Time – Z’man Part 1

Time.

Our most precious resource

Not renewable on this earth

Limited

Finite

And the very first thing Adonai Elohim made holy – kodesh

This is part 1 of a 3-part series unpacking the word z’man, looking at each letter individually and understanding the deeper meaning of what time means to us on a spiritual level.

This is by no means a complete study of time or each of the letters as there are multi-dimensional layers to this word and concept. What I do hope for, is that it will begin to unlock the importance and seriousness of keeping rhythm with our Heavenly Father’s calendar for our lives and that it will give you, the reader, a deeper desire to study more of His Word so that He can reveal His hidden treasures to you.

The Hebrew spelling for the word time

Z’man [ze’mahn]

From right to left the letters read:

 

A quick lesson in the Hebrew letters:

 

Let’s start with some input into the letter Zayin.

This is the 7^th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (alefbet).

It has a value of 7 and is also the picture of a sword or weapon. It actually looks like a weapon and means weapon with the root of this word meaning nourishment.

Hebrews 4: 12 tells us “See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart.” CJB

So, this letter represents the sword, which is the Word, which is Yeshua. We read about this in 1 John1.

The 7^th commandment is “Do not commit adultery” and this not only applies to our marriages but also to each covenant we make with our Father in Heaven including our faithfulness to Adonai Elohim.

The question is who’s laws do we keep?

Our resounding answer should be Adonai Elohim’s but sadly this is not always true. Many times, we confuse man’s ways with Adonai’s and this is where we need to start paying attention.

Back to our zayin and the links to the number 7 in Scripture and this powerhouse of a letter.

There are the 7 Spirits of Adonai, the 7 Churches in Revelation and the 7 Days of Creation all which link and interconnect to each other and our letter zayin. The depth of this study is mind altering and one that will keep you busy for years and then some.

Hollisa Alewine from The Creation Gospel does a very indepth and worthwhile study on this and more www.creationgospel.com

2 Corinthians 10:4 – 5 “because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God’s power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God…” CJB

We know that our weapons are warfare are not carnal and this is why we need a greater understanding of the Word and how we can wield this as a spiritual weapon.

One of our greatest weapons in the spiritual realm is to REMEMBER.

This word zakar also starts with the letter zayin.

It means to mark it so that is recognisable; to mention it or it will be forgotten.

In Deuteronomy the word remember is used over and over again to remind the Israelites of their journey so that they would remain in the covering of the blessing of Adonai.

Z’man (time) is a fixed appointment.

The appointed times are our weapons in the spiritual realm.

We are told to keep these for all generations - to remember and to keep.

 

The letter zayin divides time.

What is the 7^th day?

Shabbat!

Psalm 119:49 which in itself speaks of the letter zayin – starts with the letter zayin and the first Hebrew word of these verses is remember.

“Remember your promise to your servant,
through which you have given me hope.
In my distress my comfort is this:
that your promise gives me life.
Though the arrogant scorn me completely,
I have not turned away from your Torah.” CJB

The Torah – the Word of Adonai Elohom is our foundation, our comfort and our strength.

Another word that’s starts with the zayin is zamar – which means to praise and to prune. So, in our praising through the Word – we prune away the dead branches in our lives!

Psalm 19: 9 - 11  

“The precepts of Adonai are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The mitzvah of Adonai is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
The fear of Adonai is clean,
enduring forever.
The rulings of Adonai are true,
they are righteous altogether,
more desirable than gold,
than much fine gold,
also sweeter than honey
or drippings from the honeycomb.
Through them your servant is warned;
in obeying them there is great reward.” CJB

This Psalmist clearly tells us that the commandments – the words of our Elohim – are our greatest weapon and our greatest nourishment!

The number 7 is spiritual perfection.

 

The Shabbat

 

Yeshua – the Holy Bridegroom – holds out this ring of Shabbat to us...

 

Jeremiah 6:16 speaks to us of the crossroads that we face in our lives…

 ^"Here is what Adonai says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask about the ancient paths,
‘Which one is the good way?’
Take it, and you will find rest for your souls." CJB

Will we take on His timing and surrender our own?

Will we wear his wedding band and be faithful to Him all the days of our lives?