The Mystery Of The Semites | Jonathan Cahn Sermon

The Mystery Of The Semites | Jonathan Cahn Sermon

In a profound moment in Scripture, God identifies Himself with letters of the alphabet. This revelation occurs in the final book and chapter of the Bible—Revelation—where God declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.”

This statement invites us to delve deeper into the original languages of the Bible, which were primarily written in Hebrew and Greek. Understanding these languages uncovers layers of meaning often lost in English translations. Today, we’ll explore the origins of the alphabet and its profound connection to the Bible’s message.

The Origins of the Alphabet

The word “alphabet” itself originates from the Greek term “alpha-beta”, representing the first two letters of the Greek alphabet. However, its roots go even deeper, tracing back to the Semitic peoples, including the Hebrews, Phoenicians, and other ancient groups.

The term “Semite” refers to the descendants of Shem, the son of Noah. Semitic languages, such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Phoenician, share a common linguistic heritage. For instance, the Phoenicians, who lived in the region now known as Lebanon, played a pivotal role in shaping the alphabet. Their script heavily influenced the Greeks, who adapted and passed it down to the Romans and eventually to the Western world.

Decoding the Letters: From Symbols to Sounds

In ancient Semitic scripts, letters weren’t just arbitrary symbols—they were pictorial representations of real-world objects. For example:

• Aleph (Alpha): The Hebrew letter Aleph, which became Alpha in Greek, means “ox.” The original symbol resembled the head of an ox, with horns prominently displayed. If you tilt the modern letter “A” on its side, it resembles this ancient depiction. The “A” sound stems from the Hebrew word for ox, aleph.
• Bet (Beta): The Hebrew letter Bet, which became Beta, means “house.” Its original pictogram looked like a house’s floor plan, evolving over time into the modern “B.” This connection explains why Bet signifies “house” in Hebrew, as seen in words like Bethlehem (“House of Bread”) and Bethany.
• Dalet (Delta): The Hebrew letter Dalet, meaning “door,” originated from a triangular shape resembling a tent door. Over time, this symbol evolved into the Greek Delta and later the letter “D” in the Roman alphabet.

The Bible and the Alphabet

The New Testament, written in Greek, conveys Hebrew concepts and faith through Greek linguistic structures. Similarly, the alphabet’s journey—from ancient Hebrew to Greek to modern languages—reveals a fascinating connection between faith and language.

These letters are more than just tools for writing; they carry deep symbolic meaning tied to their origins. Understanding the alphabet’s biblical and linguistic roots opens a window into the richness of God’s Word and its enduring impact on human history.

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