InstaStudy

The Word Across Centuries: Tracing First-Century Jewish and Greek Roots Through the Lens of the King James Old Testament

A deep-dive Bible study exploring the absolute oneness of God, tracing the Hebrew concept of YHWH and the Greek concept of the Logos through the King James Old Testament to reveal Jesus Christ as the singular incarnation of the one true God.

1. The Hebrew Foundation: The Absolute Oneness of YHWH

1.1 The Shema and Strict Monotheism

Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Mark 12:29
  • The Shema establishes that God is numerically one, excluding any concept of plural persons within the Godhead.
  • Isaiah declares that there was no God formed before YHWH, nor shall there be after Him, reinforcing absolute singularity.
  • Jesus Himself affirmed the Shema as the first and greatest commandment in the New Testament.

1.2 The Sole Creator of All Things

Verses: Isaiah 44:24; Genesis 1:1; Malachi 2:10
  • YHWH declares He stretched forth the heavens alone and spread abroad the earth by Himself, leaving no room for co-creators.
  • The Old Testament attributes creation to a single divine Subject, not a plurality of divine agents.
  • The King James Old Testament preserves this singular agency in creation, pointing directly to the undivided Godhead.

2. The Greek Concept of Logos: From Philosophy to Apostolic Revelation

2.1 The Logos as God's Expressed Mind and Power

Verses: John 1:1; Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 11:3
  • In first-century thought, 'Logos' refers to God's inner reason, plan, or spoken word, rather than a distinct pre-existent person.
  • The King James Old Testament parallels this with the Hebrew 'Dabar', the active, creative breath of God.
  • The Word was with God as His own thought and plan, and the Word was God Himself in active expression.

2.2 The Incarnation of the Word

Verses: John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9
  • The Word became flesh, meaning the invisible God clothed Himself in a genuine human body to dwell among humanity.
  • Jesus is not a second divine person, but the one God manifested in the flesh.
  • All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Jesus Christ, fulfilling the Old Testament promise of God dwelling with His people.

3. The Revelation of the Name: From YHWH to Jesus

3.1 The Progressive Revelation of the Divine Name

Verses: Exodus 3:14; Zechariah 14:9; Isaiah 52:6
  • God revealed Himself to Moses as 'I AM', establishing His self-existence and eternal nature.
  • Zechariah prophesied a day when YHWH would be King over all the earth, and His name would be one.
  • The King James Old Testament consistently points forward to a singular, saving name that would be fully revealed in the future.

3.2 The Name of Jesus as the Fulfilment of YHWH

Verses: Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-11
  • The name 'Jesus' (Yeshua) literally means 'YHWH is salvation', directly linking the Savior to the one God of the Old Testament.
  • There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, demonstrating the supreme authority of the name.
  • The singular name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is revealed and applied in the name of Jesus.

4. First-Century Jewish Hermeneutics and Old Testament Theophanies

4.1 Theophanies as Temporary Manifestations of the One God

Verses: Genesis 32:30; Judges 13:21-22; John 1:18
  • Old Testament appearances of the 'Angel of the LORD' or God in human form were temporary manifestations of the one God.
  • These theophanies did not represent a second divine person, but God adapting Himself to human sight and comprehension.
  • These temporary manifestations prefigured the permanent, historical incarnation of God in Jesus Christ.

4.2 Prophetic Anticipation of the Mighty God

Verses: Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 14:9
  • Isaiah prophesied that the child born and son given would be called the 'Mighty God' and 'Everlasting Father'.
  • The Messiah's goings forth are from of old, from everlasting, identifying Him as the eternal Creator Himself.
  • Jesus confirmed this identity by stating that whoever has seen Him has seen the Father, closing the gap between prophecy and reality.