Hebrew Root Word Studies - Family

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Father Mother
Son Brother

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The Ancient Pictograph Definition
of the Hebrew word

Father


Ancient
Letter
aleph
Modern
Letter
aleph
Name of
Letter
Aleph

Picture: The head of an ox (bull)

Meaning: A strong and powerful one

Culture:

A nomad had within his herds and flocks, many types of livestock, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys and cattle. Of all these animals, the bull is the strongest and most powerful. To harness this strength, a yoke would be attached to the bull and a load such as a wagon or plow would be attached to the yoke.






Ancient
Letter
Modern
Letter
Name of
Letter
Beyt

Picture: Floor plan of the tent

Meaning: The tent and what is inside it

Culture: This may be a representation of the tent itself, or what is inside the tent (the household) such as the family, servants, possessions, the tent itself and even the livestock. This definition can also be extended to a house or a temple.





Ancient
Word
Modern
Word
Trans-
literation
'awv

Pictures: Strong - Tent

Meaning: The strong one of the family

Culture: The ancient Hebrews understood the "Father" to be the strength of the family, the priest and king.Just as the Ox leads the plow or wagon by his strength, the father's strength leads the family.




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The Ancient Pictograph Definition
of the Hebrew word



Ancient
Letter
Modern
Letter
Name of
Letter
Aleph

Picture: The head of an ox (bull)

Meaning: A strong and powerful one

Culture: A nomad had within his herds and flocks, many types of livestock, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys and cattle. Of all these animals, the bull is the strongest and most powerful. To harness this strength, a yoke would be attached to the bull and a load such as a wagon or plow would be attached to the yoke.





Ancient
Letter
Modern
Letter
Name of
Letter
Mem

Picture: Ripples of Water

Meaning: Water or any water like substance

Culture: Water was a very essential to the nomads life for himself, family, livestock and crops.





Ancient
Word
Modern
Word
Trans-
literation
'em

Pictures: Strong - Water

Meaning: A liquid used to bind together - glue

Culture: Glue was made by placing the hides of animals in a pot of boiling water. As the hide boiled, a thick sticky substance formed at the surface of the water. This substance was removed and used as a binding agent. The Hebrews understood the "mother" to be the glue of the family, the one who binds the family together.




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The Ancient Pictograph Definition
of the Hebrew word



Ancient
Letter
Modern
Letter
Name of
Letter
Beyt

Picture: Floor plan of the tent

Meaning: The tent and what is inside it

Culture: This may be a representation of the tent itself, or what is inside the tent (the household) such as the family, servants, possessions, the tent itself and even the livestock. This definition can also be extended to a house or a temple.





Ancient
Letter
Modern
Letter
Name of
Letter
Nun

Picture: A seed

Meaning: a continuation of life from a seed

Culture: A seed is the beginning of new life which came from the parent plant. This cycle will continue for generation after generation.





Ancient
Word
Modern
Word
Trans-
literation
ben

Pictures: House - Seed

Meaning: The house that continues

Culture: The tents of the ancient Hebrews were made of goat hair. The tent was constructed of 3' strips of goat hair fabric attached together. Each year the older strips are replaced with new ones. Because the tent is continually being renewed the tent can last forever and is passed down from generation after generation. When the family enlarged, the tent was made larger by adding new strips to the tent. The sons born to the father are seen the same as the strips. The sons replace the older members of the family and it is through the sons that the family/house lasts forever.





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The Ancient Pictograph Definition
of the Hebrew word



Ancient
Letter
aleph
Modern
Letter
aleph
Name of
Letter
Aleph

Picture: The head of an ox (bull)

Meaning: A strong and powerful one

Culture:

A nomad had within his herds and flocks, many types of livestock, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys and cattle. Of all these animals, the bull is the strongest and most powerful. To harness this strength, a yoke would be attached to the bull and a load such as a wagon or plow would be attached to the yoke.






Ancient
Letter
Modern
Letter
Name of
Letter
Chet

Picture: A Wall or Fence

Meaning: What is outside of the wall

Culture: The wall of a tent or corral separates and protects what is inside from what is outside such as inclimate weather and predators. (The sound of the "chet" is "ch" as in the German "ich").





Ancient
Word
Modern
Word
Trans-
literation
'ach

Pictures: The Strong Fence

Meaning: A strong one that encircles what is inside.

Culture: One that encircles is seen as a protector. The word 'ach can be a hearth placed around a fire to protect the tent from sparks, and a brother as one who protects the family.

The word "sister" is formed by placing the feminine ending "ot" at the end of the word giving us the word "achot" for sister.






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