Methodology

The goal of the AHAV Bible is to apply a methodology that seeks to reconstruct and reveal original “Kingdom of Heaven” New Testament spirituality.   Since 1973, Baruch has investigated “Jewish Aramaic” and Hebrew terms found within the oldest Aramaic and Greek New Testament texts which helped facilitate a methodology including:

1) Prayer and daily focus to draw close to Abba Father.  Yeshua (Jesus) says no man can “come to Him unless the Father draws them” (John 6:44).  We are 100% dependent on Him for His guidance and “preparing a table”.

2) Old & New Testament Aramaic texts provide Aramaic to Hebrew cognate terms.  About 70% of Aramaic New Testament terms are similar to Hebrew making it possible to track terms back to original context and definition.

3) Old & New Testament Greek texts offer a plethora of Hebrew and Aramaic transliterations; such as, Abba, amen, Eli, Gehenna, hosanna, qorban, mammon, kum, pascha, rabbi, sabbath, satan, shechar, talitha, etc.; Greek translations of the Old Testament offer “word for word” translations from Hebrew with which to track methodology and understand the mindset of Greek translators.  

4) Dead Sea Scrolls and Hebrew/Aramaic inscriptions in Israel bridge ancient Jewish with modern Christian terms and definitions as well as some vitally important halakhic (traditional) expressions used within the New Testament.

5) Ancient Aramaic Jewish literature and Bible commentaries (targums) supply Hebrew to Aramaic terms and definitions in Scripture.  Many scholars believe Jewish literature was written in Aramaic to “midrash” simply to provide commentary and discussion of Scriptural concepts, without using Hebrew which is considered a Set Apart “Holy” language.  Imagine being restricted from speaking the name of a pagan god, saying a derogatory or defamatory word in your own language, or wanting to address a modern concept that your “Holy language” doesn’t permit, so you then borrow terms from another language such as Aramaic which is close to your own.

6) Old Testament prophecies in Biblical Hebrew and “Jewish Aramaic” prophetically forecast work of Mashiyach (Messiah), the New Covenant, Acharit haYamim (latter days), angels, born again, covenant, death, perfection of the saints, repentance, holy, writing law on hearts, heaven, hell, spiritual warfare, etc.; providing critically important preeminent context for New Testament ideology.  

7) Empirical scientific discoveries (not theory or logic) that confirms original Scripture (the Word) and are validated by Scripture.  Science and technology illustrate elegant functions of human and earthly mechanisms that negate urban myth traditionally believed to be derived from Scripture.

8) Equivalence of Expressions (gezerah shavah), Idioms, Law of First Mention (definitions), Word Pairs, Kal Vachomer (light and heavy), etc., are principles of interpretation embedded in Scripture.  Scripture provides the rules and steps for correct interpretation of Scripture. 

9) Humanistic “modernism,” such as Stoicism, Gnosticism, Sophism (“theology”), Paganism, mythology, etc., are “alien authorities” that profoundly influence translations of Scripture and reverse Qadosh (Set-Apart) definitions.  It is easily illustrated how “theologians” and “translators” (authors) have reversed readings and definitions to make them read as polar opposites to original Scripture.  It is a formidable challenge to understand and differentiate a “mindset,” intellectual is not necessarily spiritual and vice versa.  Principles of “authority” and “spiritual humility” engage or disengage as we approach God and His Word.

10) Inclusion of scholarly and exhaustive research, with discernment and credible witnesses, to establish and build the most comprehensive and authoritative Bible yet in print.  Scholarly papers and theories are published every day.  As more scholars press towards a deeper understanding of Scripture, there are more people and resources to mount “radial attacks” against enemy blockage and help bring focus and clarity.

 The Sandwich Effect

On one hand, Ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, Jewish commentary and literature (1,400 BC – 400 AD), retains the terms and definitions Yeshua (Jesus) used to explain the Kingdom of Heaven.  On the other hand, the oldest Aramaic and Greek New Testament texts (200 – 400 AD) evolved from these original concepts.  By comparative verse by verse analysis of Aramaic and Greek New Testaments, comparing equivalent terms, values, and definitions, to pre-New Testament sources, we can effectively bridge and extrapolate First Century Apostolic writings and mindsets.  

The Midrash Effect  

The AHAV Bible supplies original Hebrew and Aramaic content, along with Ancient Hebrew word pictures on key words, to provide deeper insights into Yeshua (Jesus) and the Apostles midrash or “interpretation” of Scripture.  

Rabbis have good reason to believe there are 70 faces or levels within Scripture.  We generally discuss only a few levels at a time as commentary (midrash).  The AHAV New Testament Bible Project offers original Hebrew “midrash.”  Rather than only supplying answers AHAV offers more levels for individuals personally to search for answers.  

The “Holy Jesus” Effect  

Aramaic inscriptions are being discovered in Galilee, Israel, right now; even at such a rate that archaeologists can’t keep up with cataloguing, never mind publishing the results.  It’s coming.

The world is discovering that Yeshua (Jesus) and His original Jewish followers also spoke Hebrew and “Galilean Aramaic”; but, let’s not expect religious institutions, scholars, and theologians, to relinquish age-old religious theories about the history of the New Testament.

Somehow, we knew that, in the “acharit hayamim” (latter days), the Gilyana (Revelation) of Mashiyach (Messiah) would return; even though precious few are paying attention.  Don’t be railroaded by terms like, “Jewish Aramaic”; “Palestinian Aramaic”; “Judean Aramaic”; “Galilean Aramaic”; “Syrian Christian Aramaic”; or “Koine Greek.”  The fact is, whether God-fearing Jews speak or write in Aramaic, or Greek, they’re still thinking according to Qadosh (Set-Apart) Hebrew Scripture. 

If we’re not connected to God and His Word, we are “not able to do anything” (John 15:5).