Pictured above, are the Hebrew renderings of the Old Testament God (YHWH) as well as the Hebrew spelling of Jesus (YHSWH). As you may had notice, when spelled from top to bottom, there is a peculiar resemblance to the image of man. The four letters are representative to the four elements of the material world [fire, air, water, and earth]. Whereas the five lettered word, called the Pentagrammaton, is spelled the same with the addition of a fifth letter. This letter is represented by aether, the invisible power of the universe, with its location on the heart. According to ancient and medieval science, aether (also known by the Latin name; quintessence) is the binder of all life. It contains many descriptive names including spirit, soul, or void, and taught to be a heavenly substance - not of the material world.
One of the earliest works found on this subject was from a Greek philosopher named Empedocles (492-432 BCE). He called the four elements the fourfold roots, which along with aether, compose man and the universe. Furthermore, he stated that nothing new comes or can come into being without a purification of elements through love and strife (attraction and repulsion). This is alluded to in much later alchemical phrase as “dissolve and coagulate” a principle that describes the process of breaking down a substance into its basic elements and then reforming it into something new.
Elohim and Yahuwah (YHWH)
In the first chapter of Genesis, Elohim[1] (a plural word for gods/goddess) is said to have made mankind in their image,[2] whom accordingly regenerated after their own kind. In the next chapter, YHWH (Yahuwah) formed man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. The word “formed” comes from the Hebrew yatsar [ר֩צֶיִּיוַ].[3] The Definition of yatsar means to form or bind through desire and drive. Its etymology as a verb implies an urge or temptation. The NAS usage includes “to be predetermined, or to be created.”
This evolution of man was called Hay(wa), spelled Heh-Vav-Hey; the Hebrew word for animal[4], or people who behave badly. Perhaps this is a nod to our ancient ancestors, the Neanderthal - pre-adamites.
I believe this is important to consider, as man and woman were already created by the Elohim in the first chapter. Now, in the second chapter YHWH doesn’t create man – clearly that was already done. YHWH ‘forms’ or ‘binds’ the psyche of mankind with desire and emotion- as forming the activity of self will coming from a process a person’s character being predetermined.
This concept is reaffirmed with the following statement in Genesis, when “man became a living soul.” The translation of “soul” in this verse comes from the Hebrew word “nephesh,” meaning the animalistic nature. The NAS translation also uses this word to imply ones passion, appetite and emotion as a driving force or will. The dualistic role of the soul counters to the other part of the soul called, neshama. This is a feminine noun meaning soul, life, breath and heart. The word ‘Life’ is also called Eve, or Zoe, who is known as the offspring of Sophia (Wisdom) in Gnostic scriptures.
Understanding this in the context of psychology, it could be implied that we are governed by our character or self-will which is driven by impulsiveness and desire. The name of Deity was not a simply a word, but a gematria, symbolized as a deeper meaning that is hidden in plain sight. Unfortunately these name are being erased in the Biblical translation. Many of these ancient names were replaced with LORD, God, or idol(s).
Like when Empedocles pointed out, nature cannot be changed. In other words human nature is predetermined as something that is, has been, and will be. The Hebrew "יהוה" (YHWH) is not pronounceable or even a name until vowels (nikkudot) are added. However, linguist have interpreted these four letters as "He who makes that which has been made." That is until you add the element of aether to dissolve our personal will and coagulate the will of the Father (Goodness). This is the process of bringing about a profound spiritual or physical transformation of the self. Now by the symbol of the name YHShWH, man is elevated and whole.
Unless this transformation takes place in a person’s lifetime, it’s taught that they will remain in bondage to the physical world. A redeemer and illumination comes in to the show the way out of darkness (ignorance) in Genesis. This is another part of the Old Testament that is somewhat hidden.
First, let recall what sparked this interest of obtaining knowledge to Adam and Eve? According to Genesis, it was a wise being called nasash,[5] who directing them to Knowledge of the Tree of Good and Evil. A knowledge of good and evil is the logical and reason in which one is able to discern truth from falsehood. And it happens to be the one of two things Adam and Eve were told to stay away from. Eve, having desire and seeing that the tree was good to make one wise, ate the fruit of the tree and shared with Adam. Then “their eyes were opened.” Turns out they did not die in the day they ate from it as this superstitious and false believe. Some have pointed out that this was not literally eating a piece of fruit but an act of Divining. Looking into the new found letter will reveal something more dynamic to the human consciousness.
Liberation through Gnosis
Going back to the YHWH and YHShWH image of man, as noted in the illustration above, we see one difference between the spellings of the two names. And that letter is Shin. This ancient letter is illustrated as two from teeth, [v] which means to eat.
When someone says "eat knowledge," it means to actively absorb information and learn as much as possible about a subject, essentially "consuming" knowledge like one would eat food; to chew on as in contemplation or thought, implying a dedicated and thorough approach to gaining understanding.
After Adam and Eve ‘ate’ from the Tree of Good and Evil, they gained a Divine Knowledge of discernment (Gnosis), as stated in Genesis. To get into the nuts and bolts to this philosophy of archetypal nature, I had posted a parallel to a sacred gematria using a Pythagorean mathematical interpretation of the Tetragrammaton and the Pentagrammaton, which can be read here: https://warrenbaxter.substack.com/p/division
I AM, the first person
We are told that Genesis refers to Adam as the first person created and formed (yatsar). If we take that in the context of a pronoun, we are referring to a protagonist in the first person point of view. A first-person point of view is used to tell a story from the narrator's perspective. The narrator can be the protagonist or a peripheral character, representing all. This point of view makes the story more personal and subjective, allowing readers to see it from the author's perspective. First-person pronouns are "I," "me," "my," "we," "us," "our," and "ours". Only from this perspective can we view unity of all people (‘we are’ is the same as ‘I am.’) in contrast to the author writing in the third or second person perspective. Adam, Eve, evolving from the spirit of YHWH to YHSWH can now be view as understanding who we are.
In Judaism, ‘yetzer’ is another term that is derived from ‘yatsar’, mentioned above as formed. This is described as humankind's genetic impulse; a drive toward pleasure or security that goes unchecked. A term is drawn from the phrase "the inclination of the heart of man is evil". The Mishnah records that a redeemer is needed to find the true path for our life. Who, then is this hero? The one who conquers his evil inclination, through the connotation of the word (logos), and this name as an action is called YHShWH. For he is said to have come to restore humanity, not seek glory or be himself worshipped. Our inclinations, now being knowledgeable of both good and evil, one must follow the advice of his good inclination. We are brought to this awareness of knowing good and evil through what some call our higher self, the genius, personal daimon and almuten figuris, as our savior. According to the philosophy of many cultures, including ancient Greek, as expressed by Aristotle, "a hero is one who conquers his desires," meaning the greatest victory is over one's own self, overcoming personal desires rather than external enemies; essentially, the hardest battle is the one fought within oneself. Just as Carl Jung had wrote, a person does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making darkness conscious.
“Ben (the son of) Zoma said: Who is wise? He who learns from all people, as it is said: ‘From all those who taught me I gained understanding’ (Psalms 119:99). Who is strong? He who conquers his evil inclination, as it is said: ‘Better is one slow to anger than a strong man, and one who rules over his spirit than a conqueror of a city’ (Proverbs 16:32). Who is rich? He who is satisfied with his lot, as it is said: ‘When you eat the toil of your hands you are fortunate and it is good for you’ (Psalms 128:2). ‘You are fortunate’ — in this world; ‘and it is good for you’ — in the World to Come. Who is honored? He who honors others, as it is said: ‘For those who honor Me will I honor, and those who scorn Me will be degraded’ (I Samuel 2:30).”
I AM, the Right Angle (3:4:5)
In esoteric traditions, a right angle often symbolizes the meeting point of opposites, representing balance, stability, and the union of different forces, like the balance between yin and yang, where the two perpendicular lines represent distinct energies coming together in a harmonious way; it can also signify a direct path, truth, and the concept of having and maintaining an upright and level character. This leads towards integrity in one's spiritual journey.
The Pythagorean triangle is equivalent the cosmic numbers derived from this triangle. 3+4+5=12. The number 12 generally symbolizes completeness, perfection, cosmic order, and a state of spiritual wholeness; often referencing concepts like the 12 months of a year, 12 zodiac signs, or the 12 disciples of Jesus, signifying a unified whole within a larger system.
In the Old Testament, YHWH used the phrase “I am who I am” to identify himself. This speaks to the nature of mankind as self-sufficiency and eternal nature.[6] In the New Testament, Jesus identifies himself as “I AM”, nine times.[7]
Right Angles (3:4:5) were used for just about everything in the ancient days, including foundations, pyramids, astronomical clocks, mapping and measuring, as well as making perfect squares and circles. This was a mathematical language of perfecting nature, because nature did not produce this without the transformative power of humans. This math was also used as a code to name Deities, or as the High Priest would understand, the language of the Universe, no matter your language. With this equipment, we can understand the ancient Hebrew Deity names, such as Al Shdi, [Biblically translated as El Shaddai (God Almighty)] has a gematria of 1+30+300+4+10=345, or 3:4:5 in decimal places. This also corresponded to the name Ahih Ashr Ahih, "I am that I am," amounting to 543, the same numerical figure reversed.
Let us all awaken to the fact that our lower nature and feelings in the past have created disharmony of our world. I write this post as the new year dawns, in aim that we all can open our eyes and walk with the Father -the “I AM”- that we may be free from our own limitations. The "Mighty I AM" is God existing in and as each person's higher self. In a world so seemingly dark (ignorant) I wish that all people let that a light shine bright in 2025. Each light makes a huge difference.
[1] Strong’s H430: Elohim- 1. Plural in number. A. rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power. Gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), (very) great, judges, mighty.
[2] Genesis 1:26- And Elohim said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…
[3] Yatsar [Strongs H3334]- be distressed, be narrow, be straightened in straits, be vexed, be vexed. Synonyms: Instinct, urge, drive, temptation.
[4] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%99%D7%94
[5] Nahash- which can also be interpreted as "shining one" depending on the context, as the root of the word is related to the concept of shining or brilliance; this is why in some interpretations, the serpent in the Garden of Eden is seen as a symbol of deception disguised with a seemingly alluring appearance, like a "shining one."
[6] -Exodus 3:14, "YHWH said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.’”
[7] “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) - “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5) - “I am the door” (John 10:7 and 9, ESV) - “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14) “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) - “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6) - “I am the true vine” (John 15:1, 5), "For unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24), "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!" (John 8:58)