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The celebration of Passover is such a valuable tradition for Christians! When planning your Passover Seder, a Haggadah is necessary, as it’s the booklet allowing each participant to follow along as the Seder proceeds. I’ve been asked which Haggadah I recommend for Christians exploring the Hebrew Roots of their faith so I decided to put my list of recommendations all in one place to help others out there who are looking for one.
The word Haggadah means “the telling”. It’s usually a booklet that both gives a background on Passover and leads participants through a Passover Seder meal. Although most Haggadahs are made by and for Jewish people, there are now numerous options for Christians as well, as many are making Passover a tradition in their families and churches.
Here are a few of the great Messianic Haggadōt (plural for Haggadah) I’ve found:
I list this one first because it’s the favorite of my audience. It’s very commonly used by Hebrew Roots Christians and is highly rated. The theme throughout is redemption and it includes songs to sing during your Seder and uses the Complete Jewish Bible as the translation for quoted verses.
This is a free download from Chosen People Ministries. It can be used for either (Messianic) Jewish or Christian participants and focuses on the deliverance and redemption
This is another favorite of Christians who celebrate Passover. Made with first-timers in mind, this pamphlet leads the reader through a Passover Seder and also explains the symbolism of each element. It’s focused on teaching the connections between the Passover and Jesus’s sacrifice and how a Passover Seder reminds us of both of these.
One of my family’s favorites, this Haggadah is written by Matthew Van Els of Founded in Truth Ministries. We’ve used this one for two of our Seders and found it such a great way to lead them. It is deep enough to spiritually lead the adults through it but clear and simple enough for the children to follow as well.
By Rabbi Jason Sobel, author of Mysteries of the Messiah, this Hagaddah walks you through the seder with the goal of having all participants grow closer to Jesus. It’s easy to follow even with little previous seder experience and has explanations for each step.
Written and published by First Fruits of Zion, this is a beginner and Christian-friendly book to guide your family or even a large group through a Passover Seder.
Focusing on explanation and clarification of Passover and the elements of a Seder, this Haggadah is easy to follow and will lead both beginner and experienced participants. The author, Darren Huckey, is the director of Emet HaTorah.
This simple guide is useful for beginners, easy to follow, and can be used for a short Seder and for more advanced participants as well. This one has a Kindle version to download into your most convenient device in addition to the booklet form.
This non-traditional Haggadah boasts that it tells the Passover story through scripture. It’s a unique way to re-tell the story and celebrate Jesus, our Passover Lamb. This one includes Matzah recipes and an interactive craft for kids!
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So, you’ve decided to incorporate the celebration of Passover into your Christian home. Now what? Where to begin? What to buy? Whom to ask? What to say? What to eat? I know only a couple of Christians that were raised with Passover as a family tradition. What a great blessing! Unfortunately, the rest of us must figure it out on our own. But recent years have produced a large number of resources for Christians interested in Passover. This is a great time to introduce Passover as a tradition in your family and to get started passing it on to future generations. Here’s a simplified, step-by-step guide to help you hold your own Christian Passover Seder. As you continue to learn and grow in this practice, you can involve more of the elements and customs as you see fit for your family.
Let God know your intentions. Ask Him to help you find the resources you need to observe Passover with your family. You’ll be surprised at His response!
Read the story of the Passover
Make sure you know what you’re celebrating and why. Even if you know the story, go over it again. Obviously, it’s no substitute for the bible but here’s a quick summary. Don’t miss the supernatural awesomeness of God displayed in this story! The point of all this was to show God’s power and proclaim His name throughout the earth (Exodus 9:16). Make sure that gets done through your Passover celebration. Make sure God gets all the glory.
Bone – 1 for each Seder plate (usually a roasted lamb shank bone but we use a drumstick)
Horseradish – about 1 tablespoon per participant
Wine and/or juice – enough for each participant to have 4 glasses/cups
Glasses and/or cups – 1 for each participant
Full meal to eat (other than the Seder elements, usually pork-free and yeast-free)
Set up
Decide who will lead the Seder. Traditionally, it’s the man of the house, but it doesn’t have to be. This person will be praying, pouring wine, etc., so he or she may have to brush up on how to do a Seder ahead of time. Here’s a great video for that.
Fill hand washing bowl with water and have towel accessible.
Put Matzah on a plate so that everyone at the table has access to it.
Wrap 3 pieces of matzah in the cloth and set it at the leader’s place.
Make saltwater in either individual or shared bowls and place on the table.
Prepare Seder plate(s). Place bone, parsley or celery, charoset, and horseradish on the plate.
Place glasses/cups on the table.
Place wine/juice on the table to have it more easily accessible.
Pour the first glass of wine. Open with a prayer, thanking God for freeing us from slavery, both through the Exodus from Egypt and from sin through our Messiah, Jesus. Optional: say the HaGafen blessing together.
Pass the washing bowl around, and each participant should wash and dry their hands. This signifies that we must approach God with a clean and pure heart.
Dip the parsley in salt water. Tell participants that this reminds us of our tears in slavery. Eat it after the leader has praised God for the vegetables. The HaAdamah can be said at this time.
The leader removes the middle piece of matzah from the 3 pieces of matzah that have been set aside. It should be broken in 2, and the larger piece wrapped in the cloth. In some homes, it is hidden somewhere in the house for the children to find later. This reminds us that Jesus was broken, wrapped, and buried.
Everyone then lifts a piece of matzah. The blessing over the bread, the HaMotzi, can be said at this time. The leader then explains that the bread is like the bread that the Israelites had upon leaving Egypt. The absence of yeast represents the absence of sin in our lives due to the redemption of that sin through Jesus. Set the matzah down.
Pour another glass of wine. At this point, the youngest child in the house who is able to read should read The Four Questions.
On other nights, we don’t dip our food. Why do we dip our food twice tonight?
On other nights, we eat regular bread. Why do we eat only matzah tonight?
On other nights, we eat other vegetables. Why do we eat parsley tonight?
On other nights, we sit in chairs. Why do we recline tonight?
The leader then responds that tonight is different because tonight, we remember that God rescued us from slavery and the slavery of our sin. We dip our food to remind us of the tears shed in our slavery, and we dip again to remember that we are free. Eating matzah reminds us of the Hebrew people hurriedly leaving Egypt and the sinlessness of Jesus. Horseradish reminds us of the bitterness of slavery – both in Egypt and in our sin. We recline as if we’re royalty because we are free people.
The leader tells the Passover story. During the part recalling the plagues, the participants dip their finger in the wine and drop a drop of wine onto a piece of matzah as each plague is recalled (blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn). The leader should emphasize the actual Passover part of the story (lamb’s blood on the doorpost saving God’s people) and that Jesus’s blood allowed our exodus from the slavery of our sin.
Each person should hold up a piece of matzah. The leader should again say that we eat matzah because the Israelites left with no time for their bread to rise. The matzah is also like Jesus, who wasn’t “leavened” with sin so that he could be a sacrifice for ours.
The leader should raise the horseradish and tell everyone that this reminds us of the bitterness of slavery. The leader then puts the horseradish down. The leader should then explain that the charoset reminds us of the mortar used by the Israelite slaves to build brick buildings for the Egyptians.
Everyone lifts the second cup of wine. The leader praises God for saving us and for the fruit of the vine. Then everyone should drink and eat the matzah.
The leader should praise God for the reminder of the bitter herbs. Then all participants should put horseradish on their matzah and eat.
The leader thanks God for the food and for this time to remember the Passover and Jesus, our Passover lamb. The meal is now served.
After the meal is the 3rd cup of wine. You’ll recognize this part from the Last Supper recorded in the Gospels. If the middle matzah was hidden, now is the time to find it. The leader breaks the once-hidden broken matzah into pieces and gives each believer at the table a piece. Another glass of wine is poured, and everyone should hold the matzah and wine. The leader should summarize the Last Supper and then quote 1 Cor. 11:24 and Mark 14:22, where Jesus said, “This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Then, everyone should eat their piece of matzah and hold their cup of wine up. The leader should then quote 1 Cor. 11:25 and Mark 14:24, where Jesus said, “This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Then all believers should drink the 3rd cup.
This is usually the time for a song of praise. Some say a Psalm or sing a hymn. My kids cannot let this moment pass without singing Dayenu until we eventually have to stop them. Ha ha!
The leader now pours the 4th cup of wine, praises God for the fruit of the vine, and everyone drinks it.
The leader concludes, reminding everyone that tonight’s feast reminds of God’s deliverance for us, not only from slavery in Egypt but also from our sin and the death we deserve. We are redeemed through the blood of Jesus just as the blood of the lamb in the first Passover redeemed the Israelites.
I know there are some out there reading this thinking “A simple overview?!?!”. I was there once too! There’s more to a full Seder, but this post includes just what I consider to be the most important elements. It’s difficult to introduce this tradition if it’s new to you, but if you’ve been convicted that this is something you should be doing with your family, please do it anyway. My family’s first Passover didn’t go as we planned, and we stumbled through it, but we all have learned a LOT since then! Expect a challenge as you start and continue this rich tradition, and I’m guessing you’ll be blessed by your perseverance.
I love this pamphlet by Rose Publishing called Christ in the Passover! It explains why Passover is meaningful to Christians and the significance of the items and story behind the Passover Seder.
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Are Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread the same thing? Although many think they are, they’re described as two separate Feasts in the Bible. The Feast of Unleavened Bread follows right after Passover, though the two events overlap, as I’ll explain below.
Both Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are meaningful celebrations for Christians as we explore our Hebrew roots and grow in our faith. Our Savior and what he’s done for us can be clearly symbolized through both of these Feasts, and if they’re not yet traditions in your home, I highly recommend you consider adopting them! They give such vivid pictures of who Jesus is and why we need him!
While often referred to as such, Passover isn’t a week or even a
day, but a meal held on the 14th day of the month of Nisan on the Hebrew
calendar. This corresponds to a date in
March or April on our Gregorian calendar.
Although the original command can’t be kept since it includes the
sacrifice of the Passover lamb at the Temple, an annual celebration allows us
to remember what God did for His people in Egypt.
The meal for Passover, called a Seder, isn’t merely to nourish those who partake, but to serve as a memorial to what God did for His people in the Exodus from Egypt. It’s to be eaten on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, at twilight. It’s important to note here that days on the Hebrew calendar start at twilight the night before.
The Passover lamb in Egypt foreshadows Jesus, our Passover Lamb, and this is clearly shown during the Seder. Just as the blood of the Passover Lamb rescued the Hebrew people from slavery, it’s the blood of Jesus that saves us from the slavery of our sin as well.
Unleavened Bread
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is to start on the 15th day of Nisan, the same month as Passover, at twilight. This is a 7-day feast, and the first and last days are to be Sabbaths. These Sabbaths differ from the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) and may occur on any day of the week. Which day of the week they’re on changes from year to year, but no matter what day they occur on, the same rules apply as for the weekly Sabbath – rest and keeping the day holy.
The command for this feast says to eat unleavened bread for seven
days and to remove all leaven from your homes before the feast begins (this is
the period where the Feast of Unleavened Bread overlaps Passover). In our home, we get rid of anything leavened
as well as any leavening agents. For the
rest of the 7-day period, all meals and snacks don’t contain any leavening
agents or leavened products.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread gives those who participate in it
such a great picture of the sin in our lives!
The Bible often uses “yeast” or “leaven” to signify sin. In the process of cleaning it out of our
homes, we realize very quickly how difficult it is to find and remove it
all. There are crumbs in the corners of
our pantries and even under our refrigerators.
In a house like mine, with seven people, is it even possible to get it
all?
But this is the part of this feast that points us right to
Jesus. When we see how difficult it is to
get all the leaven out of our homes, we realize just how difficult it is to get
the sin out of our lives. It’s easy to
find the obvious loaves of bread in the pantry but you have to really hunt for
the Cheerios between the couch cushions (those of you who have toddlers
understand. The rest of you stay with me
on this). In the same way, it’s easier
to get the big, obvious sins out of our lives, but more difficult to get the hidden,
seemingly small ones out before they fester.
Even though we can’t get all of the sin out of our lives, we have Jesus to cover them all. Though we should still strive to live in a way that pleases God, if we believe in Jesus as our Savior, he even forgives the sins we’d rather leave in the dark places under the fridge. Even if the “home” of our life is sparkling clean, chances are that there’s some leaven hiding somewhere.
This is why we need Jesus!
He’s the only one capable of perfectly cleaning the “homes” of our
lives, which allows us to have a relationship with a holy God. What a wonderful picture!
Just like all of the Seven Biblical Feast Days, Passover and Unleavened Bread both point to our Savior in different but clear ways. My family’s faith has grown so much since we included these important days or “Appointed Times” in the Bible. If they aren’t yet traditions in your home, I encourage you to include them, and I’m sure you’ll be glad you did!
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Passover is a very significant event for the Christian believer. As followers of Jesus, we desire both to walk in his footsteps and to celebrate the sacrifice he made for us. A Passover Seder (traditional “meal” in which the story of Passover is told) is a wonderful tradition in which Christians can both remember God’s faithfulness and celebrate our Savior!
The Haggadah is read during Passover.
Note: If you’re not familiar with the story of the Passover in the Bible, I recommend you review it, as this article and the celebration of Passover are based on it. The story of the Passover is found in Exodus, chapters 3-15. Here’s a Quick Overview of the Passover Story, but please read the real story in the Bible when you get a quiet moment. It’s amazing!
Here are some of the reasons the celebration of Passover is beneficial to our Christian Faith.
It Points to Jesus
Slavery and the Passover Lamb
Just like the Hebrew people were enslaved by the Egyptians, we
all were once slaves to our sin. Romans
6:6 highlights this parallel.
“…our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with so that we would no longer be slaves to sin…”
But like the Hebrew slaves, God sent a savior for us. For them, the blood of the Passover lamb saved them from the last plague, the death of the firstborn. This foreshadowed Jesus’s blood saving us from our sins. John the Baptist recognized that Jesus would fulfill this role for us.
“…he [John] saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold,
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
During a Passover Seder, we have two lambs to celebrate. We both remember the lambs whose blood saved
the Hebrew people and Jesus, the Lamb who gave his blood to save us.
The timing of Jesus’s crucifixion also shows us why he came and was crucified. His being crucified during Passover was no coincidence. God shows us through this that he truly is our Passover Lamb whose blood is worthy to take away punishment for the sin of all!
Although much of the Passover Seder points to Jesus, a very interesting part is what’s known as the afikomen. The word means “the coming one,” and it’s the name for the middle piece of matzah (unleavened bread) in a group of three set-aside pieces.
This matzah piece is then broken, wrapped in cloth, hidden, and then found again. When doing this, we remember that Jesus was broken when crucified, wrapped, buried, and rose again! Read this last sentence again if you’re not awestruck by the parallel in this tradition!
The Leaven Clean-Out
Prior to Passover comes one of the best ways I can think of to picture sin and its effect on our lives. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15), which occurs during Passover, is when we not only eat bread without yeast or leaven but also clean the leaven out of our homes entirely!
If you’ve never done this before, let me tell you—it’s difficult, especially if you have a bunch of little people living in your house like I do, who tend to leave crumbs everywhere!
The Bible often uses yeast or
leaven to signify sin. Here’s an
example.
“…Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of
dough? Clean out the old leaven so
that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For
Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.
Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the
leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and
truth.” 1 Cor. 5:6-8
Here, Paul tells the Corinthian people that sin spreads. Even a little bit of sin will spread
throughout a family, church, community, etc., just as it takes just a bit of
yeast to leaven a whole lump of dough.
When you try to clean every bit of the leaven from your entire home, you
realize just how hard it is – and that you can never get it all!
This is just like our sin. We come before a perfect God, desiring to be accepted by Him, but we’ve got sin tucked in all the nooks and crannies of our lives. This is why we can be so grateful for Jesus! He covers all of our sin, even the dirty nooks and crannies, so we can appear before God as clean and acceptable!
Jesus Himself Participated
The story of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem is celebrated by Christians on Palm Sunday. This is when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people laid palm branches in his path and waved them, saying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!”.
Why was Jesus headed into Jerusalem that day? To celebrate the Passover! This can be found in all four Gospel books in
the New Testament. It was during their
Passover Seder that Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and instituted
communion. In three of the four Gospels,
he even said that he’d celebrate Passover again with us someday!
A seder plate.
As believers in Jesus, we have the common goal of being more like
Jesus. In celebrating Passover, we’re
not only walking in his footsteps but also practicing and preparing for a
Passover feast with Jesus himself one day!
Wow!
God Tells Us to Remember
Obedience – a Result of Salvation
God’s people want to please and obey Him. We obey not to try to earn our salvation but because we have a God who knows our needs intimately enough to have provided us with a Savior. It’s out of that same love that God provided us with many commands in the Bible. Being our creator, He knows what’s best for us and has shown us how to live.
So, one wonderful reason to celebrate Passover is because God told us to! He knows that it’s in our best interest and that our celebration can bring glory to Him!
The Command
The command to celebrate Passover
is found in many places throughout the Bible.
We know that the most important or notable things in the Bible are
repeated. God must have placed high
importance on the annual celebration of Passover because the command is
repeated many times!
Passover is to be observed on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan) at twilight. It should also be noted that many of the places Passover is commanded specify that it’s to be done forever – not just while wandering in the desert, not just until that generation was gone, and not just until Jesus comes. Forever. Throughout all generations.
Speaking of generations, some of these commands come with an explanation that we’re to teach our children about Passover and answer their questions about God by recounting the Passover story to them. What an effective way to teach them who God is!
The command to observe Passover includes the sacrifice of the Passover lamb at the Temple. Since we currently have no Temple that we have access to for this, we unfortunately can’t fully obey this command. We can, however, obey God when He said to remember when God rescued His people from Egypt. We can also obey Him in teaching our children what God did and who He is through the Passover story.
When we have a Passover Seder, we do just that. We remember what God did for the Hebrew people as well as what God did for us when He sent Jesus to die to atone for our sins. The Bible doesn’t mention a seder, but it does tell us to recall the events of the Passover to our children to teach them about God (Ex. 12:25-27). The seder serves to do just that – to remember what God did and to teach our children so generations after us don’t forget who God is and what He does for His people.
Here’s a list of the verses in the Bible that include a command to observe Passover:
We read and study the Bible not for our own intellectual
advancement but to get to know God. As
we see Him interact with His people throughout the Bible, we can learn His
character. It’s in learning who He is
that we can develop a relationship with Him.
The story of Passover is just one example.
God explains more fully why Passover shows us who He is.
“Then I will
take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am
the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the
Egyptians.” Ex. 6:7
God used His supernatural power to free His people from slavery to show them that they were His people, He was their God, and He was faithful to them. Every year, He wants us to retell the story to our children and remember it ourselves so that we know that the Creator of the universe, the one who freed His people from the Egyptians, will be our God. We will be His people, and He will be forever faithful!
If you’re planning a Passover Seder, check out my calendar for the dates. It’s on this list as an 8-day celebration, like it will be on most calendars but the Seder is traditionally held on the second day. The date of Passover stays the same on the Hebrew calendar but changes yearly on our Gregorian calendar.
If you’re new to the concept of a Gospel-centered Passover, the book Christ in the Passover by Ceil and Moishe Rosen and Jews for Jesus will further explain the themes I touched on here.
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After realizing the value of learning the Hebraic Roots of the Christian faith, there is no clear path to follow, leaving many people feeling stuck, not knowing how to proceed. Although they know that many Jewish traditions like Passover, for example, point to Jesus and enrich the Gospel, there’s no specific source on how to implement those in a modern American Christian family. Searching the internet may help, but it may also be confusing due to conflicting viewpoints inside and outside the Hebrew Roots Movement.
In Acts, there was an ongoing debate about whether Gentiles could participate in the faith of the early Messianic Jews without following all details of the Torah. James the Apostle replies, “Therefore, I judge you not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God…” (Acts 15:19-20). James knew, and I’m assuming God knows, that learning Jewish traditions as a Gentile takes some time and grace. Although Christians have already “turned to God,” we may be just beginning to incorporate Biblical practices into our faith. Our family has had to find resources and learn a lot independently, and there has been a steep learning curve. If you give time and grace to yourself and your family in this endeavor and combine them with your conviction about learning these practices, you’ll eventually figure it out. It has been a long process for my family and me, but we’ve grown so much, and it’s been so worth it!
The best place to start is by incorporating the practice of a weekly Sabbath. Observing the Sabbath is where my family started, but I have other reasons for it being a good starting point.
It’s one of the 10 commandments (Ex. 20:8 and others).
It happens weekly, allowing for a lot of practice.
Your practice of it can vary.
Many Jews revere it as the most holy day.
It can bring peace to your home.
It will bring rest.
It is a sign of the covenant between God and His people (Ex. 31:16, Lev. 24:8, and others).
It was made for us! (Mark 2:27)
Soon after you attempt to start doing the Sabbath, you’ll realize that the rest of your week must change to accommodate a workless Sabbath. Friday will turn into Preparation Day, and the chores from Friday and Saturday must be spread out throughout the week. It may be helpful at this point to make or revise your cleaning schedule. A word of caution, though – be careful you don’t ruin your Sabbath by sliding into it exhausted, resentful, and arguing with your family due to your stressing to get everything done. Unfortunately, I’ve done it many times, and it will disrupt the peace the Sabbath is supposed to bring. Keep preparations simple at first, focused on allowing for rest, togetherness, and time with God. Here are some things to start with.
Compile some family favorite recipes that are easy to make or can be made ahead of time and use those for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Make or plan meals with little prep (like veggies and dip or sandwiches) for Saturday lunches. Here’s the hummus recipe we use regularly.
Make sure the house is clean enough for everyone to be able to relax (kitchen, bathrooms, and main living areas functionally clean).
Lay out clothing for Shabbat on Friday.
Find resources
I’m so glad you’re reading this! When I started my Hebraic faith journey, resources for Christians were minimal. I had to wade through Jewish sources, deciphering what applied to me and what didn’t. While I won’t claim to have all the answers, I will share what I’ve learned to make this path easier for other Believers to travel. Many other resources are out there now, most of which weren’t available even a few years ago. Here are some of my favorites, and there are even more on my resources page:
Websites
Hebrew for Christians – While the focus is to teach Hebrew, they also cover holidays, prayers, and more.
119 Ministries – Videos and podcasts that provide Biblical answers to many of our questions on our journey.
Torah Class – The BEST bible study I’ve found that’s from a Hebraic perspective. This study is intense, not directed toward seekers but mature Christians familiar with the Bible. The site has many studies covering the Old and New Testaments and topics, all of which are free!
Land of Honey – Many additional resources for Christians seeking Hebraic information – holidays, printables, etc.
Aish.com – Educational website about Judaism – holidays, Torah, Jewish wisdom, etc.
It’s easier to navigate this new beginning with a community. Chances are getting better that there’s one near you. Even if there’s not, it’s worth the drive! Find one here or here.
I know visiting a new church or synagogue can be intimidating, especially of a different faith than you’re used to! In my experience, Messianic Jewish congregations are open to Christians joining them and welcome them with open arms. If you have any questions or are hesitant to visit one in your area, call first and inquire. I’m willing to bet they’d love to have you show up!
Study the Torah
Studying the Bible from the point of view that the Torah (the first five books) is the root of all Scripture can deepen your knowledge of the Bible in its entirety! If you’re not sure where to start, print out and follow my free, printable Torah reading schedule. It will have a reading from the Torah and a corresponding reading from the New Testament. When I started studying the Bible this way, it significantly improved my understanding of the whole Bible, and I think it will do the same for you.
Learn Some Hebrew
It’s not just one more thing to add to our already full to-do list! Learning the Biblical Hebrew language or having a good grasp on the most-used Hebrew words in the Old Testament can significantly increase your understanding of the culture of the Hebrew people (Jesus’s!), both the Old and New Testaments, and even God Himself.
Although translated by some very educated and gifted individuals, there’s no substitute for the Bible in its original languages. Hebrew doesn’t translate well to English, leaving room for some misunderstanding. One of our lifelong pursuits as Christians is to study the words of our God. Given this, what could stop us from increasing our understanding of the Bible by learning the original language of its writing? Get started! I bet it won’t be as challenging as you think!
Stay in the Word
Always. But especially while you’re on this path that is new to you. As you research and come across resources to help you, use discernment. Compare what you hear to what the Bible says and pray for clarification when necessary. Many Christians of all denominations have gradually and unknowingly strayed from following God through His word to following a pastor, author, or another person instead. This journey is between you and your family and God. Please make sure it brings glory to Him and no one else.
This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.
As many Christians grow in their faith, they begin to pursue the Biblical roots of their faith. They incorporate the Biblical Holy Days, the study of the Hebrew language, and maybe even some Jewish traditions into the practice of their Christian faith.
But how specifically is this different from traditional Christianity? We’ll get to that in a minute. First, let’s look at one way we’re the same to avoid confusion.
Salvation by Grace
Just as traditional Christianity holds to the doctrine of grace (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8–9, and more), so do Hebraic Believers. Unfortunately, this is the biggest misunderstanding and most common objection to the Hebraic faith from their Christian brothers and sisters. Many assume that we’ve shifted from the belief that we’re saved through the sacrifice of Jesus to the belief that we’re saved instead by adherence to the Law. This isn’t true.
Sadly, in some cases, this misunderstanding has led to a wide divide between traditional Christianity and Christians who practice in the ways of their Biblical roots. Instead of being a divider, the concept of grace should be one thing that unites these two faiths!
Where We Differ
Although we have many similarities and agree on many of the concepts in the Bible, the main thing we differ on is how to live out our faith.
Applying the commands in the Torah to the life of a Christian is by far the most common objection traditional Christians have with our faith. You may be surprised to hear, though, that most Christians already observe much of the Law. The 10 Commandments (Ex. 20), the ideal setup for marriage (Gen. 2:24), and the command to love your neighbor (Lev. 19:8) are all parts of the Law. The difference is that we observe a few more of the laws found in the Old Testament than traditional Christians do.
But because we make an effort to follow the Law doesn’t mean we think that’s what saves us. I’ve heard countless Christian arguments of this sort, and this is a result of a misunderstanding of what Hebraic Christians believe.
The main objection is that we teach against grace. They incorrectly assume that, because we teach that Believers should observe the Law, we consider it to be what saves, instead of the blood of Jesus. I’ve heard it said that we even “preach a gospel contrary to what Paul preached” (Gal. 1:8-9).
But what they don’t understand is that we don’t believe that at all. We do not believe or preach that we’re not saved by grace. As a part of multiple communities in the Hebraic and Messianic Christian faiths, I will tell you that I’ve never heard from someone who believes we’re not under grace. I haven’t heard from any group or individual in this faith that has replaced grace with the Law.
A lot of the disagreement comes from our differing interpretation of Pauline Scripture. If you’re interested in pursuing the Hebraic position vs. that of traditional Christianity on this, 119 Ministries has an in depth video series explanation as well as a short book and blog post, all entitled “The Pauline Paradox”.
In the quest to get back to our Biblical roots, many choose to learn Biblical Hebrew. There are many benefits to learning Hebrew but the most common is to bring clarity when studying the Bible.
While only some traditional Christians choose to learn Hebrew, most Hebraic Believers are at some level of knowledge of Hebrew. Some just know basic greetings or names of people and places in the Bible and some are full-blown Hebraists!
Church Replaces Israel
Most Hebraic Believers don’t believe in what’s known as Replacement Theology. This is the concept that the Christian church has replaced the nation (or people) of Israel. Replacement Theology says that the Jewish people are no longer God’s people because the Christian church has taken that place. This idea is not only antisemitic, it’s anti-Biblical!
We believe instead that we’re grafted in to the promises God gave to Israel. We’re adopted into this family of God’s people through our faith in the Messiah but we don’t replace the natural-born children of that family. For more on the relationship between the church and Israel, read Wild Olive Branches: The Blessing of Being Grafted In.
Christians Don’t Become Jews
Another problem Christians see with Hebraic Believers is that they think we’re trying to become Jewish. They argue that one cannot just follow the Law and observe the Holy Days and then be changed into a Jew in the same way you can become Baptist by becoming a member of a Baptist church.
They’re correct. We do not become Jews. This is just another misunderstanding I’ve heard often about Hebraic Believers. We do not believe we are changing into Jews by practicing our faith this way. Our goal is to practice our faith in the way God wants us to. We base these practices on what we find in the Bible and we incorporate some valuable Jewish traditions as we see their relevance to our faith Biblically.
Acceptance of Jewish Traditions
While we’re on the subject of Jewish traditions, this is another objection Christians have to the Hebraic faith. Some say we shouldn’t have practices common to the Jewish people, as we’re not Jewish.
I have two responses to this. First, we follow a Jewish rabbi. Jesus did Jewish things, not just because he just happened to be born into a Jewish family but because that was the faith he was bringing others into. If you struggle with the idea of our Savior being Jewish, I encourage you to think and pray about this: When Jesus returns, will he be Jewish? Did he come to earth to start a new religion? Jesus’s Biblical Jewishness isn’t something he renounced and we shouldn’t either.
Second, many Jewish traditions are deeply rich in the ways they highlight aspects of our faith. Hanukkah is a celebration of God’s faithfulness to His people, as is Purim. Bar Mitzvahs are an important transition where our youth takes responsibility for their own faith. Lighting candles on Shabbat (the Sabbath) helps us fulfill the command to remember the Sabbath and sets it apart from the other days of the week.
These and other Jewish traditions bring our focus back to God and His Word in a way traditional Christianity does not. We learn from them and there are even some Jewish organizations, such as The Chabad, Rabbi Lapin, and Dennis Prager, that direct their ministries partly toward including Christians in their faith.
Different Bible Versions
Christians of all kinds have preferences to certain versions of the Bible. It’s wonderful to live in a time, where we not only have access to God’s Word, we can even choose our favorite way to study it because we have so many resources available to us!
Hebraic Believers tend to prefer more literal Bible translations. We also attempt to replace some of the “Jewishness” and ancient Middle Eastern culture that has been removed from some traditional translations.
My intent in writing this post is to clarify these differences for those seeking answers in this area. Although we do have differences, believers in Christ from all backgrounds are parts of the same body, and we should function as such:
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
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In addition to the seven biblically commanded feasts in Leviticus 23, some Christians observe Purim and Hanukkah. While these celebrations have been primarily Jewish throughout history, they offer a rich supplement to the faith of a Christian. They also serve to pass traditions on to the next generation that increase biblical understanding and, ultimately, understanding of God Himself!
Purim
The back story of Purim is the book of Esther. It’s an exciting story with plotting, scheming, suspense, and an unlikely hero. To summarize, God saved the Jewish people from destruction through Queen Esther, a young Jewish orphan, and Mordecai, the cousin who raised her. In Esther 9:20-22, Mordecai instituted Purim as an annual celebration to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the evil Haman who had plotted to destroy them. He said it would be a day of feasting, rejoicing, sending food gifts to one another, and giving gifts to the poor.
Purim doesn’t seem to have changed much since then. Lasting two days, it is still a joyful time of feasting. Gifts are still given to others, and charity is given to the poor. One of the most memorable Purim traditions is dressing up like characters from the story or wearing masks. Our Messianic Synagogue once had an Esther costume contest, and all the young women put on their best Queen Esther costume.
Another Purim tradition is reading the Megillah or the book of Esther. This reading is often done dramatically or theatrically, including omitting Haman’s name or booing each time his name is read.
Hamantachen are a traditional Purim dessert. They’re tri-cornered pastries with a sweet filling and are a tasty addition to the celebration. There are many different explanations for Hamantaschen being the official dessert of Purim, and the most common is that they’re made to represent Haman’s hat, ear, or pockets.
Aside from being fun to celebrate, why would a Christian be interested in celebrating Purim? What message does the book of Esther and, thus, Purim have for Gentiles? The simple answer is two-fold.
Having been grafted into God’s kingdom (Rom. 11:11-24), Christians are the Gentile version of God’s people, the Jews. The importance of the Jewish people to God cannot be overlooked when studying the Old Testament. It was God’s clear intention to send the Messiah to them (Rom. 1:16). Because many Jews rejected him as the Messiah, Gentiles, whose faith was in Jesus as Messiah, were then included in the Kingdom of God as well. This inclusion means that God’s promises, protection, and provision given to the Jewish people also apply to Christians. We celebrate His deliverance of the Jews in Esther’s time as our deliverance as God’s people.
The second reason Christians celebrate Purim is that it celebrates God’s faithfulness. As Christians, we are the living testimony to God’s eternal faithfulness, and that’s the hope we have to offer the Godless world. The story of Esther is just one of an endless list of examples of God’s protection and provision at a time that seemed hopeless for His people.
With many different spellings in English, Hanukkah is also called the Feast of Dedication or the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple following a miraculous victory by a small number of Jews against a large army determined to extinguish them. Jewish traditions were outlawed under the Hellenistic Syrian rule of Antiochus IV (Antiochus Epiphanes). The Temple scrolls were confiscated, and Sabbath observation, adherence to a Kosher diet, and circumcision were punishable by death!
When forced to eat pork or offer sacrifices to foreign gods, many Jews were tortured and put to death. Idols were placed in the Temple. In the writings of Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, it’s recorded that pigs were sacrificed on the Temple altar. Some Jews protected themselves by simply assimilating with the Hellenistic culture. A few hid from the Syrians in caves in the hills of Judea.
A few Jews led by Judah called Maccabee decided to fight for the Torah and their God. Of course, Antiochus sent men to defeat them, but they were instead victorious! Antiochus sent another group, again defeated, and then organized a larger war effort of 40,000 men. Judah and his men were again victorious over a series of battles, though the odds were against them.
Upon their return to Jerusalem, they removed the idols from the Temple. The story goes that they found the Temple menorah gone and had to make another one. There was only one day’s worth of oil to light the menorah, and it would take eight days to make more. Since the menorah is supposed to stay lit, this posed a problem. They lit the menorah with the oil they had, and it stayed lit for the eight days it took to make more oil – a miracle.
Hanukkah’s most noticeable symbol today is the Hanukkiah, a modified menorah with nine lights. One more light is lit each night of Hanukkah until all lights are lit on the last night of Hanukkah. The ninth light is used to light the other candles. Traditional foods during Hanukkah are cooked in oil (in reference to the Temple Menorah story). Latkes, a fried potato pancake, and jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot are popular during Hanukkah. Another common symbol for this festival – the dreidel – represents the dreidel game played during the eight-day celebration.
The story behind Hanukkah is not in the Protestant bible. It’s found in the first and second books of the Maccabees and combined with Jewish legend. Observing an occasion found in an extrabiblical source makes many Christians uncomfortable, but the historical story’s main conclusion is one Christians can fully embrace. Like the time of Esther, the Jewish people were again faced with extinction and seemingly impossible circumstances. And yet again, God preserved them through His own means, by His own plan, to show His glory.
Another reason Hanukkah holds meaning for Christians is that we, as God’s people, also face persecution. American Christians are comfortable now due to our freedom to worship, but it may not always be that way, and that isn’t the case currently for Christians elsewhere in the world. God’s people have been and will be persecuted throughout history, but the faithful of us will stand for our God despite even horrific circumstances.
Hanukkah celebrates the cleansing and rededication of the Temple. It was cleansed of idols and desecration and rededicated to God as it was meant to be. This concept should cause a Christian to look inward. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:19, our bodies are temples. As Christians, we should live our entire lives as a Hanukkah celebration – lives that celebrate our cleansing from sin through Jesus and our rededication to God as we accept him as our Savior and His Spirit lives in us! The Hanukkah story is a beautiful picture of the change that’s taken place in the souls of each Christian!
Furthermore, John 10:22-33 records Jesus celebrating the Feast of Dedication. If it was important enough to be observed by our Savior, it should also be important to us! On the Temple porch, he chooses this day to announce that he is the Messiah.
These two Jewish celebrations have much to offer when integrated into the Christian faith. Since Christians share a place with Jews in the Kingdom of God, Jewish religious festivals can also be meaningful to our faith. The messages of God’s sovereignty, deliverance, faithfulness, cleansing, and rededication are portrayed through stories and the celebrations they’re based upon. Observing Hanukkah and Purim has grown my family spiritually, and I believe it will benefit yours as well!
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The traditionally Jewish celebration of Purim commemorates God’s
deliverance of the Jewish people as recounted in the historical book of Esther
in the Bible’s Old Testament. It’s an
exciting story but more than that, it has an important message for Christians. It tells of God’s faithfulness and His love
for His people and of His plan for their deliverance through the courage and faith
of a young woman.
The Story of Esther
The celebration of Purim doesn’t mean much if you’re not familiar
with the story of Esther, found in the book of Esther. The themes of this holiday tie very directly
into this exciting story with queens and kings, an evil villain, and an
unexpected hero. The paraphrased story
follows but don’t neglect to read the real version! There’s no substitute for the Word of God!
The Bash of the Century
The story begins with a party.
A big one. It was thrown by King
Ahashverosh. That’s his Persian name but
he’s called King Xerxes or Artaxerxes
depending on which Bible translation you read.
For 6 months, King Ahashverosh
of the Medes and Persians, who ruled 127
provinces total, partied with his army and the leaders of surrounding
provinces. The afterparty was a smaller
party, but this time with more drinking.
And this one lasted 7 days!
It was during this afterparty that a very inebriated King
Ahashverosh called for his queen, Vashti, to “display her beauty” at the
party. He also asked her to wear her
crown, which some interpret to mean that he wanted her to appear wearing only
her crown!
Queen Vashti refused, which greatly angered her husband. It also raised the eyebrows of the men close to him. They convened, deciding that Vashti’s punishment must be severe lest other wives follow suit, disobeying their husbands as well.
Queen Vashti was dethroned and prohibited from being in the
presence of the king. It wasn’t long
before King Ahashverosh
decided to replace her. It’s here that
we meet Esther, winner of a 127 province-wide beauty pageant, thrown by the
king. He
chose and married Esther after seeing her magnificent beauty.
Orphaned at a young age, Esther was being raised by her uncle, a
Jewish man named Mordecai. He’d advised
her to keep Jewish heritage a secret from her new royal acquaintances, so they
didn’t know she was Jewish and she carried on with her new royal life, Mordecai
looking on during his daily walks in front of the harem courts.
Mordecai Saves the King
In his usual position at the king’s gate, Mordecai overheard a
plot between two guards to assassinate King Ahashverosh and reported them through Queen Esther. The guards’ plan was discovered, and they
were hanged for their crime. Hailed as a hero, Mordecai’s actions won him
a place in the king’s Book of Chronicles, a historical account of the kingdom.
Enter the Villain
King Ahashverosh chose Haman of Amalekite decent, as his second
in command. Historically, the Amalekites
hated the Jewish people. Descendants of
Esau (and subsequently Amalek), these are the same people who went out of their
way to attack the Hebrew people in the desert after their Exodus from Egypt.
Because of his position, all were to bow before Haman when in his presence. Mordecai, knowing Haman’s background, refused to bow before him which drew intense animosity toward Mordecai. Haman not only wanted to kill Mordecai but also the Jewish people as a whole.
Haman’s Plot
Haman convinced King
Ahashverosh that it was in his best interest to get rid of the Jewish
people. At the time of this
conversation, neither man knew the true identity of their queen. The king granted Haman the authority to
extinguish the Jewish people and the decree was sent out to all provinces.
The Jewish community grieved deeply upon hearing the news and
word of the decision eventually reached Queen Esther. She sought out Mordecai and he encouraged her
to approach the king and plead for her people.
Knowing her appearance before the king without being summoned may be a
death sentence for her, she told him to have all Jews fast and pray for 3 days,
along with Esther and her maidens. Then
she courageously said that she’d go before the king, even though it was against
the law and, quote, “if I perish, I perish”.
Esther’s Invitation
When Esther appeared before King Ahashverosh, he not only spared her life, he said she could
have whatever she wanted – even up to half the kingdom! We can conclude he likes her a whole
lot! She
then invited the king and Haman to a banquet.
When they attended, King
Ahashverosh again asked her what she requested, offering her up to half the
kingdom and she invited them to a second banquet.
That evening, when Mordecai again had refused to bow before
Haman, the villain went home and vented his frustration with Mordecai to his
wife. Haman’s wife suggested he have gallows
constructed and hang Mordecai on it before the banquet the following evening.
That night, the king had a bout of insomnia and ordered that the
Book of Chronicles be read to him. Miraculously,
the part about Mordecai thwarting the assassination plan against King Ahashverosh was read. The king asked his servants what had been
done to reward Mordecai for his allegiance and they replied that nothing had
been done.
King Ahashverosh
had Haman brought in and asked him his opinion of what should be done for a man
the king wants to honor. Not-so-humbly
thinking it was himself, Haman suggested the honored man should be paraded
around the kingdom, riding the king’s horse and wearing royal robes and a
crown.
Just imagine the horrified look on Haman’s face when King Ahashverosh told him it was
actually Mordecai he intended to honor in this way. It was Haman himself that had to lead the
horse around with Mordecai on it!
Esther Accuses Haman
Then the time arrived for Esther’s second banquet. It was at this event that the tables turned. Esther revealed two pivotable bits of information that changed history. The first was that she was Jewish. The second was Haman’s plan to extinguish her people.
The king was angry at Haman and hanged
him on the very gallows Haman had intended to hang Mordecai on. King
Ahashverosh then promoted Mordecai to the position once held by Haman
and learned of the relationship between Mordecai and Esther.
At the request of Queen Esther, King Ahashverosh allowed Esther and
Mordecai to write letters in his name that revoked the previous decree for the
destruction of the Jews. It said that
they could defend themselves and even avenge themselves against their enemies. Haman’s 10 sons were hung and many of those
who had intended to destroy the Jews were killed as well.
Purim Established
There was great joy among the Jewish people because the king’s
decree had been lifted. They feasted and
celebrated, and Mordecai established Purim as the day that the Jewish people
would forever commemorate their preservation in the face of destruction.
The End. And God’s people
lived happily ever after. Well, we will
eventually. But that’s another story.
While it makes for a very entertaining story, how does the book
of Esther apply to us as Christians?
Does God have a message in this story and in the celebration centered
upon it?
Themes of Purim
On Purim, we celebrate the sovereignty of God’s plan over
man’s. Just like when Joseph told his
brothers “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20), God
took this seemingly tragic situation and turned it into a victory for His
people.
We also see that it was as Israel united that they were able to
overcome their enemies. If Esther had
accepted the king’s offer of half the kingdom (it would be tempting, no?)
instead of courageously pleading for her people, it appears that they would
have been destroyed!
Faith and Courage
Like Esther, we should have the faith and courage to do the work
God has for us. If we’re listening
closely in His Word, in prayer, and among His people, the Holy Spirit will make
what God has for us to do on Earth clear to each of us. He has uniquely gifted each of us for the job
he has for us. What a blessing that He
allows us to participate in His plans!
One thing that makes the book of Esther unique from others in the
Bible is that it doesn’t mention the name of God at all. Not once.
It shows that God was glorified through the actions of His people. When we step out in faith, God works through
us to show His power and glory to a watching world!
God’s Faithfulness
God’s faithfulness to and deliverance of His people is clearly
shown in the story of Esther. He not
only preserved the Jewish people through Esther, but He was with them before
this story and has been with them ever since.
Despite great persecution throughout history, the Jewish people don’t just
merely exist but are thriving!
As Christians, we’re grafted in to the promises God gave to His people in the Old Testament through Jesus, our Messiah, and we’re God’s people as well! He has been, is now, and will forever be faithful to us, just as He was to the Jews in the book of Esther. We know this because it’s shown in His word, in our own lives, and in the lives of those around us!
How Christians Celebrate Purim
Christians can celebrate Purim in much the same way the Jewish people have for thousands of years. While not one of the Biblical Feasts, Purim holds great significance for Christians also. The only difference is that we can also celebrate the deliverance from sin God has provided in Jesus as our savior. God’s always faithful, even when we’re not! Below are a few ways Purim can be celebrated in a Christian home and here’s a calendar of future Purim dates.
Read the book of Esther
This relatively short, yet fun to read book in the Old Testament
will bring to light the reasons for celebration on Purim. Many make this fun by booing or shaking an
unpleasant-sounding instrument called a “gragger” whenever Haman’s name is read
in the story or by cheering for Esther and Mordecai. These things also help keep children
entertained throughout the story.
Make
hamantaschen
This is not only the traditional dessert served on Purim, it’s a great gift to give on that day as well (see below). It’s a lot like a cookie or small pastry with fruit filling inside. Its three-cornered shape is supposed to represent Haman’s hat or even his ears! Tori Avey’s hamantaschen recipe is not only delicious, it also includes folding instructions and hints for success that other recipes don’t.
Give
gifts
Giving gifts was one of the ways Mordecai from the story of
Esther recommended we celebrate. These
are often edible gifts, with hamantaschen
topping the list of possibilities.
Give
to charity
Another of Mordecai’s suggestions, a gift to charity is a great idea any day but on Purim, it shows we’re grateful for the faithfulness of our God!
It’s not what you serve at this meal that’s Purim-specific. It just needs to be a joyful meal! This is not the time to be health-conscious
or anything. Make something everyone
loves and plenty of it – with hamantaschen for dessert!
Act
it out
A favorite of both children and adults, this is also a great way
to learn the story! Kids are suckers for
any dress-up game and this one is no exception.
You’ll need a Queen Esther, an evil Haman, a King Ahashverosh, a
Mordecai, and maybe even a Queen Vashti!
Fast
on Purim Eve
Also called the Fast of Esther, many fast the day before Purim in
remembrance of Queen Esther asking her people to fast and pray for three days
before she appeared before the king.
This is a great time to both praise God for what He’s done as well as
petition for His people. And don’t
worry! You can make up for those lost
calories with hamantaschen the next day!
*wink*
Greet
with Happy Purim!
While you could also say “Happy Purim”, you could kick it up a
notch with “Chag Purim Sameach”
(pronounced khog pur-im suh-may-ach).
That means “happy Purim festival”.
It’s literally festival Purim happy, but you get the idea!
Praise
God!
This is another thing you could do any day of the year but on
Purim, we praise Him specifically for His faithfulness, deliverance, and His never-ending
love for His people.
If you’d like to learn more about how Esther’s story relates to
the Gospel or to yourself, as a woman in this century, below are two books for
further study.
Enjoy your Purim celebration and give all the glory to God! Chag Purim Sameach!
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Below are a few Hebrew words that can be better understood in their original language and context. Not nearly an exhaustive list, these few words, better understood from a Hebrew perspective, will illuminate some familiar Christian concepts and bring us closer to the God of the Bible.
1. Shalom שָׁלוֹם (pronounced sha-lōm)
This is a common greeting in Hebrew. Upon meeting someone, you’d say “Shalom,” and they’d respond with the same. Many Hebrew speakers say, “Shalom Aleichem” (peace be with you) instead. On the Sabbath, we wish each other “Shabbat shalom” (Peaceful Sabbath).
The word shalom is often translated simply as peace. While this is partly what shalom means, it only partially conveys its meaning. The concept of shalom goes deeper than that and brings us to realize the perfection in our holy God!
Shalom is a noun with many meanings. Its definition includes completeness, soundness, and welfare, along with harmony, prosperity, and tranquility. We’re left without an English word to convey all these, but searching the Bible for the word shalom can illuminate its more profound significance. Believe it or not, understanding shalom can help us better understand our God’s character!
A Name for God
Shalom is part of one of the names for God in Judges 6:24. Having met God himself and seen firsthand His supernatural power, Gideon built an altar and named it “Jehovah Shalom” or “The LORD is peace” to let everyone know that our God is shalom. He is peace and wholeness, completeness and perfection, harmony and prosperity – all of it!
The Way Things Ought to Be
In his book, Not the Way it’s Supposed to Be, Cornelius Plantinga of Calvin Theological Seminary says the following about shalom:
“The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.”
CORNELIUS PLANTINGA
Jesus and Shalom
By examining the word shalom, we can also better know Jesus, our Messiah. Isaiah calls Jesus the “Prince of shalom” in verse 9:6. Of all the terms above that are used to define shalom, Jesus has those qualities and is the Prince of them!
We can also use other words from the same root word to better understand what Jesus is Prince of. “Whole,” “it was worth it,” “perfect,” “was paid for,” and “paid for in advance” are meanings of words that come from the same root as shalom. It’s no coincidence that those concepts are part of our story as well. The perfect Prince of Shalom found us worth it and paid for our sin, making us whole!
You already know this one. It’s a word we use in song and otherwise to praise God all the time! Hallelujah is made up of halal and Jah. Halal means “to praise,” “to shine,” “to be boastful,” “to act foolish,” and other similar terms. Jah or Yah is short for the name of God in the Bible, Yahweh. So, hallelujah is to praise God, make Him shine, boast in Him, or even go crazy worshiping Him!
Crazy Worship?!
Is that too much? Well, that depends. Are we just saying words when we praise God, or are we approaching the Creator of the universe to tell Him just how amazing we think He is? Those in heaven know more than we do about God’s awesomeness, and this is the word they use to worship Him!
“After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God…’ And a second time they said, ‘Hallelujah! …’ And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, ‘Amen. Hallelujah!’ …Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.’”
I don’t know about you, but reading these verses always gives me chills. Sometimes, we subconsciously fit God into our itty-bitty human box and forget that He’s the most awesome supernatural God ever. Try to picture this scene. God, on His heavenly throne, in His holy throne room, surrounded by heavenly elders and frightening creatures, is being worshiped by them. All the glory is His. The awe of the scene and God Himself is not lost on them, and they burst out with nothing other than repeated hallelujahs!
The powerful meaning behind hallelujah in our hearts when we worship might show Him at least a tiny shred of the praise He’s worthy of. What could we possibly say? It’s one of the best words our mortal mouths can offer. Hallelujah!
3. Yeshua יֵשׁוּעַ(pronounced yeh-shoo-uh)
This word is often translated as “Joshua” in the Hebrew Old Testament. It’s also the name of Jesus, our Savior! So, wait. If his name is actually Yeshua, why do we call him Jesus? Where did that come from?
Why Do We Call Him Jesus?
Where Yeshua is found in the Hebrew Old Testament, it is translated into English as Joshua. It was a male name in Bible times, and there are a few different Joshuas or Yeshuas in the Bible. When translated from Greek to English in the New Testament, it underwent a couple of transitions and then became Jesus.
Many now argue that the name Jesus is incorrect and, therefore, should not be used, but we should be careful not to get sidetracked by this. Jesus lived in a multilingual area, and he would have also been. He probably taught and conversed in different languages as necessary. What’s important here and in Jesus’s teachings is to preserve the word’s meaning.
More Than Just a Name
Beyond being a name, the word Yeshua is used throughout the Hebrew scriptures, meaning “salvation.” It was derived from the Hebrew word yasha, which means “to deliver” or “to rescue.” There are many well-known examples of where it’s used in the Old Testament, but here are a couple of my favorites:
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation [yeshua];
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.” Exodus 15:2
“He only is my rock and my salvation [yeshua],
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62:2
Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus’s name was the very thing he would do for us? Others with this same name in the Bible were also saviors of some type. Joshua led the Israelites during a time of numerous victories while conquering the land of Canaan. Yeshua, the High Priest, was the first High Priest in the rebuilt Temple following its destruction by the Babylonians. Isn’t it amazing that this important High Priest, the bridge from the Israelites to God, shares a name with our High Priest (Heb. 4:14) and way to God (John 14:6)?
4. Chesedחֶסֶד(pronounced che-sed, with the “ch” sound coming from the throat, as in Bach)
Known for its difficulty translating into English, this word contains a “chet,” a letter with a sound called a guttural. Since we don’t have true gutturals in English, it can be difficult to say this word correctly. Go ahead and practice. Say “Bach” – like the composer. Say it out loud. Listen for the sound at the end of the word, then say it at the beginning of chesed.
Chesed’s Meaning
Now that we know how it sounds, what does it mean? It’s commonly translated as mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, and goodness. It’s often used to convey God’s love toward His people, but, somewhat like God, it is much more complex than our first impression shows. Here are some very different examples of chesed’s use in the Bible.
“Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness [chesed] and truth; who keeps lovingkindness [chesed] for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.'” Exodus 34:6-7
“If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace [chesed]; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.” Leviticus 20:17
Which is it?
In the above verse from Exodus, chesed is commonly translated as “lovingkindness .” God declares chesed an attribute of Himself. But then, the very same word is used to describe incestuous behavior, translated into English as “disgrace.” The contexts of both verses suggest two meanings for the same word, but this is not so.
Chesed translated as lovingkindness, mercy, charity, or even disgrace, doesn’t do justice to its whole meaning. This complex word conveys instead an attitude or behavior that shows an overflow of zeal or a lack of boundaries. Chesed comes from the Hebrew root meaning “eager and ardent desire .” It can mean both God-sized lovingkindness and disgrace worthy of great punishment because it is not a specific action but the passion or motivation behind it.
God’s
Infinite Love
When God describes His love for us using the word chesed, He’s telling us that He has a boundless, overflowing love for us! Inside His love for us is His infinite grace, immeasurable love, inexhaustible forgiveness, and unlimited charity. And seriously, Guys? None of us deserve that. I don’t care how great you think you are. We’re nothing but selfish, disobedient specks in this universe. What an awesome God we have that He would extend His chesed to us!
5. Shema שְׁמַע (pronounced shuh-ma)
This word is the first one in The Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is recited regularly by Orthodox Jews and by many Christians. It’s also the verse Jesus refers to when asked what the greatest commandment is.
“Hear [Shema], O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9
To Hear?
Shema is generally translated as “hear .” But right now, I can hear birds singing out the window, my daughter’s TV show in the background, and the keystrokes on my laptop. If the word shema is used to call the attention of the people of Israel and is followed by informing them that their lives should be a walking testament to God Himself, the word “hear” doesn’t quite convey what’s being said. In addition to “hear,”shema is also translated elsewhere in the Old Testament as “report,” “fame,” “tidings, “loud,” and “speech.”
It Requires Action
If you take the word with its context, however, it means more than the culmination of these words. In Deuteronomy 6, Shema is a command to not only hear God’s words but to act on them. I think of it in the same way as when I tell my children to listen. I don’t only mean for them to stop what they’re doing and hear what I say. I mean for them to hear and internalize what I say so that they remember and obey it.
This meaning is the same as shema can have. We need to pay attention—always studying God’s Word and spending time in prayer with Him so we can hear His words in the first place. Then, we need to internalize what He says, not just read or hear it and forget it. We need to remember it and, when required, obey it and apply it to our lives.
6. Amen אָמֵן (pronounced ah-meyn)
I know, I know – everyone knows this one. But did you know that it was a Hebrew word? Also, look at the above pronunciation. We can argue all day whether or not it’s pronounced ah-men or ay-men or when to use either, but for those who want to be purists about it, it’s neither!
The Deeper Meaning
This Biblical Hebrew word is unique because its primary meaning has not been lost in translation and cultural differences. “So be it” is the usual translation for amen. Amen is used correctly when we use it to affirm something someone says or after a prayer. Its root is aman, meaning “to confirm or support .” A related word is amanah, which means truthfulness, confirmation, credence, or belief. By saying amen, we’re stating that we confirm what has been said, believe in it, and find it true.
We say it to conclude our prayers and signify when we pray in unison with other people. We also use it in song to affirm the words and the message of our worship. Some even yell it out in church when a pastor says something that resounds with them.
The Conclusion of God’s Word
Our entire Bible concludes with this word. The last verse in the Bible sums up the whole Word, then affirms this message of truth with the “so be it” we know so well:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:21
Amen is also translated as “truth,” as in the following verse.
“Because he who is blessed in the earth
Will be blessed by the God of truth [amen];
And he who swears in the earth
Will swear by the God of truth [amen];
Because the former troubles are forgotten,
And because they are hidden from My sight!” Isaiah 65:16
Each word “truth” in this verse comes from amen in Hebrew. It says twice here that God is the “God of amen,” so this is one of God’s attributes or characteristics. He is the God of truth but also of confirmation, faithfulness, support, and affirmation of that truth. How privileged are we to have someone like this as our God?!
7. Mashiach מָשִׁיחַ (pronounced ma-shee-ach)
This word can be translated as “messiah,” but more literally means “anointed one.” In most places in the Bible, the English is “anointed one .” Only two verses translate it as “Messiah .” When used to refer to Jesus as the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach is used. Yeshua HaMashiach means “Jesus the Messiah” or “Jesus the Anointed One.”
Why Anoint?
The process of anointing someone with oil served to set that individual apart for service to God. It was used in the Old Testament to appoint priests (Ex. 29:7) and to establish kings over God’s people. Saul and David were appointed in this way (1 Sam. 10:1 and 2 Sam. 16:12-13), and prophecy in the Old Testament speaks of Jesus as Mashiach, “anointed one.”
“So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah [Mashiach] the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.” Daniel 9:25
In this verse, Mashiach is usually translated as “Messiah” instead of “Anointed One,” but the Hebrew word is the same. Jesus is truly our Mashiach! He has been anointed by God, chosen, and appointed to be our king and high priest!
8. Davar דָּבָר (pronounced duh-var)
The most basic translation of davar is that it means “word .” It can also mean “speak,” “pronounce,” “formalize,” “thing,” or “establish .” Here are some examples of its use in the Old Testament.
“And the Lord spoke [davar] to Moses, saying, “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” Exodus 6:10-11
“‘ Is anything [davar] too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.'” Genesis 18:14
“Then behold, the word [davar] of the Lord came to him…” Genesis 15:4
Although davar is translated as three different English words in the verses above, it means all of them. The context of each is used to derive the word’s meaning in each situation in which it’s used so that the essence of the scripture is not lost.
Its Use in the New Testament
But things get exciting when davar is translated from Hebrew into Greek in the New Testament. This word is translated into two different Greek words: logos, which refers to a written word, and rhema, which refers to the utterance or the thing that was said.
Jesus, Our Written Word
At the beginning of the book of John, Jesus is referred to as “the Word .” Logos is the Greek word used here, so we can conclude that Jesus is a type of written word. He was here on earth in a physical form and could be “read” as people could watch him and listen to him teach about God and himself. Some of these people recorded the events of his life on earth so we, too, can “read” him.
“In the beginning was the Word [Logos], and the Word [Logos] was with God, and the Word [Logos] was God.” John 1:1
The Power of God’s Word
Later in the New Testament, Hebrews 11:3 tells us that God’s word created something out of nothing.
“By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word [rhema] of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3
In this verse, the Greek rhema is used in place of “davar,” which is translated into English as “word .” But the implication of this verse is to show us just what kind of power there is in God’s spoken words! God spoke davar into nothingness and created order, an entire universe, and even us!
Davar teaches us that we can “read” Jesus, our “written” Word. He has been there all along, from before creation, but came to earth so we could learn from him and rescue ourselves from certain destruction. It also shows the power of God’s very utterances. He’s so awesome that things that previously didn’t exist spring into existence, just at His word!
It’s unsurprising when these two concepts come together further into the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 calls Jesus “the power and the wisdom of God .” The Word, God’s davar, IS His very power and wisdom! Our Savior is the magnificent power and the infinite wisdom of God!
9. Ra’ רַע (pronounced rah)
There are many different words for sin in the Bible, but ra’ is used more than 600 times! It comes from another Hebrew word, ra’a, meaning evil or bad. When you remove the “a” sound at the end, its meaning encompasses “evil,” “harm,” “displeasure,” or “misery,” but it also conveys an aspect of brokenness. It can mean “broken into pieces,” like when something’s completely ruined, or “blemished,” like things unfit for presentation to God, such as for sacrifice.
Use in Scripture
The ugly, gaunt cows from Pharaoh’s dream in Genesis 41 are described using this word, as is the wild beast that Joseph’s brothers claimed devoured him in Genesis 37. It’s also translated into “evil” in describing the tree in the Garden of Eden. It was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Ra’.
Brokenness
While we know that sin is disobedience to God, without the aspect of brokenness, we have no reason to turn to our Savior. Everyone knows there’s sin in their life, but not everyone realizes their brokenness in it. We all know someone who says, “Sure, I’ve done bad things, but I’m a good person overall.” They imply that sin is just part of who we are, but God will compare us to one another and forgive the good people for being less evil than the really evil ones.
It sounds great, but that’s just not how it works. The Bible says that we ALL have fallen short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). He’s just too glorious, too perfect, and too holy for us – even the good ones – to ever measure up to Him. HE is what we’ll be compared to in judgment, so we all need Jesus, the only person to have kept all of the Law perfectly, as our substitute.
Without realizing that the ra’ in our hearts has left us blemished, unacceptable, and broken before God, we cannot see our need to accept the gift of Jesus. When we get to the point of being devastated by our ra’, we can then humbly approach God, genuinely repentant, and be made unblemished, acceptable, and perfect in the eyes of our Creator, fit for communion with Him!
These are just a few Hebrew words that can enrich our faith by understanding them in their original form. Imagine what can come to light while learning even more of the Hebrew language! As lifelong students of the Bible, learning its primary original language will deepen our faith and our relationship with the God of the universe!
