HEBREW WORD STUDY – TOWER OF THE FLOCK – MIGDAL-EDER מגדל עדר
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Luke 2:7-8: “ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Micah 4: 8. And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
Tradition teaches that there was no room in the inn for Joseph and Mary and they had to settle for a stable, a cave, or a house where they put the Baby Jesus in a feeding trough. This was to show His humble birth.
Well, I have been doing some reading in the Talmud, particularly in the Baba Kamma 80a and 7a,b. Here we learn that the fields of Eder which are just a few feet bordering Bethlehem are where the sacrificial lambs were raised and cared for. The shepherds of these lambs were the elite shepherds all from the priestly tribe of Levi whose job was to care for these lambs so they would remain without blemish or spot. They watched these sheep 24 hours a day as will be explained in another study. From the birth of a lamb, they were spoiled rotten, wrapped in fine linen to remain without blemish and spot, and feed a special diet.
So what does this have to do with the Inn which had no room available? The Aramaic text does not even mention an Inn it just simply says lith doka – there was no place for them. Inns in those days were not what we think. They were little way places that were built in a circle or square and had two stories. The bottom was for the camels, donkeys, or other livestock which had feeder troughs. The second floor was where the travelers slept. In the center was a well and there were a number of campfires around that people shared. It was very communal, and dangerous. There were no innkeepers to keep order. You might wake up and find your camels or donkeys gone, stolen. However, you stood a better chance of waking up in the morning with your livestock and supplies (as well as your life) if you stayed in of these inns than if you did what tradition teaches Mary and Joseph supposedly did and that was to sleep in a stable or cave which served as a feeding area for livestock.
Which, by the way, mangers and feeding locations were not very common in this area as the sheep or cattle usually just grazed and found water at various watering holes. A manger would be found in a place like Eder where the sheep were pampered and given a very strict diet as they were the sacrificial lambs. In fact, about the only place where you would find a trough is in The Migdal Eder, which is the Tower of Flocks. This is where the lambs who were to be used for the Temple Sacrifice would be taken for inspection and preparation to be transported to the temple.
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Now there were shepherds abiding in the same country. In Aramaic, that word is ‘athra which means region, place, or location. It could be miles or just a few feet away.
Many Bible scholars believe Micah 4:8 is predicting where the birth of the Messiah and where He would be born. The Talmud predicts that the Messiah would be born in a castle. That really depends on how you translate the Aramaic word for castle, it could be a migdel, tower, or a place of height or high honor. Dubious as it may seem, it was a place of high honor for the lambs, for only the best, purest, and cleanest lambs without blemish or spot were carefully examined and chosen in the Migdel Eder or the Tower of the Flock.
I would say that this was a fitting place for the Messiah to be born and a good reason why he was not born in a so-called inn. He should be born in the place where the sacrificial lambs are born, raised, and eventually chosen as the sacrifice.
After all where in a way out of the way cave or stable would Mary and Joseph find the cloth to make swaddling clothes and a manger that was free of lice and fleas? Guess what the sacrificial lambs were wrapped in and where you would find a manger free of bugs?
My guess is that Jesus was not born in a stable, cave, or house but in the Tower of Migdel.
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Thanks & Blessings, it means a lot to me!
Okay, I pasted the Hebrew from Mishnah Shekalim 7:4 into Google translate and I see that it is not that specific in the actual Hebrew, but seems to just be saying any animals found in or around Jerusalem should be considered offerings. I guess I can see how that could be interpreted to mean that the animals were raised in that vicinity, but please point me to any other sources that add insight into the idea of the priests caring for and raising them, or any other specific locations of information that fully paint the picture you have shown us. Thank you.
You can’t fact check him by googling a translation. Biblical Hebrew is not a black and white language, it’s more ambiguous. I can tell that one source is the Talmud which is listed in the study. Also, I think you’re referring to an Aramaic, not Hebrew, word. If you want to learn more about how to translate, look up a word, linguistics or to get a deeper and instructive explanation, then join The All Access Learning Channel http://www.HebrewWordStudy.com
Laura
I tried to find where you were talking about in the Bava Kamma 80a, 7a, and 7b and didn’t see the words Migdal Eder anywhere. Did you mean the Mishnah Shekalim 7:4? Is that the primary source for the idea that the sheep used for the sacrifices were raised within that vicinity? It says if a sheep is found straying, implying if it has come out from Jerusalem, correct?
you’re question is not that clear. If you googleTake a look at my response from your first comment.
I had heard this a few years ago. And it resonated within my spirit then. Thank you for reinforcing truth with your studies, May God bless you, I pray, for standing for the truth, and sharing it. And thank you for sending me your studies. (I am in my 71st year, and like yourself have been privileged to have grown up in church from young girl, and love the Lord.
We send this same study out every year around this time and you are welcome, Esther.
Laura
Excellent thank you. This makes sense.
Alfred Edersheim presented this convincingly in his paper: The Nativity Revisited. Awesome, as usual. Merry Christmas
I have heard this before and it resonates as truth and as a truth that the church needs to hear. I wonder why others aren’t sharing this. It is such a revelation that makes it all more understandable. Thank you!
Shared this with my family.
Immensely strengthened by this wonderful provision and Prophetic execution of the Father’s plan and heart.
Thank you for stepping up and destroying the paralyzing theological opinions.
Merry Christmas, thank you for for another great insight, and just a simple thank you for the presents that you give throughout the year, of your time, your insight, and your knowledge. May the richness of His Presence continue to rest upon y’all in the up and coming year. Shalom Aleichem!
Very cool! I love how you weave the Word, tradition, and good trining into thought-provoking messages! Thanks!
I do think the scenario you’ve described would have made a huge impact on the shepherds. Like a customized, prophetic fulfillment message right in their own backyard… their daily grind was blown wide open, God coming to be with them, yes them, the ones who understand shepherding. They were honored with being given the job of being the welcoming committee for the Lamb of God. Hallelujah!
This was truly a blessing to read thank you so much for the depth of this study. It is greatly appreciated
This is amazing and so precious!! Thank you, Chaim❣️❣️ Many blessings for wonderful Christmas and New Year❣️🕊❣️
Very grateful for research & study.
A handful of years ago presented this study to a group. Many were reluctant to believe the Migdel Eder more than likely was the birth place of Jesus. Our family believes Jesus was born in this place. Also there is lots of limestone in Israel. We believe Yeshua was laid in a limestone trough (not a wooden box) and swaddled with the lamb bans (lamb clothes) just like the baby lambs were, who would be sacrificed at the Temple in Jerusalem. So much to share about God who sent His Only Son. God made into flesh!
The Eastern spin on this great story of Christs’ first coming sheds some Old Testament light Bible students should consider. The Western version almost casts Joseph and Mary as a poverty stricken homeless couple clueless and wandering around. I’d think Joseph might have kin in Bethlehem who could assist with the childbirth according to Jewish law and customs. Not providing room in their homes kept them from becoming ceremonial unclean if blood was shed during this birthing. Being dispatched to this known tower makes sense if Temple shepherds are already caring for lambing ewes there. A fitting welcome for the Lamb of God found by field shepherds after two clues. Swaddling cloths and a manger they would have known without randomly searching all over Bethlehem all the night.
The most sensible explanation I have read in 80 years. Much more likely than that dark place in the church in Bethlehem. The explanation of the specialSheep and the shepherds goesa long with what we know about Christ and his sacrifice. Thank you for the insight
Oh, this is amazing to learn! Thank you so much for teaching. Thanks to our God for sending a spotless lamb, the child of God.