Assignment 7 Word Study Assignment- Pieterse
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Uploaded by JusticeMask29879
Name: Etienne Pieterse
Date: 5 November 2023
WORD STUDY WORKSHEET
STEP ONE: WHAT COULD THE WORD MEAN?
1. Identify: Find the correct Hebrew word for the word you are studying.
A.
Word and Verse: Wickedness- Jonah 1:2
B.
Strong’s Number: H7451
C.
Transliteration: rā’ā
ām
ṯ
D.
Number of Times Used - Immediate Context: 10x
E.
Number of Times Used - Remote Context: 663x
F.
English words represented by this Hebrew word: evil, wickedness, wicked, mischief,
hurt, bad, trouble, sore, affliction, ill, adversity, ill favoured, harm, naught, noisome,
grievous, sad
2. Study Immediate Context: The verse and the book
The term "wickedness" is a significant aspect that plays a central part in the Book of Jonah. It is
used by the author to underline the moral depravity and sinful nature of the people of Nineveh.
The city of Nineveh is depicted as a place riddled with evil, with inhabitants who have wandered
far from the road of righteousness. Their activities and behaviors are marked by brutality,
unfairness, and a contempt for good and moral standards. God sends the prophet Jonah to convey
a message of caution and repentance to the people of Nineveh. The approaching downfall of their
city is depicted as a result of their evil actions. The word "wickedness" emphasizes the gravity of
their misdeeds and the need for them to change their ways. The Ninevites' reaction is particularly
interesting in the account. Despite their initial wickedness, they listen to Jonah's word, and the
entire city repents and abandons their immoral ways. This transformation in the people's hearts
exemplifies the concept of divine mercy and the potential of restoration, even for those who have
been firmly entrenched in wrongdoing. In essence, the word "wickedness" in the Book of Jonah
is a powerful literary device that emphasizes the contrast between Nineveh's immoral state and
the possibility of redemption and pardon through repentance. It emphasizes the book's greater
message, which is the transformational power of faith and God's willingness to extend
forgiveness and compassion to those who repent of their sins.
3. Study Remote Context (pt. 1): Other uses by the author in a different book
The phrase "wickedness" appears several times in the Book of Genesis, illustrating various
examples of moral depravity and evil activity. Genesis 6:5-7 paints a bleak picture of humanity
before to the Great Flood. People's hearts are said to be always full of wicked thoughts and
intents. Because of humanity's pervasive sinfulness, God decided to send a global flood to
cleanse the earth. The narrative of Noah and the Ark exemplifies the gravity of human evil and
the consequences it can bring. In Genesis, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are famed for their
excessive immorality. According to Genesis 13:13, the people of these cities were extremely
immoral and wicked. Their immorality is most prominently described in Genesis 18 and 19,
where the angels sent by God to investigate Sodom discover a population engaged in
inhospitality and perverse behavior, leading to the towns' destruction by fire and brimstone. This
story emphasizes the repercussions of unrepentant evil. The evil of Joseph's brothers is seen in
their deeds in Genesis 37. They plot against Joseph and sell him into slavery, motivated by
jealously and bitterness. Their immoral actions causes Joseph to suffer and be separated from his
family. This story, however, shows how God's providence can finally work through these
occurrences to achieve His objectives. The phrase "wickedness" is used in the Book of Genesis
to emphasize the repercussions of immoral deeds, the necessity for divine intervention or
punishment, and the contrasting theme of God's faithfulness and providence in the face of human
wickedness.
4. Study Remote Context (pt. 2): Other uses by other authors in different books
The concept of "wickedness" plays an important part in the Book of Exodus, emphasizing moral
and ethical implications in various circumstances. The Egyptian Pharaoh's wickedness is a
prominent topic throughout Exodus. Despite God's amazing signs and calamities, Pharaoh
continuously refuses to release the Israelites from slavery. His hardened heart and intransigence
are viewed as wicked, causing the Israelites to suffer. The plagues that strike Egypt are both a
show of God's strength and a reaction to Pharaoh's sin. While the Israelites are persecuted in
Egypt, they are not without flaws. The golden calf episode in Exodus 32 is a prime example. In
the absence of Moses, the people commit idolatry by making and worshiping a golden calf,
breaking God's prohibitions. This is a sinful deed that will result in God's wrath and
condemnation. As the Israelites travel through the wilderness, they come across numerous
nations, some of whom are depicted as evil. The Amalekites, for example, attack the Israelites
without provocation, which is considered evil conduct. This event emphasizes the difficulties
that the Israelites experience as they go to the Promised Land. The concept of wickedness is used
throughout the Book of Exodus to emphasize the significance of obeying God's instructions and
the repercussions of moral and ethical shortcomings. It also emphasizes the conflicting concepts
of God's judgment and mercy, as well as His fidelity to the Israelites' covenant.
STEP TWO: WHAT DOES THE WORD MEAN?
1. Considering context, are there any usages that can be rejected immediately?
In the context of the Book of Jonah, the Hebrew word "" (r'tm) has a variety of meanings that
express negative and morally repugnant aspects. Let us look more closely at why various
interpretations, such as "goodness," "purity," "righteousness," "adversity," and "sadness," do not
fit the narrative: Adversity: "Adversity" usually refers to difficulties or challenges rather than
moral transgression. The word "" refers to the people's moral shortcomings rather than the
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obstacles they experience in their lives. Sadness: "Sadness" refers to emotional suffering or
sadness, as opposed to moral evil. In Jonah, the word refers to the Ninevites' moral behavior
rather than their emotional state. In Jonah, the word refers to the Ninevites' moral behavior rather
than their emotional state. In the Book of Jonah, the phrase “
םתָע ָר
”
is used to stress the people
of Nineveh's bad moral and ethical attributes, which are indulging in wicked and sinful behavior.
Positive traits or emotional states suggested by interpretations do not correspond with the
narrative's fundamental subject, which is a plea for repentance from their evil. The word
emphasizes the necessity for the Ninevites to repent and turn away from their evil habits.
2. Considering context, what do you believe this word means?
The word "
םָתָע ָר
" in the context of the book of Jonah signifies total wickedness and evil activity.
Moral Depravity and Sinfulness: "
םָתָע ָר
" powerfully depicts the moral depravity and sinfulness
of the people of Nineveh. It comprises a wide spectrum of evil deeds, implying that their
behavior was not just marginally bad, but fundamentally and persistently unethical. This phrase
is used to describe the gravity of their misbehavior. Divine Warning and Repentance: The
presence of "
םָתָע ָר
" acts as a trigger for divine intervention. God's response to the Ninevites' evil
is to send Jonah as a prophet with a message of warning and the opportunity for repentance.
Nineveh's imminent judgment and devastation are directly related to their immorality and serve
as a wake-up call to mend their ways. The Repentance and Mercy Theme: The word is critical in
conveying one of the Book of Jonah's key themes: repentance and divine mercy. The word of
Jonah provides an opportunity for the inhabitants of Nineveh to confess their wrongdoing,
express remorse, and repent of their evil behavior. This topic emphasizes the idea that even
individuals who are deeply entangled in evil can find salvation and mercy by seeking
righteousness. Theological Significance: Within the narrative, the word "
םָתָע ָר
" has theological
significance. It exemplifies the conflict between human evil and divine compassion. It
emphasizes the transformational power of religion as well as God's willingness to extend
forgiveness to those who truly repent and pursue a more righteous path. In conclusion, "
םָתָע ָר
" is
a powerful and multifaceted term in the Bible as a whole. In Jonah it captures the Ninevites'
moral deterioration, laying the groundwork for a story of repentance, divine intervention, and the
hope of redemption. The term emphasizes the book's primary themes of moral reform, mercy,
and the understanding that there is hope for reconciliation with the divine even in the midst of
evil.
3. Consult secondary sources to verify your understanding of the word you are studying.
All sources
Engagement with secondary sources is a vital strategy in the scholarly examination of biblical
texts that increases our comprehension of individual terminology and their significance within
the text. The Hebrew word "" (r'tm), which appears prominently in the Book of Jonah, is an
example of a term that benefits from such thorough investigation, and it can be validated and
expanded upon through the extensive use of secondary sources, such as Strong's Concordance
and the Blue Letter Bible (BLB) Lexicon. Strong's Concordance is a renowned and well-known
resource in biblical studies. It gives each Hebrew and Greek word in the Bible a unique number,
making it easier to investigate word definitions, etymology, and contextual usage. When we look
up "" in Strong's Concordance, we find a variety of meanings and implications that are crucial to
our interpretation. The meanings of these words include "evil," "wickedness," "mischief," "hurt,"
"bad," "trouble," "sore," "affliction," "ill," "adversity," "ill-favored," "harm," "naught,"
"noisome," "grievous," or "sad." These several interpretations provide a full knowledge of the
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term's negative moral and ethical implications. The Blue Letter Bible (BLB) Lexicon, in addition
to Strong's Concordance, is an excellent resource for biblical exegesis. The BLB Lexicon
provides deep linguistic, etymological, and cultural insights into biblical terms, helping us better
understand their meanings and significance. When looking up "" in the BLB Lexicon, it confirms
the Strong's Concordance interpretations while also providing further linguistic analysis and
word origins. The BLB Lexicon's confirmation of these meanings solidifies our knowledge of the
word's semantic breadth and its significance in the Jonah story. Furthermore, the BLB Lexicon
frequently provides cross-references to other Bible sections where the phrase appears, allowing
for a more in-depth investigation of its usage and context. This cross-referencing is a significant
resource for students and theologians interested in delving deeper into the intricacies of "" in
various biblical settings. The use of secondary materials, particularly Strong's Concordance and
the BLB Lexicon, in the study of biblical texts displays a commitment to rigorous scholarship
and a thorough comprehension of the text. Scholars can validate and expand on the definition of
"" while obtaining insight into the term's multiple complexities, both linguistically and
theologically, by drawing on these resources.
RESOURCES USED:
“BLB Lexicon Resources - Strong’s Definitions.”
Blue Letter Bible
. Accessed November 7,
2023. https://www.blueletterbible.org/resources/lexical/overview.cfm.
"H7451 - ra - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (nkjv)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 7 Nov, 2023.
ʿ
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7451/nkjv/wlc/0-1/
Shao, Rosa Ching.
Jonah /
. Carlisle :: Langham Global Library,, 2019.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the
Scriptures
. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, an imprint of Cook Communications Ministries,
2004.
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