HEBREW WORD STUDY – BIND LOOSEN – ‘ASAR CHITAR אסר חתר Aleph Samek Resh Cheth Taw Resh
Isaiah 22:22: “And the key to the house of David will I lay upon his (Eliakim) shoulder so he shall open and none shall shut and he shall shut and none shall open.”
Matthew 16:19: “And I will give to you the keys to the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
In our Hebrew 101 class tomorrow we are going to learn a very important word in translation. It is pesher which is interpreting a verse in the Bible in its meaning at the time period in which it was written and then looking at the verse for some prophetic significance. I am also not a Catholic, but I do take a very Catholic interpretation of Matthew 16:19 although I do not believe the authority given to Peter by Jesus was intended to have apostolic succession. I find no Scriptural basis to believe that such powerful authority granted to Peter was meant to live beyond Peter’s lifetime. It was given only to establish the church.
Eliakim was the prime minister or finance minister to King Hezekiah. God used him as a picture of Jesus and as a good rabbi, used this Biblical picture to explain the authority he would grant to Peter. This leads to the obvious conclusion that Jesus is granting us the authority to rule over demonic spirits. Although I believe we have that authority through the Blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, I do not believe it was granted here, nor do I accept the many other interpretations that seem to be coming down the pike on Matthew 16:19. As there are many interpretations of this verse, I feel I must chime in and wave my flag in some overt fashion. So before you pick up rocks to throw at me, let me just explain why I believe what I do, and why I am walking through this minefield.
In Matthew 16:19 Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom to Peter and told him that whatever he binds on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever he loosens on earth will be loosed in heaven. The words binding in Greek is dein and loose in luein. The Septuagint uses these same words for the Hebrew words ‘asar and chitir which are legal terms found throughout the Mishnah and represent forbidding and permitting. The council of sages and rabbis of the Sanhedrin were granted the authority (by man) to ‘asar (bind) and hitir (loosen) Jews to aspects of the law. It was believed that whatever the rabbis bound on earth was bound in heaven and whatever they loosened on earth was loosened in heaven. The word “heaven” was just another term used to represent God and used so one would not speak the sacred name of God. Thus, it was believed that what the Sanhedrin ruled whether to bind or loosen, was automatically ratified by God. It would seem that Jesus used this same popular expression to grant similar authority to Peter to resolve future disputes in the establishment of the church.
Would you like Chaim Bentorah as your personal Hebrew teacher?
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We find one such example of this binding and loosening to take place in Acts 15 where the apostles and elders convened in a sort of “Church Sanhedrin” in Jerusalem to address the issue as to whether Gentiles were bound to the law. In Acts 15:10 we find Peter exercising his “rabbinic” authority of binding and loosening to declare that the commandments were too heavy for the Gentiles and that they should be loosened from the obligations of the law. In verse 20 James chimed in and said that he agreed but that the Gentiles should still be bound by laws that the Jews considered universal prohibitions such as murder, adultery, and idolatry, etc. In verse 22 it appears everyone gave a hearty “amen” and then sent Paul and Barnabas out to spread the Word.
From this, I believe the issue of the law and our obligation to the law was resolved and later confirmed by the Apostle Paul in the first century and under the authority of binding and loosening granted to Peter by Jesus. We as, Gentiles, are not bound to the Judaic laws that are indigenous to Judaism such as the dietary laws, laws of festivals, tithing, etc. But we are bound to those laws that are considered universal laws such as murder, adultery, idolatry, etc. It helps to look through Jewish literature to find out what the universal laws are, but the Holy Spirit does a better job at that within our own hearts. Did I say tithing? You didn’t read that, did you?
The point is if you look at Isaiah 22:22 and Matthew 16:19 from a Jewish historical and cultural context it would help us understand the significance of Acts 15 and maybe cause us to rethink our interpretation of Matthew 16:19. Also, it may help us gain some insight into our obligation of the law. Many a rabbi have told me that as a Gentile I am not ‘asar (bound) to the 513 commandments and chitil (loosened) from all but the 10 commandments. Some have even said I am only bound to 3 of the 10 commandments. But I prefer to take my cues direct from the Spirit of God.
So based upon this I am free to eat a ham sandwich, but not free to commit idolatry. Although, I could easily make that ham on wheat at Subway an idol.
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Thanks & Blessings, it means a lot to me!
I tenaciously believe that Yehoshua Messiah has come down from his home in holy heaven to make the two divisions of humanity
:the Jews and the Gentiles one having destroyed the wall setting the two apart reconciled them in His sinless
holy body on the Cross which is altar at Golgotha.Christ is not against these laws in tanakh not defy at any instance for self gratification. One thing is true and is we are set free from living spiritually impoverished under certain laws to live free as servants of righteousness by the law of spirit of life in Yehoshua Messiah. Heirene
What about ‘ the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ‘, does it not mean after Peter’s time also. The council instructed ‘ refrain from blood ‘, it did not mention pork, but it was understood that you could now eat it, but not the blood. Well, that got ignored too, perhaps that’s how we got sausages.
In light of the comments on the law I find this daily devotion of Jonathan Cahn helpful:
The Law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, which is also called “Mount Horeb.” Is there any significance in this? The Hebrew word “Horeb” is linked to the word “Herev.” “Herev” means “sword.” The first time the word appears in the Bible is in Genesis when God stations the cherubim at the entrance to the Garden of Eden with the flaming sword, or herev. The herev is a sword raised up against sin. So the Law was given on “Mt. Horeb,” – linked to herev, the sword – as the Law, too, is a sword raised up against sin. So too is the Word of God a sword. We must each learn to pick up the Word of God as a sword against sin – against our own sin. In other words, wherever your life doesn’t line up with the Word of God, use the Word as a sword to put to death that sin, that compromise, or that questionable thing in your life. For only by passing through the sword of the cherubim, in Messiah, can we enter the garden and the life of His blessing.
Interesting thoughts on this binding and loosing. In relation to the laws, I’ll opt to follow what God says is good or bad, blessings or curses, whether it applies to Jew or not. Isn’t it the best way to live? That’s what Moses was telling the people in Deut 7 & 8. If I was an Egyptian that decided to leave with an Israelite after that first Passover, I would have been expected to follow the instructions of God – food laws included! Now I’m grafted in, and I don’t think God has changed his mind on what is clean to eat or not. We can spiritualise things and forget to see the practicalities in these instructions. The feasts are marvelous! As already stated, they’ve shown us Yeshua! Much better than pagan Easter and Christmas, that keep Jesus on a cross (most of the time,) and as a baby in a manger! Tithing is a blessing, God owns it all anyway so why is 10% difficult? Give Him more, He’s no man’s debtor. And the food laws make sense. Pork especially has been proven to carry so many bacteria’s and worms. I think God wanted us all to eat clean. Why would He make Israel a light to the Nations but only expect the Nations to take on some of Israel’s practice toward God? Aren’t we like Ruth? Your God shall be my God, and your people, my people. Israel were an example to follow, only because God deemed it so. Yeshua ate clean, kept the feasts, spoke on tithing, and if He calls us to follow Him – I would think it would be wise and a blessed way to live! I’m leaving that ham sandwich behind, not because it brings me salvation but because it brings me good health and God says it, so it must be beneficial! We are all human after all – whether Jew or Gentile. One way for the one new man. It’s a Kingdom life not a Jewish or gentile one. That’s my thoughts anyway and I respect all convictions by ones own conscience, so if you love ham – it’s your conscience. We can only live by that conscience within ourselves and what God says is true in His Word and by His Spirit, so no judgment here. But if anyone has health or financial challenges it might be worth looking into. What am I binding and loosing in my own life? Blessings and shalom.
Brigitte, I don’t want to argue, I just want to propose something to think about. I have just studied this in some depth, the 613 laws and their application to us, from a Rabbi. This is what hung me up the most:
Passover for example was done once a year, as well as the feast of unleavened bread which was to commemorate the Passover. Jesus came and fulfilled the Passover, as John the Baptist announced, “behold the lamb of God.” Jesus goes on to say this is my body and my blood, take and eat and drink, remembering me each time you come together, in remembrance of Me. So is not Passover law now changed from once a year to anytime we break bread and drink, as a family of God, to commemorate His death and defeat of sin. The death angel passes over because of God’s lamb, His Son, Jesus Christ. I agree it’s what an individual feels lead to do, but I’d be careful what yoke and burden I take on. I believe that from my own studies into this that the Ten Commandments were not done away with, but are encompassed in Jesus saying the two things that are most important to keep, that being to love Him and our neighbor.
I mean, I cut my hair and trim my beard, I will not take my children to the elders and leaders to be judged if they dishonor me, and be stoned to death if found guilty. So are we keeping certain laws to edify ourselves to be better than, or are we doing it to keep a relationship with the Hod we love?
Remember Enoch? I always try to keep things in proper order.
Very interesting perspective Chaim, definitely food for thought. Maybe at some time you could explain tithing. I have always tithed but I believe it’s a heart thing
Thank you for today’s word however, I ‘m wondering how to say this properly.
This massage was timely.
Can you tell me more about tithing? I tithe, but sometimes I do it grudgingly, ie that I am forced to do this. I have no problem giving, even 10%but rather do it as a free choice. I’d love to hear your view on tithing. As like I said I do it but my heart isn’t always in it. I often say to God if I could buy you a bottle of perfume I would and give it straight to you but I can’t.
Profound insight! Well said I have a smile on my face while writing this as I see you stir the nest with a boldness the Holy Spirit give you. I agree with your insight bout succession even though I was a complete Roman Catholic, which I do not claim any more like you I am a man who seeks the Holy Spirit to be my faithful and loving Friend! May you have a blessed day! Reading your insights sure blesses mine!
Thank you brother Chaimbentorah! The question of what gentiles are bound to with regard to Torah is one that is of great interest to me as a Messianic Jew. I worship with many gentiles, some of which want to be very Jewish more so then most Jews I know. So while it may not be that all of the 613 commandments were written for gentiles to keep I would hope that the moral and ethical instructions are beneficial for all to keep. This includes the feasts of the LORD which all point to Yeshua/ Jesus and would be beneficial for all and those that kept the feasts would be blessed by them. Saul/Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that all things are permitted but not all things are edifying to the body of Messiah. So while not all of God’s instructions are binding on gentiles I agree with you that we should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Even as a Jew I cannot keep many of the 613 instructions since there are no sacrifices or Temple. So as a believer I follow the 2 greatest commandments- Love God, Love thy neighbor as my measuring rod and I find that many of the commandments/teachings from Torah are guided by these two principles. Many blessings!
When learning about the laws in the Torah in past years, I also noticed the same thing that you did; they can be put into 2 categories, actually 3: Love God, love people, and love yourself (by taking care of yourself and eating clean foods). And really, even the loving of people and taking care of ourselves is influenced by our love for God. We love people, knowing we are loving Jesus in the process. And we do this, *because* we love Jesus.