What Does This Mean?
Precept upon Precept and Line upon Line
Hebrew Translation (כי צו לצו צו לצו קו לקו קו לקו זעיר שׁם זעיר שׁם) – Isaiah 28:10
Kiy tzav lätzäv tzav lätzäv qav läqäv qav läqäv z’ëyr shäm z’ëyr sham – transliterated
Isaiah 28:10 for precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: – English Translation
(צו) or tzav is used for precept. It is spelled (tsade/ vav) and means: command {as ordinance or as injunction} given to prohibit a party from doing or continuing to do a certain activity; it is written four times. In other words it serves as a word of divine instruction for all four cardinal compass points, in which we may venture in life’s course. Twice, or every other time, it is written with the lamed (ל) prefixed which signifies direction, such as toward, to or for. The lamed is also the highest letter written in Hebrew and holds the meaning of both learning and/or teaching. Lamed was originally drawn to represent the shepherd’s staff or “goad.” With it the “authoritative figure” would prick, or pull, or goad the animalistic soul into action. This higher will would patiently, and with enough repetitive coercion, change the soul, by changing the mind, insomuch as by actually changing the heart or life of the body, the soul was consequently elevated.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
So then lätzäv (לצו) or (lamed/ tsade/ vav) leads us to understand – the Teaching Precept (or Rule of personal conduct) is directed toward us every second turn. One turn and a traveler has wavered either right or left. Original statutes forbad this continued free moral agency that chose to ignore the instructions of the Father to the son. Here is the admonition from Moses to the children of Israel just before they entered the place of promise; only to soon forget.
Deuteronomy 5:32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
The Torah or “TEACHING” originally established the direction eastward (as to where it was planted in relationship to Eden). Torah is commonly and mistakenly translated as “THE LAW.” Once the commonplace transgressions took their violative course there was no longer a clear-cut choice. Speculation was met by prophetic means. The prophets addressed problems with alternative measures attached according to choice. THEREFORE: every second turn was known to the Teaching Precept and placed the traveler on a path encompassing exact opposites. Either blessing or cursing, excusal or accusal, and etcetera will be in order until the tikkun or repair is completed.
After Learning the Precept or command, the Line, by a set of four, establishes the order for further refinement. As noted above line is (קו) or qav spelled (quf/ vav) in Hebrew. It means: cord. This cord is used in the processes of connection, measurement, and as a binding to hold back while waiting on something in particular. THEREFORE: every line was known to the Teaching Precept and designed to connect the traveler in four separate places of development, with every other one holding back just long enough to accomplish a proper measurement pertaining to that particular level.
What Does This Mean? These four lines … signify what?
Ancient Kabbalah or “RECEIVED” knowledge teaches the initiated that there are Four Worlds in which we find our being, and we each must traverse through each of them to reach the tikkun.
Each of us descend from above to below, from light to darkness, and it is during these two major pauses that we are bound by läqäv before being able to continue.
The first World of Atzulut is the place of UNIFIED origin. Creation is conceived in the emanations or thoughts streaming from God Consciousness. The first line binds our origin here and connects us to the next World of Briyah. In this world the divisive forces of UNIQUE CREATION take their place to meticulously transfer the idea that spawned in completeness. The second line binds us here, to wait; until all measurements and connections are also created for our purposeful journey. In Briyah the COMPLETENESS OF GOD CONSCIOUSNESS begins to unravel as creation requires separations and multiples of all sorts. Once we are created we further descend into greater separation as a separate entity; into the World of Yitzirah. In Yitzirah BODILY FORMATION actually brings us into the assembly state of existence in and out of matter. As to just how long one stays in this making and remaking arena depends on the cord that binds. In the fourth, we are COMPELLED TO ACTION and connected to the final major pause facilitated by the last cord (לקו) läqäv or (lamed/ quf/ vav). In Asiyah we become living spirit garmented in living flesh for the purpose of coming to see God.
Job in 19:26 says this … yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Verse 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.
So then we must first learn the commands as directives. Then we must be qualitatively measured. HIS commands are juxtaposed against our actions. All that we are intrinsically bound to carry out takes place in the lower action World of Asiyah. Our recovery is also HIS recovery due to the fact that it was HIS fragmentation that brought about our personal slurred identity. Through repentance we correct the slurred disgrace of self, and by grace we discover an open door to a higher accord. Once we realize that our personal (particular) identity is just a part of HIS (general) identity then we shall find salvation in our faith in HIM.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only….
Before our souls and celestial bodies are allowed into the final ascension we are here to learn the Torah that descended with us into this exile. By the Torah, or word collection, Yahweh Elohiym created all; for the word proceeded from Him before creation proceeded from Him. Just as Eve proceeded from Adam in order to form the creation of Adam’s own image; likewise the Torah spelled out and brought into existence the image of the “Son of God” as it proceeded from the beginning or the word.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
This word or Torah provided 32 paths of wisdom which God spoke into existence and continually consults as ALL THINGS unfold to change, and are destined to return to the ONENESS from whence they came. One may say “Learning these word paths are partial cause for our pause.” We become a new creature of grace by learning (precept upon precept) and connecting (line upon line) by doing the things that the Holy Spirit, or the Shekinah, forms within “that within” in order to lead us out of exile. This is how HE keeps the promise of never leaving or forsaking us.
Isaiah 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
When we learn or hear the command and the cord binds it to us then we activate it in our living or heart; and according to John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (figuratively the heart) shall flow rivers of living water. Matthew 12:34 teaches this: for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Only a word rightly spoken can verify its true etymology.
Here is an additional reference point concerning the knowledge of the 32 paths of wisdom as they are placed in the heart. The Hebrew word for heart is Leb – or the two consonant letters of לב. The “ל”or learning/teaching and “ב”meaning house equates to “house of learning.” These two letters have a gematria value of 32.
Our reference scripture Isaiah 28:10 (כי צו לצו צו לצו קו לקו קו לקו זעיר שׁם זעיר שׁם) has 32 letters in it minus the first word. The first word is כי or kı̂y. This is the word used for: “for” or ”because.” It is merely a conjunction.
Arguably the oldest written book of kabbalah is the “Book of Formation;” reportedly penned by none other than Abraham himself. In Hebrew or Aramaic it is called: SEPHER YETZIRAH meaning Book of Formation.
CHAPTER I – Section 1 begins with the following:
- In thirty-two mysterious Paths of Wisdom did Yah, The Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel, the Living Elohiym, the King of Ages, the merciful and gracious God, the Exalted One, the Dweller in Eternity, Most High and Holy – engrave his name by the three Sepharim: Numbers (Sefar), Letters (Sefer), and Sounds (Sippur).
- Ten are the ineffable Sephiroth. Twenty-two are the Letters, the Foundation of all things; there are Three Mothers, Seven Double and Twelve Simple letters.
- Ten is the number ….
The 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet and the 10 numbers combining and rearranging established all of creation. Elohiym created all things with these 32 paths of wisdom and also the name Elohiym (God) is recorded a total number of 32 times in the Book of Genesis; the Book of Creation. For one to know to be wise and not to act wise is useless; therefore, wisdom dwells within the heart of man. Wisdom may be studied and concluded within the intellect or the brain, however, we learn from the Wisdom of Solomon a deeper understanding.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Now many unlearned scholars will insist it says a man thinks in his heart. Of course we all know that to be very silly minded; a man thinks in his head or within the brain. There is an ancient teaching that says the whole body exists for the sake of the brain. The brain does the bidding of the spirit of the soul and transfers its conclusions, motives, and intent to the heart that receives the aforementioned and activates them by giving life to the body. Every spirit is desirous of a body in which it can act out these base morals.
Papi Proverb 404 — The higher-powered evil we call demoniacs, or that of childish behaviors with lesser power, are of no consequence if they are denied place and opportunity to act out their bent; time controls their demise and power controls their power.
Matthew 8:28-31 … there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, … And, behold, they cried out, saying, … art thou come … to torment us before the time? … There was a … herd of many swine … So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
So then the same devils (or spiritual forces) that cause lions to kill, or snakes to strike, or dogs to vomit, bite, and hook up with ANY AND ALL comers, or that cause hogs to wallow in filth, and overindulge, and waste, are the same devils that inhabit men and women. Like it or not; acknowledging the truth is the first step to being set free of “beast-like” behavior. The serpent or Nachash ruled over all the beasts of the field; therefore, to be possessed by a beastly spirit instead of a Godly Spirit is to be ruled over by the serpent. Once the woman was caught in the transgression she said, “HE made me do it!”
What Does This Mean? Ten is the number …. CHAPTER I – Section 4
The basic list of commands (or precepts) that carry penalty for transgression are called the (הַדְּבָרִים עֲשֶׂרֶת) aseret hadevarim meaning: “ten words” or “ten utterances.” This is according to the Hebrew in which it was written. In the Greek, the Ten-Commandments are referred to as The Decalogue, from deca (meaning – ten) & logoi (meaning – words).
According to Jewish Sages the extended list runs out to be 613 in number. These 613 were given to the Israelites who were eventually gathered under the name of Jews. They were not necessarily given to the goyim or Gentile nations until if and when they agreed to be engrafted into the Congregation of the LORD. This includes 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments. Here is how they balance themselves although their numbers seem totally different from the initial point of view. Gematria calculations make them exactly even to one another which balances the right side with the left side. The 248 are equal to 14 or 2 + 4 + 8 = 14; additionally 1 + 4 = 5. The 365 are also equal to 14 or 3 + 6 + 5 = 14; also equal to 1 + 4 = 5. Simple addition now tells us that the 613 are covered by the “ten words” because 5 + 5 is 10. We can also cut to the chase by simply adding the 613 in this manner; 6 + 1 + 3 = 10.
Precept (1) – I am Adonai thy God.
Precept (2) – You shall have no other gods before Me.
Precept (3) – You shall not take the Name of Adonai thy God in vain.
Precept (4) – Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy.
Line (5) – Honor your father and mother.
Line (6) – You shall not murder.
Line (7) – You shall not commit adultery.
Line (8) – You shall not steal.
Here a little (9) – You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
There a little (10) – You shall not covet…
These last two both insure us our release from here, as well as insure our entrance to there.
The first four commands (precepts) direct honor to our God. The next four cords (lines) connect honor to our neighbors. Below is the LITTLE HERE and becomes the next step after learning and doing. This is the forewarning directive (or word) that prepares us for the evaluation of whether we lived hypocritically or not; it is called the JUDGEMENT.
Above is the LITTLE THERE and is the last step before entering ETERNITY’S FINAL REWARD. Everyone is familiar with this last directive as it parallels “One thing thou lackest”. It denotes the last but not least – due to the fact you cannot take any coveted aspect of this life into the next world. To covet is to lust after through desire and selfishness. Covetousness, or selfish, unrepaired desire, keeps us in a vicious cycle known as incarnation and reincarnation.
Incarnation simply means time spent in a body of flesh. THEREFORE: reincarnation means to be RETURNED to another body of flesh to spend time in. If this body is of the dust of the earth, then the dust returns to the dust or to being the next body. The Soul or unregenerate SPIRIT returns to HIM who gave it; however, it cannot enter into rest because of unresolved issues. It is therefore judged, counseled, and returned to the flesh of its own choice.
Job 34:15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
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Essay | Written December 13, 2013
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