Dr. Julie Caton

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Consider the Diversity within a Verse. Ps. 81:10

I love delving into the Hebrew language of the Old Testament.  Psalm 81:10 drew my attention: “I, the Lord Your God, brought you up out of Egypt.  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”What a great promise!   But what added meanings are there if we take a closer look at the words?  The verb “brought you up” is alah (ã-lah’), which has multiple meanings.  So does the verb “open wide”. in Hebrew rachab (rahk-have), have diverse meanings.  Thirdly, “fill it” in Hebrew is malè (ma-lay’), again used differently throughout Scripture. Here are three entirely different adaptations of this one verse in Scripture, when I use the variety of meanings for verbs and nouns.  These word options came from the Blue Letter Bible phone app using its interlinear concordance. I, Jesus, have shot you forth (alah) at a wide targetwhile you are fully armed (rachab).And you will succeed (malè). I, The Creator, will stir you up mentally (alah),enlarging your thoughts (rachab),I’ll do this until the big picture has been completed (malè). I, Jehovah, have lifted you out (alah)of a slave’s dungeon (i.e. Egypt)and put you in a glorious pasture (rachab).  There you will be completely satisfied (malè). So whatever the circumstance you are facing in your life, one of these adaptations of Psalm 81:10 will certainly apply.  Are you in a battle and need to be armed and victorious?  Are you confused, unable to see the big picture?  Are you in a dark pit, and want a spacious meadow in which to dwell?  You can ask the Lord to give you your own interpretation.  He promises that if you seek Him, you will find Him. In Christ,large-signature