Alpha And Omega

[changed]

I was having fun with wiki articles again. While contemplating a "development of the Alphabet" chart (that is unfortunately not on the internet, and I'm not sure where we got this chart from) We learned the following:

what I just posted in wiki:

http://en.wikipedia....and_Omega#Greek

Greek

The Greek letter Alpha is derived from the picture of the head of an ox and was used to symbolize strength, leadership, and power. The Aleph can therefore be connotative of the omnipotence, or power, of God. The Greek letter Omega is derived from an "O" which originally came from a picture of an eye. The circle that is broken open on one side represents an eye that is opened, as in "your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods" in Gen 3:5. The Omega can therefore be used to symbolize God as being "all knowing", or omniscient.^[6].

Does anyone have a better link for a alphabet development chart that talks about the ancient meanings of the pictures? the #6 link was what came up for me, and you can see that it is an eye, and an Ox head, but it doesn't really go into the full meaning of those.

Also, while cruising through another article:

http://en.wikipedia....Heavenly_Mother

Ascended Master Teachings

In the Ascended Master Teachings, a group of religions based on Theosophy, the Heavenly Mother is called Omega.

I thought that was pretty interesting -

Aleph, or Alpha = the male component of God, which entails power/strength/leadership

Omega - opened eye - all knowing = the female component of God? lady wisdom?

Has anyone else written about that?

In Eden, Eve was the one who was willing to take the first bite, the one who sought after knowledge...

sorry, late night pondering. If anyone has a better link to use, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Edited February 2, 2013 by changed

[telnetd]

In Eden, Eve was the one who was willing to take the first bite, the one who sought after knowledge...

Eve was seeking more than just knowledge. She was tempted by the idea of becoming

a god herself. Gaining knowledge/wisdom is not against the wish of God. But following

Satan's way produces evil.

Gail

[Calm]

Does anyone have a better link for a alphabet development chart that talks about the ancient meanings of the pictures? the #6 link was what came up for me, and you can see that it is an eye, and an Ox head, but it doesn't really go into the full meaning of those.

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/alphabet.html

[thesometimesaint]

Eve was seeking more than just knowledge. She was tempted by the idea of becoming

a god herself. Gaining knowledge/wisdom is not against the wish of God. But following

Satan's way produces evil.

Gail

God confirmed that Adam and Eve had become Gods, knowing good from evil. Eve's transgression was in partaking of the fruit without Gods' permission.

[Maidservant]

Wow.

Well, if you have Alpha as the 'active' element (omnipotence)--you have yang.

If you have Omega as the 'resting' element (omniscience or omnipresence)--you have yin.

Pretty cool HOWEVER I resist on the insistence of yang/yin (alpha/omega) having 100 percent gender significance and one-to-one correspondence.

But still actually that's a bit of a wow.

I am alpha and omega.

[Ahab]

For a while I've thought of the Alpha aspect pretty much like it is in a wolf pack. The Alpha is the dominant one, or the Leader of the pack, even though others in the pack can be leaders for some of the others as they all follow the Alpha.

I'm still not quite sure what to think about the Omega role, though. I'm leaning toward the idea that the Omega is the ultimate follower, with attributes gained by following the one being followed, while still being a leader to some others. Like how our Lord is the ultimate follower of our heavenly Father, following him better than all of the rest of us, while still being a leader to all of the rest of us.

With this input now I'm thinking maybe the Omega represents the female role, too, and I say too because our Lord is both Alpha and Omega so it appears the Omega role can be held by a male as well as a female.

[changed]

... the Omega is the ultimate follower, ...

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:11 - 12

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.Matthew 19:30

the image of God is both male and female

...in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=1&v=27&t=KJV#conc/27

'elohiym - some say this is plural (the "m" ending in Hebrew is like our "s")

bara' - organize/transform

adam - human race

tselem - in the image of

'elohiym - God(s)

bara' - organize

zakar - to remember, recall, or call to mind, memorial of parents (patriarchal line)

nĕqebah - female with interesting root word - http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5344&t=KJV

naqab - to pierce, to be pricked off, be designated, be specified

bara' -

[Maidservant]

nĕqebah - female with interesting root word - http://www.bluelette...ngs=H5344&t=KJV

naqab - to pierce, to be pricked off, be designated, be specified

Crucifixion

Rib

curse AND appointed?

can appoint be anoint ish?

designated for what?

has nothing to do with men/women per se (or an additional axis of meaning not dependent on gender)

but with human race/someone appointed out of the human race

a Christology

also see "seed of the woman", same symbolic structure

see also the passage where woman is presented as helpmeet--also a Christology as the helpmeet to the human race (Eve to Adam)

or?????

= = = = = =

Sorry, this will make sense to no one, this was my stream of consciousness at being presented with this. Decided to write it like it came instead of finding grammar.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Maidservant

[Ahab]

Crucifixion

Rib

curse AND appointed?

can appoint be anoint ish?

designated for what?

has nothing to do with men/women per se (or an additional axis of meaning not dependent on gender)

but with human race/someone appointed out of the human race

a Christology

also see "seed of the woman", same symbolic structure

see also the passage where woman is presented as helpmeet--also a Christology as the helpmeet to the human race (Eve to Adam)

or?????

= = = = = =

Sorry, this will make sense to no one, this was my stream of consciousness at being presented with this. Decided to write it like it came instead of finding grammar.

Okay, but can you translate it now for someone like me who doens't quite get what you were thinking as you wrote this?

I mean, if it's not too much trouble for you.

[Maidservant]

Crucifixion

Rib

curse AND appointed?

can appoint be anoint ish?

designated for what?

has nothing to do with men/women per se (or an additional axis of meaning not dependent on gender)

but with human race/someone appointed out of the human race

a Christology

also see "seed of the woman", same symbolic structure

see also the passage where woman is presented as helpmeet--also a Christology as the helpmeet to the human race (Eve to Adam)

or?????

= = = = = =

Sorry, this will make sense to no one, this was my stream of consciousness at being presented with this. Decided to write it like it came instead of finding grammar.

I will try although it normally takes me days, weeks, months and years to gel and make all the other associations I am in possession of to see if it fits or not and what it confirms, expands or causes to change direction. Only then am I able to present it in a shareable way.

But my attempt at this point:

But having been presented with the Hebrew word neqebah and it's meaning to pierce, my mind immediately goes to the crucifixion so this alerts me that there is some possible Christology in this passage, or additional Christology that I never saw before. To be pricked off and designated puts me in mind of the passage regarding Eve being made from the Rib, to the degree that to say "female" is to SAY "rib" and to say "rib" is to SAY "female" (or I wonder at this--not confirmed, just part of the cloud question). So that by the time you have said FEMALE, RIB, HELPMEET and a few other things, then the passage has been symbolically redundant in at least two directions: regarding the woman or regarding Eve; and regarding Christ as represented by Eve. If you take Adam AS the Human Race (NOT man or husband or male) and you present to ADAM an HELPMEET (EVE), you present to the HUMAN RACE (ADAM) a CHRIST (EVE)--like man, but pierced, designated, appointed, separated off.

Hm, I don't know if this is clearer or worse, and this isn't all, but there's a bit.

[Maidservant]

Is this neqebah related to the word used for what Muslim women can wear called Niqab? Or not the same at all? (=set apart)

[Ahab]

Hm, I don't know if this is clearer or worse, and this isn't all, but there's a bit.

Very interesting for me to see your mind work in that way. I think I got some and understood what I got.

Some points I'd add to that are that RIB equates to from him and from his side which symbolizes how she was his equal (not above him as his head or below him as his feet) and that the Christology effect (if that's a good term) actually brings us all back together in union with God as joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, as well as separated off into our own familes with men having women as spouses.

I don't believe we were joined to a spouse before we came to this phase of our existence. Do you? To me that's one of the most beautiful and wonderful blessings we're given here, or at least I feel lthat way about having my own spouse. I don't ever have to be alone as just a single man again. And I would never want to be, even if I could be as perfect as our Father in heaven without that blessing. And then on top of that we can have children too. I don't think it can get any better than that.

And all the while we'll be followers, and we'll also be leaders. To me that's Alpha and Omega in one. As of now, I am an us, or a we, and I often speak that way too, since my wife is now one with me and we do things together.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Ahab

[Ahab]

Is this neqebah related to the word used for what Muslim women can wear called Niqab? Or not the same at all? (=set apart)

Is that symbolic of the veil we speak of, where (mortal) eye has not seen nor (mortal) ear heard (all of) what good things await those who truly love God? Marriage is what they think allows someone to begin to receive those things, in their belief system, I think.

[changed]

Marriage is what they think allows someone to begin to receive those things...

If we're going to have fun with words, here's some Greek words:

Wife - gynē - http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1135

Probably from the base of γίνομaι (G1096) ginomai which means "to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being, to arise, of miracles, performed, finished..."

It is interesting to see where words are derived from, what is connected to what, the symbolism of the pictures that make the letters... you see something and call it some name, but then you start really thinking about what that name means, and what that concept really is - the reality behind the symbol that attempts to describe it...

[Maidservant]

as well as separated off into our own familes with men having women as spouses.

I like this.

I don't believe we were joined to a spouse before we came to this phase of our existence. Do you?

Honestly? I don't know. I had accepted that but in these times I am not sure, especially since I sometimes toy with the multiple mortal probation idea. And sometimes it feels like I left my 'husband' 'back there', and this planet is a personal project of mine. But it seems likely without further knowing anything else, and heaven knows I have a big imagination. Certainly that celestial unity we are all going for--we are going to get that in a spouse and our children. Or at least by practice; then maybe we can extend it to everyone.

I don't think it can get any better than that.

Me neither, but haven't experienced it yet, at least in this life.

all the while we'll be followers, and we'll also be leaders. To me that's Alpha and Omega in one. As of now, I am an us, or a we, and I often speak that way too, since my wife is now one with me and we do things together.

Haven't thought of things on the follower/leader axis of things, but it makes sense when you say it. I think I'll ponder that more.

Is that symbolic of the veil we speak of, where (mortal) eye has not seen nor (mortal) ear heard (all of) what good things await those who truly love God? Marriage is what they think allows someone to begin to receive those things, in their belief system, I think.

Wow. Veil of the temple and ALL that, Veil of life, Veil over our minds. Yah. Separated, mortal, pierced. Wow. I am going to be thinking about this for a long time. And which if u think of it, there are TWO veils in the temple (well three). The veil (garment) we wear corresponding to the veil in the temple whole. And where is the third veil (also corresponding to the other two)?

If we're going to have fun with words, here's some Greek words:

Wife - gynē - http://www.bluelette...m?Strongs=G1135

Probably from the base of γίνομaι (G1096) ginomai which means "to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being, to arise, of miracles, performed, finished..."

It is interesting to see where words are derived from, what is connected to what, the symbolism of the pictures that make the letters... you see something and call it some name, but then you start really thinking about what that name means, and what that concept really is - the reality behind the symbol that attempts to describe it...

Wow. Encapsulates the Genesis passages of the creation of woman.

[changed]

Nature - comes from the latin word natura, from natus, past participle of nasci which means "to be born"

in Hebrew:

Adamah = Earth

Adamu = to make

dam = blood

This is a great link: http://www.ldswomenofgod.com/?p=121

Adam in Hebrew is pronounced: ‘adam and looks like this:

אדם

The Aleph, א, as the first character in the Hebrew alphabet represents God himself, who is the One or should be number one in our lives. (Ox = power/strength/leadership)

The Dalet, ד, represents man or mankind.

The Mem, ם, represents the world, or water, which is mostly covered by water.

Reading from right to left then, Adam means leaving the presence of God and all of us, man or mankind, coming down to the earth as mortal beings. Adam fell that man might be! We become mortal knowing good from evil. Adam instigates the Plan of Salvation for all of us.

On a side note, the last two characters in Adam, דם, are pronounced dam and it means blood in Hebrew. Blood is the symbol of mortality. By removing the Aleph, א, or God in our lives we become mortal, or subject to death. So, Adam in Hebrew has further meaning.

Eve in Hebrew is pronounced: hava and looks like this:

חוה

The Chet, ח, represents a sacred or holy enclosure, the most important of which is the Holy of Holies, or the temple, or the presence of God.

The Vav, ו, represents the veil of the temple.

The Hey, ה, represents the spirit or the name of Christ.

Reading from right to left then, Eve means the other end of the Plan of Salvation, returning to the presence of God by passing through the veil where Christ and His spirit dwells. Eve’s name also represents the closeness to the spirit that women inherently have, through their divine nature, to become more like Him.

Hence, Adam’s name is the beginning of the Plan of Salvation and Eve’s, the destination of the Plan that we all hope for. Only together as man and woman unified, sealed and working together in faith and good works, can they both make it together.

[volgadon]

There is a much simpler explanation for the etymology of neqebah, but it isn't as pretty. Not to be coarse or vulgar, but the root NQB is used for a hole, a tunnel, a mine, a cavity, or an opening, so you can tell what part of the reproductive anatomy it references.

[changed]

There is a much simpler explanation for the etymology of neqebah, but it isn't as pretty. Not to be coarse or vulgar, but the root NQB is used for a hole, a tunnel, a mine, a cavity, or an opening, so you can tell what part of the reproductive anatomy it references.

Yes, women are the cradle of life, you can say that poetically or not. I like the symbolism of Eve

Chet

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Chet/chet.html

Vav:

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Vav/vav.html

Hey:

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Hey/hey.html

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

Hey volga, do you have any recommendations for good websites to learn Biblical Hebrew? I've been wanting to try to teach myself, and I'm too dang poor to afford classes.

[volgadon]

Hey volga, do you have any recommendations for good websites to learn Biblical Hebrew? I've been wanting to try to teach myself, and I'm too dang poor to afford classes.

I don't offhand, but I'll look later toight.

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

I don't offhand, but I'll look later toight.

Thanks! (No hurry, btw.)

[changed]

Hey volga, do you have any recommendations for good websites to learn Biblical Hebrew? I've been wanting to try to teach myself, and I'm too dang poor to afford classes.

If you (or anyone out there) live in the Houston area, I know someone who teaches Hebrew for only $20/class - she's Jewish, so it's the Torah part (rather than the entire Bible) but it's interesting!