Comments on: Word Play

By: Wednesday Webshares: Spirits, Temples, and Titles « Blue Flame Magick

Wednesday Webshares: Spirits, Temples, and Titles « Blue Flame Magick — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 22:05:57 +0000

[...] An article on the importance of words as magick in Ancient Judaism [...]

By: carl schmidt

carl schmidt — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:45:56 +0000

It is not for no reason that we still refer to magic SPELLS.

By: Diana Gainer

Diana Gainer — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:19:01 +0000

Interestingly, the last comment (by William) indicates a confusion between language — which is spoken — and script or writing similar to that described in the article. Cuneiform was a type of writing, a script. It was used to write several different (spoken) languages. At Amarna in Egypt archeologists have found correspondence between pharaohs and contemporary kings, written in cuneiform script. But I have only read that this was the Akkadian form, not the Eblaite form. The type of cuneiform used at Ebla is the only alphabetic type of cuneiform I am aware of. And as far as I know, the hieroglyphs never turned into an alphabet in Egypt itself. Other people used some glyphs to create scripts for themselves (to write their own languages, not Egyptian).

By: William Gilbert

William Gilbert — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:46:20 +0000

I understand (from Dr. Keneth Harl) that alphabetic writing developed around 2000 BC(E), a millennium earlier than this article stated.. as indicated in cunieform scripts of certain Middle Eastern languages; even rulers of Egypt used cunieform script of alphabetic languages for their international correspondence.. even before their own hieroglyphics were transformed from pictograms to alphabet.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:12:09 +0000

Many modern Christians also believe in the power of the word, especially in the “living word” that is the Christian Bible. Jesus is called “The Word” (logos) in the book of John, thus encompassing all God’s power in His creation, which was spoken into being as depicted in Exodus. A study of the Tanakh and the Christian New Testament reveals a culture and dogma that literally ascribes power to the written and spoken word. That idea greatly impacts Western culture, history and government even today. Look at Barack Obama and his use of negative words (lies) to reduce the power of his opponents. It’s all tied together, from the beginning of the alphabet to now. Words have power. Those who recognize it and use it will overcome all enemies.

By: Robert Kowlowitz

Robert Kowlowitz — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:02:15 +0000

Michael, he knows. It’s clearly intended. In his photo he’s wearing a Pal. kafiya. Between his choice to us BC instead of BCE and the kafiya, I’d say he’s making an anti-Zionist political statement.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:00:04 +0000

A very interesting article for which I’m greatly appreciative. I’d like to suggest that, in the future, you use “B.C.E” (before the Common Era) and “C.E.” (Common Era) instead of “B.C.” and “A.D.”, especially when writing about ancient Israel. The latter abbreviations betray a Christian bias, whether intended or not. Thanks.

By: Paul Ballotta

Paul Ballotta — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:43:28 +0000

I was aware that the ancient Egyptians employed the term “hekau” which means “words of power” and was used in magical incantations, but I had no idea of its pervasiveness in ancient Israel. We know that shards of pottery were used to write messages and I like to think that the verse from Isaiah 45:9, ‘Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth” refers to the potential of the internet blogger.

By: stan cooper

stan cooper — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:35:43 +0000

A real nice article. Thanks for it and thanx fior the research you had to do.