As a writer, I try to find the right words to say what I want to communicate. Clarity demands we use the right words to express our thoughts. Failure to do so brings confusion. When God wrote the Bible, in the original languages, He chose the perfect words to tell us what He wanted us to know about Him, His plans, and how He wants us to live.
I know very little about the Hebrew language, but I love learning about it, because the more I learn, the more understanding opens up in my Bible study. For instance, the first verse in the Bible, Genesis 1:1, reveals the one true God. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The Hebrew word for God is Elohim. El means God and the im is plural. It doesn’t mean multiple deities, but immediately points us to the Trinity–God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:2 confirms the presence of the Holy Spirit. Other parts of the Bible confirm Jesus’s presence and involvement with God, the Father, at creation (John 1:1, Colossians 1:15-17).
The richness of the Hebrew language explains some of the differences we find in various translations of the Bible. The Hebrew words carry a depth of meaning that doesn’t come through in our English translations. Different translators may emphasize one meaning over another. In Exodus 7:16, the Lord spoke to Pharaoh through Moses and said, Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. Some translations use the word serve in place of worship. Which is it, worship or serve? Actually, the Hebrew word (avad) carries the meaning of both. With a little thought, we can see that our worship is our work, and our work is our worship. For the follower of Christ, everything we do is worship. As we submit to Him, we worship Him with our lives.
According to Mark Batterson, the biblical Hebrew language is made up of only 8,000 words, compared with 170,000 English words. So the Hebrew words are packed with meaning. Two Hebrew words I learned from reading his book, “A Million Little Miracles,” are tov and kabosh. Tov doesn’t translate well. It means good, but in the broadest sense–the best, the most pleasant, the most beautiful, the most wonderful. It is good to the highest degree possible. All of its aspects describe God’s creation in Genesis 1, when God referred to what He had made as “good” and “very good.”
The second word, Kabosh means to subdue, or bring under control, as when the Holy Spirit brought order out of chaos in Genesis 1:2. Also, when God told Adam and Eve to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). I just like the sound of it. I will think of it as I try to work the things in my areas of responsibility into something that makes sense, whether a recipe, a manuscript, or household clutter. Kabosh!
God is the Author of the Bible. He wants us to know Him. Every word in the Bible is placed for His purposes. He chose to use the right words to express His thoughts. The more we learn about the words He chose, the better we will know Him.
The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Psalm 19:7-8 NLT
How have God’s words made an impact on you? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by ha11ok from Pixabay
As always, loved your weekly post!
David and I read A Million Little Miracles and thought it was amazing!
Thank you!
Yes, I really enjoyed, “A Million Little Miracles.” Mark Batterson is a writer with a lot of insight. Thanks, Debby.
Hi Phyllis…
I so value your God given insights on His Word! Interestingly, “kabosh” is also in the English dictionary meaning “to put an end to”, much like “ to “bring under control” 😊. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Cheryl. I value my readers. Thanks for reading.
Thank you for the insights, Phyllis. I’m also grateful that through the Holy Spirit, God helps me understand what He wants me to know when I read His Word.
Thanks for your support, Joni.