Three letter words

When studying the Old Testament, it is always helpful to remember that word meanings can change over time. This is no surprise--we have seen the same thing happen in our day. For example, the word gay meant something quite different to folks in the early 20th century than it does to most people today.

Here’s another word whose Biblical meaning had different connotations to the ancients than we have today.

Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. Ps. 40:15

The word aha in our time is often written with an exclamation point after it (AHA!) to show that someone has had a “light bulb moment.” That definition won’t help you when applied to the times that word is found in the Old Testament

In the Bible, this little word is used as an expression to show contempt for the things of God. The Ammonites and other nations used this word against His people, His land, and His temple. It was a word that revealed their hatred of everything connected with the work of God. God noticed what the enemies of His people said and it brought his wrath upon them because they said it. (See Ezek. 26:2)