To What One Clings

 

-Eileen Davis

Gather my sons

Around the fire.

 

Faith will hold you

As you cling to it.

I can only guide

As you see fit.

 

Peril, my sons,

Shall surely try thee.

 

Foes bereave us;

Friends will flee;

Fun deceives the wise

Who pray on bended knee.

 

Trials, my sons,

Shall test thy will.

 

Pry away wrong;

Prove your strength:

Praying and pleading

To hold at length.

 

Experience, my sons,

Shall be for thy good.

Based on Doctrine and Covenants section 122 when God explains to Joseph Smith this experience is for his good.

My Thoughts on 2020 Latter-day Saint General Conference

I crocheted part of this during April Conference

For the last two days, I have watched around eight hours of my religion’s semiannual broadcast of church leaders. Being a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have listened to hundreds of hours of religious talks. At age ten, I started crocheting during conferences on the first weekends of April and October. I still crochet to keep my hands busy. I occasionally write notes.

Weekly church meetings changed in mid-March to home worship. In June, our congregation met in small groups every third Sunday. I had been wearing street clothes for home worship for so long, I hesitated to wear a dress. I used to love wearing dresses, but I dislike them now chasing after children. So, the first Sunday back at regular church, I wore a nice shirt and pants. The next time we met, I reluctantly wore a dress.

This weekend I wore pajamas and street clothes watching General Conference, but it still tested my resolve because my typical home worship only lasts 15–30 minutes on Sundays.

While watching, I noted how many of the apostles have aged. Apostle David A. Bednar had brown hair when he became an apostle sixteen years ago (right before my mission). Now he has gray hair. Several of the apostles from my youth look very different today. For example, Matthew Holland, son of Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland, appeared much like the younger version of his father from the 90s. Wow! I am old and they are old too. Mostly, wiser.

Saturday Morning Session

President Russell M. Nelson opened General Conference sharing what blessings we have had through the pandemic despite the challenges. Families feel closer as they worship together. Missionaries are teaching more lessons, many online. Latter-day Saints have participated in many pandemic-related service projects, such as making masks. President Nelson stated that Heavenly Father is aware of us during this time. Many of my Priesthood blessings of late have that same phrase in them.

Elder David A. Bednar related his scripture study of the idea of tests. The word test is nowhere in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants (LDS scripture), but the words prove, try, and examine dot the pages. This life is our test to prove ourselves. Jesus grew incrementally in wisdom and spirituality. We can take his example of growing line upon line and grace to grace.

This talk reminds me of my college assignment to study Doctrine and Covenants 121:7 where Joseph Smith cries to God to release him from Liberty Jail. It states:

“… if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.”

I researched the etymology of experience and good for my assignment. I discovered experience is related to try. Thus when we are tried, we gain experience. The root for good may be related to Sanskrit gadhya, which means to seize (booty). So, when we are tried do we seize the good?

Young Women First Counselor Michelle D. Craig discussed how we desire to be seen deeply. Vice versa, we need to see others deeply. Sister Craig shared dhow she felt prompted to stop looking at her phone when she stood in lines. While in one line, she asked an older man about his cat because he had cat food in his cart. The man shared that it was his birthday. Sister Craig wished him a happy birthday. She likened this situation to the Good Samaritan parable. Being on a phone in line is similar to the priest and others passing the injured man.

Apostle Quentin L. Cook noted how the Church is around the 200-year mark, similar to when the Nephites and Lamanites in the Book of Mormon began dividing themselves about 200 years after Jesus visited them in the Americas. We are at a pivotal moment today to stay unified in purpose. Diversity strengthens our unity. Our different cultures, races, ethnicities, etc. contribute to each other’s knowledge. He noted some of the poor past actions within the Church toward Blacks and other minorities.

Back to School

Last year I studied for the GRE and applied to two linguistics masters programs. I was disappointed when I wasn't accepted by either of the universities. Having a toddler still at home this year, the timing for graduate school would have been poor anyway.

To better my chances of being accepted, I need a higher GRE essay score and better focused letter of intent. I know having some prerequisites of two foreign languages would help my chances too.

I started Chinese 1010 and Intro to Computer Science at a local university in August to work toward some of those goals. However, I was so ill the first week, stuck in traffic for an hour four nights a week, and never saw my husband and boys. The next Monday, my head spun as I drove to class. I turned around on the next freeway exit: It was time to quit.

There had to be another solution.

My sister and others had talked about BYU Pathways and BYU-Idaho online. In mid-September, I looked into it. It was HALF the cost of the local university. Fewer classes are available, but I could still take some of the classes I needed.

Now I am in my third week of BYU-Idaho online courses. I am ready to pull my hair out some moments juggling four boys, chores, and homework, but I really want to reach my goal of a linguistics professor. I am taking Spanish 302, Introduction to TESOL, and Introduction to Programming. These classes progress toward a TESOL certificate and computer programming certificate.

This will help me create a language exchange online program for children and adults. This program would include little games for native speakers and nonnative speakers to play together based around a language concept. I would like to use it for a Master's project and thesis. I'd like to compare peer-to-peer second language acquisition versus the regular classroom versus both combined. What is the most effective manner of second language acquisition?

I am debating if I will reapply this year or next year to the local linguistics programs. (Unfortunately, there are no online linguistic programs.) It is really about timing with my children.

All just one step at a time.

Applying for Grad School

I have wanted to apply to graduate school for the past five years, but it has been all about timing and money. It is still about timing and money. I am not sure we still have quote enough "money" because we need to get out of debt to expand our house. The timing with the age of our children still isn't ideal, but I started the process this year anyway.

This is a bit daunting for me because I have not had a college class for eleven years now. I feel old to be applying to graduate school, but I know there are many "older" students. I am only in my mid 30s. It's strange because I have been a homemaker for twelve years and only done a little freelance writing. Graduate school is a large step outside my comfort zone.

I really felt old studying for the GRE because I have not done geometry for 20 years. I fulfilled my college math credit with high school dual enrollment credit, so I have not had math since high school. I practiced my times tables and worked through questions on one and half books with my toddler's "help."

Last week I took the GRE. My brain almost exploded halfway through four and half hours of testing. To think that I paid $205 for this voluntary torture! It is a means to an end...

So I have debated what to apply for graduate school. I thought I may want to go to law school or get my master's in linguistics or creative writing. I realized that linguistics is the niche I want, but I am still a creative writer. I love to study language and to craft language into stories.

My biggest stumbling block in this process has been writing my statement of intent because I don't know what I want to focus on studying in linguistics. With bipolar, I want to study the next shiny object. I am writing this post to gather some of my thoughts.

I want a broad understanding of linguistics that I didn't quite get from my undergraduate degree. I have gaps in first and second language acquisition, historical linguistics, and comparative linguistics. I am interested in phonetics and word etymologies.

My career goal is to be able to teach writing, English linguistics, or general linguistics at a post-secondary institution. On the side, I plan to write my own poetry and novels.

I believe each word is poem. It's sound adds meaning. Its history adds weight. Its function in a sentence as a noun, verb, or as perhaps both.

And yet language is so imprecise that it cannot capture our thoughts adequately. It is merely a set of symbols.

Now I wax philosophical.

Good night.

Translation of ‘Anoint’ in the King James Bible: Polysemy in Metaphor

Almost a decade ago, I wrote a research paper on the translation of 'anoint' for my Early Modern English class at BYU. I have adapted this paper to better fit a blog entry and I've grown as a writer in that decade. Enjoy!

"Bible Text" by Petr Kratochvil

A Portrait

Royalty commissioned a portrait of themselves upon their anointing to the crown. One Hebrew sense of ‘anoint’ signifies ‘to paint’ and another sense from Hebrew is ‘to consecrate.’

My purpose is to follow this ancient tradition in painting a portrait of the Anointed King of Righteousness through the various senses of ‘anoint’ from the languages the King James translators referred to: Greek, Hebrew, and English.

My sources include the Bible, Bible Dictionary, Oxford English Dictionary, Authorized Version foreword, and other relevant texts. Word Cruncher assisted me in discovering the various senses and translations of ‘anoint’ employed in the Bible.

History of the Translation of English Bibles

The first English biblical translations began under the Anglo-Saxon King Alfred during the Old English period. These translations probably read similar to Beowulf, since King Alfred facilitated many translations into the West Saxon dialect. Others made short translations mostly from Psalms, including King Alfred, while others made English glosses (side notes) in Latin Bibles (Butterworth 22-23).

Then a period of darkness halted most translation until the 1380s when Wycliffe soon realized that any religious authority lay in the Bible and not the priests. He stated: “it helpeth Christian men to study the Gospel in that tongue in which they know best Christ’s sentence” (Craigie, et. al. 135-138). Wycliffe undertook this feat relying upon the Hebrew and the Greek translations instead of the Latin translations (Craigie, et. al. 135-138).

During Henry the VIII’s reign, more Protestant translations propped themselves on top of the last. Since he vacillated from one opinion to another depending on who annoyed him the most at a particular time, translators remained wary of his mood (Worth 13). He had good reason to fear a vernacular translation “for the zeal of some knew no bounds and sometimes caused unpleasant public disturbances” (Daiches 45).

Although Henry the VIII served like a swaying vessel, overall his reign proved favorable. First, he separated England from papal power. Second, his occasional Protestant leaning tenably encouraged more liberal translation philosophies (Worth 13).

Tyndale labored on his translation under Henry’s constant uncertainty, yet Tyndale continued. He adopted Wycliffe’s philosophy toward vernacular translation:

“I defie the Pope and all his lawes, if God spare my lyfe ere many yeares, I wyl cause a boye that dryveth [the] plough, shall knowe more of the scripture than thou doest” (Daiches 2).

Tyndale had few qualifications according to modern standards to translate from Hebrew to English, yet he accomplished a literary masterpiece using only “primitive Hebrew grammars and dictionaries” (Worth 38).

King Henry’s daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, separately regarded translation quite differently. Queen Mary banned any English biblical translation and any English Bibles being used in Church. Queen Elizabeth had to tread carefully due to Queen Mary of Scots, yet she maintained amiable relations with her nephew King James. Although little translation progress happened under Queen Elizabeth, she instilled political neutrality that enabled James to authorize the next version.

Another precursor included the Rhemes Bible that adhered more to a verbatim translation from Latin. As a result, “Rhemes provoked the production of a better version […] the Authorized or King James appeared” (Sheahan 124).

King James Translation

King James approved the list of translators in 1604, including a wide spectrum of religious representatives (Worth 151-52).

Miles Smith stated the overall attitude of the translators as “greater in other men[']s eyes then in their own […] that sought the truth rather then their own praise” (Butterworth 243).

The translators followed these guidelines: non-verbatim translation enabling a smoother and clearer text; marginal notes explaining alternative translations; and modest cross references enabling wider and holistic comprehension. The translators relied heavily on the Tyndale Bible. Scholars estimate that 80 to 90 percent of the King James Bible originates from the Tyndale Bible (Worth 157).

Translations of Anoint

Most of the original Greek and Hebrew words specifically mean ‘anoint', but not all. These other words share senses with words having the ‘anoint’ sense; therefore, they are included.

The Anointed One

Three words—bēn, māshîach, and Christós—all signify the Anointed One. Bēn is an extension meaning a son who is an anointed one. The Jews call the role Māshîach; the Greeks call the role Christós.

The Modern English equivalents are Messiah and Christ. Before Catholicism introduced Latin Christus from Greek khristos, the Old English term was Hæland "healer, savior" ("Christ" Online Etymological Dictionary).

Completion & Wholeness

Across Hebrew and Greek, several lexemes—téleios, teleióō, ml’, mālā’, millu’, and millû’îm—signify senses such as completion or wholeness. These lexemes represent the growth toward perfection.

We learn line upon line, grace to grace. Grace reveals light and truth in each step (See 2 Ne 28:30). Furthermore, téleois implies phases in maturation, such as developing into full age physically, intellectually, and spiritually.

Similarly, the scriptures recount as Jesus grew from grace to grace, line upon line. He completed each step by obeying eternal truths. When he had completed every jot and tittle, he cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

In the Book of Mormon, Nephi changed from a boy to a man when he listened then obeyed the Holy Ghost’s voice. He listened to the prompting to kill Laban then obeyed (ml’; see 1 Ne 2:16; 4:18, 31).

Oil

The Hebrew root zayith and Greek roots elaía, élaion and aleíphō include oil and its extensions: the olive fruit, branch, and tree.

Jesus Christ or his Church is often compared to a tree (see Romans 11 and Jacob 5). The olive tree is especially fitting since it is a common tree in Israel. It provides the staple of olive oil.

Christ’s Atonement represents the roots of the gospel. Without the Atonement, the plan of happiness would be null. The roots support the tree or the Church.

The branches include the groups of saints spread around the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the literal term branch to describe a small group of members. Like a wooden pole holding up a tent, a stake is a larger group of wards and branches.

Then “ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Christ’s Atonement yields the delicious fruit when the saints repent. Therefore, we may know Christ through our “fruit meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8).

The oil is always being acted upon, even in the causative verb phrases: to rub oil, to smear oil, to make oil, to press oil, and to consecrate oil. The King James team translated these verbs from the Hebrew words mėshach, shemen and tshr. Likewise, the sins and sufferings of mankind pressed the blood from Christ’s flesh thus consecrating his suffering on Mount Olivet, or in the Garden of Gethsemane ("Gethsemane" Online Etymological Dictionary).

To Sanctify

Another causative phrase is to sanctify, or the Hebrew causative phrase is qdhsh. The oil that anoints also sanctifies, heals, and cleans. 

Heavenly Father anointed Christ for the purpose of saving us from our sins. Through this event, the Holy Ghost can cleanse and sanctify us if we repent. 

One causative phrase comes from dshn signifies to take or remove ashes. Formerly, people made lye soap from ashes. As a result, to take or remove the ashes, or lye soap, applies the Atonement then wipes the sins away.

Light

Several Hebrew roots—zayith, yitshār, tshr, and shmn—have senses indicating terms of light, such as, to glisten, to shine, illuminating oil. Each of these senses is about making or spreading oil. 

These senses create an analogy of making our own light shine for others to see (See Matthew 5:16). Anointing is the second step in cleansing; therefore, we must be made clean before we can shine--like buffing silver. Thus we can shine too.

Outspread Wings

One Hebrew root—mimshāch—has the sense of outspread wings and expansion. In Luke 13:34, Jesus compares himself: "how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings..." (emphasis added). He has healing in his wings (3 Ne 25:2). His wing expansion covers all pains, sins, sicknesses, and afflictions (Alma 7:11). Additionally, Christ expands our “thoughts as upon eagle’s wings” (D&C 124: 99).

Moses lifted up a serpent entwined staff that if the children of Israel merely looked at, it would heal them from the fiery, flying serpents' venom (Numbers 21:8). The flying aspect evokes the image of wings.

In the Book of Mormon, Nephi, grandson of Helaman, likened Moses' action: "Yea, did [Moses] not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come" (Helaman 8:14). Thus, this is a symbol of healing in Jesus' wings.

The fiery, flying serpent may be linked to the Mesoamerican Feathered Serpent, Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl (and many namesakes) have similarities to Jesus Christ, but may have been twisted over time. Diane E. Wirth explains this complex matter in her article "Quetzalcoatl, the Maya Maize God, and Jesus Christ."

In An Instinct for Dragons, anthropologist David E. Jones links the Feathered Serpent with dragon symbols from many world cultures, including the Chinese dragon. After teaching English in China, I believe that the dragon may be a symbol of Jesus Christ in Chinese culture and other cultures.

After all, Jesus Christ talked of "other sheep" in his fold to the Jews (John 10:16). When Jesus Christ visited the Americas, he stated that they are his "other sheep" and that their are more "sheep" on earth (3 Ne 15:17). The symbol of the dragon's wings spans the world's cultures where "other sheep" dwell.

Destruction

The King James translators translated the Hebrew words—bll, chrm, cherem—into curse, doom, destroy, exterminate, confound, forfeit, and defile.

These senses connote the terrible side of the double-edged sword that Jesus yields. It protects the obedient on the right side and destroys the wicked on the left side. Most of these senses seek transitive action against evil. However, the Lord must sanction the curse or destruction.

For example, the Lord flooded the earth in order to destroy the wicked because “all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth” (Moses 8:29).

The Lord commanded Saul to destroy the Philistines and all their livestock. Saul and his army failed to destroy all the cattle; thus, Saul lost his position as the anointed king of Israel (1 Sam. 15).

Some carried destruction too far: Jephthah had promised to God an offering of the first animate object he saw upon returning from his victory. He rashly sacrificed his daughter. (see Judges 11 and “Jephthah” Bible Dictionary).

Consecrate

In biblical times, the Jews anointed their kings upon coronation. The King James translators painted these kings’ portraits through their word choice. Such words include consecrate, crown, appoint, dedicate, confirm, and accept. The Greek root enkainízó translated into consecrate and dedicate. The Hebrew roots are chnkh, chrm, dshn, ml’, nzr, and qdhsh.

First, the prophet appointed a candidate to be king; second, the prophet confirmed the crown upon his head in the act of consecration and dedication; finally, the Lord accepted the prophet’s choice.

Hence forward, the Lord has consecrated the king to righteously serve the people. These earthly kings account for their actions to the King of Righteousness. Once Jesus reigned as the Prince of Peace, then Heavenly Father consecrated Jesus as the King of all Righteousness. He serves his people through the ultimate sacrifice, or atonement.

In return, we consecrate our lives through glorifying God. Christians across the world consecrate their lives when they partake of the Lord's Supper (communion, sacrament; see ml').

Similarly, saints gather inside the temple and consecrate our whole selves to God. The temples and chapels are referred to anciently as qdhsh that is translated as a sacred place or thing. In these sacred places, we separate from the world, forfeit our sins, devote our lives to God, promise to fulfill our covenants, and accept the terms (See nzr, chrm, ml’, and dshn). Our end goal is to be like God—perfect (See téleios).

Semantically, the instruments of ‘anoint’ include ointment, oil, myrrh, confection, perfumed oil, and paint. The roots of these instruments are mėshach, mishchāh, rōqach, shmn, tshr, mýron, and élaion. These instruments serve for healing or cleansing wounds, providing or making pleasure, and anointing or consecrating an object or person.

Jesus received oil, myrrh, and perfumed oil as gifts. Mary rubbed Jesus’ feet with oil; the wise men gave Jesus myrrh; Mary Magdalene and others anointed Christ’s lifeless body with perfumed oil. Through these instrumental gifts, Mary, the wise men, and Mary Magdalene consecrated their time and possessions to the Savior.

To Be Fat

An interesting translation, to be fat, seems strange in our obsessive culture about weight. However, ancient persons desired fat to enable their survival. To be fat represented wealth and health.

Symbolically, Jesus instructed us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Our spirits need to become fat from Jesus’ teachings and atonement. Christ is called the Bread of Life. Like manna from heaven, we ingest the bread in order to make it part of our body; likewise, we symbolically eat from the Bread of Life in order to become like him.

Fishers of Men

Christ called his Apostles to be fishers of men. Figuratively, they fished with a net to gather people to Christ. Cherem means a literal and figurative net. Today, Christians and their missionaries cast out nets to bring people to Christ.

The KJV Translators Consecration

The King James translators truly consecrated their time and talents to create such a masterpiece like the King James Bible. The Bishop of Bancroft appointed them to the positions and committees. King James approved and accepted the large undertaking. The translation committees reached for perfection as a whole. The fruit of this effort is still ripe to this day. Further translations have never completely replaced the King James Bible. It is still a powerful influence across the world.

The translation of ‘anoint’ illustrates the inspiration the translators received. They chose poignant words to portray ‘anoint,’ effectively painting the Anointed One. The metaphors multiply: they apply to each individual seeking to devote him or herself to God. By studying the King James Bible we can come closer to God. It contains much of the everlasting gospel.

WORKS CITED

Butterworth, Charles C. The literary lineage of the King James Bible, 1340-1611  (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1941).

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the. The Scriptures: Authorized Version Including the Official Study Aids. CD-ROM. 1.1 ed. Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 2005.

Craigie, W. A. “The English versions (to Wyclif).” The Bible in its Ancient and English Versions. Ed. H. Wheeler Robinson. Oxford: Clarendon, 1940. 135-138.

Daiches, David. The King James Version of the English Bible. (Chicago: the University of Chicago Press, 1941).

Sheahan, J. F. The English in English Bibles: Rhemes 1582; Authorized 1611; Revised 1881; St. Matthew 1-14. (Poughkeepsie, NY: Columbus Institute).
Full text of original

Worth, Roland H. Church, Monarch, and Bible in Sixteenth Century England: the Political Context of Biblical Translation. (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2000).

Appendices

Hebrew Dictionary of ‘Anoint’

An adaptation from the Transliterated Hebrew Strong Dictionary in LDS Scriptures

Lexeme: bēn
Senses: a son, figurative extension to grandson, nation
Translation: [Lev-]ite, [anoint-]ed one, appointed to, son, +firstborn, worthy, +afflicted, +lamb, (+) man, +spark
Reference: Zechariah 4:14

Lexeme: bll
Senses: to overflow (specifically with oil); implies to mix
Translation: anoint, confound, X fade, mingle, mix (self), temper
Reference: Psalms 92:10

Lexeme: chnk’
Senses: properly to narrow; figuratively to initiate or discipline
Translation: dedicate, train up

Lexeme: chănukkā’
Senses: consecration
Translation: dedication
Reference: Deuteronomy 20:5

Lexeme: chănukkāh
Senses: initiation, consecration
Translation: dedicating (-tion)
Reference: Deuteronomy 20:5

Lexeme: chrm
Senses: to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction)
Translation: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit
Reference: Micah 4:13

Lexeme: chērem, cherem
Senses: physically (as shutting in) a net; usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination
Translation: curse, dedicated thing, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing), net
References: Ezekiel 24:29; (Zechariah 14:11)  

Lexeme: dshn
Senses: to be fat, transitive to fatten; specifically to anoint; figuratively to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)
Translation: accept, anoint, take away the (receive) ashes (from), make (wax) fat
Reference: Psalms 23:5

Lexeme: mshch
Senses: to rub with oil, to anoint; by implication to consecrate; also to paint
Translation: anoint, paint
Reference: Jeremiah 22:14 (paint)

Lexeme: māshîach
Senses: anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically the Messiah
Translation: anointed, Messiah
Reference: Leviticus 4:3; Samuel 24:6

Lexeme: mėshach (Chaldean)
Senses: oil
Translation: oil
Reference: Ezra 6:9

Lexeme: mimshāch
Senses: outspread (i.e. with outstretched wings); from mshch in the sense of expansion
Translation: anointed
Reference: Ezekiel 28:14

Lexeme: mishchāh or moshchāh
Senses: unction (the act); by implication a consecratory gift
Translation: (to be) anointed (-ing), ointment
Reference: Exodus 30:25

Lexeme: ml’ or mālā’
Senses: to fill or (intransitively) be full of literally and figuratively
KJV accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, fill, fulfill, [over-] flow, full, fullness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set
References: Leviticus 21:10; (Esther 7:5)

Lexeme: millu’ or millû’îm
Senses: a fulfilling, or consecration (also concretely a dedicatory sacrifice)
Translation: consecration, be set
Reference: Exodus 29:22

Lexeme: nzr
Senses: to hold aloof, abstain; to set apart (to sacred purposes), devote
Translation: consecrate, separate (-ing, self)

Lexeme: nezer or nēzer
Senses: properly something set apart, abstractly dedication (of a priest of Nazirite); concretely unshorn locks; also by implication a chaplet, especially of royalty
Translation: consecration, crown, hair, separation
Reference: Numbers 6:7

Lexeme: qdhsh
Senses: to be, causatively make, pronounce or observe as; clean ceremonially or morally
Translation: appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify
Reference: Exodus 28:3

Lexeme: qōdhesh
Senses: a sacred place or thing; rarely abstractly sanctity
Translation: consecrated, dedicated, or hallowed thing, holiness, holy, saint, sanctuary
References: Psalms 89:20; Joshua 6:19

Lexeme: rōqach
Sense: an aromatic
Translation: confection, ointment
Reference: Exodus 30:25

Lexeme: shmn
Senses: to shine, by analogy be (causatively make) oily or gross
Translation: become (make, wax) fat
Reference: Deuteronomy 8:8

Lexeme: shemen
Senses: grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively richness
Translation: anointing, X fat (things), X fruitful, oil ([-ed]), ointment, olive
Reference: Leviticus 10:7

Lexeme: svkh
Senses: properly to smear over (with oil), anoint
Translation: anoint (self)
References: Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3

Lexeme: tshr
Senses: to glisten; to press out oil
Translation: make oil
Reference: Job 24:11

Lexeme: yitshār
Senses: oil (as producing light); figuratively anointing
Translation: + anointed, oil
References: Zechariah 4:14; Numbers 18:12 (oil)

Lexeme: zayith
Senses: an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry
Translation: olive (tree, yard), Olivet
Reference: Deuteronomy 8:8

Greek Dictionary of ‘Anoint’

An adaptation from the Transliterated Greek Strong Dictionary from LDS Scriptures

Lexeme: aleíphō
Senses: to oil (with perfume)
Translation: anoint
Reference: Matthew 6:17

Lexeme: chríō
Senses: to smear or rub with oil, implies to consecrate to an office or religious service
Translation: anoint
Reference: Luke 4:18

Lexeme: chrísma
Senses: an unguent or smearing, figuratively the endowment of the Holy Spirit; “chrism”
Translation: anointing, unction
Reference: 1 John 2:20

Lexeme: Christós
Senses: anointed, an epithet of Jesus
Translation: Christ

Lexeme: epichríó
Sense: to smear over
Translation: anoint
Reference: John 9:6

Lexeme: elaía
Sense: an olive (the tree or the fruit)
Translation: olive (berry, tree)
Reference: (Luke 7:46)

Lexeme: élaion
Sense: olive oil
Translation: oil
Reference: Matthew 25:3

Lexeme: enkaínia
Senses: innovatives, specifically renewal of religious services after the Antiochian interruption
Translation: dedication
Reference: (Hebrews 10:20)


Lexeme: enkainízó
Senses: to renew, inaugurate
Translation: consecrate, dedicate
Reference: Hebrews 10:20

Lexeme: mýron
Senses: “myrrh,” perfumed oil
Translation: ointment
Reference: Matthew 26:7

Lexeme: myrízó
Senses: to apply (perfumed) unguent to
Translation: anoint
Reference: Mark 14:8

Lexeme: téleios
Senses: complete; completeness
Translation: of full age, man, perfect
Note: complete, finished, fully developed
Reference: (Hebrews 7:8)

Lexeme: teleióō
Senses: to complete, accomplish, or figuratively consummate in character
Translation: consecrate, finish, fulfill, (make) perfect
Reference: Hebrews 7:28

The "I'm Right; You're Stupid" Argument

"Talking Heads 1" by Fran Hogan

As humans, we debate over many issues, which way is right or wrong or more useful. We call these arguments. The word argue is based on the reconstructed Proto-IndoEuropean root *arg- "to shine, be white, be clear" (also related to Latin argentum for silver). Arguments should shine light on an issue and make it clear. Expressing opinions in a respectful manner leads to issues becoming clearer. Usually we can combine approaches to reach a solution.

However, some "opinions"  are truth, belief, or scientific fact. You can argue all you want with gravity, but stepping off a cliff will still lead to a certain injury or death.

Argumentum Ad Hominem or the Personal Attack

Resorting to personal attacks is a common tactic in our society. These attacks vary and can be outright, subtle, or sarcastic. No matter how the attack is presented it is still a logical fallacy. It hurts others, and it only makes it more difficult to come to a real solution. We may question someone's actions, motivations, and credibility if it is relevant to the argument. 

Passive-Aggressive Put-downs

Passive-aggressive arguments often appear witty or educated, but they are still personal attacks! They may not say directly that you are stupid, unhinged, too emotional, but they imply it. These manipulations are more insidious than direct attacks. It is designed to make someone feel stupid or worthless without implicating the aggressor. Passive-aggressive manipulation is a form of dishonesty because the aggressor hides behind a facade of civility.

Direct Put-downs

I don't condone outright name-calling, but I prefer it over passive forms of put downs. It is more honest. And hey--it is more exciting! Kidding. I'm tired of politicians, activists, fanatics, and news pundits on any side calling each other names. Stick to the issues or talk about something else. Sometimes two sides won't ever agree, so there is no point for the debate.

Truth Matters

The truth matters whether it be spiritual, physical, scientific, and so on. We cannot deny truth when discussing issues because this will not lead to a solution. In this case, errors--whether intentional or accidental--should be called out in a respectful manner. This is not a personal attack, but seeking the truth. After all, the purpose of an argument is to shine light and make things clear. When an opponent is dishonest in any form, their credibility should be questioned.

Absolute Rights, Wrongs, and Neutrals

Many things are absolute rights or wrongs, no matter what people call it. Good cannot be called evil, nor evil called good. Most arguments are over neutral or trivial subjects. A trivial, neutral subject would be whether soccer or football is better. It doesn't matter in the eternal scheme of things. There are also situations where there are multiple ways to approach a solution. How we solve the problem of poverty has several approaches from the public and private sectors, many which are viable. The key is to maintain civility, respect agency, and dignify the poor in such discussions.

The Spirit of the Argument

When the spirit of contention enters an argument, the truth is lost amid the fight for dominance (see 3 Ne. 11:29). This is true even if someone may be technically right, but contentious. Arguments only achieve solutions when there is respect and truth-seeking on both sides. If one or both sides have the spirit of contention, then the argument achieves only hurt feelings. When someone testifies of truth in the spirit of meekness, others who are receptive will understand the truth too, even when the other person is contentious. After stating the truth, it is time to walk away.

Common Ad Hominem Attacks

We come across several different types of personal attacks when discussing issues: "I'm right, you're stupid;" "I'm right, you're crazy;" and "I'm right, shut up." These attacks, whether direct or indirect, hurt people and can become abuse as gaslighting.

I'm Right; You're Stupid

Is there any reason to insult someone's intelligence? Everyone has innate intelligence, with or without formal education. Everyone has a brain to think things through. All we need are the facts. Someone may have less formal education, but that doesn't mean they haven't spent the time studying or have experience in that area. Sometimes you don't have to study something in-depth to have an informed opinion. Sometimes, we instinctively know whether something is right, wrong, or neutral.

I'm Right; You're Crazy

First off, "crazy" is a relative term. Calling someone crazy is an abusive technique and throws logic out the window. This attack is often used on anyone an opponent disagrees with, whether that person has mental illness or not. Mental illness--like anxiety or depression--does not affect a person's reasoning capability. In the case of paranoia or hallucinations, this only interferes with reasoning for a time. Unfortunately, we discount the mentally ill too often, thus making them frequent targets of abuse.

Attacking Beliefs as Deceived or Delusional

Some claim moral or religious people are delusional or deceived because of their beliefs. Everyone has a belief system or religion, whether it be secularism, Judaism, humanism, Islam, atheism, Christianity, Buddhism, and so on. Some religious beliefs are truths that are spiritual and not quantifiable. It is a matter of faith. Other beliefs can be proven, but people will still choose not to listen. Some say they can speak with God, but they are sometimes ridiculed as delusional. That would make the majority of the world delusional. Praying is not delusional: it is an act of faith.

If we chose to ignore our moral beliefs, we would have complete anarchy. We don't have to agree on all beliefs to have a meaningful discussion. We need to respect each other.

I'm Right; Shut Up!

If this isn't an obvious affront to logical argument, I don't know what is. This defeats the purpose of seeking a solution. There are several ways to shut up an opponent: tell them to shut up, ignoring them, walk away, discredit them unfairly, jail them, sue them, hurt them. Several tactics are "legal": to sue someone into silence, threaten them with allegations, invade their privacy and so on.

There are times when you have to walk away from an argument in the case of personal attacks, lies, and contention. There is nothing to be accomplished at this point. Simply state the truth and go. 

Agree or Disagree Agreeably

There is no winner or loser in an argument. Anyone going for the symbolic victory only causes contention. Both sides "win" when they show respect to one another (including apologies). If there's no consensus afterward, simply disagree agreeably. There can be other discussions, or a truce. Really, everyone wants to be heard and understood. We want to feel validated, whether we are right or wrong.

The goals of an argument are to shine light on truth, make a clear path for solutions, and to show respect.

How have you dealt with these type of attacks? How do you disagree agreeably? 

Language Change and Political Correctness

In my first linguistics college course, the professor discussed how some words take on negative meaning over time. (This is called pejoration.) Some terms for ethnicity and special needs have changed to different terms every few decades. My professor said these terms change so often because a culture hasn't changed their negative thinking toward an ethnicity, race, or someone developmentally delayed.

I've come across this when I have not used the politically correct term, and all the sudden I was under attack. I never meant harm, but I was "wrong" because I wasn't being politically correct.

Really, it's the speaker's intention that matters more than using the politically correct term. (Some terms will almost always be wrong.)

So we shouldn't jump on anyone's case if they use the wrong term innocently. Only if they mean harm. We need to work on creating positive associations for those with special needs, races and other cultures, not change the terms every few decades!

Companions

The word companion derives from two Latin words com + panis  or English with + bread.  English adopted this word from classical French compagnon which literally means bread fellow, messmate (see www.etymonline.com under companion).

I know Spanish at an intermediate level so I knew that the word must mean who you eat bread with. This had a powerful meaning on my mission because I had my mission companion with me at all times. I wrote this poem while I was in the Missionary Training Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This has spiritual meaning for me as illustrated in this poem:

Multitudes beg:

Break the bread.

Baskets are passed

Until 5,000 are fed.

Apostles sat down.

Christ blessed the bread

Tearing every morsel

Until Twelve were fed.

The Savior knelt down

Crushed to red.

The Savior was nailed up,

Scorned and shred.

The priests kneel down

To bless the bread.

The Holy Ghost fills

Until all are fed.

Missionaries kneel down

To bless their bread.

They sit to sup

Until both are fed.

The family sits down

Breaks the bread

Blessing every morsel

Until all are fed.

This is the Spanish translation at my intermediate level. It has definite faults. Those Spanish speakers may cringe. You may suggest grammatical changes.

Compañeros

Multitudes pidieron:

Rompa el pan.

Se pasaba las cestas

Hasta 5,000 estaban satisfechas.

Apostoles sentaron.

Cristo bendijo el pan,

Rompiendo cada pedazo

Hasta el Doce está satisfecho.

El Salvador se arrodilló

Molido en rojo.

El Salvador fue clavado,

Despreciado y roto.

Los presbiteros se arrodillan

Para bendecir el pan.

El Espíritu Santo llena

Hasta todos están satisfechos.

Misioneros se arrodillan

Para bendecir el pan.

Ellos sentan para cenar

Hasta ambos están satisfechos.

La familia senta

Rompe el pan

Bendeciendo cada pedazo

Hasta toda está satisfecha.

Word History of Bear

The Latin word for bear is ursus. You can recognize that root in the name of the star constellation Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. The Sanskrit word is rkshas. (The Germanic languages, and Latin-based languages derive from Indo-European. Indo-European is a theoretical reconstruction of the language from languages we do have a written record of. Sanskrit is the closest written language to Indo-European we know.)

But the English word for bear is not related to the Latin or Sanskrit root at all. Fear influenced the shaping of of the word bear. Germanic tribes were afraid of bears. It was taboo to use the animal's actual name. They called the bear beron or brown one (Proto-Germanic).

I learned this during my college course on the history of the English language. That's when I wrote a poem about the word bear.

The Brown One

"Sepia Grizzly Bear" by Lilla Frerichs

A child taunted the younger ones

Yelling, “Ursu! Ursu! Ursu!”

The younger ones scattered abroad

Shrieking aloud, “Curse you! Curse you!”

The brown one lurked in the forest,

Ready to pounce on the slow soon dead.

His eyes traveled from child to child

Then head to head of the most well-fed.