Deuteronomy-18-19-12

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh1.Jewish Publication Society (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected as it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Eloleichem) which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).

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Davarim Chapter 18

Verses 9 to 12..

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

Just before the study, I would like to commence with one more important quote from the book of Yahoshua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).

Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

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Introduction:

We, the Israelites were set apart for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) service, and we are to be devoted to אֱלֹהִים alone. The Israelites were not to listen to those who would ‘imitate’, obey anyone who practiced magic and divination to get what they wanted’. Thus our forefathers lives, were supposed to be wholly dedicated to אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - “Baruch Shem Kadosho” - “Blessed be His Holy Name”.

Thus this is what this study is all about, remaining ‘pure in heart’ and ‘love and obey our beloved אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name!

Davarim - Deuteronomy 18:9-12: (JPS-1917 version).

The relevant four verses seen below is first in Hebrew, and then in English.

כִּי אַתָּה בָּא אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ-לֹא-תִלְמַד לַעֲשׂוֹת, כְּתוֹעֲבֹת הַגּוֹיִם הָהֵם

9. When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

לֹא-יִמָּצֵא בְךָ, מַעֲבִיר בְּנוֹ-וּבִתּוֹ בָּאֵשׁ, קֹסֵם קְסָמִים, מְעוֹנֵן וּמְנַחֵשׁ וּמְכַשֵּׁף

10. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divination, a soothsayer, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,

וְחֹבֵר, חָבֶר; וְשֹׁאֵל אוֹב וְיִדְּעֹנִי, וְדֹרֵשׁ אֶל-הַמֵּתִים

11. or a charmer, or one that consulteth a ghost or a familiar spirit, or a necromancer.

כִּי-תוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה, כָּל-עֹשֵׂה אֵלֶּה; וּבִגְלַל, הַתּוֹעֵבֹת הָאֵלֶּה, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, מוֹרִישׁ אוֹתָם מִפָּנֶיךָ

12. For whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto the LORD; and because of these abominations the LORD thy God is driving them out from before thee.

What we are going to read, is אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim forbidding adopting the cultic and divinatory practices of the nations; it protects Israel’s covenantal identity, the sanctity of life, and reliance on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim rather than occult techniques.

Davarim - Deuteronomy 18:9-12, verse by verse commentary:

Verse 9.

“When thou art come into the land which יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha - giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations”.

This opening verse frames the prohibition historically and communally: upon entry into the land Israel must refuse the religious patterns of the surrounding peoples. The verb “learn” (to practice or be trained in) stresses that these are learned cultic behaviours, not merely accidental customs; the law aims to prevent assimilation of foreign rites that would alter Israel’s worship and social order.

Verse 10.

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch”.

This verse lists concrete practices. Child sacrifice (“pass through the fire”) is singled out first because it attacks the family and the sanctity of life. The other terms, divination, soothsaying (observer of times), enchantment, witchcraft cover methods by which people sought to predict or control the future. The law rejects reliance on such techniques because they substitute human or demonic means for covenantal trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.

Verse 11.

“Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer”.

The list continues with roles that mediate between the living and other powers: charmers and necromancers indicate practices that manipulate spiritual forces or consult the dead. The cumulative effect of verses 10-11 is to proscribe an entire economy of occult specialists and rites that were common in the ancient Near East; the prohibition protects Israel from entering networks of power and dependence foreign to its covenant life.

Verse 12.

“For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elohecha doth drive them out from before thee”.

The closing verse gives the theological rationale: these practices are “abominations” they violate the moral and cultic order which אֱלֹהִים - Elohim established and they are a principal reason אֱלֹהִים removes the nations from the land. The verse links ethical, ritual purity to national destiny: Israel’s distinctiveness in worship and law is tied to the land’s possession and to communal survival.

Concluding note: Davarim - Deuteronomy 18:9-12 is a clear, practical injunction: it preserves Israel’s identity by forbidding practices that ‘corrupts worship’, ‘harm the vulnerable’, and replace ‘covenantal trust with occult techniques’. However, even in these days, rabbis are still delving in ‘mysticism’ and the occult, with is part of the second BC evil “Zohar”, which much later entered the “Kabbalah” which tragically has entered a big part of our faith, especially as it is being forced upon us by Chabad and others.

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 In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:

Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?

Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים -  בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is always there and ready to help and guide you!

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PLEASE NOTE: If you need any assistance, just ask, I will assist, and I can also send an email to you, with special items to help you with whatever you may need! Just email me and I will send it to your email. There will no follow up’s whatsoever, or any requests from me, unless you wish further information, (use the email that is located further down this page).

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance! For interest, as you may have discovered, this site has become more a teaching site, bringing our faith closer to its origins!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via a number of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your Eloheichem); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה – the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

The More Torah, the More Life

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

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