Matthew 06:09-15 The Lord’s Poem – the Poetry of Jesus

The Lord’s prayer is a poem that contains wordplay between the words “Kingdom” (מלכותך), “Bread” (לחם), “Forgive” (מחול), “Sinners” (לחוטאים).

“Kingdom” מלכותך
“Bread” לחם
“Forgive” מחול
“Sinners” לחוטאים
“From” מכל
“Them” להם
“You” לכם

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread {“Bread” (לחם)}.
12 And forgive {“Forgive” (מחול)} us our debts,
as we also have forgiven {“Forgive” (מחול)} our debtors {“Sinners” (לחוטאים)}.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from {“From” (מכל)} the evil one.’
14 For if you forgive {“Forgive” (מחול)} men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive {“Forgive” (מחול)} you. 15 But if you do not forgive {“Forgive” (מחול)} men {“Them” (להם)}, neither will your Father forgive {“Forgive” (מחול)} {“You” (לכם)} {“Your” (לכם)} your trespasses.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

www.CornerstonePublications.org

Matthew 06:03-04 Jesus Makes a Pun about Charity

In Matthew 06:03-04, Jesus makes a Hebrew pun with the words “doing” and “your gift.”

“Doing” ימינן
“Your Gift” מתנן

Matthew 6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing {“Doing” (ימינן)}, 4 so that your charitable deed {“Your Gift” (מתנן)} may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

www.CornerstonePublications.org

Matthew 05:20-26 Jesus Creates a Poem about Judgment and Money

In Matthew 05:20-26, Jesus creates a Hebrew poem about judgment and money. The poem has three wordplays. Two of the wordplays hinge on the word for “Piece of Money.”

“Companion” חבירו
“Calls” יקרא
“Calls” יקרא
“Offer” קריב
“Companion” חבירו
“Companion” תברך
“Offer” קריב
“Gift” קרבנ

“Judgment” משפט
“Judgment” למשפט
“Judgment” במשפט
“Fool” שוטה
“Judge” השופט
“Judge” השופט
“Piece of Money” פרוטה

“Pharisees” הפרושים
“Piece of Money” פרוטה

Matthew 5:20 For I tell you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees {“Pharisees” (הפרושים)}, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be liable to judgment {“Judgment” (משפט)}. 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with his brother {“Companion” (חבירו)} shall be subject to judgment {“Judgment” (למשפט)}. And whoever says {“Calls” (יקרא)} to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be in danger {“Judgment” (במשפט)} of the council. But whoever says {“Calls” (יקרא)}, ‘You fool!’ {“Fool” (שוטה)} shall be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 Therefore, if you are offering {“Offer” (קריב)} your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother {“Companion” (חבירו)} has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go. First be reconciled to your brother {“Companion” (תברך)}; and then come and offer {“Offer” (קריב)} your gift {“Gift” (קרבנ)}. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge {“Judge” (השופט)}, the judge {“Judge” (השופט)} to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny {“Piece of Money” (פרוטה)}.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

www.CornerstonePublications.org

Matthew 05:03-20 Jesus made a Hebrew poem

In Matthew 05:03-20, Jesus made a Hebrew poem using wordplay between the word “Blessed” and the following words and phrases:


“Blessed” אשרי
"Are the Poor or Humble in Spirit" רוח שפלי
“Shall Inherit” ירשו
“Shall See” יראו
“Shall be Called” יקראו
“Are you When” כאשר
“He who Shall” ואשר
“Teach” אשר
“Pharisees” הפרושים

3 “Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the poor in spirit {“Poor [or humble] in spirit” (רוח שפלי)}, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the meek,
for they shall inherit {“Shall inherit” (ירשו)}the earth.
6 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the pure in heart,
for they shall see {“Shall see” (יראו)} God.
9 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called {“Shall be called” (יקראו)} sons of God.
10 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed {“Blessed” (אשרי)} are you when {“Are you when” (כאשר)} they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you [falsely] for my sake. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how shall it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand. And it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will by any means pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then {“He who shall” (ואשר)} breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches {“Teach” (אשר)} men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But he who does them and teaches {“Teach” (אשר)} them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees {“Pharisees” (הפרושים)}, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament
www.CornerstonePublications.org

Matthew 17:20 Jesus made a Poem about Faith and Belief

In Matthew 17:20 Jesus made a poem in Hebrew using the words “faith,” “truly,” “believe,” and “boast.” The poem keys on two wordplays that both involve the word “believe.”

“Faith” אמונתכם
“Truly” אמן
“Believe” תאמינו

“Believe” תאמינו
“Boast” תאםרו

Matthew 17:20 So he said to them, “Because of your little faith {“Faith” (אמונתכם)}. For truly {“Truly” (אמן)}, I say to you, if you have faith {“Believe” (תאמינו)} as a grain of mustard seed, you will say {“Boast” (תאםרו)} to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” [Matthew 17:20 The Passion: The Poetry of God]

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

www.CornerstonePublications.org

Matthew 13:47 Jesus makes a pun with the words Kingdom and Casting

In Matthew 13:47 Jesus creates a pun with the Hebrew words for “kingdom” and “casting.” The pun actually occurs earlier in the narrative in Matthew 4:17-18 where the pun connects two events together.

“Kingdom” שמלכות
“Casting” משליכים

Matthew 13:47 “Again, the kingdom {“kingdom” (שמלכות)} of heaven is like a net that was thrown {“casting” (משליכים)} into the sea and gathered fish of every kind;

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom {“Kingdom” (שמלכות)} of heaven is at hand.” 18 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting {“Casting” (משליכים)} a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

www.CornerstonePublications.org

Matthew 15:32-37 - Jesus creates a poem with 4000 people.

In Matthew 15:32-37, Jesus creates a Hebrew poem using the following words:

15:33 “Satisfy” לשביע

15:34 “Seven” שבעה

15:35 “Grass” העשבים

15:36 “Seven” השבעה

15:36 “Broke them” וישברם

15:37 “Satisfied” וישבעו

15:37 “Seven” שבעה

Matthew 15:32 Now Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33 Then the disciples said to him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to feed {“Satisfy” (לשביע)} such a great crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven {“Seven” (שבעה)}, and a few small fish.” 35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground {“Grass” (העשבים)}. 36 He took the seven {“Seven” (השבעה)} loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them {“Broke them” (וישברם)} and gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied {“Satisfied” (וישבעו)}. And they took up seven {“Seven” (שבעה)} baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

www.CornerstonePublications.org