january 01 bible reading

Today’s Old Testament chronological reading is in Genesis 1 and 2.

The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 1.

The New Testament reading is in Matthew 1.

The common theme between Gen 2:4-15 and Psa 1:1-6 is the tree of life. The tree is not named overtly in Psa 1, but upon consideration of the passage as a whole, its theme is the righteous man who is like a life-giving tree.

The tree of life from the Hebrew roots.

tree Strong’s H6086, ates, a concrete noun meaning, “tree, wood, gallows;” from Strong’s H6095 עצה atsah, a primitive root meaning, “to shut.” The 3-letter root is ayin + tsadey + hey.

ayin ע = the eye, thus watch, know, shade
tsadey צ, ץ = the trail, thus a man concealed, journey, chase, hunt
hey ה = man w/ raised arms, thus look, reveal, wonder, worship, breath

The story: That which shades (ayin) a trail (tsadey), i.e., a tree, is as a man wise in revelation (hey); he is a strong and stable source of blessing. The cognate words of counsel, firmness, and spine bear witness to the tree’s as well as the wise man’s strength.

life Strong’s H2416 chai, a concrete noun meaning, “life,” from Strong’s H2421 חיה chayah, a primitive root meaning, “to have life.” The 3-letter root is chet + yud + hey:

chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
yud י = the closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
hey ה = man w/ raised arms, thus look, reveal, wonder, worship, breath

The story: The outside (chet) work (yud) a man does provides food, thus breath (hey) or life, for himself and his family.

I find it interesting that the same word denoting the tree of life, Strong’s H6086 ates, appears in Deu 21:23:

… his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.

Which is quoted by Paul:

“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Gal 3:13, from Deu 21:23

In other words, the tree of life became the gallows upon which our Savior hung, to provide life for all who receive Him; and it is His coming which is first announced in Matthew 1.