Artists for Israel International · Online Exhibit

Ephesians & Yiddishkait Iggeret el HaEfesim — הָאִגֶּרֶת אֶל הָאֶפְסִים

Shaul's letter of hidden purpose, one new humanity, and the kehillah as the dwelling-place of the Divine Presence — read through its Tanakh-shaped vocabulary and Jewish contours, while the letter's references to the accursed tree and the sacred dwelling are preserved by circumlocution rather than later technical terminology — 36 reflections across six chapters, then set beside the Greek NT interlinear itself.

Soaked in Tanakh: Four Threads

Ephesians reads like a sustained meditation on what the G-d of Israel has purposed in Moshiach: blessing, election, redemption, inheritance, reconciliation, and the gathering together of all things. Its central social claim is equally striking — Yehudim and Goyim are made into one new humanity, with the dividing wall removed and both given access to the Father by one Ruach.

Berachah, Bechirah & Yerushah

  • The letter opens with berachot ruchaniyot — spiritual blessings — and immediately frames them in the language of being chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and given an inheritance (1:3-14).
  • The vocabulary repeatedly reaches backward into Israel's Scriptures: bechirah (choosing), benim (sons), yerushah (inheritance), geulah (redemption), and the sealing of the promised Ruach all belong to the letter's covenantal register.
  • The purpose is larger than individual salvation: everything is being gathered together under one head, Moshiach, so that the divine purpose reaches its appointed fullness.

One New Humanity

  • The uncircumcised Goyim, once "far off," are brought near; the former separation between Yehudi and Goy is described as a dividing wall now removed (2:11-18).
  • The result is not merely two groups agreeing to coexist. The text speaks of one new humanity, one body, one household, and one access to the Father through one Ruach.
  • This is presented in covenantal terms: strangers and sojourners become fellow citizens with the kedoshim and members of the household of Elohim (2:19-22).

Temple, Mishkan & Dwelling-Presence

  • The congregation is built together as a holy dwelling-place: the foundation is the shluchim and neviim, with Moshiach as the chief cornerstone (2:20-22).
  • The letter speaks of believers being "built together" so that Elohim may dwell among them. This exhibit therefore preserves the circumlocution the place where the Divine Presence makes His home rather than imposing a later architectural term where the text's emphasis is indwelling.
  • Chapter 3 returns to this mystery: the Goyim are fellow heirs and fellow members, and the kehillah makes the manifold wisdom of Elohim known.

The Reverence-Pattern of Circumlocution

  • Where the letter speaks of Moshiach being given over and of the sacrifice by which redemption is accomplished, this exhibit retains the circumlocution the accursed tree / the tree of shame rather than inserting a later technical term for the Roman instrument of execution.
  • Where the congregation is described as the dwelling-place of Elohim by the Ruach, the exhibit uses the place where the Divine Presence makes His home, preserving the letter's emphasis on Presence and indwelling.
  • The purpose is not to obscure the text, but to let its own Jewish reverence-pattern and Tanakh vocabulary remain audible.

Reading Key — One New Humanity, One Household, One Hope

This exhibit reads Ephesians as a single sustained movement: what Elohim purposed before the foundation of the world, He has now disclosed in Moshiach — creating one reconciled people, one household, and one dwelling-place of His Presence.

➤ Berachah → Bechirah (ch. 1) — blessing, choosing, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, and the seal of the promised Ruach.

➤ Mechitzah → Echad (ch. 2) — those once far off brought near; the dividing wall removed; Yehudi and Goy formed into one new humanity.

➤ Raz HaMoshiach (ch. 3) — the hidden mystery disclosed: the Goyim are fellow heirs and fellow members, while the kehillah displays Elohim's manifold wisdom.

➤ Halichah B'Kedushah (ch. 4-5) — walk worthy, put off the old humanity, put on the new, walk in love, light, wisdom, and thanksgiving.

➤ Bayit u'Brit (ch. 5) — marriage described through the mystery of Moshiach and the kehillah, with love, cleansing, and covenantal faithfulness.

➤ Milchemet HaEmunah (ch. 6) — family order, the armor of Elohim, steadfastness in prayer, and the final call to stand.

I. Berachot HaKodesh Blessings, Bechirah & Yerushah (ch. 1)

  1. 1Greeting — Shaul, a shliach by the ratzon of Elohim, to the kedoshim and faithful in Moshiach at Ephesus Eph 1:1-2The opening frames the congregation with the Jewish vocabulary of kedoshim, grace, and shalom.
  2. 2Blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Moshiach Eph 1:3Berachah language opens the letter before any exhortation, locating the believer's identity in Elohim's prior blessing.
  3. 3Chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love Eph 1:4Bechirah precedes conduct: holiness is the result of a purpose already established by Elohim.
  4. 4Predestined for adoption as sons through Moshiach according to His good pleasure Eph 1:5-6Benim and ratzon language places adoption inside divine purpose rather than human achievement.
  5. 5Redemption and forgiveness through His blood; the mystery of His will disclosed Eph 1:7-10Redemption TypologyGeulah and raz meet here: what was hidden is disclosed, and the goal is the gathering of all things under Moshiach.
  6. 6An inheritance promised, and the Ruach given as the seal and guarantee Eph 1:11-14Yerushah and sealing imagery reinforce the covenantal character of the hope.
  7. 7Prayer for wisdom and revelation — enlightened eyes to know the hope and inheritance Eph 1:15-18Knowledge here is not mere information; it is da'at that opens the eyes of the heart to Elohim's purpose.
  8. 8The power that raised Moshiach and seated Him above every authority and name Eph 1:19-23Resurrection and exaltation become the foundation for the letter's later language of standing firm against powers.

II. Mechitzah Nisparet u'Bayit Echad The Dividing Wall Removed & One Household (ch. 2)

  1. 9Once dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of this world and the ruler of its power Eph 2:1-3The old condition is described as a walk — a derech that must later be replaced by a new walk.
  2. 10Elohim, rich in mercy, made us alive with Moshiach and raised us with Him Eph 2:4-7Rachamim and chesed frame salvation as divine initiative, not human boasting.
  3. 11Saved by grace through emunah — not from works, but created for good works prepared beforehand Eph 2:8-10Chesed and emunah lead directly into a prepared derech of good works.
  4. 12Goyim once without Moshiach, strangers to the covenants and without hope, now brought near Eph 2:11-13The language deliberately evokes Israel's covenant privileges before announcing the astonishing nearness of those once far away.
  5. 13Moshiach is our shalom, making both groups one and removing the dividing wall of hostility Eph 2:14-16One-New-Humanity TypologyMechitzah imagery is transformed: the separation is removed so that two are reconciled in one new humanity.
  6. 14One new humanity, reconciliation in one body, and access to the Father through one Ruach Eph 2:17-18Echad dominates the result — one body and one access replace the old distance.
  7. 15No longer strangers or sojourners, but fellow citizens with the kedoshim and members of Elohim's household Eph 2:19-22Dwelling-Presence TypologyThe kehillah is built together as the place where the Divine Presence makes His home by the Ruach.

III. Raz HaMoshiach The Mystery Revealed to the Nations (ch. 3)

  1. 16Shaul the prisoner for the sake of the Goyim and steward of Elohim's grace Eph 3:1-2His suffering is interpreted as service to the nations, not merely personal misfortune.
  2. 17The mystery made known by revelation — formerly hidden, now disclosed Eph 3:3-5Raz means a divine secret now brought into the open, echoing Daniel's hidden-and-revealed wisdom.
  3. 18The Goyim are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow participants in the promise Eph 3:6One-New-Humanity TypologyThe repeated syn- pattern is rendered conceptually as shared inheritance, shared membership, and shared promise.
  4. 19Shaul's calling to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Moshiach to the Goyim Eph 3:7-9The ministry is described as besurah and stewardship of a mystery now made visible.
  5. 20The manifold wisdom of Elohim is made known through the kehillah to the rulers and authorities Eph 3:10-13The congregation itself becomes the living display of a wisdom hidden through the ages.
  6. 21Prayer that Moshiach dwell in hearts through emunah and that believers be rooted and grounded in ahavah Eph 3:14-19Shakan-like dwelling language returns: the Presence of Moshiach is experienced inwardly, while love supplies the foundation.
  7. 22Doxology — Elohim able to do exceedingly beyond all we ask or think Eph 3:20-21Kavod belongs to Elohim in the kehillah and in Moshiach throughout all generations.

IV. Halichah B'Kedushah Walking in the New Humanity (ch. 4)

  1. 23Walk worthy of the calling, with humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love Eph 4:1-3The calling becomes a halichah — a way of walking that makes visible the unity already given.
  2. 24One body, one Ruach, one hope, one Adon, one emunah, one tevilah, one Elohim and Father Eph 4:4-6Echad is repeated as the grammar of the community's identity.
  3. 25Gifts given to equip the kedoshim for service and build up the body of Moshiach Eph 4:7-16Shluchim, neviim, mevasrim, ro'im, and morim serve the maturation of one body rather than rival centers of authority.
  4. 26Put off the old humanity and put on the new humanity created according to Elohim in righteousness and holiness Eph 4:17-24The old and new are presented as two ways of life — a deliberate contrast between former halichah and renewed conduct.
  5. 27Put away falsehood, anger, theft, corrupt speech, bitterness, and malice; instead speak truth and forgive Eph 4:25-32The new humanity is recognized in ordinary speech, work, reconciliation, and selichah.

V. Ahavah, Or u'Bayit Love, Light & Household Holiness (ch. 5)

  1. 28Be imitators of Elohim and walk in ahavah, as Moshiach gave Himself for us Eph 5:1-2The community's halichah begins with ahavah modeled by self-giving.
  2. 29Reject sexual immorality, impurity, greed, shameful speech, and darkness; walk as children of light Eph 5:3-14Or becomes a moral category: what belongs to the light is exposed and made fruitful.
  3. 30Walk wisely, redeeming the time, understanding the Adon's will, and being filled with the Ruach Eph 5:15-21Wisdom is communal: psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, thanksgiving, and mutual submission become marks of a Ruach-filled life.
  4. 31Marriage: husbands love their wives as Moshiach loved the kehillah and gave Himself for her Eph 5:22-30Covenant-Bride TypologyMarriage is interpreted through brit-like self-giving: love, cleansing, nourishment, and cherishing rather than domination.
  5. 32The one-flesh mystery is applied to Moshiach and the kehillah Eph 5:31-33Bereshit 2:24 supplies the Tanakh foundation; the household image becomes a mystery pointing beyond itself.

VI. Mishpachah u'Klei Milchamah Household Order & the Armor of Elohim (ch. 6)

  1. 33Children are told to obey parents in the Adon; "honor your father and mother" is the first commandment with a promise Eph 6:1-3Shemot 20:12 / Devarim 5:16 is cited directly, rooting household instruction in Torah.
  2. 34Fathers are told not to provoke their children but to raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Adon Eph 6:4The household remains under a discipline of mussar rather than arbitrary power.
  3. 35Servants and masters are addressed: serve sincerely as serving Moshiach; masters must remember they share one Master in heaven Eph 6:5-9The hierarchy is relativized by a higher Lordship: earthly status stands beneath the heavenly Adon.
  4. 36Put on the full armor of Elohim: truth, righteousness, readiness of shalom, emunah, salvation, the word, and continual tefillah; stand firm against the powers Eph 6:10-24Klei milchamah imagery turns the final exhortation into a call to stand — emet, tzedek, shalom, emunah, salvation, and the dvar Elohim joined to persevering tefillah.

Read the Greek Text Itself

All six chapters of Ephesians, word for word, at the AFII Greek NT interlinear.

Eph chp 1 chp 2 chp 3 chp 4 chp 5 chp 6