Lesson Three- Truth "Etymology "

"The most valuable commodity in the 21st century will be truth". - Pastor Del 2016

Truth – “Etymology”  

The term for truth in our current vocabulary comes from the Old English word "troth," which dates to the late 12th century.  It was associated with a phonetic variant of the word “treowd,” typically used to signify faithfulness and truth.  As the word evolved, it became associated with a more familiar term in the current English dialect: betroth.  In definition, it means to pledge and become a true, lawful companion, removing the option to make the same pledge to anyone else.

The origin of the word truth in the English language implies a pledge and commitment to a standard or belief which prevents a person from making the same pledge to anything else.  Analyzing the current usage of the word, it is obvious that the intended definition has declined, leading to a decline in commitment to truth standards as well.

The Akan people in the southern regions of the former Gold Coast region, known today as the nation of Ghana, are credited with originating the use of a well-known African word for truth “nokware”.  The ancient meta-ethnicity residing in West Africa applies a clear and simple definition to its meaning.  The word “nokware” means to be the opposite of its counterpoint.   It is the opposite of “nkontompo”, lies.

In the African language truth is defined as everything that is not a lie.  Simplifying the application of truth leaves less room for misidentification.  Identifying a lie, anything not supported by observation or fact.  Without a witness, it cannot be true.  Without observable evidence, it cannot be true.   The other half of the simplified equation explains that anything that cannot be true is a lie.  End of discussion.  

In Western culture, the opposite of something truth is generally categorized as false.  In Africa, the expected antonym “false” is inadequate because false implies that information can be rearranged to produce something true.  The enemy of the truth is not simply a false narrative where facts or information can be rearranged; the enemy of truth is the lie that intentionally denies and dismisses the evidence and presence of truth.

Setting the truth against the “lie” establishes a moral value to the concept of truth.  In African culture, truth has an empirical connection; it is not merely an affirmation of man’s rational analysis and intellectual intuition.  Truth connects man to the divine, the highest form of truth and the authority that outranks man.   

In Hebrew, the physical construction of the word for truth illustrates the significant impact that truth has on an individual life.  The origin word “Emet” comprises three Hebrew letters: the aleph, mem, and the tav.  The Hebrew alphabet is unique because the physical letters are symbolic, expressing an independent meaning beyond the word they are used to create. 

The letter aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  It is a silent letter with no sound, but its presence is self-evident.  Because of its physical structure and soundless nature, the letter is used as a symbol to illustrate a Hebrew reference for God’s name: "Yud Hey Vav Hey" (YHVH).  The script of the “aleph” captures all three Hebrew letters in its formation.  The combination of letters is also considered unpronounceable because the name of the Creator cannot be fully expressed in any language.   

The letter mem symbolizes what is most vital to sustain the world that God has created.  It is often compared to water because of its massive natural presence on the earth and because it is essential to sustain all life forms in creation.  The symbol of water, represented by the mem, is also used to illustrate the importance of the Torah as the spiritual water to sustain life in the world God created for man.

The letter “tav” is the last letter in the word truth (emet) it is also the last letter in the Hebrew alphabet.  Its place in the Hebrew alphabet naturally asserts “tav” to represent finality.  The finality represented by this letter is not only a reference to an endpoint, but it also means to summarize, providing a final total as with the tally results in an equation.  The “tav” is the end summation indicating that nothing else can be added once the total has been quantified.  The end results will warrant a response based on the final sum.       

Collectively, Aleph, Mem, and Tav illustrate the beginning to the end, first to the last, with Mem representing everything essential in between.   In the end, the truth about every life will be revealed.  The final summation cannot be changed or altered and an appropriate response will be determined. How we choose to acknowledge God will be the most crucial factor that will influence our life summation. The importance is illustrated in the physical structure of the Hebrew word for truth.

When determining how life should be lived, there are various opinions about what a person should live for and whom they should please.  A revelation is embedded in the format of the word “emet” (truth), which offers an important observation.  Removing the letter aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and a symbol for the unpronounceable name of God, transforms the structure and meaning of the word.  The two remaining letters, Mem and Tav, form the Hebrew word for "death."

When God, His name, or His influence (presence) is removed from the equation, “Truth” is altered.  Attempts to define truth without accounting for God will always render partial results; something will be missing.  Truth originates with God, comes from God, and is who God is. (John 4:24, 8:40, *Romans 1:25)  There is no truth without God because God is absolute Truth.

Removing God’s name and presence from the quest for life will result in a summation equal to death. A life without God ultimately leads to death, which is eternal separation from His presence.