HEBREW WORD STUDY – THE EIGHTH STRING – HASHEMINITH השׁמינית
Psalms 12:1: “To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.” KJV
Psalms 12:1: “To Him Who grants victory on the instrument with eight strings, a Psalm of David.” Rabbi Samson Hirsch
I find it curious that many modern English translations leave out the words: “To the chief Musician upon Sheminith.” Many just transliterate the word sheminith leaving the reading scratching his head wondering what a sheminith is. Some will translate it as the eighth string.
I read in Jewish literature that every verse in the Torah has many layers of meaning and understanding so God can speak to every person no matter what level of maturity and intelligence they are on. We may look at the words: “To the chief Musician upon Sheminith” and just pass over those words as totally irrelevant, as some translators do, or we can do a little digging as the ancient rabbis and sages do.
I was reading a Jewish commentary by Rabbi Samson Hirsch, a Hebrew master, and linguist of the 19th century and discovered an interesting reading of Psalms 12:1: “To Him Who grants victory on the instrument with eight strings.” God grants victory on an eight-stringed instrument? What is that suppose to mean?
Let me share with you something I found interesting when I was reading the Talmud this morning. I was reading in Arakin 13b: “The harp of the Holy of Holies (where the Ark of the Covenant rested) had seven strings, as it is written: ‘In your presence is fitness (sova’) of joy (Psalms 16:11)’ read not, fullness (sova) but seven (sheva)! The harp of the Messianic days has eight strings, as it is said: ‘For the leader on the Sheminith (the eighth string).’”
The Jewish sages teach that the Sheminith is the Messiah, the eighth string. In Jewish tradition the eighth string symbolizes redemption. It is through the Messiah that we will find our redemption and I believe that Messiah is Jesus. God grants us the victory (over sin) on the eighth string of the harp or Jesus.
As I was on a roll here in my research I figured I would dig a little deeper (I do hope someone appreciates the many many hours I spend sifting through all these dusty books and writings, well, at least I enjoy it). I was sifting through the works of Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim (a 16th century Hebrew scholar and commentator) and found this: “The number seven represents the cycle of creation: the number eight represents the circumference, that is to say, that which lies beyond the perimeter of time and space. That is why the Shechinah (Divine Presence) came to dwell in the Israelite camp on the eighth day.” This is the seventeenth century before quantum physics ever discussed the idea that time and space did not fit our dimension. What Rabbi Ephraim is saying is that God lives outside of space and time. The question as to how Jesus can spend any time with you while attending to an entire universe is a ridiculous question as He knows no time, He lives outside of time, He created time. Spending every moment, 24/7 right by your side is just plain natural for Him. He doesn’t have to concern Himself with governments, political leaders, corporate leaders, the weather, the many issues of this world, He can handle it and give it His personal attention with ease because he doesn’t live in time. Like it or not, He is right by your side every microsecond of every day 24/7 and His total attention is on you and you alone because He is that eighth string – the Messiah who lives beyond time and space.
Thank you so much for your love of Gods word, and explaining so many things about the true language of Jesus and his disciples. Even someone as simple as myself can understand with the help of the Holy Spirit. About the number 8, it’s been in my dreams and my studies since march 2017. The number 7 is with it and yes I love the books “GODS LOVE LANGUAGE. SO i noticed that a lot of people are prophesing and Its a bit over whelming but I keep hearing Jesus say…if they say I am in the valley or up on a hill, don’t go. I am going to go ahead and pick up some of your older material cause I kind of miss your looking glass world of letters. Be blessed with all our LORDs peace till we meet in heaven brother chaim. Also can’t wait to read Lauras stuff on the tots and tittles.
Your teaching is appreciated and desired.
Did I miss audio teachings or are they still in process?
Hi thank you for you kind words. We are still in the process of uploading my studies. My publisher does not want to put too many up at one time, he wants to spread it out over the next few months.
Chaim, I do so appreciate your delving into all the dusty books and finding a precious jewel for those of us seeking more of Him. May He bless you in all your endeavors and those who join you in these adventures.
I am just a dusty old professor.
I appreciate all the studying you do in dusty old books. God bless! Mommacope
Hello from London, Chaim- I found your wonderful work a few months ago when I was looking up the word ‘abide’ and you amplified it so brilliantly with your ‘vomit’ explanation. Anyway, you mention today that you hope someone appreciates the many many hours you spend sifting through the dusty books and writings. Well just to say that I really really do, and thank you so much. You have inspired me also to start to learn Hebrew for myself and I also share several of your posts with lots of people. May the Lord bless you and your family (and keep you going for a long time!). Thanks for your ministry,
Diana
Thank you and I hope you will sign up for our Access site where I will be teaching Hebrew classes, Word study Classes, Grammar, and Aramaic. I look forward to it. I just need to get my audio portion over to my publisher so he can get the classes loaded on my site. I will also be doing live classes.
Thank you for sifting through those lovely dusty books and giving us shekinah manna! Hallelujah, love this!
Somebody put a lot of work into those dusty books and it is a shame they do not make it into mainstream Christianity. I am glad you appreciate the insights and wisdom of these learned men and women.
Wow! THANK YOU for the research and for sharing! This is just amazing to me as I have wondered, but like most, time for research is always limited.
Thank you again and may God bless you and the work you are doing.
So, glad God has allowed me the time to do what you do not have time to do. Makes it very worthwhile.