Category: Articles

Paraklesis (G3874) is the Greek word behind “the God of all comfort” – and the same word the KJV also translates “exhortation” and “intreaty.” It never meant soothing. It means someone called to your side.

Nacham (H5162) is the Hebrew word behind “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people” – and behind “it repented the LORD that he had made man.” Same verb, split in two by translators. It doesn’t mean soothing words. It means something turned.

Phobos (G5401) is the Greek word behind “the fear of the Lord” – and before it named an emotion it named a movement: flight, the rout, an army breaking and running. Acts 9:31 then attaches walking to it.

Yirah (H3374) is the Hebrew word behind “the fear of the LORD” – and Hebrew has no separate word for reverence. It is the ordinary word for being afraid, aimed at God. Exodus 20:20 uses both senses of the root in a single verse.

Doulos (G1401) is the Greek word for servant – and it does not mean helper, volunteer, or staff. It is the flat legal word for a slave, the word Paul chose for himself in his first line, and the word Philippians 2 uses for what Christ took on.

Eved (H5650) is the Hebrew word for servant — and it comes from a verb that means to work, to farm, and to worship, all at once. A word study on the pierced ear of Exodus 21, why “servant of the LORD” was the highest title in Israel, and what freedom actually meant.

Basileia (G932) is the Greek word for kingdom — and “the kingdom of heaven” was never the name of a place you go when you die. A word study on Matthew’s substituted word, the two rare Greek words in Luke 17:21, and why “at hand” is in the perfect tense.

Malkuth (H4438) is the Hebrew word for kingdom — but it does not mean a place with borders. It means kingship: reign actually being exercised. A word study on Psalm 145, the abstract ending Hebrew uses, and why “Thy kingdom come” is not a request for territory.

Diatheke (G1242) is the Greek word for covenant — but in ordinary Greek it meant a last will and testament. A word study on the Septuagint’s translation choice, Hebrews 9, and why you are a beneficiary rather than a signatory.

Berit (H1285) is the Hebrew word for covenant — and in Hebrew you never “make” a covenant, you cut one. A word study on Genesis 15, karat berit, and why God walked both halves of the path.