Achaz (אָחַז) and Dabaq (דָּבַק) - Lay hold on and cleave/cling to

In my last post about the use of the word, 'cleave' in the scriptures, I mentioned that I would save my comments on Moroni 7 for a separate post. I want to start out with a reference to Lord Wilmore's posts on the Hebrew word, achaz, meaning to grasp or take hold of. See here and here. As demonstrated in those posts, there is a broad range of uses of the term, but frequently there is a covenant context. The same is true for my last post that I linked about 'cleave'. These two words are somewhat related. We have 

• Achaz (אָחַז): to grasp, take hold, take possession
• Dabaq (דָּבַק): to cling, cleave, keep close

In Lehi's dream, we read

And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. (1 Nephi 8:24)

First you take hold (achaz) of the iron rod and then you cling to it (dabaq). 

I noticed this same pattern in Moroni 7. The chapter begins with Mormon explaining how to know good from evil. He then admonishes to lay hold on every good thing, repeatedly from verse 19. He also explains how. It is through faith in Christ and the ministry of angels. Then, in verse 28 he changes the phrasing.

For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens. (Moroni 7:28)

He goes on to insist that miracles have not ceased and they bring to pass the covenants of the Father (verse 32). I wonder if "laying hold of" is describing a first step, exercising faith in Christ , whereas "cleave/cling to" is describing a second step, keeping covenants that bind us to him. 

If I understand correctly, when these Hebrew words are describing something literal and physical, a handclasp would be described by achaz and a hug or embrace would be described by dabaq. For instance in Ruth 1:14, Ruth "clave" (dabaq) to her mother-in-law, No'omi, when they were about to depart. In modern Hebrew, dabaq is actually the word for glue.

The examples I have shared from the Book of Mormon describe a pattern where you grab the word/Christ/covenants and then cleave. This takes you safely to the tree of life and enables you to become "sons of God" (Moroni 7:26, 48). I also get a vivid image of the Lord reaching out his hand, and when we take it (achaz), he pulls us towards Him to embrace us (dabaq). It turns out that this image is not far fetched. In this excellent Interpreter article, Matthew B. Brown comments on certain Old Testament passages, most notably from Psalms, with this imagery in the Holy of Holies in the temple. These texts indicate the presence of a ceremonial handclasp in temple worship whereby the Heavenly King admits the earthly king into his presence in the Holy of Holies.

For instance, Mitchell Dahood, retranslates Psalm 73:23-24 from Hebrew into English this way

take hold of (achaz) my right hand. Into your council lead me, and with glory take me to yourself

He proposes that the "council" in this case is God's heavenly council. Brown comments

Taken altogether, Psalms 41 and 73 point to the possibility that when the king of Israel was initiated into his office in the temple precincts, he passed through the veil of the Holy of Holies (see Exodus 26:33) and into God’s symbolic presence. Perhaps a proxy and a handclasp played a role in such a situation.

This was the pre-Christ temple practice. Considering the fact that Peter after the coming of Christ said that the members of His church was a royal priesthood, things are getting interesting. Brown's paper gives several other examples and I will not repeat all of those here, except this one from Psalm 63:8

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

This verse is preceded by a description suggesting a temple setting. I find "followeth hard" an odd translation, but it is the Hebrew dabaq. Brown comments

Thus, a proposed right-hand clasp between God and the king in Psalm 63 is adjacent to imagery that suggests an embrace, and these, in turn, seem to be connected with the veil-concealed Holy of Holies.

Grasping and clinging to the word/Christ/covenants, admits us into God's presence where He can grasp and embrace us.

Achaz (אָחַז): to grasp, take hold, take possession -- part 1

One way I use to discover meanings and make new connections in the scriptures involves studying Hebrew root words and thinking about how their various meanings relate to Book of Mormon passages. I've come to learn that the Book of Mormon makes more sense in many cases when studied through the lens of the ancient Semitic worldview.

My most recent topic of study is the Hebrew root 'achaz' meaning 'to grasp, take hold, or take possession.'

We encounter this root in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament ('achaz' appears in some form 68 times).  Here is a sampling (the words translated from 'achaz' are in bold italics):

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. (Genesis 22)

26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. (Genesis 25)

27 ¶ And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. (Genesis 47)

2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. 4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 5 That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. (Exodus 4)

9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. (Job 17)

11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (Job 23)

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73)

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. (Psalm 139)

8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: (Isaiah 13)

14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33)

I'm especially intrigued by several examples on this list.  The account in Exodus 4 where Moses is commanded to take the serpent by the tail and it become a rod in his hand is noteworthy.  It is also very intriguing that Jacob was born while holding his brother's heel. More to come on these grand topics in future posts.

Hopefully this set of examples helps you see the broad range of uses 'achaz' has in the Old Testament.  I created the following list to help me in my search for related terms in the Book of Mormon:

• grasp
• take hold
• possess/take possession
• hold
• seize

I'm sure I'll find additional terms that fit this same pattern as I search. In part 2, we'll look at the passages I find in the Book of Mormon, and focus on patterns related to the duality of covenant-keeping or covenant rebellion.  In other words, we must hold fast to the word of God lest the devil grasp us with his awful chains.