HEBREW WORD STUDY – WIDOW – ‘ALMANAH אלמנה
Proverbs 15:25 “The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, but he will establish the border of the widows.
Why is a comparison made between the proud man and the widow? Why not compare the proud to the humble? Practically every translation will translate the last word as widow. Oddly, in the Hebrew, the word used is almanah which is basically a young unmarried woman. She doesn’t have to be a widow. It could be a little girl or a young woman who has not yet married. It could also be a concubine. Actually, it doesn’t have to be a woman it could be a man. Ultimately an almanah is someone who has little or no influence. The word for proud is ge’im from the root ga’ah which is a feeling of superiority over someone else. This word is often applied to a false prophet or teacher who is filled with a sense of self-importance. The word house has a broad meaning in Hebrew and could mean a body of people who are united under a strong leader, in this case, a ga’ah. The Lord will destroy or kasach this body of people who unite themselves around such a strong leader. The word kasach means to cut off or sweep away.
Pastors are judged by the size of their congregation. A large congregation means they are blessed by God. But all it may really mean is the pastor with the large congregation is just a strong leader. Some may even be a ga’ah. In my many years, I have found that many of these ga’ah proud strong leaders ended up getting swept away.
We learn, however, that God will establish the boundaries of the widow. The word establish is yesav which means to stand, as standing in agreement, or to certify. The word boundaries are gevul which has the idea of limiting one’s space. In other words, someone may have a big following and large organization built on a proud leader but God will not stand with him. He may stand with a small congregation build around a leader who is humble before God, an ‘alma someone of little outside importance. The picture is one of God standing at the border crossing, certifying who may enter and who may not. Culturally, a young, unmarried woman had no following, no support, they were given little or no regard. Yet, this almah humble person will be certified or united with God and granted passage.
As I searched for a passage to study today my computer kept crashing until I landed on this verse, then it worked fine. I think this message is for me, but I will share it with you nonetheless. I felt as if God was saying to me: “This is exactly where I want you to be. You are an ‘almanah someone who is not of great importance in the eyes of the world. But just keep studying My Word and take care of your own relationship with me. I am establishing a border around you.” You know that is really all that matters, that I am united with God. I don’t need great fame, recognition or fortune I just need God to establish His border around me.
AMEN!
Good grief with all these wonderful comments you may have blown my whole premise.
Chaim
You are doing His work right where you are. It is where He has you.
Thank you for your word studies. Thanks also for allowing us to make comments and ask questions, no matter how right or ridiculous they sound.
Thank you for explaining what the Bible is saying. There is so much Dept ,so many hidden treasures that you bring to my. Understanding. I know that GOD lead me to you that I might learn what His word truely says. I have been following you for the last 3 years and have read most of your books. They have not only increased my head knowledge of who GOD is but most importantly my heart knowledge. I give thanks to GOD for your sharing. What you do is important. Thank you
Wow. God’s boundaries/ borders are limitless. I think galaxies and beyond that He created .
Way to go Chaim. I also stand in agreement with you.. Be surrounded by God, be immersed in His love and may it be like the chorus or hymn, can’t remember which, “May the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!”
How encouraging for someone like me, a widow, of little consequence & getting old!
I’ve often wondered if you have done studies on some verses that would speak to the plight of older women left by their husbands for another woman. Some I know are in devastating conditions because of this behavior, more so than if he had died. I’ve often thought that the woman who has been betrayed and emotionally, physically, abandoned is worse off than a widow, and I wonder if you’ve done any studies around that idea? What are God’s promises to us when that happens?
Please do not go to the left or to the right, but continue to be where He has placed you, for His glory and for the edification of His lambs. In biology, animals and plants may need very little of one seem inkngly unimportant substance, like copper, but without it, full function is impossible. Thank you for following His lead! Please be encouraged to continue!
Amen. I have hope in this, and stand in agreement with you for yourself and “all who will.”
AMEN 👍🏼♥️♥️♥️ HIS opinion IS ALL THAT MATTERS to Me!!! 😊