Did Paul get his "irrigated versus natural fields" metaphor from the Mishnah?

04/16/21 • -1 min

Holy Language Institute: Learn Messianic Jewish Hebrew

Saul of Tarsus grew up in Jerusalem learning from the greatest sage of his generation. That means he probably had the Hebrew Bible memorized, along with the Mishnah as it existed in his time. And, surprise! If you know what to look for you can see his Hebraic mindset peeking through even in his Greek letters. Here's an example. This is a takeaway from my newest Mishnah Snapshots study. We also talked about these questions: ~Are the middle days of Passover and Tabernacles holy or "profane"? ~Did Paul get his metaphor of irrigated versus naturally watered fields from the Mishnah? ~Are you spiritually mature? How about your congregation? Here's how to tell. ~This Greek word used in Mishnah, Peshitta, and Delitzsch NT is spelled four different ways. ~What does Jewish law do with people whose gender is both, neither, or unknown? ~See the boy riding on his Abba's shoulders and going up to the Temple? Adorbs. Watch the full lesson and check out this ongoing series by clicking through this episode or by going to holylanguage.com > Learn > Mishnah Snapshots.

Previous Episode

Can lovers of Yeshua hear echoes of his voice in Rabbinic writings?

Most people would say the Mishnah is dry and boring and to be honest I agree. What keeps me going through its thousands of pages is how it's the backdrop to the story of Yeshua. These writings came from the same world as the New Testament, and while they're not Scripture you can definitely hear the voice of your beloved and see reflections of his beautiful face if you look and listen closely. Here's one example of many. This is a takeaway from my newest Mishnah Snapshots study. We also talked about these questions: ~Do you know what the Hebrew word "Pharisee" literally mean? ~Why do Jewish people say their mission is "Tikkun Olam" and where's that in Scripture? ~Are Yeshua's "greatest/least commandments" and "weighty matters of the Law" in Mishnah also? ~What did the sages do with the 'literal six days' and 'conflicting creation accounts' controversies? ~What can the Jewish institution of discipleship teach us about our relationship with the Master? ~How did the centuries-old leadership structure in Israel change around 30 A.D., and why? ~Did you hear about the old Essene named Menachem and his prophecy to boy Herod? Watch the full lesson and check out this ongoing series by clicking through this episode or by going to holylanguage.com > Learn > Mishnah Snapshots.

Next Episode

Did you know the Greek name "Peter" has a mysterious Hebrew meaning too?

Simon had lots of names. There was Peter or "Petros", and then Cephas or "Kefa". And what about his Dad, was he Jonah or John? Surprisingly, the Greek name "Petros" also has a Hebrew meaning that turns up in several places in the New Testament and also in Jewish writings. Simon says to check it out! This is a takeaway from my newest Mishnah Snapshots study. We also talked about these questions: ~Why is a "minyan of ten" required for a Torah service? Is that Biblical? ~Here's an example of how the Gemara is "packed" with info that "unpacks" the Mishnah. ~Did Jesus speak Hebrew or Aramaic? Or were both living languages in the Second Temple era? ~First stop and let it sink in that the Father doesn't treat you like an outsider. Then… ~Were the Rabbis and Apostles both "binding and loosing" in their halachic decisions? ~Why are some passages not read, and others not translated, in synagogue? Watch the full lesson and check out this ongoing series by clicking through this episode or by going to holylanguage.com > Learn > Mishnah Snapshots.