The-Divine-Tapestry
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout
this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved 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’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected like it once was pre
the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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The intricate nature of our own creation.
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Recognizing the miraculous and the intricate nature of our own creation can inspire a deep sense of gratitude and wonder. Tehillim - Psalm 139:14 is a verse that expresses admiration and gratitude towards אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for the wondrous creation of human beings.
Let us read Psalms 139:14. (All verses are always in JPS-1917 version).
אוֹדְךָ עַל כִּי נוֹרָאוֹת, נִפְלֵיתִי
נִפְלָאִים מַעֲשֶׂיךָ; וְנַפְשִׁי, יֹדַעַת מְאֹד
“I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:14.
This is without a doubt a beautiful and a
profound verse. For Psalm 139, verse 14
perfectly captures the awe of human existence, balancing the physical
complexity of ‘our design’ with a ‘deep’, ‘spiritual recognition of our blessed
Creator’. In the original Hebrew, the phrasing carries layers of meaning that
reflect this wonder:
The word often translated as “fearfully” נִפְלֵיתִי - (nora’ot)
stems from a root meaning ‘awe’, ‘reverence’, or ‘deep respect’, rather than
‘terror’. It signifies being created with an awesome reverence. The word for
“wonderfully made” נִפְלֵיתִי - (nifleyti)
is closely tied to being ‘set apart’, ‘distinguished’, or ‘uniquely fashioned’.
Whether viewed through the lens of faith, the incredible complexities of modern biology, or the depth of human consciousness, this passage remains a timeless expression of gratitude for the gift of life!
Let us take a closer look at both the linguistic layers of Psalm 139:14 and how the subsequent verses beautifully expand on this imagery.
Linguistic
Breakdown of Verse 14:
The Hebrew text reveals a deep connection
between awe, unique design, and inner consciousness:
·
אוֹדְךָ (Odecha) - “I will give thanks to You”: This
comes from the root ‘Yadah’, which means to ‘praise’, ‘confess’, or ‘extend the
hands in gratitude’. It is an active, vocal expression of
;thankfulness;.
·
נוֹרָאוֹת (Nora'ot) - “Fearfully”:
Derived from ‘Yare’, this does not mean afraid in the modern sense. It refers
to ‘awesome reverence’ or ‘inspiring wonder’. It suggests that the human design
is so magnificent that it inspires deep respect.
·
נִפְלֵיתִי (Nifleyti) - “Wonderfully made”:
This is a unique word. It shares a root with ‘Pala’ (to be ‘distinct’,
‘separate’, or ‘hidden’) and ‘Pele’ (a ‘miracle’). It implies being ‘uniquely
distinguished’ or ‘exquisitely fashioned’ apart from everything else.
·
וְנַפְשִׁי
יֹדַעַת
מְאֹד (V’naf’shi yoda’at m’od) - “And my soul
knows right well”: The “soul” (Nefesh)
refers to the seat of living consciousness. The verse implies that this
appreciation isn't just an intellectual thought; it is an innate, ‘deep-seated
truth’ felt at the ‘core of one’s being’.
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Expanding
the Theme: Verses 15-16:
The verses immediately following Psalm 139:14 transition from general praise to a ‘vivid’, ‘poetic description’ of the hidden process of creation.
Verse
15.
“My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth”.
Meaning - The Weaver’s Art: The phrase “curiously wrought” (rukkamti) literally means embroidered or woven with
variegated threads. It likens the formation of the human body (bones, veins,
and tissues) to a master weaver crafting a ‘complex tapestry’ in secret.
Verse 16.
“Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance, and in Thy book they were all written even the days that were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them”.
Meaning
- The
Blueprint of Life: The phrase ‘unformed body’
(golem) refers to an embryo, wrapped or rolled together before its distinct
parts emerge. By pairing this with the Divine ‘book’ the text transitions from
the artistry of a master weaver to the meticulous precision of an architect.
Long before your physical features or the days of your life materialized, they
existed perfectly detailed in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s transcendent record
serving as a spiritual and biological blueprint that guarantees every ‘individual’
is ‘intentionally designed’, ‘deeply known’, and ‘built for a Divine purpose’!
In Conclusion:
These verses together paint a complete
picture: verse 14 establishes the conscious realization of our wondrous
existence, while verses 15 and 16 reflect on the ‘intricate’, ‘hidden
craftsmanship’ that brought our ‘existence to life’.
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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located
down the 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 our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of
our prophets...
“The More Torah,
the More Life”,
For Elohim 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!
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