Press-towards-the-mark

What are the mandrakes mentioned in the bible and why are they associated with sex? Genesis 30:14-16 New International Version (NIV) 14 During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15 But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” 16 So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night. Mandrake comes from the Hebrew word "duwday" H1736 It is a fruit, referred to often as a love-apple, because it was used as an aphrodisiac.  People believed not only that it increased your sexual desire but also that it made you more fertile. ...

It is hard for us to imagine, but God (Yahweh) has always had a plan from the beginning.  He is God. There is something to be said about Etymology and the meaning of names.  Today in our culture we often select a name because we just like it, it sounds good, or maybe it is a namesake after a relative. Seldom do we select a name based on the meaning and etymology of the word, but this was very important in many cultures including in the cultural study of the people of the old testament scriptures. In fact, when a significant event happened in someone's life, often a name was changed afterwards to commemorate that event-- Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel. Way before there was a printing press, God put in place a few hints to tell the story of mankind's coming redemption in Jesus.  One method was stars. Stars were put into place to declare the works and Glory of God . Glory is short for glorification, and glorification in the bible is used describe the process of sin...

If you have ever been around me you have heard me say "not all translations are equal" or "not one translation is perfect"... There are some that are definitely more accurate, but still not perfect. This hits some Christians hard...remember God's Word is perfect but God never said all the translations going forwards or backwards (from our current date) would be. There is this one movement, King James Only, that has been around for a few years, but I am sorry the King James Translation is not perfect either.  Here is just one example. Notice the King James Version reads "Kill" , but in the New American Standard Bible it reads, "murder" Now there is a huge difference between kill and murder.  I can kill a spider, but no one goes around saying I murdered a spider.  Unfortunately and hopefully never so, but I can also kill a person by accident like in a car, but that is different from murder.  Murder is killing, but not...

First let me say I have tattoos, and i f I had money for every time I heard someone say "the bible says tattoos are wrong..." "or sinful", well I would be comfortable. So what does the bible say?  Actually...it doesn't say anything about what we know as modern day tattooing...but let me explain Here is the scripture most people use to frame the subject of tattoos. Leviticus 19:28   New International Version (NIV) 28  “‘Do not cut  your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the  Lord . At first this seems to contradict what I just said...but wait...even before I address that... What is overlooked is the full context of Leviticus 19.  Too often we pick and choose what scriptures we want to quote, use, or sometimes condemn. I find it strange how the preceding verse is never or seldom quoted. Leviticus 19:27   New International Version (NIV) 27  “‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or c...

In a recent Bible study, the parable of the 10 virgins recently came up. Matthew 25:1-13 I had always assumed that the 10 virgins were brides awaiting the bridegroom to come at an unexpected time, but many in the bible study had always thought the 10 virgins were bridesmaids. What contributed to this difference? Quickly reviewing several translations revealed what had contributed to this difference.  We discovered modern translations and paraphrased translations were using the term "bridesmaids" over "virgins". So, which one is accurate?  Let's go back to the Greek! (This will be a common response from me on this blog.) The Greek word used in this verse is parthenois (Strongs G3933). Parthenois is accurately translated as a virgin but more specifically meaning one who is marriageable. The Greek word "parthenois" was never defined as bridesmaid.  This is a perfect example that no translation is error free.  Some translations ...

This is a blog for the purpose of recording and publishing my thoughts and notes on many biblical topics. I am in no means an expert.  I am just a student of the bible who continues to dig deep into the culture and history of the people, events, geography, language, and human migration recorded in the Biblical texts. This will sometimes fit perfectly into mainstream teaching of those topics but on several occasions my research will have me point out differing opinions and thoughts that conflict or contrast with mainstream teaching and opinions. This blog is not intended to be divisive.  I hold to the following motto... "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things love." Problems usually arise over what we classify as an "essential". For the purpose of this blog I am defining as essential as a necessary "step/action" for salvation. An additional idea that I will also try to encourage in this blog is the idea of... ...