In my previous post, I took on a silly video that has more than a million views of different versions of it. The video centered on Jesus’ statement in Luke 10:18 that, after the disciples had come back from a preaching mission, Our Lord had seen “Satan fall like lightning from heaven” and claimed that if you back translated this statement from Greek to Aramaic and then to Hebrew that “lighting from heaven” would come out as “baraq o baw-maw” or “Barack Obama.” This, the nameless creator of the video suggested, might mean that Jesus was telling us the Antichrist’s name would be Barack Obama.
I greeted the logic of this video with a great big gift bag full of “Nope.”
Whatever Barack Obama’s role may be in the great scheme of things, whether he’s The One who will cause the oceans to stop rising and the planet to heal or whether he’s just the one who went golfing while the Gulf filled up with oil, Luke 10:18 doesn’t establish him as the Antichrist.
One reason, as previously explained, is that this passage isn’t a prophecy at all. On its face, it appears to be Jesus congratulating the disciples on a well done evangelization mission.
Another reason, as previously explained, is that if you translated “lighting from heaven” back into either Aramaic or Hebrew, you wouldn’t get “baraq o baw-maw.” Instead, you’d get something like “baraq min ha-shamayim” (Hebrew) or “barqa min shmaya” (Aramaic).
After posting my post, I thought, “Hey, this isn’t the first time somebody has translated this phrase into this pair of languages. Let’s see what we find if we look it up in a Hebrew New Testament an an Aramaic New Testament!”
So that’s what I did.
Consulting this Hebrew New Testament [.pdf] online, we find that the phrase in the passage is this:
Transliterating that from right to left, it reads “kbaraq min ha-shamayim” (ignoring the effect of a few Hebrew punctuation marks that don’t transliterate well into English). The “k” on the front of this is actually a different word. It’s a preposition meaning “as” or “like,” which is part of what Our Lord was just saying: “like lighting from heaven.” But if you just want the phrase “lightning from heaven,” you’d leave off the “k.”
So the translators of this Hebrew New Testament bore out what I said: If you translate the phrase into Hebrew, you’d expect to see “baraq min ha-shamayim,” not something that sounds like “Barack Obama.”
And if you don’t happen to know the Hebrew alphabet, don’t just take my word for it. CHECK ME OUT!
Of course the whole Hebrew thing is really just a red herring—or maybe that should be a red lox—because Jesus wouldn’t have been speaking Hebrew in this combination, but in all likelihood Aramaic. The video maker just jumped to Hebrew because he knew even less about Aramaic than he did about Hebrew.
So what happens if we check an Aramaic New Testament?
The standard Aramaic translation of the New Testament is the Pshitta, a version of which is online here. This version happens to be an interlinear, with the English words appearing over the Aramaic ones they correspond to. Just remember that the Aramaic letters read right to left rather than left to right.
Here’s the phrase from Luke 10:18:
This edition isn’t pointed for vowels, but transliterating it you get “barqa min shmaya” (there is no “k,” as in Hebrew because the Aramaic uses a separate preposition for “like” here).
Again, don’t just take my word for it. CHECK ME OUT!
(BTW, these other alphabets may look different, but they aren’t that hard to learn. Give ‘em a try!)
Anyway, either way you go—baraq min ha-shamayim or barqa min shmaya—neither sounds much like “Barack Obama.”
What are your thoughts?
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I don’t know…it still kind of gives me the creeps. Whether you say “barqa” or “baraq”...it still seems eerily close to Barack. Now, is Barack Obama the antichrist? I’m leaning towards a “no” on that one…but that doesn’t mean that all of his intentions are good.
That’s just my two cents…for what it’s worth….and trust me…that’s LESS than two cents.
“Whether you say “barqa” or “baraq”...it still seems eerily close to Barack.”
This is just silly. Since Barack means “blessing,” you could just as easily say that the word for “blessing” is “eerily close” to the word for “lightning.” The larger point is that there is NO BASIS WHATSOEVER for anything in Jesus’ statement sounding anything like “Obama” ... and the larger larger point is that there is NO BASIS WHATSOEVER for reading this scripture as a prophecy of the Antichrist ... and the larger larger larger point is that people have been coming up with Antichrist identifications just like this one for God knows how long and it’s just not how Scripture works.
Heck, look at Jesus himself. If there were some prophecy in the OT that mysteriously produced syllables anything like “Jesus of Nazareth” or whatever, we sure would have found it before now. OT prophecies call him “Wonderful Counselor” and “Emmanuel” and “Son of David” and “the woman’s seed” and a thousand other things, but nothing that sounds like “Jesus of Nazareth.” If the Christ himself wasn’t heralded by name in the OT in this way, what reason is there to think that the Antichrist would be?
Besides which, there are countless extrinsic reasons not to even dream of identifying Obama as the Antichrist. Politics as theology is a bad business. Eagerness to demonize our opponents only does discredits our own belief and (as Mark Shea has noted) ruins our spiritual health and makes us stupid. Obama is many things: inexperienced, politically clumsy, lacking in emotional intelligence and humanity, in the tank for the culture of death. He is an antichrist, no worse or better than a thousand others. He is not within a million miles of being THE Antichrist.
I just want to know if Barcalounge is the comfy chair of the Antichrist.
Also, if it makes you feel better, Nancy, “barak” and “baraq” only sound similar to an English-speaking ear. The consonants K and Q are pronounced significantly differently in Arabic, Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, etc. (which is why they have separate letters for them).
So it’s a funny coincidence in English, since we don’t have the sound represented by Q, but for a Hebrew speaker, it’d be like—indulge the stretch of an analogy—his thinking that it’s an eerie coincidence that when we say Jesse James was a “wanted man” it’s like we’re saying he’s a “vaunted man,” or somehow honorable. Because Hebrew speakers can have a hard time differentiating English W and V (since Hebrew only has V).
So, please do feel free to cross off your worry list that the President is the Anti-Christ.
And here I thought the dog across the street was simply making an annoying noise. It turns out that “Bark! Bark! Bark!” is his loving attempt to warn me of the presence of Satan ... or is he calling me Satan?
I don’t know what all the fuss about the antichrist when we face so many anti-Christs in the world as it is. Any politician, member of the clergy or lay faithful who compromise on Kingdom principles are anti-Christs. In the end when the true antichrist comes, I doubt we would even pay any more notice to him/her than we do to politicians today. People are weird!
However Barack has his good points and his bad points, however as THE antichrsit, not so much. In jest when my friends or I do something wrong we we say to that person in a strong put on American accent: “You are an OBAMAnation.”
As you see we are not fans, no offense to anyone! Just a little fun! ;)
“I just want to know if Barcalounge is the comfy chair of the Antichrist.”
SNORK! :-D With one sentence, Mark leaps into contention for best in combox!
“it’d be like—indulge the stretch of an analogy—his thinking that it’s an eerie coincidence that when we say Jesse James was a “wanted man” it’s like we’re saying he’s a “vaunted man,” or somehow honorable.”
Brilliant! Great analogy.
There you go, Jimmy, ruining another good theory with facts!!! Come on, how fun it that!?
Personally, I am comforted knowing that all I need to pay attention to is understanding that Obama is an anti-Christ. For me, that is enough.
I am amazed that people who should know better continue talking about the antichrist comming in the last days. The only place in the Bible where the word antichrist is found is in the letters of John, where he does not speak of antichrist as someone who will come in the last days, but as people already present in his own day, e.g. second John:7.
Just to let you all know the next ‘end of the world’ perdiction is
now May 11, 2011 which beats the Mayan, or was it Aztec calendars, by
19 months.
I take great comfort in Jesus’ words:
Not even the angels know when the world will end, ONLY the Father!
(but I have to admit I am still very scared of “the O-man!)
When I read Mr. Shea’s comment, I almost choked on my Cheerios!
Ok, so maybe Barack isn’t the anti-christ himself. But surely he attended a fund-raising party back in the day thrown in the anti-christ’s living room?
And if not that, isn’t it possible that he shared a pew with the anti-christ all those years he wasn’t attending his church?
All I know is that the ONLY explanation for Barack Obama is some kind of connection to the anti-christ.
No fair! All of you NCR columnists—you know who you are!—posting comments. The rest of us just can’t compete with the awesome knowledge and writing ability of you professional-type folks. Thanks for the enlightenment! God bless.
Has this information made it to CNN? Thanks for the fathers day laugh!!!!
I can read Hebrew, you are so right on.
About Jesus in the Old Testament, I did my own study about this, and I found over 70 places in the Hebrew Bible where Jesus is mentioned by name, only it is not Jesus, it is Yeshuah. I also found over 30 places where Christ is mentioned, only it is not Christ, it is Meshiach. I also found the combination Yeshuah Meshiach, or Meshiach Yeshuah several times.
I just thought you would like to know that.
I think maybe you are baracking up the wrong tree. Isn’t there one who heralds the anti-christ? Although we may servant spirit of antichrist in him and around us, I personally think he’s lost his “charisma” way too soon . When he’s @ 42% , that’s a hard,sell for someone who expects,the world to,worship him..
ummmm…that’s close enough for me.
Kind of a stupid article to my way of thinking. St. John speaks of many antichrists. There is not doubt in my mind that many have appeared and are appearing in history. The USA’s apparent governmental policies on all levels…judicial,, educational, etc. are so patently anti-christ like. Not to see this seems to me to be voluntary blindness. Shalom
Hi Jimmy,
An engaging, if tongue-in-cheek article about some superficial soul yearning for attention! Well, attention is what he/she got. At least you gave some good references and some of the contributors made enjoyable reading as well, notably the comments by Bill Walsh and the “vaunted man”.
Regards and blessings.
P.S. New Zealanders think Obama is great - his middle name might be a bit of a worry…
And if you play his speeches backwards, you will hear demons speaking.
Now seriously, there are so many anti-christs and false prophets around today when the REAL Anti-Christ and the REAL False Prophet comes around (if they indeed will be individual persons), no one’s going to pay them any mind.
Thanks for that additional information which goes even further to debunk that “idiot” who tried to give an informed explanation.
But this doesn’t mean that those who originally believe the “idiot” are going to change their minds, I find that most people who have their minds made up aren’t going to change them.
God Bless
The Bible is clear (at least by the common Protestant readings; Catholics tend to look a lot deeper) that the Anti-Christ will twist the true faith for his own purposes. That sounds far more like George W. Bush than like any other leader we’ve seen for quite some time.
Obama more or less ignores the faith; it’s almost a background issue in his life, not at all seeming to inform his leadership. That pretty much disqualifies him as the Anti-Christ.
This just goes to show that if you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything.
I always thought that the Antichrist would be more forceful than Obama. I just can’t picture the Prince of Darkness holding a moistened finger in the air.
“This just goes to show that if you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything.”
Hey! I wonder if THAT general concept has any broader applicability? :D
“I always thought that the Antichrist would be more forceful than Obama. I just can’t picture the Prince of Darkness holding a moistened finger in the air.”
This, friends, is what is critically known as perspective. It is precisely what is lacking in crackpot theories that seem to those who hold them to make ironclad sense, expect that they leave out Everything. You don’t need to know Hebrew or Aramaic or Greek to see what’s wrong with the Obama Antichrist argument. You just need a bit of common sense. It’s why Chesterton says that the madman has not lost his reason, he’s lost everything except his reason.
I respectfully opine that Jims comment was more political than anything. The second part about Obama ignoring his faith I tend to agree with; but not the first part. I mean Bush was more outspoken about the sacredness of life than Obama is (for one thing)
When he’s @ 42% , that’s a hard,sell for someone who expects,the world to,worship him..
42? Why…why…that’s the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything!!! It makes so much sense! 4 + 2 = 6, see. And the number between 2 and 4 is….3!!! See - 3 six’s: 6 6 6. Sign of the beast!
/sarc off
Jimmy, Congratulations on a brilliant article totally debunking the “Antichrist” nonsense.
I am far less impressed by the blind hatred of President Obama from many of your so-called Christian readers. As a non-American (Brit), but huge fan of the United States, myself and most of my family and friends see President Obama has a highly intelligent and articulate man, a man who dearly loves his family, his country, and his Christian faith, despite constantly being referred to by the haters as a Muslim or a Communist or the AntiChrist.
He inherited an economy that was in a complete shambles. He became President of the greatest country on earth, but one that had been seduced into a war (in Iraq) for reasons that, to put it mildly, were totally false and ridiculous. We were lied to by our leaders just as you were. As for him being a communist or dangerous socialist - these folks have got to be kidding! By that twisted logic the United Kingdom should be your sworn enemy because, believe me, the UK is far more socialist than President Obama could ever be.
It is also sickening to hear how his critics now blame him for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, or rather, blame him for not having some magic fix for the problem. This completely ignores the fact that in 2004, during the Bush Administration, the Minerals Management Services (MMS) granted “categorical exclusion” from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) specifically to the Deepwater Horizon and other projects knowing that they involved extremely deep water mining using new technology that was untried and untested. How strange that the media never seem to mention when permission was initially given to the Deepwater Horizon project and what rules were put in place at that time to protect the environment. I constantly read the propaganda about President Obama being somehow involved with shady figures in Chicago or being the “Antichrist), but I note that no-one has managed to connect him in any way shape or form with “Big Oil”! Maybe not this President – but the cap might just fit another one.
President Obama was elected President of the United States of America because the majority of the electorate voted for him. We may not all agree with some of his positions, and I certainly disagreed with some of the actions of his predecessor, but I for one, will always respect and pray for the President of the United States, whether it is this one or any of your past or future Presidents.
I have researched Obama completely including just about all aspects and I could write a book on him concerning the references in the Bible. I have found at least 30 verses that parallel with who he is. Also, there is no difference between the parameters of the dragon in Rev. and the beast with a deadly wound. Except one is a beast (flesh) and the other is an ancient spirit or dragon. By the way the deadly wound has not happened yet. Hence, the “trying to put one over on the world” by someone coming back to life has not happened yet. Feel free to email me, mbserve@gmail.com
Dear fryoung, get off the Obama is the Antichrist that is just ridiculous I would expect more from an intelligent person, but maybe NOT in your case.
Christians who say Pres. Obama is the Antichrist aren’t being very Christian. They are the real anti christs because they are judging others and not following Jesus’ teachings.
If you read my comment I haven’t judged him. Read Jude, concerning what Michael said to satan himself. He left it in God’s hands. In other words even revenge “with words” (judging) is in God’s authority. Hence, in my comment if you read again “parallels”. In fact, I am obeying my Lord and Savior, when he said in the garden to ‘Watch!’. And even in other Old Testament scripture ‘keep watch’. I chose not to keep my eyes shut to what is going on. Hence, in Proverbs, call wisdom your sister, and knowledge your kinsman. I really do pray and search the scripture, since it is Truth in total. God doesn’t leave warnings everywhere in scripture including in mystery form to speak to the wind. The body of Christ is not the wind. Read about Elijah, where was God’s voice in that moment? No offense intended. There is more going on than many see. Again, if you want to have a healthy debate with me you can. As one human sharpens another…<—- in Proverbs. And the meaning of man is not always in gender, but can reference human beings.
Also, the intertwining of judgement with observation is not good. I have commented “...who he is.” There are many parallels in the Old and New Testaments. I have searched through both. Since you can’t see my facial expressions, you assume I have meant “That is exactly who he is.” In basic logic concerning math. Parallels don’t touch until they shift to intersect, hence “connection” or “connecting the dots.” Also, you have made the assumption in the other comment that I am not intelligent. Another assumption without evidence. Since I said, I have scripture references that are parallels means that I am not unintelligent. In fact that is what seeking knowledge is. The source of all knowledge is inferred in 1 Cor. 13 as God himself(period)
Also, when I commented “someone”. I have avoided judgement again upon Obama. I just wanted to add that in as well.
Mr. Akin, you are SO smart, at least as smart as Fr. Mitch Pacwa. You should just leave your brain to science. THAT was fascinating, and I actually got most of it!
Thanks!!!
Also, regarding Obama being the ‘anti-Christ…I don’t think he is…but he sure is making a good henchman!
I believe this blogger has resorted to baseless slander which is not based on scripture. In other words, empty speech. Not only immature but bad in nature concerning words. You have compared me who you do not know (or even my real name) with someone I do not know, and have assumed that I only study science which by the way God has issued all law including the laws of science which even govern the discovery of what God has already done. Not one scientist or one who studies scripture can know any mystery without God revealing it to them. No human can interpret of his or her own accord. And certain mysteries are revealed within the body of Christ, not on a blog. Read Cor. again. And out of humility, I know next to nothing, and I know that what is in secret will be revealed in total one day. I Cor. 13. I will not resort to slandering back, and decline to continue to comment.
The Anti-Christ does refers to groups of people throughout history, or even to describe a person who is totally against Christianity. But the Anti-Christ will also be a specific person as well where all the rest are joined with him or his pre-cursors. I believe some approved Marian apparitions also shed light on this, as well as other theologians.
Obama? He’s nothing. Biden is the one who creeps me out. In that picture, he looks like Jack Nicholson as the joker.
Read the Italian priest Father Gobbi’s book on Marian priests. It is very interesting. He writes about the Antichrist. The numbers 666, mean dates of human history. The first 6 is the Muslim invation of 600. The second 6 is the Protestant Reformation of 1200. And the last 6, began in the late 1800’s. Masonry. (the culture of death, communism, abortion, homosexuality, pornography, stem cell research). Masonry and its tentacles promote all the above in our modern world. But the most evil is cloning and that began 1996-1998. This is the Antichrist of our time. Obama is bringing us closer to this evil.
It is very simple. God is a mystery every morning. There is nothing mysterious about evil. To know what 666 means and announce it is to take part in it before it is exposed (“man of lawlessness is revealed”). It is one thing to know what it means or discover the meaning of, and the part that makes it truly evil is when ones wisdom surpasses into the announcement thereof. I do know exactly what it means, but I absolutely will decline to comment on it (or I would take part in the receiving end of the Wrath of God). The same goes with knowing the future of the wicked ones,... why ask that if you will not be taking part in their demise. In other words don’t ask scary questions. By the way, Father Gobbi doesn’t know, but that would be is best educated guess. It is like asking, “Hey, does anyone know how hot the “lake of fire” is?” I know it is extremely hot, but I will not jump in to find out. Because it is called you can never get out of there. Just put it this way, 666 is eternal damnation, and the point is to seek Christ before it is revealed so that you are prepared for persecution beforehand. Then 666 cannot harm those who received Christ. That mark lasts a short time on earth and then is never heard of again forever. The remaining is Love which conquered all.
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