Wildbranch Hebrew Word of the Week: NOSE

This section will be devoted to Scriptural words and their meaning. We will not only establish the etymological roots of these words, but we will reveal how many English words are actually Hebrew words. Everything and anything you might want to know about the Hebrew language will be discussed and presented in this section.
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NOSE

Well, how interesting can the Hebrew word for 'nose' be? It might interest you to know that the word for 'nose' - 'aph - is the same word for 'anger' and 'wrath'. The 'anger of YHVH' is 'aph YHVH. The flaring of the nostrils is a demonstrative sign of disgust and indignation. Remember that in Hebrew the names of nouns are found in their expressive verbal roots.

The association of nostrils and anger is used most frequently in describing the wrath of the God of Israel, especially in the last days. When man obeys YHVH then his offerings are compared to a sweet fragrance rising up into the nostrils of the Holy one. However, the disobedience of man in the last days stirs the anger and wrath of God. This action is expressed in the Hebrew as being 'in His face', which in the Hebrew is b^e'ephiy. Man's attempt to please YHVH with his 'own' offerings, sabbaths, feasts, and worship are a stench in His nostrils.

Yechezk'el 38:18
"And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith YHVH 'Elohiym, that my fury shall come up IN MY FACE."

When studying the book of Hitgalut (Revelation) one cannot help but see the parallels of those among the children of Israel who turned from the ways of their God and the wrath of YHVH poured out in the last days against those who turn from the eternal truth of His word.

D'varim 29:16-20
"For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the nations which ye passed by; And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them; Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from YHVH our 'Elohiym, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of MY heart, to add drunkeness to thirst. YHVH will not spare him, but then the ANGER of YHVH and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and YHVH shall blot his name from under heaven."

You might say that when that time comes, our Creator's nose is a little bent out of shape!

Shalom Alecheim!