Tender Branch

Scripture word analysis of Ezk. 17:22-24 that prophesies about replacing the metaphoric highest branch with a tender twig.

Ezekiel 17:22-24

   22 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender (7390) one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
   23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
   24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

Comment

This prophecy will also have an "again the second time" application as the fullness of the gospel goes from Gentiles [especially Mormons] back to Israel and that remnant that has become numbered with Israel.

Definitions of 'Tender'

The Hebrew word for "tender" used in Ezekiel 17:22 is rak.  It is word 7390 in the OT lexicon.  The following definitions come from Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament.

7390 rak (from the root rakak [7401]) -- (1) tender, spoken of little children; of cattle, young and tender of flesh; (2) infirm, weak, dull eyes (which was considered a defect); (3) delicate; (4) soft, soft words; (5) fearful.

7401 rakak [1] To be tender, soft; figuratively -- (a) to be delicate; -- (b) to be weakened, contrite in mind; used of soft words; [2] to be weakened (broken), of the mind or heart, to become timid; [3] to be softened (a wound with ointment); [4] to break any one's heart.

And in the English dictionary (Web. '71) is found this definition:

tender - (Fr. tendre, from L. tener... The d is inserted as in gender, thunder.) Easily injured; delicate; very sensible to pain, very susceptible of any sensation; not hardy; weak; easily affected by the distresses of another (a tender heart); sympathetic; affectionate; fond; pathetic; careful not to hurt or injure; gentle; unwilling to pain; apt to give pain or to annoy when spoken of (a tender subject). v.t. To hold dear; to esteem.

Letter Meaning of the Hebrew Word RAK

Word 7390, above, that means "tender" is spelled resh, kaph.

The letter resh signifies in part the idea of the harvest, being shaped like a sickle. (Sampson.)  It also signifies "process -- the art of clarification" (Ginsburgh).

The letter kaph signifies in part the idea of a crown, or "power to actualize potential" (Ginsburgh).  It also signifies all that the hand can hold, being shaped something like a cupped hand. (Sampson.)

The distilled definition of the word made of these two letters, might, therefore, be expressed as "garnering the crown," or "clarifying the full potential."

Alphabetics Observations

(If this is your first exposure to "Alphabetics" you might want to glance at an introductory document or read a quick teaser.)

I. 7225

Just prior to word 7390 (above), Gesenius briefly references word 7223

7389 reysh poverty

see 7223 rishon first

7390 rak ...

He gives the following expanded definition for word 7223 in the regular listing for that word.

7223 rishon - first, whether in time, or in order and place, or in dignity; forefathers, former days, former times, former prophets; former things, i.e. things formerly done; also formerly foretold; first, foremost; former, formerly.

That definition is quite similar to the definition for word 7225

7225 reshiyth - head, chief -- (1) beginning; (2) a former state; former times; (3) the first of its kind -- (a) with regard to time, first fruits, e.g. first born; -- (b) with regard to dignity, the first, chief.

For what it is worth (perhaps illustrating a principle of synchrony), 7225 was the house number of the home where I grew up in Boulder, Colorado:  7225 Empire Drive.  Other people involved with this office are also likely to find similar correspondence.

II. Thunder

As second possible hint or correlation, notice mention of "thunder" in English definition etymology explanation for the word "tender."  For what it is worth, the Native American name given me by my Sioux medicine man friend is "Silver Thunder."  Other people involved with this office are also likely to find similar correspondence.

by Sterling D. Allan; Manti, Utah; December 12, 2000

See also

Bibliography

Page last updated on November 04, 2007