THE OASIS! The experts missed this one
Insight: Lots of resorts and vacation spots use the vision of an oasis of palm trees and cool breezes to entice us to visit. The nation of Israel certainly would have enjoyed stopping there as a respite from the heat of the desert.
What are some words that describe an OASIS to you? What would you find there?
So where’s the word ‘oasis’ in the KJV and other Bible versions? It’s not there. How can this be? The Hebrew words are generally translated as ‘rest’, ‘resting place(s)’ or ‘place of rest’ in the KJV, NASB and NIV Bible versions:
I Chronicles 6:31
KJV: And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after that the ark had rest.
NASB: Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after the ark rested there.
NIV: These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there.
The Ancient Roots Translinear Bible (ARTB) translates this as ‘These David stood as the head over the song in the house of Yahweh, the oasis for the ark.’ WOW!! God asked them to create and OASIS for the ark of the covenant! Here’s another:
I Chronicles 28:2
ARTB: King David rose over his feet, and said, Hear me, my brothers, and my people: I had in my heart to build an house of oasis for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, as a foot stool for our God, and prepared for building.
KJV: Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building.
NASB: Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brethren and my people; I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the footstool of our God. So I made preparations to build it.
NIV: King David rose to his feet and said: ‘Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord , for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it.
So, why is the word ‘oasis’ not in the other translations? All the other translations utilize the word ‘rest’ not only for the Hebrew MANOAH and MENUAH, but also for SHABAT, the word associated with the Sabbath. The ARTB uses ‘rest’ exclusively with SHABAT, and ‘oasis’ for MANOAH and MENUAH to help the reader distinguish between the two Hebrew roots. (The Hebrew word SHABAT is underlined below.)
Exodus 34:21
ARTB: Serve six days, but on the seventh day rest. Rest from plowing and in harvest.
KJV: Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.
NASB: You shall work six days, but on the seventh dqy you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.
NIV: Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.
What are the differences in your mind between an OASIS, and simply a RESTING PLACE, or a PLACE OF REST? All bible versions consistently use the English word REST associated with the Sabbath. Is there a difference between Sabbath REST and an OASIS?
Let’s look at another example. One of the most famous passages in the Bible is Psalm 23. The oasis was a place for camping and for resting the livestock for nomads travelling in the desert because it contained water, shade, and fruit. In this example, other words like STILL and QUIET are used in the other translations:
Psalm 23:2
ARTB: He reclines me in settlements of grass, he herds me toward the waters of an oasis to return my soul. KJV: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. NASB: He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.
NIV: He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
So, is there any proof that the Hebrew words MANOAH and MENUHA should be ‘oasis’, and not another word? One hint is in Solomon’s temple: What could be the significance of the date-palm trees in the both Solomon’s temple and the temple in Ezekiel’s vision?
Ezekiel 41:20
ARTB: Cherubim and date-palms were made on the walls of the temple from the ground unto above the opening.
KJV: From the ground unto above the door were cherubims and palm trees made, and on the wall of the temple.
NASB: From the ground to above the entrance cherubim and palm trees were carved, as well as on the wall of the nave.
NIV: From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the outer sanctuary.
Zohary says, “The date-palm is primarily a tree of the desert oases.” (Plants of the Bible, Cambridge Press pg 60). So with the date-palm trees all over the inside of the sanctuary, God not only specified to build an ‘oasis’ for the ark, but to decorate the permanent temple with date-palms to reinforce the theme. Remember, too, that the area of the ark was the only area covered and shaded with a top tent piece. And the concept of an ‘oasis’ is not only for the ark of the covenant, but for us:
Isaiah 32:18
ARTB: My people will dwell in a settlement of peace, in tabernacles of trust in a tranquil oasis. 
KJV: And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
NASB: Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, and in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places.
NIV: My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
REFLECTION: Now put the concepts of a vacation spot or a resort along with these Bible passages.
What have you learned from this new word? How do you think of the temple and the ark of the covenant? What sort of a place has God prepared for us?
|
