By Maria Merola אריאל
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, August 2002-2023
Those who do not understand the history, (nor the prophetic significance) of Chanukkah often make erroneous statements such as “Chanukkah is nothing more than a Jewish replacement for Christmas!”
In our Western Culture, it has become politically correct to combine these two “holidays” together, as if they mean the same thing, but they do not. As a matter of fact, these two celebrations are diametrically opposed to one another!
If I could use an analogy, (to put it in a nutshell), Christ-Mass is like celebrating the day you jumped into mud-puddle with your brand new, white wedding gown on. Conversely, Chanukkah celebrates the day you took a bath, and brought your wedding gown to the Dry Cleaners.
Celebrating Christmas is like celebrating the day you cheated on your spouse and got divorced. Chanukkah celebrates the day that you repented; got all cleaned up, and reunited with your spouse. You cannot simultaneously celebrate getting filthy with getting cleaned up at the same time!
To learn more, see my blog: Chanukkah is The Opposite of Christ-Mass!
The word CHANUKKAH is found in Scripture exactly 8 times in connection with the DEDICATION of YaHuWaH’s Temple, and it is quite the opposite of something pagan or secular.
Now, is it wrong for people to pervert Chanukkah, by blending it with Christ-Mass? Absolutely!
Chanukkah is the ANTI-THESIS to Christ-Mass!
Christ-Mass celebrates the defiling of the Temple with Zeus worship on December 25th. Chanukkah celebrates the CLEANSING & REDEDICATION of YaHuWaH’s Temple!
It also celebrates the conception of Messiah on the 24th day of the 9th Hebrew month (Haggai 2:18-20).
Bemidbar (Numbers) 7:84 This was the
DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Yisra’el: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:
Bemidbar (Numbers) 7:88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH of the altar, after that it was anointed.
2nd Dibre ha’Yamiym (Chronicles) 7:9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
Ezra 6:16 And the children of Yisra’el, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH of this house of Elohiym with joy.
Ezra 6:17 And offered at the DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH of this house of Elohiym an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Yisra’el, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Yisra’el.
Nechemyah (Nehemiah) 12:27 And at the DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), to keep the DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
Yahuwchanon (John) 10:22 And it was at Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) the feast of the DEDICATION/CHANUKKAH, and it was winter.
Those who are opposed to celebrating Chanukkah or Puwriym falsely claim that these two holidays are “extra-biblical,” even though they are found throughout the Scriptures, and have rich historical and prophetic meaning. These same people will often make the argument that they only keep the seven feasts that are commanded in Leviticus 23 and nothing more.
But we must ask ourselves, “Why did our Messiah make a point of attending the Temple for the Feast of Dedication in John 10:22-23?” I will explain more as we progress in this study.
When seeking YaHuWaH concerning biblical festivals, he spoke to me and reminded me of a parable that he taught. He explained in Luke 17:7-10 that those who obey the bare minimum requirements of the Towrah, (but they see no need to go above and beyond what is required) will not be commended!
It is not enough to obey the “Letter of the Towrah,” but we must also obey the Prophets as well!
Luke 17:7 “But who of you, having a servant ploughing or shepherding, would say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’?
Luke 17:8 “But would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare somewhat for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you shall eat and drink’?
Luke 17:9 “Would he thank that servant because he did what he was commanded? I think not.
Luke 17:10 “So also you, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
In contrast the woman with the Alabaster Box anointed our Messiah’s feet with oil by choice, even though she was not commanded to do so! See Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37.
And what did our Messiah say about this woman?
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 26:12 For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.
I used to believe that the 9-branched Chanukkiah was unbiblical, until YaHuWaH began to open up my eyes!
He showed me that the 7-branched Menorah represents the 7 Assemblies, who keep the 7th day Shabbat & the 7 Feasts!
These are filled with the Olive Oil from the Two Olive Trees, which are BOTH HOUSES OF YISRA’EL! (see Ezekiel 37:15-20; Zechariah 4:1-14; Romans 11:17-25; Revelation 11:4-6).
He also showed me that out of those 7 Assemblies, there are only TWO OVERCOMERS: Philadelphia & Smyrna! (see Revelation 1:20).
Therefore, we have the 7 branches, which represent “COVENANT” & 2 branches, which represent the “TWO WITNESSES” of Scripture (Torah & Prophets, Moses & Elijah).
There are exactly 9 months of gestation (271 days) between our Messiah’s Chanukkah conception & his Feast of Trumpets birth in the 7th month!
*Hint: The Hebrew word for “pregnancy” is “herayon” which has a numerical value of 271!
This is why he was conceived in the 9th month of Kislev & born in the 7th month of Ethaniym (Tishri).
This is why there are 9 fruits & 9 gifts of the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit).
The graphic below illustrates the sharp contrast between that which is holy in the eyes of our Creator, versus that which is profane and unclean. Many people try and celebrate these together, thinking they are being inclusive of both Christians & Jews. However, Scripture warns us:
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 44:23 And they shall teach my people the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOLY AND PROFANE, and CAUSE THEM TO DISCERN BETWEEN UNCLEAN AND CLEAN.
Here is what the blasphemous Mass of Christ, actually means!
The Catechism claims that he must be crucified all over again at every Catholic Mass. To learn more, please see my blog:
To learn more about why Chanukkah & Puwriym (Purim) are inspired by Scripture, and have prophetic significance, see the following blogs:
If Chanukkah is “man-made” as some people purport, why did YaHuWaH cause our Messiah to be conceived in the womb on Chanukkah?
We can see his finger prints all over Chanukkah!
271 days = average male gestation (9 months + 1 day for delivery). Hebrew word “pregnancy” (herayon) = numerical value 271.
From Chanukkah to the Feast of Trumpets on a 360-day biblical calendar = 271 days!
Chanukah in English Gematria = 271
Conceived – Hara – הָרָה
Hey-Resh-Hey
5-200-5
Total = 210
Womb - Beten – בֶּטֶן
Beyt-Thet-Nun
2-9-50
Total = 61
Conceived Womb = 271
The prophet Chaggay (Haggai) prophesied in Haggai 2:18-19 that the “Seed” (Messiah) would be in the “barn” (womb) on the 24th day of the 9th Hebrew Month of Kislev, which is the Eve of Chanukkah!
The name “Haggai” (Chaggay) means “FESTIVAL” or “FEAST!”
Which Feast did he prophecy about?
Chanukkah!
This is the INCARNATION/CONCEPTION of our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa!
It is when the “Word became flesh!”
See the graphic I made showing the Paleo Pictograph Letters for “Conceive Womb” which has a numerical value of 271!
The Paleo Pictograph Letters & their meaning:
Hey - Look, reveal, breath.
Rosh - Head, first, top, beginning.
Beyt - House, family.
Thet - Basket, surround, contain.
Nun - Seed, heir, son.
“Look! The first-born son, the seed, has come to the Two Houses of Yisra’el, the family of YaHuWaH, and he is surrounding us with his presence, his light!”
The entire book can be downloaded free at the link below:
What was visible on that night, (and what the shepherds saw on that night), was the constellation of the “Virgin” (Bethulah) and she was giving birth to “The Lion,” (Ariel). The sun was in the womb of the Virgin (mid-body), and our Messiah is referred to as “The Sun of Righteousness,” (Malachi 4:2).
The first crescent moon was underneath the Virgin’s feet, and she was wearing a crown of stars around her head, for the Twelve Tribes of Yisra’el!
Inside “Ariel the Lion” was a conjunction between Jupiter & Venus! These two planets in conjunction are anciently called “The King of Righteousness” by the Hebrews!
Jupiter was later renamed by the heathens after a pagan deity, but the Ancient Hebrews called it “Ha’Tzadiq” (The Righteous). Venus was also later renamed by the heathens after a pagan deity, but the Ancient Hebrews called it “Ha’Malek” (The King).
Thus, the conjunction of these two planets spells out “The King of Righteousness,” aka Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek)!
This planetary alignment remained for two years in the heavens, leading the Wiseman from the Orient to Bethlehem to visit the King! The Feast of Trumpets is also when all the Kings of Yisra’el were crowned (coronated)!
The Bible Code research done by Roy Reinhold, also corroborates with Scripture in being able to pin-point the exact date of our Messiah’s conception, which fell on the Gregorian Calendar date of December 13th in 4 B.C.
This date correlates to the 24th day of the 9th Hebrew month of Kislev. See Haggai 2:18-23. Adding exactly 271 days to that date, brings us to September 11th in 3 B.C. at 7:00 p.m. (just before sundown).
Why do we use 271 days for the gestation period?
1.) The average gestation for a male child is exactly 271 days, which is exactly 9 months of 30-day months, plus one extra day for the delivery.
2.) A Female gestation is often 10 days longer, (281 days), because the female anatomy is more complex.
3.) The extra 10 days for a female gestation, prophetically ties into the parable of the 10 Virgins and the 10 Days of Awe between the Feast of Trumpets, and the Day of Atonement.
4.) The Hebrew word for “pregnancy” is “herayon,” which has a numerical value of 271!
In addition to the research of these two men, I have discovered even more corroborating evidence from the Scriptures, proving that our Messiah was conceived on Chanukkah, and he was born 9 months later on the Feast of Trumpets!
The word “Chanukkah” (Dedication) comes from the same Hebrew root word as “Enoch” (Chanowk), which means “INITIATED!”
At the moment of conception in the womb (when the egg & sperm meet), Biologists & Scientists have observed “A flash or spark of light!”
Our Messiah was “CONCIEVED” by the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit) on Chanukkah, the Festival of Lights!
A “CONCEPTION” is that moment when the sperm & egg come together, and LIFE is “INITIATED!”
The prophet Chaggai (Haggai) foretold in Haggai 2:18-22, about a future Temple that would be built in the days of Ezra on the 24th day of the 9th Hebrew month of Kisleu (Chanukkah Eve).
The name “Chaggai” also means “FESTIVAL” or a “FEAST!”
The only “FEAST” that Haggai spoke of, was the one on the 24th day of the 9th Hebrew month, which is Chanukkah!
The SECOND FULFILLMENT of Haggai 2:18-20, is when our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa (whose body is a Temple), was being “formed” (initiated or conceived) in the womb, also on Chanukkah Eve.
The THIRD FULFILLMENT of Haggai 2:18-20, will take place in the 8th Millennium, when the LAMB & YaHuWaH Almighty, shall be the TEMPLE in Revelation 21:22.
Exactly 271 days after our Messiah’s Chanukkah conception (the average gestation for a male child), our Messiah was born on the Feast of Trumpets, which is the same day that King Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant from the City of David, into the Temple:
1st Malakiym (Kings) 8:12 And all the men of Yisra’el assembled themselves unto king Sholomo (Solomon) AT THE FEAST IN THE MONTH OF ETHANIYM, which is THE SEVENTH MONTH.
And where was our Messiah born? In the City of David, just like the Ark of the Covenant was also born there! See Luke 2:11.
King Solomon brought out the Ark of the Covenant on the Feast of Trumpets, for all to see!
After King Solomon brought forth the Ark of the Covenant (a symbol of Messiah), for Fourteen days, the people celebrated all three Fall Feasts, from the Feast of Trumpets, until the Feast of Tabernacles (see 1st Kings 8:65-66).
The Hebrew word for “seven” (sheba) comes from the root word “shaba” meaning “to take an oath by repeating a declaration seven times.”
Therefore, the number seven represents “covenant,” which is why we are commanded to keep every Seventh Day (Shabbat) holy, and to cease from our own works.
We are also commanded to celebrate Seven Feasts as part of our Marriage Covenant with YaHuWaH. The Seven-Branch Menorah also represents the Seven Assemblies in the Book of Revelation.
The Hebrew word for “two” (shanayim) represents “Two Witnesses.” There are also Two Minor Feasts that represent the Two Witnesses in Scripture (Torah & Prophets).
“Chanukkah” means “Dedication,” and it celebrates the cleansing of the Temple. It also celebrates the conception of our Messiah in the womb (Haggai 2:18-20; Revelation 21:22).
If there had been no Dedication (Chanukkah) of the Temple, there would not have been a nation for our Messiah to be born into!
The Priest on Yom Kippur casts two lots. One for the sacrificial goat who is killed, and the other is for the scapegoat, who goes free. In the Book of Esther, Satan wanted to kill the Yahuwdiym (Jews), the tribe into which our Messiah was destined to be born. Haman casted lots, but the Yahuwdiym (Jews) in Persia went free (like the scapegoat), and the ones who wanted to kill them were slain (like the sacrificial goat).
Genesis 3:15 tells us that the woman’s “SEED” would “CRUSH” the head of the Serpent!
If Queen Esther had not been used by YaHuWaH to help “crush the enemy,” our Messiah (the seed) would not have been born into the world, to crush the head of the serpent!
Please see these blogs explaining the prophetic importance of Puwriym (Purim):
Therefore, Chanukkah & Puwriym are TWO WITNESSES in history that YaHuWaH has preserved his covenant people, Yisra’el, and he has sent his Promised Seed!
Without Chanukkah & Puwriym, there would be no Messiah, and no salvation for humanity!
Yahuwchanon (John) 10:22 And it was at Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) THE FEAST OF DEDICATION [CHANUKKAH], and it was winter.
Yahuwchanon (John) 10:23 And Yahuwshuwa WALKED IN THE
TEMPLE in Solomon’s porch.
TEMPLE in Solomon’s porch.
If Chanukkah was unbiblical, or a man-made tradition, he would have demonstrated his fierce anger, just like he had done with the money-changers in Yahuwchanon (John) 2:14-17.
In Yahuwchanon (John) 7:1-11, Messiah attended the Feast of Tabernacles at the Temple in SECRET!
Yahuwchanon (John) 7:10 But when his brethren were gone up, then WENT HE ALSO UNTO THE FEAST, NOT OPENLY, BUT AS IT WERE IN SECRET.
If Chanukkah, was unbiblical, or pagan, why would he suddenly WALK IN SOLMON’S PORCH OPENLY FOR ALL TO SEE?
In the Greek Concordance, the word for “walk” is defined as follows:
#4043. peripateo per-ee-pat-eh'-o from 4012 and 3961; to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow as a companion or votary:--go, be occupied with, walk about.
As you can see, the word for “walk” means to follow a certain path, to be an adherent or a devoted follower of something. In this case, our Messiah “walking in the Temple on Chanukkah,” means that he was walking in the path of the Yahuwdiym (Jews) of his day, minus some of their vain empty traditions that were in violation of the Towrah.
The dictionary defines the word “votary” as follows:
#3961. pateo pat-eh'-o from a derivative probably of 3817 (meaning a “path”); to trample (literally or figuratively):--tread (down, under foot).
When looking at the definition for the word “walk” in John 10:22-23, we are reminded that when YaHuWaH commanded Yisra’el
to “tread their feet” around Jericho (Joshua 1:3), they were taking possession of the land, and sanctifying it, even though it had previously been occupied by giants.
Therefore, when our Messiah walked in Solomon’s Porch on the Feast of Dedication, he was not being a passive spectator. He was taking possession of his Father’s house, and demonstrating that he is the one who cleanses the altar and the Temple, because he is “A priest forever after the order of Melchizedek!”
Not only that, but he is also “The lamb slain since the foundation of the world!” (Revelation 13:8).
Is the Nine-Branched Chanukiah Unbiblical?
There was a time when I believed that the nine-branched Chanukkiah (used for Chanukkah) was unbiblical, and therefore, I would only use the seven-branched menorah during Chanukkah. I would light one candle each night, and on the 7th night & the 8th nights, I would like all seven of them.
Back in 2012, somebody sent me this photo of a zebra sporting a 9-branched menorah on his coat. After doing some research online, I discovered the original photo on istock, and learned that the zebra had been photo-shopped.
There has been much controversy among rabbis for centuries on whether or not it is prohibited to replicate the 7-branched menorah seen in the Temple. There are basically three schools of thought on this matter: This article explains more: A Seven-Branched Candelabrum
Question: In view of the Biblical prohibition against replicating vessels that were used in the Mishkan, would one be allowed to make a seven-branched candelabrum? If one owns such a candelabrum, is he allowed to keep it? Discussion: The Talmud forbids fashioning [or owning] a seven-branched menorah, in keeping with the Biblical prohibition of “imitating” any of the vessels (keilim) that were used in the Mishkan.
There are three views in the early authorities as to the extent of the prohibition:
1). Only an exact replica is prohibited—any deviation from the original in the Mishkan is permitted.
2). Any Menorah which would have been considered kosher b’diavad in the Mishkan is prohibited.
3). Any seven-branched menorah, made out of any metal, regardless of its shape or form, is prohibited.
Because of these Talmudic prohibitions, this has led to those within Judaism to use a 9-branched menorah for Chanukkah, instead of the 7-branched menorah.
Even though Judaism has their own set of reasons for using the 9-branched Chanukiah, I gradually began changing my mind over the years about the 9-branched menorah.
It all began when I suddenly realized that there were exactly nine months of gestation between our Messiah’s conception on Chanukkah, and his birth on the Feast of Trumpets. To be exact, we know it was 271 days.
2 + 7 = 9 + 1 = 10
I began thinking about the fact that 270 days equals 9 months of 30-day lunar cycles, and there is one extra day for the delivery of the baby. When adding up these numbers, we arrive at the #10. The number ten is highly prophetic in scripture, as it relates to “The Ten Northern Tribes” of the lost sheep of Yisra’el, which is who our Messiah came to seek out (Matthew 10:16 & 15:24).
Then I began thinking about the 99 sheep that are left in the wilderness, so that the shepherd can go and seek out that one lost sheep:
Matthew 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repent, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
I began wondering if YaHuWaH had another reason for displaying the 9-branched menorah during those 9 months.
After all, our Messiah is called “The light of the world,” (John 8:12 & 9:5), and he is also called “The sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). Therefore, his conception is when the true spark of light came into the world with the meeting of the egg and the sperm, (as previously discussed).
I decided to ask YaHuWaH to show me if there was a pattern in the TaNaKh (Old Testament) for the number “nine.”
I already recognized that there are “Nine Fruits of the Ruwach/Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) & “Nine Gifts of the Ruwach/Spirit,” (1st Corinthians 12:-1-11).
But I found nothing in the TaNaKh pointing to the number “nine,” and this was perplexing to me. That’s when Yah revealed the prophetic meaning behind the 9-branched Chanukkiah to me.
He reminded me once again, the pattern of there being “SEVEN ASSEMBLIES” in the Book of Revelation, represented by “SEVEN LAMPSTANDS” that are outlined in Revelation 1:20 & Zechariah 4:1-3.
Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:
1 And the malak (angel) that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
2 And said unto me, What do you see? And I said, I have looked, and behold a MENORAH (candlestick) all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his SEVEN LAMPS/LIGHTS thereon, and SEVEN PIPES to the SEVEN LAMPS/LIGHTS, which are upon the top thereof:
3 And TWO OLIVE TREES by it, one upon THE RIGHT SIDE of the bowl, and the other upon the THE LEFT SIDE thereof.
From Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:1-3, we see that the TWO OLIVE TREES are the source of the OLIVE OIL that lights the SEVEN LIGHTS on the SEVEN-BRANCH MENORAH.
Then, Zecharyahuw asked the following questions:
Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, WHAT ARE THESE TWO OLIVE TREES upon the RIGHT SIDE of the MENORAH and upon the LEFT SIDE thereof?
*Explanation: There are TWO OLIVE TREES, ONE ON THE RIGHT, AND ONE ON THE LEFT OF THE SEVEN-BRANCHED MENORAH!
Do you remember in Ezekiel 4:4-6, when the prophet was commanded to lay upon his “right side” for the Kingdom of Yahuwdah (Judah) and upon his “left side” for the Kingdom of Yisrael (Ephrayim)?
From this, we understand that the right side represents the “The Two Southern Tribes of the Kingdom of Yahuwdah (Judah)” and the left side represents “The Ten Northern Tribes from the Kingdom of Yisra’el/Ephrayim.”
This also explains why there were TWO THIEVES who were crucified on either side of our Messiah!
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Marqos (Mark) 15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
Even though these two gospel accounts do not tell us which of the two thieves was redeemed, we can assume that the one on the right represented the Kingdom of Judah, for they were the ones who rejected and betrayed him at that time.
Luqas (Luke) 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If you be Messiah, save yourself and us.
Luqas (Luke) 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do not you fear Elohiym, seeing you are in the same condemnation?
Luqas (Luke) 23:42 And he said unto Yahuwshuwa, Master, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Luqas (Luke) 23:43 And Yahuwshuwa said unto him, Verily I say unto you, Today shall you be with me in paradise.
This also correlates to when our Messiah shall divide the goat nations, placing them on his left, and the sheep nations, placing them on his right.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
At the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17 & Mark 9, there was seen both Mosheh & Eliyahuw (Moses & Elijah). These two figures represent “Towrah & Prophets.”
From the Towrah, we receive wisdom, and from the Prophets, we receive prophetic revelation.
This is why we are instructed by Yahuwshuwa to be “Wise as serpents and gentle as doves.”
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Why is wisdom represented by the serpent? Because before Satan fell from heaven, he was at one time a “covering cherub” at the throne of Elohiym, and he was the perfection of beauty and wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12).
However, his wisdom became corrupted by pride, which led to his downfall (Ezekiel 28:15-18). We are instructed in Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction.”
And why is revelation represented by the dove? This one is more obvious, since our Messiah was anointed at his baptism, and the sign above his head was the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit) resting upon him as a dove. Therefore, the anointing of the Holy Spirit (who teaches us all things) is represented by the dove.
Now we can understand why the prophet Elisha asked for a “Double Portion” of the anointing or spirit that was upon the prophet Eliyahuw (Elijah).
2nd Malakiym (Kings) 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Eliyahuw (Elijah) said unto Eliyshuwa (Elisha), Ask what I shall do for you, before I be taken away from you. And Eliyshuwa (Elisha) said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.
*Side note: The fuller spelling of the name Elisha (Eliyshuwa) is found in two other places in Scripture, 2nd Samuel 5:15 & 1st Chronicles 14:5. This name means “Elohiym is salvation.”
The double portion anointing consists of the wisdom that comes from the five books of Moses (Towrah) and the revelation that comes from listening to the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit). Whenever we ignore one or the other, we are out of balance!
Those who rely too heavily on “head knowledge” from the Scriptures, (but they refuse to yield themselves to hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit), are often too rigid, and legalistic in their views.
Those who are always chasing down signs and wonders, (but they don’t consult the Scriptures enough) are in danger of being led astray by false doctrines. This is why the Apostle Shaul (Paul) instructed us as follows:
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:6 Who also has made us able ministers of the Renewed Covenant; not of the letter, but of the Ruwach/Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Ruwach/Spirit gives life.
Continuing with Zechariah’s vision of the Two Olive Trees:
Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these TWO OLIVE BRANCHES which through the TWO GOLDEN PIPES empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:14 Then said he, These are THE TWO ANOINTED SONS, that stand by YHWH of the whole earth.
*Hint: YaHuWaH called the nation of Yisra’el “My first-born son” in Exodus 4:22.
In Jeremiah 31:9, he calls Yisra’el/Ephrayim his FIRST-BORN SON!
The King James translators used the phrase “THE TWO ANOINTED ONES,” but in Hebrew, it is “BEYN YITSHAR,” which means “THE TWO ANOINTED SONS!”
We are shown from Zecharyahuw the TWO KINGDOMS of Yahuwdah (Judah) & Yahuwseph (Joseph), which are in the hand of Ephrayim (Ezekiel 37:16-19).
Therefore, it is the TWO HOUSES/TWO KINGDOMS OF YISRA’EL WHO PROVIDE THE OLIVE OIL FOR THE SEVEN BRANCHED MENORAH!
When we conceptualize the SEVEN-BRANCHED MENORAH, with TWO OLIVE BRANCHES on the RIGHT SIDE & LEFT SIDE, what do we see?
We see NINE BRANCHES!
The meaning of the Hebrew word for “seven” (sheba) comes from the root word “shaba” meaning “To take an oath by repeating a declaration seven times.”
Therefore, the number “seven” represents “covenant,” which is why we are commanded to keep every Seventh Day (Shabbat) holy, and to cease from our own works.
We are also commanded to celebrate Seven Feasts as part of our Marriage Covenant with YaHuWaH.
The Seven-Branched Menorah also represents the Seven Assemblies in the Book of Revelation.
The Hebrew word for “two” (shanayim) represents “Two Witnesses.”
There are also Two Minor Feasts that represent the Two Witnesses in Scripture (Towrah & Prophets).
Abraham had “two kinds of seed” as follows:
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 22:17 That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed AS THE STARS OF THE HEAVEN, and AS THE SAND which is UPON THE SEA SHORE; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
1.) THE STARS OF THE HEAVEN - Wild Branches, born-again of incorruptible seed through Messiah (Galatians 3:29; Romans 11:16-19).
2.) THE SAND UPON THE SEA SHORE - Natural Branches, born of corruptible seed, but they too must become born-again of incorruptible seed through Messiah (Galatians 3:29; Romans 11:16-19).
“Chanukkah” means “Dedication,” and it celebrates the cleansing of the Temple.
It also celebrates the conception of our Messiah in the womb (Haggai 2:18-20; Revelation 21:22).
If there had been no Dedication (Chanukkah) of the Temple following the Maccabean Revolt (167-164 B.C.), there would not have been a nation for our Messiah to be born into!
“Puriym” means “To cast lots, to crush,” and it represents the casting of the lots for Yom Kippur. The Priest on Yom Kippur is instructed to cast two lots. One lot is for the sacrificial goat (who is killed), and the other is for the scapegoat, (who is sent away).
In the Book of Esther, Satan wanted to kill the Yahuwdiym (Jews), which is the tribe into which our Messiah was destined to be born.
Haman casted lots, but the Yahuwdiym (Jews) in Persia went free (like the scapegoat), and the ones who wanted to kill them were slain (like the sacrificial goat).
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:15 tells us that the woman’s “SEED” would “CRUSH” the head of the Serpent!
If Queen Esther had not been used by YaHuWaH to help “crush the enemy,” our Messiah (the seed) would not have been born into the world, to crush the head of the serpent!
Therefore, Chanukkah & Puwriym are TWO WITNESSES in history that YaHuWaH has preserved his covenant people, Yisra’el, through which he would send his Promised Seed!
Without Chanukkah & Puwriym, there would be no Messiah, and no salvation for humanity!
Then, Zecharyahuw asked the following questions:
Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, WHAT ARE THESE TWO OLIVE TREES upon the RIGHT SIDE of the MENORAH and upon the LEFT SIDE thereof?
*Explanation: There are TWO OLIVE TREES, one on THE RIGHT, and the other on THE LEFT of THE SEVEN-BRANCHED MENORAH!
Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these TWO OLIVE BRANCHES which through the TWO GOLDEN PIPES empty the golden oil out of themselves?
*Explanation: Notice that Zechariah switches from calling them “Two Olive Trees,” to “Two Olive Branches!”
The Hebrew word in Zechariah 4:12 is “shibbol,” which means “A branch.”
In the previous verses, he used the word “zayith,” which means “A tree or a branch.”
Thus, when Romans 11:17 refers to the “Two Olive Branches,” it has the same meaning as the “Two Olive Trees!”
Zecharyahuw (Zechariah) 4:14 Then said he, These are THE TWO ANOINTED SONS, that stand by YHWH of the whole earth.
*Explanation: YaHuWaH called the nation of Yisra’el “My first-born son” in Exodus 4:22.
In Jeremiah 31:9, he calls Yisra’el/Ephrayim his FIRST-BORN SON!
The English translators used the phrase “THE TWO ANOINTED ONES,” but in Hebrew, it is “BEYN YITSHAR,” which means “THE TWO ANOINTED SONS!”
This is the identity of the “TWO WITNESESS” in Revelation 11:4, for they are “TWO OLIVE TREES & TWO CANDLESTICKS.”
You might be asking “Why aren’t the Two Olive Trees on fire, like the seven-branch menorah?”
Revelation 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, FIRE PROCEEDS out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
The TWO WITNESSES have FIRE coming forth from them, just like the SEVEN BRANCH MENORAH!
To learn more about who the Two Witnesses are, see this blog: Who Are the Two Witnesses?
Abraham had TWO kinds of seed:
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as THE STARS OF THE HEAVEN, and as THE SAND which is UPON THE SEA SHORE; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
1.) THE STARS OF THE HEAVEN - Wild Branches, born-again of incorruptible seed through Messiah (Galatians 3:29; Romans 11:16-19).
2.) THE SAND UPON THE SEA SHORE - Natural Branches, born of corruptible seed, but they too must become born-again of incorruptible seed through Messiah - (Galatians 3:29; Romans 11:16-19).
We are shown from Zecharyahuw (Zechariah), the TWO KINGDOMS of Yahuwdah (Judah) & Yahuwseph (Joseph) which are in the hand of Ephrayim (Ezekiel 37:16-19).
Therefore, it is the TWO HOUSES/TWO KINGDOMS OF YISRA’EL WHO PROVIDE THE OLIVE OIL FOR THE SEVEN BRANCHED MENORAH!
When we conceptualize the SEVEN-BRANCH MENORAH, with TWO OLIVE BRANCHES on the RIGHT SIDE & LEFT SIDE, what do we see?
We see NINE BRANCHES!
Therefore, the number “SEVEN” represents “COVENANT,” which is why we are commanded to keep every Seventh Day (Shabbat) holy, and to cease from our own works.
We are also commanded to celebrate Seven Feasts as part of our Marriage Covenant with YaHuWaH.
The Seven-Branch Menorah represents the Seven Assemblies in the Revelation 1:20.
The Hebrew word for “TWO” (SHANAYIM) represents “Two Witnesses.”
There are also Two Minor Feasts that represent the Two Witnesses in Scripture (Towrah & Prophets).
“Chanukkah” means “Dedication,” and it celebrates the cleansing of the Temple. It also celebrates the conception of our Messiah in the womb (Haggai 2:18-20; Revelation 21:22).
In Revelation 21:22, in the 8th Millennium, our Messiah, the LAMB, and YaHuWaH Almighty shall be the TEMPLE!
If there had been no Dedication (Chanukkah) of the Temple, there would not have been a nation for our Messiah to be born into!
“Puwriym” (Purim) means “To cast lots, to crush,” and it represents the casting of the lots for Yom Kippur.
On Yom Kippur, the High Priest was instructed to cast two lots. One lot was for the sacrificial goat (who is killed), and the other is for the scapegoat, who goes free.
In the Book of Esther, Satan wanted to kill the Yahuwdiym (Jews), the tribe into which our Messiah was destined to be born. Haman casted lots, but the Yahuwdiym (Jews) in Persia went free (like the scapegoat), and the ones who wanted to kill them were slain (like the sacrificial goat).
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:15 tells us that the woman’s “SEED” (Messiah), would “CRUSH” the head of the Serpent!
If Queen Esther had not been used by YaHuWaH to help “crush the enemy,” our Messiah (the seed) would not have been born into the world, to crush the head of the serpent!
Therefore, Chanukkah & Puwriym are TWO WITNESSES in history, that YaHuWaH has preserved his covenant people, (Yisra’el); and he has sent his Promised Seed!
Without Chanukkah & Puwriym, there would be no Messiah, and no salvation for humanity!
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