Hebrew is a fascinating language. Unlike Latin and Germanic languages, all the letters of the Hebrew language have a meaning. Hebrew letters are essentially building blocks and when put together create more than a word but an entire concept.
For example:
Aleph means “head”, Bet means “house” therefore- ABBA (daddy in English) means “head of house and the house’s leader”. Because the sounds are repeated, the word has a very casual and childlike quality similar to the word dada.
It is also a fact that Hebrew does not employ separate letters for vowels as other languages do. A few consonants can act as vowels (like the “y” in English) and a tittle or a jot may also change the way a word is pronounced. However, a slight change in the way a word is pronounced can also change the nuance of the Hebrew word entirely even to make it mean the opposite.
One of the most profound truths concerning Hebrew is what is known as PaRDeS. (Remember there are no vowels in Hebrew). This word “PRDS” is where we get the word “paradise” and is actually an acronym.
P – stands for the word P’shat (Literal or surface meaning)
R – stands for the word Remis (Prophetic hint as it pertains to God’s purposes)
D – stands for the word Drash (Conceptual meanings that connect throughout scripture)
S – stands for the word Sod (Deep mystical meaning – revealed by the Holy Spirit)
P’shat
P’shat refers to a literal, concrete or surface meaning. This level of meaning of all Hebrew words, is the most commonly used for translation to other languages. This is one reason why other languages often lack the ability to convey deeper Biblical truths compared to the Hebrew.
Remis
Remis indicates a hint or prophecy and suggests or points to something more profound that is hidden from the surface. This is evident with strange and elusive words. A good example is the word “breaker” (Hebrew – Paretz) in Micah 2:13. The mere p’shat (literal) meaning doesn’t give enough information for this word in other translations. But in the Hebrew depths of this word is the inference of Messiah- the One who breaks through and makes a way for us. This elusiveness should cause one to meditate and draw conclusions based on other known truths available in the Word.
Drash
Drash is a deeper concept of a word that is connected to other words and often requires a search in several places in scripture to find its full meaning. This level of meaning is contextual and other references are necessary to bring the idea into full focus. The idea of a M’drash is to search for the same word in other parts of the Bible. A good example would be: The word “clouds” found in the book of Daniel.
“I kept looking in the night visions,
And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like a Son of Man was coming,
And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him. Daniel 7:13 CJB
This word “cloud” can be brought into closer illumination with its use in the book of Psalms.
He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot. Psalms 104:3
The word “cloud” in English could be described as a billow of gasses but the deeper meaning in Hebrew is that it is an agent by which God (His Spirit) presents Himself to this physical world. He comes on “clouds of glory”, Stephen saw a “cloud of witnesses”, God Himself led the Israelites as a “cloud by day”… These words should not be taken just on the surface as a literal cumulus or cirrus cloud. A m’drash study would bring one to the conclusion that there is a spiritual element to this word “cloud” that accompanies or brings the very Presence of God to be seen on Earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11 KJV
His glorious Presence was carried up into the Spiritual realm on a chariot of clouds and He will be transported back in the same way – in a cloud that comes or moves down to the physical realm that will contain His glory.
Look! He is coming with the clouds! Every eye will see him, Rev 1:7 CJB
Sod
The Sod level is the mystical meaning of the Hebrew language e Hand most of the time will not be readily apparent. Digging deep into sod level is rich and revelatory. The sod level is disclosed by the Spirit, which in Hebrew is called chokmah (divine wisdom) of God. We are promised chokmah if we seek God with our whole heart of God. We must ask Him for it.
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. James 1:5 CSB
Concerning the mystical, take the Hebrew word tsala, which translates on the literal level as “rib”. However, as one digs down in the deeper drash and sod levels of this Hebrew word, wonderful concepts begin to emerge.
The adam literally translates to “the red dirt being”. The proper name Adam (capitalized as a name) was not employed until after the tsala was removed. On a deeper level tsala means more than just a “rib” but rather “chamber” or “portion”. So, what chamber could have possibly been removed from the human being in order to create a female version of a dirt being? What makes a woman a woman? That would be the “womb”. (The woman is the wombman).
The original creation of the first being consisted of both sexual components in one being. But the human was lonely, so God took something out of the adam and fashioned or designed another being from it. God removed the tsala.
Tsala also has the inference (In Hebrew), that if it is removed then the absence of it would cause the adam to walk lop sided or with a limp. The picture of Eve being presented to come along side Adam is God’s answer to making the Adam whole again or counter-balanced. Marriage is the mystery of God where the two become one in an intimate sense. Two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together. Amazing – that this deep level of meaning is incapsulated in the word t’sala. And not found in any other language.
Hebrew is a rich, multi-dimensional language. spiritual, colorful, full of pictures, nuances and idioms, Hebrew was the means by which God first communicated His deepest thoughts and truths and wrote them down on tablets of stone.
Just knowing there is such a thing called PRDS (the four levels of meaning of the Hebrew language) should be helpful with those readers who are studying His Word in other languages of the nations. God speaks on many levels. May your spirit hear what His Spirit is conveying through His marvelous revelatory Word.
