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Chapter 17

Genesis 17:1

RBT Translation:
And Raised-Father is becoming a builder of ninety and nine duplications, and Yahweh is being seen toward Raised-Father, and is saying toward him, `Myself, El of Destroyers,613 walk yourselves to my faces, and become complete.614
LITV Translation:
And when Abram was ninety nine years old, Jehovah appeared to Abram and said to him, I am the Almighty God! Walk before me and be perfect;
ESV Translation:
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,
Brenton Septuagint Translation:
And Abram was ninety-nine years old, and the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am thy God, be well-pleasing before me, and be blameless.

Footnotes

613

God of Destroyers

As with the case of Adonai, Shaddai is also originally a plural word. There has been some debate over the centuries as to whether shaddai (#7706) really is derived from the Hebrew root shadad (#7703), to deal violently with, despoil, devastate. Fuerst and Gesenius affirm this however, as do the LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac versions. Incidentally, the prophet Isaiah does too,

Howl you all, for near is the hot-one of Yahweh, as destruction from the destroyers he is coming. Isaiah 13:6 literal

And Joel also,

Aha for the Hot-one! For near is the hot-one of Yahweh, and as destruction from the destroyers he is coming. Joel 1:15 literal

Like it or not, as destruction from the destroyers is the superior translation given that the Hebrew is כְשֹׁ֖ד מִשַׁדַּ֥י‬, ki-shod mi-shaddai. This shouldn’t be surprising given that the Christ is an el-gibbor, god of might, or warrior-god according to Isaiah 9:6. He is coming to make war, with his chosen army of fearless volunteers.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“These ones will make war with the lamb, and the lamb will conquer them, because master of masters he is and king of kings; and those ones with him are called-out and chosen and trustworthy.” Revelation 17:14 literal

614

Hebrew הְיֵ֥ה תָמִֽים, be complete? Jesus’ words were not about doing but becoming. It doesn’t make sense to say “doing complete/perfect”, but we can conceive of becoming complete. But what does it mean to become complete? Jesus’ saying wasn’t a command, but was a future-indicative you will be:

“You all will therefore be complete [teleios #5046], as your Father the Heavenly-one is complete.” Matt. 5:48 literal