Category Archives: JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS

ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, Who or what is “Ariel” in Isaiah 29?, Who or what is “Ariel” in Isaiah 29?

Who or what is “Ariel” in Isaiah 29?

WHO OR WHAT IS “ARIEL” IN ISAIAH 29?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Who or what is “Ariel” in Isaiah 29? “[1] Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. [2] Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel …. [7] And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition [stronghold, fort], and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.”

The context clue, of course, is found in verse 1. “Ariel” is a city, or, specifically, “the city where David dwelt.” This is none other than Jerusalem, whose Hebrew symbolic name here means “lion of God.” Jerusalem is likened unto a mighty lion, majestic and unconquered. Nevertheless, Gentile soldiers will attack and she will be humbled. This could be a reference to either Assyrian King Sennacherib (701 B.C.) or Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (606–586 B.C.), but it is definitely the Antichrist’s armies in the ages to come. Isaiah chapters 10, 30, 36–37, and 39 describe the Gentile troops targeting Jerusalem for its heathen idolatry, but how the LORD spares the city from total ruin. These historical events loop ahead to the Battle of Armageddon, when the Antichrist’s allies assemble to destroy Jerusalem. However, Jesus Christ returns at His Second Coming to defend Ariel and overcome her assailants!

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:1-4).

Also see:
» What is “Huzzab” in Nahum 2:7?
» Who or what are the 10 “toes” or “horns” or “crowns” associated with the Antichrist?
» Who are the “Cherethites” and “Pelethites?”

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DENOMINATIONS, CULTS, & FALSE TEACHING, JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, Was Jesus 50 years old during His earthly ministry?

Was Jesus 50 years old during His earthly ministry?

WAS JESUS 50 YEARS OLD DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Absolutely not! This idea stems from a misreading or misunderstanding of John 8:57: “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” When unbelieving Israel posed this question, it was an expression of sarcasm and skepticism. Luke 3:23 informs us the Lord Jesus was approximately 30 years of age at the beginning of His earthly ministry. For Him to actually be close to 50 years old in John chapter 8 would mean His ministry lasted two decades—and no one believes that! Based on the calendars provided in the Books of Luke and John, we can estimate Christ’s earthly ministry spanned no more than three years. (For more information, see our related study linked at the end of this article.)

Jesus’ critics are using 50 as a standard to gauge His aptitude or reliability—not speculating about His exact age. For instance, if you were to say to a toddler, “You are not yet an adult,” you are underscoring a baseline. Until he or she has reached adulthood, the child is not an adult. In no way were you implying he or she is technically an adult or anywhere near adulthood. The number 50 in Scripture connotes maturity. For example, according to the Law of Moses, the Levitical priests could serve up to age 50. By that time, they were retired from their duties, but, having had many years of experience, they could train the younger men still active in the priesthood. They could also help in other functions concerning Tabernacle/Temple worship.

Numbers chapter 4: “[3] From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation…. [23] From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation…. [30] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation…. [35] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:…. [39] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,…. [43] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,…. [47] From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation.”

See also Numbers 8:24-26: “[24] This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: [25] And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: [26] But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.”

Let us go back to chapter 8 of John, Jesus addressing Israel’s apostate religious leaders who have taken offence that He is greater than their patriarch Abraham. Verse 58 relates: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” When did Abraham “rejoice to see [Christ’s] day?” Hebrews 11:17-19 gives us a possible answer: “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

Indeed, Abraham did not fully understand why the LORD God instructed him to offer his son Isaac on the mountain in Genesis chapter 22, but we, with a completed Bible, recognize Abraham indirectly viewed what Father God would do when He would offer His Son on Calvary’s cross some 2,000 years later. Abraham, while not having a full revelation of God like we do in the completed Bible, saw the LORD providing a substitute for Isaac. That substitute would eventually be Jesus Christ.

Now comes John 8:57, the verse in question: “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” They argue Christ is not even 50 years old, so how could He have had direct communion with Abraham? Abraham had lived and died some 2,000 years earlier, yet Jesus knew of Him and He had seen Jesus’ day?! Can you sense their sarcasm, their bewilderment, in asking, “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” Remember, in Scripture, the number 50 connotes maturity. Since Jesus was only about 33 years old here, Israel’s religious leaders do not consider Him old enough to comment so boldly on major issues such as Abraham. Again, they are worldly-minded, seeing Jesus as just an ordinary man instead of viewing Him as the God-Man, from eternity past (“from everlasting;” Micah 5:2 King James Bible).

In response to their inquiry of verse 57, verse 58 tells us: “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” There is no question about it. “Verily, verily”—as in “surely, surely” or “absolutely, absolutely”—the Lord Jesus knew Abraham. After all, Jesus was a unique human: He was the God-Man, the Creator of Genesis 1:1 (cf. John 1:1-4), the God of Abraham. He had existed as a Spirit before He took upon Himself the form of a man. As a Spirit, prior to His incarnation, He had fellowship with Abraham. He had talked with Abraham, eaten with Abraham, walked with Abraham, and so on (Genesis chapter 18, for example). Jesus added a striking expression to bolster His claim: “Before Abraham was, I am.” This is, no doubt, a strong claim to Deity.

The special or bizarre form of “to be”—“I am” (present tense) rather than “I was” (past tense)—allows us to link Jesus to Exodus 3:14: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” In keeping with John’s theme, Jesus Christ declared Himself to be the JEHOVAH God of the Old Testament: “I am the ‘I AM’ that was before Abraham.” We know this is exactly what the Lord Jesus intended, what He meant, as His audience responds most negatively in the next verse, assuming He had committed blasphemy and was worthy of stoning to death: “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59).

SUPPLEMENTAL: THE RUSSELLITE “BIBLE” AND JOHN 8:58

Every first-year Greek student knows the phrase “ego eimi” means “I am”—not “I have been” as deceitfully rendered in the “Jehovah’s Witness” (Russellite) “bible,” the New World Translation. To translate “ego eimi” as “I have been” is not only to demonstrate poor translation skills but also erroneous theology. The Russellites do not believe Jesus is JEHOVAH, which is why their perverted text reflects that idea. Here is just one of many examples of sectarian bias that can ruin any translation process; to wit, people are using preconceived ideas (denominational doctrine) to re-word the portions of Scripture that would otherwise contradict their theological system. If we can find one corrupt “Holy Bible,” there is bound to be another somewhere (and there are many)! We have all the more reason to keep and believe our King James Bible as our final authority.

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Also see:
» How long was Christ’s earthly ministry?
» Why did Jesus curse the “poor” fig tree?
» Why did multitudes follow Christ during His earthly ministry?

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, What is a “servitor?”

What is a “servitor?”

WHAT IS A “SERVITOR?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

A “servitor” is found just once in the King James Bible. “And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD” (2 Kings 4:42-44).

While archaic, its meaning is not difficult to figure out. We can discern a well-known word in “servitor,” can we not? A “servitor” is someone who serves, of course. In this context, it is a waiter or food attendant. The “servitor,” using limited human wisdom instead of Divine thinking, was quite astonished when he was ordered to use such a limited amount of food to prepare a meal for 100 people. Yet, because this was “the word of the LORD,” God was not limited. They all had enough to eat because the LORD multiplied the bread and corn (grain). By the way, in case you are wondering, this miracle of the Prophet Elisha is indeed a foreshadow or preview of Jesus Christ miraculously feeding the multitudes with so little food in Matthew through John. These are all miracles pointing to the blessings of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. See our related study linked below.

Also see:
» Feeding the 4,000 and feeding the 5,000—same or different?
» How should we handle the objection, “If only I saw a miracle, then I would believe!”?
» What is “cleanness of teeth” in Amos 4:6?
» Is “corn” a mistake in the King James Bible?

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, What are “collops?”

What are “collops?”

WHAT ARE “COLLOPS?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

This is in reference to Job 15:27: “Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.” Eliphaz the Temanite is describing the evil or unbelieving man, whose blasphemy is great and whose doom is certain:

“[20] The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor. [21] A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. [22] He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword. [23] He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. [24] Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle. [25] For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty. [26] He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses* of his bucklers*: [27] Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.” (*For more about “bosses” and “bucklers,” see our related study linked at the end of this article.)

“[28] And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps. [29] He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. [30] He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away. [31] Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence. [32] It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green. [33] He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. [34] For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. [35] They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.”

Eliphaz’ aggressive speech was actually directed towards suffering Job, whom “friend” Eliphaz had accused of being evil and thus worthy of punishment! Job had been so prosperous in chapter 1, but his many sins (according to Eliphaz) had finally resulted in his current trials and tribulations. He likened Job to a fat, wealthy man who has since lost all his affluence and health: “Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks” (verse 27). “Collops” are just folds of fat or flesh, indicating someone is well-fed. The etymology of this strange word is unknown, though it may be derived from the Scandinavian languages. Interestingly, the Old Swedish word “kolhuppadher” meant “roasted on coals;” there was also a Swedish term “kalops,” with the dialectical “kollops” being the name of a dish of stewed meat. Chunks or rolls of flesh on the human body is the sense of Job 15:27.

Also see:
» What is a “buckler?”
» What does “skin for skin” mean in Job 2:4?
» How could Satan access Heaven in Job and the Revelation?

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, What does “environ” mean?

What does “environ” mean?

WHAT DOES “ENVIRON” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

This is a Bible word found only once in the King James text, and is quite easy. Contrary to what we might think, “environ” is not an archaic word, but rather a formal term for another word with which we are extremely familiar.

Joshua 7:9 reads: “For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?” What does “environ” mean?

Of course, a memory hint to aid us in comprehending this word is “environment,” taken from the Old French, literally “en”(“in”) and “viron” (“circuit”). An environment (noun) is the surroundings, so the verb form “environ” would therefore mean “to gather around or surround.” In the context of Joshua, the Jews have just lost their war with the city of Ai. Joshua fears that the Gentiles of the Promised Land, upon hearing the news, will enclose (encircle, encompass) Israel in battle and annihilate them. Related terms are “fetch a compass” and “in array” (see studies linked below).

Also see:
» What does “in array” mean?
» What does “fetch a compass” mean?
» What does “discomfit” mean?
» What does “haunt” mean in the Bible?

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, What does “in array” mean?

What does “in array” mean?

WHAT DOES “IN ARRAY” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

We wish to concentrate on the synonymous phrases “put… in array” and “set… in array.” Such an expression appears 25 times in the Authorized Version, and always with regards to conflict or war. Our memory hint is “arrangement,” as in an impressive formation or configuration of troops strategically placed on the battlefield and awaiting orders to strike opposing forces. Similar terms are “environ” and “fetch a compass” (see studies at the end of this article).

  • Judges chapter 20: “[20] And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah…. [22] And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day…. [30] And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times…. [33] And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.”
  • 1 Samuel 4:2: “And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.”
  • 1 Samuel chapter 17: “[2] And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines…. [8] And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me…. [21] For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.”
  • 2 Samuel chapter 10: “[8] And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. [9] When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:…. [10] And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon…. [17] And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.”
  • 1 Kings 20:12: “And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.”
  • 1 Chronicles chapter 19: “[9] And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field. [10] Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. [11] And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon…. [17] And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.”
  • 2 Chronicles 13:3: “And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.”
  • 2 Chronicles 14:10: “Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.”
  • Job 6:4: “For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.” (Here, suffering Job wrongly assumes God is at war with him.)
  • Isaiah 22:7: “And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.”
  • Jeremiah 6:23: “They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.”
  • Jeremiah chapter 50: “[9] For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain…. [14] Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD…. [42] They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.”

Also see:
» What does “environ” mean?
» What does “fetch a compass” mean?
» What does “discomfit” mean?
» What does “haunt” mean in the Bible?

“For him hath God the Father sealed?”, JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS

“For him hath God the Father sealed?”

“FOR HIM HATH GOD THE FATHER SEALED?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

Can you explain, “For him hath God the Father sealed,” in John 6:27? Why, certainly!

“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (John 6:26-27).

Doubtless, the Lord had given them delicious bread and fish earlier in this chapter (the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 in verses 1-14), but the lust of their flesh has caused them to miss the essential truths of God. They strive to, they occupy themselves with the task to, partake of temporary physical food. As He fed them with material food, so He can provide them with spiritual food, eternal life through Himself—but this is what they are overlooking. They see the Lord Jesus Christ as nothing more than someone who can supply them with food to fill their physical stomachs.

Now, we reach the statement, “For him hath God the Father sealed.” Think of this as a seal of approval, like a stamp to confirm a document’s authenticity. Father God has endorsed or certified Jesus as true. “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not” (John 5:37-38).

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:10-11). “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22). “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:…” (Acts 2:22).

Since the Father has “sealed” or endorsed Jesus, the nation Israel should accept and trust Him wholeheartedly—not superficially as in John 6:14-15. Furthermore, Christ Jesus is not to be viewed as a false prophet or an ally of Satan, which is what many Jews assumed He was in Matthew through John (for example, Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:21; Luke 23:2; John 7:12; John 8:13,48; et al.)

Also see:
» Was Jesus a glutton and drunkard?
» Is the Lord Jesus merely “the Holy One of God” in John 6:69?
» Why did Jesus offer Himself to Israel if He knew they would reject Him?
» How is Jesus Christ prophet, priest, and king?
» Can Jews who believe in God, the Father, but who reject Jesus, be saved from eternal damnation?
» How could John the Baptist question if Jesus really is Christ?
» Is Jesus Christ God’s “one and only Son” or “only begotten Son?”
» Why was Jesus water baptized?

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, What is an “habergeon?”

What is an “habergeon?”

WHAT IS AN “HABERGEON?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

The first hint is that it is something worn on the body. Also, it is used in wartime. Read the relevant passages:

  • Exodus 28:32: “And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.”
  • Exodus 39:23: “And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.”
  • 2 Chronicles 26:14: “And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.”
  • Nehemiah 4:16: “And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.”
  • Job 41:26: “The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.”

Basically, a “habergeon” is a sleeveless coat of mail or scale armor. The Jewish high priest had a garment similar to it in that it had a hole for the neck to pass through (Exodus verses). As for the other three verses (Chronicles, Nehemiah, and Job), these concern weapons and other equipment used in actual combat.

Also see:
» What is a “battlement?”
» What is a “buckler?”
» Who or what are the “Cherethites” and “Pelethites?”

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, What are “fitches?”

What are “fitches?”

WHAT ARE “FITCHES?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

These appear four times in Scripture in three verses:

  • “When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?” (Isaiah 28:25).
  • “For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod” (Isaiah 28:27).
  • “Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof” (Ezekiel 4:9).

One context clue is they are used in conjunction with various grains (“wheat,” “barley,” et cetera) and food in general (“beans,” “bread,” et cetera). Ezekiel was to use “fitches” as an ingredient in an “interesting” recipe for bread (see our related study linked at the end of this article).

“Fitches” are an herbaceous annual plant—the common name is “fennel” or “black cumin,” but the technical or scientific name is Nigella sativa—whose black seeds are used as a seasoning. The flavor is pungent or strong. It also has medicinal properties.

Also see:
» Did God really demand Ezekiel eat excrement?
» What is “cleanness of teeth” in Amos 4:6?
» What is the “one needful thing” in Luke 10:42?

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, What are “bunches of camels?”

What are “bunches of camels?”

WHAT ARE “BUNCHES OF CAMELS?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

Only once do we find this in the Holy Scripture. “The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them” (Isaiah 30:6).

In the context, JEHOVAH God is advising Israel not to seek help from Egypt (for they will be a disappointment). Yet, the Authorized Version King James Bible translators provide an enigmatic description that we must study to clarify. What are “bunches of camels?” “Bunch” normally means “a great number,” yet, that does not seem to fit. We need to expand our vocabulary.

The English word “bunch” can also be used in the sense of “a knob; lump; protuberance.” Isaiah, therefore, would likely not be referring to a lot of camels but rather the humps of camels. After all, the wording of the verse indicates that treasures are upon the bunches of the camels. The camels are beasts of burden, carrying merchandise on their backs. For another clue, look at the parallel in the verse: “they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses.” As the donkeys bear loads on their backs, so do the camels (that is, on the humps on their backs). It is a simple concept.

“Bunch” is the translation of the Hebrew word “dabeset,” related to the term (“debas”) frequently rendered “honey” (Genesis 43:11; Exodus 3:8; Exodus 16:31; Leviticus 2:11; Deuteronomy 8:8; Judges 14:8-9; et al.). How did Hebrew ever associate camel humps with honey? Two explanations have been suggested. Firstly, the fatty contents of the camel hump have a sticky consistency like honey. Secondly, a camel’s hump resembles a beehive. Either one of these facts (or perhaps something else) led to an intensification of “debas” (honey) to make it “dabeset” (hump). Whatever the case, there is still no mistranslation in our 1611 Bible.

Also see:
» What is the “train” in 1 Kings 10:2?
» What is a “sheepcote?”
» What does “several” mean in the King James Bible?