Category Archives: JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS

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

What is an “execration?”

WHAT IS AN “EXECRATION?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Execration” appears twice in the text of the King James Bible, only in Jeremiah:

  • “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more” (42:18).
  • “Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah. And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach” (44:11-12).

According to the context clues, “execration” has negative overtones. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked the idolatrous city of Jerusalem some 600 years before Christ, a portion of the people of Judah migrated southward into Egypt to escape God’s wrath. These Jews had outright disobeyed JEHOVAH God, for He had ordered them to remain in Judah and be taken captive to Babylon. Centuries upon centuries of heathen religion in Israel had finally resulted in the fifth course of judgment, being taken prisoners of the Gentiles, and this curse of the broken Law of Moses was certain. As chapter 44 chronicles, the Jews evaded the judgment and continued idol worship even in their new home in Egypt, provoking God’s righteous indignation there. He promised war and famine would afflict them, rendering them “an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.”

What is an “execration?” It is something declared loathed or hated; the Latin term “exsecrari” (as in “curse”) influenced our English language here. God’s people have polluted themselves with Satan worship, and now they are under the curses of the Mosaic Law (see Leviticus chapter 26; Deuteronomy chapters 27–28). The onlookers will be stunned to see the extent and severity of the punishment on the Jews “hiding” from God in Egypt!

Also see:
» What are “old cast clouts?”
» What does “had in abomination” mean?
» Did God really demand Ezekiel eat excrement?

Can you explain “betimes?”, JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS

Can you explain “betimes?”

CAN YOU EXPLAIN “BETIMES?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Betimes,” although unfamiliar to us, is actually derived from two easy words we know all too well—“by” and “time.” The concept being communicated is soon, early, or in good time; it is in contrast to something being late or stalled. We find it five times in the King James text:

  • Genesis 26:31: “And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.”
  • 2 Chronicles 36:15: “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:….”
  • Job 8:5: “If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;….”
  • Job 24:5: “Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.”
  • Proverbs 13:24: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

Also see:
» Can you explain “ere?”
» What are “prognosticators?”
» What does “listeth” mean?

Can you explain “ere?”, JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS

Can you explain “ere?”

CAN YOU EXPLAIN “ERE?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Authorized Version employs the term 10 times. If we look at “ere” (see the verses below), we should think of “early.” After all, both “ere” and “early” are related to the Old English “aer,” the Old Norse “ar,” and the Greek “eir.” We can adjust our understanding a bit further, by taking “ere” to mean “before” (an event occurring earlier than another).

  • Exodus 1:19: “And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.”
  • Numbers 11:33: “And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.”
  • Numbers 14:11: “And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?”
  • 1 Samuel 3:3: “And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;….”
  • 2 Samuel 2:26: “Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?”
  • 2 Kings 6:32: “But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?”
  • Job 18:2: “How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.”
  • Jeremiah 47:6: “O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.”
  • Hosea 8:5: “Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?”
  • John 4:49: “The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.”

Also see:
» What does “several” mean in the King James Bible?
» What does “sith” mean in Ezekiel 35:6?
» What does “descry” mean?

JUST ASKING / CURIOUS QUESTIONS, Why did Peter merely cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant?

Why did Peter merely cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant?

WHY DID PETER MERELY CUT OFF THE EAR OF THE HIGH PRIEST’S SERVANT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The account is documented four times in the Holy Bible. We read these passages now:

  • Matthew 26:51-54: “And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”
  • Mark 14:47-49: “And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.”
  • Luke 22:50-53: “And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
  • John 18:10-11: “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

The Apostle Judas Iscariot, having been shown as a traitor, leads a mob of unbelievers to arrest the Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. A panic ensues and a disciple lashes out with a sword and amputates an ear of the high priest’s servant. Of course, John alone reveals the name of the sword wielder—the Apostle Peter—and his unfortunate victim—Malchus. Luke and John pinpoint the right ear. Is it not strange Peter did nothing more than amputate the man’s ear? Why was he aiming for the ear? Obviously, that would result in a non-fatal blow. A defensive move would have been more serious.

Remember, the servant’s ear would have been sliced off in only one of two ways. Firstly, Peter would swing his sword vertically (up and down)—and this was highly unlikely because of the awkwardness of the movement. Secondly, he would swing his sword horizontally (side to side). The latter scenario seems most plausible. Apparently, Peter sought to behead the servant, so he was aiming for the servant’s neck, but the servant ducked, and with the servant’s head tilted to the left side and lowered, Peter’s sword grazed the right side of the servant’s head (thus severing the ear) instead of cutting into his neck and decapitating him! Yes, Peter aimed to kill!

Peter wrongly supposed the Lord was powerless to prevent His arrest. Christ promptly corrected His sincere but rash chief Apostle, admonishing him to put away his sword and let Bible prophecy come to pass as Father God intended. To say this was to Peter’s shock is an understatement. Christ would die on Calvary’s cross as the prophets foretold. If Jesus really wanted to avoid this, He did not need Peter’s little sword. Father God could send an angelic army capable of wiping out all lifeforms on Earth! Alas, the Lord Jesus did not call down those heavenly troops—and Earth was spared (for the time being, anyway). He went on ahead with submitting to that apprehension and ultimate crucifixion. As one final miracle of the Gospel of the Kingdom—and only (medical) Doctor Luke reports it—the Lord Jesus Christ miraculously reattaches the servant’s ear as if nothing happened!

Saints, please remember us in your monthly giving—these websites do cost money to run! 🙂 You can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux, or email me at arcministries@gmail.com. Do not forget about Bible Q&A booklets for sale at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! By the way, ministry emails have really been backed up this year. I am handling them as much as humanly possible. Thanks for your patience. 🙂

Also see:
» How many angels will be with Jesus Christ when He returns?
» Did Judas Iscariot have to betray Christ?
» Did Peter use obscenities when denying Christ?

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

What does “descry” mean?

WHAT DOES “DESCRY” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Judges 1:23 has, “And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)” What does “descry” mean?

There are two hints to the definition. “Descry” sounds like a more familiar word. Think of “describe”—although this is a different etymology. The Old French “descrier” means “to proclaim.”

Another way to approach the word is to read the verse before and the verse after: “[22] And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them…. [24] And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.” Jewish spies have been sent to the city of Bethel. What do spies do? Do they not gather information? What is necessary to describe something? Is not information important in that regard? They are mapping out or searching out the area, thereby qualified to proclaim or announce its traits.

Also see:
» What does “haunt” mean in the Bible?
» What does “listeth” mean?
» What does “churlish” mean?

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

What does “bray” mean in Job?

WHAT DOES “BRAY” MEAN IN JOB?

by Shawn Brasseaux

What does “bray” mean in Job?

  • Job 6:5: “Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?”
  • Job 30:7: “Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.”

By the way, this is not to be confused with “bray” (pound, crush, smash) in Proverbs 27:22. See our related study linked at the end of this article.

The first Job verse is in connection to animal noises. A “wild ass” or donkey will “bray” (groan or wail) when hungry, just as an “ox” will “loweth” (moo or moan) when it is famished. “Braire” is an Old French word for “cry out;” the Old Norse term “Hloi” means “bellower, shouter.” Of course, you can guess “fodder” means food. As these creatures wish to eat, so suffering Job longs for death to come upon him and “put him out of his misery!”

Concerning the second Job verse, these are societal outcasts or wretched people, the lowliest of humanity, assembling under “nettles” (prickly or stinging plants). They also groan or moan, desiring food and/or other necessities. Job is even more miserable than they are, for, he claims, even they despise him.

Also see:
» What does, “bray a fool,” mean?
» Can you explain Job 32:8?
» 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 are “old cast clouts?”

What are “old cast clouts?”

WHAT ARE “OLD CAST CLOUTS?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so” (Jeremiah 38:11-12). What are “old cast clouts?”

The Jews have greatly abused Jeremiah the Prophet. Zedekiah, Judah’s final king, is wicked, so he has permitted the Israelites to persecute God’s messenger. The Babylonian Captivity has already begun several years prior, the LORD’S punishment on Judah for its habitual idolatry. Apostate Jerusalem is soon to fall to the Babylonian troops, and Jeremiah makes that quite clear in his preaching during the opening verses of the chapter! Pleading with his people not to resist the Gentile invasion, but rather submit to King Nebuchadnezzar and be taken political prisoners to Babylon (this is God’s will!), Jeremiah is falsely accused of “hate speech” (sound familiar?) and the princes of Judah inform King Zedekiah of his “treasonous” sermon. Those princes seek Jeremiah’s execution! Zedekiah, the coward that he is, permits them to incarcerate Jeremiah and do with him as they please.

“[6] Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. [7] Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; [8] Ebedmelech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake to the king saying, [9] My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city. [10] Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.”

The aforementioned “old cast clouts” are components of the “rescue mission” to deliver Jeremiah from his pit prison. He is confined in a hole in the ground (apparently, an empty cistern or water well), so straps are lowered down to him to hoist or lift him out. “Clouts” are scraps of cloth used to mend or patch. “Cast” here is like ripped, pulled apart, strips subsequently twisted or braided. “So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison” (verse 13).

Also see:
» What are “victuals?”
» If suffering is sure to follow, why serve Jesus Christ?
» How could John the Baptist question if Jesus really is Christ?

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

What does “churlish” mean?

WHAT DOES “CHURLISH” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb” (1 Samuel 25:3).

The noun form appears twice in the canon of Scripture: “The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful…. The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right” (Isaiah 32:5,7).

Upon initial glance, we ascertain “churlish” is connected to wickedness. It is a negative character trait. Generally, it is someone who is mean-spirited, rude, or harsh. This would be Nabal, the opposite of his kind wife Abigail (read the context). In the Isaiah passage, the description is even more specific, carrying the meaning of a miser; it is a stingy person who resorts to deceitful or fraudulent methods to retain or gain wealth (read the context). “Churl” is from the Old Norse “karl” (“man”).

Also see:
» Who are “abjects?”
» Can you explain, “God save the king?”
» What does “pernicious” mean?

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

What does “listeth” mean?

WHAT DOES “LISTETH” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

On four occasions, the King James Bible employs “listeth” or “listed.” What does the root word “list” mean?

  • Matthew 17:12: “But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.”
  • Mark 9:13: “But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.”
  • John 3:8: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
  • James 3:4: “Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.”

Obviously, this sense has nothing to do with making an enumeration such as a shopping list or inventory list. This sense of “list” is derived from the Middle English “listen, lusten.” When you see “list” in these verses, think of lust, desire, want, pleasure. Concerning the Matthew and Mark verses, apostate Israel did what they wanted to John the Baptist—that is, permit King Herod Antipas to execute him. They would likewise do what they desired with Jesus Christ—to wit, kill Him also. As touching the John verse, the wind is blowing where it wants. The James passage describes a man controlling the ship, commanding a boat and taking it to the direction of his pleasure.

Also see:
» What does “concupiscence” mean?
» What does “implacable” mean?
» What does “Fetch a compass” mean?

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

What are “victuals?”

WHAT ARE “VICTUALS?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

The term “victuals” appears 17 times in the Authorized Version King James Bible. Please note “victual” is pronounced “vittle,” rhyming with “little.” It is derived from the Latin “victualia,” as in “provisions;” this is the noun use of neuter plural of Latin “victualis,” simply meaning, “pertaining to food.” Related words are “victu(s),” as in “nourishment, way of living,” and “vivere” meaning, “to live.” You can read the pertinent verses and their contexts to appreciate why the word was used:

  • Genesis 14:11: “And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.”
  • Leviticus 25:37: “Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.”
  • Deuteronomy 23:19: “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:….”
  • Joshua 1:11: “Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.”
  • Joshua 9:11: “Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.”
  • Joshua 9:14: “And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.”
  • Judges 7:8: “So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.”
  • Judges 17:10: “And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.”
  • 1 Samuel 22:10: “And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
  • 1 Kings 4:7: “And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.”
  • 1 Kings 11:18: “And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.”
  • Nehemiah 10:31: “And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.”
  • Nehemiah 13:15: “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.”
  • Jeremiah 40:5: “Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.”
  • Jeremiah 44:17: “But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.”
  • Matthew 14:15: “And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.”
  • Luke 9:12: “And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.”

Also see:
» What are “phylacteries?”
» What are “groves?”
» What are “teraphim?”