Faith and the Hebrew Emunah

The Hebrew root aman means firm, something that is supported or secure. This word is used in Isaiah 22:23 for a nail that is fastened to a "secure" place. Derived from this root is the word emun meaning a craftsman. A craftsman is one who is firm and secure in his talent. Also derived from aman is the word emunah meaning firmness, something or someone that is firm in their actions.

When the Hebrew word emunah is translated as "faith" misconceptions of its meaning can often occur. Faith is usually perceived as a "knowing" while the Hebrew emunah is a firm action.To have faith in God is not knowing that God exists or knowing that he will act, rather it is that the one with emunah will act with firmness toward God's will. Faith and action (or works) are respresented in a united fashion - taken alone - each are impotent.

In our western minds faith is a mental exercise in knowing that someone or something exists or will act. For instance, if we say "I have faith in God" we are saying "I know that God exists and do what he says he will do".The Hebrew word for faith (emunah) however is an action oriented word meaning "support". This is important because the Western concept of faith places the action on the one you have faith in, such as "faith in God".

But, the Hebrew word emunah places the action on the one who "supports God".It is not knowing that God will act, but rather I will do what I can to support God.This idea of support for the word emunah can be seen in Exodus 17:12."But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady (emunah) until the going down of the sun."It is the support/emunah of Aaron and Hur that held of Moses' arms, not the support/emunah of Moses.

When we say "I have faith in God", perhaps it would be more appropriate to be thinking "I will do what I can to support God". Is this though so really different from the Greek Christian teaching?

In Hebrews 11:1-8, Paul states that, "Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld. For by means of this the men of old times had witness borne to them. By faith we perceive that the systems of things were put in order by God's word, so that what is beheld has come to be out of things that do not appear."Two examples of "faith" given by Paul then include (Hebrews 11:7,8) ...

"By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household ... " – He performed an act in support of Jehovah."

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed in going out into a place he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, although not knowing where he was going. By faith he resided as an alien in the land of the promise as in a foreign land, and dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the very same promise. For he was awaiting the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which [city] is God. – He performed an act in support of Jehovah.

In both examples, "faith" was not knowing that God will act, but rather what these persons did to support God. Is this not the same idea as expressed in the ancient Hebrew word for faith "emunah"?The Bible says: "A man is declared righteous by faith apart from works of law." It also says: "A man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone." Which is right? Are we declared righteous by faith or by works? — Romans 3:28; James 2:24.

The harmonious answer from the Bible is that both are correct, and both have much in common with "emunah".

For centuries the Law that God gave through Moses had required Jewish worshipers to make specific sacrifices and offerings, to observe festival days, and to conform to dietary and other requirements.According to the Christian Greek Scriptures, such "works of law," or simply "works," were no longer necessary after Jesus provided the ultimate sacrifice.—Romans 10:4. But the fact that these works performed under the Mosaic Law were replaced by Jesus' superlative sacrifice did not mean to ignore the Bible's instructions did it? It says: "How much more will the blood of the Christ . . . cleanse our consciences from [the older] dead works that we may render sacred service to the living God?" — Hebrews 9:14.

How do we "render sacred service to the living God"? Among other things, the Bible tells us to combat the works of the flesh, to resist the world's immorality, and to avoid its snares. It says: "Fight the fine fight of the faith," put off "the sin that easily entangles us," and "run with endurance the race that is set before us, as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus." And the Bible urges us not to 'get tired and give out in our souls.'—1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:1-3; Galatians 5:19-21.

We do not earn salvation by doing these things, for no human could ever do enough to merit such an astounding blessing. But does one really have "faith" or "emunah" if we fail to demonstrate our love and obedience (our support to God) by doing the things that the Bible says God and Jesus want us to do?Without works to demonstrate our faith (our "emunah" or support for God and his purpose), our claim to follow Jesus would fall far short, for the Bible clearly states: "Faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself." — James 2:17.

Do you not need to know, intimately then, the revealed will of God in order to fully and completely support him? In order to invoke "emunah" – one needs to know what actions are supporting actions, and which are not.I wonder if the average "Christian" even gives this much thought – it seems I always hear from Christendom about what God can do for you, or for me, or for one's life or peace of mind ...But this is not faith as it anticipates regarding what God can do for us, when perhaps we should be thinking more about what we are supposed to be doing for him (emunah) ... in the way and form which he requires regardless of our personal situation, gain or loss.