeons, whichever the person can afford, 31 the most affordable one as a sin offering, the other for a burnt offering, along with the grain offering. The priest will make atonement for the person who is being cleansed before Yehovah. 32 These are the instructions for someone who had an infectious skin disease and cannot afford the offering for their cleansing.

33 Yehovah also told Moses and Aaron: 34 “When you’ve come into the land of Canaan that I’m giving to you as a possession, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in the land of your possession, 35 then the person who owns the house must come and tell the priest, ’I have seen something that looks like a sign of mildew in my house.’ 36 The priest will order them to empty the house before the priest goes in to examine the mildew, so that everything in the house doesn’t become unclean. Afterward the priest will go in to inspect the house. 37 He’ll examine the mildew, and if the mildew on the walls of the house has greenish or reddish depressions and appears deeper than the surface, 38 the priest will step outside the door and put the house in quarantine for seven days. 39 The priest must return on the seventh day for another inspection. If the mildew has spread over the walls of the house, 40 then 'the priest' must order them to tear out the stones with the contamination, and throw them into an unclean place outside the city, 41 and he’ll have the inside walls of the house scraped and the material that is scraped off dumped into an unclean place outside of the city into an unclean place. 42 Then they are to take other stones to replace those stones, and the house will be replastered.

43 “But if the mildew reappears after all the stones have been torn out and the house has been scraped and replastered, 44 then the priest must return and examine it again, and if the mildew has spread in the house, it’s a destructive mildew in the house; the house is unclean. 45 The owner must demolish the house, its stones, its timber, and all the house’s plaster, and haul them out of the city into an unclean place. 46 Anyone who enters the house while it’s quarantined will be unclean until evening. 47 Anyone who lies down in the house must wash their clothes, and anyone who eats in the house must wash their clothes.

48 “But if the priest returns and examines it, and sees that the mildew hasn’t spread in the house after the house has been replastered, then the priest will pronounce the house clean, because the mildew is gone.

49 To purify the house he must take two birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop, 50 and he must kill one of the birds in a clay pot filled with living water. 51 Then he’ll take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, the scarlet yarn and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the bird that was killed as well as in the living water, and sprinkle the house seven times. 52 He’ll cleanse the house with the bird’s blood, the living water, the living bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet yarn, 53 but he’ll release the live bird outside of the city into an open field. This is how he’ll make atonement for the house, and it will be clean.”

54 These are the instructions for dealing with serious skin diseases or rashes, 55 for mildew on clothing or on a house, 56 and for swelling, scabs or shiny spots, 57 to determine when something is clean or unclean. These are the instructions regarding skin diseases and mildew.

[1] I take this living water to be the pure vibrant flowing water from an artesian spring.

LEVITICUS 15

Bodily Discharges

13 “When the man who had a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he must count seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in running water and be clean. 14 On the eighth day he is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons and come before Yehovah to the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting, and give them to the priest. 15 and the priest will offer them, one as a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. The priest will make atonement for them before Yehovah for his discharge.

16 “If any man has an emission of semen, then he must bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until evening. 17 Any garment or any leather with an emission of semen on it must be washed in water and remain unclean until evening. 18 When a man has 'sexual relations' with a woman and there is an emission of semen, they must both wash themselves in water, and they will remain unclean until evening.

19 “When a woman has her monthly discharge, she will be unclean for seven days. Anyone who touch her will be unclean until evening. 20 Anything that she lies on during her monthly period is unclean. And anything that she sits on will be unclean. 21 Anyone who touches her bed must wash their clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 22 Anyone who touches something she has sat on must wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 23 It doesn’t matter if the person touched the woman’s bed or something she sat on; they will be unclean until evening. 24 If a man sleeps with a woman and blood from her monthly period gets on him, he will be unclean for seven days, and any bed he lies on will be unclean.

25 “If a woman has a discharge of blood many days not in the time of her period, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her period, all the days of the discharge of her impurities will be as she is during her monthly period. She is unclean. 26 Any bed she lies on during all the days of her bleeding will be like her bed during her regular monthly period. Everything she sits on will be unclean, as in her regular monthly period. 27 Whoever touches these things will be unclean, and must wash their clothes and bathe themselves in water and be unclean until the evening.

28 “But if she is cleansed from her discharge, then she’ll count to off seven days, and after that she’ll be clean. 29 On the eighth day she must take two turtledoves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 30 The priest will offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. This is how the priest will make atonement for her before Yehovah for the uncleanness of her discharge.

31 “This is how you will separate the Israelites from their uncleanness, so they don’t die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them” 32 These are the instructions for any man made unclean by an emission of semen, 33 and for a woman who is ill with a discharge, and for anyone who has a discharge, whether a male or a female, or a man who has 'sexual relations' with a woman who is unclean.”

LEVITICUS 16

The Day of Atonements

3 “This is how Aaron is to come into the 'cherished' place: with a young bull as a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He must put on the special linen coat, and he must have the linen undergarments next to his body, and he must be wearing the linen sash and be dressed with the linen turban. This is special clothing. He must bathe his body in water before he puts them on. 5 He must take two male goats as a sin offering from the assembly of Israel and a ram for a burnt offering.

6 “Aaron must offer the bull as the sin offering for himself to make atonement for himself and his household. 7 Then he must take the two goats and present them before Yehovah at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 8 Aaron is to cast lots for the two goats, one lot 'representing' Yehovah and the other lot 'representing' the azazel goat. 9 Aaron will present the goat that the lot fell on to Yehovah and offer him as a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the azazel is to be presented ALIVE before Yehovah [1] to make atonement. It is to be led out into the wilderness as the azazel.

11 “Aaron is to bring the bull for his own sin offering, (making atonement for himself and his household), and he is to slaughter the bull as the sin offering for himself. 12 He must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before Yehovah and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and bring them inside the veil. 13 He must put the incense on the fire before Yehovah so that a cloud of incense covers the mercy seat that is on the Ark of the Testimony [aka Ark of the Covenant], or else he will die. 14 He’s to take some of the bull’s blood, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side. Also in front of the mercy seat he is to sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

15 “Then he will slaughter the goat as a sin offering for the people and bring his blood inside the veil and do with his blood what he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle [2] it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. 16 He must make atonement for the 'cherished' place because of the impurities of the Israelites and because of their rebellion and all their sins. He’ll do the same for the Tabernacle of Meeting that is among them amid their impurities. 17 No one should be in the Tabernacle of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the 'cherished' place until he leaves after he has made atonement for himself, his household, and for the entire assembly of Israel.

18 “Then he will go out to the altar that’s before Yehovah and make atonement for it, and take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and spread it around on the horns of the altar. 19 He’ll sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to 'separate' it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

20 “When he’s finished atoning for the 'cherished' place and the Tabernacle of Meeting, and the altar, he’ll offer the live goat. 21 Aaron will lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over him all the sins of the descendant’s of Israel and all their rebellious behavior—everything they did wrong; and he’ll put them on the head of the goat and lead him away into the wilderness, handled by a designated man who. 22 The goat will carry all their sins on himself to a remote place, and the ‘man’ will release the goat in the wilderness.

23 “Then Aaron will come into the Tabernacle of Meeting and take off the linen clothing that he put on when he went into the 'cherished' place, and leave them there. 24 Then he’ll bathe himself in water in a 'designated' place, and put on his clothes and come out and offer his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people. 25 He will burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.

26 “The man who drives the goat away as the azazel [scapegoat] must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and afterward he can return to the camp. 27 The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the 'cherished' place will be carried outside the camp, and they’ll burn their skins, their flesh and their waste are to be burned 'up'. 28 The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and afterward he can return to the camp.

29 “This is to be a perpetual statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must humble yourselves by fasting and do no work of any kind, whether native-born or foreigners living among you. 30 It is on this day that atonement will be made for you to cleanse you from all your sins. You must be clean in Yehovah’s presence. 31 It’s to be a Sabbath assembly for you. You must humble and deny yourselves, it’s a perpetual statute. 32 The priest who is anointed and dedicated to serving as priest in his father’s place will make the atonement. He will put on the linen clothing, the special garments, 33 and make atonement for the 'cherished' place and the Tabernacle of Meeting, and the altar, and he’ll make atonement for the priests and for all the people in the assembly. 34 This is to be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the Israelites once a year for of all their sins.”

It was done as Yehovah commanded Moses.

LEVITICUS 17

Sinful Sexual Contact

8 “Tell them: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who offers a burnt offering or a zebak, 9 and doesn’t bring it to the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting as an offering to Yehovah will be cut off from the people.

10 “If anyone from the House of Israel or from the foreigners who live among them eats any kind of blood, I’ll 'turn and' face the person who eats blood, and cut them off from among the people, 11 because the life in a body is in the blood, and I’ve given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives, since it is the 'lifeblood' that makes atonement. 12 So I’ve told the Israelites, ‘None of you are to eat blood, and no stranger who lives as a foreigner among you is to eat blood.’

13 “When anyone from House of Israel or any foreigner living among them goes hunting and kills an animal or bird that can be eaten must pour out its blood and cover it with dirt. 14 Since the life of every 'creature' is in its blood, I told the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any 'creature', because the life of every 'creature' is in its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”

15 “Anyone who eats an animal that died a natural death or was torn by predators, whether they are native-born or aliens must wash their clothes and bathe themselves in water and be unclean until evening; then they’ll be clean. 16 But if they don’t wash their clothes and their bodies, they’ll be guilty of sin.”

LEVITICUS 18

Unlawful sexual contact

6 “None of you should approach anyone who is a close relative to have sexual contact, I am Yehovah.

7 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your father, or have contact with your mother, she is your mother. You must not have 'sexual relations' with her.

8 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your father’s wife, it’s your father’s nakedness.

9 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad.

10 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your granddaughter, or your daughter-in-law. That would be 'like exposing' yourself.

11 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your stepsister, born to your father, she is your sister.

12 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your father’s sister, she is your father’s blood relative.

13 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s blood relative.

14 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with the your uncle’s wife, she is your aunt.

15 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your daughter-in-law, she is your son’s wife. Do not have 'sexual relations' with her.

16 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your brother’s wife. Her nakedness is reserved for your brother.

17 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with a woman and her daughter. And do not have 'sexual relations' with her granddaughter, either the daughter of her son or her daughter; they are blood relatives; it is depravity.

18 “You must not marry a woman and her sister as a rival while her sister is still alive. Do not have 'sexual relations' with her.

19 “You must not approach a woman to have 'sexual relations' with her as long as she has her monthly period.

20 “You must never have 'sexual relations' with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her.

21 “You must never give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You must never profane the name of your Elohim, I am Yehovah.

22 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with a man as you would a woman. It is an abomination.

23 “You must never have 'sexual relations' with any animal to be defiled with it, and no woman should ever stand before an animal to 'mate' with it, it’s a perversion.

24 “Never defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you defiled themselves. 25 Even the land was defiled, and I punished it for its wickedness, and the land will vomit out her inhabitants. 26 You must obey My unchanging tenets and My regulations, and not commit any of these highly detestable things, this applies to natives and the foreigners living among you. 27 The people of the land who were there before committed all these detestable activities, and the land has become defiled. 28 The land will vomit you out the way it vomited out the nations that were here before you if you defile it.

29 “Whoever commits any of these highly detestable things will be cut off from the assembly of Israel. 30 You must obey My instructions and never practice any of these highly detestable customs that were practiced before you, so that you never defile yourselves with them; I am Yehovah your Elohim.”

LEVITICUS 19

Laws of Civilization

3 “Each one of you must respect your mother and your father. You must preserve My Sabbaths. I am Yehovah your Elohim.

4 “Don’t turn to idols or make molten metal gods for yourselves. I am Yehovah your Elohim.

5 “When you offer a fellowship zebak to Yehovah, you must offer it correctly so that you can be accepted. 6 It will be eaten the same day you offer it and the next day. Whatever is left over until the third day must be burned up. 7 If any of it is eaten on the third day, it’s highly detestable. It is unacceptable. 8 Anyone who eats it will be held responsible because they have profaned something special to Yehovah, and that person will be cut off from the people.

9 “When you harvest your land, you must not harvest to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Never glean your vineyard or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You must leave them for the poor and for foreigners. I am Yehovah your Elohim.

11 “You must never steal.

‘You must never lie [1].

“You must never deceive each other.

12 “You must never swear falsely using My name, and profane the name of your Elohim. I am Yehovah.

13 “You must never oppress your neighbors or rob them.

‘Never withhold a hired laborer’s pay overnight.

14 “Never curse the deaf or trip the blind, but you must fear your Elohim. I am Yehovah.

15 “You must never be unjust, you must not be partial to the poor or show favoritism to the rich, you are to judge your neighbors fairly.

16 “You must never go 'around' spreading slander among your people.

‘You must never endanger your neighbor’s life. I am Yehovah.

17 “You must not harbor hateful thoughts toward your brother. Rather reprimand your neighbor, but don’t incur sin because of them.

18 “You must not take vengeance or bear any grudge against your neighbor, but you must love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yehovah.

19 “You must obey My unchanging tenets.

‘You must not crossbreed vastly different kinds of animals. ‘You must not sow your fields with vastly different kinds of crops [2] or wear clothing made of linen and wool woven together.

20 “If a man has 'sexual relations' with a woman who is a slave girl acquired for another man, but who has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must certainly be punishment. Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. 21 The man must bring his 'restitution' offering to Yehovah at the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting, a ram for a 'restitution' offering. 22 The priest will make atonement for him with the ram of the 'restitution' offering before Yehovah for the sin he has committed, and the sin that he has committed will be forgiven.

23 “When you come into the land and plant all kinds of fruit trees for food, then you must consider their fruit as forbidden. You must not eat the fruit for the first three years.[3] 24 In in the fourth year all its fruit will be special, an offering of praise to Yehovah. 25 But in the fifth year you can eat its fruit. This will increase the harvest. I am Yehovah your Elohim.

26 “You must not eat any meat with the blood still in it.

You must never divine or practice sorcery.

27 “You must not shave the hair on the sides of your heads or clip the edges of your beard.

28 “You must never cut your bodies for the dead or tattoo yourself. I am Yehovah.

29 “Don’t defile your daughter by making her a prostitute or the land will be filled with prostitution and all kinds wickedness.

30 “You must preserve My Sabbaths and revere My Temple, I am Yehovah.

31 “Don’t resort to mediums or seek out fortune tellers and be defiled by them. I am Yehovah your Elohim.

32 “You must rise up in the presence of the gray headed and honor the 'elderly', and you must fear your Elohim. I am Yehovah.

33 “When an immigrant lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you must not mistreat them. 34 Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as the natives among you, and you must love them as you love yourselves, since you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am Yehovah your Elohim.

35 “You must never cheat when measuring lengths, weights or volumes. 36 You must have accurate balances, accurate weights and an accurate ephah and an accurate hin. I am Yehovah your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

37 “You must obey My unchanging tenets and My regulations by doing them. I am Yehovah.”

[2] As an example, with great effort, wheat and rye have been crossed to produce triticale [3] Fruit sugar in the soil is a powerful biological stimulant for soil life and a fledgling tree, sort of like black strap molasses.

LEVITICUS 20

Molech Worship and Other Sinas

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 Tell the Israelites: “Any Israelite or any foreigner living among you in Israel who 'sacrifices' any of his 'children' to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land must stone them with stones. 3 I also will be 'dead set' against that person and cut them off from among the people, because he has given a 'child' to Molech, defiling My 'cherished' place and profaning My special name. 4 If the people of the land 'tolerate' it when that person gives his children to Molech, and don’t kill them, 5 then I Myself will be 'dead set' against that person and their family, and cut them off from among their people, and anyone else who follows them in prostituting themselves to Molech.

6 “When anyone turns to mediums and spiritists in prostituting themselves to them, I’ll be 'dead set' against them and cut them off from among the people. 7 “Dedicate yourselves and be special, because I am Yehovah your Elohim. 8 You must obey My unchanging tenets and 'live' by them. I am Yehovah who sets you apart.

9 “Anyone who curses their father or mother will surely be put to death, since they cursed their father or mother, bringing death upon themselves.

10 “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, such as his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress must certainly be put to death.

11 “If a man has sex with his father’s wife, he has uncovered nakedness that is reserved for his father. Both of them must be put to death. They brought their own 'death' on themselves.

12 “If a man has 'sexual relations' with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. They have committed 'incest'. They brought their own 'death' on themselves.

13 “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have done something detestable. They must certainly be put to death. They brought their own 'death' on themselves.

14 “If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is shameful; both the man and the two women must be burned 'to death', so that no depravity will be found among you.

15 ‘If a man 'has sex' with an animal, he must be put to death, you must also kill the animal.

16 “If a woman approaches an animal and 'has sex' with it, you must kill the woman and the animal, they must certainly be put to death. They have brought their own 'deaths' on themselves.

17 “If a man 'marries' his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, and they have 'sexual relations', it’s a shameful thing, and they must be publicly cut off from their people. The man has shamed his sister, and he is guilty of sin.

18 “If a man has 'sexual relations' with a woman during her monthly period, he uncovers her flow, and she uncovers her flow of blood; so both of them must be removed from among their people.

19 “You must not have 'sexual relations' with your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, because that would shame a close relative; they’ll bear their guilt.

20 “If a man has 'sexual relations' with his aunt, he has 'shamed his uncle'; they will bear their guilt and die without children.

21 “If a man 'marries' his brother’s wife, it is detestable. He has 'shamed his brother'; they will die childless.

22 “You must obey all My unchanging tenets and all My regulations, and do them, so that the land where I’m bringing you to live won’t vomit you out. 23 You must not practice the customs of the heathens that I am driving out before you. They did all of these things and I abhorred them. 24 I told you, “You will take possession of their land, and I will give it to you to occupy, a land that flows with milk and honey.” I am Yehovah your Elohim who separated you from the heathens.

25 “You must distinguish between clean animals and the unclean, and between unclean fowl and clean, and you must not make yourselves highly detestable by animals or birds, or by anything that 'crawls' on the ground that I have set apart as unclean for you. 26 You are to be 'faithful' to Me because I, Yehovah, am 'faithful', and have separated you from other people to be Mine.

27 “A man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist must be put to death. You must stone them 'to death'; they have brought their 'own deaths' on themselves.”

LEVITICUS 21

Standards for the Priests

1 Then Yehovah said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the descendants of Aaron, and say to them, ‘A priest must not defile himself 'by touching' the dead among his people, 2 except for his close relatives—for his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, his brother, 3 and for his virgin sister who is close to him, who has had no husband; for her he can defile himself. 4 He must never defile himself for his inlaws and so as to defile himself.

5 ‘They must not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beard or cut their bodies. 6 They must be 'faithful' to their Elohim, and not profane their Elohim’s name, because they present the offerings of Yehovah made by fire, the bread of their Elohim, so they must be 'faithful'.

7 ‘They must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution, and they must not marry a woman who is divorced from her husband, because he is 'faithful' to his Elohim. 8 You must treat them as 'special' because they offer the bread of your Elohim. Consider them 'special', because I Yehovah am 'special', and I consider you 'special'.

9 “If the daughter of any priest defiles herself by prostitution, then she defiles her father, and she must be burned to 'death'.

10 “The high priest who was chosen from among his brothers, and had the anointing olive oil poured on his head and who has been appointed to wear the priestly clothes, must never dishevel his hair or tear his clothes. 11 He must never go near any dead bodies, or make himself unclean even for his father or mother, 12 and he must not leave the 'cherished' place or profane the 'cherished' place of his Elohim, because he has been dedicated with the anointing oil of his Elohim. I am Yehovah.

13 ‘He must only choose a virgin wife. 14 He must never marry a widow, a divorced woman, or someone defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people, 15 so that he doesn’t defile his descendants among his people, because I am Yehovah who makes him special.

16 Yehovah said to Moses: 17 “Say to Aaron: ‘None of your descendants in future generations who has a defect qualifies to offer the food of his Elohim. 18 Anyone who has a defect must not come near the altar: a man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed, 19 someone who has a broken foot or hand, 20 or a contorted back, or a dwarf, or someone who has a defect in his eye, or a festering rash or scabs, or a crushed testicle. 21 None of Aaron’s descendants who has an imperfection will be allowed to offer Yehovah’s food made by fire since he has a defect, he can not approach the altar to offer food to his Elohim. 22 Yet he can eat the bread of his Elohim, both the very special, and the special, 23 but he must never approach the veil or approach to the altar, because he has a defect. He must not defile my 'cherished' place, because I am Yehovah who makes them special.

24 So Moses spoke to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites.

LEVITICUS 22

Various Rules for Priests

1 Yehovah said to Moses, 2 “Tell Aaron and his sons to be careful with the special things of the Israelites that they 'dedicate' to Me, so as not to profane My 'unique' name. I am Yehovah.

3 “Tell them, ‘If any of your descendants in future generations approaches the 'dedicated' things that the Israelites make 'dedicated' to Yehovah, while in an unclean state must be cut off from My presence. I am Yehovah.

4 “Any descendant of Aaron who is afflicted with or has a discharge must not eat anything 'set aside' until he is clean. He also becomes unclean by touching a corpse, or by having an emission of semen, 5 or by touching any unclean crawling animal that makes him unclean, or by touching someone who is unclean for any reason. 6 The soul who touches any such thing will be unclean until sunset. He must not eat anything 'set aside' unless he has bathed his 'body' in water. 7 But when the sun sets, he will be clean, and afterward he can eat the 'restricted' things because it’s his food. 8 He must not eat an animal that has died naturally or that was killed by another animal, becoming unclean by it; I am I am Yehovah.

9 “They must obey My requirements, otherwise they’ll be guilty and die because of their uncleanness. I am Yehovah who sets them apart.

10 “Only people in a priest’s family can eat anything 'restricted'. A foreign visitor staying with the priests or a hired worker must never eat anything 'restricted'. 11 But if the priest buys a slave with his own silver, that slave can eat it, and anyone born in his house can eat his food. 12 If a priest’s daughter marries a person who is not a priest, she must not eat any of the 'restricted' offerings. 13 But if a priest’s daughter becomes a widow, or divorced, and has no children, and returns to her father’s house as in her youth, she can eat her father’s food, but no stranger can eat any of it.

14 “If anyone eats any 'restricted' food unintentionally, then they must add a fifth of its value to it, and repay the priest for the 'restricted' food. 15 The 'priests' must not let the Israelites defile the 'restricted' offerings that they give to Yehovah 16 by allowing others to eat the 'restricted' offerings, making that person guilty and requiring a restitution payment. I am Yehovah who 'distinguishes' them.”

17 Yehovah said to Moses: 18 “ Tell Aaron and his sons, and all the Israelites: Anyone from the House* of Israel, or any foreigner in Israel who presents their offering, whether it is to fulfill a vow or is a voluntary offering that they offer to Yehovah as a burnt offering, 19 for you to be accepted—it must be a male without defect from the cattle, sheep or goats. 20 You must not present anything that has a defect, because it won’t be accepted on your behalf. 21 Whenever someone presents a fellowship zebak [sacrifice] to Yehovah to fulfill a vow or for a voluntary offering from the herd or of the flock, it must be healthy with nothing wrong with it. 22 Those that are blind, injured, maimed, or have a wart, a festering rash, or running sores must never be offered to Yehovah. You must never offer any animals like these on the altar as an offering by fire to Yehovah. 23 With regard to a bull or a lamb that has an elongated or stunted leg, you can present it as a voluntary offering, but it won’t be accepted for a vow. 24 Any animal that has its testicles bruised, crushed, torn out or cut off you must not offer such to Yehovah. You must not do this in your land. 25 You are not be allowed to offer such animals even if taken from a foreigner as food of your Elohim. They are deformed and defective.”

26 Yehovah said to Moses: 27 “When a bull or a sheep or a goat is born it must remain with its mother for seven days, and from the eighth day on it will be acceptable as an offering by fire presented to Yehovah. 28 But whether it’s a bull or a sheep, you must not slaughter both it and its young on the same day. 29 When you offer a thanksgiving zebak to Yehovah, you must offer it in such a way that you will be accepted. 30 It must be eaten on the same day; leave none of it until morning. I am Yehovah.

31 “You must preserve My Commandments by doing them. I am Yehovah. 32 You must not profane My 'distinctive' name. I will be recognized as special among the Israelites. I am Yehovah who makes you special. 33 It was I who rescued you from the land of Egypt to be your Elohim. I am Yehovah.”

LEVITICUS 23

Sabbaths, Feasts and Festivals

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are Yehovah’s appointed Festivals that you will proclaim to be special public assemblies. They are My Festivals:

3 ‘You can work for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of complete rest, an 'appointed' gathering. Don’t do any work! It is the Sabbath of Yehovah wherever you gather [1].

4 “These are Yehovah’s specified times, the special public assemblies you are to declare at their specified times.

Passover

5 Yehovah’s Passover begins at sunset on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Feast of Unleavened Bread

6 On the fifteenth day of the same month [lunation] is Yehovah’s Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you must hold a 'special' public assembly. You must not do any regular work. 8 For seven days you must present offerings to Yehovah made by fire. On the seventh day hold a 'special' public assembly. Don’t do any regular work.”

Wave Sheaf Day (Part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread)

9 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 10 “Tell the Israelites, ‘Once you’ve entered the land that I’m giving you, and reaped a harvest, then you must bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He is to wave the omer before Yehovah, so that YOU will be accepted. The priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. 12 On the same day you wave the omer, you must offer a year old male lamb without any defects as a burnt offering to Yehovah. 13 The grain offering with it will be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil, an offering by fire to Yehovah for a pleasing aroma, and the drink offering with it will be a quarter of a hin [quart]. 14 You must not eat bread or roasted or fresh grain, until the commemorative day you bring this offering of your Elohim. This is a perpetual rule thruout your generations wherever you live.

Pentecost (aka Feast of Weeks, Shavuot, Firstfruits)

15 “From the day following the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the wave sheaf [lit: omer] offering, you must count off seven complete Sabbaths. 16 You must count fifty days, to the day following the seventh Sabbath. Then you’ll present a new [fresh] grain offering to Yehovah. 17 Bring from your homes two loaves of bread made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a wave offering. Bake them with leavening as the firstfruits for Yehovah. 18 Present with the bread seven perfectly sound one-year-old lambs, one young bull, and two rams as burnt offering to Yehovah, along with their grain offering, and their drink offerings. They will be zebakim [sacrifices], a soothing aroma to Yehovah. 19 Then offer one buck goat from the flock as a sin offering, and two one-year-old lambs as a zebak, a fellowship offering. 20 The priest will then wave them, along with the bread of the first crops as a wave offering before Yehovah with the two lambs. They must be 'dedicated' to Yehovah for the priests. 21 That commemorative day will be proclaimed a special public assembly for you, you must not do your usual labor. This is a permanent rule wherever you live thruout your generations.

22 “When you harvest the crops of your land, don’t harvest the corners of your field or glean what was missed during the harvest, you must leave that for the poor and for foreigners. I am Yehovah your Elohim.”

The Day of Trumpets

23 Yehovah said to Moses: 24 “Say to the Israelites: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month you are to have a Sabbath assembly, commemorated by the shouts of shofars; a special public assembly. 25 You must not do any regular work, but you must present an offering by fire to Yehovah.

The Day of Atonements

26 Yehovah said to Moses: 27 “On ‘exactly’ the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonements. You must hold a special public assembly. You must humble yourselves by fasting and present a burnt offering to Yehovah. 28 Don’t do any kind of work that day, because it’s the Day of Atonements, to make atonement on your behalf with Yehovah your Elohim. 29 If anyone won’t deny themselves on that day, they will be cut off from the people. [2] 30 Anyone who does any kind of work that day, I’ll put them to death and remove them from their people. 31 You must not do any kind of work, it’s a permanent rule thruout your generations wherever you live. 32 It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must humble yourselves by fasting on the ninth day of the month; from sundown until the following sundown you must celebrate your Sabbath.”

The Feast of Tabernacles

33 Yehovah said to Moses: 34 “Tell the Israelites: “The fifteenth day of this seventh month begins the Feast of Tabernacles lasting for seven days to Yehovah. 35 On the first day there is a special public assembly, don’t do any ordinary [employment/home] work.

The Eighth Day

36 For seven days you must present offerings made by fire to Yehovah. On the Eighth Day you are to hold a special public assembly, and you must present offerings made by fire to Yehovah. It’s a solemn assembly. Don’t do any ordinary work.

37 (‘These are Yehovah’s appointed Festivals. Announce them as special public assemblies to present offerings by fire to Yehovah—zebakim [sacrifices], and grain offerings, an atoning offering, and drink offerings, each on its proper day, 38 in addition to Yehovah’s Sabbaths and your gifts, all your vowed and voluntary offerings that you give to Yehovah.)

39 “So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you’ve gathered in the crops of the land, celebrate the Feast of Yehovah for seven days. On the first day there will be a Sabbath assembly and on the Eighth Day there will be a Sabbath assembly. 40 On the first day you will take fruit from the best trees, branches from palm trees, boughs from leafy trees and willows from the brooks; and celebrate before Yehovah your Elohim for seven days. 41 You must celebrate this Feast of Yehovah for seven days [not two] every year. It’s a permanent rule to be celebrated in the seventh month [it’s not the last month] from generation to generation. 42 You must live in tabernacles [aka sukkot or booths] for seven days. Every native born Israelite must live in a tabernacle, 43 so that coming generations will know that I had the Israelites live in tabernacles when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Yehovah your Elohim.”

44 So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed Festivals of Yehovah.

[1] At the end of the age, “You’ll be banished from their synagogues (assemblies) ... John 16:2.” But since the time of Constantine, natural dialog has been banished and a weekly monologue has been substituted! But The Bible Never Mentions Sermons!. [2] It stands to reason that there would be extenuating health circumstances. For example, my sister-in-law gave birth on Atonements without a drop of water, but she was already afflicting herself.

LEVITICUS 24

The Lamp and the Bread

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Command the Israelites to bring you 'pure' oil from crushed olives for the lamps [of the menorah] to keep the lamps burning continually. 3 Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tabernacle of Meeting, Aaron will tend the lamps from evening to morning before Yehovah continually, it will be a permanent rule thruout your generations. 4 He must keep the lamps in order on the pure gold menorah before Yehovah continually.

5 “Then take fine flour and bake twelve loaves from it, using two tenths of an ephah in each loaf. 6 Arrange them in two rows, six in each row, on the pure gold table before Yehovah. 7 You must put 'pure' frankincense near each row to serve as a memorial portion for the bread, a fire offering to Yehovah. 8 Every Sabbath day he must arrange the 'bread' before Yehovah continually. It’s an everlasting covenant for the Israelites. 9 It will be for Aaron and his sons, and they’ll eat it in a 'cherished' place, because it’s the very special portion of Yehovah’s offerings by fire; a permanent rule.

10 The son of an Israelite woman whose father was an Egyptian went out among the Israelites; and the Israelite woman’s son and an Israelite man fought with each other in the camp. 11 The Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the Name and cursed. So they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith, a daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan.) 12 They put him in custody until Yehovah’s will could be made clear to them.

13 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 14 “Take the man who cursed outside the camp, and have everyone who heard him lay their hands on his head, and have the entire assembly stone him to death. 15 You must tell the Israelites: Whoever curses his Elohim will be punished for their sin. 16 Anyone who blasphemes Yehovah’s name must certainly be put to death, the entire assembly is to stone them, whether a foreigner or someone native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.

17 ‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death. 18 Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must compensate for it, animal for animal. 19 Whoever injures a neighbor is to be injured the same way: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, anyone who inflicts an injury on another must receive the same injury. 21 Whoever kills an animal compensate for it, but whoever kills a human being must be put to death. 22 You are to apply the same standard to foreigners as you do the natives, because I am Yehovah your Elohim.”

23 “Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the guy who had cursed outside the camp and stoned him. The Israelites did as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

LEVITICUS 25

The Shemitah and Jubilee Years

1 Yehovah said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘Whenever [1] you enter the land that I’m giving you, then the land must not be worked, it’s a Sabbath celebration [the Shemitah] to honor Yehovah. (commentary) 3 You are to sow your fields for six years, and prune your vineyards for six years, and harvest the crops, 4 but during the seventh year there will be a Sabbath, a Sabbath rest for the land to honor Yehovah. You must not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 You must not preserve the volunteer crops; that grow by themselves [only harvest for daily use], or make wine* from the grapes of your untended vines. It will be a sabbatical year for the land. 6 The fresh Sabbath produce of the land will be food for you, for your servants, your maids, your hired servants and for the temporary residents living as foreigners with you. 7 Even your livestock and the game animals on your land will all be yours to eat.

Announcing the Upcoming Year of Jubilee

8 ‘You must count off seven Sabbaths of years—seven times seven years, so that the seven Sabbaths of years amounts to a period of forty-nine years. 9 Then you will sound the shofar alarm [Literally “shofar shofar”] [2] on the tenth day of the seventh moon, on the Day of Atonements you’ll sound the shofar alarm thruout your entire land. 10 You’ll dedicate the fiftieth year, and shout liberty thruout the land to all of its inhabitants. It will be a Jubilee for you, and each of you can return to your own property, and each of you will return to your own clan. 11 The fiftieth year will be your Jubilee year. During ‘that year’ you won’t plant, or preserve the “after crop”* from what grows by itself, or make wine* from any leftover* grapes. 12 It’s a Jubilee, it will be a ‘time of dedication’ [special] for you. You can eat the fresh voluntary produce from your fields.

13 In the Year of Jubilee everyone can return to their own property.

14 If you sell anything to your neighbor or buy anything from them, don’t take advantage of them. 15 When you buy property from your neighbor, base the price on the number of years since the last Jubilee. Your neighbor must sell it to you based on the number of crops until the next jubilee. 16 You are to increase its 'lease' in proportion to the larger number of years, and decrease its 'lease' in proportion to the fewer of years, because what he is 'leasing' to you is the number of harvests. 17 You must never take advantage of each other, but you must fear your Elohim because I am Yehovah your Elohim.

18 “You must preserve and obey My unchanging tenets and My regulations. When you obey them you will live securely in the land. 19 Then the land will yield its crops, and you’ll have plenty of food, and live there in security. 20 If you ask, “What are we going to eat in the seventh year if we don’t sow or gather crops?” 21 I’ll send such a blessing to you in the sixth year that it will produce a crop sufficient for three years. 22 When you are sowing the eighth year, you’ll still be eating some of the old harvest, and continue eating from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.

23 ‘The land must not be 'actually' sold, because the land is Mine. You are foreigners living as temporary residents with Me. 24 So for every piece of property you hold you must provide the option to redeem [reclaim] the land during the Jubilee.

25 “If one of your 'fellow countrymen' becomes so poor that they 'lease' some of their property, then his nearest relative can come and redeem what his 'fellow countryman' has 'leased'. 26 If a man has no one to redeem it, and he becomes more prosperous and finds sufficient means to redeem it, 27 then he can calculate the years since the 'lease', and refund the balance to the man he 'leased' it to, and return to his ancestral property. 28 But if he can’t afford to make a refund of what was 'leased', then what was 'leased' will remain in the hands of the one who 'leased' it until the Year of Jubilee, and in the Jubilee it will revert, so that they can return to 'the family' property.

29 “If a man sells a home in a walled city, then his right of redemption remains valid for a full year after the sale; his right of redemption lasts a full year. 30 If it isn’t redeemed by the end of a full year, then the house in the walled city becomes the permanent property of the buyer and the buyer’s descendants. It isn’t subject to release during the Jubilee Year. 31 But houses in unwalled villages are regarded as part of the open fields. They must be returned in the Jubilee.

32 “As for the Levitical cities, the Levites have a permanent right of redemption for the homes in the cities they own. 33 So any property leased from a Levite is redeemable—any house in a Levitical city must be released in the Jubilee, because the houses in their cities are their [only] property within Israel. 34 But the open pastureland surrounding their cities can’t be sold, because it’s their permanent property.

35 “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and unable to support themselves, help them like a foreigner or temporary resident and allow them to live among you. 36 Take no interest or profit from them, but fear your Elohim, so that they can live among you. 37 You must not lend him your silver at interest, or sell your food at a profit. 38 I am Yehovah your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your Elohim.

39 “If your fellow countryman becomes destitute and sells themselves to you, don’t subject them to slave labor. 40 Let them stay with you as hired workers or temporary residents. They are to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. 41 Then they and their children are to be released, and they can return to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors. 42 They are My servants who I brought out of the land of Egypt. They must not be sold as slaves. 43 You must not rule over them harshly, but fear your Elohim.

44 “As for the male and female slaves you may acquire—you can buy male and female slaves from the pagan nations around you. 45 You can also buy some of the foreigners living among, and members of their families born in your country. They will be your property. 46 You can acquire them for yourselves and can make them slaves for life. You can work them as slaves. But don’t treat the Israelites harshly. They are your fellow Israelites.

47 “If an immigrant or temporary resident among you prospers, and your fellow countryman becomes poor, and sells himself to foreigners living among you, or to a member of the foreigner’s clan, 48 then after they has been sold they have the right to be bought back. One of his relatives can buy them back: 49 an uncle or cousin can redeem them, or one of their close relatives from their clan can redeem them, or if they prosper, they can free themselves. 50 They and their buyer are to calculate the time from the year they sold themselves up to the Year of Jubilee. The price for their release is to be based on the number of years they were with his buyer, like the wages of a hired worker. 51 If there are many years left before the Jubilee, they will repay for their purchase in proportion to their purchase price. 52 If only a few years are left until the Year of Jubilee, they are to calculate that and pay for their purchase according to the years of service. 53 They are to be treated like annual workers. The buyer should not treat them harshly in your sight. 54 “If they aren’t redeemed by these means, then they and their children will be released in the Year of Jubilee. 55 The Israelites are My servants, My servants that I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am Yehovah your Elohim.

[1] “Whenever“ can and should be the word used here when translating from Hebrew, rather than “when“ since it will happen again, tho it is never (?) translated that way other than from both Aramaic and Latin. [2] The KJV wrongly says “trumpet of the jubile[e]”, in agreement with the Jewish custom of beginning years in the seventh month—a practice begun in Babylonian captivity. But an upcoming Jubilee was meant to be announced on the Day of Atonements of the seventh Shemitah year (the 49th year) and then BEGIN on New Year’s day in the SPRING. (The 50th year)

LEVITICUS 26

Covenant Blessings

1 “Don’t make idols for yourselves or set up any statues, sacred pillars or obelisks in your land to bow down to, because I am Yehovah your Elohim. 2 “You must preserve My Sabbaths and have reverence for My Temple. I am Yehovah.

3 “If you ‘live’ by My unchanging tenets, and obey My Commandments, and actually do them, 4 then I’ll send you your rain in the right season, and the land will yield produce, and the trees in the fields will produce their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue; until the grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting time [Clarke’s]! You’ll eat your fill of food, and live securely in your own land.

6 “I’ll grant peace in the land, and you’ll lie down, and no one will frighten you. I’ll remove wild animals from the land, and 'warfare' will never traverse your land. 7 You’ll chase your enemies, and they’ll 'die' before you 'in conflict'. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall beneath your sword.

9 “I’ll 'look favorably' toward you, and make you fertile and multiply you, and I will keep My covenant with you. 10 You’ll still be eating last year’s harvest and clear out the old 'to make room' for the new. 11 I’ll move My 'dwelling place' among you, and 'I' won’t reject you. 12 I’ll walk among you [Genesis 3:8], and be your Elohim, and you’ll be My people. 13 I am Yehovah your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you wouldn’t be their slaves. I’ve broken the bars of your yoke and made you 'stand tall'.

... Or I Will Curse You

14 “But if you don’t heed Me or obey all these Commandments, 15 and if you reject My unchanging tenets and despise My regulations and fail to obey all My Commandments and violate My covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will bring sudden terror on you, wasting diseases and fevers that will cause your eyes to fail and your life will ebb away. You’ll sow your seeds in vain because your enemies will eat 'what you plant'. 17 I’ll 'turn' against you, and you’ll be defeated before your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you’ll flee when no one is pursuing you.

18 “If you, in spite of these things, won’t obey Me, then I’ll punish you seven times more for your sins. 19 I’ll break the pride of your power, and I’ll make your sky like iron and your ground like bronze. 20 Your strength will be spent in vain, because your worn out dirt won’t produce any crops, and the trees of the land won’t bear any fruit.

21 “If you still show hostility toward Me and are unwilling to obey Me, then I’ll compound the plagues on you seven times more relative to your sins. 22 I’ll send wild animals against you, and they will kill your children, destroy your livestock, and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted.

23 “If under these conditions you still won’t be corrected by Me, but go about contrary to Me, 24 then I’ll continue to oppose you. I’ll strike you for your sins seven times! [2520 years] 25 I’ll bring a sword against you that will avenge your breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I’ll send an epidemic among you, and you’ll be handed over to the enemy. 26 When I have broken your staff of life, your bread, ten women will bake your bread in one oven, and they’ll ration out your bread by weight, and you’ll eat it and still be hungry.

27 “If in spite of this you still won’t listen to Me, and continue to oppose me, 28 then I will continue to oppose you in wrath, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over. 29 You’ll eat the flesh of your sons, and you’ll eat the flesh of your daughters. 30 I’ll destroy your high places and cut down your incense altars, and throw your dead bodies on the bodies of your idols, and 'I' will despise you. 31 I’ll devastate your towns, and destroy your holy places, and I’ll refuse to smell the sweet fragrances 'of your burnt offerings' [Targum of Jonathan]. 32 I’ll devastate your land so much that your enemies will be shocked when they come to resettle it. 33 I’ll scatter you among the nations, and I’ll and unsheathe a sword against you as your country becomes desolate and your towns become ruins. 34 Then the land will make up for its Sabbath years as it lies deserted while you are in exile in your enemies’ land. Then the land will rest and make up for its missed Sabbaths. [2] 35 As long as it lies deserted it will celebrate the rest that it didn’t have during the Sabbaths and Shemitas when you lived there.

36 “As for those of you who are left, I’ll demoralize you in the land of your enemies. The sound of a quivering leaf will send you fleeing. You’ll flee like someone fleeing from a sword, and you’ll fall even when no one is chasing you. 37 You will stumble over one another as if running from a sword when no one chasing you. You won’t be strong enough to stand up against your enemies. 38 You’ll die among the nations, and the land of your enemies will devour you. 39 So those who are left alive will rot away in their enemies’ lands because of their sins, and they will also rot away because of their ancestors’ sins.

40 “But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors—the unfaithfulness they committed against Me, and their acting with hostility against Me— 41 that made Me hostile toward them, and bring them into the land of their enemies—then if they humble their uncircumcised heart and they make amends for their wickedness, 42 then I’ll remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham, and I’ll remember the land. 43 The land will be abandoned by them, and will delight in its Sabbaths while it lies devastated without them [1]. At last the people will be punished for their sins, because they rejected My regulations, and they abhorred My unchanging tenets. 44 Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I won’t reject them or hate them so much that I exterminate them and break My covenant with them, since I am Yehovah their Elohim, 45 But for their sake I will remember My covenant with their ancestors who I brought out of the land of Egypt within eyesight of the nations, so that I could be their Elohim. I am Yehovah.”

46 These are the unchanging tenets, regulations and laws that Yehovah made between Him and the Israelites on Mount Sinai by Moses.

[1] This seems to make the case that Shemitah years (land Sabbaths) should have been practiced in modern times. [2] “Then will the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, &c.—A long arrear of sabbatic years had accumulated thru the avarice and apostasy of the Israelites, who had deprived their land of its appointed season of rest. The number of those sabbatic years seems to have been seventy, as determined by the duration of the captivity. This early prediction is very remarkable, considering that the usual policy of the Assyrian conquerors was to send colonies to cultivate and inhabit their newly acquired provinces.”—JFB But that prototypical return to Zion doesn’t even come close to comparing to the coming Second Exodus from captivity of all 12 tribes back to the land of Israel!

LEVITICUS 27

Vows and Valuations

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that when someone makes a special vow to Yehovah, the person must be valued by your established valuation of people belonging to Yehovah. 3 If the valuation concerns a man from twenty to sixty years old, your valuation is fifty silver shekels of the standard set for use in the 'cherished' place. 4 If it’s a woman, then your valuation will be thirty shekels. 5 If the person is between five to twenty years of age, then your valuation will be twenty silver shekels for a boy and ten silver shekels for a girl. 6 If the person is from a month of age to five years old, then your valuation will be five silver shekels for a boy, and your valuation will be three silver shekels for a girl. 7 If the person is from sixty years old and upward, if it’s a man, then your valuation will be fifteen shekels, and for a woman ten shekels. 8 But if the person is too poor to pay your valuation, then he’ll be presented to a priest who will determine the value based on what the person can afford.

9 “If the vow involves one of the animals that can be used as an offering to Yehovah, any of them that someone gives to Yehovah will be considered special. 10 They must not replace or exchange a good one for a bad one, or a bad one for a good one; if they do substitute animals, then both it and its substitute will be special. 11 If it’s any unclean animal that can’t be offered as an offering to Yehovah, then the animal must be presented to a priest, 12 and the priest will value it, whether 'high' or 'low'. The value will be whatever the priest determines. 13 But if the owner decides to redeem it, one-fifth more must be added to its valuation.

14 “If anyone dedicates their house as something special to Yehovah, then a priest must appraise it, whether it’s 'high' or 'low'. The value will be whatever the priest determines. 15 If someone [1] dedicates their house and decides to redeem it, they must add a fifth to its value in silver, and the house will again become theirs.

16 “If someone dedicates part their field to Yehovah, then your valuation will be proportionate to the seed required for it—fifty shekels of silver to a omer of barley seed. 17 If you dedicate a field during the Year of Jubilee, your set valuation stands. 18 But if you dedicate your field after the Jubilee, then a priest will calculate the silver for you in proportion to the years left until the next Year of Jubilee, and deduct from your valuation. 19 If the person who dedicated the field ever wants to redeem it, then they must add a fifth more silver to it, and it will become theirs again. 20 But if they don’t redeem the field, or if they have sold it to someone else, it is no longer redeemable. 21 When the field reverts in the Jubilee, it will be special to Yehovah, a devoted field, it becomes the priest’s property.

22 “If they dedicate a field to Yehovah that they 'leased', (that isn’t part of a field of their ancestral property), 23 then a priest will determine its value up to the Year of Jubilee, and the person will pay that price on that day as a special thing to Yehovah. 24 In the Year of Jubilee the field will return to the person who 'leased' it out, the actual owner. 25 All of your valuations will be set using the standard shekel of the 'cherished' place, twenty gerahs to the shekel.

26 “No one can dedicate the firstborn of an animal to Yehovah, whether a bull or sheep, it’s already Yehovah’s. 27 If it’s an unclean animal, then they can buy it back according to your valuation, adding a fifth to it. If it isn’t redeemed, it must be sold at the assigned value.

28 “But nothing that a person owns and devotes to Yehovah from anything he owns, whether a person, an animal, or his inherited landholding, can be sold or redeemed. Every devoted thing is very special to Yehovah. 29 “No one devoted to destruction can be ransomed; they must be put to death.

30 “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees belongs to Yehovah. It’s special to Yehovah. 31 If anyone redeems any part of his tithe, they must add a fifth more to it. 32 Every tenth head of cattle or sheep that passes under the shepherd’s staff will be dedicated to Yehovah. 33 You must not look to see if it is good or bad or make any exchanges. But if you do exchange it, both the first animal and its substitute will be special. They cannot be redeemed.”

34 “These are the Commandments that Yehovah gave Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites.

[1] While Hebrew always defaults to the male gender, as in “a man”, women too could own property, as in Proverbs 31.

NUMBERS 1

Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

The Census of Israel

1 Then Yehovah said to Moses in the Sinai Desert in the Tabernacle of Meeting, on the first day of the second month, during the second year after they left the land of Egypt. He said: 2 “Take a census of the entire Israelite assembly, by their clans and 'ancestral' houses, according to the number of the names, every male 'individual', 3 from twenty years of age and upward, everyone in Israel who is able to go to war. You and Aaron must register them by their divisions. 4 One man from every tribe will be there to assist you, each one a head of his fathers’ 'family'. 5 These are the names of the men who will stand with you,

from Reuben, Shedeur’s son Elizur;

6 from Simeon, Zurishaddai’s son Shelumiel;

7 from Judah, Nahshon, Amminadab’s son;

8 from Issachar, Zuar’s son Nethanel;

9 from Zebulun, Helon’s son Eliab;

10 from Joseph’s sons: from Ephraim, Ammihud’s son Elishama; from Manasseh, Pedahzur’s son Gamaliel;

11 from Benjamin, Gideoni’s son Abidan;

12 from Dan, Ammishaddai’s son Ahiezer;

13 from Asher, Ochran’s son Pagiel;

14 from Gawd, Deuel’s son Eliasaph;

15 from Naphtali, Enan’s son Ahira;

16 These are the ones who were chosen from the assembly, the leader of their fathers’ tribes and heads of families of Israel.

17 Moses and Aaron took these men who had been mentioned by name. 18 They gathered the entire assembly together on the first day of the second month, and they registered their ancestry according to their family records by their clans and their 'ancestral' houses, according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more. 19 just as Yehovah had commanded Moses. So he counted them in the Sinai Desert.

20 From the descendants of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn:

Every man twenty years old or more who was able to serve in the army was individually recorded by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 21 The number from the tribe of Reuben was 46,500.

22 Of the descendants of Simeon: All the men twenty years of age or more who were able to go out to war were individually recorded by name, according to the records of their clans and 'ancestral' houses: 23 those listed of the tribe of Simeon were 59,300.

24 From the descendants of Gawd, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses, individually recorded by the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 25 the number from the tribe of Gawd was 45,650.

26 From the descendants of Judah, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 27 the number from the tribe of Judah was 74,600.

28 From the descendants of Issachar, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 29 the number from the tribe of Issachar was 54,400.

30 From the descendants of Zebulun, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 31 the number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400.

32 From the descendants of Joseph, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 33 the number from the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500.

34 From the descendants of Manasseh, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 35 the number from the tribe of Manasseh was 32,200.

36 From the descendants of Benjamin, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 37 the number from the tribe of Benjamin was 35,400.

38 From the descendants of Dan, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 39 the number from the tribe of Dan was 62,700.

40 From the descendants of Asher, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses, according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 41 the number from the tribe of Asher was 41,500.

42 From the descendants of Naphtali, according to their family records by their clans and 'ancestral' houses, according to the number of names, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, whoever was able to go out to war, 43 the number from the tribe of Naphtali was 53,400.

44 These are the ones who Moses and Aaron counted, along with the twelve leading men of Israel, all representing their ancestral descent. 45 So the Israelites were registered by households, from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war in Israel. 46 The entire registry was 603,550 men.

47 But the Levites were not registered with them by their 'ancestral' houses. 48 Yehovah had told Moses: 49 “Don’t register the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. 50 Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and everything in it. They must carry the Tabernacle, and all its furnishings, and they’ll take care of it, and camp around it. 51 When the Tabernacle is to move, the Levites will take it down, and when the Tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites will set it up. Anyone else who approaches it must be put to death. 52 The Israelites are to camp by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their own 'banner'. 53 But the Levites will camp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony, so that there won’t be wrath on the Israelite assembly. So the Levites will be in charge of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.”

54 So the Israelites did everything just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

NUMBERS 2

Layout of the Camps

1 Yehovah said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “The Israelites must all camp by their own standard, with the banners of their 'ancestral' houses. They are to camp around the Tabernacle of Meeting at a distance.

3 “Those on the east side toward the sunrise are to camp under the standard of Judah, by their divisions, and the leader of the camp of Judah is Amminadab’s son Nahshon. 4 His division numbers 74,600 men.

5 The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them, and the leader of the descendants of Issachar is Zuar’s son Nethanel. 6 His division numbers 54,400 men.

7 Also on the east is the tribe of Zebulun. The leader of the descendants of Zebulun is Helon’s son Eliab. 8 His division 'numbers' 57,400 men.

9 The total number of enlisted men in Judah’s camp is 186,400; They will set out first.

10 On the south side will be the standard of the camp of Reuben by their divisions. The leader of the descendants of Reuben is Shedeur’s son Elizur. 11 His division numbers 46,500 men.

12 Those camped next to him will be the tribe of Simeon. The leader of the descendants of Simeon is Zurishaddai’s son Shelumiel. 13 His division numbers 59,300 men.

14 Then comes the tribe of Gawd. The leader of the descendants of Gawd is, Reuel’s son Eliasaph. 15 His division numbers 45,650 men.

16 The total number of enlisted men in the camp of Reuben, by their divisions numbers 151,450 men. They will set out second.

17 Then the Tabernacle of Meeting will set out with the Levites staying in the middle of the camps. The tribes will move out in the same order as they are in the camp, everyone in place by their standards.

18 On the west side will be the standard of the camp of Ephraim by their divisions, and the leader of the descendants of Ephraim is Ammihud’s son Elishama. 19 His division numbers 40,500 men.

20 Next to him will be the tribe of Manasseh. The leader of the descendants of Manasseh is Gamaliel, Pedahzur’s son. 21 His division numbers 32,200 men.

22 Next the tribe of Benjamin, and the leader of the descendants of Benjamin is Gideoni’s son Abidan. 23 His division numbers 35,400 men.

24 The total of enlisted men in Ephraim’s camp is 108,100. They must set out third.

25 On the north side will be the standard of the camp of Dan according to their divisions, and the leader of the descendants of Dan will be Ammishaddai’s son Ahiezer. 26 His division numbers 62,700.

27 Encamped next to him will be the tribe of Asher. The leader of the descendants of Asher is Ochran’s son Pagiel,. 28 His division numbers 41,500 men.

29 Next the tribe of Naphtali. The leader of the descendants of Naphtali is Ahira, Enan’s son. 30 His division numbers 53,400 men.

31 The total number of enlisted men in Dan’s camp number 157,600. They must set out last by their standards.

32 This is the entire number of Israelites counted by households. All the men in the camps by their divisions totaled 603,550. 33 But the Levites weren’t enlisted with the other Israelites, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

34 So the Israelites did everything that Yehovah commanded Moses; they camped by their standards in this way and moved out the same way, each man by his clan and by his 'ancestral' house.

NUMBERS 3

The Levitical Priesthood

1 This is the genealogy of Aaron and Moses’ 'descendants' at the time when Yehovah spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.

2 These are the names of Aaron’s sons: Nadab the firstborn, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests who were appointed to serve as priests. 4 Nadab and Abihu died in the presence of Yehovah when they presented unauthorized fire before Yehovah in the Sinai Desert, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the presence of Aaron their father.

5 Yehovah said to Moses: 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest so that they can assist him. 7 They must carry out the duties for him and for the entire assembly by doing the work of the Tabernacle. 8 They are to take care of all the furnishings of the Tabernacle of Meeting, along with the duties of the Israelites by doing the work of the Tabernacle. 9 Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the only Israelites to be given to him on the behalf of the Israelites. 10 You are to appoint Aaron and his sons, and they’ll serve as priests; 'anyone' else who approaches must be put to death.”

11 Yehovah said to Moses: 12 “I am choosing the Levites from among the Israelites instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the Israelites, and the Levites will be Mine, 13 because all the firstborn are Mine! On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I 'appointed' for Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They’ll be Mine. I am Yehovah.”

14 Yehovah spoke to Moses in the Sinai Desert: 15 “Count the members of the tribe of Levi by their families and clans. You must count every male over one month old.” 16 Moses counted them according to the Word of Yehovah as he was commanded.

17 These were Levi’s sons by name: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

18 These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans, Libni and Shimei.

19 The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

20 The sons of Merari by their clans: Mahli and Mushi.

These are the clans of the Levites according to their 'ancestral' houses.

21 From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan. These were the Gershonite clans. 22 The number of all the males who were counted a month old or more totaled 7,500. 23 The Gershonite clan camped on the west side behind the Tabernacle. 24 The leader of the 'ancestral' house of the Gershonites was Lael’s son Eliasaph,. 25 The duties of the sons of Gershon in the Tabernacle of Meeting included the Tabernacle, the tent, its covering and the screen for the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting, 26 the curtains of the courtyard, the curtains for the entry to the court by the Tabernacle, around the altar, its ropes, and all the work related to their use.

27 From Kohath came the Amramite clan, the Izharite clan, the Hebronite clan, and the Uzzielite clan. These were the Kohathite clans. 28 Counting all the males who were a month old and up, there were 8,600, responsible for the duties of the dedicated things. 29 The clans of the descendants of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, 30 The leader and the leader of the family of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan, Uzziel’s son. 31 Their duties included the ark, the table, the menorah, the altars, the utensils of the 'Temple' that they minister with, the curtain everything related to them. 32 Eleazar son of Aaron the priest was the principal leader of the Levites. He was supervisor over those performing the duties of the 'appointed' place.

33 The clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites belonged too Merari; these were the Merarite clans. 34 The number of males over one month old, was was 6,200. 35 The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel, Abihail’s son. They were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36 The assigned duties of Merari’s descendants included the framework of the tabernacle, its crossbars, its posts, its bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use, 37 as well as the posts for the courtyard, their bases, their pins and ropes.

38 Those who were to camp before in front of the tabernacle toward the sunrise were Moses and Aaron and his sons, performing the requirements of the 'cherished' place for the obligation of the Israelites. Any 'outsider' who came near was to be put to death.

39 Moses and Aaron counted the Levite men by their clans, as Yehovah commanded, and there were 22,000 males one month old or older. [Jots]

40 Yehovah said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month of age or more and record their names. 41 Take the Levites for Me (I am Yehovah) instead of all the firstborn among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the Israelites.

42 So Moses counted all the firstborn Israelites as Yehovah commanded him. 43 The total number of firstborn males on the list of names from a month of age or more, was 22,273.

44 Yehovah said to Moses: 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock, and the Levites will be Mine. I am Yehovah. 46 Since there are 273 more firstborn sons than Levites, to redeem these extra firstborn sons, 47 collect five silver shekels for each one, that is the shekel of the 'cherished' place, (a shekel is twenty gerahs), 48 and give the silver, the redemption price of those who outnumber the Levites to Aaron and his sons.

49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the Israelites he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels, according to the shekel used at the 'appointed' place. 51 Then Moses gave the redemption silver to Aaron and his sons, at the command of Yehovah, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

NUMBERS 4

The Kohathite Clan

1 Yehovah said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Take a census of the descendants of Kohath from among the Levites by their clans and their 'ancestral' houses, 3 from thirty to fifty years of age who are eligible to serve in the the Tabernacle of Meeting.

4 “These the responsibilities of the descendants of Kohath in the Tabernacle of Meeting: the care of the most special things. 5 When it’s time to break camp, Aaron and his sons will go in and they’ll take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the Ark of the Testimony with it. 6 Then they are to place a covering of fine leather on it, and spread a pure blue cloth over it, and set the poles in place.

7 “Over the table of the Presence they must spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers for the 'wine' offerings; the bread that is always there is to remain on it. 8 They must spread a scarlet cloth over everything and cover all of this with a covering made of fine leather [?], and then set the poles in place.

9 Then they are to take a blue cloth and cover the menorah of light, and its lamps and its wick trimmers and its trays and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. 10 Then they must wrap all its utensils within a covering of fine leather and put it on the carrying frame.

11 “Then they must spread a blue cloth over the gold altar and cover it with a fine leather covering, and place its carrying poles. 12 “They must gather all the utensils of service that they serve with in the 'appointed' place and put them in a blue cloth and cover them with fine leather and put them on the carrying frame.

13 “They must remove the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to put all the equipment used for servicing on it, the firepans, meat forks, the shovels, and the basins, all the utensils of the altar, and spread on it a covering of fine leather and then set the poles in place. 15 When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the things, and all the furnishings of the 'cherished' place, as the camp moves forward, then the sons of Kohath will come to carry them, but they must not touch the 'restricted' things or they’ll die. These are the things in the Tabernacle of Meeting that the Kohathites are to carry.

16 “Eleazar son of Aaron the priest will be responsible for the olive oil for the lighting, the fragrant incense, the continual grain offering, the anointing oil, the requirements of the entire Dwelling Place and everything in it, the 'cherished' place and its furnishings.

17 Yehovah said to Moses and Aaron: 18 “Don’t allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be eliminated from among the Levites. 19 Do this for them so that they can live and not die when they approach the very special things: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry. 20 But they must never go in to see the 'restricted' things even for a moment, or they’ll die.”

21 Yehovah said to Moses: 22 “Take a census of the Gershonites by their fathers’ households and their clans. 23 Register men between thirty years and fifty years of age; anyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tabernacle of Meeting.

24 “This is how the Gershonite clans must serve, by general service and carrying loads. 25 They must carry the curtains of the Tabernacle and the Tabernacle of Meeting, its covering and the covering of fine leather that is above on it, and the curtain for the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting, 26 and the curtains of the court, and the screen for the door of the gate of the court that’s by the Tabernacle and around the altar, and their cords and all the equipment for their service. They must do everything that needs to be done with these things. 27 The entire service of the sons of the Gershonites, all their transportation duties and all their other work is to be done at the direction of Aaron and his sons. You are to assign to them everything they are to carry. 28 This is the service of Gershonite clans in the Tabernacle of Meeting. Their duty will be under the 'direction' of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

29 “As for the descendants of Merari, you are to take a census of their clans and families. 30 Register men from thirty to fifty years of age who enter the service to do the work of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 31 These are all their duties relative to their service in the Tabernacle of Meeting: the Tabernacle’s planks, the crossbars, posts and bases, 32 and the pillars surrounding the courtyard and their bases, pegs and ropes, with all the equipment related to their use. You are to assign by name the items that each man is responsible to carry. 33 These are all of the responsibilities of the Merarite clans at the Tabernacle of Meeting under the 'direction' of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”

34 Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the assembly counted the Kohathites by their clans and by their families, 35 those from thirty years old to fifty years old who were eligible for work in the Tabernacle of Meeting. 36 Those who were registered by their clans were 2,750. 37 These were the ones who were registered from the clans of the Kohathites who served in the Tabernacle of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted according to the command of Yehovah by Moses.

38 The descendants of Gershon were registered according to their clans and by their 'ancestral' houses, 39 from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who could enter the service for work in the the Tabernacle of Meeting. 40 The men registered by their clans and their 'ancestral' houses totaled 2,630. 41 This was the total of all those who were counted of the families of the sons of Gershon, everyone who served in the Tabernacle of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to Yehovah’s command.

42 The clans of the descendants of Merari were registered by their clans and their 'ancestral' houses, 43 from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone eligible for service, for work in the Tabernacle of Meeting, 44 The men registered by their clans came to 3,200. 45 This was the total of those in the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron registered them as Yehovah had commanded.

46 Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and their 'ancestral' houses, 47 from thirty years old to fifty years old, everyone who qualified to do the work of serving and carrying the Tabernacle of Meeting. 48 They counted 8,580 men. 49 At the commandment of Yehovah they were counted by Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry. So were they counted by him, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

NUMBERS 5

When a Wife Goes Astray

1 Yehovah instructed Moses: 2 “Command the Israelites to quarantine from the camp anyone who has a serious skin disease, and everyone who has a discharge, and whoever is unclean by touching a corpse. 3 Send both men and women outside the camp so that they won’t defile their camp where I live among them.” 4 The Israelites did so, and sent them outside the camp. The Israelites did as Yehovah instructed Moses.

5 Yehovah said to Moses: 6 “Tell the Israelites: ‘When a man or woman commits any sin against anyone else they are betraying Yehovah. That person is guilty 7 and must confess the sin they’ve committed, and make restitution for their wrong in full adding one-fifth to it, and give it to the person who was wronged. 8 But if that person has no close relative to accept the compensation for the wrong, the compensation for wrong is to be made to Yehovah for the priest, in addition to the ram to make atonement for him. 9 Every 'contribution' 'besides' the 'exclusive' things that the Israelites present to the priest will be his. 10 Everyone’s’ 'designated' gift is theirs to give, but what anyone gives to the priest will be his.”

11 Yehovah said to Moses: 12 “Speak to the Israelites, and tell them, ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him, 13 and another man has had 'sexual relations' with her without her husband’s knowledge, and it is 'kept secret', while she may have been defiled herself, there is no witness to accuse her and she has not been caught in the act. 14 If feelings of jealousy come over her husband, and he suspects that his wife has defiled herself, or if a 'sense' of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife, tho she has not defiled herself, 15 then the man is to bring his wife to the priest, and bring her offering for her, a tenth of an ephah of barley meal. He’ll pour no olive oil on it and put no frankincense on it, it’s a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering serving as a reminder, a reminder of wickedness.

16 “The priest is to bring her forward and have her stand before Yehovah, 17 and the priest will take 'designated' water in a clay pot, and the priest will take dust from the floor of the Tabernacle and put it into the water. 18 When the priest has presented the woman before Yehovah, he must loosen her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of remembrance, that is the grain offering of jealousy; and in the hand of the priest is to be the water of bitterness that brings a curse. 19 The priest will have her take an oath and tell her, “If no other man has had 'sexual relations' with you and you have not gone astray and been 'unfaithful to' your husband, then be 'immune' to this water of bitterness that brings a curse. 20 But if you have gone astray and been 'unfaithful to' your husband, and if you are defiled by having 'sexual relations' with a man other than your husband.”—

21 Then the priest will have the woman swear the oath of the curse, and the priest will tell the woman, “May Yehovah cause others see that you are cursed among your people when He makes your womb waste away and your abdomen swell. 22 This water that brings a curse will go inside you and make your inward parts to make your belly swell up and your womb collapse. The woman will say, “Aw-main', Aw-main'. 23 And the priest will write these curses in a scroll, and wipe them off into the water of bitterness. 24 He’ll make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causes the curse, and the water that causes the curse will enter her and cause bitterness.

25 The priest will take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman’s hand, and wave the grain offering before Yehovah, and bring it to the altar. 26 The priest will take a handful of the grain offering as a token offering and turn it into smoke on the altar, and after that he is to have the woman drink the water. 27 After he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that causes the curse will enter her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her womb collapse, and the woman will become a curse among her people. 28 But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, then she will be unharmed and still be able to have children.

29 “This is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband, 30 or when feelings of jealousy come over a man, and he is suspicious of his wife, then he is to set the woman before Yehovah, and the priest will apply this entire law to her. 31 The husband will be free of blame, but the [guilty] woman will bear the consequences of her wickedness.”

NUMBERS 6

The Nazarite Vow

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Tell the Israelites: ‘When either a man or woman makes a special vow, a Nazarite vow, dedicating themselves to Yehovah, 3 they must never drink wine, liquor, vinegar made from wine or liquor or any kind of grape juice or raisins. 4 For the duration of their separation they must eat nothing that comes from a grapevine including seeds and skins.

5 ‘For the duration of their vow of separation no razor is to be used on their head. Until the time of their separation to Yehovah is finished they will be special. They must let their hair grow long. 6 Thruout their time of separation to Yehovah they must never go near a dead soul. [1] 7 They must not make themselves unclean for their father or mother or their brother or sister when they die, because the symbol of their dedication to Elohim appears on their head. 8 Thruout their period of separation they are 'dedicated' to Yehovah.

9 “If someone dies very suddenly beside them, defiling the hair that symbolizes their dedication, then they must shave their head on the day of their cleansing. On the seventh day they must shave it. 10 On the eighth day they must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, to the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 11 The priest will offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering and make atonement for them because of the uncleanness they incurred due to the dead. That same day they are to dedicate their head again. 12 They must dedicate to Yehovah the days of their separation, and bring a male lamb a year old for a 'restitution' offering, but the previous days will be void, because their separation was defiled.

13 “This is the law of the Nazarite when the duration of their separation is finished, they must come to the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting 14 and present their offering to Yehovah: a one year old male lamb without defects for a burnt offering, a one ewe lamb a year old without defects as a sin offering, one ram without defects for a fellowship offering, 15 and a basket of unleavened loaves of fine flour mixed with olive oil, unleavened wafers anointed with olive oil, along with their grain offering and their drink offerings. 16 The priest will present these offerings before Yehovah and offer their sin offering and their burnt offering. 17 They must ze’bak [sacrifice] the ram as a fellowship zebak to Yehovah, along with the basket of unleavened bread. Then the priest will offer the accompanying grain offering and drink offering.

18 “The Nazarite must shave the head of hair that marks their separation at the entrance at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting, and take the hair of the head of their separation and put it on the fire that’s under the zebak for the fellowship zebakim. 19 The priest will take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and put them on the hands of the Nazarite, after they have shaved the head of their separation. 20 Then the priest will wave them as a wave offering before Yehovah. This is 'set aside' for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is offered. After this the Nazarite can drink wine.

21 “These are the instructions for those who have made the Nazarite vow, and concerning their offering to Yehovah for their separation, in addition to whatever else they can afford. They must fulfill the vows they have made according to the law of separation.”

22 Yehovah said to Moses: 23 “Tell Aaron and to his sons, ‘This is how you’ll bless the Israelites. Tell them,:

24 ‘Yehovah bless you and protect you. 25 Yehovah will 'smile' on you and be merciful to you. 26 Yehovah will 'look' toward you with favor and give you peace.’

27 So they will pronounce My name to bless the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

[1] Souls die! (Ezekiel 18:4 & 20) They are all mortal! Any sect that defends that particular simple truth is considered a cult (actually a very interesting word) by the establishment churches. There are safe havens for at least that particular truth. Most or all of them probably have well designed exposes on the topic. It just so happens that this is the best one I’ve found so far, so much so that anyone not pre-programmed should see it right away. As for some of the other teachings from those sources, well it’s much more challenging to validate errors.

NUMBERS 7

Offerings at the Dedication of the Altar

1 Now on the day that Moses finished setting up the Tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart as 'special' with all its furnishings and the altar and all its utensils; he also anointed them and made them 'special'. 2 The leaders of Israel, the heads of their 'ancestral' households made offerings. (These were the leaders of the tribes; they were the ones who supervised the men who were counted). 3 They brought their offering before Yehovah, six covered wagons, twelve bulls, a wagon for every two of the leaders, and for each one a bull, and they presented them in front of the Tabernacle.

4 Yehovah said to Moses: 5 “Accept these gifts from them so that they can be used in the work associated with the Tabernacle of Meeting, and give them to the Levites as they need them.“ 6 So Moses took the wagons and the bulls and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two wagons and four bulls to the descendants of Gershon, as their work required, 8 and he gave four wagons and eight bulls to the descendants of Merari, as their work required under the supervision of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. 9 But he gave none to the descendants of Kohath, because the 'Temple' service belonged to them and they carried it on their shoulders.

10 The leaders also brought dedication offerings for the altar on the day it was anointed. The leaders presented their offerings in front of the altar. 11 Yehovah said to Moses, “Each day have one leader present their offering for the dedication of the altar.”

12 The one who offered his offering on the first day was Amminadab’s son, from the tribe of Judah.

13 His offering was one silver dish that weighed one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel, each full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 14 one gold ladle weighing ten shekels, filled with incense, 15 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering, 16 a male goat for a sin offering, 17 and for fellowship zebakim [sacrifices], two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Amminadab’s son Nahshon.

18 On the second day Zuar’s son Nethanel, leader of Issachar presented his offering.

19 The offering he brought was one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 20 one gold bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense, 21 one bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old as a burnt offering; 22 one male goat as a sin offering; 23 and for fellowship zebakim, two bulls, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Zuar’s son Nethanel.

24 On the third day Helon’s son Eliab, leader of the descendants of Zebulun

25 presented his offering of one silver dish weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 27 one young bull, one ram, one year old male lamb as a burnt offering and 28 one male goat as a sin offering, 29 and for the fellowship zebakim, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Helon’s son Eliab.

30 On the fourth day Elizur’s son Shedeur, leader of the descendants of Reuben

31 presented his offering, one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering and 32 one gold ladle weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. 33 He brought a young bull, a ram, and one male lamb one year old, as a burnt offering; 34 and a male goat as a sin offering. 35 and for fellowship zebakim, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shedeur’s’ son Elizur.

36 On the fifth day Zurishaddai’s son Shelumiel, leader of the Simeonites;

37 presented his offering of one silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy standard 'Temple' shekels, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 38 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 39 one young bull, one ram, one year old male lamb for a burnt offering; 40 one male goat as a sin offering; 41 for the fellowship zebakim, two bulls, five rams, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Zurishaddai’s son Shelumiel.

42 On the sixth day it was Deuel’s son Eliasaph, leader of the descendants of Gad

43 who presented his offering of one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels, a silver bowl weighing seventy standard 'Temple' shekels, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 44 one gold pan of weighing ten shekels, full with incense, 45 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 46 one male goat for a sin offering; 47 and for fellowship zebakim, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Deuel’s son, Eliasaph.

48 On the seventh day Ammihud’s son Elishama, leader of the descendants of Ephraim

49 presented his offering of a silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 50 one gold bowl weighing ten shekels, full with incense; 51 one young bull, one ram, and one year old male lamb as a burnt offering, 52 one male goat as a sin offering; 53 and for the fellowship zebakim, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ammihud’s son Elishama.

54 On the eighth day Pedahzur’s son Gamaliel, leader of the descendants of Manasseh

55 presented his offering of one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 56 one gold bowl weighing ten shekels, full with incense, 57 one young bull, one ram, one year old male lamb as a burnt offering; 58 one male goat as a sin offering; 59 and for the fellowship zebac, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pedahzur’s son Gamaliel.

60 On the ninth day Gideoni’s son Abidan, leader of the descendants of Benjamin presented his offering.

61 His offering was one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 62 one gold bowl weighing ten shekels, full with incense; 63 one young bull, one ram, one year old male lamb as a burnt offering, 64 one male goat as a sin offering, 65 and for the fellowship zebak, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gideoni’s son Abidan.

66 On the tenth day Ammishaddai’s son Ahiezer, leader of the descendants of Dan presented his offering.

67 His offering was one silver dish one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 68 one gold pan weighing ten shekels, full of incense; 69 one young bull, one ram, one year old male lamb as a burnt offering; 70 one male goat as a sin offering; 71 and for zebak of the fellowship zebak, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ammishaddai’s son Ahiezer.

72 On the eleventh day it was Ochran’s son Pagiel, leader of the descendants of Asher;

73 who presented his offering of one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 74 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense, 75 one young bull, one ram, one year old male lamb as a burnt offering, 76 one male goat as a sin offering; 77 and for fellowship zebak, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ochran’s son Pagiel.

78 On the twelfth day it was Enan’s son Ahira, leader of the descendants of Naphtali

79 who presented his offering of one silver dish weighing one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel, both of them full of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, 80 one gold bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense, 81 one young bull, one ram, one year old male lamb as a burnt offering, 82 one male goat as a sin offering, 83 and for fellowship zebak, two bulls, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the dedication offering of Enan’s son Ahira.

84 This was the fellowship zebak of the altar on the day when it was anointed by the leaders of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, twelve gold dishes, 85 each silver plate weighing one hundred thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy shekels, the total weight of the silver utensils was two thousand four hundred shekels by the standard 'Temple' shekel. 86 The twelve gold bowls filled with incense weighed ten shekels apiece by the standard 'Temple' shekel, the total weight of the gold was one hundred twenty shekels, 87 all the livestock for the burnt offering totaled twelve bulls, twelve rams, the twelve male lambs a year old, and their grain offerings, and the twelve male goats as a sin offering, 88 and all the livestock for fellowship zebakim totaled twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, sixty male lambs a year old. This was the dedication for the offering after it was anointed.

89 When Moses entered the Tabernacle of Meeting to speak with Yehovah, he heard His voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the Ark of the Testimony from between the two cherubim. This is how He spoke to him.

NUMBERS 8

The Seven Lamps of the Menorah

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Speak to Aaron, and tell him: When you set up the lamps of the menorah the seven lamps will shine in the front of the menorah.” 3 So Aaron did this; he set up the lamps so that they shone in front of the menorah, as Yehovah had commanded Moses. 4 This was how the menorah was constructed: It was made of hammered gold; from its base to its flowers. The menorah was hammered like the pattern that Yehovah had shown Moses.

5 Yehovah said to Moses: 6 “Separate the Levites from among the Israelites, and cleanse them. 7 This is what you must do to cleanse them, sprinkle purifying water on them, and have them shave their whole bodies with a razor, and have them wash their clothes so they will be clean. 8 Then have them take a young bull, and its grain offering, fine flour mixed with olive oil, and you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering. 9 Then present the Levites in front of the Tabernacle of Meeting. Gather the entire Israelite assembly. 10 You must present the Levites before Yehovah. The Israelites will lay their hands on the Levites, 11 and Aaron will 'present' the Levites before Yehovah for a wave offering, on the behalf of the Israelites to enable them to do Yehovah’s service.

12 “The Levites will lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, then you are to offer one as a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to Yehovah, to make atonement for the Levites. 13 Have the Levites stand before Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering to Yehovah. 14 In this way you are to separate the Levites from the other Israelites, and the Levites will belong to Me. 15 Then after that the Levites can go in to do their work in the Tabernacle of Meeting, and you are to cleanse them and offer them as a wave offering.

16 “They are entirely assigned to Me from among the Israelites. I have taken them for Myself as substitutes for all the firstborn 'sons', the firstborn of all the Israelites. 17 Every firstborn male among the Israelites is Mine, whether human or animal. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I made them special for Myself. 18 I’ve claimed the Levites instead of all the firstborn sons of Israel. 19 I’ve given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and to his sons from among the Israelites, to perform the service for the Israelites in the Tabernacle of Meeting, and to make atonement for the Israelites, so that there will be no plague among the Israelites when 'they' approach the 'cherished' place.”

20 Moses and Aaron and the entire assembly of Israel did all of these things to the Levites—everything that Yehovah commanded Moses concerning the Levites was done to them. 21 The Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and Aaron offered them as a wave offering before Yehovah, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering in Yehovah’s presence, and 'he' made atonement for them to purify them. 22 After that, the Levites went in to do their service in the Tabernacle of Meeting before Aaron and his sons. So they carried out all the commands that Yehovah gave Moses concerning the Levites.

23 Yehovah said to Moses: 24 “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they are to go and serve in the Tabernacle of Meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty years they are to retire from the service and serve no more. 26 They can assist their brothers in the Tabernacle of Meeting to keep an obligation, but they must not do the difficult work. This is how you are to assign the obligations of the Levites.”

NUMBERS 9

The Passover

1 Then Yehovah said to Moses in the Sinai Desert, in the first month of the second year after they had left the land of Egypt. He said, 2 “The Israelites are to keep [kill] the Passover at its specified time. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, in the 'afternoon' [ie between the evenings] you must keep [kill] it at its specified time, in accord with all its unchanging tenets, and in accord with all its regulations.” [Exodus 12:5-6]

4 So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate [kill] the Passover. 5 They celebrated the Passover on the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, in the 'afternoon', in the Sinai Desert. So the Israelites did everything in accord with what Yehovah had commanded Moses.

The Second Passover

6 But some of the men were unclean by touching a dead body, so that they couldn’t celebrate the Passover that day. So they came to Moses and Aaron that same day 7 and the men said, “We are unclean due to touching the body of a dead person. Why are we prevented from presenting Yehovah’s offering at the specified time 'with the rest of' Israel?”

8 Moses said to them, “Wait here, so that I can listen to what Yehovah commands concerning you.”

9 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 10 “Tell the Israelites: If any of you or of your descendants becomes unclean by touching a dead body, or are on a long journey, they can still celebrate Yehovah’s Passover. 11 In the second month, on the fourteenth day in the 'afternoon' [1] they can celebrate it. They must eat 'the lamb' with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They must not leave any of it until morning, or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover they must follow all the pertinent unchanging tenets. 13 But anyone who is clean, and not on a journey who fails to celebrate the Passover, that person must be removed from the people, because they didn’t bring Yehovah’s offering at the specified time, they’ll suffer the consequences of their sin.

14 “And if foreigners living among you want to celebrate the Passover to Yehovah according to the permanent rule of the Passover, and according to its regulation, then they will do it. You must have the same permanent rule for both the foreigners and the native-born.

15 On the day that the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the Tabernacle, that is, the Tabernacle of the Testimony. From evening until morning the cloud above the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. 16 So it was continuously; the cloud covered it during the day, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle, the Israelites traveled, and wherever the cloud remained, the Israelites camped. 18 At the command of Yehovah, the Israelites traveled, and at the command of Yehovah they camped, and as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle they remained camped. 19 Even when the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept Yehovah’s command, and didn’t travel. 20 Sometimes the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for just a few days, then according to the command of Yehovah they remained camped, and then at Yehovah’s command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud only remained from evening until morning; when the cloud lifted in the morning, they would set out; whether during the daytime or at night, whenever the cloud lifted, they would set out. 22 Whether it was two days, a month, or a year, as long as the cloud was above the Tabernacle, the Israelites remained camped, and didn’t travel, but when it lifted they moved. 23 At the command of Yehovah they camped, and at the command of Yehovah they moved. They obeyed Yehovah’s command, as Yehovah had commanded thru Moses.

[1] The actual timing (“between the evenings”) is thoroly explained here, and also from this objective but strangely disinterested source.

NUMBERS 10

Two Silver Trumpets

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Make two trumpets of hammered silver. Use them for calling the assembly together and as a signal to break camp. 3 When both are 'sounded', the entire assembly is to gather before you at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 4 But if they 'sound' just one, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel must gather before you. 5 When you 'sound' an alarm, the 'tribes' camping on the east should set out. 6 When you 'sound' an alarm a second time, the 'tribes' camped on the south should set out. An alarm must be 'sounded' for them to break camp. 7 To gather the assembly, 'sound' the trumpets without 'sounding' the alarm tones.

8 “Aaron’s sons, the priests, will 'sound' the trumpets, and 'this' will serve as a perpetual statute thruout your generations. 9 When you go to war in your land against the enemies who attack you, then you must sound the alarm with the trumpets. Then Yehovah your Elohim will take notice, and save you from your enemies. 10 Also during your joyous occasions and your specified times, and on the New Moons, you must 'sound' the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the zebakim [sacrifices] of your fellowship zebakim; and they [the trumpets] will serve as a reminder for you of Elohim’s presence. I am Yehovah your Elohim.”

11 During the second year, in the second month on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the Tabernacle of the Testimony [1]. 12 The Israelites set out on their journey from the Sinai Desert, and the cloud settled in the Wilderness of Paran.

13 This was their first time to move at the command of Yehovah thru Moses. 14 First, the standard of the camp of the descendants of Judah moved forward by their divisions. Amminadab’s son Nahshon was in command. 15 Zuar’s son Nethanel, commanded the division of the tribe of Issachar. 16 Helon’s son Eliab commanded the division of the tribe of Zebulun.

17 The Tabernacle was taken down, and the descendants of Gershon and the descendants of Merari who were carrying the Tabernacle moved next. 18 Next the standard of the camp of Reuben went forward by their divisions. Shedeur’s son Elizur was in command. 19 Zurishaddai’s son Shelumiel was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, 20 Deuel’s son Eliasaph commanded the division of the tribe of Gawd.

21 The Kohathites set out, carrying the special things. The others set up the Tabernacle before they arrived. 22 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim went next, under their standard. Ammihud’s son Elishama was the commander. 23 Pedahzur’s son Gamaliel was in command of the division of the tribe of Manasseh. 24 Gideoni’s son, Abidan was in command of the division of the tribe of Benjamin.

25 'Finally' the standard of the camp of the tribe of Dan, that was the rear guard of all the camps set out with Ammishaddai’s son Ahieze in command. 26 Ochran’s son Pagie commanded the division of the tribe of Asher. 27 Enan’s son Ahira commanded the division of the tribe of Naphtali. 28 This was the order of marching for the Israelites by their divisions as they set out.

29 Moses said to Reuel’s son Hobab the Midianite and Moses’ father-in-law, “We are on our way to the place that Yehovah said, ‘I’ll give it to you.’ Come with us, and we’ll treat you well, because Yehovah has promised good things to Israel.“

30 But Hobab replied, “I won’t go. I must return to my own land and family.”

31 But 'Moses' said, “Please don’t leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our 'guide'. 32 If you come with us, we will share with you whatever blessings Yehovah gives us.“

33 So they left Yehovah’s Mountain and traveled for three days. The Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah went before them for the three days’ journey as they looked for a place to camp. 34 Yehovah’s cloud was over them during the day when they set out from the camp. 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, Yehovah, and may Your enemies be scattered, and those who hate You flee before You.“” [Inverted Nun] 36 Whenever 'the Ark' was set down, he would say, “Return, Yehovah, to the countless thousands of Israel.“ [Inverted Nun]

[1] The Tabernacle of the Testimony was the portable tent that contained the Ten Commandments (Exodus 38:21) It was also called “the Tabernacle of Meeting” (Exodus 30:26), where Yehovah met with the tribes of Israel. It contained “the Ark of the Testimony” (Exodus 30:26 & 21:7). The Levites were responsible for transporting it and attending to it (Numbers 1:50). Eventually it (or a better one) will be in heaven (Revelation 15:5).

NUMBERS 11

Grumbling

1 Now the people began complaining as they typically did about hardship. When Yehovah heard it, His anger burned, and fire from Yehovah burned among them, and incinerated some people on the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to Yehovah, and the fire died out. 3 So that place was called Taberah, because Yehovah’s fire had burned among them.

4 The foreigners [unique word] among them had a strong craving for other food and the Israelites started wailing again and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic. 6 But now our appetites are gone. We never see anything but this manna!“

7 The manna was like coriander seeds, and it looked like and its color was like gum resin [bdellium]. 8 The people would roam about and gather it and grind it with millstones or crush it in the mortars, and boil it in pots and made cakes from it. It tasted like pastries baked with fresh olive oil. 9 The manna came down on the camp when the dew settled during the night.

10 Moses heard people from all the clans crying, everyone at the door of their tents. Yehovah’s anger was blazing hot, and Moses was upset. 11 Moses said to Yehovah, “Why have you treated your servant so harshly? Why haven’t I found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 I am not the father of all these people. Did I give birth to them? Why should You tell me to carry them in my bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land that You swore to their ancestors? 13 Where could I get meat for all these people? They keep crying to me, ‘Give us meat to eat.’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself, the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If you’re going to treat me like this, just go ahead and kill me. If I’ve found favor in Your sight, put me out of my misery.” [1]

16 Yehovah told Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel who you know to be the elders of the people and officers and bring them to the Tabernacle of Meeting and have them stand with you. 17 I’ll come down and talk with you there. I’ll take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they’ll bear the burden of the people with you so that you don’t have to bear it by yourself.

18 “Tell the people ‘Set yourselves apart for tomorrow, and you’ll eat flesh, because you’ve cried in the ears of Yehovah, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? We were better off in Egypt!?’ So Yehovah will give you meat, and you’ll eat. 19 You won’t eat one or two days, or five or ten days, or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and nauseates you, because you’ve rejected Yehovah who is with you, and have cried before Him by saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”

21 But Moses responded, “Here I am among six hundred thousand foot soldiers, and You say, ‘I’ll give them meat to eat for a whole month.’ 22 Can sufficient flocks and herds be slaughtered for them? Even if all the fish in the sea were caught, would that be enough?”

23 Yehovah told Moses, “Is there a limit to Yehovah’s 'power'? Now you’ll see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

24 So Moses went out and told the people what Yehovah had said, and he also gathered seventy of the people’s elders and stationed them around the Tabernacle. 25 Yehovah came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit 'Moses' had, and put it on the seventy elders. And when the spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.

26 But two men remained in the camp. One was named Eldad, the other was named Medad, and the spirit, she [2] rested on them, (and they were among those who had been registered, but hadn’t gone out to the Tabernacle), and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”

28 Nun’s son Yehoshua, Moses’ aide from his youth, responded “Moses, my master, stop them!”

29 But Moses told him, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yehovah’s people were prophets and that Yehovah would put His spirit on them!” 30 Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

31 Now a wind from Yehovah blew out and brought quail from the sea, scattered them thruout the camp, and there were quail a day’s walk in any direction, and about two cubits deep on the ground. 32 The people 'spent' all day and all night and all the next day gathering the quail. No one gathered less ten homers, and they spread the quail out all around the camp 33 While the flesh was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, Yehovah’s anger became blazing hot against the people, and Yehovah struck the people with a very severe plague. 34 So that place was named Graves of Craving, because that’s where they buried the people who had the cravings. 35 From Graves of Craving the people traveled to Hazeroth, and they stayed in Hazeroth.

[1] Big mistake! Be careful what you ask for: See v.10 comment. [2] This video shows the many places in the Tanak (Hebrew Bible) where 'Yehovah’s [holy] spirit' is feminine. I take this to mean that Yehovah, creator of the original languages in Babel, chose to designate that the power emanating from Him be earmarked in the same way as a hen guarding her chicks—a feminine force, but not a person at all.

NUMBERS 12

Miriam and Aaron Grumble

1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because he had married a Cushite woman); 2 They asked, “Has Yehovah really only spoken with Moses? Hasn’t He also spoken thru us?” And Yehovah heard it. 3 (Now Moses was very humble, more so than anyone on the face of the earth.)

4 Suddenly Yehovah spoke to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “You three come out to the Tabernacle of Meeting!” So the three of them came out. 5 Yehovah came down in a columnar cloud and stood at the doorway of the tabernacle, and He called Aaron and Miriam, and when they both came forward, 6 He said, “Listen to what I say:

“If there were prophets among you, I, Yehovah, would reveal Myself to them in visions. I’d speak to them in dreams. 7 But this is not the way it is with My servant Moses; He is the most reliable person in My household. 8 With him I’ll speak plainly 'face' to 'face', not in riddles, and he’ll see Yehovah’s form. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?”

9 Yehovah’s anger was kindled against them, and He left. 10 As the cloud moved away from the Tabernacle, Miriam was covered with an infectious skin disease, as white as snow! As Aaron turned toward Miriam, he saw that she was diseased! 11 Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my master, please don’t hold this sin against us, that we have so foolishly 'committed'. 12 Don’t allow her be like a dead 'baby' coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half decomposed.”

13 So Moses cried to Yehovah, “Please Elohim, heal her!”

14 Yehovah told Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, wouldn’t she be ashamed seven days? Have her to be confined outside the camp for seven days; and after that she can be allowed in again.” 15 So Miriam was isolated outside the camp for seven days, and the people didn’t break camp until Miriam was allowed in again.

16 Afterward the people moved on from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

NUMBERS 13

Scouting Out Canaan

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan that I’m giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve 'ancestral' houses.“ 3 So Moses sent them out from the wilderness of Paran by the 'command' of Yehovah. All the men were leaders among the Israelites. 4 These were their names:

from the tribe of Reuben, Zaccur’s son Shammua;

5 from the tribe of Simeon, Hori’s son Shaphat;

6 from the tribe of Judah, Jephunneh’s son Caleb;

7 from the tribe of Issachar, Joseph’s son Igal;

8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Nun’s son, Hoshea;

9 from the tribe of Benjamin, Raphu’s son Palti;

10 from the tribe of Zebulun, Sodi’s son, Gaddiel;

11 from the tribe of Joseph (a tribe of Joseph), Susi’s son Gaddi;

12 from the tribe of Dan, Gemalli’s son Ammiel;

13 from the tribe of Asher, Michael’s son Sethu;

14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Vophsi’s son, Nahbi;

15 from the tribe of Gawd, Machi’s son Geuel.

16 These are the names of the men who Moses sent to explore the land. Moses changed the name of Nun’s son Hoshea to Yehoshua [Yehovah saved].

17 When Moses sent them to explore the land of Canaan, he said, “Approach from the Negev and then go on into the highlands 18 and explore the land, see what it is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong or weak, few or many. 19 See what kind of land they live in, whether it’s good or bad, are the people in open camps or in fortifications? 20 Is the soil 'fertile' or poor? Are there many trees? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.“ (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)

21 So they went up and explored the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, by Lebo-hamath. 22 They went up thru the Negev and came to Hebron, Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, where the descendants of Anak lived. (Hebron was founded seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a staff between two of them, they also brought some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut down from there.

25 They returned from exploring the land after forty days. 26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite assembly at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran, and brought back word to them and to the assembly and showed them some fruit from the land. 27 Then they gave their report to him: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it certainly flows with milk and honey! Here is some of its fruit. 28 But the people who live in the land are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We also saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the highlands; and the Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.“

30 Then Caleb told the people near Moses to be quiet, and said, “We should by all means go up and take it, because we’re more than able to do it.”

31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people, because they’re stronger than we are!“ 32 So they spread an adversarial report to the Israelites about the land that they had explored. [1] They said, “The land that we explored is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw were huge. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and that’s how we appeared to them.”

[1] What Happened on the Ninth of Av?

NUMBERS 14

Israel Refused to Enter Canaan

1 The entire assembly raised their voice and the people cried that night. 2 All the Israelites muttered against Moses and Aaron, and the entire assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in this wilderness! 3 Why is Yehovah bringing us into this land to be killed with swords? Our wives and our children will be taken by force. Wouldn’t it be better for us to return into Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “Let’s pick a leader and return to Egypt.”

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the entire Israelite assembly. 6 But Nun’s son Yehoshua and Jephunneh’s son Caleb who were some of those who explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and they spoke to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed thru and explored is exceedingly good. 8 And if Yehovah is pleased with us, He will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It’s a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Don’t rebel against Yehovah, and don’t fear the people of the land because they will be our 'prey', their defense is gone, and Yehovah is with us. Don’t fear them.

10 But the entire assembly wanted to stone them. The splendor of Yehovah appeared in the Tabernacle of Meeting to all the Israelites. 11 Yehovah said to Moses, “How long will these people despise Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the 'miracles' that I’ve done among them? 12 I’ll strike them with a disease and disinherit them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.

13 But Moses said to Yehovah, “Then the Egyptians will hear about it. By Your power You brought these people away from them. 14 The 'Egyptians' will tell the inhabitants of this land, who have already heard that You, Yehovah, live among your people, and You, Yehovah, have been seen face to face, while Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a columnar cloud during the day and in a column of fire at night. 15 Now if You killed all of these people 'at once', then the nations that have heard of Your fame will say: 16 ‘Yehovah wasn’t able to bring these people into the land that He swore to give them, so He killed them all in the wilderness.’

17 So may the power of Yehovah be magnified just as You’ve declared: 18 ‘Yehovah is slow to anger and abundant in faithful love, forgiving wickedness and disobedience; but He will by no means let the guilty go unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ sins to the children to the third and fourth generation. [Enlarged Yod] 19 Please pardon the wickedness of these people according to the greatness of Your faithful love, just as You have been forgiving them from the time they left Egypt until now.”

20 Yehovah said, “I’ve pardoned them as you have requested. 21 But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled the splendor of Yehovah, 22 none of the people who have seen My splendor and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tested Me these ten times and refused to obey Me 23 will even see the land that I swore to their ancestors, and none of those who have despised Me will see it. 24 But since My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me completely, I will bring him into the land where he went, and his descendants will take possession of it. 25 Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and head toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.

26 Yehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long must I put up with this evil assembly who are grumbling against Me? I have heard all the Israelites’ dissent as they continue to complain against Me. 28 Tell them: ‘As surely as I live,’ says Yehovah, I will do everything to you that I heard you say I would do. 29 Your bodies will drop dead in this wilderness. Every one of you who are twenty years old or more, who were registered in the census and have complained about Me will die, 30 You absolutely won’t enter the land that I swore to settle you into, with the exception of Jephunneh’s son Cale and Nun’s son Yehoshua. 31 Now concerning your children who you said would be carried off as plunder—I’ll bring them in and they’ll enjoy the land that you rejected. 32 However, your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness. 33 Your children will be like shepherds, wandering in the wilderness for forty years suffering for your unfaithfulness until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. 34 For forty years—a year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer the consequences of your sins, and you will know what it means for Me to be against you. 35 I, Yehovah, have spoken. I will certainly do these things to this whole wicked assembly that has gathered against Me. They will meet their end in this wilderness; here they will die.”

36 So the men Moses sent to explore the land who returned, and incited the entire assembly to complain against him by spreading an 'adversarial' report about the land, 37 those very men who brought back the 'adversarial' report about the land died by the plague before Yehovah. 38 Of all the men who explored the land, only Nun’s son, Yehoshua and Jephunneh’s son, Caleb survived.

39 Moses reported all this to the Israelites, and the people mourned bitterly. 40 They got up early in the morning, and went up to the ridge of the highlands, saying, “Here we are; and we will go up to the place that Yehovah has promised, because we have sinned.

41 But Moses asked, “Why are you disobeying Yehovah’s command, because it won’t work? 42 Don’t go up, because Yehovah isn’t with you, to prevent you from being defeated by your enemies. 43 The Amalekites and Canaanites are right in front of you, and you’ll fall by the sword. Since you ceased to follow Yehovah, Yehovah won’t be with you.”

44 But they defiantly dared to go up to the ridge of the highlands, even tho the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah and Moses, didn’t leave the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in the highlands came down and attacked them and scattered them as far as Hormah.

NUMBERS 15

Laws for the Next generation

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites, and tell them: When you’ve come into the land where you are to live, that I’m giving you, 3 and you make an offering by fire to Yehovah, a burnt offering or an atoning offering to accomplish a vow or a voluntary offering, or during your specified times, as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah from your herds or flocks 4 then the person who presents the offering must offer Yehovah a grain offering of one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a fourth of a hin of olive oil, 5 and wine for the drink offering, a fourth of a hin with the burnt offering or for the zebak [sacrifice] for each lamb.

6 “For a ram, you’ll give a grain offering of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of olive oil, 7 and for the drink offering you must offer a third of a hin of wine as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah.

8 “When you present a young bull for a burnt offering, or as a zebak to fulfill a vow or for fellowship zebakim to Yehovah, 9 then offer with the bull a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of olive oil, 10 and you must offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine as an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to Yehovah. 11 This is how it is to be done for each bull, ram, male lamb or young goat. 12 Do it for each animal, however many you prepare.

13 “Everyone who is native-born must do these things in this manner, an offering by fire as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah. 14 If a foreigner is living among you, or someone else who is among you wants to present an offering by fire as a soothing aroma to Yehovah, they must do what you do. 15 The assembly is to have the same permanent rules for both you and the foreigners who are living with you, permanent rules thruout your generations. You and the foreigners will be the same before Yehovah. 16 The same Torah and the same regulations will apply to you and to the foreigners living beside you.”

17 Yehovah said to Moses: 18 “Speak to the Israelites, and tell them: ‘When you enter the land where I’m bringing you, 19 once you’ve eaten crops from the land, you must lift up an offering to Yehovah. 20 Of the first of your dough you must offer up a cake for an offering, just like you present an offering from the threshing floor. 21 Thruout the generations to come you must give Yehovah an offering from the first of your ground meal.

22 “But when you sin unintentionally, and fail to obey all these Commandments that Yehovah has spoken to Moses, 23 that is anything that Yehovah has commanded you thru Moses from the day that Yehovah gave the command onward thruout your generations, 24 then if it was done unintentionally, without the knowledge of the assembly, then the entire assembly must offer one young bull for a burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to Yehovah, with its grain offering, and its drink offering, according to the regulation, and one male goat as a sin offering. 25 The priest will make atonement for the entire Israelite assembly, and they’ll be forgiven, because it was an error, and they’ve brought their offering, an offering by fire to Yehovah, and their sin offering before Yehovah for their unintentional error. 26 So the assembly of Israel will be forgiven, as well as the strangers who live as foreigners among them, because all the people acted unintentionally.

27 “If one person sins unintentionally, then that person must offer a one year old female goat as a sin offering. 28 The priest will make atonement before Yehovah for the person who sinned unintentionally, making atonement for them, and they’ll be forgiven. 29 You are to have the same 'regulations' [Torah] for native-born people who sin unintentionally, or foreigners living among them.

30 “But anyone who 'defiantly' sins, whether they are native born or foreigners blasphemes Yehovah, and that 'person' will be completely cut off from the people 31 because they have despised the Word of Yehovah, and have broken His commandment. That 'person' will completely be cut off and bear the guilt.”

32 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the entire assembly. 34 They put him in custody because it had not been decided what should be done to him. 35 Yehovah told Moses, “The man must certainly be put to death, the whole assembly should stone him outside the camp.” 36 So the whole assembly brought him outside of the camp and stoned him to death, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

Tzitzits

37 Yehovah said to Moses: 38 “Speak to the Israelites, and tell them that they should make tzitzits for themselves on the corners of their clothing thruout their generations, and put a blue cord on the tzitzit of each corner. 39 When you see the tzitzits it will remind you of all the Commandments of Yehovah, so that you obey them, instead of following whatever you want and to and going after whatever you see, and prostituting yourselves. 40 You’ll remember to obey all My commandments, and you’ll be special to your Elohim. 41 I am Yehovah your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your Elohim, I am Yehovah your Elohim.”

NUMBERS 16

Korah’s Rebellion

1 Izhar’s son Korah, Kohath’s grandson, and Levi’s great-grandson—with Eliab’s sons Dathan and Abiramv and Peleth’s son On descendants of Reuben, took men, 2 and rose up against Moses with some two hundred and fifty leaders of the assembly of Israel, elected by the assembly, men of renown. 3 They gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron, and told them, “You take too much on yourself, since everyone in the assembly is 'chosen', every one of them, and Yehovah is among them. So why are you elevating yourselves up above the assembly of Yehovah?”

4 When Moses heard this, he bowed facedown. 5 Then he said to Korah and to everyone in his company, “In the morning Yehovah will show who is His, and who is 'chosen', and draw them to Himself. Only those He chooses for Himself will enter His presence. 6 Do this: Take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your cohorts, 7 and put fire in them, and put incense on them before Yehovah tomorrow, then those who Yehovah selects are 'chosen'. You descendants of Levi have gone too far!”

8 Moses said to Korah, “Now hear this you descendants of Levi! 9 Is it trifling to you that the Elohim of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel, and brought you to Himself, to do the service of the Tabernacle of Yehovah, and to stand before the assembly to serve them, 10 and that He has brought you and all your brothers the descendants of Levi with you? Are you demanding the priesthood as well? 11 So you and all of your cohorts are gathered together against Yehovah, and who is Aaron that you complain about him?”

12 Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, Eliab’s sons, but they said, “We refuse to come. 13 Isn’t it enough that you brought us out of Egypt, a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in this wilderness, and now you want to lord it over us? 14 What’s more, you haven’t brought us into another land flowing with milk and honey, with fields and vineyards or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you gouge out the eyes of 'these men'? We will not come!“

15 Then Moses became very angry and said to Yehovah, “Don’t accept their offering, I haven’t taken one donkey from them or done harm to any of them.“ 16 Moses said to Korah, “You and all your cohorts should appear before Yehovah, tomorrow, you and they along with Aaron. 17 Each man should take his censer, and put incense on them, and present his censor before Yehovah, two hundred fifty censers in all. You and Aaron must also present your censers.”

18 So they each took their censer, lit the fire, and placed incense on it, and took their stand at the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting with Moses and Aaron. 19 So Korah gathered the entire assembly against them at the doorway of the Tabernacle of Meeting, the splendor of Yehovah appeared to the entire assembly. 20 Yehovah said to Moses and Aaron: 21 “Move away from this assembly so that I can destroy them instantly!”

22 But they fell facedown and said, “Elohim, the Elohim of the spirits of all 'humanity', if one person sins, will You be angry with the entire assembly?”

23 Then Yehovah said to Moses: 24 “Tell the assembly to move away from the the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram!”

25 Moses stood up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 He said to the assembly, “Move away from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, or you’ll be swept away with all their sins!” 27 So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Then Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrances of their tents with their wives, their children and their babies.

28 Then Moses said, “This is how you’ll know that Yehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn’t my own idea. 29 If these men die a natural death, suffering the fate of all mankind, then Yehovah hasn’t sent me. 30 But if Yehovah makes a new thing [a new kind of death!], and the land opens its mouth and swallows them, with all of their things, and they go down alive into the grave [sheol], then you’ll understand that these men have despised Yehovah.”

31 As he finished saying all this, the land beneath them split apart 32 and the land opened its mouth and swallowed them, their families and all of the people who had sided with Korah, and everything they owned. 33 So they, and everything they owned went down alive into sheol. The land closed in on them, and they perished from among the assembly. 34 Everyone in Israel around them ran away when they heard their shouts, because they thought that the land might swallow them too! 35 Fire came from Yehovah and burned up all two hundred fifty men who were offering incense.

36 Yehovah said to Moses, 37 “Tell Eleazar, Aaron the priest’s son, to pull the censers out of the fire and to scatter the ashes around, because they are 'ceremonial', 38 including the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their own lives, and have them hammered into sheets as plating for the altar, because they did offer them before Yehovah, so they are special, and they’ll serve as a forewarning to the Israelites.”

39 Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers that were presented by those who had been burned up, and they hammered them out as plating for the altar, 40 as a reminder to the Israelites, so that no one who isn’t a descendant of Aaron should ever enter Yehovah’s presence to smoke incense before Yehovah, so as not to be like Korah and his cohorts, just as Yehovah had instructed Moses.

41 But the very next day the entire Israelite assembly complained against Moses and Aaron, they said, “You have killed Yehovah’s people!” 42 Then when the assembly had gathered against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the Tabernacle of Meeting and saw that the cloud had covered it, and the splendor of Yehovah appeared.

43 Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 44 and Yehovah said to Moses: 45 “Get away from this assembly so that I can instantly destroy them!” But they fell facedown.

46 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put fire from the altar in it, and lay incense on it, and bring it quickly to the assembly to make atonement for them, because wrath has gone out from Yehovah! The plague has begun.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses told him, and ran into the middle of the assembly and saw that the plague had begun among the people, but 'Aaron' offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped. 49 But 14,700 people died in that plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses to the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting once the plague stopped.

NUMBERS 17

Aaron’s Budding Staff

must be one staff for each head of their houses. 4 Put them in the Tabernacle of Meeting in front of the Ark of the Testimony where I meet with you. 5 Then the staff of the man I choose will sprout, and I’ll stop the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”

6 So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their leaders gave him a staff, one for each tribe, and Aaron’s staff was among them. 7 Moses placed the staffs before Yehovah in the Tabernacle of the Testimony. 8 When Moses went into the Tabernacle of the Testimony the next day, he saw that Aaron’s staff for the tribe of Levi had sprouted, formed buds, blossomed and produced almonds!

9 Moses brought out all the staffs from Yehovah’s presence to all the Israelites, and they looked, and each man took his staff. 10 Yehovah said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Ark of the Testimony to be kept as a sign to the 'rebels' in order to put an end of their grumbling against Me, so that they don’t die.” 11 Moses did just as Yehovah had commanded him.

12 The Israelites said to Moses, “Now we’re going to die! We’re lost! We’re all lost! 13 Everyone who comes near the Tabernacle of Yehovah will die! Are we all going to die?”

NUMBERS 18

Duties of Priests and Levites

1 Yehovah said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your fathers’ 'family' with you will be responsible for sin in connection with the 'cherished' place, and you and your sons will be responsible for sin involving your priesthood. 2 But also bring your relatives with you from the tribe of Levi, your 'ancestral' houses, so that they can join you, and help you, while you and your sons are before the Tabernacle of the Testimony. 3 They are under your control. They are to do whatever needs to be done in the 'Tabernacle', but they must never go near the utensils of the 'cherished' place or the altar, or both they and you will die. 4 They must assist you and perform the responsibilities and maintenance of the Tabernacle of Meeting, but no outsider can accompany you.

5 “You are to attend to the duties of the 'cherished' place, and the duty of the altar, so that there will no longer be any wrath on the Israelites. 6 I’ve taken your brothers the Levites from among the Israelites. They are your gift to Yehovah, to do the service of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 7 You and your sons will carry out your priestly responsibilities for everything concerning the altar and for what is inside the veil, and you are to serve. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near will be put to death.”

8 Yehovah spoke to Aaron, “I Myself have put you in charge of My wave offerings, including all the special things of the Israelites. I’ve put you and your sons in charge of the anointing as an entitlement in perpetuity. 9 This will be yours of the very special things kept from the fire, all of their offering, including all of theirs grain offering, and all of their sin offering, and all of the 'restitution' offering that they render to Me will be very 'special' for you and for your sons. 10 You must eat it as something very special. Every male must eat it. You must must treat it as special.

11 “This also belongs to you and your sons and daughters: I’m giving you the wave offerings given to Me as a perpetual share. Everyone who is clean in your house can eat it.

12 “All the best of the olive oil and all the best of the wine and the grain, the firstfruits of what they give to Yehovah, I’m giving to you. 13 The first ripe produce of everything in their land that they bring to Yehovah will be yours, everyone in your household who is clean can eat it.

14 “Everything dedicated to Yehovah in Israel will be yours.

15 The firstborn of every living thing, whether human or animal, presented to Yehovah will be yours, but you must redeem the human firstborn, and you must redeem the firstborn of unclean animals. 16 When they are a month old, you must redeem them at the redemption price set at five shekels of silver, using the standard shekel of the 'cherished' place that weighs twenty gerahs.

17 “But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are special. You must sprinkle their blood on the altar, turn their fat into smoke as an offering made by fire, as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah. 18 Their meat will be yours. It will be yours just like the breast of a wave offering and the right thigh. 19 Anything the Israelites present as 'dedicated' gifts to Yehovah, I give to you, your sons and daughters as your perpetual allotment. It’s a perpetual covenant of salt forever before Yehovah to you and to your descendants with you.”

20 Then Yehovah told Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, no portion of land among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. 21 “To the descendants of Levi, I’ve given all the tithe in Israel as an inheritance, in return for the work they do while serving at the Tabernacle of Meeting!

22 From now on the Israelites must not approach the Tabernacle of Meeting, or they will die for their sin. 23 Only the Levites will do the work at the Tabernacle of Meeting. They will be responsible for their own sins. It will be a perpetual statute thruout your generations. But they will not inherit any land among the Israelites 24 Instead, I’ve given the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites give as an offering to Yehovah. That is why I told to them, “They won’t inherit any land among the Israelites.“

25 Yehovah said to Moses: 26 “You must speak to the Levites and tell them: When you take from the Israelites the tithe that I’ve given you from them for your inheritance, then you must contribute an offering of it for Yehovah, a tithe of the tithe. 27 It will be considered your own offering, like the grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28 In this way you will also present an offering to Yehovah from all the tithes that you receive of the Israelites, and from it you can give Yehovah’s offering to Aaron the priest. 29 Out of all the gifts to you, the offerings you are to present to Yehovah must be from the very best of what was dedicated.’

30 “So tell them: ‘Once you’ve presented the best part, then the rest will be credited to the Levites like the produce from the threshing floor and the produce from the wine vat. 31 You may eat it anywhere, you and your households because it’s your compensation in return for your service in the Tabernacle of Meeting. 32 You won’t incur sin because of it once you have offered the best part of it, but you must never defile the Israelites’ 'dedicated' offerings, or you will die.“

NUMBERS 19

The Red Heifer

1 Yehovah said to Moses and to Aaron: 2 “This is the permanent rule of the Torah that Yehovah has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without any defects or blemishes and has never been yoked to a harrow [1]. 3 You must give her to Eleazar the priest, and he’ll bring her outside the camp and slaughter her in His 'presence'. 4 Eleazar the priest will take some of her blood with his finger and sprinkle her blood toward the front of the Tabernacle of Meeting seven times. 5 Someone will burn the heifer as he watches, her skin, her flesh, her blood and intestines must be burned. 6 The priest will take cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet yarn and throw them into the fire where the heifer is burning.

7 Then the priest will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water. Afterward he’ll come into the camp, but the priest will be unclean until evening. 8 The man who burns her must also wash his clothes in water, and bathe himself in water, and remain unclean until evening. 9 “Then someone who is clean will collect the ashes of the heifer, and put them outside of the camp in a clean place. They will be kept for the water of purification for the Israelite assembly as a purification offering. 10 The man who collected the heifer’s ashes must wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. This will be a permanent rule for the Israelites and for the immigrants who live among them.

11 “Anyone who touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days. 12 That person must be cleansed with water on the third and seventh days to be clean. But if they doesn’t purify themselves on the third day, then on the seventh day they won’t be clean. 13 Anyone who fails to purify themselves after touching a human corpse, and doesn’t purify themselves, defiles the Tabernacle of Yehovah, and that 'person' must be cut off from Israel because the water of purification wasn’t sprinkled on them; their uncleanness remains on them.

14 “This is the instruction for when a person dies in a tent: everyone who comes into the tent, and everyone who was in the tent will be unclean for seven days. 15 Every open container without a lid fastened on it is unclean. 16 Anyone out outside who touches someone who has been killed with a sword or someone who has died a natural death or touches a human bone or a grave will be unclean for seven days.

17 “Then for the unclean person they must take some of the ashes of the burnt purification offering and running water must be added to them in a container. 18 Then a clean person must take a hyssop branch and dip it into the water and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the containers, on the people who were there, on the person who touched the bone, the slain, the one who died naturally, or the grave. 19 Then the clean person must sprinkle it on the unclean person on the third day, and on the seventh day they are to purify them. Those who are being purified must wash their clothes and bathe in water, and in the evening they will be clean.

20 “But if anyone who becomes unclean doesn’t purify themself, that person will be cut off from among the assembly, because they have defiled the 'Temple' of Yehovah, the water for purification hasn’t been sprinkled on them, they are unclean. 21 This is a permanent rule to them, “The person who sprinkles the water for purification must wash their clothes, and anyone who touches the water for impurity will be unclean until even. 22 Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and the person who touches it will be unclean until evening.”

[1] A great portion of the modern curse of soil destruction is due to plowing the soil! The word translated as “plow“ in your English Bible is really “A primitive root; to scratch ... “, which describes the ancient harrow or even the little known cursebuster technology that will totally eliminate soil destruction in the next millennium. Now if only there were a garden sized version.

NUMBERS 20

Water from the Rock

1 The Israelites, the entire assembly, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people lived in Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.

2 There was no water for the assembly, and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people confronted Moses and told him, “We wish that we had died when our brothers died before Yehovah! 4 Why have you brought Yehovah’s assembly into this wilderness to kill us and our animals? 5 Why did you bring us out of Egypt to this terrible place? It’s no place to grow grains, figs, grapevines, or pomegranates, and there’s no water to drink.”

6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting and fell facedown, and the splendor of Yehovah appeared to them. 7 Yehovah said to Moses: 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly and speak to the rock where they can 'see', so that water will come out of it. You must provide them water from the rock. This is how you’ll give the assembly and their livestock something to drink.”

9 So Moses took the staff from Yehovah’s presence, just as He commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock, and he told them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water gushed out. So the assembly drank as well as their livestock.

12 Yehovah said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t establish trust in Me and 'honor' me in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I am giving them.“ 13 This was the water of Meribah where the Israelites argued with Yehovah, and He vindicated His 'honor' among them.

14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom to say: “Your brother Israel says, ‘You know all the hardships we have been thru, 15 how our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt for a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors badly, 16 but when we cried to Yehovah, He heard our voices and sent a messenger, and brought us out of Egypt. Now we are camped at Kadesh, a town on the edge of Your territory. 17 Please let us travel thru your land. We won’t go thru fields or vineyards, and we won’t even drink water from the wells, we’ll go along the king’s highway, we won’t turn to the right or to the left until we have crossed thru your territory.”

18 But the king of Edom replied, “You must not travel thru our land, or we will come out to meet you with swords.“

19 The Israelites told him, “We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. Just let us pass thru on foot, nothing else.”

20 But he said, “You must not travel thru.” And Edom came out against him with a large and 'forceful army'. 21 Edom refused to allow Israel to go thru their territory, so Israel turned back.

22 They set out from Kadesh, and the entire Israelite assembly came to Mount Hor. 23 Yehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor on the border of the land of Edom: 24 “Aaron will join his ancestors. He won’t enter the land that I’ve given to the Israelites, because you both rebelled against My command at the water of Meribah. 25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar, and bring them up Mount Hor. 26 Strip Aaron of his clothes and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will join his ancestors and die there.”

27 Moses did just as Yehovah commanded, and they went up Mount Hor in the sight of the entire assembly. 28 Moses stripped Aaron of his clothes and put them on his son Eleazar. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain, and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29 When the entire assembly saw that Aaron had died, the entire House* of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.

Numbers 21

Arad Defeated

1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the South, heard that the Israel was approaching on the road thru Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some of them. 2 So Israel made this vow to Yehovah: “If You hand these people over to us we’ll totally destroy their cities.” 3 Yehovah heard Israel’s request and handed the Canaanites over. They completely destroyed them and their cities. So they named the place Hormah.

4 Then they set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom, but the people became impatient on the journey. 5 The people spoke against Elohim and Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water! And we detest this miserable manna.”

6 Then Yehovah sent 'venomous' snakes among the people; they bit the people and many of the Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against Yehovah and you. Pray that Yehovah will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

8 Yehovah told Moses, “Make a 'venomous' snake and set it on a flag pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 Moses made a bronze snake, and set it on the flag pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and live!

10 The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth. 11 Then they left Oboth and camped at the ruins of Abarim on the eastern border of Moab. 12 From there they moved on and camped in the Zered Valley. 13 From there they left and camped on the far side of the Arnon in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites. The Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites. 14 That’s why the [lost] Book of the Wars of Yehovah mentions, “Waheb in Suphah and the ravines. The Arnon, 15 and the ravines of the valleys that lead to the settlement of Ar on the border of Moab.“

16 From there they went to Beer, that is the well where Yehovah told Moses, “Gather the people together, and I’ll give them water.” 17 Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well, sing to it! 18 The well that the leaders dug, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.” From the wilderness they went on to Mattanah, 19 and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth to the valley in the territory of Moab where the summit of Pisgah overlooks Yeshimon.

21 Then the Israelites sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites with this message: 22 “Let us travel thru your land, we won’t go into any fields or vineyards, and we won’t drink water from the wells. We’ll travel the king’s highway until we have crossed thru your territory.”

23 But Sihon wouldn’t allow Israel to pass thru his territory. Instead, Sihon gathered his entire army together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. 24 Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok. They stopped at the border of the Ammonites because it was fortified.

25 Israel took all these cities, and Israel occupied all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its 'villages'. 26 Heshbon had been the city of King Sihon of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken all his land as far as the Arnon Valley. 27 That is why the proverbs says: “Come to Heshbon. May the city of Sihon be rebuilt and restored. 28 A fire spread from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It destroyed Ar in Moab, and the highlands of the Arnon. 29 How horrible for you, Moab! You are destroyed, people of Chemosh! He has given his sons as fugitives, and his daughters as captives of Sihon, king of the Amorites. 30 We shot them down with arrows and destroyed Heshbon as far as Dibon. We destroyed everything as far away as Nophah and Medeba.”

31 So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites. 32 After Moses sent scouts to Jazer, they captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there. 33 Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, but King Og of Bashan and all his people attacked them at Edrei. 34 But Yehovah said to Moses, “Don’t be afraid of him, because I’ve handed him and all his people over to you, along with his land, and you’ll do to him what you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.“ 35 So they 'killed' him and his sons and all his people, leaving them no survivors. And they took possession of his land.

NUMBERS 22

Balak Hires Balaam

1 Then the Israelites traveled on to the plains of Moab and camped near the Jordan River across from Jericho. 3 Moab was terrified because there were so many people, and Moab dreaded the Israelites.

4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This multitude will devour everything around us like a bull eating grass in a field. Zippor’s son Balak was king of Moab at the time. 5 He sent messengers to Balaam, Beor’s son, at Pethor, by the Euphrates River, in his native land, to call him, His message said: “A horde of people came out of Egypt. They have covered the surface of the land, and are living right across from me! 6 Please come and curse these people for me because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I’ll be able to defeat them and drive them from the land. I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.“

7 So the elders of Moab and Midian left with the fee for divination in their hands, and they came to Balaam, and told him what Balak had said.

8 He told them, “Stay here tonight, and I’ll tell you what whatever Yehovah tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9 Elohim came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

10 Balaam said to Elohim, “Zippor’s son Balak, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11 ‘A horde of people came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and curse them for me. Perhaps then I’ll be able to defeat them and drive them from the land!’“

12 Elohim said to Balaam, “You must not go with them. Don’t curse these people, because they are blessed.“

13 So Balaam got up in the morning and told Balak’s officials, “Return to your land, because Yehovah has refused to let me go with you.“

14 So the Moabite officials went back to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.” 15 So Balak sent other officials, more distinguished than 'the previous'. 16 They came to Balaam, and told him, “This is what Zippor’s son Balak, says: ‘Please allow nothing to keep you from coming to me. 17 I’ll make sure you are richly rewarded, and whatever you ask of me I’ll do. Just come and curse these people for me.”

18 But Balaam replied to Balak’s messengers, ‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace full of silver and gold, I couldn’t do anything, either good or bad contrary to the command of Yehovah my Elohim. 19 But stay here tonight, and I will see if Yehovah has anything else to say to me.”

20 That night Elohim came to Balaam and told him, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but only do what I tell you.”

21 So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. 22 But Elohim became angry that he was going. And the Messenger of Yehovah stood in the road to oppose him. He was riding on his donkey accompanied by his two servants 23 The donkey saw the Messenger of Yehovah standing in the road with His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey left the road and went into a field. Balaam beat the donkey to get her back on the road.

24 Then the Messenger of Yehovah stood at a narrow path between two vineyard walls. 25 When the donkey saw the Messenger of Yehovah, she pressed herself against a wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against 'it', so he beat her again.

26 The Messenger of Yehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the Messenger of Yehovah, she lay down under Balaam, sparking Balaam’s rage, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

28 Yehovah gave the donkey the ability to speak, and she asked Balaam, “What have I done to you for you to have struck me three times?”

29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “You’ve made me look stupid. If I had a sword in my hand, I’d kill you right now.”

30 The donkey said to Balaam, “I’m your own donkey, the one you’ve ridden all your life. Have I ever done anything like this before?” And he said, “No.”

31 Then Yehovah opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Messenger of Yehovah standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in His hand; so Balaam bowed facedown to the ground.

32 The Messenger of Yehovah asked him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you because you are recklessly resisting Me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me all three times. Unless she had turned away from me, I would certainly have killed you by now and let her live.”

34 Balaam told the Messenger of Yehovah, “I’ve sinned because I didn’t know that You stood in the way against me. So if it displeases you, I’ll turn back.”

35 The Messenger of Yehovah told Balaam, “Go with the men, but only say what I tell you to say.” So Balaam went along with Balak’s officials. 36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at Ar in Moab, at the edge of his territory.

37 Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I send you an urgent invitation? Why didn’t you come to me? Aren’t I quite capable of rewarding you?”

38 Balaam said to Balak “ I’ve come to you now, but I can’t say just anything I want to! I can only say what Elohim 'tells me to say'.” 39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 Balak offered cattle and sheep, and sent some meat to Balaam and the officials who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to the high places Bamoth where he could see some of the people.

NUMBERS 23

Baalam’s Message to Balak

1 Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.” 2 Balak did as Balaam had asked, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on every altar.

3 Balaam said to Balak, “Stay by your burnt offering, and I’ll go and maybe Yehovah will come to meet with me. Whatever He reveals to me I’ll tell you.” Then 'Balaam' went off to a barren height. 4 Elohim met with Balaam, and he told him, “I’ve set up seven altars, and I’ve offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.”

5 Then Yehovah instructed Balaam 'what he should say', “Return to Balak and this is what you must say.”

6 So he returned and found him standing by his burnt offering with all the officials of Moab! 7 Then 'Balaam' recited his poem: “From Aram Balak has brought me, Moab’s king from the mountains of the East. Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, and announce Israel’s doom.’ 8 But how can I curse those Elohim hasn’t cursed? How can I condemn those who Yehovah hasn’t condemned? 9 From the top of the rocks I see 'them'. I watch 'them' from the hills. I see a people that lives in isolation, that believes they are an exceptional nation. 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, or count a quarter of Israel? May I die the death of the righteous! May my end be like 'theirs'!”

11 Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have actually blessed them!”

12 He replied, “Shouldn’t I be careful to only say what Yehovah gives me to say?;”

13 Balak told him, “Please come with me to another place, where you can see them from a different location, you’ll only see a some of them, you won’t see them all, and curse them for me from there.” 14 So 'Balak' took 'Balaam' to the field of Zophim, high on Mount Pisgah, and he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

15 He said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I meet Yehovah over there.”

16 So Yehovah met with Balaam and 'told him what to say'. Then He said, “Return to Balak, and repeat this.”

17 He came to him, and saw that he was standing by his burnt offering, and the officials of Moab were with him. Balak asked him, “What did Yehovah say?”

18 Then 'Balaam' raised his voice and said: “Arise, Balak, and listen! Listen to me, son of Zippor. 19 Elohim isn’t like a man who lies, or a human son who changes His mind. He says what He will do, and then He does it. When He makes a promise, He makes good on it. 20 I’ve received a command to bless. Once He has blessed, I can’t reverse it! 21 He hasn’t envisioned misfortune for Jacob; there’s no trouble in store for Israel. Yehovah his Elohim is with 'them'; the shout of the King is among them. 22 Elohim brought them out of Egypt. He has, as it were, the strength of a Monoclonius [?]. 23 There is no divination against Jacob, no evil omens against Israel. In time it will be said of Jacob and of Israel, “See what Elohim has done!” 24 These people rise up like a lioness, and like a lion it stands up! He won’t lie down until he eats his plunder, and drinks the blood of the slain.”

25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Then Don’t curse them or bless them!”

26 But Balaam replied to Balak, “Didn’t I tell you that whatever Yehovah says, I must do?”

27 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come, I’ll take you to another place. Maybe Elohim will agree to let you curse them for me from there.”

28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the the wasteland. 29 Balaam again told Balak, “Build me seven altars, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.” 30 Balak did what Balaam asked, and he offered a bull and a male sheep on each altar.

NUMBERS 24

Balaam Blesses Israel

1 By now Balaam realized that it pleased Yehovah to bless Israel, so he didn’t resort to divination as before. Instead he turned his attention toward the wilderness. 2 Balaam 'looked out' and saw Israel camping by tribes. Then Elohim’s spirit came on him. 3 He raised his voice and said: “This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of a man whose eyes are opened, 4 this is the message of a man who hears the words of Elohim, who sees the vision of the Conqueror, falling down, but his eyes are wide open: 5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob. So are your homes, Israel! 6 They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a river, like the aloes that Yehovah planted, like cedar trees beside the water. 7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by deep water. His king will be higher than Gog [1], and his kingdom will be exalted. 8 Elohim brought them out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of a Monoclonius [?]. ‘They’ll’ eat up the nations ‘their’ adversaries, and break their bones in pieces, and pierce them thru with 'their' arrows. 9 'His people' lie down at rest like a lion. And like a lioness, who 'dares' to rouse her? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”

10 Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, “I called you to curse my enemies, but you have continued to bless them three times! 11 So now flee to your place! I wanted to promote you to great honor, but Yehovah has denied your being honored.”

12 Balaam told Balak, “Didn’t I already tell the messengers you sent me: 13 ‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace full of silver and gold, I couldn’t do anything contrary to Yehovah’s command by my own will, either good or bad. I must only say whatever Yehovah says?’ 14 Now I’m going back to my people, but I will warn you what these people will do to your people at the end of days.”.

15 Then he gave this message: “Balaam son of Beor says, the man who 'sees' clearly, says, 16 the message of someone who hears the words of Elohim, and has understanding from the Supreme, and who sees the vision of the Conqueror, who bows down with eyes wide open: 17 I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will emerge from Israel [Yeshua], and crush thru the forehead of Moab, and destroy all the sons of buttocks. 18 Edom will become your possession. Seir, his enemy, will also be conquered, while Israel performs valiantly. 19 Someone from Jacob will gain dominion and destroy the survivors of the city.”

20 He looked at Amalek, and stated a parable: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but in the end he will be destroyed forever.”

21 He looked at the Kenite, and stated another proverb: “Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is built into a cliff. 22 But Kain will be wasted when Asshur carries you away captive.”

23 He told another parable: “Oh, who will live when Elohim does this? 24 But ships will come from the shores of Kittim. They’ll defeat Asshur and Eber, but they will also be destroyed.”

25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.

[1] A number of earlier texts read Gog, in reference to Yeshua’s victory as in Ezekiel 38:3—footnotes.

NUMBERS 25

Israel Worships Baal

1 While Israel remained at Shittim, the men began whoring with the daughters of Moab. 2 The 'women' invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. So the people ate a meal and they worshipped their gods. 3 So the Israelites yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, and Yehovah’s anger was ignited against Israel.

4 Yehovah said to Moses, “Seize all the leaders of the people, and hang them in broad daylight before Yehovah, so that the fierce anger of Yehovah may turn away from Israel.”

5 Moses ordered the judges of Israel, “Each of you kill his men who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.”

6 Then one of the Israelite men came and brought a Midianite woman to his brothers in plain sight of Moses and the entire Israelite assembly while they were crying at the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting. 7 When Phinehas (Eleazar’s son and Aaron the priest’s grandson) saw this, he got up from among the assembly, and took a spear in his hand, 8 and he went after the Israelite man into the tent and stabbed both of them thru, the Israelite man and the woman thru the abdomen. Then the plague against the Israelites was brought to a halt, 9 but not before 24,000 people had died.

10 Yehovah said to Moses: 11 “Phinehas (Eleazar’s son and Aaron the priest’s grandson) has turned back my rage toward the Israelites since he was as zealous among them as I was, so I didn’t destroy the Israelites in My jealousy. [Small Yod] 12 So tell him I’m giving him My covenant of peace. 13 It will be for him and his descendants a perpetual covenant of priesthood, because he was zealous for his Elohim, and made atonement for the Israelites.”

14 The name of the Israelite man who was killed with the Midianite woman was Zimri the son of Salu, leader of Simeon’s 'ancestral' clan. 15 And the name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur, a leader of an 'ancestral' clan in Midian.

16 Then Yehovah told Moses: 17 “Attack the Midianites and destroy them, 18 because they treated you as enemies when they deceived you in the incident involving Peor and Cozbi, the daughter of the Midianite tribal leader, their sister, who was killed on the day of the plague in Peor.”

NUMBERS 26

The Second Census

1 Then after the plague, Yehovah said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest: [The Gap] 2 “Take a census of the entire Israelite assembly, from twenty years old and up, by their 'ancestral' houses, everyone who is able to serve in the army of Israel.”

3 Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan River across from Jericho: 4 “Take a census of the people, from twenty years old and up, as Yehovah had commanded Moses. These are the Israelites who came out from the land of Egypt:

The Tribe of Reuben

5 These were the clans descended from Reuben’s sons, Israel’s firstborn son: thru Hanoch, the Hanochite clan, thru Pallu, the Palluite clan; 6 thru Hezron, the Hezronite clan; thru Karmi, the Karmite clan. 7 These were the Reubenite clans. Those who were counted numbered 43,730.

8 The son of Pallu was Eliab. 9 The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. The same Dathan and Abiram who were chosen thru the assembly, who fought against Moses and Aaron in the group that followed Korah when they rebelled against Yehovah, 10 and the land opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire burned up 250 men, and they served as a warning sign. 11 But Korah’s descendants didn’t die.

The Tribe of Simeon

12 Simeon’s descendants by their clans were: thru Nemuel, the Nemuelite clan; thru Jamin, the Jaminite clan; thru Jachin, the Jachinite clan; 13 thru Zerah, the Zerahite clan; thru Shaul, the Shaulite clan.

14 These are the Simeonite clans, 22,200 men.

The Tribe of Gawd

15 Gawd’s descendants by their clans: thru Zephon, the Zephonite clan; thru Haggi, the Haggite clan; thru Shuni, the Shunite clan; 16 thru Ozni, the Oznite clan; thru Eri, the Erite clan; 17 thru Arod, the Arodite clan; thru Areli, the Arelite clan.

18 These are the Gadite clans. They numbered 40,500.

The Tribe of Judah

19 Judah’s descendants were Er and Onan. Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20 These were Judah’s descendants by their clans: thru Shelah, the Shelanite clan; thru Perez, the Perezite clan; thru Zerah, the Zerahite clan.

21 These were the subclans descended thru the Perezites: the Hezronite clan; thru Hamul, the Hamulite clan.

22 These are Jewish clans. They numbered 76,500.

The Tribe of Issachar

23 These were Issachar’s descendants by their clans: thru Tola, the Tolaite clan; thru Puvah, the Punite clan; 24 thru Jashub, the Jashubite clan; thru Shimron, the Shimronite clan.

25 These were the Issacharite clans. They numbered 64,300.

The Tribe of Zebulun

26 These were Zebulun’s descendants by their clans: thru Sered, the Seredite clan; thru Elon, the Elonite clan; thru Jahleel, the Jahleelite clan.

27 These were the Zebulunite clans. They numbered 60,500.

The Tribe of Manasseh

28 Joseph’s descendants by their clans: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 Manasseh’s descendants: thru Machir, the Machirite clan. (Makir was the father of Gilead). thru Gilead, the Gileadite clan.

30 These were the subclans descended thru the Gileadites: thru Iezer, the Iezerite clan; thru Helek, the Helekite clan; 31 thru Asriel, the Asrielite clan; thru Shechem, the Shechemite clan; 32 thru Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; and thru Hepher, the Hepherite clan. 33 Zelophehad, Hepher’s son, had no sons, he only had daughters. Their names were Zelophehad’s daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.

34 These are the families of Manasseh, and those who were numbered of them were 52,700.

The Tribe of Ephraim

35 These wereEphraim’s descendants by their clans: thru Shuthelah, the Shuthelahite clan; thru Becher, the Becherite clan; thru Tahan, the Tahanite clan.

36 This was the subclan descended thru the Shuthelahites: they numbered 32,500. The Eranites were named after their ancestor Eran.

The Tribe of Benjamin

38 These were Benjamin’s descendants by their clans: thru Bela, the Belaite clan; thru Ashbel, the Ashbelite clan; thru Ahiram, the Ahiramite clan; 39 thru Shephupham, the Shephuphamite clan; thru Hupham, the Huphamite clan.

40 These were the subclans descended thru the Belaites: thru Ard, the Ardite clan; thru Naaman, the Naamite clan.

41 These were Benjamin’s descendants by their clans. They numbered 45,600.

The Tribe of Dan

42 These were Dan’s descendants by their clans: thru Shuham, the Shuhamite clan. These werethe Danite clans by their clans.

The Tribe of Asher

43 All the Shuhamite clans numbered 64,400. were Asher’s descendants by their clans: thru Imnah, the Imnite clan; thru Ishvi, the Ishvite clan; thru Beriah, the Beriite clan.

45 These were the subclans descended thru the Beriites: thru Heber, the Heberite clan; thru Malchiel, the Malchielite clan.

46 Asher’s daughter was named Serah.

The Tribe of Naphtali

47 These were the clans of Asher’s descendants. They numbered 53,400.

48 Naphtali’s descendants by their clans: thru Jahzeel, the Jahzeelite clan; thru Guni, the Gunite clan; 49 thru Jezer, the Jezerite clan; thru Shillem, the Shillemite clan.

50 These were Naphtali’s clans. They numbered 45,400.

51 The total number of Israelite men was 601,730. 52 Yehovah said to Moses: 53 “The land is to be apportioned to them as an inheritance in proportion to the 'tribal populations'. 54 Give the larger tribes more land and the smaller tribes less land, each group receiving an inheritance in proportion to the size of its 'population'. 55 But the land will be divided by drawing lots, each family will receive their inheritance based on their 'ancestry'.

The Tribe of Levi

56 Each allotment is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.”

57 The tribe of Levi was also counted by their clans: thru Gershon, the Gershonite clan; thru Kohath, the Kohathite clan; thru Merari, the Merarite clan.

58 The Libnites, the Hebronites, the Mahlites, the Mushites, and the Korahites were all subclans of the Levites. (Kohath was the ancestor of Amram, 59 and Amram’s wife was Jochebed. She was also a descendant of Levi, born a Levite in Egypt. She gave birth for Amram to Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. 60 Aaron was the father of Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61 Nadab and Abihu died when they offered profane fire to Yehovah.)

62 The men thru the Levite clans who were one month old or older numbered 23,000. But they were not included with the other Israelites in the lottery because they were not going to receive an allotment of land when it was divided among the Israelites.

63 These were the ones counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River across from Jericho. 64 Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Sinai Desert. 65 Yehovah had told them, “They will 'all' die in the wilderness. Not one of them survived, except Caleb, Jephunneh’s son, and Nun’s son Yehoshua.

NUMBERS 27

Zelophehad’s Daughters

1 The daughters of Hepher’s son Zelophehad, Gilead’s grandson, Machir’s great-grandson, and Manasseh’s great-great-grandson, from the clan of Joseph’s son Manasseh came forward. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. 2 These women stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the assembly at the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting and said: 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He wasn’t one of Korah’s followers who rebelled against Yehovah. He died in his own sin, but he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he didn’t have a son? Give us property among our father’s brothers.”

5 So Moses brought their case before Yehovah. [Enlarged Nun Sofit] 6 And Yehovah said to Moses: 7 “Zelophehad’s daughters were right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer their father’s inheritance to them.

8 “Further, You should announce to the Israelites: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughter/s. 9 And if he has no daughter, then everything he owned should go to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you should give everything he owned to his uncles. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you should give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his own clan, and he’ll own it, and it will be a permanent rule for the Israelites, just as Yehovah commanded Moses.”

12 Then Yehovah said to Moses, “Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look at the land that I’ve given to the Israelites. 13 When you’ve seen it, you will join your ancestors [in death], as your brother Aaron has, 14 because during the strife of the assembly in the wilderness of Zin, you bothrebelled against My command to demonstrate My 'supremacy' within 'view' of the water.” (This was the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)

15 Then Moses spoke to Yehovah: 16 “May Yehovah, the Elohim of the spirits of 'humanity', appoint another man over the assembly 17 to go out and come in before them, someone who will lead them out and bring them in, so that Yehovah’s assembly won’t be like sheep without a shepherd.”

18 So Yehovah told Moses, “Take Yehoshua, Nun’s son, a man who has the spirit, and lay your hands on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the assembly, and commission him in their 'presence'. 20 Confer some of your authority to him so that the whole assembly of Israel will obey him. 21 He will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him 'by casting lots' before Yehovah by using the Urum. At his 'command' they will come in, both he and all the Israelites with him, the entire assembly.”

22 Then Moses did just as Yehovah commanded him, and he took Yehoshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the whole assembly.

NUMBERS 28

The Daily Offerings

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: You must be careful to present My offering at their specified time. My food offerings made by fire are a soothing aroma to Me at their appointed time.” 3 Tell them, “This is the offering made by fire that you must offer to Yehovah, two male lambs a year old without defects as a continual burnt offering every day. 4 Offer one lamb in the morning, and offer the other lamb in the 'afternoon' [ie between the evenings] 5 with a tenth of an ephah of finely-milled flour as a grain offering, mixed with a quarter of a hin of pressed olive oil. 6 It’s a continual burnt offering that was appointed on Mount Sinai for a pleasing aroma, an offering by fire to Yehovah. 7 The liquid offering will be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. You must pour out the liquid offering of wine to Yehovah in the 'cherished' place. 7 You must offer the other lamb in the afternoon, like the grain offering in the morning, and its drink offering, you must offer it as an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to Yehovah.

9 ‘On the Sabbath day two male lambs a year old without defects, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with olive oil, and its drink offering. 10 This is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its accompanying drink offerings.

11 ‘Then at the beginning of each of your months you must present a burnt offering to Yehovah, two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without defects, 12 and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with olive oil, for each bull; and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with olive oil for the one ram, 13 and one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering to every lamb, as a burnt offering with a pleasing aroma, an offering by fire to Yehovah. 14 Their drink offerings will be half a hin of wine for a bull, and the third of a hin for the ram, and a fourth of a hin for a lamb. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon thruout the year. 15 And one male goat as a sin offering to Yehovah; it will be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offerings.

16 ‘Yehovah’s Passover falls on the fourteenth day of the first new moon. 17 There is a Feast on the fifteenth day of this month. For seven days the bread you eat must be unleavened. 18 On the first day there is to be special assembly. You must not do any occupational work then. 19 You must present an offering by fire, a burnt offering to Yehovah: two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defects. 20 For their grain offering, you must offer fine flour mixed with olive oil: three-tenths of an ephah for a bull, and two-tenths for the ram. 21 and one-tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs. 22 and one male goat as a sin offering, to make atonement for yourself. 23 You must offer these in addition to the burnt offering of the morning, that’s part of the regular continual burnt offering. 24 This is how you must prepare the daily offering for seven days, the food offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to Yehovah. It will be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offerings. 25 On the seventh day you will have a special assembly; you’ll do no ordinary work.

26 “Also during the Day of Firstfruits, when you present a new grain offering to Yehovah at your Feast of Weeks [Pentecost], you are to have a 'special' assembly. Never do any occupational work, 27 You will offer a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs one year old, 28 and their grain offering, fine flour mixed with olive oil, three tenths of an ephah for each bull, two tenths for the one ram, 29 a tenth for each of the seven lambs, 30 one male goat to make atonement for you. 31 Besides the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, you are to offer them, and their drink offerings. Be sure they don’t have defects.

NUMBERS 29

Seventy Bulls for Seventy Nations

1 “On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a special assembly, you must not do any occupational work, it’s a Day for sounding shouts or shofars [Yom teruah]. 2 You are to offer a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah: one young bull, one ram and seven year old male lambs without defects. 3 Their grain offering will be fine flour mixed with olive oil; three tenths of an ephah for the bull, two tenths for the ram, 4 and a tenth for each of the seven lambs. 5 Offer one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves, 6 in addition to the burnt offering on the New Moon with its grain offering, and the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings, specified by the regulation, as a pleasing aroma, an offering by fire to Yehovah.

7 “Then on the tenth day of this seventh month you must have a 'special' assembly, and humble yourselves, and you must not do any ordinary work. 8 Present a burnt offering to Yehovah as a pleasing aroma of one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old, all without defects. 9 Their grain offering will be fine flour mixed with olive oil, three tenths for the bull, two tenths for the one ram, 10 and a tenth for each of the seven lambs, 11 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering with its grain offering, and their wine offer'special' assembly, you must never do any routine work then, and you must celebrate another Feast with Yehovah for seven days. 13 You must offer a burnt offering, an offering by fire, of a pleasing aroma to Yehovah, thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen year old male lambs without defects. 14 Their grain offering is to be of fine flour mixed with olive oil, three tenths on an ephah for each of the thirteen bulls, two tenths for each of the two rams, 15 and one tenth for each of the fourteen lambs. 16 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offering.

17 ‘On the second day offer twelve bulls, two rams, and fourteen year old male lambs without defects, 18 and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and the lambs, by their specified number, according to the regulation, 19 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.

20 ‘On the third day offer eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen year old male lambs without defects. 21 The grain offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the rams and lambs will be by their specified number, according to the regulation. 22 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offering.

23 ‘On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two rams and fourteen year old male lambs without defects. 24 The grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, the rams and for the lambs will be by their specified number, according to the regulation. 25 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offerings.

26 ‘On the fifth day offer nine bulls, two rams and fourteen year old male lambs without defects, 27 The grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, will be by the specified number, according to the regulation, 28 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offerings.

29 ‘On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen year old male lambs without defects. 30 The grain offerings and their drink offerings for the bulls, the rams, and for the lambs, will be by the specified number, according to the regulation. 31 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offerings.

32 ‘On the seventh day offer seven bulls [a total of 70 bulls] [1], two rams and fourteen year old male lambs without defects. 33 The grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, will be by the specified number, according to the regulation. 34 Offer one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offerings. [The seventh day of the Feast is not a Sabbath unless it happens to fall on the weekly Sabbath.]

35 ‘On the eighth day you must have a 'special' assembly, you must never do any ordinary work. 36 You must present a burnt offering, an offering by fire, as a pleasing aroma to Yehovah, one bull, one ram and seven year old male lambs without defects, 37 each with their grain offerings and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs by the specified number, according to the regulation. 38 And include one male goat as a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offerings.

39 ‘You will offer these to Yehovah at your appointed Feasts in addition to your vowed offerings, your voluntary offerings, for your zebakim [sacrifices], for your grain offerings, for your drink offerings and for your fellowship zebakim.”

40 Moses told the Israelites in detail everything that Yehovah had commanded him.

[1] Seventy bulls corresponds to he Table of Nations (Genesis 10), listing 70 different families.

NUMBERS 30

Vows

1 Moses told the leaders of the Israelite tribes: “This is what Yehovah has commanded. 2 When a man makes a vow to Yehovah, or swears an oath binding himself with an obligation, he must never violate his word, he must do everything that proceeds from his mouth.

3 “When a woman makes a vow to Yehovah, and binds herself with an obligation, while living in her father’s house in her youth, 4 and her father hears her vow or obligation but says nothing to her, then all of her vows will stand, and every obligation that she made for herself will stand. 5 But if her father forbids her on the day that he hears about it, then none of the vows or obligations that she has bound herself to will stand, and Yehovah will forgive her, because her father forbade her.

6 “But if she happens to marry after she makes a vow or binds herself with a rash 'utterance' and obligated herself, 7 and her husband hears about it, but says nothing to her on the day that he hears about it, then her vows will stand, the obligations that she bound herself under will stand. 8 But if her husband forbids her on the day that he hears about it, then he voids the vow that she made and the rash statement she 'uttered' and bound herself to, and Yehovah will forgive her. 9 “But every vow of a widow or of a divorced woman that she put herself under is binding on her.

10 “If 'a married woman' vowed in her husband’s house or bound herself with an oath, 11 and her husband hears about it and says nothing to her and doesn’t disallow her, then all her vows and every commitment that she made will stand. 12 But if her husband nullified them on the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded from her lips concerning her vows or concerning her obligations will stand, her husband has nullified them, and Yehovah will forgive her. 13 Her husband can confirm or nullify any vow or any binding oath of self-denial. 14 But if her husband says absolutely nothing to her for several days, then he confirms all the vows or all the binding obligations that she made. He has confirmed them by saying nothing to her on the day when he heard them. 15 But if he nullifies them some time after he has heard them, then he must bear the consequences of her sin.”

16 These are the unchanging tenets that Yehovah gave Moses between a man and his wife, and between a father and his young daughters still living in her father’s home.

NUMBERS 31

Israel Attacks Midian

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Avenge the Israelites for the Midianites. Afterward you’ll die and join your ancestors.”

3 So Moses told the people: “Arm some of your men for battle against Midian and carry out Yehovah’s vengeance on Midian. 4 You must send a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel into battle.” 5 From the thousands of Israel they selected a thousand men from each tribe of Israel, and twelve thousand men armed for war. 6 Moses sent them to war, a thousand from each tribe, along with Eleazar the priest’s son Phinehas who carried the the 'special' implements and trumpets 'for signaling'. 7 They fought the Midianites as Yehovah had commanded Moses, and they killed every man. 8 All five Midianite kings were killed: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba. They also killed Beor’s son Balaam with a sword.

9 The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children, and they took all their cattle, flocks and possessions. 10 They burned down all the towns where they lived and all their encampments. 11 After they gathered the plunder and captives, both people and livestock 12 they brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and to the Israelite assembly, to the camp on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River across from Jericho. 13 Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the assembly went out to meet them outside the camp. 14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds who had come back from the battle.

15 “Moses asked them, “Why have you spared all the women?” 16 “These women were the ones who incited the Isrealites to followed Balaam’s advice and rebel against Yehovah in the Peor incident, causing a terrible sickness to strike the Israelite assembly. 17 So kill all the male children and kill every woman who has had sexual relations with a man. 18 But save all the young girls who are virgins for yourselves. 19 “Anyone who has killed someone or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp for seven days and purify yourselves and your captives on the third and seventh days. 20 You must also purify all of your garments and everything made of leather, goat hair or wood.”

21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to war, “This is the permanent rule of the Torah that Yehovah has commanded Moses: 22 Only gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead 23 and anything else that will not burn must pass thru the fire, and it will be clean, but it must still be purified with water for impurities. Anything that can’t withstand fire must pass thru the water. 24 On the seventh day you must wash your clothes and you will be clean. After that you can return to the camp.”

25 Yehovah told Moses: 26 “You, Eleazar the priest, and the family leaders of the 'ancestral' tribes of the assembly must take an inventory of the goods, including the people and animals. 27 Then divide the spoils of war between the soldiers who went to war and the entire assembly. 28 Collect a tribute for Yehovah from the soldiers who fought in the battle, one out of every five hundred people, cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats. 29 Take it from their half, and give it to Eleazar the priest as a wave offering to Yehovah. 30 From the 'people’s' half, select one out of every fifty people, cattle, donkeys, sheep or other animals, from all the livestock, and give them to the Levites who are responsible for the care of Tabernacle of Yehovah.” 31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

32 The plunder remaining from the spoils of war that the soldiers took, was 675,000 sheep, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys, 35 and a total of 32,000 virgin girls.

36 Half of the plunder was given to the soldiers. It totaled 337,500 or other animals, 37 of which 675 were Yehovah’s tribute; 38 there were 36,000 cattle, of which Yehovah’s tribute was 72. 39 Of the 30,500 donkeys, the tribute to Yehovah was 61. 40 There were 16,000 people, of whom Yehovah’s tribute was 32 people. 41 Moses gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as a contribution for Yehovah’s wave offering, as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

42 From the 'peoples' half that Moses separated from the share of the men who fought— 43 the assembly’s half was 337,500 sheep, 44 36,000 cattle, 45 30,500 donkeys 46 and 16,000 'virgin girls'. 47 From the Israelites’s half, Moses selected out of every fifty people and animals and gave them to the Levites who took care of Yehovah’s Tabernacle, just as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

48 The officers who were over the thousands of the army, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds came to Moses 49 and they said to Moses, “Your servants have counted the soldiers under our 'command' and none of our men are missing. 50 So we have brought as an offering to Yehovah, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before Yehovah.”

51 Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from them, including all the handmade articles. 52 All the gold from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds that Moses and Eleazar offered to Yehovah was 16,750 shekels. 53 Each of the soldiers had taken spoils for himself. 54 So Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the Tabernacle of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before Yehovah.

NUMBERS 32

Reuben and Gawd Settle Gilead

1 The tribes of Reuben and Gawd had a large number of livestock. They saw that the regions of Jazer and Gilead were good lands for livestock. 2 So the tribes of Gawd and Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the assembly: 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, 4 the land that Yehovah 'conquered' before the assembly of Israel are good lands for livestock, and your servants have livestock. 5 “If we have found favor in your sight, then allow this land to be given to your servants as our property. Don’t make us cross the Jordan River.”

6 Moses asked the Gadites and the Reubenites, “Should your brothers go to war while you sit here? 7 Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing over into the land that Yehovah has given them? 8 That’s what your ancestors did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land. 9 When they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and explored the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land that Yehovah had given them. 10 Yehovah’s anger burned on that day, and He swore: 11 ‘None of the people who came from Egypt and who are twenty years old or older will see the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they haven’t followed me completely, 12 except Jephunneh the Kenizzite’s son Caleb and Nun’s son Joshua, because they’ve followed Yehovah completely.’

13 “So Yehovah’s anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the entire generation that had done evil in the sight of Yehovah had died. 14 You’re acting just like your ancestors, a group of sinners making Yehovah’s anger burning toward Israel more intense. 15 If you quit following Him, He’ll once again abandon them in the wilderness, and you’ll destroy all these people.”

16 They approached him and said, “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and towns for our children. 17 But we will arm ourselves and lead the Israelites until we have brought them to their own place, while our children live in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land. 18 We won’t return home until every Israelite has taken possession of his 'land'. 19 We won’t take any land on the other side of the Jordan River because our inheritance will be here on the east side of the Jordan River toward the sunrise.”

20 So Moses told them, “If you’ll do this, if you’ll arm yourselves to go before Yehovah into battle, 21 and all of your armed men cross over the Jordan River before Yehovah, until He has driven out His enemies from His presence, 22 and the land is conquered before Yehovah, then you will have fulfilled your obligation to Yehovah and Israel, and this land will be your own property before Yehovah. 23 But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against Yehovah, and be sure your sin will 'catch up with' you.! 24 Build cities for your children, and folds for your sheep, but do what you have 'promised'.”

25 The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We, your servants will do just as our master commands. 26 Our children, wives and all our livestock will stay here in the cities of Gilead, 27 while your servants, everyone who is armed for battle, will cross over to fight in the presence of Yehovah, just as my master says.”

28 So Moses gave the command concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Yehoshua, Nun’s son, and to the leaders of the 'ancestral tribes' of Israel. 29 Moses told them, “If the Gadites and the Reubenites cross the Jordan River with you, each equipped for battle in the presence of Yehovah, and the land is conquered before you, then you will give them the land of Gilead as their property. 30 But if they don’t cross over with you armed, they must settle with you in the land in Canaan.”

31 The tribes of Gawd and Reuben replied, “Your servants will do what Yehovah has said. 32 We’ll cross into the land of Canaan before Yehovah equipped for battle, but the property we inherit will be here on this side of the Jordan River.”

33 So Moses assigned the tribes of Gawd and Reuben and the half tribe of Joseph’s son Manasseh kingdom of King Sihon of the Amorites and the land of King Og of Bashan, the land with its cities and the territories, the cities of the surrounding land.

34 The tribe of Gawd built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35 Atrothshophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36 Beth Nimrah and Beth Haran, fortified towns, and sheepfolds for sheep.

37 The tribe of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38 Nebo, Baal Meon, (their names being changed) and Sibmah, and they gave new names to the towns that they rebuilt.

39 The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it and drove out the Amorites who 'lived' there. 40 Moses gave Gilead to Manasseh’s son Machir, and he settled there. 41 Manasseh’s son Jair captured their villages and named them the Villages of Jair. 42 Nobah captured Kenath and its surrounding villages, and renamed it Nobah after himself.

NUMBERS 33

A Summary of Israel’s Wilderness Journey

1 These are the places where the Israelites went after the exodus from the land of Egypt by their divisions under the 'leadership' of Moses and Aaron. 2 Moses recorded their points of departure, 'step by step', as Yehovah commanded, and these are the places they went to listed by their points of departure:

3 They left Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month [the First Day of Unleavened Bread]. On the very day after the Passover the Israelite people went out defiantly/triumphantly in plain sight of all the Egyptians. [not groping in the dark] 4 while the Egyptians were burying all the firstborn that Yehovah had struck down among them. Yehovah had executed judgment against their gods.

5 The Israelites left Rameses and camped in Succoth.

6 They left Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

7 They left Etham and turned back toward Pi Hahirothh, to the east of Baal Zephon, and they camped near Migdol.

8 They left Pi Hahiroth and crossed thru the middle of the sea into the wilderness; and they traveled three days’ journey into the Etham wilderness and camped at Marah.

9 They left Marah and came to Elim and camped there, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees.

10 They left Elim and camped near the Red Sea.

11 They left the Red Sea and camped in the wilderness of Sin. 12 They left the wilderness of Sin and camped in Dophkah.

13 They left Dophkah and camped in Alush.

14 They left Alush and camped in Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

15 They left Rephidim and camped in the Sinai Desert.

16 They left the Sinai Desert and camped in Kibroth Hattaavah.

17 They left Kibroth Hattaavah and camped in Hazeroth.

18 They left Hazeroth and camped in Rithmah.

19 They left Rithmah and camped in Rimmon Perez.

20 They left Rimmon Perez and camped in Libnah.

21 They left Libnah and camped in Rissah.

22 They left Rissah and camped in Kehelathah.

23 They left Kehelathah and camped in Mount Shepher.

24 They left Mount Shepher and camped in Haradah.

25 They left Haradah and camped in Makheloth.

26 They left Makheloth and camped in Tahath.

27 They left Tahath and camped in Terah.

28 They left Terah and camped in Mithkah.

29 They left Mithkah and camped in Hashmonah.

30 They left Hashmonah and camped in Moseroth.

31 They left Moseroth and camped in Bene Jaakan.

32 They left Bene Jaakan and camped in Hor Haggidgad.

33 They left Hor Haggidgad and camped in Jotbathah.

34 They left Jotbathah and camped in Abronah.

35 They left Abronah and camped in Ezion Geber.

36 They left Ezion Geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin (the same is Kadesh).

37 They left Kadesh, and camped in Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom. 38 Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of Yehovah and died there in the fortieth year after the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, on the fifth month, on the first day of the month. 39 Aaron was one hundred twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

40 The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the South in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.

41 They left Mount Hor and camped in Zalmonah.

42 They left Zalmonah and camped in Punon.

43 They left Punon and camped in Oboth.

44 They left Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, on the border of Moab.

45 They left Iyim and camped at Dibon Gad.

46 They left Dibon Gawd and camped at Almon Diblathaim.

47 They left Almon Diblathaim and camped on the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.

48 They left the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River at Jericho. 49 They camped by the Jordan River from Beth Jeshimoth all the way to Abel Acacia Grove on the plains of Moab.

50 Yehovah spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River at Jericho: 51 “Speak to the Israelites, and tell them: “When you cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, 52 then you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their ['churches, altars & groves etc'], 53 and you are to take possession of the land and live there, because I’ve given the land to you to own. 54 You’ll distribute the land by casting lots within your clans. You will allot a larger 'portion of land' to the larger tribes, and to the smaller tribes you’ll allot a smaller 'portion of land'. However the lots fall for anyone, that place will be theirs. Your inheritance 'will be within' your 'ancestral' houses allotment. 55 But if you don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land ahead of you, then those you let remain will become like barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will will harass you in the land where you settle. 56 Then I’ll do to you what I plan to do to them.”

NUMBERS 34

Boundaries of the Promised Land

1 Yehovah said to Moses: 2 “Command the Israelites,‘When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries: 3 Your southern region will extend from the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. Your southern boundary on the east will begin at the east end of the Dead Sea. 4 Your border will turn south of the ascent of Akrabbim. It then goes past Zin and ends at Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon. 5 The border will turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Mediterranean Sea.

6 “The western border is the coastline of the 'Mediterranean' Sea; this will be your western border.

7 “This will be your northern border: From the 'Mediterranean' Sea mark off your border to Mount Hor; 8 from Mount Hor mark a line to the entrance of Hamath, and the border will extend to Zedad. 9 Then the border will continue to Ziphron and end at Hazar Enan. This will be your northern border.

10 ‘Then mark off your eastern border from Hazar-enan to Shepham; 11 and the border will extend down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain, and the border will go down and continue along the eastern 'slope' of the Sea of 'Galilee'. 12 Then the border will extend down to the Jordan River and end at the Dead Sea. “These demarcations all around your land will define it.”

13 So Moses commanded the Israelites, “This is the land that you are to inherit by lot. Yehovah has commanded that this land be given to the nine and a half tribes, 14 because the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gawd and the half tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance according to their 'ancestral' houses. 15 The two and a half tribes have received their 'land' east of the Jordan River from Jericho, eastward toward the sunrise.”

16 Yehovah said to Moses, 17 “These are the names of the men who will distribute the land for you as your inheritance, Eleazar the priest, and Nun’s son Yehoshua. 18 You must select one leader of every tribe to distribute the inheritance land. 19 These are the men’s names:

From the house of Judah, Jephunneh’s son Caleb.

20 Ammihud’s son Shemuel, from the tribe of Simeon;

21 Chislon’s son Elidad, from the tribe of Benjamin;

22 Jogli’s son Bukki, a leader from the tribe of Dan;

23 Ephod’sson Hanniel, a leader from the tribe Joseph’s son Manasseh;

24 Shiphtan’s son Kemuel, a leader from the tribe of Ephraim;

25 ParnachŠs son Elizaphan, a leader from the tribe of Zebulun;

26 Azzan’s son Paltiel, a leader from the tribe of Issachar;

27 Shelomi’s son Ahihud, a leader from the tribe of Asher;

28 Ammihud’s son Pedahel, a leader from the tribe of Naphtali.”

29 These are the ones Yehovah commanded to distribute the inheritance to the Israelites in the land of Canaan.”

NUMBERS 35

towns For the Levites

1 Then Yehovah said to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River across from Jericho. He said, 2 “Command the Israelites to give the Levites some of the property they’ll inherit for towns to live in and pasturelands around those towns. 3 The towns will be for them to live in, and their pasturelands will be for their herds, flocks and all their other livestock. 4 The pastureland surrounding the towns that you give to the Levites will extend a thousand cubits [1,500 feet] from the city walls in every direction. 5 Measure outside of city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, with the city in the center. This will belong to them as ‘agricultural land’ [Gill’s] for their towns.

6 “Six of the towns you give the Levites will be towns of refuge where someone who has killed someone can flee to. In addition, give them forty-two other towns. 7 Give the Levites a total of forty-eight towns, along with their pasturelands. 8 As for the towns that you give them from the property of the Israelites, you must take more towns the larger, and you must take fewer from the smaller. Each tribe will give property in proportion to the size of its land.”

9 Yehovah said to Moses, 10 “Tell the Israelites: “When you cross over the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, 11 then you are to designate towns of refuge that a person who has killed someone unintentionally can flee to. 12 These towns will be places of refuge from vigilantes, so that a person who kills someone will not die until they stand trial before the assembly. 13 The six towns you select will be your towns of refuge. 14 Assign three on this side of the Jordan River and three in Canaan as towns of refuge. 15 These six towns will serve as places of refuge for Israelites, foreigners and strangers among you. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person can escape to these towns.

16 “If anyone strikes someone with an iron tool, and they die, that person is a murderer; the murderer must certainly be put to death. 17 Or if someone wielding a stone strikes someone dead, that person is a murderer; the murderer must certainly be put to death. 18 Or if someone wielding a wooden weapon strikes someone dead, that person is a murderer; the murderer must certainly be put to death. 19 An avenger of blood must make sure the murderer is put to death. When the 'avenger' catches up with the murderer, the 'avenger' must kill him. 20 If anyone deliberately shoves someone or throws something at them and as a result they die 21 or if out of hostility someone hits another with their fist and they die, that person must be put to death; they are a murderer. The avenger of blood must put the murderer to death when they meet.

22 “But if someone unintentionally pushes someone suddenly or throws something at them 23 or, without seeing them, drops a stone on them heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and did not intentionally harm them, 24 the assembly must judge between the offender and the avenger of blood according to these regulations. 25 The assembly must rescue the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood, and the assembly will return them to their city of refuge, where they had fled, and they must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the special olive oil.

26 “But if the one guilty of manslaughter ever goes outside the border of their city of refuge where they fled, 27 and the avenger of blood finds them outside the border of their city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, they won’t be guilty of bloodshed, 28 because they should have stayed in their city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer can go back to their own property. 29 These statutory regulation will remain thruout your generations wherever you live.

30 ‘Whoever kills another person will be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses; but no one can be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. 31 You are never to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who has been given the death penalty. They must be put to death. 32 Never accept a ransom for anyone who has fled to a city of refuge and allow them to come back and live on their own land before the death of the high priest. 33 Don’t defile the land where you live, because bloodshed defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for blood that is shed on it, other than the blood of the person who shed it. 34 You must never defile the land where you live, and where I live, because I, Yehovah, live among the Israelites.”

NUMBERS 36

Guaranteed Real Estate

1 The family leaders from the clan of the descendants of Gilead, son of Machir and grandson of Manasseh, (families of Joseph’s descendants) came and addressed Moses and the leaders who were over the Israelite families. 2 They said, “Yehovah commanded my master to give the Israelites their land by drawing lots, and my master was commanded by Yehovah to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. 3 But if they 'marry' any of the men from the other Israelite tribes, their inheritance will be removed from our 'ancestral' inheritance and added to the tribe they marry into. So part of our allotted inheritance will be lost. 4 When the Israelite Jubilee year comes, then their inheritance will be [permanently] added to the inheritance of the tribe they belong to, so their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our ancestors.”

5 Moses commanded the Israelites in accordance with the Word of Yehovah, “What the tribe of Joseph’s descendants is saying is right. 6 This is what Yehovah commands concerning Zelophehad’s daughters: They can marry anyone they want, so long as they marry within a family of their ancestor’s tribe. 7 So no Israelite land will transfer from tribe to tribe. In this way every Israelite keeps the land inherited from their ancestors. 8 Any woman who possesses an inheritance in any Israelite tribe must marry someone from the clan of her 'ancestral' houses, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of their ancestors. 9 So no inheritance is to transfer from one tribe to another, since each of the Israelite tribes is to keep the land it inherits.”

10 So Zelophehad’s daughters did as Yehovah had commanded Moses, 11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, Zelophehad’s daughters, married cousins on their father’s side. 12 They married within the families of the descendants of Joseph’s son Manasseh, and their inheritance stayed in the tribe of their father’s family.

13 “These are the Commandments and the regulations that Yehovah commanded thru Moses to the Israelites in the plains of Moab by the Jordan River across from Jericho.

DEUTERONOMY 1

Chapters 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Israel’s History 40 Years After the Exodus

1 This is the 'statement' that Moses gave to all the Israelites beyond the Jordan River in the wilderness in the Arabah near Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab.

2 It’s an eleven days’ journey from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road. 3 Then in the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses told the Israelites everything that Yehovah had commanded him to tell them. 4 This was after he had defeated King Sihon of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon, and King Og of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.

5 Beyond the Jordan River, in the land of Moab, Moses began to announce this law:

6 “Yehovah our Elohim told us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough. 7 Break camp and resume your journey to the highlands of the Amorites and all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the highlands, and in the lowlands, in the Negev, on the Mediterranean coast, (the land of the Canaanites), and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 Look, I have placed the land before you; go in and take possession of the land that Yehovah swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give to them and their descendants after them.”

9 “I told you at that time that I wasn’t able to bear the burden alone. 10 Yehovah your Elohim has increased your numbers, and now you are as numerous as the stars in the sky! 11 May Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors, make you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you as He promised you! 12 But how can I bear the weight of your troubles and disputes by myself? 13 Select wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I’ll make them your leaders.”

14 You replied that this was a good proposal. 15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and made them your leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and tens, and officers for your tribes.

16 “I commanded your judges at that time, “Hear the cases between your 'fellow Israelites', and judge righteously between a man and his fellow countryman, and any foreigner residing among you. 17 Never show partiality in judgment; you must listen to the 'poor' and the 'rich' alike, and don’t be afraid of 'anyone', since judgment belongs to Elohim. Any case that is too difficult for you, you must bring to me, and I’ll hear it.” 18 At that time I told you everything that you absolutely had to do.

19 Then we set out from Horeb and went thru that vast and dangerous wilderness that you saw on the way to the highlands of the Amorites, as Yehovah our Elohim commanded us, and we came to Kadesh Barnea. 20 Then I said to you, “You have come to the highlands of the Amorites that Yehovah our Elohim is about to give us. 21 Yehovah your Elohim has placed the land before you; go up and take possession of it, as Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors has told you, don’t be afraid or discouraged.”

22 All of you approached me and said, “Let’s send men ahead us to explore the land for us. Have them inform us as to the route we should take and the towns we should enter.” 23 The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve of your men, one man from each tribe. 24 They turned and went up into the highlands, and then to the valley of Eshcol and surveilled it. 25 They took some of the fruit of the land in hand, and brought it down to us, and reported, “It is a good land that Yehovah our Elohim is giving us.”

26 Yet you refused to go; you rebelled against the command of Yehovah your Elohim. 27 You complained in your tents and said, “Because Yehovah hated us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to hand us over to the Amorites so that they could destroy us! 28 Where can we go? Our own men have put our 'morale' into meltdown, saying, ‘The people are bigger and taller than we are, the towns are large and fortified up to the sky. We even saw the Anakim there!’”

29 Then I said to you, “Don’t tremble and don’t be afraid of them. 30 Yehovah your Elohim is going ahead of you. He’ll fight for you the same way that He did for you in Egypt before your very eyes, 31 and in the wilderness, where you’ve seen how Yehovah your Elohim carried you, just as a father carries his son, all along the way that you traveled until you arrived at this place.”

32 Yet in spite of this you didn’t trust Yehovah your Elohim, 33 who went ahead of you to guide you to places to camp. He appeared in a column of fire at night and a column of smoke during the day to show you which way to go.

34 When Yehovah heard what you said, He was angry and solemnly swore: 35 “None of the people from this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Jephunneh’s son Caleb; he will see it, and I will give him and his sons the land that he set foot on, because he followed Yehovah without reservations.”

37 Yehovah was also angry with me because of you. He said, ‘You won’t enter either. 38 Yehoshua son of Nun, who stands before you will enter it. Encourage him, because he will enable Israel to inherit it. 39 And the babies that you said would be taken captive, your children who don’t yet know good from evil will enter 'the land'. I will give it to them and they’ll take possession of it. 40 But as for you, turn around and take a hike toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.’

41 Then you told me, ‘We have sinned against Yehovah, we’ll go up and fight just as Yehovah our Elohim commanded us.’ Each of you armed yourself for war and thought it would be easy to 'invade' the highlands.

42 But Yehovah told me to tell you, ‘Don’t go up or fight, because I’m not with you to keep you from being defeated by your enemies.’

43 So I spoke to you, but you would’t listen. Instead you rebelled against Yehovah’s command and defiantly went up into the highlands. 44 Then the Amorites who lived in the highlands came out against you and chased you like a swarm of bees, and struck you down from Seir all the way to Hormah. 45 When you came back, you cried to Yehovah, but Yehovah didn’t listen to your requests or 'pay attention' to you. 46 That’s the reason you stayed in Kadesh as long as you did.

DEUTERONOMY 2

Wandering in the Wilderness

1 Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as Yehovah had told me. For a long time we roamed around the region of Mount Seir.

2 Yehovah then said to me, 3 ‘You’ve roamed this region long enough; now turn north. 4 Inform the people, “You are about to travel thru the territory of your relatives, the descendants of Esau who live in Seir. They’ll be afraid of you, so be very careful. 5 Don’t provoke them, because I’m not giving you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on, because I’ve given Esau’s descendants the region of Mount Seir as their property. 6 You are to purchase food from them with silver in order to eat, and buy water from them to drink.’” 7 Yehovah your Elohim has blessed you in every endeavor you touch. He has watched over you as you traveled thru this vast wilderness. For the last forty years Yehovah your Elohim has been with you, and you haven’t gone without anything.

8 So we passed by our relatives the descendants of Esau who live in Seir, away from the Arabah road, away from Elath and Ezion Geber. Then we turned and traveled along the road to the Wilderness of Moab. [The Gap]

9 Yehovah told me, “Don’t harass Moab or start a war with them. I won’t give you any part of their land as a possession, because I’ve given Ar as a possession to the descendants of Lot.”

10 (The Emim used to live there, a people as strong and numerous and tall as the Anakim. 11 They were thought to be Rephaim, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim. 12 The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out and completely destroyed them, and took their place, just as Israel did in the land that Yehovah gave to them to own.)

13 “Now get up and cross the Zered River.’ So we crossed over the Zered River.

14 The time that it took for us to come from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed over the Zered River was thirty-eight years, until that entire generation of the soldiers in the camp had died, as Yehovah had sworn to them. 15 Yehovah’s hand was against them until they were completely eliminated them from the camp.

16 “So when all the soldiers among the people had finally died, 17 Yehovah said to me: 18 “Today you are going to cross into the region of Moab at Ar, 19 and when you get close to the Ammonites, don’t bother them or provoke them, since I don’t intend to give you any of the land that I have already given to the descendants of Lot as their property.”

20 (This also used too to be thought of as the land of the Rephaim who used to live there, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 21 a strong and numerous people, and as tall as the Anakim, but Yehovah destroyed them before the Ammonites came, and they succeeded them, took their place, 22 as He did for the descendants of Esau who live in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites before them. They drove them out and settled in their place to this very day. 23 And as for the Avvim who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)

24 “Set out and cross the Arnon Gorge. I’ve handed you Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle! 25 Today I will begin to put the fear and dread of you on all the people under heaven. When then they hear reports about you, theywill tremble and be in anguish because of you.”

26 So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth King Sihon of Heshbon with 'an offer' of peace: 27 “Let us travel thru your land, we will only travel on the highway; we will not turn off to the right or to the left. 28 We’ll pay you in silver for the food we eat and the water we drink. Just allow us to travel thru on foot, 29 just as the descendants of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for us, until we cross over the Jordan River into the land that Yehovah our Elohim gives us.” 30 But King Sihon of Heshbon wouldn’t allow us to pass thru because Yehovah your Elohim hardened his spirit and made him inflexible in order to hand him over to you as he has now done.

31 Yehovah told me, “I have begun to give you Sihon and his country. Now begin to take possession of his land.”

32 Then at Jahaz, Sihon and all his 'army' came out to meet us in battle. 33 Yehovah our Elohim handed him over to us, and we defeated him, his sons and his entire 'army'. 34 At the same time we captured all his towns and completely destroyed the people of every city, including the women and children. We left no survivors. 35 But we carried off the animals and the plunder from the towns we had captured for ourselves. 36 From Aroer on the bank of the Arnon Valley, and the city in that valley as far as Gilead, there was no city whose wall was too high and too strong for us; Yehovah our Elohim gave everything to us. 37 But you didn’t go near the Ammonites’ land, anywhere along the bank of the Jabbok River and the towns of the highlands or anywhere Yehovah our Elohim had forbidden.

DEUTERONOMY 3

Defeat of King Og

1 Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan. King Og of Bashan and his entire 'army' came to fight us at Edrei. 2 Yehovah told me, “Don’t be afraid of him. I’ll hand him and his entire 'army' and his land over to you. Do to him what you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”

3 So Yehovah our Elohim also handed King Og of Bashan and his entire 'army' over to us. We struck them down leaving no survivors. 4 We captured all his towns at that time; there wasn’t one city that we didn’t take from them: sixty towns—the whole region of Argob, Og’s kingdom in Bashan. 5 All of these towns were fortified with high walls, gates and bars, besides a large number of unwalled villages. 6 We completely destroyed them, as we had done to King Sihon of Heshbon, destroying the men, women and children of every city. 7 But we took all the animals and the spoil from the towns as plunder for ourselves.

8 So at that time we took the land from the grasp of the two Amorite kings who were 'east of' the Jordan River, from the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Hermon, 9 (that the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir.) 10 all the towns of the plateau and all of Gilead and all of Bashan as far as Salecah and Edrei, towns of Og’s kingdom in Bashan. 11 (Only King Og of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim [Giants]. His bed was made of iron and was more than nine cubits long [over 13 feet] and four cubits wide. It is still in the Ammonite city of Rabbah.)

12 So we took possession of this land at that time. I gave the tribes of Reuben and Gawd the territory north of Aroer near the Arnon Valley, and half of the highlands of Gilead and its towns. 13 I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og to the half tribe of Manasseh, (The entire territory of Argob in Bashan used to be called the land of the Rephaim. 14 Jair, a 'descendant' of Manasseh, took the entire territory of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself. Jair’s Villages, as it is still known today.) 15 I gave Gilead to Machir [of Manasseh]. 16 To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Arnon Valley (the middle of the valley is the border) and as far as the Jabbok River, the border of the Ammonites, 17 as well as the Arabah, and the Jordan River as a border, from Chinnereth [the Sea of Galilee] as far as the sea of the Arabah, the Salt [Dead] Sea, at the foot of the slopes of Pisgah on the east.

18 “I commanded you [Reuben, Gawd and the half tribe of Manasseh] at that time: ‘Yehovah your Elohim has given you this land to possess. All your soldiers will cross over ready for battle ahead of your brothers the Israelites. 19 I know that you have a lot of livestock. Your wives, young children and livestock must remain in the towns that I gave you, 20 until Yehovah gives rest to your fellow Israelites, as He has to you, and they also take possession of the land Yehovah your Elohim is giving them on the other side of the Jordan River. Then they will have a place to rest as you have. After that each of you can go back to the land I gave you.’

21 I also gave Yehoshua this command: “You have seen with your own eyes everything that Yehovah your Elohim has done to these two kings. Yehovah will do the same to all the kingdoms you are about to enter. 22 Don’t be afraid of them, because Yehovah your Elohim is the one fighting for you.”

23 Then I pleaded with Yehovah: 24 “Yehovah [“Yeshua”], You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand. What god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the powerful things You do? 25 Please let me cross over and see the beautiful land on the other side of the Jordan River—the beautiful highlands and Lebanon.”

26 But because of you Yehovah was angry with me, and didn’t listen to me, and Yehovah told me, ‘That’s enough! Don’t talk to Me again about this. 27 Go up to the top of Mount Pisgah, and 'look' toward the west and north and south and the east, and see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross the Jordan River. 28 But commission Yehoshua and encourage him and strengthen him, because he’ll lead the people across, and he’ll help them take possession of the land you see.” 29 So we stayed in the valley facing Beth-peor.

DEUTERONOMY 4

Israel Urged to Obey the Torah

1 Now Israel, listen to the unchanging tenets and to the regulations that I’m teaching you, and obey them, so that you can live to enter and take possession of the land that Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors is giving you. 2 You must not add to or subtract from the Words that I’m giving you, in order to obey the Commandments of Yehovah your Elohim that I give you.

3 You saw with your own eyes what what Yehovah did at Baal Peor. There Yehovah your Elohim destroyed from among you all of the men who followed the Baal of Peor. 4 But those of you who clung to Yehovah your Elohim are all alive today.

5 Look, I’ve taught you unchanging tenets and regulations, just as Yehovah my Elohim commanded me, so you could follow them in the land where you are entering to possess. 6 So obey them, because this is your source of wisdom and your understanding that the people see. When they hear about all these unchanging tenets, they will say, “Surely this is a great nation of wise and understanding people.” 7 What other great nation is there that has their gods as near to it as Yehovah our Elohim is to us whenever we call on Him? 8 And what great nation is there that has unchanging tenets and regulations as righteous as this whole Torah that I’m setting before you today?

9 “But you should be careful, and watch yourselves closely, so that you don’t forget the things that you saw with your own eyes. Don’t allow these memories to escape from your mind as long as you live, but pass them on to your children and grandchildren. 10 Remember the day you stood before Yehovah your Elohim in Horeb, when Yehovah told me, “Gather My people so that I can allow them to listen to My words, so that they learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and so they can teach their children.” 11 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire clear into the sky, amid thick clouds and intense darkness. 12 Then Yehovah spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but you didn’t see His form; just a voice. 13 He proclaimed His covenant to you, the Ten Commandments, that He commanded you to obey, and He wrote them on two stone tablets. 14 It was at that time that Yehovah commanded me to teach you the unchanging tenets and regulations that you’re to follow in the land you’re about to cross over into and take possession of.

15 “You should be cautious, since you didn’t see any kind of form the day that Yehovah spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, 16 otherwise you could act corruptly and make a carved image for yourselves in the shape of any figure: a male or female form, 17 or the form of any animal on earth, any winged creature that flies in the sky, 18 or like anything that moves along the ground or any fish in the water beneath 'the shore'. 19 And be careful not to 'look' to the heavens and see the sun and the moon and the stars, the entire heavenly array, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, the things that Yehovah your Elohim has given to all people everywhere under heaven. 20 But Yehovah has taken you, and brought you out of Egypt’s iron furnace, in order to make you His own people as you are today.

21 Now Yehovah was angry with me because of you, and He swore that I wouldn’t cross the Jordan River and enter the good land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as an inheritance. 22 I’m going to die in this land. I’m not going to cross the Jordan River, but you’re going about to cross and take possession of that good land. 23 Be careful not to forget the covenant of Yehovah your Elohim that He made with you. Don’t make for yourselves any carved images to represent anything that Yehovah your Elohim has forbidden. 24 Yehovah your Elohim is a consuming fire, a jealous Elohim.

25 “After you have children and grandchildren and have been in the land for a long time, 'don’t' corrupt yourselves by making idols in the form of anything, and do what is evil in the sight of Yehovah your Elohim and provoke Him to anger. 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the land that you are going over the Jordan River to possess. You won’t live there very long. You’ll be completely destroyed. 27 Yehovah will scatter you among the nations, and only a few of you will survive being in those nations where Yehovah will lamentably exile you. 28 There you’ll worship hand made gods that someone just made of wood and stone. They can’t see, hear, eat or smell. 29 But from there you’ll seek Yehovah your Elohim, and you’ll find Him, when you search for Him with complete 'sincerity' and with all your being. 30 When you’re in tribulation, and all these things have happened to you, at the end of days you’ll return to Yehovah your Elohim and listen to what He says. 31 Yehovah your Elohim is a compassionate Elohim, He won’t abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors that He swore to them.

32 “'Diligently' inquire about the distant past, long before your time, from the day Elohim created 'people' on the earth. Search the heavens from farthest horizons of the sky. Has anything this great ever happened before, or has anything like it been heard of? 33 Has any other 'nation' heard the voice of Elohim speaking from amid a fire, as each of you have, and survived? 34 Or has an elohim attempted to go and take a nation as his own from another nation, by trials, signs, wonders and war, by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm, and by awesome terrors, as Yehovah your Elohim did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

35 It was 'proven' to you so that you could know that Yehovah is Elohim; there is no other besides Him. 36 Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you. He showed you His great fire on earth, and you heard Him speak from within a fire. 37 Because he loved your ancestors, He chose their descendants who followed them, and Personally brought you out of Egypt by His great power, 38 driving out from before you nations greater and stronger than you, to bring you in and give you their land. This land is your own property today.

39 So realize today, and never 'forget' that Yehovah is Elohim in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. 40 You must keep His unchanging tenets and His Commandments that I’m 'giving' you today so 'things' will go well with you and your descendants, so you can live 'long' in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you for all time.”

41 Then Moses set aside three towns across the Jordan River toward the 'east' 42 that anyone who had killed someone accidentally, without previously hating could flee to; and by fleeing to one of these towns they could save their life. 43 The towns were Bezer in the wilderness plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

44 “This is the Torah that Moses placed before the Israelites. 45 These are the decrees, unchanging tenets and regulations that Moses gave them after they left Egypt, 46 across the Jordan River in the valley facing Beth-peor in the land of King Sihon of the Amorites who ruled in Heshbon. Moses and the Israelites defeated him after they left Egypt. 47 They took possession of his land and the land of King Og of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites who were across the Jordan River to the east, 48 from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Sion (that is, Mount Hermon) 49 as far as the Dead Sea, beyond the Jordan River to the east, 'at the foot of' the slopes of Pisgah.

DEUTERONOMY 5

The Ten Commandments Repeated

1 Then Moses summoned all of Israel and said to them: “Israel, listen to the unchanging tenets and the regulations I am proclaiming as you hear them today. Learn and follow them carefully. 2 Yehovah our Elohim made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3 Yehovah didn’t make this promise with our ancestors, but with those of us who are alive here and now. 4 Yehovah spoke to you face to face on the mountain from the fire. 5 (I stood between Yehovah and you at that time, to show you the Word of Yehovah, because you were afraid of the fire, and didn’t go up the mountain.) He said:

6 “I am Yehovah your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the 'land' of slavery.

7 “You must never have any other Elohim other than Me.

8 You must never make an idol for yourself resembling anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the water under the earth. 9 You must never bow down to them or serve them, because I, Yehovah, your Elohim, am a jealous Elohim, punishing the children for the fathers’ sins to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, 10 but showing true love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and obey My Commandments. [1]

11 “You must never misuse the name of Yehovah your Elohim, because Yehovah won’t let anyone go unpunished who misuses His name.

12 “Remember to keep the Sabbath day special, as Yehovah your Elohim commanded you. 13 You are to labor and do all your work within six days, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath dedicated to Yehovah your Elohim; on that day you must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your bull or donkey, any of your livestock—even the foreigners living in your 'city' must never do any work on that day, so that your male and female servants can rest, as you do. 15 You must remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt, and Yehovah your Elohim brought you out of there with a mighty hand by an outstretched arm; so Yehovah your Elohim commanded you to 'celebrate' the Sabbath day.

16 “Honor your father and your mother, as Yehovah your Elohim commanded you, so that you can live long and prosper in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you.

17 “You must never murder.

18 “You must never commit adultery.

19 “You must never steal.

20 “You must never be a false witness against your neighbor.

21 “You must never covet your neighbor’s wife or desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his bull or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

22 These are the commandments that Yehovah proclaimed in a loud voice to your entire assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; with an astonishing voice, and He added nothing more. He wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

23 And when you heard the voice coming from the darkness and saw the mountain ablaze with fire, all the leaders and heads of your tribes came to me. 24 And you said, “Yehovah our Elohim has shown us His splendor and His greatness, and we have heard His voice come from the fire. Today we’ve seen that people can live even when Elohim speaks with them! 25 Now then why should we die? This great fire will still consume us. If we hear the voice of Yehovah our Elohim again we’ll die. 26 Who has ever heard the voice of the living Elohim speaking out of fire as we have and survived? 27 Go near and listen to everything that Yehovah our Elohim has to say, and tell us everything that Yehovah our Elohim tells you, and we’ll listen and do it.”

28 Yehovah heard the words that you spoke to me, and He told me, “I’ve heard the words that these people have spoken to you. Everything they said is right. 29 If only they would fear Me and obey all My commandments as long as they live, so that they and their children would prosper forever! 30 “Tell the people to return to their tents. 31 But you stand here with Me and I will give you all the commandments, unchanging tenets and regulations that you are to teach them, so that they can follow them in the land I am giving them to possess.”

32 So be careful to do what Yehovah your Elohim has commanded you, don’t veer off to the right or to the left. 33 You must 'live' the way that Yehovah your Elohim has commanded you, so that you can live and that it can go well with you, so that you can live, prosper and live long in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

[1] The Ten Commandments are not suggestions, mere “words”. Yeshua made an offer you can’t refuse: If you want to live, keep the Commandments! Matthew 19:16-19; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23; Revelation 22:14. This will “get your foot in the door”, but you can do even better!

DEUTERONOMY 6

The Commandments Guarantee Life!

1 These are the commandments, unchanging tenets and the regulations that Yehovah your Elohim commanded me to teach you, so that you would do them in the land you’re about to enter and occupy. 2 As long as you fear Yehovah your Elohim, enough to obey all of His unchanging tenets and His Commandments that I’m giving you, your children and grandchildren as long as you live, your days will be prolonged. 3 So listen Israel, and be obedient, so that things will go well for you, and so that your numbers can increase greatly, as Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors has promised you, in a land that flows with milk and honey.

4 Listen, Israel, Yehovah is our Elohim, Yehovah is One! [1] [Enlarged Ayin and Enlarged Dalet] 5 You must love Yehovah your Elohim with all your mind, with all your being, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I’m commanding you today must be kept in mind! 7 You must teach them diligently to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 You must bind them as a sign on your hand, and wear them as headbands on your 'forehead'. 9 You should write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

10 Then when Yehovah your Elohim brings you into the land that He swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to give you, large and wonderful towns that you didn’t have to build, 11 and houses filled with all kinds of things that you didn’t fill and cisterns dug out that you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive trees that you didn’t plant, and you eat and are full and satisfied, 12 then be careful not to forget Yehovah who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a 'place' of slavery. 13 You must fear Yehovah your Elohim, and serve Him and swear by His name.

14 Never pursue other gods, any of the gods of the people who surround you 15 since Yehovah your Elohim who is among you is a jealous Elohim, otherwise the anger of Yehovah your Elohim will be kindled against you, and He will 'wipe' you off the face of the earth.

16 Never test Yehovah your Elohim, as you tested Him in Massah. 17 You must diligently obey the Commandments of Yehovah your Elohim, and His regulations, and His unchanging tenets that He has 'given' you. 18 You must do what is right and good in the sight of Yehovah, so things will go well for you, and so that you can enter and take possession of that good land Yehovah swore to your ancestors, 19 by driving out all your enemies from before you, as Yehovah said.

20 In the future when your children ask you, “What is the purpose of the regulations, the unchanging tenets and the judgments that Yehovah our Elohim has commanded you?” 21 Tell them, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but Yehovah brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 Then Yehovah inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, and Pharaoh and his whole family. 23 He led us out of there so that He could bring us here and give us the land that He had sworn to give our ancestors. 24 Yehovah commanded us to obey all these unchanging tenets, and to fear Yehovah our Elohim, always in our best interest and for our survival, as it is today. 25 Righteousness will be ours if we are careful to follow all of these commandments before Yehovah our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

[1] Here is a great explanation of the Hebrew Plurality of “One”, but consider a Binity rather than a Trinity. Yet ultimately, here is the answer!

DEUTERONOMY 7

Israel to Drive out Idolaters

1 When Yehovah your Elohim brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and throws out many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you, 2 and when Yehovah your Elohim hands them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must completely destroy them. Don’t make any treaties with them and show them no mercy. 3 Don’t intermarry with them. Don’t give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. 4 They’ll turn away your children from following Me to worship other gods. Then the anger of Yehovah will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. 5 This is what you must do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Ashera poles, and set fire to their carved images, 6 because you are a special people to Yehovah your Elohim. Yehovah your Elohim has chosen you to be His treasured possession out of all the nations on the face of the earth.

7 Yehovah didn’t set His affection on you or choose you because you were more numerous than any other nation, since you were the smallest of all nations. 8 Rather, it’s because Yehovah loves you, and is honoring the oath that He swore to your ancestors. That’s why Yehovah has brought you out with a strong hand, and redeemed you from slavery and from the 'oppressive grasp' of Pharaoh King of Egypt. 9 So remember that Yehovah your Elohim is the only Elohim, the faithful Elohim. He keeps His covenant with enduring love for a THOUSAND GENERATIONS [1] of those who love Him and obey His Commandments. 10 But He repays those who hate Him in person, destroying them. He won’t be slack with anyone who hates Him. He’ll personally repay them. 11 So you must obey the Commandments and the unchanging tenets and the regulations that I give you today.

12 “Then if you heed these regulations and faithfully obey them, Yehovah your Elohim will faithfully keep His covenant with you that He swore to your ancestors. 13 He’ll love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He’ll also bless your children and the produce of your land—your grain, new wine, your olive oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flocks in the land that He swore to give to your ancestors. 14 You’ll be blessed more than any other people; there won’t be an infertile male or female among you or your livestock. 15 Yehovah will keep you free from every disease. He won’t subject you to any of the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will impose them on anyone who hates you.

16 “You must destroy all the people who Yehovah your Elohim hands you. Have no pity on them and never worship their gods or they would ensnare you. 17 If you think to yourself, “These nations are greater than us. How could we drive them out?” 18 You must not be afraid of them, you must remember what Yehovah your Elohim did to Pharaoh and all of Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand the outstretched arm that Yehovah your Elohim brought you out with. Yehovah your Elohim will do the same to all the people you are afraid of. 20 Yehovah your Elohim will send hornets against them, until the few hiding from you die. 21 You must not be afraid of them, because Yehovah your Elohim is with you, a great and awesome Elohim. 22 Yehovah your Elohim will drive out these nations before you by little and little, you won’t destroy them all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you. 23 But Yehovah your Elohim will hand them over to you, and throw them into hysteria until they are destroyed. 24 He’ll hand their kings over to you, and you’ll cause their names to vanish from under heaven. No man will be able to stand against you until you’ve destroyed them. 25 You must burn the carved images of their gods with fire. You must not covet the silver or the gold that is on them and take any for yourselves, or you’ll be ensnared by it, because it’s an abomination to Yehovah your Elohim. 26 You must not bring an abomination into your house, or you too will be set apart for destruction. You must completely detest and abhor them, because it’s set apart for destruction.

[1] Surely if Yehovah had provided more details about the Covenant He had sworn (Hebrews 6:13-16) to a THOUSAND GENERATIONS, rather than just repeating that the Covenant was a sure thing (Psalm 105:8-11 & 1 Chronicles 16:15-18) people would believe He wasn’t kidding about the duration, right?

DEUTERONOMY 8

Remember Yehovah

1 You must obey every commandment that I am giving you today so that you can live and multiply and go in and take possession the land that Yehovah swore to give to your ancestors. 2 Remember all the ways that Yehovah your Elohim has led you these forty years in the wilderness. He did this in order to humble you and test you, to determine your 'worthiness', whether you would obey His Commandments or not. 3 He humbled you by allowing you go hungry, and then fed you with manna, something that neither you or your ancestors were familiar with [check how many ways ‘yada’ is translated!], so He could make you understand that people don’t live by bread alone, but by every word originating from the mouth of Yehovah. 4 Your clothing didn’t wear out on you, and your foot didn’t swell these forty years. 5 Keep in mind that Yehovah your Elohim was disciplining you like a man disciplines his son.

6 You must obey the Commandments of Yehovah your Elohim, 'live by' His ways and to fear Him. 7 Yehovah your Elohim is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams of water, springs, and deep springs flowing thru the valleys and hills, 8 a land of [real] wheat and barley, vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, 9 a land where you’ll eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron ore, and from whose hills you can mine copper. 10 Once you have eaten and been satisfied, then thank Yehovah your Elohim for the good land that He has given you.

11 Be careful that you don’t forget Yehovah your Elohim, by not obeying His Commandments, His regulations and His unchanging tenets that I’m giving you today. 12 Otherwise, once you’ve eaten and are satisfied, and have built nice houses and lived in them, 13 and once your herds and flocks have grown large and your silver and gold has increased and everything you have has multiplied, 14 then be careful that you don’t become arrogant and forget Yehovah your Elohim, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you thru the vast and dreadful wilderness where there were fiery snakes and scorpions, and thirsty ground devoid of water. He brought you water out of solid rock. 16 He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors had never seen, in order to humble and test you, so that in the end He could cause you to prosper. 17 Otherwise, you might say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember Yehovah your Elohim, because it’s He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, confirming the covenant that He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

19 But if you ever forget Yehovah your Elohim and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you’ll be destroyed. 20 Like the nations that Yehovah causes to perish before you, you will perish if you don’t obey the voice of Yehovah your Elohim.

DEUTERONOMY 9

Wicked Nations Driven Out

1 Listen, Israel, you’re crossing the Jordan River today. You’ll be driving out nations that are larger and more powerful than you, with large towns that have sky-high walls. 2 The people are strong and tall, the descendants of the Anakim. You know all about them. You’ve also heard it said, “Who can stand up to the descendants of Anak?” 3 But be assured today that Yehovah your Elohim will cross over ahead of you like a raging fire; He will devastate and subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as Yehovah promised you.

4 Don’t say to yourselves, “Yehovah has brought us here to take possession of this land because we are so righteous.” No, it’s because these nations are so wicked that Yehovah is driving them out before you. 5 You aren’t going into their land due to your righteousness or because of your integrity, but because of the wickedness of these nations, Yehovah your Elohim is driving them out from before you, so that He can carry out the 'promise' that Yehovah swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac and Jacob. 6 So understand that Yehovah your Elohim isn’t giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness. You are a 'headstrong' people!

7 Don’t forget how you provoked Yehovah your Elohim to wrath in the wilderness. You have been rebelling against Yehovah from the day that you left the land of Egypt until you arrived here! 8 At Horeb you provoked Yehovah to wrath, and Yehovah was so angry with you that He would have destroyed you. 9 When I went up to the mountain to receive the stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant that Yehovah made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I did not eat food or drink water. 10 Yehovah gave me the two stone tablets written with the finger of Elohim Himself. On them were written all the words that Yehovah spoke with you on the mountain from amid the fire on the day of the assembly.

11 At the end of the forty days and nights, Yehovah gave me the two stone tablets; the tablets of the covenant. 12 Yehovah told me, “Go down from here at once, because your people who you’ve brought out of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned from the way that I commanded them; they’ve made a cast image for themselves.”

13 Yehovah also said to me, “I’ve seen these people, and they are quite a 'headstrong' people! 14 Let me alone, so that I can destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. Then I’ll make you into a nation larger and stronger than they are.”

15 So I turned and came down from the mountain while it was ablaze with fire, and the two tablets of the covenant were in my hands. 16 Then I saw that you had sinned against Yehovah your Elohim. You had made yourselves a molten calf. You had quickly turned from the way that Yehovah had commanded you. 17 I took the two tablets and threw them from my hands, shattering them while you watched.

18 I fell down in the presence of Yehovah, as before for forty days and nights; I went without food and water for forty days and nights; because of all the sin you had committed by doing what was evil in Yehovah’s sight, and provoking Him to anger. 19 I was afraid of the fierce anger that Yehovah had against you because He was angry enough to destroy you, but again Yehovah listened to me. 20 Yehovah was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, so I prayed for Aaron at the same time. 21 I took the sinful 'calf' you had made and burned it. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust and threw the dust into a brook that flowed down the mountain.

22 You continued to provoke Yehovah to wrath at Taberah, Massahat and Kibroth Hattaavah. 23 When Yehovah sent you from Kadesh Barnea, He said, “Go up and take possess the land I’ve given you,” But you rebelled against the command of Yehovah your Elohim. You didn’t believe Him or obey Him. 24 You’ve been in rebellion against Yehovah from the first day that I knew you.

25 “So I fell down before Yehovah those forty days and forty nights that I 'did', because Yehovah had said He would destroy you. 26 I prayed to Yehovah: “Sovereign Elohim, don’t destroy Your people, Your own inheritance. You redeemed them by Your greatness and You brought out of Egypt with a strong hand. 27 Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Overlook their stubbornness, wickedness and sin. 28 Otherwise the land that You brought us from will say, ‘Because Yehovah wasn’t able to bring them into the land that He promised them, and because He hated them, He brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’ 29 Yet they are Your people, Your inheritance that You brought out by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm.”

DEUTERONOMY 10

The Tablets Rewritten

1 At that time Yehovah told me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first ones and come up to Me on the mountain and make yourself a wooden Ark [chest]. 2 I’ll write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you smashed. Then you will put them in the ark.”

3 So I made the Ark out of acacia wood, and cut two more stone tablets like the first ones, and climbed the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. 4 He wrote on these tablets the same words as before, the ten Commandments that Yehovah had spoken to you on the mountain from the fire on the day of the assembly, and Yehovah gave them to me. 5 Then I turned back and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the Ark that I had made, and they are still there as Yehovah commanded me.

6 “(The Israelites left the wells of Bene Jaakan to Moserah. Aaron died there and was buried there, and his son Eleazar succeeded him as priest. 7 From there they traveled to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land with many streams of water. 8 “At that time Yehovah set apart the tribe of Levi, to carry the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah, to stand before Yehovah to serve Him, and to bless in His name as they do today. 9 That is why Levi has no share or inheritance like his brothers; Yehovah is their inheritance, as Yehovah your Elohim promised him.)

10 “I stayed on the mountain, as I did the first time, forty days and forty nights, and Yehovah listened to me that time also, Yehovah agreed not to destroy you. 11 Yehovah told me, “Get up. Continue on your journey ahead of the people, so that they can enter and take possession of the land I swore to give their ancestors.”

12 “Now, Israel, what does Yehovah your Elohim require of you other than to fear Yehovah your Elohim, to 'live' by all His ways, to love Him, and to serve Yehovah your Elohim with all of your mind and being, 13 and to obey Yehovah’s Commandments and His unchanging tenets that I’m giving you today for your own good?

14 The sky, the highest heaven, the earth and everything in it belongs to Yehovah your Elohim! 15 Yet Yehovah was devoted to your ancestors and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, over all the nations, as it is today. 16 So circumcise your minds, and don’t be 'headstrong' any longer. 17 Yehovah your Elohim is the Elohim of elohim, and the Sovereign of sovereigns, the great Elohim, the mighty and the awesome Elohim, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 18 He executes justice for orphans and widows, and loves the resident foreigners, giving them food and clothing. 19 You should also love foreigners, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. 20 Fear Yehovah your Elohim. Serve Him and cling to Him and swear by His name. 21 He is your praise, and He is your Elohim, who has done these great and awesome 'wonders' for you that you have seen with your own eyes. 22 Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now Yehovah your Elohim has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.

DEUTERONOMY 11

A Blessing, or a Curse

1 You must love Yehovah your Elohim and always obey His instructions, His unchanging tenets, His regulations and His Commandments. 2 Keep in mind today that I’m not talking to your children who haven’t experienced the discipline of Yehovah your Elohim—His greatness, His mighty hand, His outstretched arm, 3 and His signs and the things He did within Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt and to his whole country, 4 and what He did to the Egyptian army, to their horses and their chariots when He caused the water of the Red Sea to engulf them while they were chasing you, and how Yehovah completely destroyed them, 5 and what He did for you in the wilderness before you arrived here. 6 You saw what He did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, son of Reuben, when the land opened its mouth and swallowed them, along with their families, their tents, and every living thing that belonged to them within sight of all of Israel. 7 But you have seen all of the amazing things that Yehovah did with your own eyes!

8 “So be careful to obey every commandment that I’m giving you today, so that you can be strong and go in and take possession of the land that you are about to cross into and possess, 9 so that you can continue to live in the land that Yehovah swore to your ancestors and to you, their descendants—a land that flows with milk and honey! 10 The land that you’re entering to take possession of isn’t like the land of Egypt that you left, where you sowed your seeds, and made irrigation channels with your foot for the enclosed gardens. 11 Rather, the land you’re about to enter is a land of hills and valleys, well watered by the rain from heaven. 12 It’s a land that Yehovah your Elohim cares for. Yehovah your Elohim continually watches over it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.

13 “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love Yehovah your Elohim, and unconditionally serve Him in mind and body, 14 then I’ll send rain to your land in 'the right' season, the early rain and the late rain, so that you can gather in your grain and your new wine and your olive oil. 15 I’ll provide grass in your fields for your livestock. You’ll eat and be satisfied.

16 Be careful, or you’ll be deceived and turn away and serve other elohim [1] and worship them. 17 Then Yehovah’s anger will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the sky so that there will be no rain, and the land won’t yield its fruit, and you’ll quickly disappear from this good land that Yehovah is giving you.

18 “So keep these My words of mine in your minds and in your passions, and tie them as a sign on your hands and wear them on your foreheads. 19 You must teach them to your children. Talk about them as you’re sitting at home and when you’re walking along the road, when you’re lying down and when you’re getting up. 20 You will write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children will be many in the land that Yehovah swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as there are heavens above the earth.

22 If you carefully obey all of these commandments I am giving you to follow, to love Yehovah your Elohim, and 'live' in all His ways and hold tightly to Him— 23 then Yehovah will drive out all these nations from before you, and you’ll replace nations larger and stronger than you. 24 Every place the sole of your foot treads on will be yours; from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the 'Mediterranean' Sea. 25 No one will be able to stand against you. Yehovah your Elohim will put fear and dread of you on all the land where you set foot, as He has told you.

26 Today I’m offering you a blessing or a curse, 27 the blessing, if you’ll listen to the Commandments of Yehovah your Elohim that I’m giving you today; 28 or the curse, if you disobey the Commandments of Yehovah your Elohim and you turn away from the path I command you today by following other elohim you have not known. 29 When Yehovah your Elohim brings you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim the blessings on Mount Gerizim and the curses on Mount Ebal. 30 These mountains are west of the Jordan River, toward the sunset, near the oak trees of Moreh, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the 'Jordan Valley', in the vicinity of Gilgal. 31 You’re about to cross the Jordan River to enter and take possession of the land Yehovah your Elohim is giving you. When you take possession of it and live there, 32 be careful to obey all the unchanging tenets and regulations I’m setting out for you today.

[1] The word elohim is always plural in Hebrew.

DEUTERONOMY 12

A Place for His Name

1 These are the unchanging tenets and the judgments that you must faithfully obey in the land that Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors has given you as your own, as long as you live on the earth. 2 You must completely destroy all the worship sites where nations that you’re displacing served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills and under every shade tree. 3 You must tear down their altars, smash their obelisks to pieces, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their names from those places.

4 You must never worship Yehovah your Elohim the way they 'worship'. 5 But you are to seek Yehovah in the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses from all your tribes to establish His name there for His dwelling and gather there. 6 You are to bring there your burnt offerings, your zebakim [sacrifices], your tithes, your 'personal' contributions, offerings you vowed, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7 There you and your households will eat and celebrate everything you’ve 'worked' for, because Yehovah your Elohim has blessed you.

8 Never worship in the way we are doing here today, where everyone is doing as they see fit, 9 since you haven’t come to your place of rest, the property that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you. 10 When you cross over the Jordan River and settle in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as your own property, and He gives you rest from all your enemies around you, so that you live in security, 11 then Yehovah your Elohim will choose the place to have His name reside. That is where you must bring everything that I command you: your burnt offerings and your zebakim, your tithes, your 'personal' contributions, and all the finest offerings you have vowed to Yehovah. 12 You must celebrate before Yehovah your Elohim, you, and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites who are within your gates, since they have no allotment or inheritance of their own. 13 Be sure not to offer your burnt offerings in some place that looks good to you. 14 You must only offer your burnt offerings in the place Yehovah chooses in one of your tribes, and there you must do everything I command you.

15 But you can slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, as much as you want from the blessing of Yehovah your Elohim that He has given to you. Clean and unclean people can eat it as if they were eating a gazelle or a deer. 16 But never eat the blood. You must pour it out on the ground like water. 17 “You are not allowed to eat the tithe of your grain, or your new wine, or your olive oil, or the firstborn of your herd or flock, or any of your offerings that you vow, including voluntary offerings or your ‘personal’ offerings within your towns. 18 You must eat them in the presence of Yehovah your Elohim at the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses, you, and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites who are within your towns, and you’ll celebrate before Yehovah your Elohim in ‘everything that you do.” 19 Be careful never to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

20 When Yehovah your Elohim extends your territory as He has promised you, and you have a strong craving for meat, you can eat it whenever you want. 21 If the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses to put His name is too far away from you, you must slaughter an animal from your herds or flocks that Yehovah has given you. Eat whatever you want within your city gates just as I have commanded you. 22 Eat it as you would a gazelle or a deer: Both clean and unclean people can eat it. 23 But never consume the blood, since the blood is the life, and you must not consume the life with the meat. 24 Never consume blood. Pour it on the ground like water. 25 You must not consume 'blood', so that things will go well for you and your descendants, since you will be doing what is right in Yehovah’s sight.

26 But take your special things and any offerings you vowed and go to the place that Yehovah chooses. 27 Present the meat and blood of your burnt offerings on the altar of Yehovah your Elohim, and the blood of your zebakim is to be poured out on the altar of Yehovah your Elohim, then you can eat the meat. 28 Be sure you obey everything I’m telling you so that things will go well for you and your descendants, because you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of Yehovah your Elohim.

29 When Yehovah your Elohim karets [destroys] the nations from before you, where you’re going in to displace them, and you take possession of their land live there, 30 be careful not to be ensnared by following their customs after they have been destroyed in your presence. Don’t study their gods, asking, “How did these people worship their gods? We’ll do the same.” 31 You must never do that to Yehovah your Elohim, because every highly detestable act that Yehovah hates they have done for their gods; they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

32 Carefully do everything I command you. Never add anything to it or remove anything from it.

DEUTERONOMY 13

False Prophets Will Come

1 When a prophet or a dreamer shows up among you and predicts a sign or wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder that he predicted takes place, and he says, “Let’s follow other gods” (gods you may have never heard of) “and let’s worship them,” 3 You must never listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer, because Yehovah your Elohim is testing you to see if you love Yehovah your Elohim with all your mind and with all your being. 4 You must 'follow' Yehovah your Elohim and fear Him. Obey His Commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and cling to Him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached sedition against Yehovah your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from that 'place' of slavery. He tried turning you from the way that Yehovah your Elohim commanded you to 'follow'. You must purge the evil from among you.

6 If your brother, your mother’s son, your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let’s go worship other gods” (gods you may have never heard of, 7 any of the gods of the people around you, near or far from you, from the farthest horizons of the earth, 8 you must not tolerate them or listen to them. Show them no pity. Do not spare them or shield them. 9 Instead, you must put them to death. Your hand must be the first in putting them to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone them to death because they were trying to turn you away from Yehovah your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 11 Then all the Israelites will hear about it and be afraid. Then no one among you will ever do such a wicked thing again.

12 If you hear it said about one of the towns that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you to live in, 13 that some lowlifes have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let’s worship other gods” (who you may have never heard of) 14 then you must investigate, and search out witnesses. If it is true, and you can prove that this highly detestable thing has been 'tolerated' among you, 15 then you must kill the inhabitants of that city by the edge of swords. Completely destroy everyone in it including the livestock with the edge of swords. 16 Then you must collect all its goods into the middle of the city square and burn their city and all their goods as a burnt offering to Yehovah your Elohim. That city must remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt, 17 Nothing set apart for destruction is to be found in your hands, so that Yehovah can turn away from His burning anger and show mercy to you. In his compassion He will make your population increase, as He swore to your ancestors, 18 as long as you listen to the voice of Yehovah your Elohim and obey all of His commandments that I am 'giving' you today, and do what is right in the sight of Yehovah your Elohim.

DEUTERONOMY 14

Clean and Unclean Animals

1 You are the children of Yehovah your Elohim, you must never cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the sake of the dead. 2 You are a special people to Yehovah your Elohim, and Yehovah has chosen you out of all the people on earth to be His treasured possession.

3 You must never eat any highly detestable thing. 4 These are the animals you can eat: bulls, sheep, goats, 5 deer, gazelles, roebucks, wild goats, ibexes, antelopes and mountain sheep. 6 You can eat any animal that has hoofs completely split into two parts and chews their cud. 7 But some animals only chew their cud, while others only have completely divided hoofs. You must not eat those kinds of animals. They include camels, rabbits and shaphan. While they chew their cud, they don’t have divided hoofs. They are unclean for you. 8 Pigs, because they have a split hoof but they don’t chew cud, are unclean for you. You must not eat their flesh or touch their carcasses.

9 You can eat anything 'living in' the water that has fins and scales, 10 But you must never eat anything that doesn’t have fins and scales; it is unclean for you.

11 You can eat any clean bird. 12 But these are the 'birds' that you should never eat: eagles, bearded vultures, black buzzards, 13 red kites, black kites and any kind of falcon, 14 any kind of raven, 15 ostriches, nighthawks, seagulls, any kind of hawk, 16 little owls, great owls, white owls 17 pelicans, ospreys, cormorants, 18 storks, any variety of heron, hoopoes and bats.

19 All the flying insect are also unclean for you. Don’t eat them. 20 You can eat any clean bird.

21 Never eat any creature you find already dead. You can give it to foreigners who live in your towns, and they can eat it. Or you could sell it to foreigners who are visiting.

You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

22 You must set aside a tithe of the crop that comes from your field every year. 23 You must eat the tithe of your grain and your new wine, and your olive oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock before Yehovah your Elohim in the place where He chooses to establish His name, so that you’ll learn to always revere Yehovah your Elohim. 24 But if the distance is too far for you to carry the tithe to where Yehovah your Elohim chose to establish His name, then Yehovah your Elohim has blessed you. 25 In that case, you should exchange the crop for silver, and take the silver in hand and go to the place where Yehovah your Elohim has chosen. 26 Spend the silver for whatever you like—cattle, sheep, wine or other alcoholic drinks, whatever you want. You must eat it in the presence of Yehovah your Elohim, and celebrate with your family. 27 Don’t neglect the Levites within your gates, since they have no allotment or inheritance 'of their own'.

28 At the end of every third year you must bring a tithe of your annual produce, and store it up within your city gates. 29 The Levites who have no allotment or inheritance 'of their own', and foreigners, orphans and widows who live in your towns can come to eat and be satisfied. Then Yehovah your Elohim will bless you in whatever work 'you do'.

DEUTERONOMY 15

The Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year

1 At the end of every seven years you are to cancel debts. 2 This is how the debts are cancelled: every creditor must forgive what they have lent to their neighbor. They must not require payment from their neighbor or relative, because Yehovah’s suspension has been proclaimed. 3 You can require payment from a foreigner, but you must forgive whatever your brother owes you. 4 In any case, there shouldn’t be any poor people among you, because Yehovah will certainly bless you in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you for an inheritance to own— 5 if only you obey the voice of Yehovah your Elohim and are careful to follow all of the commandments I’m giving you today. 6 because Yehovah your Elohim will bless you as He promised you. You’ll lend to many nations but you won’t borrow; you’ll rule over many nations, but they will never rule over you.

7 If there is a poor person among you, one of your 'fellow Israelites' in any of the 'towns' in your land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, you must not be unsympathetic or tightfisted toward 'them'. 8 Rather, be openhanded and generously lend them whatever they need. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the Shemitah Year is coming up,” and you eye your 'fellow Israelites', and give them nothing, they might cry to Yehovah against you, and you would be guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to them, without resentfulness when you give to them, because of this Yehovah your Elohim will bless you in everything you work for and in all your 'undertakings'. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. That’s why I’m commanding that you be openhanded toward thr needy and poor 'fellow Israelites' in your land.

12 If your 'kinsman', a Hebrew man or woman is sold to you, and serves you [up to] six years, in the seventh year you must set them free. 13 But when you set them free, don’t send them away empty-handed. 14 You must give them generous provisions from your flock, from your threshing floor and from your wine press. Bless them as generously as Yehovah your Elohim has blessed you. 15 Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt, and Yehovah your Elohim paid your ransom. That’s why I’m giving you this command today.

16 But if he tells you, “I don’t want to leave you,” since he loves you and your family and is doing well with you, 17 then take an awl, and pierce it thru his ear into a door, and he’ll be your servant for 'life'. Do the same for your female servant.

18 Don’t consider it a hardship to set your servants free, since they served you six years and were worth twice as much as hired help, and Yehovah your Elohim will bless you in everything you do.

19 Dedicate to Yehovah your Elohim all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and your flock. Never work with the firstborn of your herd, or shear the firstborn of your flock. 20 Every year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of Yehovah your Elohim in the place that Yehovah chooses. 21 But if it has any 'defect', such as lameness or blindness, or any other serious flaw, you must never offer it as a ze’bak to Yehovah your Elohim. 22 You should eat it within your gates; the unclean and the clean alike can eat it, as you would a gazelle or a deer [ordinary food]. 23 But never consume the blood. You must pour it out on the ground like water.

DEUTERONOMY 16

The Passover

1 Celebrate the month of Aviv, and do Yehovah your Elohim’s Passover, because during the month of Aviv Yehovah your Elohim brought about your deliverance from Egypt ‘by’ [because of the events of that] night [1]. 2 You must offer the Passover zebak [sacrifice] to Yehovah your Elohim, from the flock or the herd in the place where Yehovah chooses to establish His name. 3 Don’t eat leavened bread with it. You must eat unleavened bread with it for seven days, the bread of misery, because you left the land of Egypt in a hurry. This is how you can remember the day you left the land of Egypt 'for the rest' of your life. 4 No leaven should be seen in your possession within your territory for seven days, and none of the flesh of your offering from the evening of the first day will remain overnight until morning.

5 You must not zebak the Passover within any of the city gates that Yehovah your Elohim is about to give you. 6 You must kill the Passover in the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses to establish His name, in the evening as the sun is going down, at the specified time [Moed] [the anniversary] of your exodus from Egypt. 7 Roast it and eat it in the place that Yehovah your Elohim chooses. Then you are to return to your tents in the morning. 8 You must eat unleavened bread for seven days [2], and on the seventh day there will be a solemn assembly to Yehovah your Elohim. Don’t do any work then.

The Feast of Weeks [Pentecost]

9 You are to count seven weeks. Begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain [3] 10 Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to Yehovah your Elohim by giving a voluntary offering in proportion to the blessings Yehovah your Elohim has given you. 11 Then celebrate before Yehovah your Elohim along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites who live in your towns, foreigners and the orphans and widows who are living among you. Celebrate in the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses to establish His name. 12 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and carefully follow these unchanging tenets.

The Feast of Tabernacles

13 “You must celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days, after you’ve gathered the produce from your threshing floors and your wine presses. 14 Enjoy yourselves at the Feast with your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, as well as the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows living in your 'towns'. 15 You must celebrate Yehovah your Elohim’s Feast for seven days in the place that Yehovah chooses, because Yehovah your Elohim will bless you, and you’ll prosper in all of the efforts that you ‘undertake’. There will be great joy for everyone.

16 “Three times a year all your men must appear before Yehovah your Elohim in the place that He chooses: during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, during the Feast of Weeks and during the Feast of Tabernacles. You should never appear before Yehovah empty-handed. 17 Every man must bring a gift proportionate to the blessings that Yehovah your Elohim has given you.

18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in all the 'towns' that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, and they will judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 Never corrupt justice. Be impartial. Never take a bribe, because bribery blinds the eyes of the wise and corrupts the words of the righteous. 20 Fight for justice so that you will live and possess the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you.

21 You must never set up an Asherah pole of any kind of tree beside the altar of Yehovah your Elohim that you will make for yourselves. 22 Never set up a sacred pillar, that Yehovah your Elohim hates.

[1] in broad daylight: Numbers 33:3-4. [2] The Dead Seas Scrolls say seven days, in agreement with Leviticus 23:6. The Masoretic texts, the basis of virtually every translation, mistakenly says six days! [3] The Targum of Jonathan, (Gill’s Commentary verse 9), paraphrases this “after harvesting the sheaf you are to begin to count seven weeks”, in harmony with Leviticus 23:15, “after the harvest of the wave sheaf you are to begin to count seven weeks”.

DEUTERONOMY 17

How Justice is Served

1 You must never offer Yehovah your Elohim a bull or sheep with a defect or any serious flaw, because that is an abomination to Yehovah your Elohim.

2 “If a man or woman among you in one of your villages that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you is found doing evil in the sight of Yehovah your Elohim, by violating His covenant 3 and has served other gods and worshiped them—the sun or the moon or any of the stellar array, contrary to My command 4 and if you’re told or hear about it, then you must carefully investigate it. If it’s true and can be proven that such a highly detestable thing has been done in Israel, 5 then you must bring the man or woman who has committed this wickedness to the city gates and you must stone 'that person' to death. 6 On the 'testimony' of two or three witnesses a person can be sentenced to death, but no one is to be executed on the testimony of a single witness. 7 The witnesses must be first in handling the execution, and then it’s in the hands of all the other people. You must purge the evil from among you.

8 If a case is too difficult for you to decide—between one kind of homicide and another, between one kind of lawsuit and another, between one kind of assault and another, being matters of controversy within your 'courts', you must go up to the place that Yehovah your Elohim chooses. 9 You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is serving at the time. Consult them and they will give you the verdict. 10 You must abide by the 'terms' they give you at the place Yehovah chooses. Be sure to do whatever they instruct you to do, 11 acting in accordance with the verdict they give you. Don’t deviate to the right or the left of the decision they disclose to you. 12 The man who acts presumptuously refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there serving Yehovah your Elohim or the judge must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. 13 Then all the people hear about it and be afraid to act presumptuously again.

14 Once you have entered the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled there and then say, ‘Let’s have a king rule over us like all the nations around us,’ 15 you will certainly appoint a king over you of Yehovah your Elohim’s choosing. You’ll appoint as king over you one of your 'fellow Israelites', you can’t accept a foreigner over you who is not your countryman. 16 He must never acquire a large numbers of horses or send people back to Egypt to get more horses, because Yehovah has told you, ‘You must never return that way again.” 17 He must never acquire a lot of wives or he would go astray, and he must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. 18 Then when he is seated on the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself a copy of this Torah on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 He must keep it with him and read it every day of his life in order to learn to fear Yehovah his Elohim by carefully obeying all the words of this Torah and these unchanging tenets. 20 Then he won’t think he’s better than his fellow Israelites and deviate from the commandments to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will continue reigning for a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

DEUTERONOMY 18

Provisions for the Levites

1 The Levitical priests and the entire tribe of Levi will be given no realestate in Israel, they’ll eat Yehovah’s fire offerings and His inheritance. 2 They’ll have no 'land' among their 'fellow Israelites'; Yehovah is their inheritance, as He promised them. 3 This is the priests’ share from the people who offer a ze’bak [sacrifice], whether it is a bull or a sheep: they are to give to the priests the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. 4 Also, give them the firstfruits of your grain, your new wine, and your olive oil, and the first sheared wool from your flock, 5 since Yehovah your Elohim has chosen them and their sons from all your tribes to stand and minister in Yehovah’s name forever.

6 If a Levite moves from one of your towns anywhere in Israel where he has been living, and comes whenever he wants to the place that Yehovah chooses, 7 then he can minister in the name of Yehovah his Elohim, like all the other Levites who stand ready to serve in the presence of Yehovah. 8 They’ll eat equal portions, even tho they receive compensation from the sale of their family estates.

9 Once you enter the land that Yehovah your Elohim gives you, you must never learn to imitate the highly detestable things of those nations. 10 There must never be found among you anyone who passes his son or his daughter thru the fire, anyone who uses divination, anyone who practices witchcraft, a fortuneteller or sorcerer, 11 anyone who cast spells or a medium or a spiritist or anyone who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is an abomination to Yehovah, and because of these highly detestable things Yehovah your Elohim will drive them out before you. 13 You will be blameless before Yehovah your Elohim. 14 The nations you are displacing listen to people who practice witchcraft and divination, but Yehovah your Elohim hasn’t permitted you to do this.

15 Yehovah your Elohim will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your 'fellow Israelites'. 16 This is what you asked Yehovah your Elohim for in Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “We never want to hear the voice of Yehovah our Elohim or see this raging fire again, or we will die.”

17 Yehovah told me, “They have spoken well. 18 I’ll raise up for them a prophet like you from among their 'fellow Israelites'. I’ll put My words in his mouth, and he’ll tell them everything I command him. 19 I will hold accountable anyone who refuses to listen to My words that he speaks in My name. 20 But a prophet who dares to say anything in My name that I didn’t command him to say or who speaks in the name of other gods is to be put to death.”

21 You may ask yourselves, “How will we recognize a message that Yehovah hasn’t spoken?” 22 When a prophet speaks in Yehovah’s name, and what he says doesn’t happen or come true, then that prophet just made it up. Never be afraid of him.

DEUTERONOMY 19

Cities of Refuge

1 When Yehovah your Elohim has destroyed the nations whose land Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, and you have driven them out and live in their cities and houses, 2 you are to set aside three cities for yourselves in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you to possess. 3 You are to maintain roads to these cities, and divide into three regions the territory that Yehovah your Elohim is granting you as an inheritance, so that anyone who kills someone unintentionally can escape there for refuge.

4 Here is the law for person who unintentionally kills someone he never previously hated and flees to save his life, 5 Suppose two friends go into a forest to cut wood, and one of them swings an ax to cut down a tree, and the iron head slips off the 'handle' and 'hits' his friend and he dies—he can escape to one of these cities and save his life. 6 Otherwise the avenger of blood could pursue the manslayer in the heat of the 'moment’, and overtake him if the distance is too great, and take his life, even tho he didn’t deserve to die, since he had not hated him previously. 7 This is why I’m commanding you to set the three cities aside for yourselves.

8 If Yehovah your Elohim enlarges your territory as He has sworn to your ancestors, and gives you the whole land He [conditionally] promised your ancestors—[1] 9 if you carefully obey all of these commandments that I am giving you today, by loving Yehovah your Elohim, and 'live' by His ways always—then you will be adding three more cities for yourselves in addition to these three. 10 This way, innocent blood won’t be shed in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as an inheritance, and you won’t be guilty of bloodshed.

11 But if someone hates their neighbor, waits in ambush for them, attacks them and strikes them dead, and they flee to one of these cities, 12 then the elders of his city must send for him, take him from there, and hand him over to the avenger of blood so that they can be put to death. 13 You must not 'look' on them with pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood. Then things will go well for you.

14 “Don’t remove your neighbor’s boundary marker, set up in times past, as the inheritance that you’ll receive in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you to possess.

15 “One witness is insufficient to convict someone of a crime, or any sin they can have committed. A case must be confirmed with the testimony of two or three witnesses.

16 If a malicious [https://biblehub.com/text/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">hamas] witness accuses someone of a crime, 17 then both of the people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of Yehovah and before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time, 18 and the judges must complete a thoro investigation. If the witness lied, and falsely accused another tribesman 19 then do to them what they had attempted to do to the other tribesman. This is how you’ll purge such evil from among you! 20 The other people will hear about it and be afraid to commit any such evil among you. 21 See that you show no pity, repay a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot.

[1] It still hasn’t happened! Should We Move to Israel Now? How Much Prophecy Was Really Fulfilled in 1948?

 

DEUTERONOMY 20

Going to War

1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and 'armies' greater than yours, don’t be afraid of them, because Yehovah your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to engage in battle, a priest must come forward and address the 'army'. 3 He will tell them, “Listen, Israel, today you’re advancing into battle against your enemies. Don’t lose your courage! Don’t be afraid or panic or tremble before them, 4 since Yehovah your Elohim is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies and save you.”

5 The officers are to address the army, “If you have built a new house but not dedicated it, you can go home, otherwise you might die in battle and another man would dedicate it. 6 If any of you have planted a vineyard and have not begun to enjoy its fruit, you can return home, otherwise you might die in battle and another man might begin to enjoy the fruit. 7 If you are engaged to a woman but have not married her yet, you can return home, otherwise, you might die in battle and someone else would marry her.” 8 The officers should also tell the 'army', “If anyone is afraid or has lost their courage, you can go home, otherwise your brother’s morale might suffer a meltdown too.” 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the 'army', they will appoint military commanders to lead them.

10 When you advance on a city to attack it, you must offer it terms of peace. 11 If they accept the terms and open their gates to you, then all the people there will become forced laborers for you and serve you. 12 If they won’t make peace with you but wage war on you, then lay siege to that city. 13 When Yehovah your Elohim hands the city over to you, strike down every man in it with your swords. 14 But take the women and children, the livestock and everything else in the city, including all its goods as your plunder. You will enjoy your enemies’ goods that Yehovah your Elohim has given you.

15 This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you but don’t belong to the nations nearby. 16 But in the cities of the nations that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as an inheritance, don’t save alive anything that breathes. 17 You must completely destroy them—the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as Yehovah your Elohim has commanded you, 18 so that they don’t teach you to commit all the highly detestable things that they’ve done for their gods, and cause you to sin against Yehovah your Elohim.

19 When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it in order to capture it, you must not harm any of its fruit trees by wielding an ax against them. You can eat the fruit, but you must not cut them down. The trees in the fields are not human, you can’t besiege them. 20 But the trees that you know are not fruit trees you can cut down in order to construct siegeworks against the city that is waging war with you until it falls.

DEUTERONOMY 21

Unsolved Murders

1 If a murder victim is found lying in the countryside of the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, and no one knows who killed them, 2 then your elders and judges must go out and measure the distance from the dead person to the neighboring cities. 3 The elders of the city nearest the body are to choose a heifer that has never been worked and never worn a yoke 4 and the elders of that city will bring the heifer down to a valley with a continually flowing stream that hasn’t been plowed or planted, and break the heifer’s neck there in the valley. 5 The priests, the descendants of Levi, must come forward, because Yehovah your Elohim has chosen them to serve Him and to bless in Yehovah’s name, and they are to 'render a ruling' in all cases of dispute and assault. 6 All the elders of that city who are nearest to the murder victim must wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley. 7 They will declare, ‘Our hands didn’t shed this blood, and we didn’t 'witness' it. 8 Yehovah, forgive Your people Israel, who You’ve redeemed, and don’t allow innocent blood to remain amid Your people Israel.” Then the bloodshed will be atoned for. 9 This is how you rid the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when you do what is right in Yehovah’s sight.

10 When you go out to battle against your enemies, and Yehovah your Elohim hands them over to you, and you take them captive, 11 and you see among the captives a beautiful woman and are attracted to her, and want to take her as your wife, 12 then you are to bring her home to your house. She must shave her head, and clip her nails. 13 She must get rid of the clothing she was captured in, and remain in your house, and mourn her father and her mother for a full month, then you can go to her and be her husband she will be your wife. 14 But if you aren’t pleased with her, then you must let her go wherever she wants. You must never sell her for silver or treat her as a slave, since you have already dishonored her.

15 “If a man has two wives, one loved and the other 'unloved', and they’ve both borne him children, if the firstborn son belongs to the 'unloved', 16 then on the day when he wills his possessions to his sons, he can’t treat the son of the wife he loves as the firstborn in place of son of the unloved wife, who is the actual firstborn. 17 Instead, he must acknowledge the son of the wife he doesn’t love as the firstborn by giving that son a double portion of everything he owns, since that son is the very first son he had. The rights of the firstborn belong to him.

18 If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who won’t obey his father or mother and doesn’t listen to them even after they punish him, 19 then his father and mother must seize him, and bring him out to the elders of the city, to the gateway of his 'hometown'. 20 They must tell to the leaders of the city, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He won’t obey us. He’s a glutton and a drunk.” 21 Then all the men of his city are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you, and all of Israel will hear and fear.

22 “If someone has committed a sin and deserves to be put to death, and is executed, and you hang 'his body' on a tree, 23 his body should not remain on the tree all night, be sure to bury them that same day, because anyone who is hung is accursed by Elohim. You must not defile the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as an inheritance.

DEUTERONOMY 22

Various Laws

1 You must not notice your countryman’s bull or sheep straying away and pretend that you don’t notice. Be sure to bring it back to your countryman. 2 If your countryman doesn’t live near you or if you don’t know him, then you should bring it to your house, and it should remain with you until your countryman comes looking for it. Then give it back. 3 Do the same for their donkey, their clothing, or anything your countryman has lost and you have found. Don’t pretend you didn’t notice them.

4 You must not see your countryman’s donkey or his bull fallen beside the road, and pretend you didn’t notice it. Be sure to help him to lift it up again.

5 A woman must never wear man’s clothing, and a man shouldn’t put on a woman’s clothing, since whoever does these things is an abomination to Yehovah your Elohim.

6 If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs in a tree or on the ground along the road, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, never take her with the chicks. 7 You can take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that you can prosper and live long.

8 When you build a new house, make a railing around your flat roof so that you don’t bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls off of it.

9 You must not plant a diversity of seeds in your vineyards, or the firstfruit seed that you planted and the fruit from the vineyard will be 'disqualified'. [1].

10 You must never scratch plough with a bull and a donkey yoked together.

11 Never wear mixed fabrics like wool and linen together.

12 You must make yourselves tzitzits on the four corners of your garment that you cover yourself with.

13 If a man marries a woman, has 'sexual relations' with her, and then dislikes her, 14 and accuses her of shameful conduct and ruins her reputation, and says, “I married this woman. But when I 'slept' with her I didn’t find any evidence of her virginity,” 15 then the girl’s father and her mother must produce evidence of the young lady’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. 16 The girl’s father will tell the elders, ‘I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, but he has 'turned against' her. 17 Now he has accused her of shameful conduct and said, ‘I didn’t find any evidence of your daughter’s virginity,’ But here’s the evidence of my daughter’s virginity.” Then the girl’s parents must spread out the cloth [2] in front of the leaders of the city. 18 Then the elders of that city must take the man and punish him. 19 They’ll fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give it to the girl’s father, because he ruined the reputation a virgin of Israel. She will remain his wife, and he can never divorce her as long as he lives.

20 But if the charge is true and no evidence of the young woman’s virginity can be found, 21 they will bring the woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city will stone her to death, since she committed deliberate sin in Israel by acting as a prostitute in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from you.

22 If a man is found lying with a married woman, both the man who lay with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

23 If a young woman who is a virgin is engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and has sex with her, 24 then take them to the gate of that city and stone them to death. The young woman because she didn’t cry out for help, and the man must die because he has violated his neighbor’s wife to be. You must purge the evil from among you.

25 But if the man encounters an engaged woman out in the countryside, and he seizes her and rapes her, then only the man who raped her must die. 26 But don’t do anything to the young woman because she didn’t do anything deserving death. This situation is exactly like when someone attacks their neighbor and kills them. 27 The man found the young woman out in the country. Even if she screamed for help there was no one to rescue her.

28 If a man finds a young woman who is a virgin, who isn’t engaged, and seizes her and rapes her, when the crime is discovered, 29 then the man who raped her must give fifty shekels of silver to the girl’s father, and she will become his wife because he has raped her; he can never divorce her as long as he lives [comment.

30 A man must never marry his father’s wife; he must never violate his father’s 'marriage bed'.

[1] This appears to be an admonition to never sow fields with more than one variety of a crop for use as a firstfruit. Planting grape seed is virtually never done today since the crop is almost always inferior. Grapes are virtually always created with cuttings from “purebred” varieties. (I just started 50 grape cuttings.) However plant breeders sow thousands of seeds in search of the rare individual plant that has all of the right genes for their purposes. Then it can be perpetuated indefinitely thru asexual reproduction (like cuttings), or several generations later, depending on the species, the variety can be stabilized for seed reproduction. Most of a plant breeders stock is “left on the cutting room floor” as worthless. “Disqualified” (kaw-dash')—A unique translation for a word that is translated anywhere from “holy” to “defiled”. [2] like a blood-stained bed sheet or clothing from the wedding night.

 

DEUTERONOMY 23

People Excluded from the assembly

1 No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting can enter Yehovah’s assembly.

2 No one of illegitimate birth can enter the assembly of Yehovah. No descendant of his can enter Yehovah’s assembly for ten generations.

3 No Ammonite or Moabite can enter the assembly of Yehovah, and none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation can ever enter the assembly of Yehovah, 4 because they didn’t meet you with 'food' and water on the road as you left Egypt, and because they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor of 'Mesopotamia' to curse you. 5 But Yehovah your Elohim refused to listen to Balaam. On the contrary, Yehovah your Elohim turned the curse into a blessing for you, because Yehovah your Elohim loves you. 6 Never seek their peace or prosperity as long as you live.

7 Never detest the Edomites because they’re your relatives. Never detest the Egyptians because you once were foreigners living in their country. 8 The children born to them in the third generation can enter Yehovah’s assembly.

9 When you go out as an army against your enemies, avoid every evil thing. 10 If there is a man among you who is unclean because of a bodily emission during the night, he must leave the camp and avoid every part of the camp. 11 But when evening approaches, he must bathe in water, and at sundown he can return to the camp.

12 You must also have a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself, 13 and you must carry a shovel as part of your equipment. When you go outside to relieve yourself, dig a hole with it and cover up your excrement 'right away'. 14 Since Yehovah your Elohim walks around in your camp to protect you, and to hand over your enemies to you, so your camp must remain special; He must never see anything repulsive among you 'or He will' turn away from you.

15 If a slave takes refuge with you, don’t hand them over to their master. 16 Allow them to stay with you and live among your people wherever they choose, in any of your towns where they choose. Never mistreat them.

17 No Israelite woman should ever become a cult prostitute, and no Israelite man should ever become a cult prostitute. 18 Never bring the wages of a prostitute or the wages of a dog [sodomite] into into the house of Yehovah your Elohim to fulfill any vow. These earnings are an abomination to Yehovah your Elohim.

19 Never charge interest on money to your 'fellow Israelite' for food or anything that can earn interest. 20 You can charge interest to a foreigner, but to your 'fellow Israelite' you must not charge interest, so that Yehovah your Elohim can bless you in everything you do in the land you’re about to enter and possess.

21 If you make a vow to Yehovah your Elohim, you must not postpone paying it, because Yehovah your Elohim will most certainly require it of you, and any delay would cause you to sin. 22 But if you refrain from making vows, you won’t be guilty of sin. 23 Be sure to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to Yehovah your Elohim.

24 If you enter your neighbor’s vineyard [Targum: to work], you can eat grapes until you are fully satisfied, but never put any in a basket. 25 If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain [Targum: to work], you can pick grain by hand. But never use a sickle to cut your neighbor’s standing grain.

DEUTERONOMY 24

Marriage and Divorce

1 If a man marries a woman, and she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he can write her a divorce certificate, hand it to her and send her out of his house. 2 If after leaving his house she goes on to become another man’s wife, 3 and if the second husband 'turns against' her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the second husband dies who took her to be his wife, 4 then her first husband who sent her away can not take her back to be his wife, since she has been defiled; because that is an abomination before Yehovah, and you must never bring sin on the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as your property.

5 When a man is newly married, he must not be sent out with the army or be given any other duty. He must be free at home for one year to bring happiness to the wife he has married.

6 No one should take a handmill or an upper millstone as security [for a debt] because that is like taking their life as security.

7 If someone is caught kidnapping a 'fellow Israelite' and they harm them or sell them, the kidnapper must die, that’s how you remove evil from among you.

8 “Be careful in a case of infectious skin disease to carefully do everything the Levitical priests instruct you to do. You must carefully do what I commanded them. 9 Remember what Yehovah your Elohim did to Miriam on the road after you left Egypt.

10 When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, don’t go into their house to collect what he is offering as security. 11 You must wait outside, while the man you’re making the loan to brings the security deposit out to you. 12 If the person is poor, don’t go to sleep with their 'coat' in your possession. 13 Be sure to return the security to them at sunset, so they can sleep in it and bless you, and it will be considered a righteous act in the sight of Yehovah your Elohim.

14 “You must not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether they are a 'fellow Israelite' or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. 15 Pay them their wages every day before sunset since they are poor and 'depending' on it. Otherwise they might cry to Yehovah against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

16 “'Parents' must never be put to death for the sins of their children, and children must never be put to death for the sins of their 'parents'. Each person must be put to death for their own sins alone.

17 Never deny justice to foreigners and orphans. And never take a widows’ coat as security for a loan. 18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and Yehovah your Elohim redeemed you from there. So I’m commanding you to do this.

19 “When you’re harvesting grain in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it there for foreigners, orphans and widows. Then Yehovah your Elohim can bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, don’t go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for foreigners, orphans and widows. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, don’t go over the vines again. Leave what remains for foreigners, orphans and widows. 22 You should remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That’s why I’m commanding you to do this.

DEUTERONOMY 25

Various Laws

1 “When people have a dispute, they must take it to court and the judges are to resolve the case in favor of the innocent and condemning the guilty, 2 If the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge will order them to lie down. Then the judge will have them beaten in his presence with as many stripes as the crime deserves. 3 He can have him beaten forty times, but no more. If they are beaten more than that, your 'fellow Israelites' would consider them to be worthless.

4 Never muzzle a bull while he is treading out grain.

5 When brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother must be intimate with her after taking her as his wife. He must do his duty as her brother-in-law. 6 The first son she bears will 'be given' the dead brother’s name, so that his name won’t be blotted out of Israel.

7 But if the man doesn’t want to marry his brother’s widow, she must go to the elders of the city at the city gate, and say, “My brother-in-law refuses to continue his brother’s name in Israel. He isn’t willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” 8 Then the elders of his city will summon him and talk to him. And if he stands firm and says, “I don’t want to marry her,” 9 his brother’s widow must go up to him within sight of the elders, and pull his sandal from his foot and spit in his face and say, “This is what is done to the man who refuses to continue his brother’s family line.” 10 In Israel his family will be known as ‘The 'Family' of the Man Missing a Sandal’.

11 If two men are fighting, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand grabs his genitals, 12 then you are to cut off her hand. You should not show any mercy.

13 “Don’t carry two sets of weights, heavier ones and a lighter ones [to balance scales]. 14 Don’t have differing dry measuring scoops in your house, a larger one and a smaller one. 15 You must have accurate and honest weights, and dry measures, to enable you to live long in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you 16 Anyone who does such things and acts unfairly is an abomination to Yehovah your Elohim.

17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the road when you came out from Egypt, 18 how they met you along the road and attacked all the stragglers at your rear when you were tired and weary. They weren’t afraid of Elohim. 19 So when Yehovah your Elohim has given you rest from all your enemies all around you, in the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as your own property, you must blot out all memory of the Amalekites from under heaven. Don’t forget!”

DEUTERONOMY 26

Offering Firstfruits & Tithes

1 “When you enter the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you as your property, and you take possession of it and live there, 2 you must take some of the firstfruit of all the land’s produce that you harvest from the land Yehovah your Elohim gives you, and you must put it in a basket and go to the place where Yehovah your Elohim chooses to establish His Name. 3 You will go to the priest who is serving at that time and tell him, “I profess today to Yehovah 'my' Elohim, that I have entered the land that Yehovah swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 The priest will take the basket from you and set it down in front of the altar of Yehovah your Elohim. 5 “You should respond by saying in the presence of Yehovah your Elohim: ‘My father was a wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt few in number and lived there. There he became a great, powerful and populous nation. 6 But the Egyptians treated us cruelly and oppressed us, and forced us to do hard labor. 7 Then we cried to Yehovah, the Elohim of our ancestors, and Yehovah heard our cries and saw our misery, labor and oppression. 8 and Yehovah brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and miraculous signs and wonders. 9 He has brought us to this place, and has given us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey. 10 So now I’ve brought the firstfruit of the ground, that You, Yehovah, have given me.” You will then set it down before Yehovah your Elohim and bow down before Yehovah your Elohim. 11 Then you, the Levites and the foreigners who live among you can enjoy all the good things that Yehovah your Elohim has given to you and your household.

12 “When you’ve finished paying all the tithes of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you must give it to the Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. 13 You’ll say before Yehovah your Elohim, “I’ve removed the special things from my house, and given them to the Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows as you commanded me. I haven’t disobeyed or forgotten any of Your commandments. 14 I haven’t eaten any of it while in mourning, or distributed any of it while I was unclean or offered any of it for the dead. I’ve obeyed Yehovah my Elohim, I’ve done everything you commanded me. 15 Look down from Your special dwelling, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land You have given us as You swore to our ancestors, a land that flows with milk and honey.”

16 Today Yehovah your Elohim commands you to obey these unchanging tenets and regulations. You must be sure to obey them 'resolutely' and with your entire being. 17 You have declared today that Yehovah is your Elohim, and that you will ‘live’ by His ways, and obey His unchanging tenets, and His Commandments and His regulations, and obey Him. 18 And Yehovah has publicly declared today that you are His people, a treasured possession, as He promised, and that you must obey all of His Commandments, 19 and He will set you high above all the other nations that He has made, in praise, fame and honor, so that you can be a people special to Yehovah your Elohim as He promised. [Clark’s comment]

DEUTERONOMY 27

Terms of Israel’s Marriage Covenant

1 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Obey all the Commandments that I command you today. 2 On the day when you cross the Jordan River 'and enter' the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, you will set up some large stones, and cover them with plaster, 3 and write all the words of the Torah on them after you’ve crossed over, so that you can enter the land that Yehovah your Elohim is giving you, a land that flows with milk and honey, as Yehovah, the Elohim of your ancestors has promised you. 4 Once you’ve crossed the Jordan River, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, just as I’m commanding you today and coat them with plaster. 5 Build Yehovah your Elohim’s altar there of stones; but don’t use any iron tools on them. 6 Use uncut fieldstones to build Yehovah your Elohim’s altar, and offer burnt offerings to Yehovah your Elohim on it. 7 You are to offer fellowship zebakim and eat them there, and rejoice before Yehovah your Elohim. 8 And you must write on the stones all the words of this Torah very plainly.

9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all the Israelites, “Be silent and listen, Israel. Today you have become the people of Yehovah your Elohim! 10 You must obey Yehovah your Elohim in this way, by obeying His Commandments and His unchanging tenets that I’m giving you today.”

Terms And Penalties of Divorce

11 That same day Moses commanded the people: 12 Once you’ve crossed the Jordan River, these tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. 13 These tribes will stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce the curses: Reuben, Gawd, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.

14 The Levites will proclaim in a loud voice to all the people of Israel:

15 ‘Cursed is the person who makes a carved or cast image, an abomination to Yehovah, the workmanship of an artisan, and sets it up in secret.” And all the people will say, Aw-main'.’

16 ‘Cursed is the person who dishonors their father or mother.” And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

17 ‘Cursed is the person who removes his neighbor’s boundary marker’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

18 ‘Cursed is the person who misleads a blind person on the road’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

19 ‘Cursed is the person who denies justice to foreigners, orphans and widows.’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

20 ‘Cursed is the person who has 'sexual relations' with his father’s wife, because he has ‘violated his father’s bed’.” And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

21 ‘Cursed is the person who has 'sexual relations' with an animal.” And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

22 ‘Cursed is the person who has 'sexual relations' with his sister, whether his father’s or his mother’s daughter.’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

23 ‘Cursed is the person who has 'sexual relations' with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

24 ‘Cursed is the person who kills his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

25 ‘Cursed is the person who accepts money to kill an innocent person.’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.”

26 ‘Cursed is the person who doesn’t uphold the terms of this Torah by carrying them out.’ And all the people will say, “Aw-main'.

DEUTERONOMY 28

If Israel Obeys the Commandments ...

1 Now if you diligently obey Yehovah your Elohim and carefully obey all of His Commandments that I’m giving you today, then Yehovah your Elohim will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 All these blessings will come to you in abundance if you obey Yehovah your Elohim:

3 You’ll be blessed in the city and you’ll be blessed in the country.

4 Your 'descendants' will be blessed as will the harvests of your land. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.

5 Your harvest basket and your kneading bowl will be blessed.

6 You’ll be blessed when you come in and you’ll be blessed when you go out.

7 Yehovah will cause your enemies who attack you to surrender defeated [Peshitta] before you. They’ll attack you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

8 Yehovah will send you blessings in your barns, and in everything that you put your hand to. He’ll bless you in the land that Yehovah your Elohim gives you.

9 Yehovah will establish you as His special people, as He has sworn to you if you obey Yehovah your Elohim’s Commandments and live by His ways. 10 Then all the nations on earth will see that you are called by Yehovah’s name, and stand in awe of you.

11 Yehovah will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your livestock and in the produce of your ground, in the land that Yehovah swore to your ancestors to give you. 12 Yehovah will open for you His good treasury in the sky and give rain to your land at the right time, and bless all of your handiwork. You’ll lend to many nations but you won’t borrow. 13 Yehovah will make you the head and not the tail; you’ll only move upward and never downward, if you hear and obey the Commandments of Yehovah your Elohim that I’m giving you today. 14 You must not deviate from the instructions that I’m giving you today, to the right or to the left, to follow other gods and serve them.

If Israel Breaks the Commandments ...

15 “But if you don’t obey Yehovah your Elohim and faithfully carry out all of His Commandments and unchanging tenets that I’m giving you today, then all of these curses will come about and overwhelm you [1].

16 “You’ll be cursed in the towns and cursed in the fields.

17 Your grain basket and your kneading bowl will be cursed.

18 Your own 'fertility', your soil’s produce, your cattle’s young, and your flock’s offspring will be cursed.

19 You’ll be cursed when you come and cursed when you go.

20 Yehovah will send you curses, confusion and opposition in everything that you undertake until you are destroyed and quickly perish because of your evil behavior and your abandoning Me. 21 Yehovah will plague you with diseases until He has exterminated you from the land you are entering to possess. 22 Yehovah will afflict you with wasting disease, fever, inflammation, fiery heat, warfare, blight and mildew that will plague you until you die off. 23 Your sky over your head will be bronze, and the ground below you will be iron. [2] 24 Yehovah will turn the rain of your land to powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you’re destroyed.

25 Yehovah will cause you to be 'defeated by' your enemies, you’ll approach them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you’ll be an example of terror to all the kingdoms on earth. 26 Your cacases will be food for all the vultures from the sky and the wild animals in the land, and there will be no one to frighten them away. 27 Yehovah will strike you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, a festering rash and itching that you can’t be healed of. 28 Yehovah will strike you with madness, blindness and with mental confusion. 29 You’ll grope around at noon like a blind person groping in the dark. You’ll fail in everything you do. You’ll be continually oppressed and robbed with no one to save you.

30 You’ll be engaged to a woman, but another man will rape her. You’ll build a house but be unable to live there, you’ll plant a vineyard but you won’t harvest the fruit. 31 Your bull will be butchered as you watch, but you won’t eat any of it. Your donkey will be forcibly taken from 'you' and never returned. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and no one will help you. 32 Your sons and your daughters will be given to foreigners. You’ll ceaselessly strain your eyes looking for them, powerless to lift a hand. 33 Those foreign strangers will eat your land’s produce and everything you’ve labored for, and you will never experience anything but oppression and abuse. 34 You’ll be driven mad by what you 'see'. 35 Yehovah will strike you on the knees and legs with severe boils that you can’t be healed of, from the soles of your feet to the top of your head.

36 Yehovah will bring you and the king you have appointed to a nation that neither you or your ancestors were unfamiliar with, and there you’ll [be forced to] serve strange wood and stone gods. 37 You’ll become an object of horror, ridicule and a joke among all the nations where Yehovah will drive you.

38 You’ll sow lots seeds in the fields but harvest little, because the locusts will destroy it. 39 You’ll plant vineyards and cultivate them, but you won’t drink any wine or harvest any grapes because worms will eat everything. 40 You’ll have olive trees thruout your country, but there will be no olive oil to rub on your skin because your olives will drop off. 41 You’ll have sons and daughters, but they won’t remain yours because they’ll go into captivity. 42 Locusts will swarms over all your trees and the crops of your land.

43 The aliens among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink lower and lower. 44 They’ll lend to you, but you won’t lend to them [any longer]. They’ll be the head, but you’ll be the tail.

45 All these curses will come to you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you wouldn’t obey the voice of Yehovah your Elohim by keeping His Commandments and His unchanging tenets that He commanded you. 46 They [these curse] will be a sign and a harbinger to you and your descendants forever. 47 Because you didn’t serve Yehovah your Elohim joyfully and gladly in the time of abundance in every regard, 48 you’ll serve your enemies who Yehovah will send against you, in hunger, in thirst in nakedness, and in deprivation of everything. He’ll put an iron yolk on your neck until He has destroyed you.

49 Yehovah will bring a nation against you from afar, from the ends of the earth, as an eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you won’t understand, 50 a nation of fierce looking people who will have no regard for the old or pity for the young. 51 They’ll devour the young of your herds and the crops of your land until you are destroyed. They’ll leave you no grain, new wine, olive oil, offspring from your herds or the young of your flocks until they’ve exterminated you. 52 They’ll lay siege to all your 'towns' until the high and fortified walls you trust in come down, thruout all your land. They’ll lay siege in every city thruout your land that Yehovah your Elohim has given you.

53 Then you’ll eat the 'offspring' of your own body, the flesh of your sons and daughters who Yehovah your Elohim has given you during the severe siege as your enemy is suppressing you. 54 The most refined and sensitive men among you will be hostile toward his brothers, the wives they loved and their surviving children. 55 He won’t share with them any of the flesh of his children that he is eating, because he has nothing else left during the blockade and hardship imposed on you in all your 'towns'. 56 The most refined and sensitive women among you—so sensitive and refined that they wouldn’t venture to touch the ground with the soles of their feet will be hostile toward the husband she loved, toward her son or daughter. 57 She won’t share the afterbirth from her 'womb' and the children she bears, because she’ll eat them secretly for lack of anything else during the siege, due to the distress that your enemy will inflict on you in your towns.

58 If you aren’t careful to obey all the words of this Torah that are written in this book, by fearing this splendid and awesome name, Yehovah YOUR ELOHIM, 59 then Yehovah will bring extraordinary plagues on you and your descendants. They will be terrible and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic diseases. 60 He’ll bring back all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they’ll cling to you, 61 as well as every sickness, and every kind of sickness and plague not written in this Book of the Torah. Yehovah will bring them on you until you are destroyed. 62 You’ll be left few in number, tho you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, because you didn’t obey the voice of Yehovah your Elohim.

63 Just as Yehovah was pleased to do good for you, and increase your numbers, so it will please Him to ruin and destroy you; and you’ll be deported from the land that you are entering to possess. 64 Yehovah will scatter you among all the nations to the farthest horizons of the earth. There you’ll be forced to worship foreign gods made of wood and stone that neither you or your ancestors have accepted. 65 In these nations you’ll find no rest, not even a place to rest the sole of your foot, but Yehovah will repay you there with trembling thoughts, failing eyes and a depressing life. 66 Your life will hang in doubt before you. You’ll live in terror day and night, with no assurance of surviving. 67 In the morning you’ll say, “I wish it were evening!” and in the evening you’ll say, “I wish it were morning!”—because of the things that will terrify you and because of the things you’ll see. 68 Yehovah will bring you back to Egypt in ships by a route that I said you would never see again, and there you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.

[1] Only one nation in the history of the world ever agreed to the covenantal blessings (and curses) of Deuteronomy 28, prefaced in chapter 27. Ancient Israel, the ancestors of America and the British Commonwealth Nations (among others) suffered all of these curses. While these curses are similar to the curses preceeding the end time Israelite nations, there are significant variations. Many modern Israelite nations will be cursed as daughters of Babylon. I found this link while trying to find something similar directly from Yair Davidiy. [2] heaven … brass … earth … iron—strong Oriental figures used to describe the effects of long-continued drought. This want of regular and seasonable rain is allowed by the most intelligent observers to be one great cause of the present sterility of ... [it is now quite apparent where this applies]!

 

DEUTERONOMY 29

The Covenant or the Curse

1 These are the words of the covenant that Yehovah commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant He had made with them at Horeb.

2 Moses summoned all of Israel and said to them, “You’ve seen everything that Yehovah did with your own eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and all his servants and all his land. 3 With your own eyes you saw the great trials and those great signs and amazing 'events'. 4 Yet to this day Yehovah hasn’t given you minds that understand, eyes that see or ears that hear. 5 I led you in the wilderness for forty years, yet your clothes never wore out and the sandals on your feet never wore out; 6 You haven’t eaten bread or drank any wine or liquor, so that you would realize that I am Yehovah your Elohim.

7 Once you reached this place, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan came out to meet us in battles, but we 'defeated' them. 8 We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites and half of the tribe of Manasseh.

9 So preserve the terms of this covenant and obey them so that you will prosper in everything you do. 10 All of you stand today before Yehovah your Elohim, your leaders, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel, 11 your children, your wives, and the foreigners within your camps, from the one who cuts your wood to the one who draws your water, 12 in order to enter the covenant of Yehovah your Elohim, and into His oath, that Yehovah your Elohim is making with you today, 13 so that He can establish you today as His people, and that He can be your Elohim, just as He told you and as He swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 14 I’m not just making this covenant and this oath with you, but with those [yet unborn] who are not here with us today, as well as with those who stand here with us today in the presence of Yehovah our Elohim,

16 You know how we lived in the land of Egypt and how we came thru other nations on our way here. 17 You’ve seen their highly detestable things and their idols of wood, stone, silver and gold that they kept with them. 18 Make sure there is no man, woman, family or tribe among you today who 'rejects' Yehovah our Elohim and serves the gods of those nations; make sure no poisonous fruit and wormwood takes root among you.

19 When such a person hears the words of this oath, they might imagine they are blessed, thinking, “I’ll be safe, even tho I 'live' my own way.” They will bring disaster on the well-watered land as well as the dry. 20 Yehovah will never pardon them. Instead, His anger and zeal will burn against that person, and every curse written on this scroll will come down on them. 21 Yehovah will single them out from of all the tribes of Israel for disaster, based on all the curses of the covenant that are written in this Book of the Torah.

22 Generations of your children to come and foreigners who come from distant lands will see the plagues of this land and the diseases that Yehovah has afflicted it with will say, 23 ‘The entire landscape is sulfur and salt, a burning wasteland, nothing planted, nothing sprouting, not even grass grows there. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, that Yehovah overthrew in His anger and wrath. 24 All the nations will ask, “Why has Yehovah done this to this land? Why this fierce, burning anger?”

25 Then people will say, ‘It’s because they abandoned the covenant of Yehovah, the Elohim of their ancestors, that He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26 They began to serve other gods, and worship them, gods they didn’t know, gods He never gave them. 27 So the anger of Yehovah set fire to this land, bringing on it every curse described in this book. 28 Yehovah uprooted them from their land in fierce anger and in fury and in great wrath, and thrust them into another land, where they are to this day.” [Enlarged lamed]

29 “The secret things belong to Yehovah our Elohim, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we can follow all the words of this Torah. [Jots]

DEUTERONOMY 30

Conditional Restoration

1 Once all these things have happened to you—the blessings and the curses that I’ve set before you, and you begin to reflect on them in all the nations where Yehovah your Elohim has banished you, 2 and you have returned to Yehovah your Elohim and have listened to and obeyed His voice with unconditional 'resolve' and with all of your being, in accord with everything that I am commanding you and your children today, 3 then Yehovah your Elohim will end your captivity, [not “restore your fortunes”], and have compassion on you and gather you together again from all the nations where Yehovah your Elohim has scattered you. 4 Even if your exiles are scattered to the remotest areas on earth, Yehovah your Elohim will gather you from there and bring you back. 5 Yehovah your Elohim will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you’ll take possession of it. He’ll make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors were. [1] 6 Yehovah your Elohim will circumcise your 'minds' and the minds of your descendants, so that you will love Yehovah your Elohim with all your mind and with all your being so that you will survive. 7 Then Yehovah your Elohim will inflict all these curses on your enemies who hate you and have persecuted you. 8 Once again you will obey Yehovah and follow all of His Commandments that I’m giving you today. 9 Then Yehovah your Elohim will abundantly prosper your every effort, your many children. the offspring of your livestock and the produce of your land; since Yehovah will again delight in your prosperity, just as He delighted over your ancestors, 10 so long as you obey the voice of Yehovah your Elohim, and keep [live by] His Commandments and His unchanging tenets that are written in this Book of the Torah, and return to Yehovah your Elohim with all your mind and all your being.

11 This commandment that I’m giving you today isn’t too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It isn’t in heaven, so you don’t have to ask, “Who will ascend to heaven to bring it to us so that we can hear it and obey it?” 13 It isn’t on the far side of the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it for us so that we can hear it and obey it?” 14 No, these words are very near you; they’re in your mouth and in your 'thoughts' so that you can obey them.

15 Today I’m 'offering' you life and 'prosperity' or death and 'destruction'. 16 So I command you today to love Yehovah your Elohim, to 'live' by His ways and obey His Commandments and His unchanging tenets and His regulations, so that you can live and multiply, and so that Yehovah your Elohim can bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your 'resolve' is turned and you fail to listen and you are led astray and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I promise you today that you will certainly be destroyed. You won’t live for long in the land that you’re going to take possession of when you cross the Jordan River.

19 Today, I am summoning heaven and earth to witness that I have 'offered' you life or death, blessings or curses. Now, choose life, so that both you and your descendants will live. 20 Love Yehovah your Elohim by obeying Him, and remaining faithful to Him. This is your way of life for as long as you live. It enables you to live in the land that Yehovah swore to give to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

[1] Population Bomb Takes Out Millennium?

DEUTERONOMY 31

Yehoshua Succeeds Moses

1 Moses went out and spoke these words to all of Israel. 2 He told them, “I’m one hundred and twenty years old today; I will no longer 'be your leader'. Yehovah has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.’ 3 Yehovah your Elohim Himself will cross ahead of you; He’ll destroy these nations as you arrive, and you will replace them. Yehoshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as Yehovah said. 4 Yehovah will do to them what He did to Sihon and Og, the Amorite kings along with their lands when He destroyed them. 5 Yehovah will hand them over to you, and you are to do to them everything I’ve commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble or be afraid of them, because Yehovah your Elohim will personally go with you, He’ll never leave you or forsake you.”

7 Moses called to Yehoshua, and told him in the sight of all the Israelites, “Be strong and courageous, because you’ll go with these people into the land that Yehovah has sworn to give their ancestors, and you’ll enable them to take possession of it. 8 Yehovah Himself will go before you. He’ll be with you, He’ll never leave you or forsake you. So don’t be afraid or discouraged.”

9 Moses wrote down the Torah and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 Then Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the specified time in the year of debt cancellation, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all the Israelites came to appear before Yehovah your Elohim in the place that He has chosen, you’ll read this Torah aloud before all of Israel. 12 Gather the people, the men, women and children, and the aliens within your ‘towns’, so that they can hear and learn and fear Yehovah your Elohim and carefully obey everything written in this Torah. 13 Their children who don’t know [the Torah], will hear and learn to fear Yehovah your Elohim as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan River to possess.”

14 Yehovah said to Moses, “The time of your death is near, call Yehoshua and present yourselves in the Tabernacle of Meeting, so that I can commission him.” So Moses and Yehoshua presented themselves in the Tabernacle of Meeting. 15 Yehovah appeared at the Tabernacle in a columnar cloud, and the columnar cloud stood at the entrance of the tent.

16 Yehovah said to Moses, “You’ll rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon commit prostitution with the foreign gods of the land around them. They’ll abandon Me and break the covenant I made with them. 17 When That Day Comes* My anger will burn against them, and I’ll forsake them and I’ll hide My face from them, and they’ll be destroyed. Many disasters and predicaments will confront them, so that they’ll say on that day, ‘Haven’t these disasters 'struck' us because our Elohim isn’t with us?’ 18 I’ll certainly hide My face On That Day for all the evil that they have done in turning to other gods.

19 “So write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the Israelites, leave it on their 'lips', so that this song will serve as a witness for Me against the Israelites. 20 When I bring them into a land that flows with milk and honey, that I swore to give to their ancestors, and they’ve eaten and filled themselves and become 'prosperous', then they’ll turn to other gods and serve them, and reject Me and break My covenant. 21 Then when many 'disasters' and troubles have happened to them, this song will testify before them as a witness, because it will never be forgotten from the 'lips' of their descendants, because I know the inclinations that are developing today, before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.” 22 So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it the Israelites.

23 “He commissioned Nun’s son Yehoshua and said, “Be strong and courageous, because you’ll bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to them, and I’ll be with you.”

24 And when Moses completely finished writing the words of this Torah in a scroll, 25 he commanded the Levites who carried the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah: 26 “Take this Book of the Torah and place it beside the Ark of the Covenant of Yehovah your Elohim where it will remain as a witness against you. 27 I know how rebellious and 'headstrong' you are, while I’m still alive with you today, you’ve been rebellious against Yehovah, and how much more after my death? 28 Gather all the elders of your tribes and your officers so that I can speak these words to them 'in person' and call the heavens and the earth to testify against them. 29 For I know that after my death you’ll become completely corrupted and turn from the path I’ve commanded you, and evil will happen to you in latter days, because you’ll do what is evil in the sight of Yehovah, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands.”

30 Moses spoke in the 'hearing' of the entire assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.

DEUTERONOMY 32

The Song of Moses

1 Listen, you heavens, and I’ll speak. Listen, earth, to the words from my mouth. 2 “My teachings will fall like the rain and My words descend like dew, like light rain on tender grass, like showers on the herbs.

3 I’ll proclaim Yehovah’s name, and declare the greatness of our Elohim! 4 He is the Rock! His work is perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. A faithful Elohim who does no wrong; He is honorable and reliable.

5 “They have corrupted themselves toward Him, they are no longer His children. They’re defective, they’re a warped and crooked generation. 6 Is this how you repay Yehovah, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t He your father who has bought you? Didn’t He create you and established you? [Enlarged Hey]

7 Remember the days of old. Think about all the past generations. Ask your fathers to remind you, your elders, and they will teach you. 8 When the Supreme gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He established the boundaries of the nations with respect to the number of the Israelites. 9 But Yehovah’s property is His people. Jacob is His allotted inheritance.

10 He found him [them] in a desolate land, in a wasted howling wilderness. He encircled him. He cared for him. He guarded him as the pupil of His eye. 11 Like an eagle that stirs up her nest, and flutters over her young, He spreads out His wings to catch them and carry them on His pinions. 12 Yehovah alone led him. There was no foreign god with him.

13 He made 'them' ride on the heights of the earth and fed 'them' with fruit from the fields. He nourished 'them' with honey from the rock and oil from flint-like rock, 14 with curds and milk from the herds and flocks, with fattened lambs, and Bashan rams, with goats, and with the finest of the wheat and the blood red wine of grapes.

Israel’s Ancient Apostasy

15 “But Jeshurun [Israel] became fat and rebelled— You’ve grown fat, thick and sleek. Then 'they' abandoned the Elohim who made 'them', and scorned the Rock of 'their' deliverance. 16 They moved Him to jealousy with strange gods; they provoked Him to anger with their highly detestable things. 17 They sacrificed to demons who were not gods, to gods that they didn’t know, to new gods [demons] that recently appeared that your ancestors never dreaded. 18 You abandoned the Rock who fathered you; and forgot the Elohim who gave you birth.

19 “Yehovah saw this and rejected them, provoked to anger by His sons and daughters. 20 Then He said: “I’ll hide My face from them; I’ll see what becomes of them, since they are stubborn people, children who are unfaithful. 21 They’ve moved Me to jealousy with their so-called gods and provoked Me to anger with their 'idols'. So I’ll make them jealous with those who are not a people; I’ll provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 22 As a result, a fire has been kindled in My anger, and it burns to the lowest sheol. It devours the landscape and its vegetation, and sets the foundations of the mountains ablaze.

Israel’s End Time Disaster

23 I’ll heap disasters on them. I’ll 'shoot all' My arrows at them. 24 They’ll be wasted with famine, ravaged by disease and deadly epidemics. I’ll send fanged animals against them, and poisonous snakes slithering in the dust. 25 Outside swordsmen will cause bereavement, and inside terror, for both young men and virgins, infants and gray-haired men. 26 I said I would cut them to pieces and erase even the memory of them from human memory, 27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, since their adversaries might misunderstand, and say, “Our 'power' has triumphed, Yehovah didn’t cause all this.’”

28 “They are a nation lacking common sense. There is no discernment in them. 29 If only they were wise enough to understand this and consider their destiny! 30 How could one [of their enemies] chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and Yehovah had handed them over. 31 Their rock isn’t like our Rock. Even our enemies concede that. 32 Their grapevine is from a vineyard in Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are laced with poison, and their clusters are bitter. 33 Their wine is the venom of dragons, and the 'deadly' poison of cobras.

34 “Isn’t this what I’ve laid up in store with Me, sealed up in my treasury? 35 It is My job to avenge. I will repay. In due time their foot will slip. The day of their disaster is near. Their destiny awaits, their doom comes swiftly.”

36 For Yehovah will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power has vanished and no one is left, whether slave or free. 37 Then He’ll say, “Where are their gods, the rocks they took refuge in? 38 Who ate the fat of their offerings, and drank the wine of their drink offering? ‘Those gods’ should get up and help you! They should be protecting you!

39 “See now that I am He, and there is no Elohim with Me. I put to death and I bring to life, I wound and I heal. No one can rescue anyone from My 'power'. 40 I lift My hand to heaven and swear: As surely as I live forever, 41 I will hone My glittering sword and take justice into My own hands. I’ll deliver vengeance to My adversaries, and pay back those who hate Me. 42 I’ll make My arrows drunk with blood while My sword devours flesh with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired 'leaders' of the enemy.”

43 “Celebrate, you nations, with His people, and all the Messengers will worship Him [DSS] because He’ll avenge the blood of His servants. He’ll pay back His enemies, and make atonement for His land His people.

44 Moses came with Yehoshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song where the people could hear him. 45 After Moses had finished reciting all these words to Israel, 46 He told them, “Carefully consider all the words of warning I’ve given you today, that you’ll command your children to obey—every word of these instructions. 47 They aren’t just idle words for you—they are your life. By obeying them you’ll live long in the land that you’re crossing the Jordan River to take possession of.”

48 On that commemorative day Yehovah spoke to Moses, 49 “Go into the Abarim Mountains, to Mount Nebo in Moab, opposite Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I’m giving the Israelites to live in. 50 You will die on the mountain that you climb, and join your ancestors, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor, and joined his ancestors in death, 51 because you were unfaithful to Me in the presence of the Israelites at the oasis of Meribah Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you didn’t uphold My 'supremacy' among the Israelites. 52 You’ll see the land at a distance, but you won’t enter the land that I’m giving the descendants of Israel.”

DEUTERONOMY 33

Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes

1 This is the blessing that Moses the man of Elohim blessed the Israelites with before his death. 2 He said, “Yehovah came from Sinai and appeared to them from Seir; He shone on them from Mount Paran. He came with tens of thousands of special ones. At his right hand was a fiery Torah for them. 3 He certainly loves His people. All His special ones are in His hands. They gather at Your feet to receive of Your instructions. 4 Moses gave us the Torah, a possession for the assembly of Jacob. 5 He was king in Jeshurun [Israel] when the leaders of the people gathered together, when Israel’s tribes were one.

6 “May the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, tho his people are few.”

7 This is what he said about Judah: “Yehovah, hear the cry of Judah, and bring them to their people. With his hands he contended for them. Help them against their enemies.”

8 About Levi he said, “Your Thummim and Urim belong to Your special servant, who You tested at Massah. You contended with them at the 'oasis' of Meribah. 9 They said of their fathers and mothers, ‘We don’t consider them.’ They disregarded their brothers and didn’t acknowledge their own children, but they watched over Your word and guarded Your covenant. [Commentary] 10 They’ll teach Your regulations to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel. They’ll offer incense before You and whole burnt offering on Your altar. 11 Yehovah, bless 'their' substance. Accept the work of 'their' hands. Smash the hips of those who rise up against 'them', of those who hate 'them', so that they’ll never rise again.”

12 About Benjamin he said, “May the beloved of Yehovah live in safety by Him. He shields him all the day long. He dwells between His shoulders.” [1]

13 About Joseph he said, “May 'their' land is blessed by Yehovah with the precious dew from heaven above and deep springs below the ground, 14 with bountiful harvests from the sun, and the finest produce the moon can yield; 15 with the finest products from the ancient mountains, and the bounty of the everlasting hills, 16 with the best gifts of the earth and its bounty, and the favor of the one who 'appeared' in the burning bush. May the blessings rest the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of the one who was distinguished [as a prince] among his brothers. 17 They will be as majestic as a firstborn bull, and 'their' horn like the horn of a Monoclonius [?]. With it 'they' will push the people all at once the farthest horizons of the earth. “Such are the tens of thousands of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

18 About Zebulun he said, “Celebrate, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents. 19 They’ll invite nations to the mountain. There they’ll offer zebakim [sacrifices] of righteousness. They’ll draw out the abundance of the seas, the hidden treasures in the sand.”

20 About Gawd he said, “The one who enlarges Gawd’s territory will be blessed. He lurks like a lioness, tearing off an arm or a head. 21 He chose the best part for himself, because a ruler’s share was assigned there for him. He came with the leaders of the people; he carried out Yehovah’s righteousness and His regulations with Israel.”

22 About Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub leaping out of Bashan.”

23 About Naphtali he said, “Naphtali, satisfied with favor, full of the blessing of Yehovah, take possession to the west and the south.”

24 About Asher he said, “May Asher be the most blessed of the sons; may he be favored by his brothers and dip his foot in olive oil. 25 May our locks be iron and bronze, and your strength last as long as you 'live'. 26 “There’s no one like the Elohim of Jeshurun, who rides thru the skies to your aid, and thru the clouds in His majesty. 27 The eternal Elohim is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drove out the enemy from before you and said, ‘Destroy!’ 28 So Israel will live securely, the fountain of Jacob secluded in a land of grain and new wine, his skies drip with dew. 29 You are blessed, Israel! Who is like you, a nation saved by Yehovah, the Shield that protects you and the Sword of your majesty! Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places” [places of worship].

[1] Shoulders here apparently means the mountain slopes..

DEUTERONOMY 34

The Death of Moses

1 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. Yehovah showed him all the land from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, the entire land of Judah as far as the 'Mediterranean' Sea, 3 the Negev and the plain in the Valley of Jericho (the City of Palms)—as far as Zoar. 4 Yehovah told him, “This is the land I swore to give Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I said I would give it to their descendants. I’ve let you see it with your own eyes, but you won’t enter the land.”

5 So Moses the servant of Yehovah died there in the land of Moab, as Yehovah had 'said'. 6 He buried him in a valley in Moab, near Beth Peorr, but even to this day no 'one' knows where his grave is. 7 Tho Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyesight was never diminished and he never became weak. 8 The Israelites mourned for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were over.

9 Yehoshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him, and the Israelites listened to him and did as Yehovah had commanded Moses.

10 “There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, who Yehovah knew face to face, 11 in all the signs and the wonders that Yehovah sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants, and to his entire land, 12 and for all the mighty 'power' and for all the awesome deeds that Moses performed within sight of all the Israelites.

 

Lonnie Martin, lonmartin@proton.me (free email encryption!)

 

External links

Paul Younan’s “Testimony of Yeshua” and the Targums is a favorite link.

Torah

Targum Pseudo-Jonathan and Targum Onkelos of the Torah - English translation by J.W. Etheridge

Psalms

The Aramaic Targum to Psalms - English translation by Edward M. Cook

Proverbs: must pay $65 Song of Songs

The Aramaic Targum to the Song of Songs - English translation by Jay C. Treat

Ruth

The Aramaic Targum to Ruth - English translation by Samson H. Levey

Lamentations

The Aramaic Targum to Lamentations - English translation by C.M.M. Brady

Isaiah

The Chaldee Paraphrase on the Prophet Isaiah Endorsed by Yeshua!

The Jewish Encyclopedia Entry on Targum

The Syriac Peshitta New Testament Bible With Hebrew Transliteration

Aramaic LEXICON

Hebrew Interlinear Bible: The Westminster Leningrad Codex with vowel points (the oldest complete Hebrew Scriptures), Transliteration, and English. Choose a verse, then select interlinear. You must back out of interlinear before choosing another verse.

Lonnie Martin’s work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

 

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