EMET - THE HEBREW WORD FOR TRUTH AND ITS DEEPER MEANINGS

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

    for you are God my Savior,

    and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5 (NIV)

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INTRODUCTION

If we abide in the word, the truth will set us free. Truth is a concept with a far deeper meaning hidden beneath it. It conveys something enduring, everlasting, whole and complete. That concept is clearly stated in the wording of the Hebrew term for truth - emet. The first letter is the first letter of the hebrew alphabet (aleph), while the last one is the last (tav). The word says that God is the first and the last, and Yeshua, as the only way, truth, and life, will prevail and endure forever.

THE WORLD AND THE TRUTH

“A lie stands on one leg, truth on two.” — Benjamin Franklin

Truth. A concept we all seek each day, yet many times avoid because it brings us pain. Cambridge Dictionary defines truth as "the quality of being true". (2)

Per the world, truth has to do with some sort of correspondence between our thinking (as expressed by language) and states of affairs in the world. It stems from the Greek concept of truth, aletheia, and defines a static property that pertains to propositions. It led to metaphysical speculations about "essences" and "universals" as something "more real" than the everyday world. (3)

While that is partly accurate, biblical truth defines something far deeper than what meets the eye.

THE HEBREW WORD EMET

The Hebrew word for truth is emet. It conveys the concepts of truth, faithfulness, reliability, and firmness. (4)

The Hebrew mind focuses more on the dynamic, the changing. It focuses on the idea that truth involved the formation of the character of the person - and the restoration of the world. It is not about "what" but rather "who". Truth is up-close and personal; it is a way of living. (3)

LINGUISTIC STRUCTURE OF THE WORD FOR TRUTH - THE HIDDEN MEANING

Emet (אֱמֶת), the Hebrew word for truth, contains the first, middle, and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This indicates that truth encompasses all things and endures from the beginning (א) to the end (ת). Truth in a spiritual or ethical sense is something everlasting, whole, complete, and enduring. (3)

God is called "El Emet". The faithful God of Truth. In this world, there will be betrayals and disappointments. People are unreliable. Yet there is God, the Reliable One. The One who will deliver.

We cannot always be faithful and true to God, but El Emet, “the Faithful God of Truth,” will always be faithful and true to us. - Kurt Selles (3)

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

When met with uncertainty, disappointment, or betrayal, we are to turn to God, the One who can deliver.

The Word says in John 8: 31-32 (ESV), "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”"

One of my mentors says that what we behold we attract. If we abide in the Word of God, which is His very essence and presence, that is the image we shall attract and bring forth into his world. When we agree with what God says is true of us, it sets us free. The Spirit now working on the inside of us is bringing us from glory to glory. It will bring us to full fruition.

YESHUA, THE TRUTH OF GOD

I have been on a spiritual journey to find the truth of God. In this hour, I believe we are to let go of false doctrines of man and embrace the truth of God. That truth can only be found in God Himself, Yah, and His son Yeshua, who is called the only truth, way, and life that leads to God.

I believe in connecting back to the roots of Christianity and Judaism to find our God and Savior. But of course, the letter still needs to be breathed upon to meet our maker. The creator of all is, after all, a Living person, a Spoken Word, and a Fiery Breath that broods over the events of the physical world. In the end, it is through our experiences that we will grow in our relationship with Him.

CONCLUSION

Truth is what we all seek, yet may at the same time deny. This world defines truth as something static, a way of thinking that corresponds with the events in reality. But truth in the Hebrew way of thinking is dynamic and involves the formation of the character of the person. It is not a "what" but a "who" and is personal. Truth can only be found through knowing Yesua, the truth, the way, and life.

Appliction

God Almighty, reveal to us any area of life where lies are preventing us from walking in freedom. Empower us to embrace the truth that will set us free during this upcoming week.

SOURCES

1. Image created via canva.com

2. Cambridge Dictionary. Truth. Available at https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/truth

3. Hebrew for Christians. Hebrew Word of the Week - Emet: Truth. Avalaible at https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Word_of_the_Week/Archived/Emet/emet.html

4. Bible Hub. Emeth. Available at https://biblehub.com/hebrew/571.htm