Learning to Read
Mary Okkema



Taking a closer look at Genesis in Hebrew, brings questions to mind like, "Haven't we heard this word somewhere else in scripture?" It helps us understand how the disciples would have heard and recognized when Jesus was quoting Old Testament scripture, as He so often did in His teachings.

Familiar words like "ruach" (wind/spirit), "ha-aretz" (earth/ground), and "ha-shamaim" (heavens/sky) from Genesis 1 enhance our appreciation of the creation story. Adam’s rib gets a second glance knowing that the word for “rib” can also mean “one side”. We see the word "basar" (flesh) used for the filling in of Adam's side, is the same word used for the substance of beings used for sacrifices like a bull or ram (as in Deuteronomy 12:27).

The story of the first temptation in Genesis 3 can also be so familiar in our minds, yet when we read it again we see that the word "nahash" (snake, serpent) is repeated over and over as the one doing the talking, and "Satan" is not mentioned. Could other animals speak too at this point?



In English a "bruise" is a minor injury but the Hebrew word here, "shuph", has the action of pounding, which is much more violent.


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