David Koberstein
Active member
The Hebrew language is based on word pictures and symbols. Each word conveys emotion and
experience, not just information. Words in Hebrew often have specific images connected to them,
like the one in the book of Isaiah when the prophet writes that God will arrive "like a raging flood
tide driven by the breath of the Lord" (Isaiah 59:19). What an awesome image of God's power and
beauty! This reminds me of the ocean crashing over rocks on the shore. The ocean is unstoppable
and has immense power.
The Hebrew word for "breath" in this verse is ruach, which means "Spirit" and also means "wind."
The idea is that the Holy Spirit arrives like a rushing tide. This seems to against the idea of the Holy
Spirit descending on Jesus "like a dove" when He came out of the water during His baptism---or does it?
While I had always imagined a dove gently alighting on Jesus in this story, theologian Joan E. Taylor
gives a different perspective after encountering a territorial dove on a trip to Jerusalem. "I can verify
that a dove coming down on someone with wings flapping is something like a very powerful rush of
wind striking one's head." This fits with the way the Spirit landed on the disciples like a "rushing wind"
after Jesus' resurrection.
Does it matter if the dove descended gently or forcefully? Probably not. But, I like the idea of the Holy Spirit
tearing open heaven and swooping down on Jesus with purpose and power! And I like knowing that today,
we all have access to this determined Spirit.
Shalom
experience, not just information. Words in Hebrew often have specific images connected to them,
like the one in the book of Isaiah when the prophet writes that God will arrive "like a raging flood
tide driven by the breath of the Lord" (Isaiah 59:19). What an awesome image of God's power and
beauty! This reminds me of the ocean crashing over rocks on the shore. The ocean is unstoppable
and has immense power.
The Hebrew word for "breath" in this verse is ruach, which means "Spirit" and also means "wind."
The idea is that the Holy Spirit arrives like a rushing tide. This seems to against the idea of the Holy
Spirit descending on Jesus "like a dove" when He came out of the water during His baptism---or does it?
While I had always imagined a dove gently alighting on Jesus in this story, theologian Joan E. Taylor
gives a different perspective after encountering a territorial dove on a trip to Jerusalem. "I can verify
that a dove coming down on someone with wings flapping is something like a very powerful rush of
wind striking one's head." This fits with the way the Spirit landed on the disciples like a "rushing wind"
after Jesus' resurrection.
Does it matter if the dove descended gently or forcefully? Probably not. But, I like the idea of the Holy Spirit
tearing open heaven and swooping down on Jesus with purpose and power! And I like knowing that today,
we all have access to this determined Spirit.
Shalom
