Pasi K Pohjala Verre et Bible 14 of Feb2013. Chapter Eight. RELIGIOUS CULT OF DIVINE SBT SABBAT SNAKE STAFF AND KINDLING SHABBATH LAMPS For current Rabbinical Judaism the weekly celebration of Shabbath is one of central religious tenets, and historically celebration of Shabbath has also been central. Currently one important tenet in comprehension of Shabbath celebration is that the Shabbath is time of rest, and cessation of work, and especial opportunity for devote time for study of the Torah. In many current Rabbinical comprehensions of Shabbath the cessation from work and scrupulous definitions what is considered as work are important discussions and topic of lengthy scholarly discussions and rulings. And numerous are currently in many Jewish households even such modern devices that radically help to fulfil that important Mizwa, such as switches for lights, switches for lifts and many other electrical proceedings. And somewhat comparably, important detail in celebration of Christian Sunday is cessation from work and toil. Indeed, for Jewish religiosity celebration of Shabbath is really central tenet. This usual understanding then is often importantly specifying reading and comprehension of old texts, also Biblical texts, concerning meaning of Shabbath celebration. Thus Readers may at first be astonished recognising that in Bible usual meaning of SBT word indeed is “staff, rod” (with Teth written) and that one Egyptian designation of snake, serpent is SBT. This connection of “snake” and “staff, rod” is in Biblical histories from Egypt especially clearly important remembering the episode before the Exodus when staff of Aaron changed into a snake (Exodus 7): here is indeed described Aaron’s staff and compared that staff with snake. We shall now study the interesting comprehension that in Old Testament quite often are described rituals and cult of divine SBT snake staff; we thus shall see that ancient celebration of SHABBATH in Old Testament also included celebration of SBT snake staff (or caduceus). We begin noticing in Blessing of Jacob Genesis 49 statement concerning DAN, in Gen 49:16 that DN JDJN YMW KAHD SBTJ JSRAL JHJ DN NHS YL DRK SPJPN YL ARH “Dan shall govern his people, as one of the tribes of Israel Dan shall be a serpent by the road A viper by the path” (Tanakh) Here are noticed NHS serpent and SPJPN viper, two kinds of snakes (or SPJPN may denote “horned snake”, although is found only in this statement in the whole Old Testament- see BDB). Even in the modern translation Readers may with attentive reading notice that in some meaning this “Dan” consists of two snakes, NHS and SPJPN, or rather the SBT (“staff, rod”) thus consists of two snakes NHS and SPJPN. Here we apparently are reading surprisingly clear description of SBT rod that is compound of NHS serpent and SPJPN viper. We here are reading apparent description of snake staff SBT, here noticed the staff of tribe of Dan. Now it is especially important for comprehending SPJPWN snake to remember well that in Hebrew Bible SPJNH is a noun for ship, thus in Jonah 1:5 and that the SP noun in Hebrew Bible notices basins and bowls (see BDB 706). This ancient saying of Dan thus is actually important reference in Hebrew Bible to rituals of BOWLS AND SNAKES. What might, then, more specify such SPJPN viper, or the “horned snake”, in Old Testament? We notice short episode in 2 Samuel 17:27ff whose language is notoriously much resembling language of this Blessing of Dan in Gen 49. Thus we notice the episode of 2 Sam 17:27ff describing campaign of David and his arrival at Mahanaim When David reached Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbath-Ammon, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim presented couches, basins (SPWT) and earthenware (Tanakh translation) Details here deserve much consideration- here is told of arrival of David, whose name quite resembles the name Dan especially in Hebrew Bible (the Nun and Waw are quite similar indeed), and here is told of SB BN NHS MRBT BNJ YMWN that “Shobi son of NAHASH”. The MRBT may here notice his special profession to RB guide travellers for power of AMON, and the SB also referring to SAAB magnets and seeing SB reflected visions in bowls- such as magnetic needle there turning and pointing towards north; and the name Shobi echoes name SHABBATH too. Here is also Barzillai a Gileadite noticed, and his name is important in discussions of Jordan river ferrymen (see Commentary Nahum); and name refers to iron Barzel – in this context this detail of SAAB and BARZEL indicates traditions of magnetising pieces of iron so that they were compass needles. And here is the BOWL noticed with Hebrew SP word; in this text apparent reference is to Genesis 49 where is SPJPN viper noticed writing that JHJ DN NHS YL DRK SPJPN YL ARH and thus is stated how NHS is on road and SPJPN on paths, or that NHS snake and SPJPN viper are YL DRK and YL ARH in such sense that they direct travellers, by telling in compass direction to destinations. The SP bowl and SPJPN viper are similar, also in this tradition connecting bowl and snake (that is actually quite usual in religious rituals), and connection to SB here emphasises more precisely that such magnified bowl visions were for directing travellers; bowl acted as compass. The prophesy of Isaiah includes also notorious details of snake staffs. We find in Isa 14:7 that NHH SQTH KL HARZ PZHW RNH “all the earth is calm, untroubled; loudly it cheers” (Tanakh) But slightly changing reading, with dividing consonants differently into words we find NHHS QTH KL HARZ PZHW RNH The NQT means to hold in hand, to carry, so that THIS reading, fully respecting the text of Hebrew Bible, notices NHS serpent that is held in hand, or carried in hand. This is unmistakable reference to SNAKE STAFF because here Isa 14:5 notices “The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the rod of tyrants” (Tanakh) where SBT MSLJM is noticed, and MTH RSYJM (“staff”). Notice well that word PZ in Hebrew Bible apparently here in well informed Book of Isaiah denotes PZ Egyptian Crystal Bowls (I studied this word PZ especially in translation of Chapters of Job in Verre et Bible 2 (2008), where many speeches of ELIPAZ are noticed). Here are apparently noticed hand held snake staff and vessels of lights, Egyptian Crystal Bowls; and many Egyptian bowls specifically are Cobra bowls. In many ancient depictions the snake staff is depicted with bowl. Indeed, so is written here Isa 14:4 AJK SBT NGS SBTH MDHBH Specially worth noticing is that GWS describes to stir a bowl, so that here we find notice how bowl was stirred with rod-operating (SBT as verb), with a golden SBT rod (SBTH MDHBH). Already in the beginning of current Book I noticed in this Chapter of Isaiah 14 the Hebrew statement that in Isaiah 14:29 writes HJH HMSA HZH AL TSMHJ PLST KLK KJ NSBR SBT MKK KJ MSRS NHS JZA ZPY WPRJW SRP MYWPP This statement of Hebrew Bible importantly notices thus types NHS and ZPY and SRP MYWPP. The NHS is the usual NAHAS word of Hebrew Bible that usually there designates snakes; and the ZPY is another type of snakes. (This type of snakes is more discussed in studying TWB snakes and TWP floating). Now the SRP MYWPP here notices the SERAPH and importantly specifies that this SERAPH is winged by stating the MYWPP. Appropriately thus this is rendered into English with word DRAGON. (Greek Bible here writes of OFIS, EKGONA ASPIDOON and OFEIS PETOMENOI). Importantly we notice here then written references to KR and DL that also designate water containers and water buckets- indeed often are DRAGONS noticed as guardians of wells and springs. We notice that Greek Septuagint translation in this context writes notoriously EK GAR SPERMATOS OFEOON EKSELEUSETAI EKGONA ASPIDOON KAI TA EKGONA AUTOON EKSELEUSONTAI OFEIS PETOMENOI KAI BOSKETHESONTAI Here Septuagint traditions writes KAI BOSKETHESONTAI where we interestingly hear reference to KEETOS and AIBUS or ABUSSOS deep waters, quite relevantly considering KEETOS in Book of Jonah. Greek translation thus reminds Readers that often such snakes were DRAGONS OF DEEP WATERS. Notable is that the Hebrew MSRS can allude to pans and such containers, the MSRT occurring in that meaning some times (J 816), even if current reading is of MN-SRS. (The BOSKOO of course notices grazing cattle and thus is some times in Septuagint written- but in the current study is notable that also in important Isa 11:6-7 this word is written where details of snake cult are interestingly described.). In this description of NHS, ZPY and SRP snakes and dragons, we now importantly notice mention of the SBT that is the SBT staff or rod; language of this statement in Hebrew Bible thus specially notices SNAKE STAFFS. Thus Isaiah 14 is one important Old Testament chapter where snake staffs SBT are in detail noticed and their cult described, including some rituals of bowl divination. In the Isaiah 30 we read also important descriptions. There is written of God’s SBT staff and “each time the appointed staff passes by, the Lord will bring down upon him and will do battle as he waves it… and with the breath of the Lord burning in it like a stream of sulphur (NSMT JHWH KNHL GPRJT)” (Tanakh of Isa 30:32, 33) Here is importantly described divine SBT staff and production of fire; breath of Lord brings burning like sulphur. This is important description how divine SBT staff is being operated, so that God brings burning stream. The GPRJT notices brimstone and sulphur- and in Aramaic and Syriac form KBRJTA is more usual (BDB 172), interesting mention of these combustibles in this discussion of making fire. This is here even in more detail described, noticing Isa 30:27 that Behold the Lord himself comes from afar in blazing wrath with a heavy burden his lips full of fury, his tongue like devouring fire (SPTJW MLAW ZYM WLSWNW KAS AKLT) Also comparison of SPT and SBT staff here emphasises fire producing staff. Similar meaning we find also in Ezekiel 21: 18 writing KJ BHN WMH AM GM SBT MAST LA JHJH neum ADNJ JHWH We read here of SBT MAST that we comprehend designating fire-making staff SBT, the AS being usual noun for fire. Similarly here is also noticed in Ezekiel 21:15 that LMYN TBH TBH HWHDH LMYN HJH LH BRQ MRTH AW NSJS SBT BNJ MAST KL YZ. This statement in Ezekiel 21:15 notices SBT MAST, a fire producing SBT staff; and very importantly is noticed TBH TBH HWHDH (hufal form) and thus twice noticed living TB snake writing TB-H TB-H HWHDH that describes how two living TB serpents are composed together in a staff (HWHDH) and this is SBT Shabbath staff that produces fire (MAST). In the ancient poetry of Judges 5:19 we read of SBT SPRJM. This is often rendered as “marshal’s staff” that is, of course, notorious rendering of SPRJM word, even in written in this ancient poem where vocabulary thus has special nuances and can be more archaic. However, here we should remember the usual Arabic SAFAR verb and nouns that notices travelling and travellers, even envoys and in very official role travelling ambassadors. Thus we may here read of the SBT staff of Envoys and heralds; and in ancient world this staff is often specifically the Snake staff (or caduceus). This notice is very concise writing WMZBWLN MSKJM BSBT SPRJM. Tribe Zebulun is specially connected with seas and seafaring, so that sending envoys travelling some distances there certainly was important societal institution. And the MSKJM notices meanings SKK to sink, sink into that is appropriate as staffs and rods often were operated in stirring bowls (and one may remember that the Succa is considered a quite mystical dwelling). This poem notices actually quite many descriptions of seafaring and ships. And in this poetry we more specifically hear LMH JSBTH BJN HMSPTJM LSMY SRQWT YDRJM in 5:16. Here is written of SBT and SPT, in this poetry this emphasising considerations of SBT staff (even if forms of JSB and MSPT), and then is noticed hearing SRQ hissing, typically the voice of serpents and snakes- interestingly the Vaticanus here translates TOU AKOUSAI SYRISMOU AGGELOON (although Alexandrinus here writes SURISMOUS EKSEGEIRONTOON); this is in Greek translation tradition notable reminding that some times sound of Angels was like HISSING, understandable because envoys often carried the Herald’s snake staff. Apparently this poem of Judges 5 thus notices how those from tribe Zebulun often handle Herald’s SBT Staff and specify that from this SBT staff certain hissing is heard (like from snakes), so that apparently this poem writes of Herald’s Staff called SABAT and specify that as SNAKE staff; in many ancient cultures of course were known Herald’s snake staff. We consider also the interesting description in Exodus 30:7-8 concerning ritual of Lamps; this description has already been noticed in my recent Commentary Haggaj (Verre et Bible Eleven of March 2012), and now we consider important details concerning SBT staffs, Greek Bible writes TO PROOI PROOI OTAN EPISKEUAZE TOUS LUKHNOUS THUMIASEI EP’ AUTOU KAI OTAN EKSAPTEE AARON TOUS LUKHNOUS OPSE THUMIASEI EP’ AUTOU Often is the APTOMAI in Greek Bible presented denoting ”kindling”, whereas such EKSAPTOMAI is in Septuagint translation rare to notice “kindling lamps”. In the important Septuagint MSS this form EKSAPTEE is, notoriously, here well supported and therefore calls for attentive consideration (WBHYLT AHRN AT HNRWT BJN HYRBJM is written in Hebrew Bible). Indeed, we find in this Greek word KS, P and T that importantly much refer to mention of SBT. This specific detail apparently suggests that Aaron used SBT staff, snake staff, for kindling those lamps. The SBT detail is emphasised here with Exodus 30:1 and 30: 5 noticing EK KSULOON ASEEPTOON where also letters SPT are found and emphasise here KS-P-T in the EKSAPTEE word (Hebrew Bible writes of YZJ STJM in these statements). This is well in accordance with here discussed those other evidence of such ritual operating of that SBT staff for kindling lights. The SBT staffs may have included arrangement of flints that gave sparks, or some chemical appropriate for kindling, such as sulphur; and the technology of kindling SBT snake staff obviously much reflected technological advancements of societies and was during times developed. Statement of Hebrew Bible that YZJ STJM should be implemented especially notices oars or wood appropriate for oars (see BDB 1002), that is, the wooden material should be apparently of solid and quite hard wood that could be applied even for oars; often is modern rendered “acacia wood”. We can hear in this Hebrew statement of YZJ STJM at least so much reference to seafaring that hearers knew something of actions of “rowing” (notice well that completely nomadic folk could only have imagined meaning of action of “rowing”) and thus could comprehend what kind of wood could be used for oars, some harder and solid wood. Remember well here also kindling of Shabbath lights. I studied in my recently published Commentary on Book of Haggaj (March 2012) also some texts describing snake cult in Septuagint translation. One very clear attestation of making a snake staff is found in the Judges 15:4 that describes Samson, thus TRANSLATION “Samson took lamps (LAMPADAS) and winded two snakes together (EPESTREPSEN KERKON PROS KERKON, so Cod Vaticanus; and here the Cod Alexandrinus writes of SUNEDEESEN KERKON PROS KERKON ) and attached a lamp in midst of those two snakes, and he kindled those lamps and projected those dream visions (EKSAPESTEILEN EIS TA DRAGMATA)” (Translation by Pasi K Pohjala in Verre et Bible Eleven, March 2012, p.15). This is superbly clear and in detail very descriptive statement how Samson produced snake staff that actually also was a staff where lamp was attached. (It is now also worth mentioning that some modern researchers maintain that Samson is important representant of Biblical sun religion). Hebrew Bible here writes of ZNB AL ZNB where we hear in this old statement allusion to TWB, that is, allusion to TWB serpents, so that also Hebrew text here describes how he winded two snakes together and thus made snake staff. We are here discussing Old Testament mentions of the SBT snake staff, and indeed here we find interestingly here in Hebrew Bible word ZNBWT referring to this construction where also was the lamp, in statement of Judg 15:4 that WJPN ZNB AL ZNB WJSM LPJD AHD BJN SNJ HZNBWT BTWK “and winded two snakes together and attached a lamp in midst of those two snakes” (the Translation by Pasi K Pohjala in Verre et Bible Eleven, March 2012). Samson constructed this system ZNB ZL ZNB, winding two snakes together, and in midst of those two snakes he attached a lamp- thus is this compounded system here called also ZNBWT that is clearly older fashioned form of SBT; and this is thus older description of SHABBATH LAMP. The Commentary in Verre et Bible Eleven more considered details of Greek text- but now the current study being discussing SHABBATH and SHABBATH LAMPS to more detail, we now HERE can clearly state that indeed, here is described how Samson made a SHABBATH LAMP, a snake staff ZNBWT where was a burning lamp attached. This ZNBWT compound consisted of two snakes winding together and attached together, a SBT staff- a Shabbath staff, and in that staff a burning lamp was attached. Reading more Septuagint translation, we notice interesting description in Proverbs 26 more noticing the KERKON PROS KERKON in Judges 15:4 where is described that Samson compounded the ZNBWT or SBT Shabbat snake staff. We read in LXX of Proverbs 26:20-22 EN POLLOIS KSULOIS THALLEI PUR OPOU DE OUK ESTIN DITHUMOS ESUKHAZEI MAKHE (Hebr. BAPS YZJM TKBH AS WBAJN Nirgan JSTQ MDWN) ESKHARA ANTHRAKSIN KAI KSULA PURI ANEER DE LOIDOROS EIS TARAKHEEN MAKHEES (Hebr. PHD LGHLJM WYZJM LAS WAJS MDWNJM LHRHR RJB) LOGOI KERKOOPOON MALAKOI OUTOI DE TUPTOUSIN EIS TAMIEIA SPLAGKHNOON (Hebr DBRJ Nirgan KMTLHMJM WHM JRDW HRDJ BTN) This describes how fire is active and abundant where is much wood (THALLOO), and notices burning fire place where are coal and wood logs. Thus is notable that here is noticed LOGOI KERKOOPOON MALAKOI because Judges 15:4 noticed with KERKON PROS KERKON the snake staff that carried a burning lamp. The KERKOOPS may literally refer to Cercopes, or generally some mischievous fellows; but also KERKOUROS is important referring to boats, especially