RR Psalm 14 Part 9

(Early) Shabbat,

Psalm 68:14 When you lie among the campfires, wings of a dove were covered with silver and her feathers with shimmering gold.

This is poetry at its finest.  The images are lying “among the campfires,” and the description of the wings of a “dove.”  The translations and descriptions of these visions are widely disputed.  

Rabbi Trail: The Hebrew word translated as “campfire” is only used one other place in all of Scripture (Ezekiel 40:43) with no reference there to “campfire.”  This leaves us with a conundrum.  The Shoresh could be “Shin-Peh-Tav” meaning lips or language.  Still this is colorful language (this Psalm is full of such language).  Some translations use the word “sheepfold.”  Let’s not miss the context… these are a people who have been given the victory by God and are living leisurely and peaceably in the glory of it all.  End RT.  

A “dove” in Hebrew is “Yonah,” Jonah’s Hebrew name.  Sometimes, in Scripture, the “dove” is a reference to Israel.  Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son….11 “They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their houses.” It is a declaration of Adonai.

The detailed description of the vision of the wings of this “dove” in our subject verse, needs some unpacking.  The last Hebrew word of the verse is “Cha’rutz“ translated as “shimmering gold.”  In other places, “Cha’rutz” is frequently translated as “fine gold.”  This word has a deeper spiritual meaning, than  another commonly used word for gold, “Zahav,” meaning “golden.”  

Gold and silver are mined using sharp digging equipment.  That is the origin of “Cha’rutz.”  Spiritually speaking, these silver and gold covered feathers of the dove are sharp and incisive.  This “dove” (victorious Israel) is eager and even diligent to make clear, “cutting edge” decisions that are priceless (as gold).    

Let’s pray that we would be that “Cha’rutz.”  Isaiah 41:14 “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you.” It is a declaration of Adonai, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 15 “Look, I will make you a threshing sledge, new, with sharp (Cha’rutz), double-edged spikes.  Lord, make us sharp in victory, by the power of Your Son.  Amen and shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri       30-Oct-2026              19th of Cheshvan, 5787
Ge 21:22-34            Jdg 2             Ps 25           Mt 21:1-22     (Ro 3)