Nearly every English translation of Scripture that I have found says: “it is hard for a camel to be threaded through the eye of a needle.” Jesus said unto His disciples, “Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. … It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matt 19:23) I hope you are holding your camel with a thick rope? I wish preachers would research that ‘camel’ phrase and stop teaching confusion. It has a very simple explanation that hinges on the letter ‘a’!
In writing Aramaic and Hebrew, vowels are not included. Vowels are said verbally but not in writing. In Aramaic the word for camel is ‘gamla’ and is written: ‘gml’. The word for a heavy rope is ‘gamala’ and is also written ‘gml’. When the original translator saw ‘gml’, he didn’t put enough vowels in and mistakenly interpreted camel instead of rope. The quote that Jesus used was a common Jewish idiom meaning: “To put a heavy rope through a needle, you have to take it apart and feed it through, one strand at a time.” He used the idiom to illustrate that a rich person would need to give up their possessions piece by piece to enter the Kingdom. A very simple and clear to understand idiom that has confused centuries of Believers because of one vowel!
Yahshua said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven. … It is easier for a heavy rope to pass through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom (Hebraic Roots Bible) Matt 19:23
I refer to these notes to you as homilies. I don’t see them as devotionals, although you could treat them as such. The word HOMILEO (‘homily’ is the English translation) is found four times in Scripture. (Luke 24:14,15; Acts 20:11; 24:26) and in every case is a CONVERSATION AMONG A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. Consequently I look forward to your comments and insights.
Blessing – Identity & Legitimacy
May you be blessed because the LORD creatively formed you; He is your strength and He honours you.
(… I am honorable in the eyes of the Lord and He is my strength …) Isaiah 49:5
(original post Feb 15 2015)
