A tongue in cheek model for Pentecost

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [kjv]

και ωφθησαν αυτοις διαμεριζομεναι γλωσσαι ωσει πυρος και εκαθισεν εφ ενα εκαστον αυτων [gnt]

… dispertitae linguae … [v]

Jesus enabled others to speak and listen at Pentecost

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit provided the impetus for "speaking in tongues". To provide understanding, a model is presented of this phenomena with a Universal Language from the creation, through the Tower of Babel, to Pentecost to Paul on the road to Damascus and to speaking in tongues in general.
The "flame" that rested on each head may have special significance.

Discuss: Did Jesus ever speak in tongues?

More: The security of flaming swords

Pentecost is a happy time for Christians as the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus in John chapters 14 to 16 (and other places) has arrived.

Note that the discussion here is on the "speaking out in tongues" and not the "sticking out of tongues".

Note that the discussion is on "cloven tongues" or "split tongues" and not on "forked tongues".

In Native American tribes, to "speak in a forked tongue" was to "lie". This phrase was adopted during the time of the American Revolution. To tell the truth was to talk with a "straight tongue".

One needs a security model for deciding between "forked tongue" or "straight tongue".

The Greek word for "tongues",from which we get the English word "glossary", is that of "speaking" as in a "language", spoken or heard.

Language is a "code" by which humans communicate in both real and abstract ways.

Writing is a "technology" by which humans communicate in both real and abstract ways.

The original "writing" was a way to reproduce the auditory sounds made when speaking. There were no spelling dictionaries.

Modern variation: Greeklish

Writing, such as in sheet music, has more legal standing than, say, music created from memory of hearing music, without writing being involved.

Here we concentrate on language and, in particular, verbal and auditory language.

Language as we know it appears to be a learned skill and is not an innate.skill (i.e., via instinct, DNA, etc.).

Language is acquired by children by listening to parents, others, etc.
Writing must be taught to children. Children must learn to write.

Children have a cutoff of about 10 years after which an accent is almost always present.

It is known, from various experiments and historical happenings that a child without any example to follow will not learn language. After a certain age, this learning ability appears to disappear and that person will never be able to really learn a language and communicate in real and abstract thoughts.

Learning a language after that age, one will almost always have a detectable "accent" when using that language.

Noam Chomsky is a modern linguist, with controversial and liberal political views (that are not relevant here), and whose proposal of a UG (Universal Grammar) is of interest here.

Chomsky has speculated that UG might be extremely simple and abstract, for example only a mechanism for combining symbols in a particular way, which he calls "merge".

Chomsky influenced how computer science approached computer programming language notations. Types:

0: Unrestricted grammar (Turing machines)
1: Context sensitive grammar (linear bounded automata)
2: Context free grammar (push down automata as in most programming language features)
3: Regular grammar (finite automata as in regular expression pattern matching)

The UG theory is that there is a genetic component that is, built into the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) of humans and manifested in the developed brain that provides an innate ability to learn language, construct grammar, etc., given minimal learning experiences (e.g., from parents, others, etc.).

DNA is a 4x4x4 = 64 codes to make proteins, with start codes, stop codes, etc.

It is known from the field of machine learning (previously called artificial intelligence) that networks such as learning networks must be appropriately trained using example data.

In data science, a neural network is a trained collection of nodes that takes one or more inputs and makes a prediction.

From the field of programming languages it is known (and routinely used) that it is often easier to write a program that writes a program to do something than it is to manually write a program to do that something.

Thus, instead of encoding an ability in the DNA, the DNA might created the necessary structure to "learn" what is needed.

More: Programs that write programs

One might program a robot with certain innate learning capabilities and then train the robot to do and learn things rather than program those capabilities into the robot.

More: Psalms 2: Self-reference of robots and humans rebelling

This is part of the animated movie Big Hero 6 where the robot Baymax is programmed to do things but also to learn new things.

In the beginning, God created Adam (and then Eve) and provided them with a mechanism to learn and use language. God spoke to Adam and others

It would appear that God might have trained Adam to talk by example, in the same manner that children must be taught to talk by example. Later, Eve would have initially learned from Adam (and, perhaps, God).

Apparently neither was programmed to say "no" as in "What part of no do you not understand?".

Once a child has learned the basic patterns of language and some vocabulary, the child can start constructing their own words. Parents are often amused and delighted by the words created by the child.

Small children may extend patterns to other activities, such as "swimming" and "running" to "tennising". This would appear to be the case of God with Adam (in the above verse). That is, once Adam is trained with the initial words and grammar, Adam can then construct new names. In the GNT (Greek New Testament),

Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. [kjv]

Genesis 2:19

All

KJV: And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Hebrew: ויצר יהוה אלהים מן האדמה כל חית השדה ואת כל עוף השמים ויבא אל האדם לראות מה יקרא לו וכל אשר יקרא לו האדם נפש חיה הוא שמו׃

Greek: και επλασεν ο θεος ετι εκ της γης παντα τα θηρια του αγρου και παντα τα πετεινα του ουρανου και ηγαγεν αυτα προς τον αδαμ ιδειν τι καλεσει αυτα και παν ο εαν εκαλεσεν αυτο αδαμ ψυχην ζωσαν τουτο ονομα αυτου

Latin: formatis igitur Dominus Deus de humo cunctis animantibus terrae et universis volatilibus caeli adduxit ea ad Adam ut videret quid vocaret ea omne enim quod vocavit Adam animae viventis ipsum est nomen eius

Paul constructs many new words that appear only once - in the GNT. Some are puns or play on words.

In the beginning, it appears there was a Universal Language, perhaps like the idea of a Universal Grammar, that allowed God to speak directly with humans and humans with other humans (and even, it appears, serpents or an angel posing as a serpent). The details of that recorded encounter are not needed here.

Many mythologies, such as Greek mythology, have animals that can speak and listen with understanding. One such mythical creature is the centaur which is half-human and half-animal. From where did these ideas originate?

Some support for this may be in Genesis 6.

Details are left as a future topic.

The Greek gods lived to an old age but eventually died. An interesting conjecture is that they based these ideas on the sons of Noah and the people who lived to a long age immediately after the flood.

For example, Zeus in Latin is Jupiter or, literally "Zeus father" which is very similar linguistically to Japheth, the son of Noah whose generations span much of what is today the area of PIE (Proto Indo-European) languages.

More: Sky father: Jupiter, Zeus and Japheth

The parrot bird can speak a limited trained vocabulary, but appears not to fully understand what is being said other than what related to immediate needs such as food.

Animals cannot be asked what they think they will want to do a week from now or how they enjoyed a special treat last week.

Many animals communicate, some very well, but not using abstract thought. Most communication is related to food or other immediate physical needs.

Dolphins are considered by some to be very intelligent.

More: Whales, dolphins, fish, etc.

At an international linguistics conference in 2014 in Baltimore, MD, I went to lunch with some other attendees. One of them was going on and on about how the Baltimore Aquarium (visible across the street from the restaurant) had recently removed the dolphins from the water shows as it was not right to make such intelligent animals perform for humans. I then asked him in front of the group, "If they are such intelligent animals, why don't we ask them what they want to do?". He nervously gave a little laugh, said something about "that's the trick", and changed the subject.

In the diagrams, the dotted lines indicate that this Universal Language was recognized by, say, Adam and Eve. They were enabled to hearing (with understanding) and speaking this Universal Language.

This unlocked condition of the Universal Language appears to have continued for some time.

In Genesis, it is often recorded that God "walked" and inspected the creation as an inductive or bottom-up way of verifying aspects of the creation.

Genesis 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [kjv]

This is similar to a good building contractor checking on what is happening as it is happening rather than later.

Genesis 4:6

All

KJV: And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Hebrew: ויאמר יהוה אל קין למה חרה לך ולמה נפלו פניך׃

Greek: και ειπεν κυριος ο θεος τω καιν ινα τι περιλυπος εγενου και ινα τι συνεπεσεν το προσωπον σου

▶

1 Black box

2 White box

3 Glass box

A black box model only shows the input and/or output of the model, not the inner workings. A white box or glass box model allows the internals to be known.

An example of a black box model is quantum mechanics. How it works (functionally) is very well understood but why it works is unknown.

More: Models and reality

At the Tower of Babel, God confused the tongues of man. The name "Babel" means "confusion". This becomes clear in the LXX (Septuagint) where the word for "Babel" is the ancient Greek word "συηχυσις" ≈ "confusion".

Genesis 11:9 On this account its name was called Confusion, because there the Lord confounded the languages of all the earth, and thence the Lord scattered them upon the face of all the earth. [bs3]

(Brenton Septuagint translation)

More: A mania for confusing commotions

No longer would God speak directly to anyone but just to those chosen, such as Moses, the prophets, etc. Others hear just noise or nothing.

This is a very secure system. Someone listening (e.g., an eavesdropper) would not understand.

Some security concepts are important as they appear to be relevant to the discussion that follows.

Details are left as a future topic.

Going back to the time after the Tower of Babel, if the Universal Language were not enabled, or locked, any message would not be heard nor understood. Only those selected (Moses, prophets, etc.) would hear and understand the message. There could be, however, false prophets (e.g., Balaam, etc.)

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. [kjv]

ειπεν ουν αυτω ο πιλατος ουκουν βασιλευς ει συ απεκριθη ο ιησους συ λεγεις οτι βασιλευς ειμι εγω εις τουτο γεγεννημαι και εις τουτο εληλυθα εις τον κοσμον ινα μαρτυρησω τη αληθεια πας ο ων εκ της αληθειας ακουει μου της φωνης [gnt]

Throughout time, there are those who hear the message and have understanding. Jesus tells this to Pilate. The Greek for "born" means to "come into being" (in some form).

The Greek for "hear" assumes understanding. The ancient Greek word "φωνή" ≈ "voice" comes from the ancient Greek word "φως" ≈ "light" and the ancient Greek word "νους" ≈ "mind". That is, a "sound" is "light" into the "mind".

More: John: The reason for the season

John 18:37

All

KJV: Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Greek: ειπεν ουν αυτω ο πιλατος ουκουν βασιλευς ει συ απεκριθη ο ιησους συ λεγεις οτι βασιλευς ειμι εγω εγω εις τουτο γεγεννημαι και εις τουτο εληλυθα εις τον κοσμον ινα μαρτυρησω τη αληθεια πας ο ων εκ της αληθειας ακουει μου της φωνης

Latin: dixit itaque ei Pilatus ergo rex es tu respondit Iesus tu dicis quia rex sum ego ego in hoc natus sum et ad hoc veni in mundum ut testimonium perhibeam veritati omnis qui est ex veritate audit meam vocem

Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3.

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]

The original Greek in this verse appears to say that the Holy Spirit breaths where it desires and selects who it chooses.

John 3:8

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: 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

Latin: Spiritus ubi vult spirat et vocem eius audis sed non scis unde veniat et quo vadat sic est omnis qui natus est ex Spiritu

Wessex: Gast or-eðað þaer he wile. & þu ge-hyrst hys stefne. & þu nast hwanen he cymð. ne hwyder he geð. swa ys aelc þe akenned is of gaste.

Wycliffe: The spirit brethith where he wole, and thou herist his vois, but thou wost not, fro whennus he cometh, ne whidir he goith; so is ech man that is borun of the spirit.

Tyndale: The wynde bloweth where he listeth and thou hearest his sounde: but canst not tell whence he cometh and whether he goeth. So is every man that is boren of the sprete.

Luther: Der Wind bläset, wo er will, und du hörest sein Sausen wohl; aber du weißt nicht, von wannen er kommt und wohin er fähret. Also ist ein jeglicher, der aus dem Geist geboren ist.

Slavonic: Дух, идеже хощет, дышет, и глас его слышиши, но не веси, откуду приходит и камо идет: тако есть всяк (человек) рожденный от Духа.

Russian: Дух дышит, где хочет, и голос его слышишь, а не знаешь, откуда приходит и куда уходит: так бывает со всяким, рожденным от Духа.

In the Universal Language model, when the Holy Spirit breaths where it desires, one is enabled and hears (with understanding) but cannot tell from where it comes or where it goes.

As will be discussed below, one may fully understand what is being said without being able to determine the exact language in which the meaning was expressed or conveyed.

There are interesting references to this "voice" in the raising of Lazarus.

John 12:30

All

KJV: Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Greek: απεκριθη ο ιησους και ειπεν ιησους ου δι εμε αυτη η φωνη αυτη γεγονεν αλλα δι υμας

Details are left as a future topic.

(story of Lazarus)

Let us return to the Universal Language model.

An interesting aspect of this model is that it does not require any special changes to the sound waves propagating from speaker to listener (in all directions).

The model only requires the enabling of the Universal Language for listeners.

A network (Ethernet) or satellite broadcast network (going both ways) is based in the following idea.

The same message is sent to all nodes in a network. This is called a broadcast.
Every node hears the message. In some cases, this can be a security issue.
The appropriate nodes listen and, if needed, respond to that message.
All other nodes ignore the message.

In the Universal Language model, certain nodes (people) are enabled to both receive and recognize the message. Some nodes may be enabled to create or pass through messages. All other nodes may hear the message, but not be enabled, for security purposes, to know the meaning of the message.

This conceptual model is similar in many respects to the network communication models developed and used in computer networks.

This idea can be applied to sight or vision in addition to spoken language. In some cases, armies of angels are hidden from those who are not to see what is happening. (Details omitted, 2 Kings 6, etc).

Details are left as a future topic.

On the Road to Damascus, Jesus speaks directly to Saul (to be named Paul). Paul hears and understands the voice. The others with him hear just noise or nothing.

Acts 9:3

All

KJV: And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

Greek: εν δε τω πορευεσθαι εγενετο αυτον εγγιζειν τη δαμασκω και εξαιφνης περιηστραψεν τε αυτον περιηστραψεν φως απο εκ του ουρανου

Acts 9:4

All

KJV: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Greek: και πεσων επι την γην ηκουσεν φωνην λεγουσαν αυτω σαουλ σαουλ τι με διωκεις

Acts 9:5

All

KJV: And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Greek: ειπεν δε τις ει κυριε ο δε κυριος ειπεν εγω ειμι ιησους ον συ διωκεις σκληρον σοι προς κεντρα λακτιζειν

Acts 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. [kjv]

As Paul repeats the story later in Acts, he adds that the others heard nothing (or just noise) but saw the light.

The speaking needs to be to someone within auditory distance who is enabled to hear with understanding.

Acts 22:9

All

KJV: And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

Greek: οι δε συν εμοι οντες το μεν φως εθεασαντο και εμφοβοι εγενοντο την δε φωνην ουκ ηκουσαν του λαλουντος μοι

Aside: Some will claim that the vision and hearing of Paul was similar to a (one-time) epileptic seizure.

It appears that a channel or switch needs to be activated for God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit to speak to someone. In that Universal Language, they can then understand and/or speak using that Universal Language.

In English, there is a distinction between "hear" a sound and "listen" to a sound with understanding.

Mother to her husband and sons: You all can hear fine. You just don't listen.

CAPD (Cognitive Audio Processing Disorder) is a condition where sounds are heard by the ear and get transmitted to the brain but do not get processed reliably so that parts of what is heard is not decoded.

Treatment can help but there is no known way to cure the condition.

Husbands: This may be a reason, but does not provide an excuse, for not listening to your wife.

More: He that hath ears

The word "sound" in Greek usually refers to a sound that is understood. If that is not the case, there is some clarification needed.

Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: [kjv]

… auditu audietis … intellegetis … [v]

More: He that hath ears

The word "Pentecost" comes from the Greek and means "fifty" as in 50. Fifty days from the discovery of the empty tomb.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [kjv]

"Pentecost" is known in England as "Whitsun" for "White Sunday" and in Eastern Orthodox traditions as "Trinity Sunday".

More: Pentecost

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

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

Acts 2:2

All

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

Greek: και εγενετο αφνω εκ του ουρανου ηχος ωσπερ φερομενης πνοης βιαιας και επληρωσεν ολον τον οικον ου ησαν καθημενοι

*G1266 *11 διαμερίζω (dee-am-er-id'-zo) : from G1223 and G3307; to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension):--cloven, divide, part.

Usage

All

διεμερισαντο *2

Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments ...
John 19:24 ... the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, ...

διαμεριζονται

Mark 15:24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting ...

διαμερισθεισα

Luke 11:17 ... unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; ...

διεμερισθη

Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how ...

διαμεμερισμενοι

Luke 12:52 ... in one house divided, three against two, ...

διαμερισθησονται

Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son ...

διαμερισατε

Luke 22:17 ... Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

διαμεριζομενοι

Luke 23:34 ... what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

διαμεριζομεναι

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, ...

διεμεριζον

Acts 2:45 ... and goods, and parted them to all men, as ...

Words: διαμεμερισμενοι διαμεριζομεναι διαμεριζομενοι διαμεριζονται διαμερισατε διαμερισθεισα διαμερισθησονται διεμεριζον διεμερισαντο=2 διεμερισθη

Acts 2:3 … appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire… [kjv]

και ωφθησαν αυτοις διαμεριζομεναι γλωσσαι ωσει πυρος και εκαθισεν εφ ενα εκαστον αυτων [gnt]

Flames, such as on a candle, have what appears to be one flame. It is not exactly clear as to how a cloven or split flame would appear. The English word "cloven" comes from "cleave" which means to "cut" or "slice". Thus, the idea of "split flames".

*G1266 *11 διαμερίζω (dee-am-er-id'-zo) : from G1223 and G3307; to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension):--cloven, divide, part.

One cannot have a physical "tongue" split into a large number of pieces. The ancient Greek word "διαμερίζω" ≈ "divided into parts" as in the "distribution" of bread to the "poor". The flame "appeared" as if it had "many parts". This idea may fit the "flaming sword" of Genesis 3:24.

More: The security of flaming swords

Acts 2:3

All

KJV: And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Greek: και ωφθησαν αυτοις διαμεριζομεναι γλωσσαι ωσει πυρος και εκαθισεν τε εφ ενα εκαστον αυτων

Latin: et apparuerunt illis dispertitae linguae tamquam ignis seditque supra singulos eorum

Wycliffe: And diuerse tungis as fier apperiden to hem, and it sat on ech of hem.

The United Methodist "Cross and flame" logo uses a red flame, since 1968 when the United Methodist church was formed as a merger of the (mostly southern) Methodist Church and (mostly other areas) Evangelical United Brethren Church.

The cross represents Christ and the flame represents the Holy Spirit as in the "flames of fire" at Pentecost in Acts 2:3. The two flames are to represent each of the two churches that united.

Before the EUB (Evangelical United Brethren) Church merged with the Methodist Church, we were told that we get to keep the "United" and they get to keep the "Methodist".

More: Orange you going to color it red

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. [kjv]

It would appear that those on whom the "cloven tongues" appeared enabled those to "speak" the Universal Language to others who were chosen.

In a fanciful way, the "cloven tongues" appear to serve the function of some form of "antenna" that acts as a "repeater" which is then "enabled" as the Holy Spirit gave "utterance".

Acts 2:4

All

KJV: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Greek: και επλησθησαν απαντες παντες πνευματος αγιου και ηρξαντο λαλειν ετεραις γλωσσαις καθως το πνευμα εδιδου αποφθεγγεσθαι αυτοις αποφθεγγεσθαι

Latin: et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sancto et coeperunt loqui aliis linguis prout Spiritus Sanctus dabat eloqui illis

Wycliffe: And alle weren fillid with the Hooli Goost, and thei bigunnen to speke diuerse langagis, as the Hooli Goost yaf to hem for to speke.

It is not clear if the speakers were able to generate their own independent thoughts or if they were a channel through which the Holy Spirit would direct them what to say, in the same manner that God in times past would tell prophets what to say.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [kjv]

There is no Biblical record of what actually was said by the enabled speakers or heard by the enabled listeners.

2 Peter 1:20

All

KJV: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Greek: τουτο πρωτον γινωσκοντες οτι πασα προφητεια γραφης ιδιας επιλυσεως ου γινεται

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. [kjv]

According to Peter, the prophets received messages from God, perhaps in the Universal language, as they were enabled or moved. They were not creating their own messages of their own private interpretation.

More: 2 Peter 1: Private interpretations

2 Peter 1:21

All

KJV: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Greek: ου γαρ θεληματι ανθρωπου ηνεχθη ποτε προφητεια αλλ ποτε αλλα υπο πνευματος αγιου φερομενοι ελαλησαν οι αγιοι απο θεου ανθρωποι

At Pentecost, they began to "speak with other tongues". As a technical point, the Universal Language would be "another tongue".

The word for "other" is that of a "different" tongue. Does "different" mean just a different human language or could it include a Universal Language? There are more comments on this below.

Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. [kjv]

γενομενης δε της φωνης ταυτης συνηλθεν το πληθος και συνεχυθη οτι ηκουσεν εις εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω λαλουντων αυτων [gnt]

Acts 2:6

All

KJV: Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Greek: γενομενης δε της φωνης ταυτης συνηλθεν το πληθος και συνεχυθη οτι ηκουον ηκουσεν εις εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω λαλουντων αυτων

Here we have the same word (root) used at the Tower of Babel in the LXX.

The ancient Greek word "συνεχυθη" ≈ "confused, confounded".

What was confused at the Tower of Babel was not undone (for the moment) by the Holy Spirit.

More: A mania for confusing commotions

(same link as previously provided)

*G4797 *0 συγχέω (soong-kheh'-o) : or sugchuno soong-khoo'-no from G4862 and cheo (to pour) or its alternate; to commingle promiscuously, i.e. (figuratively) to throw (an assembly) into disorder, to perplex (the mind):--confound, confuse, stir up, be in an uproar.

Usage

All

συνεχυθη

Acts 2:6 ... the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard ...

συνεχυννεν

Acts 9:22 ... the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt ...

συγκεχυμενη

Acts 19:32 ... for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew ...

συνεχεον

Acts 21:27 ... him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and ...

συνχυννεται

Acts 21:31 ... that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? [kjv]

και πως ημεις ακουομεν εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω ημων εν η εγεννηθημεν [gnt]

… lingua … [v]

Acts 2:8

All

KJV: And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Greek: και πως ημεις ακουομεν εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω ημων εν η εγεννηθημεν

Latin: et quomodo nos audivimus unusquisque lingua nostra in qua nati sumus

Wycliffe: and hou herden we ech man his langage in which we ben borun?

Tyndale: And how heare we every man his awne touge wherein we were boren?

Luther: Wie hören wir denn ein jeglicher seine Sprache, darinnen wir geboren sind?

A different word for "tongue" is used in the Greek.

The English word "dialect" comes from the Latin word "dialectus" ≈ "dialect" which comes from the ancient Greek word "διάλεκτος" ≈ "conversation, dialect".

The ancient Greek word "δια" ≈ "through" as in "diameter".
The ancient Greek word "λέγω" ≈ "say, speak".

The modern Greek word "διαλεκτό" (thee-a-leh-KTO) ≈ "dialect".

More: Through the prefix dia

The "listeners" are enabled.

Interestingly, there appears to be no record of what was actually "said" or what actually was "heard" (as understood).

In software engineering, a "beta test" is a test to see if the software is ready for full use. Was this demonstration at Pentecost a "beta test" or POC (Proof of Concept) to show how things might be after the confusion at the Tower of Babel is fully reversed some time in the future?

Versions:

alpha: ready for programmers
beta: ready to testers
release: ready for customers

The phrase "hear we every man in our own tongue" is interesting as it appears to be a functional black box experience.

What did they actually hear?

What did they think they heard? Don't even think of parking here!

Suppose that someone is speaking the Universal Language and we are listening to and understanding the Universal Language. How would we distinguish that language from our native language?

One would understand as if it were spoken in ones native language. That is, without even thinking about it.

The first time I saw a street sign that read "Don't even think of parking here" my first thought was, "ok, what if I park there without even thinking about what I was doing". Would I then be in violation of the sign?

Literally, one who "does not think" about it would not have a logical issue parking there. Of course, what do I know. Maybe, like Socrates (or Sergeant Shultz), "I know nothing". Does that make sense?

Should one be making decisions without considering the matter, or at least thinking about it?

More: John 9: One thing I know is that I know nothing

More: Discerning doubts about doubts

I have learned several languages other than my native language. When one really learns a language, or parts of a language, there is no translation involved. It happens immediately without thought of translation.

There have been many times when I heard a phrase out of context and I immediately knew what it meant. I had to stop and think for a long while as to what language I had heard.

In linguistics, the conscious or unconscious use of mixing languages in either random or nonrandom ways is called code switching.

I have found that when I need to think of a word in a different language, say German, the word from Greek may be called into the mind rather than the German word, where both words have the same meaning.

In the case of the Universal Language, one would immediately know what was being said. But how would one know it was not in one's native language? It would be indistinguishable from one's native language.

Without a model of a Universal Language, one could only perceive and conclude that it was spoken in one's own tongue.

The brain can create things that do not actually exist (in reality).

Later in life, Beethoven was deaf but could hear and compose music in his head.

People who have never seen, but experienced, say, upper case letters, could immediately read text written in upper case letters.

De-clawed cats, and humans with amputated limbs, can feel those phantom limbs as if they were there.

How many triangles do you see? There are no triangles! Your brain makes the triangles using abstraction (built into the brain).

Programming a computer involves a lot of abstraction of code text without thinking like a computer.

More: Kanizsa triangle: seeing what is not there

Much of mathematics (e.g., real numbers) is in the brain and has no basis in reality.

More: Have you ever met a prefix like this?

The English word "other" can mean something that is similar or is different.

English	Greek	Greek
other	other (similar)	ἄλλος
other	other (different)	ἕτερος

Greek has two words for "others". One for others that are "similar" and another word for others that are "different".

The ancient Greek word "ἄλλος" ≈ "other - similar" and is related to the English word "else".
The ancient Greek word "ἕτερος" ≈ "other - different" and is related to the English word "asunder" as in "one or the other of two" and is the prefix of English words such as "heterosexual".

More: Other similar differences

The English word "other" can mean something that is similar or is different.

English	Greek	Greek
other	other (similar)	άλλος
other	other (different)	έτερος

Greek has two words for "other". One means "other (similar)" and one means "other (different)".

*G243 *155 ἄλλος (al'-los) : a primary word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications):--more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise).

The ancient Greek word "ἄλλος" ≈ "other - similar" and is related to the English word "else".

*G2087 *99 ἕτερος (het'-er-os) : of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.

The ancient Greek word "ἕτερος" ≈ "other - different" and is related to the English word "asunder" and is the prefix of English words such as "heterosexual". That is, "one or the other of two".

More: Other similar differences

Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? [kjv]

εξισταντο δε παντες και διηπορουντο αλλος προς αλλον λεγοντες τι θελει τουτο ειναι [gnt]

2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. [kjv]

ετεροι δε διαχλευαζοντες ελεγον οτι γλευκους μεμεστωμενοι εισιν [gnt]

We see this distinction of "others" in verses 12 with others that are "similar" and in verse 13 with others that are "different".

Acts 2:12

All

KJV: And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Greek: εξισταντο δε παντες και διηπορουν διηπορουντο αλλος προς αλλον λεγοντες τι αν θελοι θελει τουτο ειναι

Acts 2:13

All

KJV: Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Greek: ετεροι δε χλευαζοντες διαχλευαζοντες ελεγον οτι γλευκους μεμεστωμενοι εισιν

Latin: alii autem inridentes dicebant quia musto pleni sunt isti

Wycliffe: And othere scorneden, and seiden, For these men ben ful of must.

Luther: Die andern aber hatten's ihren Spott und sprachen: Sie sind voll süßen Weins.

The Greek word for "other" here indicates that they are somehow "different" than the ones speaking and listening (with understanding).

This group appears to be the group that is not speaking nor listening (with understanding). They appear to be hearing nothing or just noise or perceiving babbling.

The "others" appear to be another (different) group that heard nothing or just noise.

This group was not selected to have that Universal Language unlocked.

On the day of Pentecost, Jesus through the Holy Spirit enables some to be speakers, some to be listeners, and others not to understand what is being said.

The speakers through the Holy Spirit can be related to Jesus.
The listeners can be related to the prophets and others chosen to hear.
The others either hear noise or nothing.

This can be depicted using the following diagram, in the same format as the previous diagrams. Pentecostal fllame

The idea of tongues is addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.

The idea exploded from the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in 1906 until 1915 and developed into the modern Pentecostal movement.

Details are left as a future topic.

After Pentecost, the idea of "speaking in tongues" arose at various times and places.

The observance of "speaking in tongues" could be authentic or it might not be authentic.

In a security analysis, one models how someone might try to imitate, or spoof, a given behavior. That is, one details attacks that can be made on the system or model.

How might someone or a group imitate or spoof the above behavior? Some reasons for doing so might include power, money, status, etc.

More: A security model for speaking in tongues

There have been several times throughout Biblical history where there have been discontinuities. That is, something appears to have been very different before and after the event. The main ones are as follows.

The creation
The flood of Noah
The Tower of Babel
Jesus and Pentecost
End times era (including today)

All except, perhaps the flood of Noah and today, involved that unique human feature of real and abstract language to communicate.

The following general time-line may help put these events into perspective.