Joined

The Hebrew verb lawah means “to join, to adhere.” It also means “to lend” and, confusingly, to “borrow.”

James Barr will be upset with me, but I can’t help but wonder if ancient Hebrews viewed loans as a sort of glue that joins the borrower and lender.

And – risking Barr’s further wrath – I note that lawah is the etymological root of Levi (Genesis 29:34), and that Levi is named such specifically because Leah hopes he will serve as a bond joining Leah to her husband.

And then I note that lawah is used in Numbers 18:2, 4 to describe the Levites “joined” to the priesthood, and in a context that talks about tithes and exchanges of goods.

And then I can’t help but wonder if Levi is a glue that joins Yahweh the divine Husband to His bride.

And then I also can’t help but wonder if Levi is bound to Yahweh in the role of borrower, or if Levi binds Israel to Yahweh as a lender.

And then I notice that Isaiah uses lawah in 56:3, 5 (cf. Zechariah 2:11), where the strangers are “joined” to Yahweh, hence, no doubt, becoming Levites, but also, perhaps becoming debtors?

Forgive me, James Barr, for I have sinned.