In-Depth Studies, New Testament, Old Testament, Prophecy, Revelation

The Vav: Its Meaning and Significance | Part 2

Vav Two: Intro
Vav Part Two
In this article, Trey Smith breaks down The Vav. It's meaning, significance and the symbolism behind it.

What Is the Meaning of The Vav?

In both the Vav Part One & Two we explore the empires of Earth.

There are six (6) basic ages of empires leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Those empires, beginning with Sumer and Akkad (together later called “Assyria,”) are:

Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, then Rome. 

Some would call the age in which we live now: Rome Phase II. 

Here is an image (beneath) representing those six (6) major empires that rose and fell.

Six Ages of Empires. The Dates of the Flood Above are the Common Range Accepted Amoung Biblical Scholars. Note: You Can Make Those Dates Whatever You Wish And The Six Ages of Empires Remain the Same.

Six Ages of Empires. The dates of the Great Flood above are the common range accepted by Biblical Scholars. Note: You can make those dates whatever you wish and the six ages of empires remain the same.

 

Of the empires listed above, the only one that was never actually conquered was the Roman Empire—it collapsed under the weight of its own bureaucracy and corruption. In fact, it could easily be said that the Roman Empire became the Roman Catholic Church.

The famous historian Flavius Josephus (37AD – 100AD) wrote:

“Now the sons of Noah were three, – Shem, Japhet, and Ham, born one hundred years before the Deluge…”

Noah's sons: Shem, Ham, Japeth

“…These, first of all, descended from the mountains into the plains, and fixed their habitation there—and persuaded others who were greatly afraid of the lower grounds on account of the flood, and so were very loath to come down from the higher places, to venture to follow their examples. The plain in which they first dwelt was called Shinar.”

Flavius Josephus on Nimrod

“Now, it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah, a bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage that procured that happiness. He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on his power. He also said he would be avenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that, he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers!” ~ Flavius Josephus

Beneath is a diagram of artifacts from Sumer and Akkad (later called Assyria.) The artifacts, including the Epic of Gilgamesh, Sumerian Kings List, Enmerkar and Lord of Aratta Tablet, and Utu/Enlil Idol, are but a handful of many documents seeming to match the Biblical persons of: Noah, Ham, Cush, then Nimrod.

Noah to Nimrod on Sumerian/Akkadian Artifacts

Noah to Nimrod on Sumerian/Akkadian Artifacts

 

In fact, Noah is covered worldwide in literally hundreds of names.

However, on the first tablets and stones following the flood, from the lineage of Ham, Cush, and Nimrod, they speak of Noah as if there were a family feud.  On one end, the lineage of Ham’s sons seems to dislike or hate Noah. On the other end, they can not stop talking and writing about Noah.

We can also see that the first “sun god” of Earth was called “Utu” or the “Shamash.” This is very probably one and the same as Noah’s rebellious son Ham.

In the image beneath (the Adda Seal) Utu is shown, with a knife in hand, coming forth from between two mountain peaks; probably the twin peaks of the Ararat Mountains.

Accordingly, modern scholars believe that the two streams of water traveling strangely over Enki’s shoulder represent the Tigris & Euphrates. This would certainly agree with both Genesis and Josephus as the land of Shinar, where Nimrod built his tower, is also down the Tigris & Euphrates from where Utu came from, towards the Persian Gulf.

Adda Seal: Utu (sun-god), Enki & Inanna

Adda Seal: Utu (sun god), Enki & Inanna

 

However, I would note that Enki is always displayed coming through some type of strange portal in the artwork. He was the “god” of Eridu, where the Tower of Babel would later rise. In legend after legend Enki comes from the underworld and has some connection with the claim of subterranean waters—and knowledge from the other side of the Great Flood. Enki means “Lord of the Earth,” and just a few of his teachings are: Lies, murder, deception, greed, lust…. and the list goes on.

Enki is the antithesis of what Noah would teach. And Enki (an image of Satan) is the underworld guide for Utu and Inanna.

Epic of Gilgamesh and Utu Seal with Twin Peaks Ararat

Epic of Gilgamesh and Utu Seal with Twin Peaks Ararat

 

Above is an image of the two Twin Peaks of Ararat as seem to be both described and drawn in Sumerian and Akkadian records redundantly as the place the first “sun god” (Utu/Shamash) came from.

Accordingly, it is at the base of Ararat, the ancient settlements predating the Kingdom of Urartu, where we find some of the oldest artifacts on earth.

In the same area where Noah’s Ark is said to have landed, the oldest wineries in the world have been found.

Armenia: The Oldest Winery and Shoes in the World

Armenia: The Oldest Winery, and Shoes—in the World

 

Above are a set of leather shoes currently believed as the oldest ever found to date. Similarly, the Areni Cave pictured above is the oldest winery ever found. It is at the base of Ararat.

In Genesis 9 it reads:

“20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,”

“Cursed be Canaan!”

Cannanites

It is very likely that it was in Genesis 9 where the split of the family would begin. In the Book of Jasher, we see that it is here where Ham stole the garments from Noah and gave them to his son Cush. The tribes (or family and sons) of Ham began, at that time, moving away from Noah and into the land of Shinar.

Map of the Ancient World

Map of the Ancient Sites from Ararat to Sippar

Map of the Ancient Sites from Ararat to Sippar

 

Moreover, all the oldest archaeological sites in the world are positioned down the Tigris and Euphrates to the Persian gulf. You can see the chain of sites from Göbekli Tepe, to Ebla, to Sippar where Utu/Shamash’s first E-babbar or “White House.”

Utu/Shamash: Comes from Twin Peaks (likely Ararat) to be "sun-god"

Utu/Shamash: Comes from Twin Peaks (likely Ararat) to be “sun god”

 

In the image above is a progression of artifacts and seals which represent Utu (likely Noah’s rebellious son Ham) leaving the twin peaks before later declaring himself as the first “sun god.”

Map of Mesopotamia: Utu to Ra

Map of Mesopotamia: Utu to Ra

 

In the map above, we can see the empires of Assyria, following the Tigris and Euphrates (later called Babylon,) and on the left, the rise of Egypt. In Egypt the “sun god” was Ra. Ra looks identical to the Egyptian god Horus, except Ra has a “sun disc” on his head, which is generally encapsulated by a serpent.

Beneath is an itemization of the morphology and evolution of the claimed “sun gods” beginning with Utu/Shamash (probably Noah’s son Ham) in the lands of Sumer and Akkad, all the way through the Romans.

Timeline of "sun-gods"

Timeline of “sun gods”

 

The occult beliefs, beginning with Utu (Ham) and Enki, worship man as his own “god.” These occult beliefs also, as if a long set of dark prophecies pre-anticipate a coming King that will destroy their works.

The pagan texts depict the worship of idols, men, objects, animals, and the Sun, Moon, and stars as “gods.” The Biblical texts strictly warn against such practices, clearly identifying all such things listed above as creations of God Himself.

In short, it is as if each empire’s dark prophetic purpose is to be ready for the Messiah when He comes—and attempt, at all costs, to stop Him.

Scholars have found as many as 550 verses in the Old Testament that somehow point to, describe, or reference the coming Messiah. Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry.

One of these astounding prophecies is found in the Book of Daniel.

Daniel 9:25-26

Daniel 9:25-26

Daniel 9:25-26

The Seventy-Weeks Prophecy

Daniel 9 reads:

20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, 21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:

24“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.

25 “Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.

26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off (publicly executed), but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.”

Gabriel's Vision Stone

Gabriel’s Vision Stone

Interpretation of Daniel’s Prophecy

We know that a week equals seven years as used in the context mentioned in Daniel. “Seven weeks and sixty two weeks” would tally up a total of sixty nine weeks. The Jewish calendar has a three hundred and sixty day year, so sixty nine weeks of three hundred and sixty day years would equal 173,880 days,

The Persian King Artaxerxes gave the command to rebuild Jerusalem (it is believed) on March 14, 445 B.C.. 

The Triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus occurred on April 6, 32 A.D. (on our modern calendar system).

From March 14th, 445 B.C. to April 6, 32 A.D. is a total of exactly: 173,880 days.

Daniel 9:25 Decree to Rebuild Jerusalem until Triumphal Entry

Daniel 9:25 Decree to Rebuild Jerusalem until Triumphal Entry

 

To be technically concise, there are very competent Bible scholars who will argue within a year or two (+ or -) of the dates for both events set forth above; the Decree of Artaxerxes and the Triumphal Entry of Jesus.

For example, some like the date of April 3, 33 AD. This date uses our modern western calendar system, which seems to appeal more to Masonic beliefs than do Hebrew calendars. However, if correct, would require a re-examination of the date of the Decree of Artaxerxes.

None-the-less, I would humbly lay forth that to predict even close to these dates roughly 500 years beforehand is stunning. However, the dates given above (in the graphics) are backed by substantial reasons to believe they are accurate.

In my view and calculations, Daniel gave the exact date of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus, to the day, 483 years in advance.

The Triumphal Entry was the only day that Jesus allowed the crowds to call him out as King. It is the day that Christians now celebrate as Palm Sunday.

On that specific day Jesus told the disciples to retrieve a donkey, that he then rode into the front gate of Jerusalem. This would fulfill Zechariah 9:9:

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The Persecution of Jesus

The Persecution of Jesus

 

The Crucifixion of Jesus occurred on Passover; or on the Hebrew calendar, Nisan 14th.

The first Passover was during the time of the Israelite’s slavery in Egypt. The Passover coincided with the last plague—the tenth plague in Egypt. It was the death of the firstborn sons. 

Pharaoh was said to be “god on earth.” He is a “god-king.” Thus, in Egypt’s view and religious system, the firstborn son of Pharaoh is the next “son of god” for Egypt. 

In Exodus 12 it reads: 

1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
2 “This month is to be for you the first month (Abib/Nisan), the first month of your year.
3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them (the Passover Lambs) at twilight.
7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
13 The blood on your doors will be a sign (or “marking”) for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

The ancient symbol for “sign” or “mark” in Hebrew is the letter Tav.
Symbol of the Tav

Symbol of the Tav

 

It would be my opinion that the Hebrews would have been following the command of Moses and Aaron to the letter. Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume they were painting crosses as “signs” and “marks” on their doorways in the Lamb’s blood that first Passover.

Tabernacle in the Wilderness: A Cross

Camp of Israel Makes a Giant Cross

Camp of Israel Makes a Giant Cross

 

An entire study could be dedicated to the single issue of the “unique shape” of the Camp of Israel in the wilderness.

In The Numbers chapter two, God gives very tedious and precise directions on this camp in the wilderness. Here is the summary, that likely even a Jewish scholar, after examining the directions, would come to the conclusion it was a giant, moving cross.

This brings us full circle to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The Sign on the Cross

YHVH on "Sign" above Jesus

YHVH on “Sign” above Jesus

 

The letters “YHVH” make up what is called the (Holy) Tetragrammaton. YHVH — the name of God. 

In Hebrew we read from right to left.

John was the only disciple recorded to have been at the crucifixion. He records that the sign put above the head of Jesus said:

JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

In Hebrew that would be (corrected for English, now left to right):

Yah’shua HaNazarei VeMelek HaYudim

In John 19 it reads:

“Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

Pilate answered,I have written what I have written.‘”

In short, when reading the “Sign” above Jesus, the Rabbis saw:

Yah’shua HaNazarei VeMelek HaYudim

or:

YHVH

YHVH: Behold the Hand, Behold the Nail

YHVH in Hebrew

YHVH in Hebrew

 

In Hebrew (again right to left) the top pictographic symbols are ancient Hebrew. The bottom symbols are modern Hebrew. The Holy Tetragrammaton or unspeakable name of God (YHVH) means: 

“Behold the hand. Behold the nail.”

Thank you for supporting the God in a Nutshell project in allowing us to bring you the forgotten history of the majesty of God Himself at work in this world He placed us in.

God bless all of you. — Trey Smith

This article accompanies a documentary trilogy of the same name.

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