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Ruach

Spirit (Ruach)

C

Chet

Within

v

Vav

Establish

r

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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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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Passover

Portrait of Marla Jean Clinesmith

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.

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Guilt

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.

 
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Honor

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.

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Fire

Fire

Esh (aysh)

sa

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.

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Bless

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.

Bless

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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Armor of God

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)


Helmet of Salvation - Yeshuah

h

Hey

Behold

E

Ayin

Look

v

Vav

Nail

S

Shin

Separate

y

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)


Breastplate of Righteousness

q

Quph

Follow

D

Dalet

Journey

F

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)


belt of truth

t

Tau

Covenant

M

Mem

Water

a

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)

M

Mem

Chaos

v

Vav

Establish

l

Lamed

Authority

s

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)

H

Hey

Behold

n

Nun

Life/Heir

v

Vav

Secure

M

Mem

Water

a

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)

r

Resh

Man

B

Beyt

Home

D

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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Sukkot

Sukkot

t

Tau

Covenant

v

Vav

Establish

k

Kaf

Cover

v

Vav

Establish

u

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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Hallelujah

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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Righteous

Righteous

q

Quph

Follow

D

Dalet

Journey

f

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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Truth

Truth (Emet)


Truth

t

Tau

Covenant

n

Nun

Life

M

Mem

Water

a

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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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
First of 10 Commandments

I am the LORD your God.

The aleph (a) represents first, strength, defender, hero which explains God.

#2

B
Second of 10 Commandments

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
Third of 10 Commandments

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
Fourth of 10 Commandments

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
Fifth of 10 Commandments

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
Sixth of 10 Commandments

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
Seventh of 10 Commandments

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
Eighth of 10 Commandments

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
Ninth of 10 Commandments

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
Tenth of 10 Commandments

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.
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Passover

The specially matted print of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew), as presented by Artist Marla Jean Clinesmith, may well portray one of the most vibrant Biblical word pictures of all time.

Passover

Pesach (peh’-sakh)

CuP

פסח

P The ‘Pey’ represents an open mouth and means speak, open, blow, or apart. It often is used to mean ‘Spirit’ as in the wind.
u The ‘Samech’ represents a thorn bush that would prop up, support, twist, turn, or snare.
C The ‘Chet’ illustrates a fence or wall surrounding and protecting the action of life.

In simple terms, it means to crossover or leap, as in God’s Spirit will leap over the marked homes in Exodus Chapter 12. But there is so much more to it. This is the action taken by God (hvhy), the ultimate judge of His own creation, as His Spirit passed over all the households of Egypt to dispense death to the firstborn of Pharaoh, his people, and gods. The only thing that protected God’s people from this deadly plague was the blood of the sacrificed lamb applied to the lintel and door posts of the houses of God’s people. At the sight of the doors marked with blood, the Spirit of God (Pey P) turned away (Samach u) the wrath of God from the walls or boundaries (Chet C) of the homes of those marked as God’s people.

The entire scene was a physical foreshadow of the spiritual reality that Yeshua, the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world, will bring to completion with His death on a cross planted on a hill called Golgotha in Jerusalem generations later.

It’s here, however, that our word picture presents a mystery. If the cross is the ultimate solution to the sin condition separating God and man – why two door posts? Some would speculate a connotation of the lintel and two door posts representing the Crown of thorns and nail pierced hands of the Savior. And while the scriptural account is somewhat silent on this matter, it does record in Exodus 12:37-38 ‘Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also …,’ indicating both Jews and Gentiles were saved on that night.

As for me, the picture reminds me of the encouraging words of the Apostle Paul recorded in Ephesians Chapter 2 as he assures us that Christ’s death on the cross made two, both Jews and Gentiles, one thus bringing us the ultimate in peace.

To that we can all proclaim – Hallelujah!!!

Explanation by Pastor Jim Woodard

Passover with Black Frame
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Israel

Israel

L

Lamed

Authority

a

Aleph

Leader

r

Resh

Man

s

Shin

Destroy

y

Yud

Work

The ‘Aleph’ and ‘Lamed’ form the root word ‘El’ which means God or strong controller. Together the letters in Israel mean “Men (the nation) whose work is to press/turn others towards El (God).”

y

 The ‘Yud’ in pictograph form shows an arm and a hand. The picture can mean to work, throw, worship.

s

 The ‘Shin’ represents two front teeth and can mean sharp, eat, consume, separate, or destroy.

r

 The ‘Resh’ symbolizes a head, man, or chief.

a

 The ‘Aleph’ is the picture of an ox head and illustrates the strength of an animal. It can mean strong, power, or leader.

L

 The ‘Lamed’ is a picture of a shepherd’s staff. The shepherd used the staff to exercise authority over his sheep to direct or lead them. It can mean teach, lead, yoke, or move forward.
 
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