Reflections

Reflections

Very often in our everyday life we, consciously or unconsciously, use ideas and expressions which are biblical, but do we know the meaning and significance of these invaluable words? Aren’t we using them inappropriately, out of place? The show “Reflections” touches upon these issues.

 

Armageddon
27/10/2023

Armageddon

This word is used with the meaning of the last battle. In the 16th chapter of the Book of Revelation of Apostle John, we read the following: "And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. As the Lord said "Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!" And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon."

 

The Holy of Holies
27/10/2023

The Holy of Holies

In everyday life, this expression is used to mention something valuable, sacred, also to point out something unreachable for unholy people, as well as has the meaning of a special and inaccessible sanctuary.

The Alpha and the Omega
27/10/2023

The Alpha and the Omega

This expression is used to point out the beginning and the end of something, the main and basic thing, the essence (in Armenian this expression is used as "Ayb and Fe" or "Ayb and Ke"). This expression is taken from the Book of Revelation of Apostle John.  The author of the last book of the Bible starts his book with the word "revelation." In some languages that word is translated is "apocalypsis," which comes from Greek. For the contemporary reader, this word has gained an absolutely specific, even ominous meaning.

Golden Calf
27/10/2023

Golden Calf

This expression is used as a symbol of wealth, gold, power of money, and from here come the expressions "the golden calf worship" and "dance around the golden calf." "Golden calf" was used in the metaphorical sense by the German writer Rudolf von Gottschall and Russian writers Ilf and Petrov as a title of their works. It is taken from the Bible, Chapter 32 of the Book of Exodus.

Burying the Talent in the Ground
27/10/2023

Burying the Talent in the Ground

This expression is used with the following meaning – not to care about the development of one's own abilities, not to use them, ruin them. In ancient times, the word "talent" was used with the meaning of scale (balance), a measure of weight, then to show large amount of money, monetary measure, and only subsequently it became the synonym for human unusual abilities in any sphere.

The Mark of Cain
27/10/2023

The Mark of Cain

The biblical name Cain has become a common name, to point out a cruel man, a criminal, a villain and a murderer, and "the Mark of Cain" is used in the meaning of a sign or trace of crime.

 

Honour Thy Father and Mother
27/10/2023

Honour Thy Father and Mother

This phrase is taken from the Ten Commandments of God. The commandment of honoring parents and adults in general has a universal significance and has a long history.

 

Poor Lazarus
27/10/2023

Poor Lazarus

This expression is used to indicate an extreme poverty and means a poor man in a miserable condition. Jesus tells the parable of poor Lazarus in the Gospel according to Luke.

 

When parents eat unripe grapes, the children’s teeth suffer
27/10/2023

When parents eat unripe grapes, the children’s teeth suffer

The meaning of this expression is that allegedly children get punished for the actions of their parents. It is taken from Chapter 18 of the Book of Ezekiel: “The Lord’s word came to Ezekiel and said: What do you mean by this proverb of yours about the land of Israel: “When parents eat unripe grapes, the children’s teeth suffer”? As surely as I live, says the Lord God, no longer will you use this proverb in Israel! All lives are mine; the life of the parent and the life of the child belong to Me. Only the one who sins will die.”

As the Mother is, so is Her Daughter
30/08/2023

As the Mother is, so is Her Daughter

This biblical expression is taken from the Book of Ezekiel, Chapter 16, verse 44. There are other such expressions also: “See the mother, take her daughter”; “The fruit does not fall far from the tree.” The Book of Ezekiel reflects one of the crucial episodes of the history of Israel. In Chapter 16, Israel is presented in the image of adulteress, who went with Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. The love of God toward people is often likened to the love between husband and wife. But unlike human marital relationships where a husband can send away or even hate his disloyal wife, God is patient and merciful.

Solomonic Judgment or Solomonic Justice
30/08/2023

Solomonic Judgment or Solomonic Justice

This biblical expression means fair and fast judgment that, at first glance, has a rather queer verdict. The son and heir of David, Solomon, ruled in 1015 – 975 BCE. The first manifestation of his wisdom is described in the 3rd chapter of the 3rd Book of Kings.

Make Pass under the Rod
30/08/2023

Make Pass under the Rod

In Chapter 20 of the Book of Prophet Ezekiel, God says, “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.” In the Bible, the notion of rod or staff is associated with the shepherd. In the days of patriarchs, the ancestors of Jews were engaged in cattle breeding and used to lead a nomadic life; therefore, the Holy Scripture conveys numerous pictures of pastoral life.