Session 8 – Unlocking The Code of Dreams (Hebraic Language)

Hebraic (East) versus Greek (West) Mindsets-ESSENTIAL

Acts 17:22-31

2 major forms of philosophy…..The way we think and see life from. (VISION)

Western-impacted by Greeks (Philosophers) over 3,000 years ago. (1 Corinthians 1:21-25)

1-Hebraic-we have to search for the truth.  Ask questions and be curious.

How do we stretch for the truth?  We NEED the Holy Spirit to lead us and filter.

2-We are to be like the Master. Luke 6:40

A disciple is not above his master.  Matthew 10:24-25

3-We are to Uncover Mysteries-Pshat and Midrash (literal and hidden meaning)

-How the Jews Approached The Torah.  (Literal-contextual and Hidden-Search Out)

-Many want the literal meaning given to us by man with no seeking. Impersonal

–Proverbs 25:2 and Hebrews 11:6

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Eastern-Philosophy of Ancient Age.  Bible written from ancient eastern culture.

Western-Written by Greek Philosophers-Socrates, Aristotle and etc. (Mental Ascent)

Western philosophy combines language, logic, natural science, mathematics, ethics, jurisprudence, politics, aesthetics, theology, draws from tradition.

*Dualism-which places impersonal and non-relational affluence into the practicing of faith.

Hebrew Language-Pictographic-Hieroglyphic Symbols with many different visual meanings.  (1 Hebrew word can have 5 different English translations.)

Hebraic mindset formed per direct revelation from Yahweh thru divine encounter, dialog, paradox, mystery.  All things rooted in the Creator.  More about the HEART than the HEAD.

The Hebrews are known as a doing and feeling people!  Hebrew language is called a language of the senses as it has few abstract terms woven in. **Emotional Intelligence)

*Hebrew Word Ayil-An oak tree and a ram. (Gen 22:13 and Isa 1:29)

*Use the same word as they function the same and denote hardness.

**How Hebrews Perceive Time**

The word for yesterday (past) comes from a root word that means “in front”

Hebrew word for tomorrow means “behind”

From a Hebrew Perspective the past is in the front and the future is behind.  Just like in our culture we right from left to right they write from right to left. (Backwards) (Kingdom is upside down)

**Concrete versus Abstract** (Concrete-everything is to be experienced)

-Concrete-something you can hear, see, smell, feel or touch. (Visual Scene)

-Psalm 1:3-Tree, Streams of Water, Fruit, Leaf, Wither. (All Concrete)

-Abstract-not something brought to mind you can see, feel, taste smell or touch.

-Psalm 92-Steadfast and Faithfulness. (Looks like something-Hebrew-Parables)

-Psalms 103:8-Compassionate, Anger and Love-Abstract words for Concrete original words. (Chesed Story and Dream-Israel) (Storks)

*Every abstract thought per the Hebrews rooted in concrete thinking. (Nouns and Verbs)

*Faithfulness-something that is steady and unwavering.

-Hebrews have no direction of left or right (abstract terms of direction) but instead direction is always in relation to topography “toward the forest” or “toward the river”.

-N, S, E, W-Exodus 38:9-13.  S-Desert region, N-Unknown region, W-Med Sea, E-Region of the Rising Sun.

**Static vs. Dynamic**

In Hebrew all things are in motion including verbs and nouns.  The verb malak is “the reign of the king” while the noun melek is “the king who reigns.”

Exodus 20:3-Have no gods before me.  Hebraic thought says do not bring another one of power in front of your face.

**Passive vs. Active Descriptions**

-Western Culture-Describe people by their physical appearance. (height, weight, color)

-We use adjectives to describe things in the west.  Hebrews described by the user.

**Impersonal versus Personal**

-Hebrew pencil-I write with it.

-Greek Culture-very impersonal with objects and environment around us.

-My God is Good (His relationship with Himself)…….yet the Hebrew would say that My God is good to me (Personal)

-Personal-relational to the writer. (Acts 17) (Stoic) (Separates feelings and emotions)

**Linear versus Block Logic** (See notes)

Greek thinker-Linear logic that flows in step from a beginning to an end, rational faction. Coherent (Theory and Logic) and Chronological order.

Hebrew/Block Logic-groups things together according to similarities.  Genesis and not very Chronological……Big Picture-Kingdom

The Power of Observation and Luke 17:20.  

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation

-Past-Future (Chronos), Future-Past (Hebrew Mindset).  The Past can be seen and known as the future cannot be seen nor known.

The Beginning-Genesis-Ways to look at these 6 days:

1-Separation-3 days of Separating

2-Filling-3 days of Filling

First 6 days written in Blocks of Parallels.

Language controls our thoughts.  Very important to dream culture and understanding spiritual things.

Hebrews write right to left……backwards to everyone else.  (All west left to right)

*Everything points to God.

Greek and Hebrew are completely opposite to one another in every way.

Hebrew day starts at dusk/sunset, Gentiles start in the morning.

World goes from light to darkness but one nation goes from darkness to LIGHT!

*With God everything gets brighter!

Sin to Redemption, Crucifixion to Resurrection, Death to Life.

**Hebrew Psychology**

Hebrews look at the big picture.  (Picture of a deer standing in the middle of a grove”

Westerners see the dear while easterners see the grove.)

Gentile Mindset Hebrew Mindset

Chaos Patterns

Linear Cyclical

Progressive Prophetic

Evolutionary Revolutionary 

Impersonal Personal

Talk Oriented Action Oriented

Philosophical Practical-Faith+Works

Do you live day to day or do you live in cycles or rhythms?

Do you see yourself climbing a stairway to your future? Or do you believe the way you treat God is the way life treats you? He sets the laws in motion.  Sowing ad Reaping.

Do you leave your parents behind in an old folks home or do you believe the way you treat your family is one day how you will be treated?  Sowing and Reaping.

Are you independent or are you under authority, Do you believe you are your own boss?  You must first be under authority before you have authority.  Linear thinkers in greek culture question authority. (Rebellion-Orphans-gentile thinking)

Life isn’t compartmentalized-Gentile, Life is Holistic-whole/Hebrew

Fighting injustice or finding the Justice of God.

In the west your way has to be right but in the east it works on forgiveness. 

Parables, Riddles, Dark Sayings, Mysteries, Enigmas.  Very little is literal and much is symbolic with dreams.

No coincidences-Jeremiah and the Potters Wheel*Jeremiah 18.1-12-Patterns

When we use a word like “name,” we focus in on how it is written and pronounced.

I will tell of thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee. (Psalm 22:23)

What does it mean to “tell someone about another’s name?” Does it mean to tell others how to write or pronounce the name? From a Western perspective yes, but from a Hebraic perspective a name is much more than its pronunciation; it is the character of the individual, his ethics, workmanship, attitude, dependability, resourcefulness, compassion, honor, etc. When the Bible teaches us to “tell others the name of Yahweh,” it isn’t telling us to teach others how to write or pronounce it correctly; it is telling us to teach Yahweh’s character.

*Ancient Hebrew Research Center-Referenced Jeff A Benner

*All of the notes referenced per His research.