jkdoyle.com

I can't express how tired I am of this sort of thing, but because a couple of former students have asked me about the following YouTube video, I thought I should address it.  Although I'm hesitant to even show it, I want to show how easy it is for someone to mislead others or create completely false arguments when information or knowledge is lacking.  It is obvious that the person who created the video is either completely ignorant of Biblical languages or is intentionally playing upon the ignorance of others.

The video basically makes the following claim(s):  

• Jesus referred to the anti-Christ by name when he said "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" and the argument is as follows:
  
  • Jesus would have been speaking in Aramaic (or Hebrew)
  • The Hebrew word for lightning (baraq) corresponds to Barack.
  • The Hebrew word for height (bama) can be used interchangeably with "heavens" and is used in Isaiah 14 in passages referring to Satan's "fall".
  • The Hebrew consonant waw is sometimes pronounced "o" and can mean "from", therefore Obama means "from the heights".
  • Therefore, speaking Hebrew or Aramaic, Jesus would have said "I saw Satan like Barack Obama".
  • Therefore (the video implies), Barack Obama is the anti-Christ.

Please watch the video carefully and see if you can catch the errors (and additions) which allow such an argument to develop:

Now let's address the video's claims:

Item 1:  The Languages Jesus Spoke

There is no way of knowing what language(s) Jesus actually spoke in a given situation.  The region had been conquered and influenced by both Greeks and Romans, and evidence points to a first century Judea and Galilee that were multi-lingual.  The Dead Sea Scrolls, for example, contain texts written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.  While there are recorded words of Jesus in the Gospels that seem to have an Aramaic or Hebrew origination, there are others that indicate an original Greek saying.  Jesus may have spoken Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin.  

Also, Aramaic isn't the oldest form of Hebrew.  Aramaic and Hebrew are both Semitic languages, and therefore are very similar.  

Item 2:  Lightning, baraq, and Barack

This is where the author of the video makes his first critical mistake, and actually the entire argument falls apart at this point.  According to the video, if Jesus were speaking Aramaic/Hebrew the word for lightning that he would have used would have been baraq.  This may be true, as baraq is used for lightning.  However, trying to connect baraq to Barack is something no one who knows Hebrew would ever do.   The authors mistake is made when he uses the pronunciation guide in the Strong's concordance which shows the pronunciation of baraq (and it's related terms) as baw-rak or baw-rawk: (I'm going to use the Strong's definitions for this article because the author of the video does, but Strong's is very limited and not meant for in-depth language research.)

This is further complicated in that several English Bible translations use Barak as a transliterations of the personal name.  The correct transliteration should be Baraq.  This is important because Semitic languages typically use 3-letter consonantal roots for the core meaning of their words.  The three letter root for lightning is BRQ, not BRK.  The root BRK is the root for words associated with "to bless":

Item 3:  Isaiah 14, Lucifer, and Satan

The author of the video quickly jumps from Jesus' statement in Luke to the passage in Isaiah 14.  It should be pointed out that although later Christian interpretation of this prophecy was taken allegorically to refer to the "fall" of Satan, the Bible no where makes that interpretation.  The actual passage in Isaiah is using metaphorical language in refering to the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4) who is judged for his pride and wickedness.   Nowhere in the text is anything other than a man implied.  In the abode of the dead, Sheol, those he conquered eventually look at him and say, "is this the man ['ish] who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms?"  There is no reason to think that Jesus would have made a connection between this passage and Satan.

When it comes to the Isaiah passage, it is also interesting that the author of the video doesn't use the passage refering to the "Shining One's" fall from the "heavens" (shamayim), but he uses the passage about ascent to the heights (bamah).  That's because shamayim doesn't help him in is argument.

Item 4:  Heavens, height, and bama 

In the Luke passage, Jesus says that he saw "Satan fall like lightning from heaven".  Using the same assumptions as the author of the video that Jesus was speaking Aramaic or Hebrew, the corresponding word to the Greek word "heaven", ouranos, would be shamayim, "heavens", not bamah as the video suggests.  Bamah means "height" or "high place," not heaven or sky.  

  Note also that the root for "height" is BMH.  It requires a "h" at the end.  Again, the pronunciation guide is not a help in this instance.  For Barack Obama's name to correspond it would have to be "Obamah".   Additionally, the author of video--because he obviously doesn't know Hebrew and is relying on a layman's guide that doesn't address changing forms--is also unaware of the fact that bamah in Isaiah 14:14 is actually plural.  It is bamoth, not bamah (actually in this passage specifically it is the constuct bamatay, but let's not split hairs).  So, scratch "Obamah", the President's last name would have to be Obamoth.

Item 5: Waw, "and", and "from"

The author of video states that the Hebrew letter waw (vav) is often pronounced "u-" or "o-", and also serves as a conjunction.  While it is true that waw in the midst of a word can serve as a vowel pronounced as "-o-", it is NEVER pronounced as "o-" at the beginning of a word as a conjunction.  Not only this, but when waw precedes the Hebrew letter bet ("b"), it is pronounced "u-" and the bet changes its pronunciation to "v".  So you would never have o-bamah, but only u-vamah (which would mean "and a height").   And I don't know where the author gets his "from" meaning in association with waw.  This NEVER happens.  The Hebrew word for "from" most often is min.

Conclusions:  

So here's what we have as we look at the "facts" presented for our decision in the video:

• Baraq ("lightning") is not in any way equivalent to barack ("he blessed"). 
• Bamah ("height") is not the correct Hebrew/Aramaic translation of "heaven", but it should be shamayim/shamaya.
• To correspond with the Isaiah reference using bamah in the way the author suggests, the President's name would have to be Obamah or Obamoth.
• Waw is never  pronounced "o" at the beginning of Hebrew/Aramaic words but is pronounced "u-" before bet, and when bet follows waw it is pronounced "v". So, further, Obama's name would need to be pronounced U-vamah or U-vamoth to correspond to the author's claims.
• Even if we used the author's suggested words, Baraq U-Vamah, would mean "lightning and height", NEVER "lightning from a height."

We could also add this further conclusion:  If Jesus (or a rabbi) were using Hebrew to say "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven," he would most likely say something like "ra'iyty et-hasatan naphal ca'baraq min-hashamayim".  The Aramaic would be similar.  He most definitely WOULD NOT have said, "ra'iyty et-hasatan naphal ca'barakh o-bamah," which at best means something like "I saw Satan fall like a blessing (he blessed?) and a height."  The truth is that it would be utter gibberish.

The troubling thing to me is that anyone who follows this guys line of reasoning has made several false logical jumps with him in his argument whether you know Hebrew or note.   It is simply poor interpretation based on nothing.  And the absolutely revolting thing to me is that many Christians will buy into this guy's stuff just because they are opposed to Obama, and any attempt to correct the "facts" of this video will be ignored.  That's the typical response of those who make willful choices to remain ignorant.

Comments

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Anonymous   |24.15.37.xxx |09-11-2009 11:03 your an idiot... even if as you state, we don't know what language Jesus spoke in these passages.. the prof is that in Aramaic and Hebrew it does translate to it. duh!! do we really need it spelt out to us.. get in to Jesus people, and out of Obama.. he is not the savior.. The end times are always near, so just don't debate who our savior is!! Reply | Quote

dave   |66.55.33.xxx |10-15-2009 11:32 I dont know who the Anti Christ is but it doesnt matter, we could not do anything about it if it is Obama or paris Hilton. If you belive in the Word its going to happen and it all has to play ouut. Reply | Quote

Jimmy Doyle  - Willful Ignorance is Foolishness and Stupidity     |09-11-2009 12:17 Dear Anonymous Did you read the post? I'm assuming that you either didn't read it or you have difficulties with English. The whole point of the post is that in neither Aramaic nor Hebrew does it "translate to it". As far as being "in to [sic] Jesus," I'm not sure your point is. I do believe in Jesus, but I don't see how believing in Jesus is a factor in addressing the video author's misrepresentation of facts. He is simply wrong and clearly does not know the languages of the Bible in which he claims to believe. You also seem to be unaware of these languages because you trust the video's conclusions. As I see it, someone in your situation has the responsibility to find out what the facts are despite your political or theological leanings. Willful ignorance is simply foolishness and stupidity, whether you believe in Jesus or not. Sincerely, Jimmy Doyle Reply | Quote

Mahdi Sajid   |125.164.213.xxx |01-17-2010 06:56 Dear Sir, You left the possessive apostrophe out of 'guy's' in your brilliant etymological spiel, therefore your whole argument falls apart. The whole reason I choose the bizarre, unthinkable prospect of the truth of the eschaton (even though to my head it is ridiculous) is because otherwise I will have to trust scholars. I've seen them mistaken far too many times to do that. Jesus made word play out of people's names; we know this from the Kefa/Peter/Rock example. Does Barack approximate lightening? Does Bamah mean high places? I shouldn't mock your one typo. I apologize, sincerely. The internet is a hostile madhouse. Just when I think some Christian is making some sense, they throw the Bermuda triangle into the mix or something. But scholars, too, are missing something deep. Reply | Quote

Jmcdoog  - Don't be fooled but don't be blind!   |76.6.81.xxx |09-18-2009 21:44 "I saw Satan fall like LIGHTNING from HEAVEN" Luke 10:18 NIV. Sure Barack means blessed and baraq means lightning - but how can you deny the similarities. Also Bamah means height - and while I don't know for a fact - but I'm pretty sure Heaven is pretty high up there. Sure it may seem just like a coincidence, but read Revelations - it's not like the Anti Christ will announce that he is here! He will trick a great number of people, even some claiming to be Christians. It is close enough for me to be very cautious of what comes next. Reply | Quote

Jimmy Doyle  - What blindness?     |09-20-2009 16:16 I can deny the similarities because ברק (brq) is different in meaning than ברך (brk). It really is that simple. They are as different as "hear" and "here", "there" and "their", "too" and "two", or "rain" and "rein". Can you imagine me making any valid or logical arguments based upon such homophones? The only reason this argument works in people's minds is that they don't know Hebrew. As far as heaven, the Hebrew שמים (shamayim) did mean the skies. So (sew) I (eye) guess you're right (rite...since homophones are okay?). Again, the point is that none of the videos claims are valid. His name his not Baraq. The Scripture he uses to get Baraq doesn't say "height", so we have to find another one that does even though it doesn't say anything about lightning. If you can't see the error is his logic...well, I'll say to you as well: Don't be blind. You're only seeing what you want to see, which is a really horrible form of blindess. As for your final argument that the one who is the anti-Christ will keep it a secret, that's a weak argument as well. So now anything who denies or hasn't said they are the anti-Christ automatically is more suspect? Sounds like Salem Witch trial guidelines. Reply | Quote

Eelco   |84.85.108.xxx |09-30-2009 13:39 You write: "it's not like the Anti Christ will announce that he is here!" But then you argue that Barack Obama is too similar to Luke 10:18 to be a coincidence! I find this illogical to say the least. Why has Barack Obama - if he is the antichrist - not simply called himself John Peters or Tony Exalto or whatever? "Jesus warns for me. How should I call myself because according to Revelations I should not give myself away too easily? Got it! Barack Obama! Come on! Reply | Quote

Crusader1  - Obama spent thousand, to not show original birth c   |88.109.238.xxx |09-20-2009 01:10 I am no Hebrew scholar but it does seem very odd, we know it is prophesized that the Antichrist is coming and that the name sounds so similar, there is a big movement in America on trying to get Obama to show his real birth certificate. Question, what is he hiding? Some believe it is because he is not born on American soil witch would disqualify him being president. But could it possibly be that his name on the birth certificate is spelt different? baraq bamah. Would you stab a baby in the head as it is being born at the full term of nine months? would you call that murder? Apparently if the feet don’t come out you are allowed to stab it in the head with a pair of scissors or some sharp instrument. Did you know Obama has pledged his full support and is in favour of this partial birth Abortion? What kind of an Evil Monster is he, the Antichrist? Reply | Quote

Jimmy Doyle  - To Crusader1     |09-20-2009 16:23 Crusader1 It does "sound similar", but it's not the same. Since you don't know Hebrew, it is upon you to find out the information you need to understand these things. Don't take the videos word for it or mine. I don't know anything about the birth certificate. But as far as the anti-Christ thing goes, why does that matter? The real issue to me isn't whether Obama is or isn't the anti-Christ. It's using horrible and false "scriptural" arguments to make a serious claim about someone, and people listening to those arguments because of ignorance. Reply | Quote

Anonymous   |64.255.180.xxx |09-25-2009 04:54 And Nostradamus once wrote that a man named "Hister" would give way to a second world war and cause much suffering and death.. excuse my paraphrasing... I am simply trying to points out anyone who connects "Hister" to Hitler is obviously trying to mislead people as well right??? I say maybe not, and the only people being misled are those who support Obama Reply | Quote

Lizz Carlton  - Mrs.   |70.246.56.xxx |09-25-2009 08:11 First of all, thank you to Jimmy Doyle for pointing out how deceptive the reasoning in this video is. Just listening to it before reading any commentary I thought it didn't make sense to have a word from Luke and one from Isaiah placed together to claim that this is what Jesus said, when He didn't. Also, it is very important to realize that words that sound the same may have very different meanings. The difference in spelling (q instead of ck) is even more significant. For exampe in English, we have the words 'root' and 'route' which in many English dialects are pronounced identically. Yet they have very different meanings. The other points above made by Doyle are also exactly right. And the main point he is trying to make is that regardless of who Obama is, we must never stoop to deception in order to try to prove it. We can (and should) disagree on his policies on abortion for example, and he is obviously someone who is trying to destroy America, but we should not stoop to his level by becoming deceptive and manipulative. Reply | Quote

Anonymous   |69.243.249.xxx |10-12-2009 15:29 So lets take it one step further shall we. A guy born Muslim who is now the king of Babylon, who changed his name TO Barack Obama from Barry Soetoro, who just won the nobel peace prize to everyones surprise, has no sons, mocks the bible, and seeks to change the laws and times. Not to mention Wars and Rumors of Wars, famine, pestilence, earthquakes in diverse places, adverse weather, knowledge increased, people travel to and fro, the gospel is taught all over the world. or moving toward the one world government, currency, religion. June 1 2009 the RFID became law in drivers license and has been in passports for awhile. SDR's (the new currency) will be digital and on the database and used with the RFID NO MAN WILL BE ABLE TO BUY OR SELL WITHOUT IT. Have you noticed quite a few places now will only accept credit card payments. No cash or check. Has to be electronic. I do believe the video was just pointing out we have a guy here, who comes from nowhere, never heard of before unless you are a politician or lived in Chicago, comes on the scene all of a sudden, throws out 5 executive orders in his first 6 months of office when the record is two so far, changes everything, people worshiping him, calling him the messiah, changed his name to sound like what Jesus would have said if he were speaking Aramaic or Hebrew, won the noble peace prize for no apparent reason etc etc etc. Seems quite odd to me indeed. I also see you like to come off with condescending remarks about the english language and comprehension but spell shows.....shoes. For real? That very first poragraph "shoes" everyone your true colors. Reply | Quote

Anonymous   |69.243.249.xxx |10-12-2009 15:43 oh ya, I forgot all about the ritual murders of babies. The body cannot live without the soul, so therefore, to create a body, a soul must first be there to provide the energy. The second the soul leaves the body, the body dies. The second the body dies, the soul leaves the body. It can be no other way. You cant create a baby, have it grow for nine months, and then inject a soul into it. Or does the oxygen give it the soul? You know, since its not really alive till it comes out and all. Might want to check all those verses concerning Babylon and what will happen to it. Reply | Quote

Anonymous   |69.243.249.xxx |10-12-2009 15:45 How do rappers name themselves? Reply | Quote

Jimmy Doyle     |10-12-2009 17:21 Dear anonymous Thanks for your correction. I have corrected "shoes" to "shows". Jimmy Reply | Quote

RedRedpath  - Hornets   |74.93.34.xxx |12-21-2009 10:57 Boy, Jimmy, you sure stirred up a hornet's nest with this one. We had a great laugh at your list of salient points, around the office. We all decided that everyone should ignore the "proof" in the video, and just look at the facts. We here, in the USA, are lumbered with a total "personality Man" with little credibility, whereas you, back in ym home country, are lumbered with Gordon Brown. Right now it is a poor situation, politically speaking. I wonder which of them will be first to destroy what our countries stood for. Reply | Quote

A   |86.140.8.xxx |03-11-2010 06:53 seriously my friend, jus because his name is spelt slightly differently (barrack-baraq bama-bamah) that it has no connection what so ever? i think they are a little to similar to be a coincidence. its spelt differently because if it was spelt exactly as it is in aramaic then dont you think it would be a dead give away? the fact that its spelt differently has convinced people like you that there isnt really a connection and thats what they want. his name is 'lighting from heaven' in a weak disguise and you would have to be pretty blind not to see that. Reply | Quote

Mike  - end times straw man   |195.10.41.xxx |03-13-2010 10:40 well maybe its just those damn elite bloodlines playing games with words n scripture - they know we are looking for the man of sin so they offer up lil ol' barry sotero - give him a islamic name thats loosley based on a bible reference to satan , post plenty of pics on the net with a 100 watt bulb behind his head to create a halo - oh and by the way , fund his presidential election campaign to give him the white house - and voila , there your patsy antichrist - a regular lee harvey oswald complete with charisma and crossover appeal for TV land , then when all the worlds gone to hell they can offer up their solution - their messiah , who we will all fall down and worship for saving us from the evil of barry obama , signed seald and delivered - our very own 'real' son of perdition Reply | Quote

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