About Hebrew Symbols

Anointing Oil
To anoint means to pour oil or ointment onto a person or object in a ritualistic fashion. The Hebrew word for anoint first appears in Genesis 31:13, where it refers to Jacob pouring oil on the stone in Bethel (Genesis 28:18-19). When anointing Israel's first King, the Prophet-Judge Samuel (1 Samuel 9:25) took Saul aside for instruction, then "took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said Has not the Lord appointed you to be prince over His people Israel?'" (1 Samuel 10:1}. For anointing the Tabernacle and it's priests, a special oil was compounded and used for that sacred purpose. Oil is symbolic of healing. When the Good Samaritan helped the man who had been mugged by robbers of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, he poured oil and wine on his wounds. In the New Testament, anointing of the sick accompanied by prayer for healing by local church elders is recommended when requested by a sick person (James 5: 14-15). Anointing with oil was also part of the apostles’ healing ministry (Mark 6:12-13). The word for "anoint" is MASEIAH, and the Messiah is therefore "The Anointed One”. Oil is therefore associated with God's gift and God’s outpouring of the Spirit.

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"Grafted-In"
Early Messianic Symbol This sign has reportedly been discovered, in recent years, on pottery in The Jerusalem area, believed to date from the 2nd century a.d. Some experts Have concluded that it was an identifying mark of the early Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) that tied together, their traditions and their faith. Surely more Facts will come to Light as more archaeological evidence emerges. We at the Galilee Experience call this three-part design the "grafted-in" symbol as it beautifully illustrates the truth of Romans 11:17-18. The Menorah (Candelabra) at the top reminds us of god's torah and His fulfillment of the promises to Abraham in calling out the People of Israel. The Magen David (Star, or shield, of David) in the middle recalls the Nation of Israel And the establishment of the Davidic monarchy in the Land of Israel. The Fish at the bottom, long a symbol for Yeshua (from the greek word for fish, ichthys, which Was used as an acronym for Jesus Christ, son of god, savior'), shows that the gentile has been grafted into the Jewish root through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel, The fulfiller of the torah and the rightful king in the line of David. Note that the symbol is one, completely fused together. With this fusion the "Grafted-In" symbol demonstrates that Jew and gentile are truly one in the messiah, reconciled through his atonement. In him the middle wall of partition has indeed been broken down. It is our desire that this symbol will inspire you as you meditate on the scriptures, which in turn and lead you to share these truths with others.

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Ram's Horn
In English, the word trumpet appears many in scripture and many times it is referring to the ram's horn as opposed to the Chatzotzrah, a long, straight trumpet made usually of silver or gold. At Mount Sinai when the Jewish people received the law of Moses, it was accompanied by several miraculous signs (Exodus 19:16) among which was the shrill sound of a shofar that emanated from the sacred mountain. Later on when Joshua led the siege of Jericho, it was the blasts of the shofars (Joshua 6:20) that triggered the collapse of those impregnable walls. Still later, in the time of Gideon, it was a band of only 300 men (Judges 7:15-23) which at God's command scattered the mighty Midianites by smashing pitchers and blowing the shofar. A shofar is a curved horn taken straight from a male sheep commemorating the sacrifice of Isaac when at the last moment God provided a ram that had its horn caught in the thicket. Horns of cows were rejected because these animals were associated with the worship of the Golden Calf by the Children of Israel in the desert, a sin vigorously condemned by Moses. The Shofar blown at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) (Leviticus 23:24) marks the start of a 10 day period of spiritual self-examination and repentance, which culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

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Tallit (praying shawl)
Speak to the Children of Israel and bid them to affix fringes (tzitziot) to the corners of their garments ... so that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord." (Numbers 15:37-41) The "Tallit” was created as a garment to hold the fringes as mentioned in Numbers. Four cornered garments were common in ancient days but the development of clothing not having four corners would have rendered the commandment obsolete. To prevent the total disappearance of a mitzvah (commandment) with such great symbolic significance (since it serves as a reminder to observe all the commandments) the Sages encouraged the wearing of specially-made four cornered garments so as to provide the opportunity to observe and implement this commandment. The "Tallit", a four-cornered shawl with the required fringes has thus become the garment traditionally worn by the men during prayer services. In English, it is commonly called a "Prayer Shawl" It is believed that the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment as mentioned in Matthew 9:20-21, had actually touched the fringes of His prayer shawl.

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The Seven Branched Menorah
The Menorah that was the centerpiece of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem had seven branches. This is not to be confused with the nine branch Menorah used to celebrate Chanuka. Specifications and instructions for the making of the Temple Menorah are recorded in Exodus 25:31-40. The golden candlestick had seven bowls on the end of the branches containing pure oil for the light. Twenty-two almond blossoms decorated the whole piece which was hammered out of one talent of pure gold equivalent to 34 Kg. or 75 pounds! The Menorah was the only light that lit up the Tabernacle as there were no windows. The seven lamps filled with oil are a witness to perfect light. This fullness of light is described in the prophecy concerning the Messiah of Israel in Isaiah 11:2: "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."

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Star of David
The six pointed star is called “magen David“ in Hebrew. The words “magen David”, generally translated as the “Star of David”, literally mean "Shield of David.” In early times, it was used on Roman mosaic pavements as a decorative design without special significance. Its earliest surviving use in a synagogue dates back 1,800 years, when it appeared on a frieze in the Synagogue of Capernaum. The earliest known example of its use on a tombstone was in sixth century Italy. Today the Star of David is an expression of Jewish identity. God told Abraham in Genesis 15:5, that He would make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars in heaven, thus associating stars with the descendants of Abraham.

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		Antointing Oil \| "Grafted-In" \| Ram's Horn \| Tallit \| Menorah \| Magen David Anointing Oil To anoint means to pour oil or ointment onto a person or object in a ritualistic fashion. The Hebrew word for anoint first appears in Genesis 31:13, where it refers to Jacob pouring oil on the stone in Bethel (Genesis 28:18-19). When anointing Israel's first King, the Prophet-Judge Samuel (1 Samuel 9:25) took Saul aside for instruction, then "took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said Has not the Lord appointed you to be prince over His people Israel?'" (1 Samuel 10:1}. For anointing the Tabernacle and it's priests, a special oil was compounded and used for that sacred purpose. Oil is symbolic of healing. When the Good Samaritan helped the man who had been mugged by robbers of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, he poured oil and wine on his wounds. In the New Testament, anointing of the sick accompanied by prayer for healing by local church elders is recommended when requested by a sick person (James 5: 14-15). Anointing with oil was also part of the apostles’ healing ministry (Mark 6:12-13). The word for "anoint" is MASEIAH, and the Messiah is therefore "The Anointed One”. Oil is therefore associated with God's gift and God’s outpouring of the Spirit. Return to the Gift Shop Antointing Oil \| "Grafted-In" \| Ram's Horn \| Tallit \| Menorah \| Magen David "Grafted-In" Early Messianic Symbol This sign has reportedly been discovered, in recent years, on pottery in The Jerusalem area, believed to date from the 2nd century a.d. Some experts Have concluded that it was an identifying mark of the early Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) that tied together, their traditions and their faith. Surely more Facts will come to Light as more archaeological evidence emerges. We at the Galilee Experience call this three-part design the "grafted-in" symbol as it beautifully illustrates the truth of Romans 11:17-18. The Menorah (Candelabra) at the top reminds us of god's torah and His fulfillment of the promises to Abraham in calling out the People of Israel. The Magen David (Star, or shield, of David) in the middle recalls the Nation of Israel And the establishment of the Davidic monarchy in the Land of Israel. The Fish at the bottom, long a symbol for Yeshua (from the greek word for fish, ichthys, which Was used as an acronym for Jesus Christ, son of god, savior'), shows that the gentile has been grafted into the Jewish root through faith in Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel, The fulfiller of the torah and the rightful king in the line of David. Note that the symbol is one, completely fused together. With this fusion the "Grafted-In" symbol demonstrates that Jew and gentile are truly one in the messiah, reconciled through his atonement. In him the middle wall of partition has indeed been broken down. It is our desire that this symbol will inspire you as you meditate on the scriptures, which in turn and lead you to share these truths with others. Return to the Gift Shop Antointing Oil \| "Grafted-In" \| Ram's Horn \| Tallit \| Menorah \| Magen David Ram's Horn In English, the word trumpet appears many in scripture and many times it is referring to the ram's horn as opposed to the Chatzotzrah, a long, straight trumpet made usually of silver or gold. At Mount Sinai when the Jewish people received the law of Moses, it was accompanied by several miraculous signs (Exodus 19:16) among which was the shrill sound of a shofar that emanated from the sacred mountain. Later on when Joshua led the siege of Jericho, it was the blasts of the shofars (Joshua 6:20) that triggered the collapse of those impregnable walls. Still later, in the time of Gideon, it was a band of only 300 men (Judges 7:15-23) which at God's command scattered the mighty Midianites by smashing pitchers and blowing the shofar. A shofar is a curved horn taken straight from a male sheep commemorating the sacrifice of Isaac when at the last moment God provided a ram that had its horn caught in the thicket. Horns of cows were rejected because these animals were associated with the worship of the Golden Calf by the Children of Israel in the desert, a sin vigorously condemned by Moses. The Shofar blown at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) (Leviticus 23:24) marks the start of a 10 day period of spiritual self-examination and repentance, which culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Return to the Gift Shop Antointing Oil \| "Grafted-In" \| Ram's Horn \| Tallit \| Menorah \| Magen David Tallit (praying shawl) Speak to the Children of Israel and bid them to affix fringes (tzitziot) to the corners of their garments ... so that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord." (Numbers 15:37-41) The "Tallit” was created as a garment to hold the fringes as mentioned in Numbers. Four cornered garments were common in ancient days but the development of clothing not having four corners would have rendered the commandment obsolete. To prevent the total disappearance of a mitzvah (commandment) with such great symbolic significance (since it serves as a reminder to observe all the commandments) the Sages encouraged the wearing of specially-made four cornered garments so as to provide the opportunity to observe and implement this commandment. The "Tallit", a four-cornered shawl with the required fringes has thus become the garment traditionally worn by the men during prayer services. In English, it is commonly called a "Prayer Shawl" It is believed that the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment as mentioned in Matthew 9:20-21, had actually touched the fringes of His prayer shawl. Return to the Gift Shop Antointing Oil \| "Grafted-In" \| Ram's Horn \| Tallit \| Menorah \| Magen David The Seven Branched Menorah The Menorah that was the centerpiece of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem had seven branches. This is not to be confused with the nine branch Menorah used to celebrate Chanuka. Specifications and instructions for the making of the Temple Menorah are recorded in Exodus 25:31-40. The golden candlestick had seven bowls on the end of the branches containing pure oil for the light. Twenty-two almond blossoms decorated the whole piece which was hammered out of one talent of pure gold equivalent to 34 Kg. or 75 pounds! The Menorah was the only light that lit up the Tabernacle as there were no windows. The seven lamps filled with oil are a witness to perfect light. This fullness of light is described in the prophecy concerning the Messiah of Israel in Isaiah 11:2: "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." Return to the Gift Shop Antointing Oil \| "Grafted-In" \| Ram's Horn \| Tallit \| Menorah \| Magen David Star of David The six pointed star is called “magen David“ in Hebrew. The words “magen David”, generally translated as the “Star of David”, literally mean "Shield of David.” In early times, it was used on Roman mosaic pavements as a decorative design without special significance. Its earliest surviving use in a synagogue dates back 1,800 years, when it appeared on a frieze in the Synagogue of Capernaum. The earliest known example of its use on a tombstone was in sixth century Italy. Today the Star of David is an expression of Jewish identity. God told Abraham in Genesis 15:5, that He would make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars in heaven, thus associating stars with the descendants of Abraham. Return to the Gift Shop Antointing Oil \| "Grafted-In" \| Ram's Horn \| Tallit \| Menorah \| Magen David