Answer…God has alway a WORD for you…

WHAT IS THE BIBLE?

We have been taught that it is the word of God, but what kind of word? A command? A judgment? Precepts? What is its value? To understand you must take a leap into the sacred books to see what they say about themselves.

Let’s start from ‘Old Testament.

The Word of God as the essence

In theological language of the Old Testament the Hebrew word Däbär (which means ‘word’) has a very great importance as it occurs almost 1500 times. 242 times is related with the name of God (Däbär Yhwh, ‘word of God’) to indicate what God says, often to the mouth of a prophet. However, in reference to God, Däbär occurs more than 300 times. In most cases it is the expression of the thought and will of God, is the form in which God willed it occurs.

It is often synonymous with šem (name) that indicates the essence, the function of a reality. Therefore, one who reaches the Däbär of a thing reaches the same thing and this applied to God, it means that He manifests His essence in Däbär: Who has the Däbär of God knows God’s Word, then, is the ‘essence of God and at the same time, the effective means to meet Him. In the Jewish mentality to His word, which comes to us through the initiative of Yahweh, humans implies the ability to listen. (to be continued)

Laila Lucci,

Bible Teacher and professor of Hebrew Bible and S. Writing at the ISSR Rimini is the author of several essays and books, among whic are included: Witnesses of the Risen.

Paths of Lucan pneumatology, Pazzini, Verucchio (RN) 2007

Commentary to exegetical-theological “Wisdom Books” in The Bible VVV, S. Paul, Cinisello Balsamo 2009;

Introduction, translation and commentary on Joel, S. Paul (NVAT), Alba 2011;

Introduction, translation and commentary on Amos, S. Paul (NVAT), Alba 2012