Psalms 1: Here come the pigs

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [kjv]

1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [kjv]

1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. [kjv]

1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. [kjv]

1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [kjv]

1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. [kjv]

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men. [bs3]

μακιαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν [lxx]

Psalms 1 presents an interesting bottom-up forward-chaining progression of the toleration and acceptance of sin. It is a slippery slope. From the "not" and "nor", there are three ways to avoid.

Walk stand sit

1. walking in the counsel of the ungodly (associate like "fish")
2. standing with (in the way of) sinners (condone like "pigs")
3. sitting in the seat of scornful (participate like "birds")

Barnabas makes these connections but Jesus uses each of "fish", "pigs", "birds" and "sheep" (and others) in corresponding roles.

The word for "walked" is the same word that is translated as "go" in the mandate of the Great Commission.

More: The mandate of Maundy Thursday

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men. [bs3]

There are three ways to avoid.

walk in the counsel of the ungodly (fish)
stand in the way of sinners (pigs)
sit in the seat of the scornful (birds)

What exactly is this (bottom-up, forward-chaining) progression as expressed here?

What does it mean to "tolerate" something? Assume that it is something with which you do not agree. Does toleration mean one, some, or all of the following, and how might these be ordered in a progression?

How might a progression of toleration unfold? What other categories might be added? What might be the order?

Let us look at this idea in terms of Psalms 1.

Psalms 1:1

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KJV: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Hebrew: אשרי האיש אשר לא הלך בעצת רשעים ובדרך חטאים לא עמד ובמושב לצים לא ישב׃

Greek: μακιαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν

Brenton: Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men.

Latin: beatus vir qui non abiit in conspilio impiorum et in via peccatorum non stetit in cathedra derisorum non sedit

Slavonic: Блажен муж, иже не иде на совет нечестивых, и на пути грешных не ста, и на седалищи губителей не седе:

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men. [bs3]

Let us distribute and fill out the three phrases from the first verse.

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly."
"Blessed is the man that standeth not in the way of sinners."
"Blessed is the man that sitteth not in the seat of the scornful."

Let us take each of these in turn.

The Epistle of Barnabas, not to be confused with a medieval forgery called the Gospel of Barnabas, is a writing from the first century, usually attributed to the Barnabas that accompanied Paul as recorded in the GNT (Greek New Testament), but no one knows for sure.

[Connecting dots, yoke of compulsion]
The date appears to be after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD and before the further destruction and dispersion about 135 AD.

Disputed letters
Hebrews	accepted
Barnabas	rejected

For various reasons, the disputed Epistle of Barnabas was not accepted into the GNT. Nevertheless, Barnabas makes many interesting points and provides many interesting ideas.

Discuss: Why might Barnabas have been rejected while Hebrews was accepted?

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Epistle of Barnabas

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1 God and food 1

2 God and food 2

3 God and food 3

In the Epistle of Barnabas, Barnabas interprets the writings of Moses not to eat animals such as the pig as a deviation from the original law in that one is, rather, not to act like the forbidden animals.

The laws for not eating certain types of food would have helped remember the rules that might have gone with it.

More: Epistle of Barnabas

The author of the Epistle of Barnabas connects Psalms 1 with the change of precepts from spiritual to dietary laws.

English: Concerning food, then, Moses received three precepts to this effect and spoke in a spiritual sense, but because of their fleshy desires the people accepted them as though they referred to actual food. (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.9)

Greek: περὶ μὲν τῶν βρωμάτων λαβὼν Μωϋσῆς τρία δόγματα οὕτως ἐν πνεύματι ἐλάλησεν· οἱ δὲ κατ’ ἐπιθυμίαν τῆς σαρκὸς ὡς περὶ βρώσεως προσεδέξαντο. [10.9]

English: David received knowledge of the-same three precepts and says, similarly ... (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)

Greek: λαμβάνει δὲ τῶν αὐτῶν τριῶν δογμάτων γνῶσιν Δαυείδ καὶ λέγει· [10.10]

Like Jesus, Matthew, Paul, etc., Barnabas quotes from the LXX (Septuagint) rather than from the Hebrew.

Let us look at fish, pigs, birds and sheep. Note that since the roles are figurative, one may have aspects of, say, fish, pigs and birds at the same time.

Note: Barnabas means the animals forbidden to be eaten and not every fish or bird. Jesus includes the birds that eat fruit or animals that keep you from making fruit as figuratively bad.

Ψαλμοί 1:1 μακιαριος ανηρ ος ουκ επορευθη εν βουλη ασεβων και εν οδω αμαρτωλων ουκ εστη και επι καθεδραν λοιμων ουκ εκαθισεν [lxx]

Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly… [bs3]

English: Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of ungodly men (like the fish that swim about in darkness in the depths), (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)

Greek: Μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὃς οὐκ ἐπορεύθη ἐν βουλῇ ἀσεβῶν, καθὼς καὶ οἱ ἰχθύες πορεύονται ἐν σκότει εἰς τὰ βάθη· [10.10]

The author of the Epistle of Barnabas quotes the LXX and then provides a connecting explanation in terms of "fish".

Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: [kjv]

παλιν ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων σαγηνη βληθειση εις την θαλασσαν και εκ παντος γενους συναγαγουση [gnt]

13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. [kjv]

ην οτε επληρωθη αναβιβασαντες επι τον αιγιαλον και καθισαντες συνελεξαν τα καλα εις αγγη τα δε σαπρα εξω εβαλον [gnt]

The 7th and last of the Kingdom Parables in Matthew 13 is about the (implied) fish in the sea.

The "vessels" my be reflexive. Only the "good" are put into "vessels". The "bad" is that of "rotten" or "spoiled" (fruit).

More: Matthew 13 47-50: Seventh kingdom parable: harvest at the end of the age

Matthew 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, [kjv]

ουτως εσται εν τη συντελεια του αιωνος εξελευσονται οι αγγελοι και αφοριουσιν τους πονηρους εκ μεσου των δικαιων [gnt]

13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [kjv]

και βαλουσιν αυτους εις την καμινον του πυρος εκει εσται ο κλαυθμος και ο βρυγμος των οδοντων [gnt]

Those fish in the sea represent both the wicked and the just.

The Greek for "wicked" is that of those who do "oppression". These are the "rotten" or "spoiled".
The Greek for "just" is that of "righteous". That is, those that do what is "right" by God. These are the "good".

In Matthew, the words for "hell" and "fire" are used more than the word for "love". When is the last time you have heard about "hell" or "fire" in a church sermon?

More: Matthew 13 47-50: Seventh kingdom parable: harvest at the end of the age

Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. [kjv]

και λεγει αυτοις δευτε οπισω μου και ποιησω υμας αλιεις ανθρωπων [gnt]

What is translated as "follow me" is, in the Greek, "come behind me". Jesus does not call us to be "leaders" in the human sense. We are to "do" what Jesus wants us to "do". Are we "leaders" of men or "fishers" of men?

Church as the universal collection of believers
Local church as local collection of believers

The word "leader" is ambiguous. In a human context, a "leader" is someone who fits into a human system to do what the person in charge wants. If you fit into that system, for a good or bad system, you are called a "leader".

More: Luke 10:1-4 Follow the leader

Matthew 4:19

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KJV: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Greek: και λεγει αυτοις δευτε οπισω μου και ποιησω υμας αλιεις ανθρωπων

Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. [kjv]

και λεγει αυτοις γεγραπται ο οικος μου οικος προσευχης κληθησεται υμεις δε αυτον ποιειτε σπηλαιον ληστων [gnt]

The "house" should be built on the "rock".

The "house" should not be built on the human infrastructure of "sand" that involves many other things (buying, selling, etc.).
Business principle: All management (in the sand house) is, at best, non-value adding work (not fruit). The only value-adding work (fruit) happens at the lowest (rock) level.

More: Matthew 11:15-19 A pipe dream in the market place

Here are some sports teams with "pig" connections.

Arkansas Razorbacks (NCAA College Football) play with the "pigskin".
Major Tuddy mascot of the Commanders (NFL) - from the "Hogs" offensive line of the Super Bowl days of the Washington Redskins (1983, 1988, 1992).
Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (minor league baseball) - affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, name from the pig iron used to make steel.

The word for the "pig" animal is from Old English. The word for "pork" meat is from French.

How many have been to the Penn State Lion statue at University Park, PA?

Three little pigs: Houses of straw, sticks, brick.

There are many variations of This little piggy by Mother Goose, dating from 1728.
This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy stayed at home,
This little piggy had roast beef,
This little piggy had none.
And this little piggy went...
"Wee wee wee" all the way home...

Motivation for the detective novel Five little pigs by Agatha Christie.

There are many pig-based characters and animals in cartoons, movies, etc.

Pigpen from Charlie Brown
Porky Pig from Looney Tunes
Pumbaa from The Lion King
Pig called Runt from animated movie Chicken Little

Three pigs from animated movie Shrek
Piglet from Mine's Winne-the-Pooh
Arnold Ziffel, the talking pig, from the Green Acres sitcom (1965-1971)
Wilbur the pig from Charlotte's Web

At one time, the English "swine" were the full grown pigs and a "pig" was a young pig. Thus, "piglet" is a "little little pig".

A "porpoise" appears to be a variation of a dolphin, though most claim them as distinct species. Would anyone be upset if I called a porpoise a "pig-fish" since it has a snout like a pig? What about a "sea hog"?

The word "porpoise" comes from the Old French "porpais" which means, through Latin, literally, "pig fish".

The Latin word "porcus" ≈ "pig" from which we get the English word "pork".
The Latin word "piscis" ≈ "fish". One of the 12 Zodiac signs is "Pisces", the fish.
The modern Greek word "γουρουνόψαρο" (ghu-ru-NO-psa-ro) ≈ "porpoise".
The modern Greek word "γουρούνι" (ghu-RU-nee) ≈ "hog, pig" which originates from the (perceived) sound made by a pig.
The modern Greek word "ψάρι" (PSA-ree) ≈ "fish"

The French word appears to have come from the Germanic "mere-swin" or "sea hog" (swine).

More: Whales, dolphins, fish, etc.

There is a difference between a commitment and a contribution. Consider the bacon and egg breakfast:

The chicken makes a contribution (an egg).
The pig makes a commitment (some bacon or ham).

More: Have you heard of the herd of swine? Did they sea it?

Psalms 1:1 … nor standeth in the way of sinners, … [kjv]

… and has not stood in the way of sinners… [bs3]

English: and has not taken the path of sinners (like those who pretend to fear the Lord but sin like pigs), (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)

Greek: καὶ ἐν ὁδῷ ἁμαρτωλῶν οὐκ ἔστη, καθὼς οἱ δοκοῦντες φοβεῖσθαι τὸν κύριον ἁμαρτάνουσιν ὡς ὁ χοῖρος, [10.10]

The author of the Epistle of Barnabas quotes the LXX and then provides a connecting explanation in terms of "pigs" or "swine".

The "stand" is that of blocking the way. A sinner wants to change, but the "pig" blocks the way to repentance.

The "pretend" is that of an "opinion". False teachers and those who change the Bible fit this description. The Greek for "pretending" is the word "hypocrite" used by Jesus.

More: Have you heard of the herd of swine? Did they sea it?

More: Matthew 7:3-23 A splitting feat of how the swine flew on pearls at a wide gait

In general, it is easier to defend or block something or someone than it is to actually get something done.

The same idea happens in business and in any large human organization.
In sports such as the NFL (National Football League), NBA (National Basketball Association), MLB (Major League Baseball), etc., the rules are changed to keep neither offense nor defense from getting too big of an advantage. The idea is to entertain and make money, not to actually win games.

It is easier for a big brash "pig" to block the way of a sinner to repentance (or doing what is right) than it is for a smaller timid "sheep" to make a way.

pig out
hog wild
when pigs fly
pig Latin
boaring
in the baconing
in the squeal
With her way blocked, one little three year old girl exclaimed: Excuse me! I need to get in the way!.

Instead of "standing in the way" (blocking sinners from repentance) one should be "standing on the promises".

The hymn "Standing on the promises" was written in 1886 by American Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928). He was a professor at the Pennsylvania Military College of Chester (later Widener College) and licensed as a preacher by the Methodist Episcopal Church. He later became a doctor and a writer, writing novels and hymns.

He was known for his faith healing teachings and "positive confession".

In 1972 Pennsylvania Military College disbanded its Corps of Cadets and became Widener College (later University).

More: Song: Standing on the promises

More: Song: Standing on the promises

Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on

the promises of God, my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on

the promises of God.

Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on

the promises of God, my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on

the promises of God.

In the Epistle of Barnabas, Barnabas interprets the writings of Moses not to eat animals such as the pig a change from the original in that one is, rather, not to act like a pig in 10.3. He does this for other animals (omitted).

The Greek for "associate" is that of "attaching oneself" as if by "glue" as in being "joined together". The Greek for "forget" is that of "ignoring".

English: You must not associate, he means, with such people, who are like pigs. That is, when they are well off they forget the Lord, but when they are in need, they acknowledge the Lord, just as the pig ignores its owner when it is feeding, but when it is hungry, it starts to squeal and falls silent only after being fed again. Holmes, 2007, p. 411

Greek: τὸ οὖν χοιρίον πρὸς τοῦτο εἶπεν· οὐ κολληθήσῃ, φησίν, ἄθρώποις τοιούτοις, οἵτινές εἰσιν ὅμοιοι χοίρων· τουτέστιν ὅταν σπαταλῶσιν, ἐπιλανθάνονται τοῦ κυρίου, ὅταν δὲ ὑστεροῦνται, ἐπιγινώσκουσιν τὸν κύριον, ὡς καὶ ὁ χοῖρος ὅταν τρώγει τὸν κύριον οὐκ οἶδεν, ὅταν δὲ πεινᾷ κραυγάζει, καὶ λαβὼν πάλιν σιωπᾷ.

Would you rather have been a "pig" or a "sheep" or a member of Herod's family in Judea at the time of Christ?

More: Epistle of Barnabas


Caesar Augustus	Herod the Great

Caesar Augustus: On hearing that the son of Herod, king of the Jews, had been slain when Herod ordered that all boys in Syria under the age of two be killed, Augustus said, “It's better to be Herod's pig than his son” (dicta 56, Macrobius, Saturnalia).
Another version of the story has Gaius Octavius Augustus saying that "I would rather be Herod’s pig than his son".

Would you rather be a "pig" or a "sheep"?

In Judea, if you were a sheep, you might be killed and eaten young as a "Passover Lamb". The sheep have it better in heaven.
If you were a pig, you were forbidden food and much less likely that you would be killed and eaten. The pigs have it better on earth.

Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. [kjv]

και ειπεν αυτοις υπαγετε οι δε εξελθοντες απηλθαν εις τους χοιρους και ιδου ωρμησεν πασα η αγελη κατα του κρημνου εις την θαλασσαν και απεθανον εν τοις υδασιν [gnt]

The above situation can be depicted with a diagram.

The "devil" or "demon" leads the "swine" to the "water" into which they "perish".

Perhaps the "swine" thought they were being "suffocated" living on land and breathing air and wanted to return to being "fish".
It is not clear whether the "demons" were sufficient to be a one-for-one matching with the pigs in the herd. or whether they went into selected swine in the herd.

More: Have you heard of the herd of swine? Did they sea it?

Matthew 8:32

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KJV: And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

Greek: και ειπεν αυτοις υπαγετε οι δε εξελθοντες απηλθον απηλθαν εις την αγελην των χοιρων τους χοιρους και ιδου ωρμησεν πασα η αγελη των χοιρων κατα του κρημνου εις την θαλασσαν και απεθανον εν τοις υδασιν

Latin: et ait illis ite at illi exeuntes abierunt in porcos et ecce impetu abiit totus grex per praeceps in mare et mortui sunt in aquis

Wycliffe: And he seide to hem, Go ye. And thei yeden out, and wenten in to the swyne; and loo! in a greet bire al the droue wente heedlyng in to the see, and thei weren deed in the watris.

Tyndale: And he sayd vnto the: go youre wayes. Then wet they out and departed into ye heerd of swyne And beholde ye whoale heerd of swyne was caryed wt violence hedlinge in to the see and perisshed in ye water.

Luther: Und er sprach: Fahret hin! Da fuhren sie aus und fuhren in die Herde Säue. Und siehe, die ganze Herde Säue stürzete sich mit einem Sturm ins Meer und ersoffen im Wasser.

Slavonic: И рече им: идите. Они же изшедше идоша в стадо свиное: и се, (абие) устремися стадо все по брегу в море, и утопоша в водах.

Russian: И Он сказал им: идите. И они, выйдя, пошли в стадо свиное. И вот, все стадо свиней бросилось с крутизны в море и погибло в воде.

Spanish: Y Él les dijo: Id. Y ellos saliendo, se fueron a aquel hato de puercos; y he aquí, todo el hato de puercos se precipitó en el mar por un despeñadero, y perecieron en las aguas.


		The sea contains all the fish - good and bad. The sea represents destruction for those who have not become sheep. Faith can throw a mountain into the sea (or just move it).

There are interesting connections:

Jesus and the demons taking the swine into the sea
Pharaoh's army going into the sea
A wolf dog impersonating a sheep dog taking the sheep into the sea

More: Have you heard of the herd of swine? Did they sea it?

In Philippians 3, after covering the futility of "works" and the glory of Christ, Paul marks the "bishops" (leadership) as walking as enemies of Christ. Their "purpose" or "end" is "destruction" , as in the "destruction" of themselves and of those who follow them.

Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ περιπατουσιν ους πολλακις ελεγον υμιν νυν δε και κλαιων λεγω τους εχθρους του σταυρου του χριστου [gnt]

3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. [kjv]

More: Philippians 3:17-19 walk of destruction

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]

υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθεν εξω καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων [gnt]

7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. [kjv]

μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν μηδε βαλητε τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων μηποτε καταπατησουσιν αυτους εν τοις ποσιν αυτων και στραφεντες ρηξωσιν υμας [gnt]

What is a medicine to help treat getting rended by a pig?

Oinkment. Unless the pain is a pigment of your imagination.

What is a way to keep pearls from losing their whiteness?

Salt and water. Salt and bread is as the saying bread and butter.

What is "holy"? What are the "dogs"?
What are "pearls"? Who are the "swine"?

More: Matthew 7:3-23 A splitting feat of how the swine flew on pearls at a wide gait

Matthew 5:13

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KJV: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Greek: υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθηναι βληθεν εξω και καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων

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1 Gates

2 Gates with ask

3 Gates with sheep-dog

4 Gates with wolf-dog

5 Gates with thrown pearls

6 Gates with swine

This chart build is to summarize Matthew 7.

The end result of giving what is "holy", control of the group, to a wolf-dog and having white and then gray "pearls" cast to "swine" to be trodden down to become black pearls is to divide the group into "few" and "some". Only the "few" who have otherwise ignored the "wolf" will find and knock on the gate to life and have it opened.

More: Matthew 7:3-23 A splitting feat of how the swine flew on pearls at a wide gait

*G5300 *1 ὗς (hoos) : apparently a primary word; a hog ("swine"):--sow.

Usage

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υς

2 Peter 2:22 ... vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

*G5519 *12 χοῖρος (khoy'-ros) : of uncertain derivation; a hog:--swine.

Usage

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χοιρων *6

Matthew 7:6 ... your pearls before swine, lest they trample them ...
Matthew 8:30 ... them an herd of many swine feeding.
Matthew 8:31 ... to go away into the herd of swine.
Mark 5:11 ... a great herd of swine feeding.
Mark 5:16 ... to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
Luke 8:32 ... there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: ...

χοιρους *5

Matthew 8:32 ... into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down ...
Mark 5:12 ... Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
Mark 5:13 ... went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently ...
Luke 8:33 ... the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently ...
Luke 15:15 ... his fields to feed swine.

χοιροι

Luke 15:16 ... with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man ...

*G5300 *1 ὗς (hoos) : apparently a primary word; a hog ("swine"):--sow.

*G5519 *12 χοῖρος (khoy'-ros) : of uncertain derivation; a hog:--swine.

Words: υς χοιροι χοιρους=5 χοιρων=6

A secular story using pigs (or swine) as leaders of a well-meaning group taking those followers into bondage is that of the political satire book Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945). The "birds" appear to fit the role of the "pigs" in charge.
Based on the story of Soviet Socialism, the pigs, who took control after the revolution, are continually changing rules to benefit them at the expense of all the other animals.

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. George Orwell, Animal Farm.

Discussion question: How might the idea of casting pearls before swine be related to the pigs in Animal Farm?

More: Matthew 7:3-23 A splitting feat of how the swine flew on pearls at a wide gait

Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. [kjv]

ουδεις δε επιβαλλει επιβλημα ρακους αγναφου επι ιματιω παλαιω αιρει γαρ το πληρωμα αυτου απο του ιματιου και χειρον σχισμα γινεται [gnt]

7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. [kjv]

The play on words of "worse" and "swine" has an interesting connection to "rupture" in the verse of throwing "pearls" to "swine". Today the words are pronounced the same.

"χείρον" ≈ "worse in quality, inferior" (accusative case).
"χοῖρον" ≈ "young pig, swine" (accusative case).

The words "rent" as in "schism" and "rend" have about the same semantic meaning.

Might the play on words with "young swine" have any connection with the "young goats" in the parable of the "sheep" and "goats"?

More: Have you heard of the herd of swine? Did they sea it?

More: Matthew 9:14-17 Old and new garments and bottles

In the work of ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes Laertius, Kratos makes a comment.

Greek: «χρείαν ἔχειν ἱματίου καινοὖ» = "they need to have new clothes" as in "garments".
Greek: «χρείαν ἔχειν ἱματίου και νοὖ» = "they need to have clothes and a brain" (play on words)

This is a play on the Greek for "new" with "and" and "brain" or "mind". Here are the ancient Greek words.

"καινός" ≈ "new" in the nominative.
"καινοῦ" ≈ "new" in the genitive.
"και" ≈ "and".
"νοῦ" ≈ "mind, brain" in the genitive.
"νοῦς" ≈ "mind, brain"in the nominative.

More: Nouthetic counseling: Having peace of mind or giving piece of mind

More: Matthew 9:14-17 Old and new garments and bottles

2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. [kjv]

συμβεβηκεν αυτοις το της αληθους παροιμιας κυων επιστρεψας επι το ιδιον εξεραμα και υς λουσαμενη εις κυλισμον βορβορου [gnt]

… canis … vomitum … lota … luti [v]

… hound … castyng… sowe … fenne. [wy]

It is often said that "one cannot teach on old dog new tricks". Over history there have been many sayings that involve animals such as dogs and pigs.

In some sense, both "dogs" and "pigs" return to their old ways. Like in Hebrew proverbs, Peter repeats the same idea twice to avoid confusion of meaning.

Who is a "dog"? Who is a "pig"?

More: 2 Peter 2:1-22 Déjà vu all over again

More: Sayings of the dog and the sow

What do pigs eat?

Apparently, James McCarthy (Microsoft software developer and manager) grew up on a pig farm in Iowa.

As my Iowan father used to say, "When there isn't enough feed in the feedlot, the pigs'll eat each other." McCarthy, J. (1995). Dynamics of Software Development. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press., p. 168.

Can you think of any segment of the population that, when there isn't enough to do X on others, will start doing X on and between themselves? Fill in something for X and see how well it fits.

More: James McCarthy

Psalms 1:1 … nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [kjv]

… and has not sat in the seat of evil men. [bs3]

English: and has not sat in the seat of pestilent men (like the birds that sit waiting for plunder). (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)

Greek: καὶ ἐπὶ καθέδραν λοιμῶν οὐκ ἐκάθισεν, καθὼς τὰ πετεινα καθήμενα εἰς ἁρπαγήν. [10.10]

The author of the Epistle of Barnabas quotes the LXX and then provides a connecting explanation in terms of "birds".

The birds (false teachers)

are so pretty,
sound so nice, and
make me feel good.

Feather the nest

More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows

More: Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds

English: Neither shall you eat the eagle or the hawk or the kite or the crow. You must not, he means, associate or even resemble such people, who do not know how to provide food for themselves by labor and sweat but lawlessly plunder other people's property; indeed, though they walk about with the appearance of innocence, they are carefully watching and looking around for someone to rob in their greed, just as these birds alone do not provide food for themselves but sit idle and look for ways to eat the flesh of others - they are nothing more than pests in their wickedness. (10.4, Holmes, p. 411)

Barnabas makes the case that the Jews changed the "moral" laws given by God to Moses into "dietary" laws to circumvent what God wanted. The word "associate" is the Greek word for "glued to" or "joined together", the same word Jesus uses for husband and wife becoming "one flesh".

Greek: [10.4] Οὐδὲ φάγῃ τὸν ἀετὸν οὐδὲ τὸν ὀξύπτερον οὐδὲ τὸν ἰκτῖνα οὐδὲ τὸν κόρακα οὐ μή, φησίν, κολληθήσῃ οὐδὲ ὁμοιωθήσῃ ἀνθρώποις τοιούτοις, οἵτινες οὐκ οἴδασιν διὰ κόπου καὶ ἰδρῶτος προίζειν ἑαυτοῖς τὴν τροφήν, ἀλλὰ ἁρπάζουσιν ὡς καὶ τὰ ἀλλότρια ἐν ἀνομίᾳ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπιτηροῦσιν ὡς ἐν ἀκεραιοσύνῃ περιπατοῦντες καὶ περιβλέπονται, τίνα ἐκδύσωσιν διὰ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ὡς καὶ τὰ ὄρνεα ταῦτα μόνα ἑαυτοῖς οὐ προίζει τὴν τροφήν, ἀλλὰ ἀργὰ καθήμενα ἐκζητεῖ, πῶς ἀλλοτρίας σάρκας καταφάγῃ, ὄντα λοιμὰ τῇ πονηρίᾳ αὐτῶν.

The ancient Greek word "κόλλα" ≈ "glue, flower paste".

The translation is that one should not "associate" with such people. The Greek is that of "glue yourself" to such people.

More: Epistle of Barnabas

The author of the Epistle of Barnabas concludes his explanation.

English: You now have the full story concerning food. (Holmes, 2007, p. 413, 10.10)

Greek: ἔχετε τελείως καὶ περὶ τῆς βρώσεως. [10.10]

The Greek for "full story" is that of "purpose" or "end result".

Barnabas is talking about animals that are forbidden to eat. The birds are the birds of prey.
Jesus uses the birds as representing evil, oppression and those that do it. Jesus uses as examples those birds that eat the fruit created by others.

How much physical effort is required for each of the steps?

walking (swimming as fish) requires more physical effort than
standing (blocking or stomping as pigs) which requires more physical effort than
sitting (perching as birds) waiting for prey.

Do we ever get inflexible in how we approach life (in terms of our world view)?

Physical oppression (evil) takes a lot of physical work.

Mental deception (evil) takes less physical work.

How much mental effort is required for each of the steps?

Casual walking (swimming as fish) requires some mental effort.
Getting in the way of something (blocking or stomping as pigs) requires more mental effort.
Sitting in judgment and promoting ideas as deceptions (perching as birds) requires even more (devious) mental effort.

How might you compare the actions of Lot (living in Sodom and Gomorrah) in Genesis with these verses?

How does this compare with life in today's world?

▶

1 Oppression 1

2 Oppression 2

3 Oppression 3

4 Oppression 4

Discuss: Why does the world "hate" Christians?

Provide examples of "evil" that do not involve "oppression".
Provide examples of "good" that do involve "oppression".
Can you justify using "oppression" to remove/fight "oppression"? How about from the Bible?
Can you justify "self-defense" to defend against "oppression"? How about from the Bible?
Your body has built-in mechanisms to fight infection, etc. Is this "good" or "bad"?

More: Overly burdened in the cares and concerns of evil

Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [kjv]

English: Again Moses says: Eat anything that has a divided hoof and chews the cud. Why does he say this? Because when it receives food it knows the one who is feeding it and, relying upon that person, appears to rejoice. (Holmes, 2007, p. 415, 10.11)

Greek: πάλιν λέγει Μωϋσῆς· Φάγεσθε πᾶν διχηλοῦν καὶ μαρυκώμενον. τί λέγει; ὅτι τὴν τροφὴν λαμβάνων οἶδεν τὸν τρέφοντα αὐτὸν καὶ ἐπ’ αὐτῷ ἀναπαθόμενος εὐφραίνεσθαι δοκεῖ. καλῶς εἶπεν βλέπων τὴν ἐντολήν. [10.11]

How much time and effort might be spent looking for the following?

lost sheep (know who is feeding it) (hairs)
lost fish (fish them out to become sheep) (feet)
lost pig (if it tries to become a fish again, it suffocates) (hands)
lost bird (they all fall without God) (eyes)

domain	type	way	way	separation	physical	mental
sea	fish	swim	walk	good and rotten	high	low
land	pigs	block	stand	sheep and goats	medium	medium
air	birds	perch	sit	none	low	high

Sea animals such as fish are separated in the 7th Kingdom Parable at the end of the age.
Land animals such as pigs, sheep, goats are separated at the end of the age.
Air animals such as birds are not mentioned as to division except for the "one cookie rule". That is, not (only) one bird (but all) will fall without the father (for selling themselves and others out for their own gain). Matthew 10:29.

Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [kjv]

ουχι δυο στρουθια ασσαριου πωλειται και εν εξ αυτων ου πεσειται επι την γην ανευ του πατρος υμων [gnt]

More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows

Each domain has ways of oppressing and/or being oppressed. Discuss: How does the oppression change in each domain?

Using the Toy Story saying "death by monkeys" from the Barrel of Monkeys.

More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain

More: Overly burdened in the cares and concerns of evil

More: Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations

Matthew 10:29

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KJV: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Greek: ουχι δυο στρουθια ασσαριου πωλειται και εν εξ αυτων ου πεσειται επι την γην ανευ του πατρος υμων

Psalms 1:2

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KJV: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Hebrew: כי אם בתורת יהוה חפצו ובתורתו יהגה יומם ולילה׃

Greek: αλλ η εν τω νομω κυριου το θελημα αυτου και εν τω νομω αυτου μελετησει ημερας και νυκτος

Latin: sed in lege Domini voluntas eius et in lege eius meditabitur die ac nocte

Wycliffe: But his wille is in the lawe of the Lord; and he schal bithenke in the lawe of hym dai and nyyt.

Luther: sondern hat Lust zum Gesetz des Herrn und redet von seinem Gesetz Tag und Nacht.

Slavonic: но в законе Господни воля его, и в законе Его поучится день и нощь.

Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. [kjv]

English: What then, does he mean? Associate with those who fear the Lord, with those who meditate in their heart on the special significance of the word that they have received, with those who proclaim and obey the Lord's righteous requirements, with those who know that meditation is a labor of joy and who ruminate on the word of the Lord. (Holmes, 2007, p. 416, 10.11)

Greek: τί οὖν λέγει; κολλᾶσθε μετὰ τῶν φοβουμένων τὸν κύριον, μετὰ τῶν μελετώντων ὃ ἔλαβον διάσταλμα ῥήματος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ, μετὰ τῶν λαλούντων τὰ διδαιώματα κυρίου καὶ τηρούντων, μετὰ τῶν εἰδότων, ὅτι ἡ μελέτη ἐστὶν ἔργον εὐφροσύνης, καὶ ἀναμαρυκωμένων τὸν λόγον κυρίου. [10.11]

Psalms 1:3

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KJV: And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Hebrew: והיה כעץ שתול על פלגי מים אשר פריו יתן בעתו ועלהו לא יבול וכל אשר יעשה יצליח׃

Greek: και εσται ως το ξυλον το πεφυτευμενον παρα τας διεξοδους των υδατων ο τον καρπον αυτου δωσει εν καιρω αυτου και το φυλλον αυτου ουκ απορρυησεται και παντα οσα αν ποιη κατευοδωθησεται

Psalms 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. [kjv]

ουχ ουτως οι ασεβεις ουχ ουτως αλλ η ως ο χνους ον εκριπτει ο ανεμος απο προσωπου της γης [lxx]

1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [kjv]

δια τουτο ουκ αναστησονται ασεβεις εν κρισει ουδε αμαρτωλοι εν βουλη δικαιων [lxx]

What is "chaff"? What is the "wind"?

Will the ungodly even get to the judgment?
Should the ungodly be in the congregation of the righteous?

Psalms 1:5 appears to say that (continual) sinners should not stand in the congregation of the righteous. Everyone is a sinner.

Two words that mean "wind".

The "wind" has a negative connotation.
The "spirit" has a positive connotation. John 3.

Psalms 1:4

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KJV: The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Hebrew: לא כן הרשעים כי אם כמץ אשר תדפנו רוח׃

Greek: ουχ ουτως οι ασεβεις ουχ ουτως αλλ η ως ο χνους ον εκριπτει ο ανεμος απο προσωπου της γης

Latin: non sic impii sed tamquam pulvis quem proicit ventus

Luther: Aber so sind die Gottlosen nicht, sondern wie Spreu, die der Wind verstreuet.

Slavonic: Не тако нечестивии, не тако: но яко прах, егоже возметает ветр от лица земли.

The ancient Greek word "ἄνεμος" ≈ "wind" and is related to the Latin word "animus" ≈ "mind, spirit, breath, etc." and is the source of "animus". The breath part is the origin of the English word "animal".

The modern Greek word "άνεμος" (A-neh-mos) ≈ "wind".

The Greek word for "wind" has a negative connotation in the GNT.

More: An unlawful wind as an air of the spirit

More: An unlawful wind as an air of the spirit

Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! [kjv]

οι δε ανθρωποι εθαυμασαν λεγοντες ποταπος εστιν ουτος οτι και οι ανεμοι και η θαλασσα αυτω υπακουουσιν [gnt]

After this verse, the story or parable of the herd of "swine" appears in Matthew 8. Mark 5 and Luke 8 have similar stories. Do the winds obey man?

More: Have you heard of the herd of swine? Did they sea it?

More: An unlawful wind as an air of the spirit

Benjamin Franklin (American scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesman) had a bamboo cane with a hidden trigger and hollow body that he could use to dispense oil that would "calm" water in front of him to impress other people with that ability.

More: Benjamin Franklin

In the context of being "born again" or "born from above" or "born from the beginning", Jesus tells Nicodemus the following.

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. [kjv]

το πνευμα οπου θελει πνει και την φωνην αυτου ακουεις αλλ ουκ οιδας ποθεν ερχεται και που υπαγει ουτως εστιν πας ο γεγεννημενος εκ του πνευματος [gnt]

Paraphrase: The spirit speaks to who it desires, and those hear with understanding what the voice (light into the mind) says. They cannot determine from where it came or to where it is going. So is everyone who is born (comes into being) of the Spirit.

The "spirit" or "message" can "request" or "ask" whoever it "desires". When this "message" "asks", one may need a "loan".

More: Matthew 5:42 Do not loan shirk

More: John 3:1-17 Born from the beginnings

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [kjv]

και εγενετο αφνω εκ του ουρανου ηχος ωσπερ φερομενης πνοης βιαιας και επληρωσεν ολον τον οικον ου ησαν καθημενοι [gnt]

The "sound" might be more accurately described as a "voice". The "rushing mighty wind" might be more accurately described as a "forceful breath".

Jesus enabled others to speak and listen at Pentecost

Jesus enabled others to speak and listen at Pentecost

Paraphrase:: The Spirit speaks to selected believers and they hear and tell others what they have heard. Some listeners hear as if in their own language. Some do not hear at all. Those speakers (who speak) and listeners (who understand) appear to have been born (come into being) of the Spirit.

The speaking and listening appears to go much deeper than a superficial speaking in some arbitrary language.

More: A big breath from a wind bag

More: John 3:1-17 Born from the beginnings

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [kjv]

The "mighty" is the same word used by Jesus to describe those who try to "take" or "rapture" (harpoon) the "Kingdom of Heaven" by "force" or "might" in Matthew 11:12.

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. [kjv]

απο δε των ημερων ιωαννου του βαπτιστου εως αρτι η βασιλεια των ουρανων βιαζεται και βιασται αρπαζουσιν αυτην [gnt]

More: Matthew 11:12-14 Exploring the Kingdom of Heaven

More: A tongue in cheek model for Pentecost

Psalms 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. [kjv]

Jesus is the way, the path, the way out, the way to "life". Discuss:

Are you a "fish" swimming in the depths?
Is a "pig" blocking your way? Are you the "pig" blocking yourself (or others)?
Is a "bird" carrying you away? Are you the "bird" carrying others away?
How does your church define "righteous"? Are there any of God's laws that are not discussed or rarely discussed? Don't ask the birds.
How does your church define "ungodly"? Has it ever been defined?
Does your church discuss how the "ungodly" will "perish"?

If your church avoids discussing some or all of these topics, why might that be so?

Psalms 1:5

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KJV: Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Hebrew: על כן לא יקמו רשעים במשפט וחטאים בעדת צדיקים׃

Greek: δια τουτο ουκ αναστησονται ασεβεις εν κρισει ουδε αμαρτωλοι εν βουλη δικαιων

Latin: propterea non resurgent impii in iudicio neque peccatores in congregatione iustorum

Wycliffe: Therfor wickid men risen not ayen in doom; nethir synneres in the councel of iust men.

Luther: Darum bleiben die Gottlosen nicht im Gerichte, noch die Sünder in der Gemeine der Gerechten.

Slavonic: Сего ради не воскреснут нечестивии на суд, ниже грешницы в совет праведных.

Spanish: Por tanto, no se levantarán los malos en el juicio, ni los pecadores en la congregación de los justos.

Psalms 1:6

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KJV: For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Hebrew: כי יודע יהוה דרך צדיקים ודרך רשעים תאבד׃

Greek: οτι γινωσκει κυριος οδον δικαιων και οδος ασεβων απολειται

Latin: quoniam novit Dominus viam iustorum et iter impiorum peribit

Slavonic: Яко весть Господь путь праведных, и путь нечестивых погибнет.

Spanish: Porque Jehová conoce el camino de los justos; mas la senda de los malos perecerá.

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [kjv]

1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [kjv]

1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. [kjv]

1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. [kjv]

1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [kjv]

1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. [kjv]

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [kjv]

προσερχωμεθα μετα αληθινης καρδιας εν πληροφορια πιστεως ρεραντισμενοι τας καρδιας απο συνειδησεως πονηρας και λελουσμενοι το σωμα υδατι καθαρω [gnt]

The popular hymn "Blessed assurance", by Fanny Crosby, talks of how we are "blessed" by the information that we have the full assurance of salvation from our "evil conscience" (guilt and shame) and of the rapture (in verse 2).
Music: Blessed assurance

More: Song: Blessed assurance

Words by Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), blind at the age of six weeks, a lifelong Methodist.

She wrote more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs.

Fanny Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. She was one of the most prolific hymnists in history, writing more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, with more than 100 million copies printed, despite being blind from shortly after birth. She is also known for her teaching and her rescue mission work. (Wikipedia)

More: Words: Fanny Crosby