Founder’s Blog
Online Dictionary (Torah Club)
I wanted to give everyone a sneak peek of just one of the many projects in progress behind the scenes at FFOZ. Over the past few months our staff has been developing a new online dictionary for Torah Club subscribers. We hope this will be a comprehensive resource and a valuable tool for the disciples of the Master. Here is a sampling of entries from the Ns:
Nakdimon ben Gurion (āNicodemus son of Gurionā) A disciple of the Master in the Gospels (John 3:1ff, 19:39). He is also a member of the Sanhedrin (John 7:50). Nicodemus is mentioned in the Talmud as among the three wealthiest men of Jerusalem at the beginning of the Jewish revolt.
Nasi (literally āprinceā) In the Torah it refers to the head of a tribe, ex. Nethanel the son of Zuar was the leader of the tribe of Issachar (Numbers 2:5). In the Second Temple period and beyond, it is the term used to describe the head/president of the Sanhedrin.
Nataniel Bar Talmai (āNathaniel son of Talmaiā) This is the full Hebrew name for Bartholomew, one the of the twelve disciples of the Master. He was also known as Nathaniel. All four lists of disciples (Mark 3:16-19, Matthew 10:2-4, Luke 6:12-16, Acts 1:13) report Bartholomew, but none report Nathaniel, whose encounter with Yeshua and calling seem to be of such importance to the Gospel of John (John 1:45-51). Because Bartholomew is clearly a surname, it seems probable that Nathaniel was his first name, thus Nathaniel bar Talmei. Talmei is a Hebraization of the Greek name Ptolemy. The reference to Nathaniel sitting under the fig tree may indicate that he was a man of some wealth since the idiom āeach man sitting under his own vine and fig treeā generally refers to prosperity and well being.
Nephalim (āgiantsā) There is much speculation and legend surrounding this strange group of beings. Their origin is recorded in Genesis 6:1-4 where it seems that they are the offspring of the union between the āsons of heavenā and the ādaughters of menā. They also appear in connection with the āsons of Anakā in Number 13:33. Some believe that the Goliath is one of their decedents.
This is an exciting project that, God willing, we will launch at the beginning of the new Torah Cycle this fall. It is so rewarding for me to see Torah Club continue to grow as a valuable and dynamic study resource.
In addition, I have already viewed some of the material from the all-new Torah Club Volume One, Unrolling the Scroll. It is clear to me that Daniel is producing something wholly unique, unlike any earlier volume of Torah Club. This volume has a strong focus on ethics and the practical living of a righteous lifestyle. Not only will this serve as a safe and balanced introduction for the beginner, but it will challenge those of us who have been in the movement for years. Sign up for this new volume of Torah Club, today. Donāt miss out!
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Visitor Feedback:
Remind us... where do we sign up for the new volume?
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Thank you for asking. The best thing to do at this time is call the office at 1-800-775-4807. The web forms will be up soon and a order form is mailing with the new magazine. Over the next couple of weeks there will be several ways for you to sign up.
You are really going to like all of the new additions to the club.
Connie | August 9, 2007 4:34 PM
About the Nataniel ben Talmai entry:
I was wondering why you argue that "Talmei is a Hebraization of the Greek name Ptolemy", rather than the name being natively Hebrew (cf. Numbers 13:22). Which I believe would predate the Ancient Greek name Ptolemaios.
Also I wonder why you translate the name Nathanael as "Nataniel", rather than the Masoretic equivalent of Nethanel (or Netanel). Since the LXX translation of NÓį¹ÆanŹ¾Äl (× Ö°×ŖÖ·× Ö°×Öµ×) is the same as the NT name Nathanael (ĪĪ±ĪøĪ±Ī½Ī±Ī·Ī»). Therefore, I would think you would transliterate the name as Netanel, rather than "Nataniel". I don't know a lot about Hebrew, but I think "Natani" wouldn't make sense in Hebrew. The possessive (my) or constructive (of) yĆ“įø would make sense if nÄį¹Æan was a noun, but it's a verb. So perhaps something Mattaniel would make sense, but not Nataniel. I may be wrong though.
On another note, is any of the staff available for chatting on an instant messenger program? I respect your rational scholarly approach to the Word of God, and everything else. And I fear that a group I have been interacting with may be a cult, and I would like to discuss their teachings with one of the staff.
**Response**
Bryan, thanks for your note. I will forward it onto the author to consider your points. This material has yet to go through all of our levels of edits prior to our launch of this online resource--I just posted it to let everyone know about one of the new things we are working on.
In regards to your question of an online chat. At this time we do not have anything like that in place. We are considering hosting a open, live, discussion forum with both voice and chat a once a month around the time of Rosh Chodesh.
Until that time you are welcome to send us and e-mail and we will do our best to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Bryan | August 10, 2007 10:52 PM
We are unable to get to the new dictionary, can you inform us how to do that.
Thanks,
Ron Bradford
Mars Hill torah club
**Reply** All of the information for the dictionary is completed and it is now going through some final edits. It will be available online, Lord willing, Oct 15th. You will be able to access this at: http://ffoz.org/torahclub/dictionary.html
ron bradford | September 18, 2007 1:25 PM