So, let’s continue with our mini-study of Jerusalem’s little-known but fascinating history.
When we left off, we discovered that the root for Yerushalayim is SHALEM, from which the word for SHALOM (peace) comes.
But when did the word SHALEM first make its appearance in Scripture?
Well, let’s travel back to these verses from the Book of Genesis.
“After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer
and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom
came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh
(that is, the King’s Valley).
Then Melchizedek king of Salem
brought out bread and wine.
He was priest of God Most High,
and he blessed Abram, saying,
‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.’
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
-Genesis 14:17-20
Hmm…very interesting.
Here we learn about Melchizedek, a mysterious king and priest of the city of Shalem.
This is the same Shalem mentioned in ancient Ebla records by the way.
The story tells us that Melchizedek worshipped the one true Creator God, whom he called El Elyon, meaning “the Most High God.”
Now here’s a question for you.
Which language did Abraham speak?
Lemme give you a hint.
It was NOT Hebrew.
It wasn’t King James English either by the way.
It was Akkadian!
Akkadian was a language common in Mesopotamia.
Remember, Abraham was an Amorite who had recently moved into the area.
And get this.
This mysterious king called Melchizedek whom he met in the wilderness probably spoke Akkadian too.
Why?
Because Hebrew as a distinct and independent language did NOT exist yet!
Ya feeling me here, homies?
Don’t forget that Akkadian is a Semitic language.
Remember, the word “Semitic” is a mispronunciation.
It means to come from the line of Shem, who was one of Noah’s three sons.
So properly it should be pronounced anti-SHEMITIC with a “sh” sound.
Interestingly, ancient records outside the Bible show that the city of Shalem had been around for at least 500 years before Abraham lived.
So what’s the takeaway for today?
So the word “anti-semitic,” which should be pronounced “anti-shemitic” means to be against the sons of Shem.
In Genesis 9:26-27, Noah prophesied blessings for his son Shem, declaring, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem.”
This foretells that Shem’s descendants would have a unique relationship with God, as seen in the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through whom the worship of the one true God was preserved.
The prophecy also states that Canaan, a son of Ham, would serve Shem, foreshadowing the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan.
Ultimately, Shem’s line becomes central to God’s covenant promises, culminating in the coming of the Messiah.
This highlights Shem’s privileged role in God’s plan for humanity after the flood.
So what does this mean for you and me?
Or for all of mankind for that matter?
It means any one person or nation who comes against Shem comes against God…
And will be cursed by God.
I pray that is not you.
And I pray for all the poor deluded souls participating in these ridiculous pro-Hamas or pro-Palestinian protests that go against the sons of Shem.
Ya feel me?
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