Hebrew is an amazing language. Though I am no expert regarding it (I simply know how to use various tools), I do have a great appreciation for its brilliance. As I have said, at times, it is a pictorial language: Letters represent pictures, which are combined to present concepts. Meanings are understood, in part, based on the context of the letters’/pictures’ use. This obviously means a Hebrew word can represent numerous things.
For example, to pass over, leap, skip over, become lame, halt, and limpare all the same word in Hebrew: pacach (which is the root word of pesach, or “Passover”). The picture, obviously, is the up and down, side to side, halting movement. Interestingly, though seldom used as such, it is also a word for dance. Again, this is because of the movement the letter’s picture.
What Is Passover?
Passover is a joyous celebration, commemorating Israel’s exodus from Egypt, when God judged the Egyptians with the death angel but “passed over” the Israelites. The exodus was their deliverance from slavery and oppression. This, of course, was a picture of Christ, our Passover Lamb, whose Blood delivers us from spiritual death and bondage.
After Israel’s deliverance, they celebrated at the Red Sea with timbrels, singing, and dancing (Exodus 15:20–21). Though dancing in this passage is a different Hebrew word, it nonetheless was a picture of the great joy of Passover.
From Dancing to Limping
In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah asked the Israelites how long they would “halt” (pacach) between opinions. Other translations use different words here: hesitate, waver, limp, hobble, and more. Elijah is obviously confronting their inability to decide between serving Yahweh or Baal, their back-and-forth double-mindedness. But by using pacach (“to pass over”), the play on words cannot be missed: You could be, and should be, dancing the dance of pesach (“Passover”), celebrating the deliverance and freedom given to you by Yahweh. Instead, you are limping the “limp” (pacach) of Baal!
God Bless You and Your Families!
Love,
Please think about donating below.