The Biblical concept of the role of fathers and mothers from the ancient pictographic form of the Hebrew letters
by Dr. Noreen Jacks
Literal definition: tent pole; conceptual definition = father
Biblical and Modern Hebrew letters: אב (pronounced: ahv)
א (Aleph = ox head) meaning strength, power, leadership
ב (Beit = house) lineage, dynasty (literally, the floor plan of the nomadic tent)
Together the letters mean tent pole. The father is the primary support system, the strength of the family and leader of his household. The tent pole must remain in place.
Literal definition: strong water; conceptual definition = mother
Biblical and Modern Hebrew letters: אם (pronounced: ahm)
א (Aleph) = ox head, meaning strength, power, leadership (like the father)
ם (Mem) = meaning water
Together the letters mean strong water or glue, a sticky substance derived from boiling animal skins in water. Animal skins speak of sacrifice. Strong water (glue) represents the one who binds the family together through sacrifice…the mother, and ultimately, Christ. Strong water also speaks of the cleansing power of the Word of God that binds believers to Christ (Eph 5:26).
The imagery of the tent pole is vertical, while that of the all-embracing strong water is horizontal, forming a picture of the cross of Christ. As the cross appears, the nature of the father (tent pole) and the mother (strong water = glue, the bonding agent) are lost. It is no longer they who live, but Christ who lives in them.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20 – NIV).
The closer a couple gets to God (climbing up the triangle), the closer they come to each other! If one spouse advances toward God, and the other fails to do so, the rebellious spouse will be estranged from God and his or her mate.
Still today, ancient Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, speaks to those who will listen and obey the ideal plan of God for marriage and family life!
The Husband is the Tent Pole; the Wife is Super Glue!
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Dr. Noreen Jacks conveys her passion for the Word of God and her visions of hope for those in need of spiritual restoration. She enjoys biblical archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, and history of the Bible lands and its people.
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