Shemology is something that is near and dear to my heart. The reason is simple, G-d gave it to me in the early 90's as a gift. Every Shemology I have ever done, I did by the leading of L-RD. I never never just gone through the Bible just looking at list of biblical names, trying to find a Shemology. It may be that one day I will start in the book of Genesis, and work my way through to the book of Revelation looking at every biblical list in the Bible. However, G-d would have to lead me to do that. I believe that every one speak a message to us, but we must have ears to hear and eyes to see it. Some are easy and others are much harder to see and understand. Nevertheless, with the Holy Spirit as our teacher, He will always in His right timing show you something wonderful about the names. This biblical list in Zephaniah 1:1, I had looked at in passing, but really never put anything together on paper until one day when I was challenged to check it out by a dear brother in the L-rd. Brother Al Ansley sent me an email with a Shemology that he found in Zephaniah 1:1. Brother Al has been on MHM Update List for sometime now. What you are about to read is really Al's work. He gave me permission to change a few things which make his point much clear for you to see. So now, its really a joint effort. I pray you will enjoy this Shemology as much as we have. Rev. Barbara Di Gilio We would like to share with you something that we found interesting in G-d’s Word. As most of you know, numbers are important in the Bible, and they all have a significance to G-d. Brother Al wanted to see if there was anything more to the number 6, which represents "man" in Scriptures, then just that. As he searched he found that not only was this number 6 associated with "human labor," but is was also connected with the idea of "providing" in the Word. Al found that in the book of Genesis, if one starts at chapter 50 and counts backwards 6 times, and continues to repeat this till he gets to the first chapter, they will see that each chapter that falls up under the number 6, and will relate to that number in its association with provisions for MAN = 6. Al’s Example: In the 9th chapter Noah’s 2 sons "provide a garment" for their father to hide his nakedness. When you count 6 chapters after that chapter, you come to the 3rd chapter where Adam & Eve sinned and they hide their faces from G-d. Notice also that they attempted to "provide a covering for themselves to hide their nakedness," but it would not do them. G-d then had to "provide a covering" for their nakedness with an animal He killed. This can’t be a coincidence in the Word of G-d. No what it is, is a picture painted by the Living G-d for us to SEE and understand. Now look at this in Matthew the 6th chapter. Yeshua says that if animals are "provided for by G-d," then man will also be "provided for by G-d!" Why is this? It is because G-d’s is the crowning "Provider" of all mankind. Blessed be He! Brother Al also wanted to see what books fell up under the number 6, when counting from Genesis to Malachi. To his surprise he found some very interesting things. One book that fell up under this number 6, was the book of Zephaniah. Then to his surprise he found a wonderful "Shemology" in the first chapter that brought him conformation to his findings that G-d is seen indeed as the crowning "Provider" of all mankind. "The word of the L-RD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah." Zephaniah 1:1 This first chapter opens up with this simple genealogy of Zephaniah’s family line. Each name has more then one meaning, and sometimes we used both meanings of a name in putting a Shemology together. Sometimes we even use three meaning which will reveal even greater truths about G-d. This is a very kosher thing to do. The Bank of Names in Zephaniah 1:1: 1.) Zaphaniah = Yehovah hides, Treasured of the L-RD, Concealed (Hidden) of Yehovah 2.) Cushi = My blackness, A black countenance 3.) Gedaliah = Risen of Yehovah, Magnified of Yehovah, Brought up by G-d, Whom Yehovah has made great 4.) Amariah = Yehovah has promised, Speech of the L-RD 5.) Hizikiah = Strength of L-RD, Yehovah is strong, The L-RD is my strength 6.) Josiah = Yehovah has given, Yehovah has healed, Given up unto the L-RD. 7.) Amon = The Faithful, Skilled Provider, Who Nourisher, A Workman, A Multitude. 8.) Judah = The L-RD be praised, He shall be praised, Praised Now from the Bank of Names let’s make the application. Our Shemology can read this way: "Yehovah has hidden my blackness (sin). Risen and magnified is Yehovah and made great for Yehovah has promised it by the speech of the L-RD (Word of the G-d). The strength of Yehovah, is my strength! Given up unto the L-RD, Yehovah has healed! Who then is a skilled Provider? A workman who nourishes a multitude? It is The Faithful (the L-RD G-d), the L-RD be praised." my blackness (sin) speech of the L-RD (Word of the G-d) The Faithful (the L-RD G-d) All these meanings are implied by the names in our text. Does this Shemology tell us that G-d is our "Provider"? - Yes, we believe it does! However, we also feel its telling us so much more then just that fact. G-d also pointed out to Al, that when he was looking at the my Shemology of the geneology in I did in the book of Ruth 4:18-22, that Salmon is the 6th person mentioned. His name implies being (clothed in a Garment). Psalm 132:8-9 tells us: "Arise, O L-RD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your G-dly ones sing for joy." We the priest of the L-rd, are to be clothed in rightousness. This is by His doing according to Scripture the L-rd laid on my heart! "I will greatly rejoice in the L-RD, my soul shall be joyful in my G-d; for HE has clothed me with the garments of Salvation, He has covered me with the (His) robe of Righteousness, just as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10 AGI What a provision. Wow we are in awe of our G-d! It then goes on to say in Psalm 132:15-16: "I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread. Her priests also I will clothe with Salvation, and her G-dly ones will sing aloud for joy." Do you hear that saints of G-d, He states: "Her (Zion's) priests G-d will clothe with His Salvation!" This is Yeshua, our Righteousness! On the other hand, "the enemy will be clothed with Shame" (Psalm 132:18), instead of the robe of Rightousness. This is the good news of the Gospel which is hidden in these names, found in the book of Zephaniah chapter 1:1. Can other Scriptures confirm our findings, we think so. I had this Scripture come into my mind right away. Genesis 22:8, its one of my favorites. ------"And Avraham said, My son, G-d will "provide" Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." Our skilled Provider is the L-RD G-d Himself. Our sins are seen as "darkness (blackness) of the soul or spirit" in Scriptures. Light being good and darkness being of evil. (By the way, let me state right here, this has nothing to do with the Black race as many people preach it does. To preach that junk is not knowing the truth of Scripture at all!) In the Word of G-d, light = knowledge of G-d, and on the other hand, blackness or darkness = lack of G-d’s knowledge and sin. We see that darkness or lack of G-d’s knowledge in the 10 sinful spies not attainting the "Provision of the Promise of G-d" in the Scriptures below. "But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Yephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the Land, lived still. And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly. In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the top of the mountain, saying, ‘Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the L-RD has promised.’ But Moses said, ‘Why then are you transgressing (sinned against ) the commandment of the L-RD, when it will not succeed? Do not go up, or you will be struck down before your enemies, for the L-RD is not among you.’" Numbers 14:38-42 Then we see in Isaiah 53:1-12 how that "the provision of the promise of G-d, Yeshua, heals us when we believe His Word!" Believing on Yeshua, brings us into right standing with Father G-d. Yeshua the Messiah, seen in the hidden of the L-RD’S Word (Zaphaniah's name), gives glory to G-d. The names found in this Shemology show that as well. Its all there saints! One just has to study the Word out to find great gems like this one. Let us know what you think about this Shemology. If you feel you can add to this Shemology, then please share your findings with us. Your input is always appreciated, and we may add your to this page as well. G-d bless you, Shalom, Barbara Di Gilio & Al Ansley