Tag: ‘arar – curse – Strong’s H779

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Discussions Torah

Deeper meaning of First Fruits: Give God your first & best (Deuteronomy 26–27)

"Deeper meaning of First Fruits: Give God your first and best (Deuteronomy 26-27)." Adobe Firefly AI image of a woman standing in a vineyard holding a basket full of grain, grapes and other fruit.

The first fruits offering explored in this study of the Torah reading כִּי־תָבוֹא Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:9) reveals God’s desire for our hearts — not just our outward obedience. The narrative reminds us that despite our struggles and feelings of worthlessness, God values us deeply. Tithing further demonstrates how we are to share our blessings with others.

Yet the sobering curses warn that internal rebellion has severe consequences, even to the point of unthinkable acts.

These passages call us to examine our motives and align our hearts with God’s. For when we do, the prophecies of restoration reveal the bountiful blessings that await those who wholeheartedly return to the LORD.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 12-13: Abram fakes out Pharaoh over Sarai; Abram divvies Promised Land with Lot

Studies in Torah

The seemingly strange account of Abram and Sarai faking out Pharaoh is a microcosm of the later Exodus account. Abram and the descendants of Israel initially were welcomed and exalted, but then they were seen as a curse and told to leave, sent away with many gifts and riches.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 9: God blesses Noach and his sons; Noach curses Canaan

This graphic depicts a visual representation of Genesis 9 from the Bible. It features a figure, likely Noah, in the center with three figures, possibly his sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), around him. The text on the right reads: **"Genesis 9: God blesses Noah and his sons; Noah curses Canaan."** The imagery includes a bright sunlit background with flowing clouds, symbolizing divine blessing and covenant. Let me know if you'd like further details or an analysis of Genesis 9.

At first, it’s puzzling why Noach cursed Cana’an for something his father, Ham, did. Is this a generational curse, with the sins of the father being meted out to future generations? Is something else going on here? The answer seems to be in the meaning of the Hebrew words for curse and Cana’an.