The Nazarene Prophesy
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Here's a write up I found to be informative.
There are two possible explanations:
1. Green shoot, branch
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct (there is no archeological evidence from before the New Testament to verify this) then the use of the Hebrew letter tsade, “Natsareth”, suggests an Old Testament root with consonants N-TS-R, in which case Matthew’s reference is probably Isaiah 11:
not the other ‘Branch’ prophecy in Zechariah 3:8
since in Zechariah the text uses an unrelated Hebrew word for “branch” (צמח tsemach).
The evidence that the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct is reasonably strong. Nazareth is mentioned in Rabbinical Texts from the 4th Century, such as Midrash Qoheleth , with the spelling N-TS-R which would confirm that Matthew’s reference is to Isaiah. A Hebrew inscription found at Caesarea in 1962 [1] also confirms the spelling N-TS-R. Although the Caesarea inscription dates from c.300 CE it documents the assignation of a priestly family to Nazareth c.150 CE which suggests that the spelling is older still.
2. Nazirite
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is incorrect (again there is no pre-Christian archeological evidence either way) then the New Testament spelling of Nazareth using the Greek letter ‘Z’ (ζ zeta) may reflect Hebrew zayin, “Nadzareth”, rather than Greek ‘S’ (σ sigma) which usually refects Hebrew tsade, “Natsareth”.
There is some ground for this. For example the name Neziah (Neh.7:56
נציח ) same root as nezer, branch, is transliterated Nisia (Νισια) in the Greek Old Testament, not Nizia (Νιζια).
So Matthew’s Greek spelling possibly suggests that the original Hebrew spelling of Nazareth at the time of Jesus could have been “Nadzareth” (Greek Z may suggest Hebrew N-DZ-R not the traditional N-TS-R found in rabbinical texts). If this is the case, and if the rabbinical and modern Israeli spellings are wrong, then it is possible that Matt.2:23
refers to Jesus being a Nazirite (the Hebrew word נ זיר naziyr , consecrated thing, separated person). If so, then there’s also the implication that Jesus (being of the tribe of Judah) could take on some Levitical functions by the Nazirite vow.
Conclusion
The “Nazirite” interpretation of Matt.2:23
has receded since the discovery of the Caesarea inscription in 1962. It is also not definite that the Greek ‘Z’ (ζ zeta) used by Matthew must always consistently stand for Hebrew “DZ” zayin not “TS” tsade. It is also complicated by the fact that the original word play which circulated among Jewish Christians may well have circulated in Aramaic not Hebrew, where Hebrew netser ‘green shoot’, ‘branch’, is nazûrâ in Aramaic – possibly nearer to an Aramaic pronunciation of Nazareth.
Given the uncertainty over the TS or DZ, perhaps a better approach is to simply look at Matthew’s Gospel and see which reading makes more sense given Matthew’s other references.
Matthew 2:23
: And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
This is not a direct quotation from the Old Testament but is more likely to be an example to the 1st Century Jewish practice of seeking allegorical meaning in Old Testament verses. The problem however is that it is a word play which only works in Hebrew (or Aramaic), which indicates that it was current among the first Christians before Matthew wrote his Gospel in Greek.
There are two possible explanations:
1. Green shoot, branch
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct (there is no archeological evidence from before the New Testament to verify this) then the use of the Hebrew letter tsade, “Natsareth”, suggests an Old Testament root with consonants N-TS-R, in which case Matthew’s reference is probably Isaiah 11:
Isaiah 11:1
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
The word branch, or green shoot, in 11:1 is נצר (netser), so Matthew is probably indulging in a word-play. If so, then Matthew’s reference can only be to Isaiah 11:1
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
The evidence that the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct is reasonably strong. Nazareth is mentioned in Rabbinical Texts from the 4th Century, such as Midrash Qoheleth , with the spelling N-TS-R which would confirm that Matthew’s reference is to Isaiah. A Hebrew inscription found at Caesarea in 1962 [1] also confirms the spelling N-TS-R. Although the Caesarea inscription dates from c.300 CE it documents the assignation of a priestly family to Nazareth c.150 CE which suggests that the spelling is older still.
2. Nazirite
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is incorrect (again there is no pre-Christian archeological evidence either way) then the New Testament spelling of Nazareth using the Greek letter ‘Z’ (ζ zeta) may reflect Hebrew zayin, “Nadzareth”, rather than Greek ‘S’ (σ sigma) which usually refects Hebrew tsade, “Natsareth”.
There is some ground for this. For example the name Neziah (Neh.7:56
So Matthew’s Greek spelling possibly suggests that the original Hebrew spelling of Nazareth at the time of Jesus could have been “Nadzareth” (Greek Z may suggest Hebrew N-DZ-R not the traditional N-TS-R found in rabbinical texts). If this is the case, and if the rabbinical and modern Israeli spellings are wrong, then it is possible that Matt.2:23
Conclusion
The “Nazirite” interpretation of Matt.2:23
Given the uncertainty over the TS or DZ, perhaps a better approach is to simply look at Matthew’s Gospel and see which reading makes more sense given Matthew’s other references.
- A significant problem with the Nazarite idea is that it applies better to John the Baptist (Matt.3:4
), who did not drink wine wheras Jesus did (Matt.11:18
, Luke 7:33
), and in the Greek Old Testament Nazirite is not translated as a name (as in English) but simply “consecrated” — so if this is Matthew’s word-play then it would still be no easier for his Greek readers than a reference to “branch” in Isaiah 11.
- Despite Matthew himself being of the tribe of Levi, it is more in keeping with Matthew’s other concerns (for example his use of the Immanuel prophecy in Matt.1:23
) to be interested in establishing Christ’s title as the “green shoot” from the stump of Jesse. If the reference is to a Davidic prophecy, rather than the Law of Moses, then Christ moving from Bethlehem to Nazareth is another way of connecting Christ to the promises God made to his ancestor David.
- Finally, Matthew clearly says “the prophets” – which makes more sense referring to Isaiah 11 and Zechariah 3 than to the Nazarite Law, which comes in the books of Moses, not in the prophets.
This is it:
I dont agreee with it applying to John mare than Messaih, Messiah is the branch, it's is in prophecy more than once, also the original meaning of the root word is to be seperate (in the manner of being set apart by implacation)
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Genesis 49:26, "“The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the limit of the everlasting hills. They are on the head of Yosĕph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate (#H5139) from his brothers."[/FONT]
“[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]separate” is word #H5139 [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]נָזִיר [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]naziyr (naw-zeer') n-m., [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]נָזִר [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]nazir (naw-zeer'), 1. separate., 2. (specially) holy (as prince or Nazir [Nazirite])., 3. (hence, figuratively) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite). [from H5144], KJV: Nazarite (by a false alliteration with Nazareth), separate(-d), vine undressed., Root(s): H5144[/FONT]
Here's a write up I found to be informative.
There are two possible explanations:
1. Green shoot, branch
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct (there is no archeological evidence from before the New Testament to verify this) then the use of the Hebrew letter tsade, “Natsareth”, suggests an Old Testament root with consonants N-TS-R, in which case Matthew’s reference is probably Isaiah 11:
not the other ‘Branch’ prophecy in Zechariah 3:8
since in Zechariah the text uses an unrelated Hebrew word for “branch” (צמח tsemach).
The evidence that the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct is reasonably strong. Nazareth is mentioned in Rabbinical Texts from the 4th Century, such as Midrash Qoheleth , with the spelling N-TS-R which would confirm that Matthew’s reference is to Isaiah. A Hebrew inscription found at Caesarea in 1962 [1] also confirms the spelling N-TS-R. Although the Caesarea inscription dates from c.300 CE it documents the assignation of a priestly family to Nazareth c.150 CE which suggests that the spelling is older still.
2. Nazirite
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is incorrect (again there is no pre-Christian archeological evidence either way) then the New Testament spelling of Nazareth using the Greek letter ‘Z’ (ζ zeta) may reflect Hebrew zayin, “Nadzareth”, rather than Greek ‘S’ (σ sigma) which usually refects Hebrew tsade, “Natsareth”.
There is some ground for this. For example the name Neziah (Neh.7:56
נציח ) same root as nezer, branch, is transliterated Nisia (Νισια) in the Greek Old Testament, not Nizia (Νιζια).
So Matthew’s Greek spelling possibly suggests that the original Hebrew spelling of Nazareth at the time of Jesus could have been “Nadzareth” (Greek Z may suggest Hebrew N-DZ-R not the traditional N-TS-R found in rabbinical texts). If this is the case, and if the rabbinical and modern Israeli spellings are wrong, then it is possible that Matt.2:23
refers to Jesus being a Nazirite (the Hebrew word נ זיר naziyr , consecrated thing, separated person). If so, then there’s also the implication that Jesus (being of the tribe of Judah) could take on some Levitical functions by the Nazirite vow.
Conclusion
The “Nazirite” interpretation of Matt.2:23
has receded since the discovery of the Caesarea inscription in 1962. It is also not definite that the Greek ‘Z’ (ζ zeta) used by Matthew must always consistently stand for Hebrew “DZ” zayin not “TS” tsade. It is also complicated by the fact that the original word play which circulated among Jewish Christians may well have circulated in Aramaic not Hebrew, where Hebrew netser ‘green shoot’, ‘branch’, is nazûrâ in Aramaic – possibly nearer to an Aramaic pronunciation of Nazareth.
Given the uncertainty over the TS or DZ, perhaps a better approach is to simply look at Matthew’s Gospel and see which reading makes more sense given Matthew’s other references.
Matthew 2:23
: And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
This is not a direct quotation from the Old Testament but is more likely to be an example to the 1st Century Jewish practice of seeking allegorical meaning in Old Testament verses. The problem however is that it is a word play which only works in Hebrew (or Aramaic), which indicates that it was current among the first Christians before Matthew wrote his Gospel in Greek.
There are two possible explanations:
1. Green shoot, branch
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct (there is no archeological evidence from before the New Testament to verify this) then the use of the Hebrew letter tsade, “Natsareth”, suggests an Old Testament root with consonants N-TS-R, in which case Matthew’s reference is probably Isaiah 11:
Isaiah 11:1
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
The word branch, or green shoot, in 11:1 is נצר (netser), so Matthew is probably indulging in a word-play. If so, then Matthew’s reference can only be to Isaiah 11:1
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
The evidence that the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is correct is reasonably strong. Nazareth is mentioned in Rabbinical Texts from the 4th Century, such as Midrash Qoheleth , with the spelling N-TS-R which would confirm that Matthew’s reference is to Isaiah. A Hebrew inscription found at Caesarea in 1962 [1] also confirms the spelling N-TS-R. Although the Caesarea inscription dates from c.300 CE it documents the assignation of a priestly family to Nazareth c.150 CE which suggests that the spelling is older still.
2. Nazirite
If the modern Israeli spelling of Nazareth is incorrect (again there is no pre-Christian archeological evidence either way) then the New Testament spelling of Nazareth using the Greek letter ‘Z’ (ζ zeta) may reflect Hebrew zayin, “Nadzareth”, rather than Greek ‘S’ (σ sigma) which usually refects Hebrew tsade, “Natsareth”.
There is some ground for this. For example the name Neziah (Neh.7:56
So Matthew’s Greek spelling possibly suggests that the original Hebrew spelling of Nazareth at the time of Jesus could have been “Nadzareth” (Greek Z may suggest Hebrew N-DZ-R not the traditional N-TS-R found in rabbinical texts). If this is the case, and if the rabbinical and modern Israeli spellings are wrong, then it is possible that Matt.2:23
Conclusion
The “Nazirite” interpretation of Matt.2:23
Given the uncertainty over the TS or DZ, perhaps a better approach is to simply look at Matthew’s Gospel and see which reading makes more sense given Matthew’s other references.
- A significant problem with the Nazarite idea is that it applies better to John the Baptist (Matt.3:4
), who did not drink wine wheras Jesus did (Matt.11:18
, Luke 7:33
), and in the Greek Old Testament Nazirite is not translated as a name (as in English) but simply “consecrated” — so if this is Matthew’s word-play then it would still be no easier for his Greek readers than a reference to “branch” in Isaiah 11.
- Despite Matthew himself being of the tribe of Levi, it is more in keeping with Matthew’s other concerns (for example his use of the Immanuel prophecy in Matt.1:23
) to be interested in establishing Christ’s title as the “green shoot” from the stump of Jesse. If the reference is to a Davidic prophecy, rather than the Law of Moses, then Christ moving from Bethlehem to Nazareth is another way of connecting Christ to the promises God made to his ancestor David.
- Finally, Matthew clearly says “the prophets” – which makes more sense referring to Isaiah 11 and Zechariah 3 than to the Nazarite Law, which comes in the books of Moses, not in the prophets.
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Genesis 49:26, "“The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the limit of the everlasting hills. They are on the head of Yosĕph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate (#H5139) from his brothers."[/FONT]
“[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]separate” is word #H5139 [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]נָזִיר [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]naziyr (naw-zeer') n-m., [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]נָזִר [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]nazir (naw-zeer'), 1. separate., 2. (specially) holy (as prince or Nazir [Nazirite])., 3. (hence, figuratively) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite). [from H5144], KJV: Nazarite (by a false alliteration with Nazareth), separate(-d), vine undressed., Root(s): H5144[/FONT]
Has anyone found it written in the OT prophets that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene? 
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
KJV
In Hebrew the word Branch is נֵצֶ֖ר naytser. The town of Nazareth is a feminine form of the same word 'naytsereth'.
Has anyone found it written in the OT prophets that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene?
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.39 You study[c] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Bereishis(genesis 14
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the Most High God.19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth;20 and blessed be the Most High God, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.” And he gave him tithes of all.21
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for thyself.”
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom,
“I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord, the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth,23 that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe strap, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say,‘I have made Abram rich’”24 except only that which the young men have eaten and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”
amorite]moabite]Ba'al worshippers who attempted to curse Israel and the Seed promised to Abraham.
Also know as a divided house that has taken a bribe as no Judge is to Take.
Devarim(deuteronomy 23An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever,4 because they met you not with bread and with water in the way when ye came forth out of Egypt, and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor, of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.5 Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam, but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
Devarim(deuteronomy 29
concerning a people in the land of moab
And the answer will be: “It is because this people abandoned the covenant of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the covenant he made with them when he brought them out of Egypt. 26 They went off and worshiped other gods and bowed down to them, gods they did not know, gods he had not given them. 27 Therefore the Lord’s anger burned against this land, so that he brought on it all the curses written in this book. 28 In furious anger and in great wrath the Lord uprooted them from their land and thrust them into another land, as it is now.”The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
A Nazarene is Also a Judge.
The Book of Judges mentions twelve leaders who judged Israel:
Othniel,
Ehud,
Shamgar,
Deborah, http://www.chabad.org/library/articl...fter-a-Bee.htm
Gideon,
Tola,
Jair,
Jephthah,
Ibzan,
Elon,
Abdon,
and Samson.
Sound Judgement(doctrine)
2 Timothy 4Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
I solemnly charge you before God and the Messiah Yeshua, who will judge the living and the dead when he appears and establishes his Kingdom: 2 proclaim the Word! Be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not. Convict, censure and exhort with unfailing patience and with instruction(teaching).
When studying scripture there is more than just the surface or plain meaning.
When i first came to the Lord, i poored over the Scripture with the Holy Spirits Counsel.
So it was Like reading thousands of yrs worth of Yeshua(Jesus)
A little at a time, more of the scripture were opened to my healing heart.
There were days that i would read in the prophets and not understand. During those times i would move on and continue in the understanding i was ready for at His Time for me to know. And so i continued to humbly walk with the Lord, learning of the layers or folds of His Living Word.
If anyone is interested to know.
There is a something called exegesis that has been given as PaRDeS.
This can be somewhat helpful in the sense of a firmness in confidence to those who have come to Learn of the Deeper things encompassing the Beauty in instruction.
Something ive learned from instruction while guided by Ruach Hakodesh(Holy Spirit)
7th<444 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
1rst day<444(1)(1)7777 <curtain Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
<444(2)(2)7777 <curtain Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
2nd day<444(3)(3)7777 <curtain Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
<444(4)(4)7777 <curtain Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
3rd day<444(5)(5)7777 <curtain Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
<444(1)
4th day<444(2)(1)7777 <curtain Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
<444(3)(2)7777 <curtain Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5th day<444(4)(3)7777 <curtain Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
<444(5)(4)7777 <curtain Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
6th day<444(6)(5)7777 <curtain Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
<444(half that is left over. The Veil between the 7th day
6th doubled being the 7th day
7th<444 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
4th day<444(2)(1)7777 <curtain Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
<444(3)(2)7777 <curtain Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5th day<444(4)(3)7777 <curtain Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
<444(5)(4)7777 <curtain Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
6th day<444(6)(5)7777 <curtain Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
<444(half that is left over. The Veil between the 7th day
6th doubled being the 7th day
7th<444 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
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Thanks for that. Would the word Nazarene simply be a way of saying; a resident of the city Nazareth? Like Thessalonians residents of the city of Thessaloniki, or Christian, the new name God named His propeller as residents of the city of Christ ,our branch ?
I understand it is used in giving vows . But it is also used to name the first sect/denomination on this side of the cross.
I understand it is used in giving vows . But it is also used to name the first sect/denomination on this side of the cross.