Posted on May 12, 2022May 12, 2022 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Yeshuah

Salvation

Yeshuah (yay-shoo’-ah)

hEvsy

ישועה

y	The ‘Yud’ in pictograph form shows an arm and a hand. The picture can mean to work, throw, worship, or it can simply mean an arm or hand.
sS	The ‘Shin’ may be depicted differently depending on the time period, but represents two front teeth and can mean sharp, eat, consume, separate, or destroy.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg or nail and means to secure, attach, or hook together. But it can also simply mean peg or nail.
eE	The ‘Ayin’ appears as an eye. It relates to the function of the eye, understanding, or knowledge.
h	The ‘Hey’ pictograph represents a man with his hands in the air trying to get someone’s attention. It suggests look, reveal, behold.

As pictographs, the letters combine to mean ‘see how a hand will save or separate by a nail.’ But it is actually a compound word consisting of ‘Ya’ (God) and the root word ‘shua’ (to rescue). Yeshua is the one who secures our rescue or salvation. There are several alternate spellings and this one finishes with the ‘Hey.’

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Posted on December 20, 2021December 20, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Woman of Valor

Studying Proverbs 31 inspired Artist Marla Jean Clinesmith to create a beautiful work of art about the woman of valor.

Woman of Valor

Eschet Chayil (aish-et khah’-yil)

LyC hsa

אשה חיל

a	The ‘Aleph’ represents the head of an ox means strong.
s	The ‘Shin’ represents two front teeth that would tear, separate, destroy, or devour.
h	The ‘Hey’ illustrates a man with arms up to get attention, like saying look or behold .

Eschet is a form of the Hebrew word for woman—Eesha. It contains a root word (sa) meaning “strong devourer” or “fire.” Add the (h) meaning “to look” with the root word of “fire” and the interpretation is “look, the one who comes out of fire.” That may initially sound odd to equate a woman with the result of fire, but not if you realize that precious metals, like gold, were of great value after being refined by fire which recognizes the importance of a woman.

C	The ‘Chet’ represents a fence that surrounds or protects or contains.
y	The ‘yud’ appears like a hand or arm and indicates work.
L	The ‘Lamed’ illustrates a shepherd’s staff that shows authority.

Chayil is used in the Old Testament many times, typically in reference to men as warriors portraying force or might. The few times chayil is used in reference to women it is always in a special godly sense. Chayil (valor) appears to be connected to grace — the place God provides where we are empowered to do what He has called us to do. Valor is using the authority He gives us to accomplish His work to benefit the Kingdom. It is a measure of what we do with grace. In other words, how well do we maximize His grace in our lives? May you be valiant for the Kingdom!

Eschet Chayil — The one who comes out of fire (is refined) and takes authority in her sphere of influence to be productive for the Kingdom.

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Ruach

Spirit (Ruach)

Chet

Within

Vav

Establish

Resh

Man

Spirit is the expression of man that is established from within, commonly portrayed as breath or wind.

r	The ‘Resh’ symbolizes a head, man, chief, highest, top, beginning, or first.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg or nail and means to secure or hook. But it can also simply mean peg or nail.
C	The ‘Chet’ depicts a fence that would contain, divide, surround, protect, or make private.

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Posted on March 29, 2021April 16, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — 1 Comment

Shalom

No word in the Hebrew language is more graphic in its pictorial form than the word Shalom! The idea that peace originates in multiple forms is seldom considered. However, Yeshua made it clear that His Shalom was different from all other when He told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 14:27) The pictographs clearly demonstrate the uniqueness of God’s approach to peace.

Peace

Shalom (shaw-lome’)

MvLs

שָׁלוֹם

s	The ‘Shin’ represents two front teeth and can mean sharp, eat, consume, separate, or destroy.
L	The ‘Lamed’ is a picture of a shepherd’s staff. The shepherd used the staff to exercise authority over the sheep to direct or lead them. It can mean teach, lead, yoke, move forward, or authority.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg or nail and means to secure or hook. But it can also simply mean peg or nail.
M	The ‘Mem’ illustrates water or waves. As a nomadic people, the Hebrews did not understand the waves or waters of the ocean. So the letter came to mean chaos, mighty, or blood.

Destroy the authority that establishes chaos.

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Posted on February 25, 2021March 22, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — 1 Comment

Passover

Drawing “Pesach”

Reflections by
Marla Jean

Normally, when I illustrate a word from Paleo Hebrew, I break down the meaning of the letters to gain understanding from the perspective of the ancient people. Then I ask Holy Spirit’s help with the composition and color palette, trying to let Him guide my hand while I am working. I often understand where He is taking me, but “Pesach” was different. I did not feel that I had a clear grasp of the word, but created the art anyway.

NOW, two years later, while talking to Pastor Jim about the word, the meaning has become much clearer.

At the sight of the doors marked with blood the Spirit of God (P) will turn (u) the wrath of God from the walls (C) of those marked as God’s people.

Look for the letters in the art and follow what I NOW see. The painted “blood” on the mat top and sides was something I had never done, but it certainly serves to give the viewer a hint of what the work is about (or at least makes one wonder what it is about) while at the same time framing what is important. The samech (u) appears to be opening up and turning to become part of the chet (C)building a wall of protection. The pey (P) represents the Spirit by sitting high, hovering, and full of light. The complementary palette of reds and greens that culminate in the openings of the chet indicate the life (green) that comes from the blood (red) Jesus sacrificed for us.

Bottom line, Holy Spirit was “right on” with His direction even though I didn’t understand at the time.

Posted on January 12, 2021April 18, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Guilt

Asham (aw-shawm’)

Msa

אָשָׁם

a	The ‘Aleph’ is the picture of an ox head and illustrates the strength of an animal. It can mean strong, power, or leader.
s	The ‘Shin’ looks like two front teeth of an animal and means press, rip, or destroy.
M	The ‘Mem’ resembles waves of water and to the ancient Bedouins, that appeared as chaos.

Aleph-Shin is a root word meaning ‘fire’ or the ‘strong devourer.’ Fire could be good or bad depending on how it was used, but adding the Mem results in ‘the fire of chaos’ which defines ‘guilt.’ When sin comes into our life and we don’t deal with it properly, it can get out of control, just like a fire, and it brings guilt.

Posted on January 12, 2021April 18, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Honor

Kabad (kaw-bad’)

dbk

כָּבַד

k	The ‘Kaf’ is the picture of the palm of a hand and can mean to open, allow, or invite entry.
b	The ‘Bet’ illustrates the floorplan of a tent and represents home or family.
d	The ‘Dalet’ looks like door flap of a tent and indicates the idea of a doorway, journey, or pathway.

Honor is what opens the inside door.

Posted on January 12, 2021April 18, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Fire

Esh (aysh)

אֵשׂ

a	The ‘Aleph’ is the picture of an ox head and illustrates the strength of an animal. It can mean strong, power, or leader.
s	The ‘Shin’ looks like two front teeth of an animal and means press, rip, or destroy.

Fire is a strong devourer.

Posted on November 23, 2020May 18, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Blessed

There are precious few ways for man’s relationship with God to be reciprocal. To “bless” may be the most powerful example of that rare opportunity. The Ancient Hebrew pictographs give us a clear and achievable formula for not only receiving blessings from God but giving blessing to God by doing exactly as He does.

Blessed

Barak (baw-rak’)

krB

בָרַךְ

B	The ‘Bet’ shows the floor plan of a tent. It means home, inside, or family.
r	The ‘Resh’ symbolizes a head, man, chief, highest, top, beginning, or first.
k	The ‘Kaf’ represents a palm or open hand, like to invite another into our home with a sweeping motion of our open palm.

Together the pictographs mean to ‘give access to my house.’ When we are blessed by the Lord, it is much more than receiving simple physical treasures, He gives us access to Himself.

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Posted on November 23, 2020March 29, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — 6 Comments

Armor of God

In Ephesians 6:10-20, we are told to wear the Armor of God. Here we can use the Ancient Hebrew letters to gain a better understanding of each piece of the armor.

Helmet of Salvation (Yeshuah)

Hey

Behold

Ayin

Look

Vav

Nail

Shin

Separate

Yud

Hand

As pictographs, the letters combine to mean ‘Behold, see how a hand will save or separate by a nail.’ But it is actually a compound word consisting of ‘Ya’ (God) and the root word ‘shuah’ (to rescue). In the Armor of God, the Helmet of Salvation is Yeshuah, the one who secures our rescue or salvation.

y	The ‘Yud’ in pictograph form shows an arm and a hand. The picture can mean to work, throw, worship, or it can simply mean an arm or hand.
sS	The ‘Shin’ may be depicted differently depending on the time period, but represents two front teeth and can mean sharp, eat, consume, separate, or destroy.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg or nail and means to secure or hook. But it can also simply mean peg or nail.
E	The ‘Ayin’ appears as an eye. It relates to the function of the eye, understanding, or knowledge.
hH	The ‘Hey’ appears as a man waving his arms. It relates to pay attention, hehold, reveal.

Breastplate of Righteousness (Tsedek)

Quph

Dalet

Journey

Tsade

Seek

As part of the Armor of God, the Breastplate of Righteousness represents seeking a journey that follows God.

F	The ‘Tsade’ represents a man searching or seeking and means hunter, catch, or desire.
D	The ‘Dalet’ represents a tent flap or door as going in and out of a door or a journey.
q	The ‘Quph’ character appears like the back of man’s head or a sunset and means last, behind, following, revolving or cycle of time.

Belt of Truth (Emet)

Tau

Covenant

Mem

Water

Aleph

Strong

The Belt of Truth is an important item in the Armor of God used in spiritual warfare. The Aleph and Mem together create the word “Mother,” the strong water that nurtures and holds a family together. The word “Truth” means to nurture the covenant.

a	The ‘Aleph’ is the picture of an ox head and illustrates the strength of an animal. It can mean strong, power, or leader.
M	The ‘Mem’ illustrates water or waves. As a nomadic people, the Hebrews feared the waves or waters of the seas, so the letter often meant chaos, mighty, or blood. On the other hand, water sustained life and in this instance, it carries that meaning.
t	The ‘Tau’ is used as a man’s mark, either like a signature on an agreement or even a crossed sticks on the ground to mark a boundary point. Either way, it is associated with an agreement or covenant between two people or between man and God.

Shoes of Peace (Shalom)

Mem

Chaos

Vav

Establish

Lamed

Authority

Shin

Destroy

Destroy the authority that establishes chaos. In this illustration as part of the Armor of God, the Shoes of Peace indicate we need to to be walking or pursuing. If we do the walking, God will destroy the chaos ahead of us.

sS	The ‘Shin’ represents two front teeth and can mean sharp, eat, consume, separate, or destroy.
l	The ‘Lamed’ is a picture of a shepherd’s staff. The shepherd used the staff to exercise authority over the sheep to direct or lead them. It can mean teach, lead, yoke, move forward, or authority.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg or nail and means to secure or hook. But it can also simply mean peg or nail.
M	The ‘Mem’ illustrates water or waves. As a nomadic people, the Hebrews did not understand the waves or waters of the ocean. So the letter came to mean chaos, mighty, or blood.

Shield of Faith (Emunah)

Hey

Behold

Nun

Life/Heir

Vav

Secure

Mem

Water

Aleph

Strong

The pictograph portrays getting our attention, ‘Behold’, the root of Em (mother or giver of life) who seeks to establish continual life or activity in us. Faith is the actions of our life that reveal our relationship with the life giver. Our faith brings a life that has purpose. When our actions come into agreement with the Lord, the enemy’s weapons cannot penetrate the Shield of Faith.

a	The ‘Aleph’ is the picture of an ox head and illustrates the strength of an animal. It can mean strong, power, or leader.
M	The ‘Mem’ illustrates water or waves. As a nomadic people, the Hebrews feared the waves or waters of the ocean. So the letter came to mean chaos, mighty, or blood.
v	The ‘Vav’ pictures a tent peg or nail. It means to secure, connect, or establish.
n	The ‘Nun’ represents a seed or sprout and gives us the meaning of continuing to a new generation. It can have the meaning of continuing, perpetuating, sustaining, offspring, or heir.
hH	The ‘Hey’ pictograph represents a man with his hands in the air trying to get someone’s attention. It suggests look, reveal, behold.

Sword of the Spirit – The Word (Debar)

Resh

Man

Beyt

Home

Dalet

Door

The only offensive weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God (Debar). Words, in the ancient thought process, had substance. Sentences were an ordered arrangement of ideas that ordered lives. The Word of God makes the enemy back down. The more a person is in command of the Word, the more effective soldier he will be.

D	The ‘Dalet’ represents a tent flap or door. It can also mean back and forth movement as in going in and out of a door or a journey.
B	The ‘Beyt’ depicts the floor plan of a tent. It means home, inside, or family.
r	The ‘Resh’ symbolizes a head, man, chief, highest, top, beginning, or first.

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Posted on July 14, 2020January 12, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Sukkot

Tau

Covenant

Vav

Establish

Kaf

Cover

Vav

Establish

Semech

Protect

“Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to ADONAI.” Leviticus 23:34 (CJB)

Sukkot it one of the three pilgrimage festivals held in the fall. It refers to the temporary buildings that are built to commemorate God’s protection and provision during the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. It is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles and Feast of Booths.
This painting depicts the Paleo letters for Sukkot through the four species of plants that are used to “rejoice before the Lord.” They are the citron (etrog), one palm (lulav), two willow branches (aravot), and three myrtle branches (hadassim).
u represented by myrtle branches
v represented by a bare branch
k represented by willow branches surrounding the citron
v represented by a bare branch
t represented by palm branch

Together these letters would mean “to establish and secure a protective covering for the covenant.” It is a joyous festival and even today we should remember our dependence on the Lord to protect and provide.

u	The ‘Samech’ is a thorn bush representing support, prop up, protect, twist, or snare.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg and means to nail, attach, or secure.
k	The ‘Kaf’ depicts a man’s offered hand to welcome, cover, open, or allow.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg and means to nail, attach, or secure.
t	The ‘Tau’ depicts crossed sticks as a marker for a signature or agreement or covenant.

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Posted on July 13, 2020April 18, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Hallelujah

Halal Yah (haw-lal’ Yaw)

HyvllH

הַלְלוּיָה

H	The ‘Hey’ depicts a man waving arms for attention, to look, reveal, or behold.
L	The ‘Lamed’ represents a shepherds staff the represents control, direct, authority, or lead.
L	The ‘Lamed’ represents a shepherds staff the represents control, direct, authority, or lead.
v	The ‘Vav’ represents a tent peg or nail and means to secure or hook. But it can also simply mean peg or nail.
y	The ‘Yud’ represents a hand or arm to indicate work, throw, or worship.
H	The ‘Hey’ depicts a man waving arms for attention, to look, reveal, or behold.

The word “Hallelujah” is a compound word from two Hebrew words, “Hallel” meaning praise and “Ya” meaning God. The use of the two Lameds together indicates the authority of authorities (like King of Kings or Lord of Lords).

“Behold or boast at what the authority of authorities (God) has established by the work of His hands!”

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Posted on July 12, 2020January 12, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Righteous

Quph

Dalet

Journey

Tsade

Hook

The desire to be hooked on a journey that follows God.

f	The ‘Tsade’ represents a fish hook and means hunter, catch, or desire.
D	The ‘Dalet’ represents a tent flap or door. It can also mean back and forth movement as in going in and out of a door or a journey.
q	The ‘Quph’ character appears like the back of man’s head or a sunset and means last, behind, following, revolving or cycle of time.

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Posted on July 12, 2020March 29, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Truth

Truth (Emet)

Tau

Covenant

Nun

Life

Mem

Water

Aleph

Strong

The great mystery of life is within the covenant.

a	The ‘Aleph’ is the picture of an ox head and illustrates the strength of an animal. It can mean strong, power, or leader.
M	The ‘Mem’ illustrates water or waves. As a nomadic people, the Hebrews feared the waves or waters of the seas, so the letter often meant chaos, mighty, or blood. Large bodies of water hold many unknowns or mysteries for an agrarian society.
n	The ‘Nun’ represents a seed or sprout and gives us the meaning of continuing to a new generation. It can have the meaning of life, sustaining, offspring, or heir.
t	The ‘Tau’ is used as a man’s mark, either like a signature on an agreement or even a crossed sticks on the ground to mark a boundary point. Either way, it is associated with an agreement or covenant between two people or between man and God.

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Posted on July 5, 2020March 29, 2021 by Clay Clinesmith — Leave a comment

Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments

The client who commissioned this work challenged me to “think outside the box” about what the original commandments looked like when Moses received them on Mt. Sinai. It is believed that the writing from “the finger of God” was in Paleo (pictographic) Hebrew, but I really had not considered that the chiseled letters were on anything other than two blah stones. The thought that Abba might have presented Moses with a “color masterpiece” is mind boggling to me. Considering that He is the original “Color Master,” splashing color all around the world, makes it an interesting prospect. I don’t in any way propose that my rendition of the commandments is an authentic replication. I did spend time with Him while working on these pieces and hopefully “colored” as He instructed for such a time as this. I do hope that when you look at the colors it will expand your mind to be amazed at what an incredible artist He is!!! I have portrayed the 10 Commandments through the Hebrew mindset (the 10 Words or Eseret HaDavrim), and in the Paleo Hebrew, and in color! As I began the art work I discovered Dr. Frank Seekins’ teaching on the commandments and the secret to easily remembering them. Hebrew numbers the commandments with the first 10 letters of the aleph beyt and in their Paleo (pictographic) form each picture gives a clue to the commandment. Below is a quick overview of the first 10 letters and their corresponding commandment.

#1	a
I am the LORD your God. The aleph (a) represents first, strength, defender, hero which explains God.
#2	B
You shall have no other gods before me. The beyt (B) represents second, house, family. We choose to enter God’s house and become part of His family.
#3	g
You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain. The gimel (g) represents third, walk, lift up. We understand His Name and take on His character.
#4	D
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. The dalet (D) represents fourth, a door, path, journey. We work hard but enter God’s door of rest.
#5	H
Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long. The hey (H) represents fifth, behold, reveal. Behold! This is the commandment with a promise of long life!
#6	v
You shall not murder. The vav (v) represents the number six, a nail, holding together. A nail helps hold two things together. People held together will not destroy each other.
#7	Z
You shall not commit adultery. The zayin (Z) represents seven, a weapon, to cut. A weapon can destroy the same as adultery can destroy a marriage and family.
#8	c
You shall not steal. The chet (c) represents the number eight, a fence, to protect. The fence reminds us to protect the property of others and not steal.
#9	J
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. The tet (J) represents nine, to surround, a snake. The tet reminds us not to follow the path of the serpent and lie or accuse.
#10	y
You shall not covet. The yod (y) represents ten, a hand, to work. Working reminds us of providing for our own life and not desiring what someone else has.

Salvation

Woman of Valor

Spirit (Ruach)

Peace

Drawing “Pesach”

Reflections byMarla Jean

Guilt

Honor

Fire

Blessed

Armor of God

Helmet of Salvation (Yeshuah)

Breastplate of Righteousness (Tsedek)

Belt of Truth (Emet)

Shoes of Peace (Shalom)

Shield of Faith (Emunah)

Sword of the Spirit – The Word (Debar)

Sukkot

Hallelujah

Righteous

Truth (Emet)

The Ten Commandments

#1

a

I am the LORD your God.

#2

B

You shall have no other gods before me.

#3

g

You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain.

#4

D

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

#5

H

Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long.

#6

v

You shall not murder.

#7

Z

You shall not commit adultery.

#8

c

You shall not steal.

#9

J

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

#10

y

You shall not covet.

Reflections by
Marla Jean