Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
The translation of 'Amad as Baptise
#1
Peace,

The root word that is usually translated as baptize, baptism or submerge (or similiar word) is ayin-meem-dalet.
This word is used extensively in the Old Testament and in Arabic with the definition of stand, remain, endure, etc., standing place, pillar, column and the like.

This is from the Theological Word Book of the Old Testament:

1637 - 'amad

Hebrew Word: 'amad
Strong's Cross Reference: 5975
Definition: stand, remain, endure, etc.

Derivative TWOT Number: 1637a
Derivative Transliteration: 'omed
Derivative Strong's Cross Reference: 5977
Derivative Definition: standing place.

Derivative TWOT Number: 1637b
Derivative Transliteration: 'emda
Derivative Strong's Cross Reference: 5979
Derivative Definition: standing ground (Mic_1:11).

Derivative TWOT Number: 1637c
Derivative Transliteration: 'ammud, 'amm??d
Derivative Strong's Cross Reference: 5982
Derivative Definition: pillar, column.

Derivative TWOT Number: 1637d
Derivative Transliteration: ma'amad
Derivative Strong's Cross Reference: 4612
Derivative Definition: attendance.

Derivative TWOT Number: 1637e
Derivative Transliteration: mo'omad
Derivative Strong's Cross Reference: 4613
Derivative Definition: standing ground, foothold (Psa_69:3).

This basic term for "stand, " cognate to Akkadian emedu "to lean against, stand, place, " and Arabic 'amada "to prop up, support, " is very common in the Hebrew OT (used over five hundred times). Synonyms include: yasab, Hithpael, "to take one's stand"; kun, Niphal, "to stand firm, fast"; nasab, Niphal "to stand, stand firm;" and qum, "to stand up, get up."

The verb 'amad is used so extensively in the OT of the physical act of standing as to preclude a complete analysis in this work, but the reader is referred to the full categorizations in BDB and KB. Attention should be given to certain key passages, particularly those with significant theological import, one such expression is "to stand before Yahweh, " used, for example, of Abraham in Gen_18:22 (cf. Gen_19:27) and Moses in Deu_4:10 (cf. Jer_15:1, of Moses and Samuel). "To stand before Yahweh" (construed with lipne [q.v.]) in these instances is a posture of prayer and intercession. That men have felt a need for Yahweh's help is not surprising. But the fact that men may "stand" before the Creator of eternity and make intercession is utterly remarkable. It is important to add, however, the observation of E. Jacob that such intercession is not at all magical, nor is there an automatic answer from God to the petitioner. He writes, "Whether intercession is useless because of the greatness of the sin or pardon is impossible because of the absence of intercession (Eze_22:30; Isa_59:16), it is important to notice that it depends on the divine liberty and that no human device can bring about God's pardon"(jtot, p. 296).

Another nuance to the expression, "to stand before Yahweh, " is afforded by a passage such as Deu_19:17. In this context litigants "shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days" (cf, Jer_7:10). Such presentation was for judgment. Standing before Yahweh and his ministers in the sanctuary portends the ascertaining of truth and justice, At times the nation as a whole was called to come to the central sanctuary and "stand before Yahweh" in solemn assemblies for sacrificial acts (e.g. Lev_9:5). Servants of Yahweh "stand before him" as an expression of dedication, allegiance, and servitude. This terminology is used of priests (e.g. Eze_44:15), and particularly of genuine believers during the period of Israel's decline and apostasy (Elijah, 1Ki_17:1; 1Ki_18:15; Elisha, 2Ki_3:14; and Gehazi [with reluctance], 2Ki_5:16).

As Joseph stood before Pharaoh (Gen_41:46), David before Saul (1Sa_16:21), Abishag and Bathsheba before David (1Ki_1:2, 1Ki_1:28), and Nebuzaradan before Nebuchadnezzar (Jer_52:12); so the believer stands before Yahweh in a position of obedience, respect, and readiness to serve. Such a position is noble in proportion to the majesty of the one served, When a person stands before Yahweh for service, there is no higher honor to which he may aspire.

A crucial use of the verb 'amad, the subject of perennial debate, is in the controverted "long day" of Jos_10:12-13; a day unlike any other, .. when Yahweh listened to the voice of a man, for Yahweh fought for Israel" (Jos_10:14). R. D. Wilson explained long ago that the use of 'amad (coupled to dom) in vv. 12-13 refers not to a prolongation of the day, but to a cessation from the heat and light of the sun; that is, an eclipse coupled to a storm. The defeat of the enemy was completed not in the midst of a very long, hot day, but in the darkness of a storm. On this point, see H. J. Blair in NBC, rev. ed., p. 244, and J. Rae in WBC, p. 218. D. Patten, following a lead from 1. Velikovsky, associates the phenomenon with a close fly-by of a heavenly body.

'omed. Place, standing place, stood upright. (ASV, RSV similar.) A masculine noun found with a governing proposition and pronominal suffix in late OT Wrkings (nine times in Dan, Neh, and 2Chr.).

'emda. Standing. (ASV "stay, " RSV "standingplace, " NASB "SUPPORT.") A feminine noun found only in Mic_1:11.

'ammud, 'ammud. Pillar (ASV, RSV, "pillar, column, post"). A very common noun (110 times in the OT), used of pillars supporting buildings (e.g. Jdg_16:25), the bronze pillars of the temple (1Ki_7:15), and the pillar of cloud and fire in Yahweh's theophany (e.g. Exo_14:24).

The masculine noun 'ammud "pillar, column, " is used of structural, supporting pillars; bronze (monumental) upright columns; vaporous columns of smoke, fire, and cloud; and in figurative expressions of the "supports" of earth and heaven (see Psa_75:3 [H 4]; Job_9:6). Pillars for thestructural support of the roofs of great buildings were used from an early period in the ancient near east. The familiar story of Samson's final victory over the Philistines in the palace at Gaza describes how he destroyed the building, killing thousands and himself, by knocking out of place the supporting pillars (Jdg_16:26-30). J. B. Job notes that the archeological evidence from Philistine sites suggests these pillars were of wood, set on stone bases (see "pillar, " NBD, p. 998). Solomon' palace was noted for the four rows of cedar pillars with corresponding cedar beams (1Ki_7:2-36). Earlier, the tabernacle had pillars made of acacia (KJV, "shittim"; Exo_26:32, Exo_26:37; cf. Exo_27:10ff). Pillars are mentioned in the description of Ezekiel's temple (Eze_42:6) and the palace of Ahasuerus (made of marble, Est_1:6).

The temple of Solomon is remarkable in the description of two free-standing pillars made of bronze, named "Jachin" ("he shall establish") and "Boaz" ("in it is strength, " 1Ki_7:13-22). These products of Hiram of Tyre (Huram-abi in 2Ch_2:13) must have been majestic in strength (27 feet high, plus the capitals which were 7.5 feet high), and lovely in beauty (see the description of the capitals in 1Ki_7:17). In 2Ch_3:15 the word for the height of the pillars differs from that in 1Ki_7:17 and may refer to the combined length of the two pillars (see 'ulam "porch"). It may be noted that the text does not specifically say that these pillars were free standing. It may be that they stood at the front corners of the porch. Or, if the porch had closed sides somewhat like a vestibule, they could have ornamented the entryway, dividing it into three openings. This is the way such pillars were used in the government buildings of Megiddo (David Ussishkin, "King Solomon's Palaces, " BA 36.78-105, especially 85,87,98).

Some scholars have suggested that these twin pillars may have contained the sacred fire of the temple with the smoke symbolizing the presence of the Lord (see J. Gray, 1-H Kings, p. 175). In any event, the pillars with their strength, beauty, and symbolic names likely represented the presence of the Lord and the permanence of the Davidic house.

The word 'ammud is also noteworthy in the phrases 'ammud 'anan and 'ammud 'esh, "the pillar of smoke" and "the pillar of fire" (Exo_13:21; cf. Exo_14:24 'ammud'esh we anan, "pillar of fire and smoke"; see the articles on 'esh and 'anan). These visual tokens of the presence of Yahweh in leading, directing, and protecting his people were designed for the comfort of Israel and the consternation of her enemies (see Num_14:13-14). It was in the mysterious pillar of cloud that Yahweh would manifest himself before Moses (Num_12:5; Deu_31:15), and this mysterious manifestation in cloud, smoke, and fire was never forgotten by Israel (e.g. Neh_9:12).

ma'amad. Attendance, office, place, state. (ASV, RSV similar; for RSV add "duty, seating.") A masculine noun which prefixed mem of location; hence, the term speaks of a "place of standing" in the sense of "office" (Isa_22:19) and "service, attendance" (1Ki_10:5).

mo'omad. Standing. (So ASV; RSV, NASB, "foothold, ") Only in Psa_69:2 [H 3], in a figure of distress.

Bibliography: AP-Thomas, D. R., "Notes on Some Terms Relating to Prayer, " VT 6:22541. Patten, Donald W., Hatch, Ronald R., and Steinhauer, Loren C., The Long Day of Joshua and Six Other Catastrophies, Pacific Meridian, 1974. Wilson, Robert Dick, "Understanding 'The Sun Stood Still, ' " Princeton Theological Review 16:46-54; reprinted in W. Kaiser, ed., Classical Evangelical Essays in Old Testament Interpretation, Baker, 1970, pp. 61-65. TDNT, VII, pp. 641-46. THAT, II, pp. 328-31. R.B.A.


So my rhetorical question is: why would the word all of a sudden be translated as baptize/baptism/submerge/sink etc in the gospels?

My best guess is that the Greeks mistranslated it originally and when the Peshitta was translated the translator followed suit.

In Every semitic language the definition is identical.
This definition fits into the context of the verses in the Peshitta as well.

Thoughts?

Peace,
Arnab
Reply
#2
Hi Arnab,

'md is a verb that means means both "to immerse" and "to stand." The primary meaning is in fact "to immerse", the "stand" is a secondary meaning.

Contextually it doesn't make sense to use the "stand" meaning when referring to a body of water.

[Image: amad.jpg]

+Shamasha Paul
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)