Who is the prophet in Deuteronomy 18:18?

[KniteOfIslam]

As-salamu 'ala man ettab'al Huda
(Peace upon he who follows the true guidance)

It's ironic that Muslims claim that the Bible has been changed and altered, then come along a verse like Deut. 18:18, and say "See Muhammed is a prophet of God!"

My friend, Nobel Quran mention that the "Injeel" is altered not vanished..
So we believe that the now aday bible has few of the true God's Word but not all

Actually We Muslims have no hesitation in acknowledging that in the Bible, there are three different kinds of witnessing recognizable without any need of specialized training. These are:

1. You will be able to recognize in the Bible what may be described as "The Word of God."

(a) I will raise them up a prophet . . . and I will put my words in ... and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." (Deuteronomy 18:18)
(b) I even, I am the Lord, and beside me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
(c) "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the end of the earth: for I am God, and there is non else." (Isaiah 45:22)
Note the first person pronoun singular (highlighted in green) in the above references, and without any difficulty you will agree that the statements seem to have the sound of being GOD'S WORD.

2. You will also be able to discern what can be described as the "Words of a Prophet of God."

(a) "Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani? . . ." (Matthew 27:46)
(b) "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord:" (Mark 12:29)
(c) "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God." (Mark 10:18).
Even a child will be able to affirm that: Jesus "cried" Jesus "answered" and Jesus "said" are the words of the one to whom they are attributed, i.e. the WORDS OF A PROPHET OF GOD.

3."Words of a Historian" : you will most readily observe that the bulk of the Bible is the records of eye witnessess or ear witnesses, or people writing from hearsay

* "And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he, (JESUS) came, if haply he (JESUS) might find anything thereon: and when he (JESUS) came to it, (Jesus) found nothing but leaves . . ." (Mark 11:13)

The bulk of the Bible is a witnessing of this THIRD kind. These are the words of a third person. Note the underlined pronouns. They are not the Words of God or of His prophet, but the WORDS OF A HISTORIAN.

Now for the Muslim:
It is quite easy to distinguish the above types of evidence in Islam, because he also has them in his own faith. But of the followers of the different religions, he is the most fortunate in this that his various records are contained in separate Books!

ONE: The first kind — THE WORD OF GOD — is found in a Book called The Holy Qur’an.

TWO: The second kind — THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET OF GOD, (Muhummed, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are recorded in the Books of Tradition called The Hadith.

THREE: Evidence of the third kind abounds in different volume of Islamic history, written by some of high integrity and learning, and others of lesser trustworthiness, but the Muslim advisedly keeps his Books in separate volumes!
The Muslim keeps the above three types of evidence Jealously apart, in their proper gradations of authority. He never equates them. On the other hand, the "Holy Bible" contains a motley type of literature, which composes the embarrassing kind, the sordid, and the obscene — all under the same cover — A Christian is forced to concede equal spiritual import and authority to all, and is thus unfortunate in this regard.

I hope that clears the matter for u my friend
====================================

Man, I wouldn't fool you.

5 and 7 are things that God did with many Kings and Judges.

Joshua 10:7-11
7 So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. 8 The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you."
9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. 10 The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.
Here God gives victory to Jishua before the battle and raisn fear on the enemy. I'd say this is real fear since over half of the enemy army was destroyed by giant hail!
There are many examples of this in Joshua and Judges.
I Samuel 30:7-8
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD , "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?"
"Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue."

I know u wouldn't my friend...I was just joking...Don't take it that hard...

I hope u r safe and sound

Now let's see:

So our list of candidates grew up to contain:
Mohammad
Jesus
Joshua
David


Now:
Does anyone can compare the following similaririties that Moses, Jesus and Mohammad have??..and I mean all of them or more....not just one or two...know what I mean!...if less he is less like Moses....:

1) Moses was a Miracle worker ... Jesus was a miracle worker And So was Mohammad a miracle worker
2) Moses Asked that the great Sin of His People be Forgiven (Exodus 32:31-32). Jesus asked that the great sin of His people be forgiven (Luke 23:34) And Mohammad asked that the great sin of His people to be forgiven ("Sahih Al-Bukhari" Page 3797)
3) Moses Physically controlled water, Jesus Physically controlled water , And so Mohammad Physically controlled water ..(evolved water by his hands "by allah's permission")
("Sahih Al-Bukhari" one of the most rightious books in Islam - Vol 5, Book 59. Military Expeditions Led By The Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi). Hadith 473. )
4) An angel watched over Moses' body (Jude 1:9 ). Jesus had at least two angels watching over His body (John 20) And so did Mohammad ("Sahih Muslim" - 2797)
5) Moses did not have special clothing symbolic of his rank. Jesus also did not have special clothing showing His rank And so Mohammad had not special clothing symbolic of his rank
6) Moses was involved in the activities of the holy Tabernacle on earth (Exodus 25-40 ). Jesus is involved in the perfect Tabernacle in Heaven (Hebrews) And Mohammad was involved in the activities of the House Of Allah In Medina (on earth too ).."Messenger's Mosque"
7) Moses provided ransom by pouring out blood as a sacrifice (Ex. 12 ). Jesus similarly ( Matt. 20 :28 & Hebrews 9 :11-15 ) And soo did Mohammad both in "Hajj" (Pilgrimage) and in "Eid Al-Adha" (Al-Adha Feast) poured blood as a sacrifice
8) Moses fed multitudes of people by miracles (Ex. 16 ). Jesus fed multitudes (Matt. 14 and 15 ) - And so did Mohammad, he fed multitudes of people with few loafs of bread and some butter
("Sahih Al-Bukhari" - Vol 8, Book 78. Oaths And Vows. Hadith 679.)
9) Moses and Jesus predicted Israel's history (Deut.28:15-28; Mt.23:34,24:1,2,8,34) And so did Mohammad predicted his people's history.. ("Sahih El-Boukhari Vol 9, Book 85. Saying Something Under Compulsion (Ikraah). Hadith 076.)
10) Moses and Jesus had a face to face relationship with God unlike any other person. Moses (Ex.33:9-11, Deut.34:10; Numb.12:7)- Jesus was with God=face to face from eternity (1:1) And so did Mohammad had direct face to face with Allah in Heaven durin "A- Me'raj" (The Ascending)
11) God spoke audibly and directly from heaven to both Moses and Jesus. Moses (Ex.20:22, 24:12-16) Jesus (Mt.3:17; Jn.12:2) And so did Allah spoke to Mohammad audibly and directly in Heaven durin "Al- Me'raj" (The Ascending)
12) Moses and Jesus were sent by God to reveal His name, person and law to the people. To Moses God said to tell them I Am sent you. (Ex.3:13-14) Jesus said God sent him as his exact representative revealing his name (I Am) and nature to the people. (Jn.8:42; 17:6,11-12; Col.2:9; Heb.1:3) And so Mohammad was sent by Allah to people to deliver the revelation to tell them I am sent to you

I guess this eliminates Joshua and David and whoever else we can think of from Moses till now

I think u agree on that...
Ur Turn

May Allah Be Our Way And Goal

 

[crystalpc]

As-salamu 'ala man ettab'al Huda
(Peace upon he who follows the true guidance)


My friend, Nobel Quran mention that the "Injeel" is altered not vanished..

King of Islam,
This is interesting. When was it altered?

 

[peaceful soul]

King of Islam,
This is interesting. When was it altered?

They have a basic answer that says that anything that is not supported by Qu'ran is not to be believed. That means that they can have free reign to trash Bible. They can pick and choose what may help them to comfirm their Qu'ran or to invalidate a Christian's belief. That is a bit simplistic, but is close to the objective.

 

[crystalpc]

They have a basic answer that says that anything that is not supported by Qu'ran is not to be believed. That means that they can have free reign to trash Bible. They can pick and choose what may help them to comfirm their Qu'ran or to invalidate a Christian's belief. That is a bit simplistic, but is close to the objective.

I know but I would like to hear the date that it was altered. Since it was said that Muhammed had an unaltered copy of both books. This has always interested me Muhammed lived in the 7th century, and it is even reported by islamic historians that he could neither read or write.

 

[rahma]

King of Islam,
This is interesting. When was it altered?

It was altered when it was written down into the 4 gospels. For muslims, a revelation comes as a narration from God. It would not include a narrative of Jesus' life. The 4 gospels in the bible are more akin to hadith, sayings of Jesus, rather then him receiving revelation that his followers memorized.

I know but I would like to hear the date that it was altered. Since it was said that Muhammed had an unaltered copy of both books.

Where did you read that? Muhammad (saws) would have the best access to the unaltered copies, because he had access to what God said, and the unaltered torah and gospel are with God in heaven.

This has always interested me Muhammed lived in the 7th century, and it is even reported by islamic historians that he could neither read or write.

The arabs and most people of the time were primarily oral. Most people did not know how to read and write. Poems and religious works were learned orally, not through reading and writing.

 

[crystalpc]

It was altered when it was written down into the 4 gospels. For muslims, a revelation comes as a narration from God. It would not include a narrative of Jesus' life. The 4 gospels in the bible are more akin to hadith, sayings of Jesus, rather then him receiving revelation that his followers memorized

Well I wasn't necessarily talking about the New Testament, but what we call the Old Testament, that gives us Daniel, David, Jonah, Isaiah and the other prophets.

I guess this eliminates Joshua and David and whoever else we can think of from Moses till now

If it eliminated these prophets, then it would be that you believe the Old Testament had been corrupted, or the Tenach as the Jewish people call it? When was this altered?

 

[thaiv]

Hold up....The Bible is supposed to be "altered" and corrupt right? It has been claimed by many Muslims that this is so. Why trust the reading of Deut. 18:18 then? Oh ok I get it......

Its ok to take stuff from the Bible when it supposedly confirms something believed by an individual but of course its corrupted so one should not look at the rest that does not fit his premise.

Makes perfect sense.

 

[crystalpc]

It was altered when it was written down into the 4 gospels. For muslims, a revelation comes as a narration from God. It would not include a narrative of Jesus' life. The 4 gospels in the bible are more akin to hadith, sayings of Jesus, rather then him receiving revelation that his followers memorized

See here is where we have no consensus. Jesus did not recieve revelation, he was revelation.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

This aside though, since I know you don't believe it, when was the Tenach or Old Testament changed?

 

[JCBeliever]

It was altered when it was written down into the 4 gospels. For muslims, a revelation comes as a narration from God. It would not include a narrative of Jesus' life. The 4 gospels in the bible are more akin to hadith, sayings of Jesus, rather then him receiving revelation that his followers memorized.

Where is the proof for this?
How and why would God let His Word become corrupted so quickly?
Is God not capable of ensuring His Word is preserved and does His Will and is fruitful?

Now:
Does anyone can compare the following similaririties that Moses, Jesus and Mohammad have??..and I mean all of them or more....not just one or two...know what I mean!...if less he is less like Moses....:

1) Moses was a Miracle worker ... Jesus was a miracle worker And So was Mohammad a miracle worker
2) Moses Asked that the great Sin of His People be Forgiven (Exodus 32:31-32). Jesus asked that the great sin of His people be forgiven (Luke 23:34) And Mohammad asked that the great sin of His people to be forgiven ("Sahih Al-Bukhari" Page 3797)
3) Moses Physically controlled water, Jesus Physically controlled water , And so Mohammad Physically controlled water ..(evolved water by his hands "by allah's permission")
("Sahih Al-Bukhari" one of the most rightious books in Islam - Vol 5, Book 59. Military Expeditions Led By The Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi). Hadith 473. )
4) An angel watched over Moses' body (Jude 1:9 ). Jesus had at least two angels watching over His body (John 20) And so did Mohammad ("Sahih Muslim" - 2797)
5) Moses did not have special clothing symbolic of his rank. Jesus also did not have special clothing showing His rank And so Mohammad had not special clothing symbolic of his rank
6) Moses was involved in the activities of the holy Tabernacle on earth (Exodus 25-40 ). Jesus is involved in the perfect Tabernacle in Heaven (Hebrews) And Mohammad was involved in the activities of the House Of Allah In Medina (on earth too ).."Messenger's Mosque"
7) Moses provided ransom by pouring out blood as a sacrifice (Ex. 12 ). Jesus similarly ( Matt. 20 :28 & Hebrews 9 :11-15 ) And soo did Mohammad both in "Hajj" (Pilgrimage) and in "Eid Al-Adha" (Al-Adha Feast) poured blood as a sacrifice
8) Moses fed multitudes of people by miracles (Ex. 16 ). Jesus fed multitudes (Matt. 14 and 15 ) - And so did Mohammad, he fed multitudes of people with few loafs of bread and some butter
("Sahih Al-Bukhari" - Vol 8, Book 78. Oaths And Vows. Hadith 679.)
9) Moses and Jesus predicted Israel's history (Deut.28:15-28; Mt.23:34,24:1,2,8,34) And so did Mohammad predicted his people's history.. ("Sahih El-Boukhari Vol 9, Book 85. Saying Something Under Compulsion (Ikraah). Hadith 076.)
10) Moses and Jesus had a face to face relationship with God unlike any other person. Moses (Ex.33:9-11, Deut.34:10; Numb.12:7)- Jesus was with God=face to face from eternity (1:1) And so did Mohammad had direct face to face with Allah in Heaven durin "A- Me'raj" (The Ascending)
11) God spoke audibly and directly from heaven to both Moses and Jesus. Moses (Ex.20:22, 24:12-16) Jesus (Mt.3:17; Jn.12:2) And so did Allah spoke to Mohammad audibly and directly in Heaven durin "Al- Me'raj" (The Ascending)
12) Moses and Jesus were sent by God to reveal His name, person and law to the people. To Moses God said to tell them I Am sent you. (Ex.3:13-14) Jesus said God sent him as his exact representative revealing his name (I Am) and nature to the people. (Jn.8:42; 17:6,11-12; Col.2:9; Heb.1:3) And so Mohammad was sent by Allah to people to deliver the revelation to tell them I am sent to you

I guess this eliminates Joshua and David and whoever else we can think of from Moses till now

I think u agree on that...
Ur Turn

You're point is that these 12 are points for Muhammed and Jesus?
You didn't hit base on #5 and #7 (from the previous discussion) which were things God did with most of His prophets and judges and kings that asked for His help. You loose some there.
Now I ask a fourth time, did Muhammed chemically alter water?
Did He die on a hill like Moses and Jesus? That's more exclusive then Muhammed and Moses dies a natural death.
The similarities between Moses and Muhammed end in your 12 points.
Jesus has these plus a number of exluslive similarities between Him and Moses.

Understand also that Muhammed does not fit the other criteria as near as well as Christ.
Say Jesus is the Word incarnate, and God dwelt in Him, then logically every word Jesus spoke was the direct word of God. God put the words in Jesus the man's mouth.
Jesus was a brother to Moses and the Jews of the 12 century BC.
Muhammed was a SECOND COUSIN of Moses and the Isarelites.
The brother nation of Israel is Edom and the cousin nation is Ishmael.
So the children of Edom are cousins to the chilren of Israel, and the chilren or Ishmael are second cousins. And so the children of Israel are brothers amongst themselves.

Take care.

 

[Letalis]

If Muhammad was anywhere in the bible, I'd suspect it to be in the New Testament; not the Old Testament.

 

[PurelyIslam]

There is one huge difference that could really be considered the core of the matter...and really I'm amazed that christians are not pointing out strongly since for them its the focal point of their current-day christianity..

According to christians Jesus is God right...?
Therefore how can God now be like another human...
None of the followers of Moses believed he was God or part of God...he was a man prophet..so as Muhammad..no one took him as a God...but was a man prophet...but that could not be said for the followers of Jesus...

So based on Chrsitian beliefs...Deut 18:18 could not be about Jesus...cuz Moses is so not like Jesus....whereas Muhammad is so much like Moses..

peace and blessings upon all of them..

Yours in Islam..Purely..

 

[thaiv]

Well Christ has a dual nature- He is a God-man. Yes, He is God, but He is also a man. As a man He is also a prophet. As a prophet He is so like Moses.

 

[crystalpc]

Well Christ has a dual nature- He is a God-man. Yes, He is God, but He is also a man. As a man He is also a prophet. As a prophet He is so like Moses.

Excellent, it is hard for those who oppose the divinity of Christ to understand his two natures. He repeatedly said: he was

the son of man

giving him authority upon this earth, and just as adamantly showed he was the divine Son of a living God giving him the authority of God's Word.

If you have seen me you have seen the Father!

 

[IronEagle]

Well Christ has a dual nature- He is a God-man. Yes, He is God, but He is also a man. As a man He is also a prophet. As a prophet He is so like Moses.

You see Moses didn't had dual nature like Jesus.

 

[crystalpc]

The man part made him a prophet as likened unto Moses.

 

[IronEagle]

The man part made him a prophet as likened unto Moses.

You are not looking at the whole picture.... if you are only looking at parts than lot of other people can be likened unto Moses.

 

[crystalpc]

You are not looking at the whole picture.... if you are only looking at parts than lot of other people can be likened unto Moses.

No they can't Moses turned the water to blood, and Jesus turned it to wine.
Moses led God's children out of captivity in Egypt. Jesus led all who believed out of captivity of the devil.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

.

 

[PurelyIslam]

Excellent, it is hard for those who oppose the divinity of Christ to understand his two natures. He repeatedly said: he was

the son of man

Exactly Jesus repeatedly said he was son of man... and he repeatedly refused to be called son of God...which makes him of one-nature and not a dual nature...Luke 4:41: "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ."...clearly he refused to be called son of God...and again in Luke 9:20-21 we see Jesus again refusing to be called by that title and even charging those who said it..."He [Jesus] said unto them [the disciples], But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. And he straightly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing."

If you have seen me you have seen the Father

This speaks of Oneness of Purpose and not Oneness of Essence...Why?.."And call no man your father upon the earth:for one is your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9...

Yours in Islam..Purely..

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

Exactly Jesus repeatedly said he was son of man...

Son of Man!!! Everyone is son of man, why did Christ talk about himself as son of man? He is using the unique term referring a unique condition (unique place) HE IS IN(SIDE) for the first time, everyone is son of man (mankind) but he is now THE SON OF MAN, BORN IN FLESH! The meaning is so clear reading the Bible...

and he repeatedly refused to be called son of God..

First why? Son of God had become a political term. But repeatedly? Please!!! Read Matthew 16:13-28, ESPECIALLY Matthew 16:16 and check out Christ's response!!! Where is the refusal?

Luke 4:41: "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ."

And devils also came out of many…

Not willingly, nor of themselves, but at the word and command of Christ, who ordered them to depart,

crying out and saying;

as they left the bodies, of men, and not with any goodwill to Christ:

thou art Christ;

the true Messiah, that was of old promised and prophesied of, and has been long expected to come:

the Son of God;

the only begotten Son of God, possessed of the same perfections with God his Father; and particularly of almighty power, of which they were convinced by his dispossessing them;

and he rebuking them, suffered them not to speak;

for he needed not their testimony, nor did he choose to be made known by them

for they knew that he was Christ,

or "that they knew that he was Christ"; so the Syriac version: they certainly did know that he was the Messiah, partly by the voice from heaven at his baptism, and partly by his power over them: but Christ would not suffer them to say that he was the Messiah, or that they knew him to be so; either because the time was not come for such a declaration to be made, or they were not the proper persons to make it; and lest such a publication, by them, should be made a handle of by the Scribes and Pharisees, to say that he had society with devils, and by them cast them out.

And he straightly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing.

And he strictly charged them, and commanded them…

Though he highly approved of this their confession, and pronounced Peter blessed upon it; and signified that it was a discovery which flesh and blood could not make, but what was made to him his Father: yet he gave them a strict charge, and laid his commands on them,

to tell no man that thing;

that he was the Messiah, and the eternal Son of God, and the true God, as well as the son of man, and really man: the reasons for this let's go to Matthew 16:20

Matthew 16:20

Then charged he his disciples…

When Peter had so freely and fully confessed him to be the Messiah, and which was the sense of all the disciples; and when Christ had expressed his approbation of his confession, and had promised such great and excellent things upon it, he gave a strict charge unto his disciples,

that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

it was enough to charge them to tell no man that he was the Messiah: his reasons for it might be, lest his enemies, the Scribes and Pharisees, should be the more provoked and incensed against him, and seek his death before his time; and lest the jealousy of the Romans should be stirred up, who might fear he would set up himself against Caesar, as king of the Jews, which might lead them to take measures obstructive of his further designs; and lest some persons, hearing of this, should rise and proclaim him king of the Jews, who were big with the notion of the Messiah being a temporal prince: and moreover, because the disciples were to attest the truth of this after his resurrection; and he chose, for the present, that the people should collect this from his own ministry and miracles, which were sufficient to lead them into the knowledge of it, without any declarations of their's: and though they were possessed of true faith in him, as such, for themselves, as yet they had not the gifts and abilities to defend those doctrines respecting his person, and his offices, they had after the Spirit was poured down upon them. God's will was to be executed as it was planned.

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

he that hath seen me hath seen the Father

This speaks of Oneness of Purpose and not Oneness of Essence...

And how in the world do you know this? Did you do the biblical exegesis on this?

he that hath seen me;

Not with the eyes of his body, but with the eyes of his understanding; he that has beheld the perfections of the Godhead in me

hath seen the Father;

The perfections which are in him also; for the same that are in me are in him, and the same that are in him are in me: I am the very image of him, and am possessed of the same nature, attributes, and glory, that he is; so that he that sees the one, sees the other

Now let's go to Matthew 23:9;

And call no man your father upon the earth…

Not but that children may, and should call their natural parents, fathers; and such who have been instrumental in the conversion of souls, may be rightly called by them their spiritual fathers; as servants and scholars also, may call those that are over them, and instruct them, their masters: our Lord does not mean, by any of these expressions, to set aside all names and titles, of natural and civil distinction among men, but only to reject all such names and titles, as are used to signify an authoritative power over men's consciences, in matters of faith and obedience; in which, God and Christ are only to be attended to. Christ's sense is, that he would have his disciples not fond of any titles of honour at all; and much less assume an authority over men, as if they were to depend on them, as the founders of the Christian religion, the authors of its doctrines and ordinances; and to take that honour to themselves, which did not belong to them; nor even choose to be called by such names, as would lead people to entertain too high an opinion of them, and take off of their dependence on God the Father, and himself, as these titles the Scribes and Pharisees loved to be called by, did: and who were called not only by the name of Rabbi, but Abba, "Father", also: hence we read of Abba Saul, or "Father" Saul (Pirke Abot, c. 2. sect. 8.); Abba Jose ben Jochanan, a man of Jerusalem (T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 53. 2.), Abba Chanan (Ib. fol. 64. 1.), Abba Chelphetha, a man of the village of Hananiah (T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 94. 1. & Bava Bathra. fol. 56. 2.); Abba Gorion (Massech Sopherim, c. 15. sect. 10.), and others; and this name was (ybr wmk dwbk Nwvl) , "a name of honour, even as Rabbi" (Juchasiu, fol. 31. 2. & 61. 2.), and of great authority: the wise men are said to be (lkh twba) , "the fathers of all" (Maimon. in Misn. Peah, c. 1. sect. 1.), to whom all gave heed, and upon whom all depended, as so many oracles. There is a whole treatise in their Misna, called Pirke Abot, which contains some of the oracles, and peculiar sayings of these "fathers", the Misnic doctors, and which are preferred to the writings of Moses, and the prophets. In this sense, and upon this score, our Lord inveighs against them, and cautions his disciples against giving or taking all such titles, in such sense. "For one is your Father, which is in heaven"; who is so, both by creation and adoption, and is possessed of all paternal authority; and is to be honoured and obeyed by all; from whom all wisdom and knowledge is derived, and who has the care and government of all in heaven and in earth.