Bible Codes 2.0 Part I

Bible Codes 2.0
(The majority of information in this document comes from the book Bible Code Bombshell by R. Edwin Sherman, in association with the bible code digest website)

A Note About Bible Code Bombshell
The book Bible Code Bombshell does an incredible job of addressing this topic from a purely scientific, and objective point of view. The author of the book is a Christian, but he does a thorough job of presenting evidence, and not conjecture. He and his team are all highly qualified in their respective fields, mostly to do with mathematics, statistics, probability, and other fields related to this particular discussion. Their credentials, as well as their methods are all given in the book. I will point out that much of the reading will likely go over your head, since it deals with complicated formulas and statistical information. It is still, however, a must read book, as it is filled with the most compelling information on this subject, that was available at the time of it’s publication. The complicated info in the book is more for the scrutiny of their peers, and less for laymen. This is still a must read book. There is loads of information in the book that I have not presented here. Not only is there much more info on the Isaiah cluster, there is also lots of info on an Ezekiel 37 cluster, as well as tons of random codes and facts. Please read this book!

Terms to be Familiar With
ELS. Equidistant Letter Sequence. ELS is the official name for these codes.
Code cluster. This is a closely packed grouping of codes. Legitimate clusters generally relate to a single topic.
Encoded text. This is a text that was intentionally encoded.
Non-encoded text. This is a text that was not intentionally encoded.
Surface text. (important) This is the text in which a code can be found.

A Brief Explanation of ELS Codes
We begin by putting the Hebrew Old Testament into a computer, and removing the spaces in between each word, creating a long string of letters, as the text occurred originally until the time of Ezra. Then you ask the computer to search for a certain word, within the parameters you create. You might have it look for the word Yeshuah. In the Hebrew this is Yod (y) Shin (sh) Vav (oo in this case) and Ein (ah in this case) or YSHVA. Our parameter will be a search within the book of Genesis (or it could be a group of books, or the whole of the OT, and so on). The computer then looks for the first appearance of the first letter of the word, within the parameters of your search, in this case the first appearance of the letter Yod, within the book of Genesis. Once it finds the first letter, the computer counts the number of spaces until the first appearance of the second letter in your word, in this case Shin. It then moves exactly the same number of spaces forward. If the third letter in your word is there, it continues to move the same number of spaces until the word is finished. If the third letter is not there, it goes back to the first letter, and counts the spaces to the second appearance of the second letter of your word, and continues in this manner, until it exhausts all possibilities within your search parameters. Then the same process is continued with the second appearance of the first letter, and then the third, and so on, until all possibilities are exhausted. As we will soon see, short ELS codes like this are very likely to occur by chance many times over, in any non-encoded Hebrew text, therefore making it not a very compelling piece of evidence for the claim that the Bible was intentionally encoded by a higher power.

It is important to note that the Hebrew alphabet only consists of consonants, and no vowels. The vowels are either inferred, or they appear as dots and dashes under, above, or in the midst of the consonant that they are connected to.

It is also worth mentioning that Hebrew Scribes and Rabbi’s have maintained for some time that at least the Torah is encoded. Torah is the collective name for the first five books of the OT, also called the books of Moses, or the Book of the Law. Some scholars had actually found codes in the Torah without the aid of computers, well before the advent of this important technology.

One More Term
Code extension. This is when you continue the letter skip sequence of a found code word, before and behind the original word found, to see if it is part of a larger string of encoded text.

The original search:
The 3 scientists, Doron Witztum, Eliyahoo Rips, and Yoav Rosenberg, (WRR) who first created the formula for the computer program that was designed to search for ELS codes, used only the book of Genesis as a test subject. They used the names of 34 of Israel’s most influential sages, as well as their dates of birth, and of death, to see what they could find. All 34 names were found along with either their date of birth, or date of death. Before the paper was published, another researcher by the name of Harold Gans, a senior cryptologist with the National Security Agency, reproduced the experiment using his own program, and found the exact results of the original test. Gans took the experiment one step further by searching also for the Rabbi’s places of birth and death. The book Cracking The Bible Code by Jeffrey Satinover explains the Gans story in greater detail.

The findings were reported in “Statistical Science” for pier review, and possible publication. Nothing is published in Statistical Science, until it’s been thoroughly reviewed by at least one independent referee. In this case however, the results were reviewed by three independent referees. After it was published, a statement was issued by 5 mathematical scholars, 2 from Harvard University, 1 from Yale University, and 2 from Hebrew University, which all supported the findings.

Beware the Straw Man!!!
A straw man is an overly simplified description of something you wish to destroy. You create a simplistic description for your target, that is easy for you to knock down, and therefore, by deceit you lead your audience to believe that your target is destroyed, or, in a debating sense, debunked. Skeptics use this tactic ALL THE TIME!!! This tactic is deceptive, and underhanded. The result is usually that of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, or disregarding the good, because of the bad.

The book describes an excellent analogy. If a museum curator receives a large donation of rocks, and some are common river rocks, while others are as rare and valuable as the hope diamond, the smart curator will take the donation, and disregard the trash, while keeping the valuables. He would be a great fool to throw all of the donated contents away because of the few worthless items within.

THE Major Skeptic interjection
Let us begin by addressing the most current and predominant skeptical claim, which is that any Hebrew text contains encoded words. Technically this is true. But, as we will soon see, it is no reason to dismiss the overwhelming examples of codes found to date within the Hebrew Old Testament.

The best example of codes found in other books is a cluster of short codes pertaining to Chanukah, found in a Hebrew translation of War in Peace. This cluster includes the words and phrases: (1) God’s miracle, (2) Hanukah candle, (3) Hashmani, (4) Hidden code, (5) Lighting, (6) Menorah, and (7) Night. The longest of these codes is 7 Hebrew letters. Now let us consider the mathematical probability of finding these codes within any non-encoded two-page-long section of Hebrew text. The following chart can be found in chapter four of Bible Code Bombshell, under the section, Taking Length Into Account.

Letters in ELS / Odds of Appearing By Chance in Any 2 Pages
6 or less / 100%
7 / 1 in 5
8 / 1 in 77
9 / 1 in 1, 475
10 / 1 in 28,850
11 / 1 in 572,800
12 / 1 in 11,476,500

These odds show how the Chanukah ELS cluster’s longest code, 7 letters, has a 1 in 5 chance of appearing in any two pages of non-encoded text, which is quite probable, statistically speaking. However, all of the other examples in this cluster are 6 or less, making them at least 100% likely to occur by chance, in any non-encoded text. Essentially, all you have to do is perform searches for a number of related words, until you find a series of words that are encoded close together, that all relate to a single topic, and presto, you have a code cluster comparable to this one. With diligence, any one can duplicate the same findings, maybe even slightly more compelling examples. This simply shows that short codes can indeed be found in any text. It is also very important to note that the codes found, have absolutely nothing to do with the surface text, and also that the founder of this example did not show the numbers or examples of their failed attempts to find related words close together, before they came across this cluster.

Another Major Skeptic Interjection
Skeptics will also object to Bible codes in that they say, the Hebrew Old Testament has had slight changes over the years, and therefore they will ask, “Which version is the correct text?” While this is somewhat true, it is a poorly painted picture. Hebrew Rabbi’s and Scholars who have studied this very argument will tell you that most changes between text’s, are only minor spelling changes. After Jesus’ life and death, changes were made to some OT passages, in order to throw students off the trail of learning that Jesus is the Messiah. The only example that I’m aware of is that Psalm 22:16 which states, “they pierced my hands and my feet”and this was changed dramatically. Fortunately for Christians, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which can be dated to 100 years before Christ, shows that the translation in the KJV is accurate. The OT that the biblecodedigest scholars use agrees with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Isaiah being one of, if not the most complete books found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Furthermore, the ENORMOUS amount of codes that are soon to be seen, also show just how reliable the texts used must be, because, as we will see, (1) almost all codes found, clearly relate to the same subject, and (2) almost all clearly relate to the surface text in which they are found. This allows us to calculate odds that are so astronomically beyond chance that the codes simply must have been put there intentionally.

Isaiah 53
This is actually the end of Isaiah 52, through all of chapter 53, but we will refer to it as the Isaiah 53 cluster, since only the last few verses of chapter 52 are included. This is known as the suffering servant prophecy. Some Jews say that this passage is a general description, while others will say that it is a Messianic prophecy (pertaining to the messiah), but they may also say that Jesus is not the Messiah. Christians and Messianic Jews will say that it clearly prophesies of the suffering of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. First I’d like to show why this is thought to be a prophecy of Jesus, purely from the Biblical Christian viewpoint. A person who is already familiar with this may want to skip the next paragraph, though it is still an interesting read.

(1) 52:14 says that His face was marred more than any man. Jesus was beaten (Matthew 26:67, 27:26, Mark 14:65, 15:15, Luke 22:63-64, 23:16 & 22, John 18:22, 19:1), spat upon (Matthew 26:67, 27:30, Mark 14:65, 15:19), His Beard was ripped from His Face (Isaiah 50:6), and the crown of thorns (very large thorns, not like those of a rose) was placed upon His Head (John 19:2), after which was He smote atop His Head (and his cheek Micah 5:1) with a rod, driving the thorns into His Scalp (Matthew 27:29-30, Mark 15:17-19). (2) 52:15 He shall sprinkle many nations (with Blood from an offering, see the section of this document titled A’shem Crosses). (3) 53:1 People will hear and not believe the “arm of the LORD” (John 12:37-38). (4) 53:3 He is despised and rejected (Matthew 27:20-25, Mark 15:8-14, Luke 23:18-23, John 19:14-15). (5) 53:4 He will bare our infirmities and our sickness (Matthew 8:16-17, I Peter 2:24). (6) 53:5-6 He will make the blind to see and the deaf to hear (many places. See Matthew 11:3-6). (7) 53:7 He will be silent in front of his accusers (Matthew 26:62-63, 27:12-14). (8) 53:5-9 He will be killed (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37-39, Luke 23:46, John 19:30). (9) 54:9 He will be buried with the rich (Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-42). (10) 53:12 He will die with criminals (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:32-33).

The main interjection concerning Jesus being the Messiah, in relation to Bible codes, is that the Hebrew name Yeshuah is a common name, and could be referring to anyone. Therefore, finding that name encoded in the text is nothing special, especially considering that it is only 4 Hebrew letters long. In fact, you would expect to find it encoded by chance around 550,000 times in the Torah alone. Glory to God, the Isaiah 53 cluster is filled with tons of references specifically to Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians worship. It is of the utmost importance that when you read the following lists, you be sure to note how they pertain directly to Jesus of Nazareth, i.e. names of people and places directly connected to Him; as well as how a great majority of them clearly pertain to His humiliation, death and resurrection, which is the topic of the surface text that these codes are found in.

The following is a list of multi word codes found in the Isaiah 53 cluster, that are clearly related to the surface text, understanding how the surface text is a prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering, death and resurrection. This list can be found in chapter 3 of Bible Code Bombshell, under the section Relevant Codes. The ones with relevance to Jesus of Nazareth (as opposed to possibly another man named Jesus) will be in bright blue, and the key words or phrases will be in bold. Occasionally a verse(s) pertaining to the information will follow the code.

(1) And brother of the Gospel, where has the manna spread? (John 6:31-35) (2) And command that we skip everything but the gem of ascension. (3) And in his Name, as He commanded, Jesus is the way. (John 14:6) (4) And thirst for all of Him is the faith of Mary the mother. (Matthew 13:55) (5) And where are they? The Sanhedrin is finished. (6) Ascension, considering God’s Hands under me. (7) Ascension, we will thank God, and they will be near my shelter. Recognize her blood. (8) Bemoan the Prince, Jesus the King. (9) Captain of the army of the Lord, carry the ark of sight. (10) Dreadful day for Mary. (11) Evil Roman city. (12) Father, the ascension of Jesus is heavenly. (13) From the joy of God my friend. (14) Give them a Jewish messiah who will become a priest. (Hebrews 5:5-6) (15) God is for them, and long live the exalted flame. God is Jesus. (16) God will have His own day. (17) God’s miracle to us is appropriate for them in the temple. (18) Greed, according to Matthew, was the rule. (19) Gushing from above, My mighty Name arose upon Jesus, and the clouds rejoiced. -weight:bold;color:#FFFF00;">(20) He offended. The resurrection of Jesus. He is risen indeed. (21) Her struggle is for them; God has graced them; Lord of hosts. (22) Hurry to pay heed about giving, for in it hearing will be given to you. (23) If the friend of evil will thirst for the end of righteous purity, his home is an urn. Let Judas have his day. To Me, the elevated One they fasted. Where are you? It’s content will be written from My Mouth. Father, indeed You will raise the dead over there. (24) In His Name, as He commanded, Jesus is the Way. (John 14:6) (25) It will be understood. Jesus created. (26) Jesus created a high gift. (27) Jesus created to the Father. (28) Jesus the gift is Master and my Lord. (29) Know who the chosen people are, or God will be angry. (30) Long live the ascension coming from God. (31) My shepherds are among the Disciples. (32) Have obedience to God, even if for a day only - Peter. (33) Shed light on ark of the covenant and fade away. (34) The ascension of Jesus: for the sleeping One will shout. Listen! (35) The ascension of Jesus is the death of the witness. (36) The Man and the God alive. (37) The Rabbi from the Glory of God. (38) The value of resurrection is thus dear. (39) There God will raise everything to the lion, God’s witness being Matthew. (40) Who is Jesus? Master. (41) Who will it be that God’s miracle will save? (42) Wonder! Jesus is the Truth. (John 14:6)

Next is a list of Multi word codes that are plausible in their relation to the surface text, in light of Messiah’s death and resurrection.

(1) And command fleets of resurrection from above to flee with raging excitement. (2) Ascension, be a cause for My Heart, and render My Father transformed. I will be ashamed, and will divide the temple of the messenger. (3) He waited. He will emit my very light thunder in them proudly from Armageddon. And they will crush the echo. (4) If indeed all the detail of this one is a string, does Peter despise the burden of the extra ships, and does My throne rest? So spoke God’s poor. (5) I fought sickness in God’s servant, and in God he slept. (6) I will cool the priest from his faith. Since Babylon is fallen, His Lamb is under the storm. (7) Smile, I see Matthew there. Let go! (8) We will advise the dove. He will place in me the multitude of Gog. You will be weakened.

Next is a list of mysterious multi word phrases, which generally make sense in terms of sentence structure, and can be potentially related to the surface text.

(1) Ascension, monument of the saturated. And the hand of the monument is the daughter of the cedar supporter. (2) Being Naive and indirect, Jacob (James?) weakened, or will it render him a true comic actor to her voice with me. (3) Come as my fire from my cell. Kidron is my life. (4) From my fear of resurrection he made a monument, or the power of the mouth. (5) Kidron calmed down and went. (6) My bride is dead. Let all the sweetness in me come forth. (7) Where is the defect of Thomas’s projectile?

Now let’s compare between the Isaiah 53 cluster, and the War in Peace Chanukah cluster in terms of the relevance of codes to surface text.

Category In Relation To Surface Text / Number Of Appearances In Isaiah 53 / Percentages
Relevant / 42 / 73.70%
Plausible / 8 / 33.30%
Mysterious / 7 / 12.30%

Category In Relation To Surface Text / Number Of Appearances In War And Peace / Percentages
Relevant / 1 / 4.20%
Plausible / 8 / 14%
Mysterious / 15 / 62.50%

It is possible for a somewhat long code to be found that: makes sense when read, and that seems to be related to the surface text, but it would be a rare occurrence. The odds are astronomical against the sheer number of codes within the Isaiah 53 cluster appearing by chance: codes that are very long, and that relate clearly to the surface text.

Kidron (#6939 in Strong's Concordance, meaning dusk) mentioned in (3) and (5) in the mysterious list, is a river between Jerusalem and the Mt of Olives. False idols were burned there (I Kings 15:13 [together with II Chronicles 15:16], II Kings 23:6 & 12 [together with II Chronicles 29:16 & 30:14]). David passed over Kidron during his exile from his son Absalom’s uprising, II Samuel 15:23. After the uprising, the traitorous Shimei is told by David not to pass over the Kidron, or else he will be killed I Kings 2:37. See also Jeremiah 31:40. In the NT it is mentioned once by the name Cedron. In John 18:1 Jesus crossed it to get to the garden of Gethsemane, and, according to 18:2 Jesus went there often.

Next is a list of meaningful two-word ELS codes. For those that appear more than once, the number of appearances will be in parentheses after the code. Total number including the multiple occurrences: 51 by my count.

(1) Angel of the Lord (2) Ascension of Jesus (3) Deer of the dawn * (see note below) (4) God has atoned (5) Have hemmed me in (6) His Spirit on a tree (Galatians 3:13, I Peter 2:24) (7) Jesus, be judged (8) Jesus is salvation (9) Jesus is truth (x2) (John 14:6) (10) Jesus reigns (11) Jesus the Messiah (12) King of light (x3) (John 8:12) (13) Lamp of the Lord (14) Living water (x2) (John 7:38-39) (15) Mother of God (Yed-bahz) (16) Mother of God (x7) (Ah-mahl) (17) Mt. Moriah (x2) (Ha-Moriah) (18) Much weeping (x2) (19) Resurrection of Jesus (x4) (20) Shiloh is a guilt offering (Genesis 49:10 [:8-12]) (see also section of this document titled A'shem crosses) (21) Son of a virgin (x2) (22) Son of God (Eloheem) (23) Son of God (x2) (Yahweh) (24) Son of man (25) Son of Mary (26) Struck by God (27) The king of light (28) The priestly tribe (29) Third temple (John 2:19-22) (30) True Messiah (31) We are healed (x2) (32) Who is the Messiah? (33) Will make intercession. (Hebrews 7:25)