Saturday, December 03, 2022

Readings for Sunday, December 4, 2022, annotated, Second Sunday of Advent, Lectionary 2

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks  will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context. 

 

Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue.  It is provided beneath the specific reading the words are in. 

 

Collections of or meditations on scriptures dealing with principles similar to those addressed in particular readings are hyperlinked after those readings.

 

Excerpts collected in yellow  at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

 

Excerpts collected in green  at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do. 

 

Excerpts collected in red at the end of this post tell us about something God does not want us to do. 

 

Reading 1: Isaiah 11:1-10  

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

 

The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. 

 

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.

On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

 

shoot = חֹטֶר = ḥōṭer  Blue Letter Bible  branch, twig; sucker; rod 

 

stump = גֶּזַע = gezaʿ Blue Letter Bible  stem, trunk, stock (of trees);  the trunk or stump of a tree (as felled or as planted); a tree putting out roots when newly planted

 

roots = שֶׁרֶשׁ = šereš Blue Letter Bible  involving firmness or permanence; bottom (as lowest stratum); bottom, deep, heel; seat, fixed dwelling

 

bud = נֵצֶר = nēṣer  Blue Letter Bible  sprout, shoot, branch; the sense of greenness as a striking color; a shoot; figuratively, a descendant

 

blossom = פָּרָה = pārâ  Blue Letter Bible  to bear fruit, be fruitful, branch off; to bear fruit, grow, increase; cause to bear fruit, make fruitful; to bear; to be bore, borne swiftly; increase with offspring

 

spirit = רוּחַ = rûaḥ  Blue Letter Bible, mind, spirit; animation, vivacity, vigour; that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation; unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse; courage; desire; seat or organ of mental acts; the rational mind; intellect; seat of moral character; energy and executive and administrative power; energy of life; wind, breath; breath of air in motion; vital principle; endowing men with various gifts

 

rest = נוּחַ = nûaḥ Blue Letter Bible to rest, settle down and remain; cause to alight, set down; to be left, be placed; give comfort; sit, set one’s self down; be at rest, reside, remain; deposit, let down; lay upon 

 

spirit—see above

 

wisdom = חָכְמָה = ḥāḵmâ Blue Letter Bible a divine attribute or energy; shrewdness; skill; prudence; cleverness; dexterity

 

understanding = בִּינָה = bînâ Blue Letter Bible  discernment; knowledge; insight

 

spirit—see above

 

counsel = עֵצָה = ʿēṣâ  Blue Letter Bible advice; plan; prudence, wisdom; sagacity, consultation

 

strength = גְּבוּרָה = gûrâ  Blue Letter Bible   strength, might; valor, bravery; mighty deeds; force, mastery; power; fortitude; military virtue

 

spirit—see above

 

knowledge = דַּעַת = daʿaṯ  Blue Letter Bible   knowledge, perception, skill; discernment, understanding, wisdom; cunning; knowing; intelligence

 

fear = יִרְאָה = yir'â  Blue Letter Bible  respect, reverence, piety; revered; holy fear; awesome or terrifying thing; fear, terror

 

delight = רִיחַ = rîaḥ Blue Letter Bible  to smell, scent, perceive odour, accept;  touch, make of quick understanding; breath, blow; smell with pleasure, sweet smell

 

appearance = מַרְאֶה = mar'ê  Blue Letter Bible  sight, appearance, vision; what is seen; power of seeing;  pattern, to see; form; aspect

 

judge = שָׁפַט = šāp̄aṭ  Blue Letter Bible  act as law-giver, judge, governor (giving law, deciding controversies and executing law, civil, religious, political, social; deciding cases; making known statutes; decide controversy, discriminate between persons in civil, political, domestic, and religious questions; to judge, govern, vindicate, punish; to act as law-giver or judge or governor; to rule, govern, judge; pronounce sentence; to execute judgment; to govern; condemn; defend; vindicate

 

hearsay = מִשְׁמָע = mišmāʿ Blue Letter Bible  thing heard, rumour; report

 

decide = יָכַח = yakach Blue Letter Bible  to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right; argue, chasten, convince, be in the sunshine, be clear, manifest; dispute, altercate

 

judge—see above

poor = דַּל = dal  Blue Letter Bible  low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low; lean, needy, poor (man), weaker; powerless; feeble; dangling, swinging, hanging

 

justice = צֶדֶק = ṣeḏeq Blue Letter Bible rightness, righteousness; justness; justness (of weights and measures); righteousness (in government)

 

decide—see above

 

aright = מִישׁוֹר = mîšôr  Blue Letter Bible   level place, uprightness; straightness; justice; equity

 

afflicted = עָנָו = ʿānāv  Blue Letter Bible  poor, humble, afflicted, meek; lowly; miserable

 

strike = נָכָה = nāḵâ  Blue Letter Bible  strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill, slaughter, murder; beat, scourge; give a thrust; attack; destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage; chastise, punish; send judgment upon; give stripes; be defeated


ruthless = אֶרֶץ = 'ereṣ  Blue Letter Bible   land, earth; country, territory, district, region; ground, soil; field; from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; element of the earth; earthy


rod = שֵׁבֶט = šēḇeṭ  Blue Letter Bible   branch, offshoot; rod, staff,  stick; club, crook, shepherd's implement; truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority);  measuring rod; clan, tribe

 

breath—see “spirit” above

 

slay = מוּת = mûṯ  Blue Letter Bible  kill, have one executed; to die (as penalty), be put to death; to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct); to kill, put to death, dispatch; destroy

 

wicked = רָשָׁע = rāšāʿ  Blue Letter Bible  guilty one, one guilty of crime; hostile to God; against God or man; morally wrong; ungodly; unrighteous

 

Justice—see above

 

band = אֵזוֹר = 'ēzôr  Blue Letter Bible  waist-cloth, the innermost piece of clothing; waistband; girdle; bond

 

waste = מָתְנַיִם = māṯnayim  Blue Letter Bible   waist or small of the back; hips; loins; seat of strength

 

faithfulness = אֱמוּנָה = 'ĕmûnâ  Blue Letter Bible  firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness; literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity

 

belt—see “band” above

 

hips = חָלָץ = ḥālāṣ  Blue Letter Bible   loins; seat of strength, virility; reins

 

harm = רָעַע = rāʿaʿ Blue Letter Bible  to be bad, be evil; to be injurious; to be wicked, be evil (ethically); to break, shatter; to be displeasing; to be sad; to spoil; afflict; vex; to break

 

ruin = שָׁחַת = šāḥaṯ  Blue Letter Bible   to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay; to be marred, be spoiled, be injured, be ruined, be rotted; act wickedly; pervert

 

holy = קֹדֶשׁ = qōḏeš  Blue Letter Bible  apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness; hallowed; consecrated; sanctuary

 

mountain = הַר = har  Blue Letter Bible  hill, mountain, hill country, mount; range of hills; high elevation

 

filled = מָלָא = mālā' Blue Letter Bible  fulness, abundance; to be full; make full; fill a place; mutually fill; satisfied 

 

knowledge = דֵּעָה = dēʿâ  Blue Letter Bible  knowledge (of God) 

 

covers =  כָּסָה = kāsâ  Blue Letter Bible to cover over, spread over; to cover, overwhelm; conceal, hide; to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; put on

 

signal = נֵס = nēs  Blue Letter Bible  something lifted up, standard, signal, signal pole, ensign, banner, sign, sail; rallying point; a token; column, lofty pole; 

 

seek out = דָּרַשׁ = darash  Blue Letter Bible   to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require; to seek deity in prayer and worship; to practice, study, follow, seek with application; to follow (for pursuit or search); diligently inquire, make inquisition; to learn, to study: frequent; apply oneself; to take care for

 

dwelling = מְנוּחָה = mnûḥâ  Blue Letter Bible   resting place; quietness; peacefully; consolation; an abode, habitation; comfortable; ease, quiet, still; condition of rest and security

 

glorious = כָּבוֹד = kāḇôḏ  Blue Letter Bible  glory, honour, glorious, abundance; weight, but only figuratively in a good sense; heaviness; splendor or copiousness; dignity of position; reputation, of character; majesty


Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:

Wisdom Principles--Caring for the weak & vulnerable  

Wisdom Principles--God’s Ways Give Security  

Wisdom Principles--We must strive for fair justice, to maintain the rule of law for all 


***

 

 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17   

R. (cf. 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son;
he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.


R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.


R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.


R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.


R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

 

justice = צַדִּיק = ṣadîq Blue Letter Bible  lawful, righteous; righteous (in government); righteous (in conduct and character); righteous (as justified and vindicated by God); honest, virtuous, pious; correct; being a just judge; one who has a just cause; upright; just toward men and obedient to the laws of God; benignity and liberality; loving truth 

 

flourish = פָּרַח = pāraḥ  Blue Letter Bible  to bud, sprout, send out shoots, blossom;  to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); abundantly;  break out, burst forth; abroad, spring up; put forth/make buds, leaves, flowers

 

fullness = רֹב = rōḇ  Blue Letter Bible  multitude, abundance, greatness, great(-ly, -ness); numerous; huge; plenty(-ifully); many;  more in number, most, much

 

peace = שָׁלוֹם = šālôm  Blue Letter Bible  completeness, soundness, welfare, peace; safety; health, prosperity; quiet, tranquility, contentment; friendship, concord; happy; favour; absence of war

 

judgment = מִשְׁפָּט = mišpāṭ  Blue Letter Bible  justice, right, rectitude; judgment, justice, ordinance; proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan; process, procedure, litigation; sentence, decision; execution; decision; verdict; sentence or formal decree; determination; discretion; that which is just, lawful, according to law

 

endow = נָתַן = nāṯan  Blue Letter Bible to give, bestow, grant; consecrate, devote, dedicate; entrust, give over, deliver up; yield produce; be (healed); pour; print; teach; to apply the heart to; to constitute, to make a thing like or similar to

 

justice = צְדָקָה = ṣḏāqâ  Blue Letter Bible righteousness; righteousness (as vindicated); righteousness (in government); justification, salvation; truthfulness; ethically right; rectitude; virtue; ethically right; things done justly; rightness, moderation

 

govern = דִּין = dîn  Blue Letter Bible   to judge, contend, plead; to act as judge, minister judgment; to plead a cause; to execute judgment, requite, vindicate; to govern; to judge (as umpire); to strive (as at law); to rule, regulate; condemn, punish; defend the right; domineer

 

justice—see above

 

afflicted= עָנִי = ʿānî  Blue Letter Bible  poor, afflicted, humble, wretched; weak; humble, lowly; depressed in mind or circumstances; needy; meek, mild; oppressed

 

judgment—see above

 

justice—see above

 

flower—see “flourish” above

 

profound—see “fullness” above

 

rule = רָדָה = rāḏâ  Blue Letter Bible  to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down; to have dominion, subjugate; prevail against, reign;  come to, make to; subdue; take possession over; break up; scrape out

 

rescue = נָצַל = nāṣal  Blue Letter Bible to snatch away, deliver, rescue; to be torn out or away; defend; preserve; draw out, pull out; pluck out; save; take out; deprive of; recover

 

poor = אֶבְיוֹן = 'eḇyôn  Blue Letter Bible  in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person; subject to oppression and abuse; needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God;  general reference to lowest class; beggar; wretched; destitute

 

cries out = שָׁוַע = šāva  Blue Letter Bible   to cry out (for help), shout; ask for aid, implore for help; to be rich, wealthy; halloo

 

afflicted—see above

 

help = עָזַר = ʿāzar  Blue Letter Bible  to help, succour, support; protect or aid 

 

pity = חוּס = ḥûs Blue Letter Bible  have compassion, spare, look upon with compassion; to cover; regard; to be grieved on account of

 

lowly = דַּל = dal  Blue Letter Bible  low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low; lean, needy, poor (man), weaker; powerless; feeble; dangling, swinging, hanging

poor—see above

 

lives = נֶפֶשׁ = nep̄eš  Blue Letter Bible  soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion; the inner being of man; seat of the appetites; seat of emotions and passions; the mode of feeling/acting, understanding and the faculty of thinking

 

save = יָשַׁע = yāšaʿ  Blue Letter Bible  to be liberated, be saved, be delivered; to save from moral troubles; to give victory to; to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; to free or succor; defend, help, preserve, rescue

 

name = שֵׁם = šēm  Blue Letter Bible  name; reputation, fame, glory; honor, authority, character; renown, report

 

forever = עוֹלָם = ôlām  Blue Letter Bible  long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient; forever, always; perpetuity; continuous existence, perpetual; everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity; time out of mind (past or future); always; unending

 

blessed = בָּרַךְ = bāraḵ  Blue Letter Bible to kneel; be adored; to praise, salute; celebrate, adore; abundantly, altogether, greatly; cause to prosper; ask after another’s welfare

 

nations = גּוֹי = gôy  Blue Letter Bible  nation, people; confluence of men

 

proclaim his happiness = אָשַׁר = 'āšar  Blue Letter Bible  to go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress; to be advanced, be led on; to be made happy, be blessed; to go forward, be honest, prosper; guide, lead; pronounce happy or fortunate 

 


Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:

Wisdom Principles--Caring for the weak & vulnerable  

Wisdom Principles--God’s Ways Give Security  

Wisdom Principles--We must strive for fair justice, to maintain the rule of law for all 

 

***

 

 

Reading 2: Romans 15:4-9  

Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.

 

written previously= προγρφω = prographō  Blue Letter Bible   to write before (of time); to write previously; of old set forth or designated beforehand (in the scriptures of the OT); to announce, prescribe; to depict or portray openly; to write before the eyes of all who can read; ordain; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  write before or first; set forth as a public notice; give written notice 

 

written = γρφω = graphō  Blue Letter Bible  to write, with reference to the form of the letters; to express in written characters;  to write, with reference to the contents of the writing;  to "grave", especially to write; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon scratch, graze; marked or drawn signs; represent by lines, draw, paint; express by written characters, write; inscribe; write for oneself or for one's own use, note down

instruction = διδασκαλα = didaskalia  Blue Letter Bible  teaching, instruction; that which is taught; doctrine, teachings, precepts; that which is taught; doctrine

teachings, precepts; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   teaching, instruction; elucidation; official instructions

endurance = πομον = hypomone  Blue Letter Bible patience; remaining under; steadfastness, constancy, endurance; the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  remaining behind; endurance, power to sustain, endure; enduring to do

 

encouragement = παρκλησις = paraklesis  Blue Letter Bible comfort; encouragement with alleviation of grief; that which affords comfort or refreshment; persuasive discourse, stirring address — instructive; admonitory, consolatory; powerful hortatory discourse; calling to one's side; an exhortation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  calling to one's aid, summons, imploring, appealing, exhortation

Scripture = γραφ = graphē  Blue Letter Bible  a writing, thing written; the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents; a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture; Holy Writ;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   writing or the art of writing; that which is written, writing; the Holy Scripture

hope = λπς = elpis  Blue Letter Bible   favorable and confident expectation; expectation of good; hope; to anticipate, usually with pleasure; confidence, faith; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   hope, expectation; object of hope, a hope; reason to expect or believe

 

grant = δδωμι = didōmi Blue Letter Bible  bestow, the implied idea being that of giving freely; grant; offer; yield, produce; to supply, furnish, necessary things; to furnish, endue; to cause, profuse, give forth from one's self; minister; to give one to someone to care for his interests; give up for; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon give freely, to be ready to give, offer; provide well for

 

harmony = ατς = autos Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   one's true self, the soul;  by or in itself; in one, together; the same; in one piece with, together with

 

in keeping with = κατ = kata  Blue Letter Bible  after the manner; in accordance with; down from; through out; according to; toward, along; by; after the manner of; through, throughout; with regard to, of; like as; as respects; with regard to; in reference to; according to anything as a standard, agreeably to; in proportion to, according to the measure of; through, on account of, from, owing to (in accordance with i. e. in consequence of, by virtue of; in (or after) the same (or this) manner; from, down from, from a higher to a lower place; in succession, in course; after, behind; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   denoting motion from above, down from; down upon or into; in respect of, concerning; distributively, of a whole divided into parts; fitness or conformity, in accordance with; in relation to, concerning; corresponding with, after the fashion of

 

one accord = μοθυμαδν = homothymadon  Blue Letter Bible  of one accord; with one mind; with one passion; a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone; As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.

 

voice = στμα = stoma Blue Letter Bible  mouth, gullet, stomach;  figuratively of inanimate things; the mouth, as part of the body; the front or edge; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  mouth; the mouth as the organ of speech; one's face, foremost part, front; any outlet or entrance   

 

glorify = δοξζω = doxazō Blue Letter Bible to magnify, extol, praise; ascribing honor to, acknowledging; to make glorious, adorn with lustre, clothe with splendor;  to make renowned, render illustrious; to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged; to honour, do honour to, hold in honour;to exalt to a glorious rank or condition; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  think, imagine; suppose; form or hold an opinion; magnify, extol; to be distinguished, held in honour

 

welcome = προσλαμβνω = proslambanō  Blue Letter Bible   take to oneself; receive; a special interest on the part of the receiver, suggesting a welcome; take as one's companion; receive into one's home, with the collateral idea of kindness; grant one access to one's heart; take into friendship and intercourse; to take to one's self, to take: i.e. food; admit to friendship or hospitality; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  take or receive besides or in addition; get over and above; make gains; make progress; take in, add; take to oneself as one's helper or partner; take hold of; fasten; to be enveloped; lend a hand, help you to find an answer; be aided by

 

one another = λλλων = allēlōn  Blue Letter Bible  with each other, together; reciprocally, mutually;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   of one another, to one another, one another; hence, mutually, reciprocally, among one another 

 

just as = καθς = kathōs  Blue Letter Bible  according as, just as, even as, in proportion as, in the degree that;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  even as; how; as, when

 

welcomed—see “welcome” above

 

glory = δξα = doxa  Blue Letter Bible opinion, judgment, view, estimate; splendour, brightness; magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace; majesty; most exalted state; honor; absolute perfection; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  the opinion which others have of one, estimation, repute; good repute, honour, glory; glory, splendor, magnificence, celestial beatitude

 

truthfulness = λθεια = aletheia Blue Letter Bible the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter; that candour of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit; sincerity of mind and integrity of character, or a mode of life in harmony with divine truth; veracity; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon The opposite of lie or mere appearance; reality

 

confirm = βεβαιω = bebaioō  Blue Letter Bible  make firm, establish, confirm, make sure; stabilitate; made steadfast and constant; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  confirm, establish, make good; treat as valid; secure one the possession of a thing; establish for oneself, secure; secure one's ground in argument; confirm oneself in an opinion; guarantee the validity of a purchase, warrant the purchaser's title; determine, show itself positively

 

promises = παγγελα = epangelia Blue Letter Bible  announcement; an undertaking to do or give something, a promise; a gift graciously bestowed, not a pledge secured by negotiation;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  command, summons; announcement, notice; offer, promise, profession, undertaking

 

glorify—see above

 

mercy = λεος = eleos Blue Letter Bible  kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them; compassion (human or divine, especially active); readiness to help those in trouble; the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon pity, mercy, compassion

 

written—see above

 

praise = ξομολογω = exomologeō  Blue Letter Bible  profess or acknowledge openly; confess by way of celebrating, giving praise; to agree openly, to acknowledge outwardly, or fully; acknowledge openly and joyfully; to one's honour: to celebrate, give praise to; to profess that one will do something, to promise, agree, engage

AND

Hebrew from Psalm 18:49) = יָדָה = yāḏâ  Blue Letter Bible  to throw, shoot, cast; laud, praise; to profess, confess; to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands); (make) confess(-ion); praise, celebrate

 

sing = ψλλω = psallō  Blue Letter Bible  to twitch, twang; to pluck off, pull out to cause to vibrate by touching; to play a stringed instrument with the fingers; to touch or strike the chord, to twang the strings of a musical instrument so that they gently vibrate; to play on a stringed instrument, to play, the harp, etc. to sing with a harp, sing psalms; to sing a hymn, sing praise; to celebrate the praises of God in song; making melody; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  luck, pull, twitch, pluck the hair, esp. of the bow-string; mostly of the strings of musical instruments, play a stringed instrument with the fingers, and not with the plectron; sing to a harp

 

sing praise (Hebrew from Psalm 18:49) = זָמַר = zamar  Blue Letter Bible to sing, sing praise; to make music; to play a musical instrument; to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e. play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music; give praise, sing forth praises, psalms; make music in praise of God; to pluck; to dance

 

name = νομα = onoma  Blue Letter Bible  all that a "name" implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc.; of everything that the "name" covers; the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.

AND

name = שֵׁם = šēm  Blue Letter Bible  name; reputation, fame, glory; honor, authority, character; renown, report

 

Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:

 

Wisdom Principles--We Receive Great Blessings If We Seriously Study God’s Ways and Put Them into Practice  

 

***

 

Alleluia: Luke 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

prepare = τοιμζω = hetoimazō Blue Letter Bible to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready; prepare, provide, make ready; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Get ready; make oneself ready; to be prepared with 

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3)  = פָּנָה = pānâ  Blue Letter Bible  to turn toward or from or away; to turn and do; to approach; make clear, clear away; to face; turn and look; regard; look for; turn away, put out of the way, make clear, clear away things scattered about, make orderly; to turn oneself; to direct one’s course, to intend, to propose to oneself

 

way = δς = hodos  Blue Letter Bible way, path, road; highway; used of a traveler's way; journey; a course of conduct; a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding; the way in which one walks; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   way, road; course, channel of a river; way or manner; course; method, system

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3)  = דֶּרֶךְ = dereḵ  Blue Letter Bible  way, road, distance, journey, manner; path; mode; manner, habit, way; course of life; mode of action

 

make  = ποιω = poieō  Blue Letter Bible to do, make; used of spending a time or tarrying, in a place; to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self; to produce, bear, shoot forth; to carry out, to execute; to celebrate, keep; to perform; abide; continue; perform; to labor, to do work; to be operative, exercise activity; accomplish; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  make, produce; create, bring into existence; bring about, cause; make, render; do; practice; to be doing, act; be efficacious

 

straight = εθς = euthys Blue Letter Bible forthwithdirect, right; level; upright, true, sincere;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  straight, direct, whether vertically or horizontally; straightforward, frank; outright, openly, without reserve; directly; straightway, forthwith, immediately, as soon as; directly, simply

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3)  = יָשַׁר = yāšar Blue Letter Bible  to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth;  to be straight or even; direct; fit; level; pleasing, agreeable, right; make smooth, straight

 

paths = τρβος = tribos  Blue Letter Bible  a beaten track; a worn way, a path; rut;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   worn or beaten track; the track of the path; following a track; path; rubbing, attrition; socket, friction-joint; area of friction or pressure of a bandage; bodily exercise

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3) =מְסִלָּה = msillâ Blue Letter Bible   highway, raised way, public road; a thoroughfare, turnpike; embanked; viaduct, staircase; ladder; causeway

 

all = πς = pas Blue Letter Bible  radically means "all." Used without the article it means "every," every kind or variety; any and every, of every kind, all manner of; in every way or particular; the whole; each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything; thoroughly, whatsoever; all manner of; the highest degree, the maximum; always; in everything, in every way, on every side, in every particular or relation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  when used of a number, all; when of one only, the whole; all, the whole; every; all things as a unity, as a totality; all kinds of things; in all points, entirely, wholly; in every way, by all means, altogether

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:6) = כֹּל = kol  Blue Letter Bible  the whole; any, each, every, anything; totality, everything, of all kinds, every sort

 

flesh = σρξ = sarx  Blue Letter Bible  mankind; all menthe complete person; a living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh);  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  the whole body

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:6) בָּשָׂר = basar  Blue Letter Bible  self; flesh; the body itself; kindred, blood-relations; se flesh as frail or erring; all living creatures; the human race

 

salvation = σωτριος = sōtērios  Blue Letter Bible   saving, bringing salvation; defender or (by implication) defence; safety;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   saving, delivering; recovery; bringing safety or deliverance

 

***

 

 

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12   

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

 

preaching = κηρσσω = kēryssō Blue Letter Bible  to be a herald, to proclaim, publish; always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; proclaim openly: something which has been done;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be a herald, officiate as herald; to be an auctioneer; make proclamation; summon; extoll; call upon, invoke; announce; advertise; invite; declare, tell, crow

 

saying = λγω = legō  Blue Letter Bible to say, to ask; commanding, or bidding; to call, to call by name; pronouncing, telling or relating; to gather, reckon, account; to tell; affirm over, maintain; to exhort, advise, to command, direct; to call by name, to call, name; to "lay" forth; to asseverate, affirm, aver, maintain; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon  to say, speak; declare; to tell one to do; to speak to the point or purpose; to speak (emphatically)

 

Repent = μετανοω = metanoeō  Blue Letter Bible  to change one's mind; to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   perceive afterwards, concur subsequently; change one's mind or purpose

 

kingdom = βασιλεα = basileia  Blue Letter Bible   primarily an abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion; denoting the people over whom a king rules; the right or authority to rule; reign; royal power and dignity; the rule of God; God's rule, the divine administration; the universe subject to God's sway, God's royal domain; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  Dominion; being ruled by a king; reign

 

voice = φων = phōnē  Blue Letter Bible  a voice; speech; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language; a sound, a tone, of inanimate things, as musical instruments;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   sound, tone; the sound of the voice, whether of men or animals with lungs and throat; speech, voice, utterance; cry; any articulate sound

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3) = קוֹל = qôl  Blue Letter Bible voice, sound, noise;  to call aloud; a voice or sound; bleating, crackling, lowing, neighing, stamping of feet; noise of inanimate objects

 

crying out = βοω = boaō Blue Letter Bible  to raise a cry, to speak with a strong voice; speak with a high, strong voice; to halloo, i.e. shout (for help or in a tumultuous way); to cry to one for help, implore his aid; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  roar, howl; call to one, call on; shout out for; noise abroad, celebrate; command in a loud notice to do a thing; to be filled with sound; to be deafened

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3) קָרָא = qārā'  Blue Letter Bible to call, cry, utter a loud sound; to proclaim; to read aloud, read (to oneself); the idea of accosting a person met; address by name; call; name, give name to; to call upon or to

 

prepare = τοιμζω = hetoimazō Blue Letter Bible to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready; prepare, provide, make ready; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Get ready; make oneself ready; to be prepared with 

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3)  = פָּנָה = pānâ  Blue Letter Bible  to turn toward or from or away; to turn and do; to approach; make clear, clear away; to face; turn and look; regard; look for; turn away, put out of the way, make clear, clear away things scattered about, make orderly; to turn oneself; to direct one’s course, to intend, to propose to oneself

 

way = δς = hodos  Blue Letter Bible way, path, road; highway; used of a traveler's way; journey; a course of conduct; a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding; the way in which one walks; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   way, road; course, channel of a river; way or manner; course; method, system

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3)  = דֶּרֶךְ = dereḵ  Blue Letter Bible  way, road, distance, journey, manner; path; mode; manner, habit, way; course of life; mode of action

 

 

Lord = κριος = kyrios  Blue Letter Bible  Lord, master, owner, Sir; one who has the disposal of anything; one to whom service is due on any ground; one who exercises power;he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; the sovereign, prince, chief; a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence; supreme in authority; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  supreme power, authority; one invested with authority

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3)  יְהֹוָה = Yhōvâ  Blue Letter Bible   Yahweh; I am he who I am, I am who I am; he who is essentially unnameable, inexplicable; the God of the patriarchs; the existing One; the proper name of the one true God; the self-Existent or Eternal; the one bringing into being, life-giver; giver of existence, creator; performer of his promises; he who causes to fall, rain or lightning; he one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption; the supreme God; God eternal and immutable

 

make  = ποιω = poieō  Blue Letter Bible to do, make; used of spending a time or tarrying, in a place; to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self; to produce, bear, shoot forth; to carry out, to execute; to celebrate, keep; to perform; abide; continue; perform; to labor, to do work; to be operative, exercise activity; accomplish Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  make, produce; create, bring into existence; bring about, cause; make, render; do; practice; to be doing, act; be efficacious

 

straight = εθς = euthys Blue Letter Bible forthwithdirect, right; level; upright, true, sincere;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  straight, direct, whether vertically or horizontally; straightforward, frank; outright, openly, without reserve; directly; straightway, forthwith, immediately, as soon as; directly, simply

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3)  = יָשַׁר = yāšar Blue Letter Bible  to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth;  to be straight or even; direct; fit; level; pleasing, agreeable, right; make smooth, straight

 

paths = τρβος = tribos  Blue Letter Bible  a beaten track; a worn way, a path; rut;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   worn or beaten track; the track of the path; following a track; path; rubbing, attrition; socket, friction-joint; area of friction or pressure of a bandage; bodily exercise

AND

(Hebrew from Isaiah 40:3) =מְסִלָּה = msillâ Blue Letter Bible   highway, raised way, public road; a thoroughfare, turnpike; embanked; viaduct, staircase; ladder; causeway

 

going out = κπορεομαι = ekporeuomai  Blue Letter Bible   come forth; to proceed from or forth; depart; issue; flow forth; project

 

to = πρς = pros  Blue Letter Bible  a preposition of direction; unto; motion towards; to, towards, with, with regard to; at, near, by; hard by; besides; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  in the direction of; towards; hard by, near, at; close to the feet, before one; clinging closely

 

baptized = βαπτζω = baptizō  Blue Letter Bible   to dip; washed; to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge; to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe; to overwhelm;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  dip, plunge; to be drowned; to be drenched; draw wine by dipping the cup in the bowl

 

acknowledged = ξομολογέω = exomologeō   Blue Letter Bible  public acknowledgment; profess or acknowledge openly; celebrating, giving praise;  agree openly, to acknowledge outwardly, or fully; to celebrate, give praise; acknowledge openly and joyfully; to profess that one will do something, to promise, agree, engage; assent; agree fully

sins = μαρτα = hamartia Blue Letter Bible lit., missing of the mark; moral obliquity; to be without a share in; to err, be mistaken; to miss or wander from the path; to do or go wrong; violate God's law; offence; a bad action, some particular evil deed;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  a failure, fault; error; guilt; Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament  missing of a mark or aim; a failing to grasp; to be without one’s share of, to miss; a failing and missing the true end and scope of our lives

wrath = ργ = orgē Blue Letter Bible  anger; the natural disposition, temper, character movement or agitation of the soul; impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger; wrath, indignation; punishment; violent passion; ire; abhorrence; indignation, vengeance, wrath; outbursts of anger; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   natural impulse or propensity; temperament, disposition, mood; anger, wrath; passionate, in a passion; visitations of wrath

coming = μλλω = mellō  Blue Letter Bible  to be about to do anything, or to delay, is used in connection with a following verb in the sense of almost; to be on the point of doing or suffering something; to intend, have in mind, think to; things future, things to come; are to be, destined to be; those things which we infer from certain preceding events will of necessity follow; what is sure to happen; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  being about to do, threatening to do; unfulfilled thought or intention, delay; at short notice; putting off; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon (alternate definition)  to be destined or likely to, indicating an estimated certainty or strong probability in the present, past, or future;  to be about to, in purely temporal sense; to be always going to do without ever doing: hence, delay, put off; future 

 

produce—see “make” above

 

fruit = καρπς = karpos  Blue Letter Bible  that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism; the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly; advantage, profit; sanctification; that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result; work, act, deed; utility; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  the fruits of the earth, corn, harvest, produce; taxes paid in kind; seed with seed-vessel; returns, profits; reward

 

evidence = ξιος = axios  Blue Letter Bible weight, value, worth, weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much; befitting, becoming, right on the ground of fitness, befitting, congruous, corresponding to a thing; of one who has merited anything worthy, deserving; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon weighing as much, of like value, worth as much as; worthy, goodly; deserved, meet, due; sufficient for; worthy of, deserving

 

repentance= μετνοια = metanoia  Blue letter Bible  afterthought, change of mind; not simply a change of [] mind, but such a change as would reverse the effects of his [] previous state of mind; a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done; compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision); the change of mind of those who have begun to abhor their errors and misdeeds, and have determined to enter upon a better course of life; embraces both a recognition of sin and sorrow for it and hearty amendment; that change of mind by which we turn from, desist from, etc.; the improved spiritual state resulting from deep sorrow for sin;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  change of mind or heart, repentance, regret, correction

 

presume = δοκω = dokeō  Blue Letter Bible  to be of opinion, think, suppose;  to seem, to be accounted, reputed; it seems good to, pleased me, I determined; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  expect; think, suppose, imagine; think to do, purpose; have or form an opinion; seem, pretend;  seem or be thought to have done; seem, as opp. to reality; to be reputed

 

bear—see “make” above

 

fruit—see above

 

cut down = κκπτω = ekkoptō  Blue Letter Bible  to cut or strike out;  cutting off; to cut out, cut off; hew down, hinder; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  cut out, knock out; cut [trees] out of a wood, fell; laid waste; cut off, make an end of; eradicate abuses; extirpate; beat off, repulse; to be ruined; cut out or erase an inscription; hinder, bring to a stop

 

thrown = βλλω = ballō  Blue Letter Bible   to throw or cast; hurl; send; thrust; to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls; to scatter, to throw, cast into; to give over to one's care uncertain about the result; to pour out; put into, insert; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   throw so as to hit; cast, hurl; let fall; push forward; throw about

 

fire = πρ = pyr  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   fire; fever heat, violent fever; to be consumed, come to nothing

 

baptizing—see “baptized” above

 

repentance—see above

coming = ρχομαι = erchomai  Blue Letter Bible  denoting either "to come, or to go," signifies the act, in contrast with heko, which stresses the arrival; to come from one place to another; to come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence; to come to a thing; to go;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  start, set out; come or go; to go a journey; any kind of motion 

after = πσω = opisō  Blue Letter Bible  back, behind, after, afterwards; to follow; get behind;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   backwards; back, back again; of action that reverses an action or occurrence; come after me, follow me

 

mightier = σχυρς  = ischyros Blue Letter Bible   stronger, mightier; strong, mighty; power; those who wield great influence among men by their rank, authority, riches, etc.;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon   strong, powerful; strongly, with all force; very much, exceedingly

 

Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:

Wisdom Principles--Rebuke & Openness to Correction 

We Must Make Real Effort/Sacrifice to receive all that God offers, But It Is Well Worth It 

Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin  

***

 

What these readings tell us about God’s nature or our relationship to Him:

The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him

a spirit of wisdom

understanding,
a spirit of counsel

strength

a spirit of knowledge

fear of the LORD

his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide

judge the poor with justice

decide aright for the land's afflicted

strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked

Justice shall be the band around his waist

faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain

a signal for the nations

his dwelling shall be glorious

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
your justice
govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days

profound peace

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
he shall 
rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall 
have pity for the lowly and the poorthe lives of the poor he shall save.

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May 
his name be blessed forever

In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessedall the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction

by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope

the God of endurance and encouragement  

God's truthfulness

confirm the promises

his mercy

all flesh shall see the salvation of God

God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones

every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
the one who is coming after me is mightier than I

I am not worthy to carry his sandals

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire

He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire

 

What these readings tell us to do:

his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
judge the poor with justice

decide aright for the land's afflicted

strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked

[be] filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.
the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations

the Gentiles shall seek out

judgment

justice

govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment

rescue the poor

cries out

have pity for the lowly and the poor

he lives of the poor … save

his name be blessed forever

proclaim his happiness

instruction

 have hope

think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus

with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God

glorify God for his mercy

praise you among the Gentiles

sing praises to your name.

Prepare the way of the Lord

make straight his paths

Repent

being baptized

acknowledged their sins.
flee from the coming wrath

Produce good fruit

Repentance

 

What these readings tell us not to do:

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide

harm

ruin

presume

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