visionary
12th April 2008, 04:05 PM
Tabnit, derived from the verb banah (he built), signifies the build and construction of a thing — that is to say, its figure, whether square, round, triangular, or of any other shape. ....
“the pattern (tabnit) of the Tabernacle and the pattern (tabnit) of all its vessels” Ex. 25:9
“according to the pattern (tabnit) which thou wast shown upon the mount” Ex 25: 40
“the form of any bird” Deut. 4:17
“the form (tabnit) of a hand” Ezek. 8:3“the pattern (tabnit) of the porch” 1 Chron. 28:11.
In all these quotations it is the shape which is referred to. Therefore the Hebrew language never employs the word tabnit in speaking of the qualities of God Almighty.
The term temunah, on the other hand, is used in the Bible in three different senses.
1.) The outlines of things which are perceived by our bodily senses, i.e., their shape and form; as, e.g.,
“And ye make an image the form (temunat) of some likeness” Deut. 4:16“for ye saw no likeness” (temunah) Deut. 4:15.
2.) The forms or impressions of our imagination. In this sense it is used in the passage which begins ....
“In thoughts from the visions of the night” Job 4:13
“it remained but I could not recognize its sight, only an image temunah was before my eyes,” i.e., an image which presented itself to my sight during sleep.
3.) The true form perceived and what is significantis that the term is applied to God.
“And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold” Num. 12:8 or another way of saying “he shall comprehend the true essence of the Lord.”
“the pattern (tabnit) of the Tabernacle and the pattern (tabnit) of all its vessels” Ex. 25:9
“according to the pattern (tabnit) which thou wast shown upon the mount” Ex 25: 40
“the form of any bird” Deut. 4:17
“the form (tabnit) of a hand” Ezek. 8:3“the pattern (tabnit) of the porch” 1 Chron. 28:11.
In all these quotations it is the shape which is referred to. Therefore the Hebrew language never employs the word tabnit in speaking of the qualities of God Almighty.
The term temunah, on the other hand, is used in the Bible in three different senses.
1.) The outlines of things which are perceived by our bodily senses, i.e., their shape and form; as, e.g.,
“And ye make an image the form (temunat) of some likeness” Deut. 4:16“for ye saw no likeness” (temunah) Deut. 4:15.
2.) The forms or impressions of our imagination. In this sense it is used in the passage which begins ....
“In thoughts from the visions of the night” Job 4:13
“it remained but I could not recognize its sight, only an image temunah was before my eyes,” i.e., an image which presented itself to my sight during sleep.
3.) The true form perceived and what is significantis that the term is applied to God.
“And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold” Num. 12:8 or another way of saying “he shall comprehend the true essence of the Lord.”