Part-6: Words and Signs

While, we might speculate why Tobit and Ezra’s 2^nd Book were omitted from the Bible Canon, it’s of little surprise when we discover their content in light of history. Ezra provides reliable evidence the exiled tribes were making plans to move out of the land of their captivity. But they took counsel among themselves that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt. (2 Es 13:41) That this is found in the hidden books may provide the answer. Still, there are many ways to trace the migrations of people.

Language

Like the solid evidence of pottery and artefacts; dialect and idiom is also a useful tool. Etymology, the history of words (and language development) shows transference over time to language and speech. A peculiarity of some languages is consonant shift most often found in the Germanic tongue, though vowel shift also occurred. An example is the German word for door; tur pronounced, d-er. In English it is sounded, d-or.

In his work: The Pedigree of the English Peoples (1868) Thomas Nicholas wrote… A comparison of the various languages spoken in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul in the time of Caesar, in so far as their elements are now ascertainable, leads infallibly to the conclusion that those tribes and nations who spoke them, though torn asunder by dissention, and widely separated by locality, constituted substantially but one people.

Britannica contains the following: Scholars often divide the Germanic languages into three groups: West Germanic, including English, German, and Netherlandic (Dutch); North Germanic, including Danish, Swedish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Faroese; and East Germanic, now extinct, comprising only Gothic and the languages of the Vandals, Burgundians and a few other tribes. (Britannica checked/topic/231026/Germanic-languages)

So, we wonder where the root of Germanic and English is found. I can think of none better to answer this enquiry than William Tyndale, who, when publishing his English translation of the Pentateuch in 1530 stated with confidence; ‘…the English tongue agreeth with the Hebrew.’ The traditional Welsh language, Scottish and Irish Gaelic, also French Breton, has its root in this ancient tongue from the East. It is not surprising Gaelic speakers pick up Aramaic and Mid-Eastern languages quicker (on average) than most, much like those raised on the King James Bible more adept in the cadence and rhythms of William Shakespeare.

Flags Banners and Signs

The tradition of visible signs and symbols is another means of tracing origins. Today, we are more familiar with the use of signage than ever before with product branding and labelling. Its primary use is to identify our preferred cereal, coffee, pasta, soap and toothpaste. We recognize a company’s products by combinations of symbol and colour. McDonald’s, Apple, BMW, BP, and Sony are instantly recognizable names and brands.

Equally; States and peoples are quickly identified by ensign and emblem, a process of recognition, which has been around since Old Testament times. Instantly recognized are the flags and colours of the United Kingdom and the United States. Canada, France, Israel, China, Wales and Japan, are good examples of immediate naming through their national symbol. The first written record of a pennant or banner is found in the Old Testament.

And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard… (Numbers 1:52)

It was from the blessings of Jacob and Moses Israel’s tribal banners and flags originated. Each tribe had primary and secondary symbols, emblazoned on their standard. The Hebrew for standard is deh-gel the root for the modern word, decal, which we know is a sign or label. Here are some examples of Israel’s marks of identity found in the world today.

Reuben: a man and water
Simeon and Levi: a sword and fortified gate
Judah: a lion and three lions, the sceptre and the vine
Dan: the snake or serpent, and a horse
Naphtali: a deer or hind;
Gad: a troop of soldiers
Asher: the covered cup or goblet
Issachar: a heavy laden ass
Zebulon: a ship with royal gifts
Ephraim: a bull, ox or unicorn (the accent on horns)
Manasseh: an olive branch and arrows
Benjamin: the wolf

Additional symbols for Judah are the red hand and scarlet cord (from Esau and Jacob) and the Harp of David, most often found in Western Europe, Ireland and Britain. Many of these symbols are incorporated in civil, national and governmental emblems found throughout Western Europe, the UK, the Commonwealth, and the United States. See how many you can find.

When Israel made camp they formed a square with 3 tribes on each side. Each grouping of 3 was known as a brigade; each brigade had a primary tribe as its leader. To the East was Judah; to the South, Reuben; to the West, Ephraim and to the North; Dan. Each side of the square had a Brigade Standard, later found as the four living creatures in the Book of Revelation; they also bring to mind the Gospels.

Judah: the lion (Matthew); Reuben: a man (Luke); Ephraim: an ox or bull (Mark); and Dan: the eagle (John). They are all found in the world today and can be traced back through the centuries to Ancient Israel where they began.

When one understands the ancestry of the people who opened the light of God’s word in Europe and Britain, and then took the Gospel to the world, can we see the hand of the Ever-Living God at work? Can we see the fulfilling of His Covenant with Abraham, affirmed in Isaac and completed in Jacob? Through the generations can we see a fulfilment of the promise in David’s heir and predecessor, the Lord Jesus Christ? …the root and the offspring of David … the bright morning star. (Rev 22:16)

The Covenant with Abraham and his seed is the gift of the LORD. It is about His Word through the prophets and the blessings that come of it. It is about willing sacrifice, prefigured in Isaac, secured by Abraham’s faith. It is seen again in Egypt with the Lamb’s blood as protection against the death of the first born. It is about one family in Christ Jesus. In Romans Eleven, when talking of the dividing of Israel by flesh and spirit, Paul goes on to say:

And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, there shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is my covenant with them, when I have taken away their sins. (Romans 11: 26-27)

The Prophet, Samuel put it this way:

… And thou didst establish to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee forever; and thou, LORD, became their God. (2Samuel 7:24)

Like Moses, Israel was removed and hidden by the LORD. And though the nation was never actually lost, today the people are. These are the lost sheep who deny Jesus, His Gospel and Commands. But for now, in taking the Gospel to the world what can better express the intention of His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, than these loving words uttered by the LORD more than 3000 years ago?

And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Gen 12:3)

Note on Source Material

These six chapters are not an academic work, nor set out to be, rather a conversation and sharing. Consequently many source notes have not been attached. Apart from the Blaney 1769 Revision of King James Bible, and included references within the work, material has been sourced from various places over many years including the following.