posted January 11, 2011 01:27 PM            

The answer to this depends on whether or not you translate the Hebrew language precisely, as the Hebrew/Aramaic words for Heavenly Mother/Goddess [Eloahh and Elahh] appear at least 131 times in reference to God in the Old Testament. If the English and German Bibles had first been translated by Catholic or Orthodox scholars, who have always believed in a Mother in Heaven, perhaps she would be common knowledge today. But the first translations of the Bible were accomplished by anti-Catholics, and the Protestant influence against the Catholic corruptions and worship of the Virgin has had such a strong and lasting influence that the Hebrew Goddess of the Old Testament has become unknown among traditional Christians.

However, assuming that you believe that the scriptures really mean what they say, there are many verses in the Old Testament where our Heavenly Mother is well-described, and even verses where she counsels us and gives us wise advice. We will now consider those following significant verses whose deeper meanings seem to have been so much ignored for so long by so many Bible scholars.

Throughout the book of Proverbs is mentioned a certain feminine entity, the Hebrew word represented in alpha characters as ‘Chokmah’ and translated into the English word ‘Wisdom’. When you consider that there are numerous other Hebrew words used throughout the Old Testament to denote wisdom, such words as sekel, tushiyah, leb, biynah, chakam, tabuwn, ormah, and teham, all signifying wisdom in its various aspects, it becomes significant to note that the one word ‘Chokmah’ is used in such a special way as to represent a divine feminine being with very singular qualities. The following examples are presented for consideration:

In Proverbs 1:20 to 2:2 she is represented as a compassionate feminine spirit-being that is a bearer of knowledge and understanding and who is concerned for the ignorance and stubborn nature of man and continually offers to all mankind the safety of her wise words of counsel and invites her children to escape destruction and desolation through hearkening to her words and understanding with their hearts:

1:20 “Wisdom [Chokmah] crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
1:21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love
simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make
known my words unto you. 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;"

We learn much more about this goddess when we consider the words found later, in Proverbs 8:22-36, where we learn that from the beginning this feminine being was with the creator, she was his companion even before he began his creation of the earth; that she was already with him when he was preparing the heavens. She was ‘as one brought up together with him’; and she was his daily delight, rejoicing with him in the earth and delighting in the children of men. She asks her children to hearken unto her and they will be blessed if they keep her ways and wait daily for her instruction. Those that do so will find life, but all those that reject her damage their souls and desire death.

8:22 "The LORD possessed [Hebrew–qanah –kä-nä’ –get, acquire, obtain] me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."

However, as previously mentioned above, there is another name used in many places in the Old Testament to identify this Goddess consort of our Heavenly Father. In order to adequately discuss her further, we must first consider the four distinct Hebrew words found in the Old Testament that are all translated into the one English word, ‘god’:

1. ‘El’, meaning the strong, mighty, a mighty one, a hero, and is usually used together with the adjectives ‘Most High’ or ‘Almighty God’, when referring to the one divine being that we commonly think of as ‘God the Father’]. This word occurs 213 times in the Old Testament.

2. ‘Elowahh’ or ‘Eloahh’, the ‘El’ root above modified with ‘ahh’ feminine suffix, meaning by implication ‘Goddess’ or perhaps ‘Mother in Heaven’ It has 52 occurrences in the Old Testament.

3. ‘Elahh’, an Aramaic variation of ‘Eloahh’ above, also meaning Goddess or Mother in Heaven, having 79 occurrences in the Old Testament.
4. ‘Elohiym’ This word was a construction resulting from the combination of the feminine ‘Eloahh with the masculine plural suffix ‘iym, thus creating a name which describes and refers to by implication at least two gods, and of both the masculine and the feminine genders. Thus Elohiym might be interpreted as ‘the God and the Goddess’, or perhaps ‘Father and Mother in Heaven”. It occurs 2,346 times in the Old Testament.

Thus you can see there is a specific Hebrew Goddess mentioned in at least 131 places in the Old Testament (Elowahh 52 times and Elahh 79 times). But the significance and meaning of these verses mentioning this goddess have become gradually obscured over time because the Israelites were specifically assigned by God, the Father to his Son, Jehovah as an inheritance, and so they were commanded by him to worship him above all others (no other Gods before me).

Some very revealing verses to consider in the assignment of Israel to Jehovah, in this regard can be found at Deuteronomy 32:8-9, which explains:

”When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the LORD's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.”

This reveals that there was a time when the Most High God (Hebrew-El) divided the nations, separating the various racial descendants of Adam, setting their boundaries, and taking into consideration the size of the nation of Israel. He then assigns to the LORD (YHWH or Jehovah) who is his son, the people of Jacob (Israelites) for his inheritance.

This scripture also provides a rather obvious illustration of the fact that the Most High God and Jehovah are two distinct beings. Then the Christian translators have compounded the confusion in our understanding of the nature of the gods by interpreting the feminine words for ‘Goddess’ [Eloahh and Elahh] into the English masculine word, ‘God’.

But now consider that final word for God, ‘Elohiym’, which occurs 2,346 times in the OT, far more than the others. This perhaps implies that it is most important that we should ultimately learn to worship God as ‘Heavenly Mother and Father’ together. This concept is especially illuminating when considering the meaning of Genesis 1:27 which as now interpreted into English says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Using the correct grammatical interpretation this verse would be translated to say, “So the God and the Goddess [or Heavenly Father and Mother] created mankind in their own image; male and female created they them”

Let us now return to consider more of those scriptures in Proverbs using the Hebrew name ‘Chokmah’ to refer to our Heavenly Mother. You can see that she is described there as such a compelling advocate of truth, understanding, knowledge, justice, judgment, equity and instruction that, since ancient times her name has become a synonymous with one of the Hebrew meanings for ‘wisdom’.

However, much depiction is also given of her love for mankind and her continuous desire to reach her children with proper instruction and understanding. As you read the following verses, notice that the pronoun used for ‘understanding’ is always ‘it’, connoting a concept, while the pronouns used when referring to ‘wisdom’ are usually ‘she’ and ‘her’, and ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘my’, which connote a ‘living being’.:

In Proverbs 3:13-18 we are instructed that having an ongoing relationship with her is worth more than earthly treasure and is the way to long life, happiness wealth and peace:

3:13 "Happy is the man that findeth Wisdom [Chokmah], and the man that getteth understanding. 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her."

In Proverbs 4:5-13 we are advised to seek a relationship with her and to be faithful to her, to love her and exalt her, to listen to her and let her teach us and allow her to guide us. We are promised that if we do these things she will preserve us, bring us honor, allow us a long life, and lead us in the right path.

4:5 "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 4:7 Wisdom [Chokmah] is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. 4:12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life."

In Proverbs 8:1-11 we are instructed that this goddess Chokmah, puts forth her voice and calls to all the children of men in all places to listen and understand with their hearts and she will teach them of that which is excellent and right and true, that she only speaks righteousness and never wickedness. She says that those that seek understanding and knowledge rather than riches will find that her words are true and easy to understand and beyond compare:

8:1 "Doth not Wisdom [Chokmah] cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."

In Proverbs 8:12-21 we learn that she lives prudently and seeks after that which is clever, that she and the Lord both hate evil, pride, arrogance and the rebellious; she is wise, understanding and strong; and she allows princes, kings and nobles to rule with justice; that those who seek her early shall find her and obtain riches and honor and righteousness and she shall lead them in paths of judgment and promises treasure to those that love her:

8:12 "I wisdom [Chakmowth] dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures."

We also find in the New Testament certain occasions when the word ‘Wisdom’ is used by our Saviour to refer to His [and our] Mother in Heaven. When Jesus found himself harshly judged in the face of his good works, he made reference to ‘Wisdom’ [Greek –Sophia]as his mother, and the mother of mankind, saying:

“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But Wisdom is justified of her children.” (Matt.11:19; Luke 7:34-35)

posted January 14, 2011 11:52 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Prince:
The purpose of my post is to explain what the Bible actually tells us about the Supreme Being, or in other words, the truth according to the biblical God. It is not my purpose to address all of the infinite theories and personal non-biblical 'truths' about a supreme being. If you don't believe in the Bible then what I post is probably irrelevant to you.

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You asked a question and I gave you the answer.