אמונה Emunah (pronounced: ee-moo-nah’)
One of the most quoted verses about Abraham is Genesis 15:6 – “Then he (Abraham) believed (emunah) the LORD, and it was reckoned unto him as righteousness.” The meaning of this key Scripture – that our salvation rests upon faith, apart from works – is one of the cornerstones of the Judeo-Christian faith. Indeed, Rabbi Sha’ul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) quoted this Scripture twice (Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6), and James, the brother of Yeshua, refers to it in his epistle as well (James 2:23).
It is important to note, however, that the central word in this passage – “believed” – has a slightly different connotation in Hebrew than it does in English. In English [and also in Greek (pistis)] the primary meaning of “believe” is: “to concur with a factual statement, or to agree with the truth of an idea”.
In Hebrew, the word אמונה (emunah) does mean to believe, but it carries with it a much broader implication. Let’s look at two Scriptures in the Tanakh which use the word “emunah”; Scriptures that illustrate the broader Hebrew meaning of this word. In Exodus 17 we read that Moses was required to lift his hands to assure that Israel prevailed in the battle against the Amalekites. The last sentence of verse 12 reads: “Thus his hands were “steady” until the sun set. The word “steady” in this passage of Scripture is the word “enumah”.
Likewise, the word אמונה is also used to describe one of God’s primary characteristics. In Deuteronomy 7:9 it says: “Therefore know that the LORD your God is God. He is the “faithful” God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…”. Here again, the word translated “faithful” is “emunah”.
In my opinion, one of the greatest aspersions that the “Church” has cast upon the Name and the character of God, is the doctrine of Replacement Theology. This doctrine, so rampant in the “Church” today, claims that since the majority of Jews have rejected Yeshua as the Messiah, therefore God has rejected them. In replacing the Jews, God supposedly has transferred His covenant from Israel to the “Church”. Although this doctrine is accepted and preached by the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek and Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the majority of Protestant denominations, it is totally contrary to the Scriptures in both the Tanakh and the Brit Chadeshah.
For example, God speaks of His covenant with Israel three hundred and thirteen times in the Tanakh, and in sixteen of those instances He reminds Israel that His covenant is an “everlasting covenant”! (My dictionary says “everlasting” means “continuing indefinitely; lasting forever”.) Moreover, the Apostle Paul himself asks the rhetorical question, “Has God cast away His people?” and then answers emphatically, “Certainly not!” (Romans 11:1). Second Timothy 2:13 makes the same point – “Even if we are faithless, He is faithful. He cannot deny Himself.”
Finally, consider this -- If Replacement Theology is correct, then what gives the Christian Church the assurance that God will not “change His mind” once again and cast the “Church” aside as He supposedly did to Israel? Indeed, the doctrine of Replacement Theology is such a smear on the integrity of the God of Israel, that in my mind it is tantamount to blasphemy of His Holy Name.
Of all the characteristics of God (mercy, lovingkindness, compassion, and the others) it is God’s “emunah” that, to me, stands out above the rest. “Emunah”, in the Hebraic sense, is much more than agreement to a set of facts or circumstances; more than simply a mental assent to something. It implies “steadfastness” and “faithfulness” toward the object of our belief. This is how God acts toward us, and how He wants us to act toward Him and toward others. As James points out in James 2:19 -- even Satan believes the truth about Yeshua. But mere believing will not save him. Satan believes, but he does not have emunah toward the LORD.
What God saw in Abraham, and what He is seeking in us, is not simple “belief”. What He is seeking is אמונה. He is looking for a steadfast faithfulness in us. It is a faithfulness that is not dependent upon the circumstances that confront us moment to moment, but rather a faithfulness which is grounded and anchored on the Rock of our Salvation – Yeshua HaMashiach – Jesus the Messiah.
May אמונה be found in all of us – and may God “reckon it unto us as righteousness”.
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One of the most quoted verses about Abraham is Genesis 15:6 – “Then he (Abraham) believed (emunah) the LORD, and it was reckoned unto him as righteousness.” The meaning of this key Scripture – that our salvation rests upon faith, apart from works – is one of the cornerstones of the Judeo-Christian faith. Indeed, Rabbi Sha’ul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) quoted this Scripture twice (Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6), and James, the brother of Yeshua, refers to it in his epistle as well (James 2:23).
It is important to note, however, that the central word in this passage – “believed” – has a slightly different connotation in Hebrew than it does in English. In English [and also in Greek (pistis)] the primary meaning of “believe” is: “to concur with a factual statement, or to agree with the truth of an idea”.
In Hebrew, the word אמונה (emunah) does mean to believe, but it carries with it a much broader implication. Let’s look at two Scriptures in the Tanakh which use the word “emunah”; Scriptures that illustrate the broader Hebrew meaning of this word. In Exodus 17 we read that Moses was required to lift his hands to assure that Israel prevailed in the battle against the Amalekites. The last sentence of verse 12 reads: “Thus his hands were “steady” until the sun set. The word “steady” in this passage of Scripture is the word “enumah”.
Likewise, the word אמונה is also used to describe one of God’s primary characteristics. In Deuteronomy 7:9 it says: “Therefore know that the LORD your God is God. He is the “faithful” God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…”. Here again, the word translated “faithful” is “emunah”.
In my opinion, one of the greatest aspersions that the “Church” has cast upon the Name and the character of God, is the doctrine of Replacement Theology. This doctrine, so rampant in the “Church” today, claims that since the majority of Jews have rejected Yeshua as the Messiah, therefore God has rejected them. In replacing the Jews, God supposedly has transferred His covenant from Israel to the “Church”. Although this doctrine is accepted and preached by the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek and Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the majority of Protestant denominations, it is totally contrary to the Scriptures in both the Tanakh and the Brit Chadeshah.
For example, God speaks of His covenant with Israel three hundred and thirteen times in the Tanakh, and in sixteen of those instances He reminds Israel that His covenant is an “everlasting covenant”! (My dictionary says “everlasting” means “continuing indefinitely; lasting forever”.) Moreover, the Apostle Paul himself asks the rhetorical question, “Has God cast away His people?” and then answers emphatically, “Certainly not!” (Romans 11:1). Second Timothy 2:13 makes the same point – “Even if we are faithless, He is faithful. He cannot deny Himself.”
Finally, consider this -- If Replacement Theology is correct, then what gives the Christian Church the assurance that God will not “change His mind” once again and cast the “Church” aside as He supposedly did to Israel? Indeed, the doctrine of Replacement Theology is such a smear on the integrity of the God of Israel, that in my mind it is tantamount to blasphemy of His Holy Name.
Of all the characteristics of God (mercy, lovingkindness, compassion, and the others) it is God’s “emunah” that, to me, stands out above the rest. “Emunah”, in the Hebraic sense, is much more than agreement to a set of facts or circumstances; more than simply a mental assent to something. It implies “steadfastness” and “faithfulness” toward the object of our belief. This is how God acts toward us, and how He wants us to act toward Him and toward others. As James points out in James 2:19 -- even Satan believes the truth about Yeshua. But mere believing will not save him. Satan believes, but he does not have emunah toward the LORD.
What God saw in Abraham, and what He is seeking in us, is not simple “belief”. What He is seeking is אמונה. He is looking for a steadfast faithfulness in us. It is a faithfulness that is not dependent upon the circumstances that confront us moment to moment, but rather a faithfulness which is grounded and anchored on the Rock of our Salvation – Yeshua HaMashiach – Jesus the Messiah.
May אמונה be found in all of us – and may God “reckon it unto us as righteousness”.
Dr. Bill Duerfeldt
Asheville, North Carolina
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Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your head from the Lord Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC USA