| 12 | Strongs #G1067. γέεννα, gehenna. "Gehenna" originates from the Hebrew גי בן־הנם (Gê Ben-Hinnom), which translates to "Valley of the Son of Hinnom." Numerous traditions were developed out of this word.
Child Sacrifice:
- Valley of Hinnom: The valley served as a boundary between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:8; 18:16).
- Idolatrous Practices: The valley was notoriously associated with child sacrifices to the god Molech (2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31-32; 19:2, 6; 32:35).
- Defilement by Josiah: King Josiah defiled the valley to prevent these sacrifices (2 Kings 23:10).
- Symbol of Judgment: Over time, the Valley of Hinnom came to symbolize divine judgment and punishment. Prophets like Isaiah alluded to its significance in depicting eschatological scenarios (Isaiah 66:24).
Fool?
The Greek word Μωρέ Mōre. As a Greek word, being the root of "moron" and meaning "dull" or "sluggish" doesn't make sense contextually. Notwithstanding, the previous warning of using the word "Raca" is not based on a Greek word, but is a transliteration of Aramaic. Thus it logically follows that "mōre" would be a transliteration of Hebrew.
Strongs #4175 moreh מוֹרֶה, teacher, instructor. This is the primary meaning of "מוֹרה" in Hebrew. It refers to someone who teaches or instructs others. In the Old Testament, it is often used to denote a teacher or instructor of various subjects, including religious teachings (See Genesis 12:6, Isaiah 30:20).
There has already been debate/discussion of the word moreh as a transliteration. The commentary from Pulpit Commentary for example:
-
Transliteration of Hebrew "moreh": The commentary suggests that "moreh" could be a transliteration from Hebrew into Greek, akin to how "skene" (σκηνή) in Greek transliterates from the Hebrew "shakan" (שכן), meaning "to dwell" or "to reside." It has been suggested that "moreh" might be transliterated to imply "rebel," drawing a parallel with Hebrew usage (cf. Numbers 20:10). The most obvious parallel of "teacher" was ignored, or overlooked.
-
Contextual and linguistic parallels: The commentary argues that this interpretation aligns well with the context of Jesus' teaching about insults (compare with "Raca"). It suggested that calling someone "Moreh" might be understood as accusing them of rebellion against God. But does that really fit the consequence?
-
Greek purity: The commentary points out that if "moreh" were indeed a transliteration from Hebrew into Greek, it would be one of the few pure Hebrew words in the Greek New Testament. Most other words are either Aramaic (like "Raca," "talitha kumi," "maranatha") or Greek adaptations of Hebrew or Aramaic terms.
As the most pure transliteration of a Hebrew word, moreh simply means "Teacher." The question is then, what is the context? Surely it must mean "fool"? And thus we must be extra careful about ever calling someone a fool?
"But yourselves should not be summoned as 'My Abounding One (Rabbi),' for one is, of yourselves, the Teacher, and everyone of yourselves are brothers." (Jesus, Matthew 23:8 RBT)
"Fools! ("μωροὶ moroi")" (Jesus, Matthew 23:17)
By the traditional interpretation of the scholars, Jesus effectively eats his own words, making himself liable to the hell fire of Gehenna. |