Remember the sabbath – zakar – the same word is used when YHVH remembered Noah, and when YHVH remembered the covenant with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob to bring the Hebrews out of Egypt. It has deeper connotations than simply having it in mind. It is also the word used in verse 21, when YHVH says that every place YHVH causes The Name to be mentioned, YHVH will come unto and bless those who offer burnt offerings (olah) and peace (shelem) offerings.

Of interest is that the numbered days in Gen 6:3 (120 years) are not yet enforced, as there are longer lives listed for Shem’s ancestors.

Noah was 500 when he had Shem, and lived 950 years.

Shem was 100 and had Arpachshad two years after the flood (at 102?) and lived 500 (502?) years

Arpachshad was 35 when he had Shelah, and lived 535 years

Shelah was 35 when he had Eber, and lived 433 years

Eber was 34 when he had Peleg, and lived 464 years

Peleg was 30 when he had Reu, and lived 239 years

Reu was 32 when he had Serug, and lived 239 years

Serug was 30 when he had Nahor, and lived 230 years

Nahor was 29 when he had Terah, and lived 148 years

Terah was 70 when he had Abram, Nahor and Haran (triplets?), and lived 205 years

Using these calculations, (if I added correctly) Noah was still alive at the birth of Abram (as were Shem and Arpachshad and Shelah and Eber). Noah died 50 years later.

The covenant coming up in the next chapter further defines this, by adding all living things to the covenant. So, all flesh will not be destroyed by waters and the earth will not again be destroyed by waters. This does not specify that mankind is safe through all of his endeavors.

There were no men (or women!) who were chosen by other people to serve in the mishkan – it was by blood only (and only those with no physical defects) – and a diploma would not grant access to the priesthood.

Modern day “pastors”, “ministers”, “popes”, “reverands”, “priests” and “rabbis” would have to join another nation to continue in their careers.

Exodus 28,1 YHWH saying to Moses: “And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that they may minister unto Me in the priest’s office…..”

I will address that in one of the future postings.

-TC

Perhaps the removal of livelihood is exactly what happens when you have to go to a city of refuge… even though it is not a premeditated thing… there is an extreme loss of freedom until the cohen hagadol dies.

Not sure if I agree with this one. The ‘free will’ of mankind, the decision Adam made when listening to Eve, or when Eve listened to the serpent, the free will of mankind has in most instances been a disappointment to YHVH and not something under control.

Bloodshed will now have the punishment of bloodshed and will be meted out by men.

Unclear here is the life for life aspect, since Cain had his livelihood removed, it could be possible that removal of livelihood is still in play if blood is not shed (strangling, blunt force, etc.).