Today, I just gotta say that I was seriously blown away by the pure, unadulterated beauty of nature once again. It’s like this amazing canvas that just screams out the incredible creativity of my heavenly Father. And in that moment, this deep Hebrew word, makom, popped into my head and it just hit me, you know? It’s like a reminder of how it can capture the essence of truth and shine a light on the richness of its meaning. It’s exactly how I felt taking this picture.
As I study and find the wonders of the Hebrew language, I can’t help but compare it to a lavish banquet set before me. It’s like a gourmet meal prepared with so much love and care, with every word and concept a delightful flavor for my soul. The aroma of its beauty beckons me closer, drawing me in with its irresistible charm. Just like a carefully crafted dish, each element of Hebrew is thoughtfully put together, creating a harmonious blend that nourishes my heart and mind. It’s a true work of art, crafted with precision and skill, meant to satisfy and delight in every way possible. Oh, how I savor every moment spent unraveling the mysteries of this language, each discovery a sweet and savory delight for my hungry spirit.
The Hebrew Bible contains more than two dozen names for God, which many of us have heard before: YHVH (“God”), Elohim (“Creator”), and Sabaoth (“Lord of Hosts of Armies”). One of the names for God that I love so much is Ha-Makom – this means “the place”
What can we learn from Jacob’s Dream and why he said Ha-Makom
Look at the book of Genesis; there, you will find Jacob’s dream, in which angels ascend and descend a ladder to heaven.
And Jacob went out from Beersheva and went toward Haran. And he arrived at the place and remained there all night, because the sun had set; and he took of the stones of the place, and put them beneath his head, and lay down in that place. Genesis 28:10-11
Where is this place? It is strange that the Torah, which is usually full of geographical details, does not specify the location.
Place Transcending Space
The makom that Jacob encountered was “God is the place of the world.
And Jacob awoke from his sleep, and he said, ‘Surely God is in this place, and I did not know.’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is no other than the house of the Almighty, and this is the gate of heaven.
Genesis 38:16-17
Discover the depths of the Bible
What Incredible Insights Can We Gather from Jacob’s Divine Vision?
Oh, what a revelation! Our God cannot be confined to a mere location. He transcends all physical boundaries, making Himself accessible to every soul across the vast world.
Let us Embrace the Divine Mystery
Even in our modern times, we often hear the Jewish people address God as Ha-Makom (“the place”) in their prayers. This divine title reflects the eternal vastness of our God, while also emphasizing His intimate closeness to us. And what a privilege it is to worship a God who is both infinite and intimately near!
And God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with Him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Beit-El.
Genesis 35:13-15
The place
God as Ha-makom, the Spacious One,
Is meant to convey as well that one could pray in one’s heart without uttering a sound and still be heard by and seen by God in that very place.
