Hebrew Word Study – Winter חָרַף

The word “winter” חָרַף when spelled in reverse is פָּרַח ,a word for “blossoming“. It is a reminder that there is a purpose to every season and that at the end of its cycle, there will be flowers that blossom and fruit that yields!

 

Song 2:10-12 My beloved responded and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along. For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.” (different word for winter used here, but same idea)

The root word for “blossoming” פָּרַח also means “they become flying ones”. This denotes freedom and maturity as a baby bird leaves the nest when it is old enough to fly on its own. The root word for “winter” חָרַף can also mean “betrothal”…seeing winter through spiritual eyes will reveal that it is a season of entering into a deeper level of our intimacy with Jesus.

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Psalms 23:5: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

It seems the commentators tend to walk in lockstep with each other in their explanation of the first part of this verse. What does David mean that God prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies? Most Christian commentators seem to agree that God is providing a great feast for David as his enemies look upon him wondering how he could enjoy such a feast when they are about to lop off his head.  In other words, it is David’s way of saying that he has no fear of his enemies. 

This is in keeping with his walking through the valley of the shadows and fearing no evil. It also keeps with the shepherding motif.  The shepherd leads his sheep to lush fields to graze and watches over them protects them from any predators while the sheep eat to their hearts content totally oblivious to any dangers. So too, David is able to enjoy a great feast without fear of attack by his enemies. 

My studies in Archaeology cry out: “Hold it, wait one doggone minute!”  Why are we so quick to assume that the table represents a banquet or feast or even having a meal?   This only says that God prepares a table. Just a table, no feast, no banquet, simply a table. The word table in Hebrew is shulachan which comes from the root word shalach which is a word used for moving toward a goal or resolution. So, what does that have to do with a table? Another word in Hebrew for table is tavala which is a board or plank of wood. That is what comes to my mind when I hear the word table. Shulachan is a different, special table.  A table of reaching a goal or resolution to a problem.

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