The Bible in 3D: Discovering Depth from an Original Perspective

Multiple Meanings

We’ve discussed before the wide range of meanings a Hebrew word can cover,

including positive and negative connotations. This can make some passages difficult to

translate.

Multiple meanings: Just like ambiguous pictures – “My Wife and My MIL” by W.E. Hill

1915

 Lack of vowels – example: (mop/map) is helpful – happens at least 40 times in

Job,

 Positive/negative – coming to visit, hesed

 No marker to indicate the subject/object or reference to whom

 Words left out, fill in the blank – especially with poetry

English/Western – which is it, one has to be right (which is the best Bible translation,

which one gets it right? When looking at a variety of options will help us see different

perspectives

Hebrew/Eastern – mystery, sign of the divine, cause for excitement/joy, how are multiple

true?

Goal:

1) Increase awareness of the difficulties Bible translators face and the value that

multiple translations bring.

2) Increase the wonder and mystery of God’s divine Word. Not to limit it, but allow it

to expand our awareness of Him and His grandeur.

Resources for different perspectives/translations:

 JC Studies - weekly studies, classes, and more https://jcstudies.com/

 Bema Podcast: https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/, Marty Solomon, who studied

under Ray Vander Laan who also has many great resources.

 Viewing multiple English translations at once: Google Bible reference followed by

“Bible Gateway.” Click on the result that does not also include a translation. Or

use the following link as a formula, plugging in the book (in blue), chapter (in

yellow), and verse (in green).

https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Psalm%20118%3A24

Ps 118:24

Baseline: NLT - This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

or ESV - This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Rough literal: This the day Y made/did, we will be joyful (spin) and we will be happy in

it/him

Reflect: How does the meaning/significance of the verse change if it ends in “him”?

Discussion: Love to discuss/debate, do we rejoice in the day or the Lord who made the

day?

Alternate: (NIV - The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.)

See context of verse: stone rejected = cornerstone, God did it, marvelous in our

eyes

Habakkuk 2:4b

Baseline: CSB – (Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity.) But the righteous one

will live by his faith.

Rough literal: And righteous (one) in his faith/steadfastness will live

Reflect: Who does the “his” refer to? The righteous or God? How does this add

significance?

Discussion: Here we have a righteous person yet the possessive pronoun “his” is used.

Who’s faith? It’s by God’s faithfulness and steadfastness that we live. Also God gives us

faith.

Ruth 4:14-15a

Baseline: NLT - Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has

now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he

restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-

in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

Rough literal: And said the women to Naomi, “Blessing Y who did not fail to you a

redeemer this day. And his name will be called out to in Israel. And he will be to you to

restore living body and will maintain/keep/provide/sustain old age (because your DIL

who loves you bore him…)

Reflect: Again, His/he refers to whom? God? The child? What are the implications of

either?

Discuss: Love the double-meaning here, especially as Obed is revealed to be David’s

grandfather, in the line of Christ.

Alternate: ESV - Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left

you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be

to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who

loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

A candid conversation with Dr. Steve Call on marriage regarding his resource "Reconnect."

Pay attention to the places and names in Hebrew. They often influence the meaning and interpretation.

The word "evangelical" has lots of political and religious baggage. Should we keep it or discard it and find another word to describe our values? This and more we discuss and discern in this episode of a lunch & learn?

How can neuro-science inform our discipleship processes? Jim Wilder shares his perspective and informs Dallas Willard's view of the will as the seat of decision making.

In this second episode the assertions of Molinism are applied to a variety of topics.

In this episode is a summary of the life and theology of Louis de Molina as well as an overview of his teachings mediating the Calvinist and Arminian debate.

The Bible in 3D: Discovering Depth from an Original Perspective

Original Surprises

Heather Kiffe

TEI August 2025

1. Hebrew language and translating

a. Difficult and holy endeavor not to be taken lightly

i. Some things don’t translate well (macho = several English ideas wrapped up

into one word)

ii. Style or structure of language communicates, lost in translation

1. Ps 119, Word order, and more…

iii. Range of meanings: Positive/negative, literal/figurative

iv. Learn about culture through language

1. Value story-telling, connection

2. Picture/visual, not abstract but go back to concrete ideas

a. Deliver – close in hand

b. Slow to anger – long nostrils

3. Interactive – words missing, double meanings

b. Place and value for everything: Studying English Bible and gaining insight from

original languages

2. Today we will discuss two verses, surprising and deeply meaningful when read in Hebrew

3. #1 – Name that verse (book and chapter)

a. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. (NIV)

i. (not the surprising part) Mercy or unfailing/faithful love, lovingkindness = חסד

Hesed, nothing like it in English

1. 3 English ideas wrapped up into one:

a. Emotion: Deep love

b. Action: Active, moves toward and will act on behalf of loved

one

c. Commitment: Devoted, endures forever through all things

2. Resource: https://bibleproject.com/videos/loyal-love/

ii. What does it mean for goodness and mercy (hesed) to follow you?

1. My imagination: flowers sprout up, puppy?

2. Look at other places “follow” is used. Can you find it (the idea)? (NIV)

a. Hosea 8:3 - But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will

pursue him.

b. 1 Sam 2:28b - The king of Israel has come out to look for a

flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

3. “Follow” (רדף) to pursue, chase, hunt (running after)

4. Plug it in. What does that mean to you? How does it shape your

understanding?

So, what does that say

or mean to you?

The Bible in 3D: Discovering Depth from an Original Perspective

Original Surprises

Heather Kiffe

TEI August 2025

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

Heather Kiffe

TEI July 2025

1. Story Summary

2. What seems odd? a few…

a. Cursing the tree out of season (counter character)

b. Leaders want to kill Jesus – over-reaction?

c. Faith/prayer/forgiveness – mixed bag, connections?

d. Seems like Mark gets distracted

3. Mark uses sandwiches to clue the reader concerning important themes.

a. Starts with one event, interrupts, then returns

b. Two events are related and should be viewed together as they help interpret each

other

4. Jesus isn’t the beginning of the narrative

a. Start book series in middle, lose some context

b. What would the original audience hear or know?

i. Crucial. Need some help! – Look to OT and Hebraic sources

ii. Process of discovery

5. Fig Trees

a. OT – Symbolism: Israel’s faithfulness was reflected by the health of the fig tree

i. Positive

1. Living in peace and prosperity. Secure, God-given rest

2. Everyone under their own vine and fig tree (1 Kings 4:45; Micah 4:4;

Zech 3:10)

ii. Negative – withered fig tree

1. Sign of idolatry, discipline/redirection, (wake up) call to return to God

2. Jer 8:13 – no figs on tree. What I have given them will be taken from

them. (context of not returning)

3. Hosea 2:12 – I will ruin her vines and fig trees which she said were

pay from her lovers… 13 she went after her lovers but me she forgot.

(Leads her into the wilderness to woo her back and betroth)

4. Joel 1:7 – Locust ruins figs, v12 – dried up and withered (God calls

them to return, which leads to the return of fruitfulness)

5. Amos 4:9 – Many times I struck your gardens, locust devoured figs

and olive trees, yet you have not returned to me

b. Early figs – Songs 2:13, Hosea 9:10

i. Fig trees different from other trees

ii. As leaves emerge so do early figs, smaller, edible, not harvested

iii. Early figs fall and then regular season crop emerges

So, what does that say

or mean to you?

The Bible in 3D: Discovering Depth from an Original Perspective

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

Heather Kiffe

TEI July 2025

iv. Early figs indicate the health of the later summer harvest. A lot/none,

etc. Sign or promise of what is to come.

6. OT quotes

a. Two important considerations – find more or weightier/the point

i. Context (what’s the water its swimming in?)

ii. What comes next? Fill in the blank game

iii. Extra: Many quotes aren’t word for word. Pay attention to the variation.

It’s for a reason.

b. My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations – Isaiah 56:7 (READ&v8)

i. Next: gathering others besides those already gathered (not a closed club!)

ii. Context: Beautiful passage of inclusion of the excluded (foreigner/eunuch)

c. You have made it into a den of robbers – Jer 7:11 (READ)

i. Next: but I have been watching!

ii. Context: Call to change ways, trusting in deceptive words

1. Don’t oppress, shed innocent blood, idolatry to your own harm, steal,

murder, adultery, perjury, offerings to other gods, then come here

and be safe

2. Afterwards – see destruction of Shiloh, not safe, call to obey, sent

servants, didn’t listen

3. Then goes into Ch 8 – no figs on tree, given will be taken

4. Robbers = destroyers, murderers – those who use force and violence.

Represents those who stand in direct opposition to God. Lawless. OT

Pattern = God sees, judges, removes

7. Second slice of bread: Tree withered and Jesus’ response

a. Have faith in God = BIG IDEA

i. Faith root is persuade, be persuaded. God’s divine persuasion

ii. Faith is always a gift from God. He reveals, we receive and stand on it.

iii. (Secular antiquity referred to a guarantee (Good Faith Estimate). Faith =

God’s warranty (HS)

b. Truly = Amen (so be it / truth), ties previous idea with what is said next

c. Belief in prayer – as persuaded, speak it!

d. Forgiveness – not transactional, the nature of forgiveness

i. Order is different in Greek (not hold/forgive, but forgive if hold)

ii. Forgive = send forth, let go, release

iii. Forgiveness is also a gift

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In this episode Dr. Ross gives a second lecture giving further evidence that the creation account of Genesis is compatible with what scientific investigation reveals.

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Sharing from his own experience, Rod seeks to persuade ministry leaders they will accomplish more in six days than in seven if you respect a day off. Also, the ins & outs of a sabbatical/study break are discussed.

Without some guardrails our expositions are merely history lessons and lack transformational relevance. The developmental questions employed by Haddon Robinson in his classic resource, "Biblical Preaching" along with an additional one Rod has added can help communicators avoid this pitfall.

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In part 2 of 2 from our 2025 Spring Lectures, Dr. Amy Peeler of Wheaton College addressed the question of how God as Father can still include women. From her book, "Women and the Gender of God" the following content was a welcome personal overview of the content included there.

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In this episode:

Part 1: The Hebrew Word "Instruction"

Part 2: The Greek Word "Apprentice"

Using the no -cost online resource tool called the Blue Letter Bible, Pastor Burt gives a tutorial on how to do research for word studies in Hebrew.