Sword of the Spirit
Foundation for the Correct Understanding of Ruach (“Spirit”):
All human beings are created in the likeness of God. Therefore, even among those who do not have faith, there are many wise people (ḥakam). However, the wisdom of those without faith remains at the human level and never reaches the divine level.
Those without faith do not receive the Spirit of Understanding (Ruach Binah) and the Spirit of Wisdom (Ruach Chokhmah) that come from God. This is why the wise men (ḥakam) of Babylon and Egypt were unable to interpret the dreams given by God. Even Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, who had the dreams themselves, could not understand the spiritual messages that God had delivered to their spirits.
Though pagans, as human beings, may have a natural level of intuition or sensitivity, they may be able to guess or sense certain things during counseling or conversation. They may offer advice or counsel (etzah), which may sometimes be correct and at other times incorrect.
However, praying or holding long gatherings in darkness without the Sword of the Spirit, the living Word of God, is extremely dangerous. Just as there were false prophets in the Old Testament, many so-called Christian prophets today often confuse judgments formed in their own spirits with the voice of the Spirit of God (Ezekiel 13:1–3). Humans cannot naturally distinguish between prophecies that arise from their own ruach and those that are truly from the Spirit of the Lord. Only through the Sword of the Spirit—the Word of Life—can the truth be rightly seen and discerned. This kind of “seeing” (ra’ah) is only possible when the veil is removed in Christ.
This is why the Menorah had to remain lit at all times inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. The living Word of God and the Spirit are one. Even during times of prayer and praise, the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, must always be present.
If the Sword of the Spirit is neglected, or if one clings to a single Bible verse while adding human interpretation or worldly reasoning, it can mislead people down the wrong path. This must be earnestly guarded against.
Furthermore, even if one reads the Bible, if they have not encountered the living power of that Word, they must reflect themselves in the holy mirror of the Word and be purified through cleansing from unclean spirits in Messiah Yeshua.
This is precisely the core of the Unleavened Bread Festival, where one empties and sanctifies themselves in order to receive the Holy Spirit by fully keeping seven Sabbaths, leading up to Shavuot (Pentecost).
Ḥakam
Pronunciation: ḥakam
Meaning: A wise person
Wisdom obtained at the human level
Can be found even among pagans
Example: The wise men of Babylon and Egypt
Chokhmah
Pronunciation: ḥokhmah
Meaning: Wisdom from God
True wisdom given through the Spirit of God
Found only in those with faith
Example: Given to those who fear the Lord
Bin
Pronunciation: bin
Meaning: To discern, to understand
Spiritual discernment made possible by the Spirit of God
Pagans are described as unable to understand it
Example: Daniel 12 — “The wicked will not understand”
Let us explore the meaning and biblical usage of the Hebrew word בִּין (bin) to gain insight into the spiritual realm.
1. Basic Meaning
The Hebrew word בִּין (bin) means “to understand,” “to discern,” or “to perceive,” and appears approximately 170 times in the Old Testament (exact count varies slightly by manuscript). It is strongly associated with wisdom, insight, and the ability to know God’s will, and is typically translated in Korean or English as “understand,” “perceive,” or “discern.”
2. Usage Context and Recipients
The word bin is most often used positively, describing a capacity given to the righteous or those who fear God. In contrast, it is used in a negative context when referring to the wicked or idolaters, often to emphasize their lack of understanding.
(1) Ability Given to the Righteous or Those Who Seek God
Daniel 12:10 – “The righteous will understand (יָבִינוּ), but the wicked will not understand.”
Proverbs 28:5 – “Evil men do not understand justice (לֹא־יָבִינוּ), but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.”
(2) A Capacity Lacking in the Wicked or Pagans
Psalm 94:8 – “Understand (בִּינוּ), you senseless among the people! When will you become wise?”
Isaiah 44:18 – “They do not know, nor do they understand (וְלֹא יָבִינוּ), for their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their hearts so they cannot understand.”
In almost all passages involving the wicked or pagans, bin is used in negative constructions (e.g., לֹא יָבִינוּ – “they do not understand”).
3. Conclusion
The word bin refers not merely to intellectual comprehension but to spiritual discernment—the ability to perceive God’s truth and justice. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, this capacity is never actually granted to the wicked or pagans. Scripture consistently presents it as a mark of the righteous, and something the wicked are clearly lacking.
Binah
Pronunciation: binah
Meaning: Insight, understanding
Deep understanding and insight granted by God
Given only to those who believe
Example: “The Lord gives understanding” (Proverbs)
Bāna
Pronunciation: bāna
Meaning: One who discerns, an understanding person
One who knows the will of God
Not applicable to those without faith
Let me know if you'd like this in PDF or as a formatted article for a website, or if you'd like it visually organized into slides or infographics!