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A look at an ancient Barak
SouthJerseyLocalNews ^ | 4-17-08 | James Smart

Posted on 04/17/2008 8:27:24 AM PDT by SJackson

There is much discussion on the Web, radio talk shows, cable pundit programs and other disreputable sources about the name of Barack Obama, who has been soliciting votes hereabouts.Some folks are uneasy because his middle name is Hussein, the name of Muhammad's grandson, spiritual granddaddy of Shiite Muslims. Whether that is worrisome depends on what's in a name, as Ms. Juliet Capulet, a well-known Italian girl, liked to point out.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that my great-grandfather was Ishmael Smart, named for the Biblical chap the Arabs consider to be their founding father, so maybe you'd better keep an eye on me, too.

As for the name Barack, the Web is loaded with confident but contradictory sources that tell us Barack means "blessed" in Arabic, and also in Swahili.

Other authorities assure us that Barack comes from Hebrew, and means "mixed" or "lightning," depending on which authority you consult.

Trolling assorted commentary on the subject, I found nobody linking Obama's name with Barak, warrior of Israel who beat the Canaanite army led by Sisera about 1296 B. C. Hillary Clinton supporters might also be interested in that battle, since a woman, Deborah, was Judge of Israel at the time, and thus commander-in-chief.

Sisera, says chapter four of the Bible's Book of Judges, had "mightily oppressed the children of Israel" for 20 years. Deborah drew up the battle plan, putting Barak and 10,000 men on Mt. Tabor, to lure Sisera into charging down the Jezreel Valley with 900 iron chariots and "all his host," presumably quite a few soldiers.

Then, troops Deborah had hidden in the hills at Ephraim, across the valley, roared out to flank the Canaan army. The attack "discomfited" the Canaanites, says the Bible.

Sisera, the ancient account reports, "lighted down off his chariot and fled away on his feet." A woman named Jael lured the exhausted general into her tent and let him take a nap. Then, she nailed his head to the ground with a tent stake, and invited Barak in to inspect the remains.

Obama supporters among Christians who study prophecies of the end of the world must be aware that Barak's victory took place in the valley where the last great battle of history is scheduled. Armageddon is the Latin version of Har Megiddo, the fortified mountain above the Jezreel Valley.

Many battles have been fought there; one historian counts 34. Pharaoh Thutmose II of Egypt beat up the Canaanites at Megiddo in 1469 B. C. After Barak discomfited the Canaanites, the Midianites and Amalekites showed up, and Gideon trounced them in that valley. Saul, first king of Israel, and his son, Jonathan, died fighting the Philistines at the battle of Mt. Gilboah, down the valley from Megiddo. King Josiah later was killed resisting Egyptian invaders at Megiddo. Mongol aggressors were defeated there in the 13th century. The British fought the Turks there in World War I, and Arabs and Israelis fought there in 1948.

Maybe Hillary and Barak should plan to debate at Armageddon.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: armageddon; jezreel; megiddo

1 posted on 04/17/2008 8:27:25 AM PDT by SJackson
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To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..
If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT

..................

A cute commentary on Blessed Hussein Obama Jr's name. Maybe his campaign can try to sell it as his pre political campaign Jewish connection.

2 posted on 04/17/2008 8:29:25 AM PDT by SJackson (Inner city folk--bitter, cling to Sat Nite Specials, Gospel, rap--hate folk not like them)
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To: SJackson

It make NO DIFFERENCE what perspective you come at this guy from, he is VERY DANGEROUS. The reasons are countless.


3 posted on 04/17/2008 8:32:56 AM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: SJackson

The battles at Har Megiddo will be dwarfed by the coming Democratic battle at Denver.

Make sure you have lots of popcorn.

;-)


4 posted on 04/17/2008 8:33:44 AM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principle)
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To: SJackson
Saw a thread a while back where some Obama acolytes used those Biblical verses as 'proof' that the Bible prophesied about Obama. (the Paultards had a similar thread about him.)
5 posted on 04/17/2008 8:35:32 AM PDT by mnehring
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To: SJackson
"Maybe Hillary and Barak should plan to debate at Armageddon"

Now that would be a sight! Especially if Archangel Gabriel starts blowing his trumpet, and the Messiah, escorted by the Archangel Michael appear! And the Messiah says "so.....Barak Hussein.....your ex-"pastor" says the religion of My First Covenant people is a 'gutter' religion"
6 posted on 04/17/2008 8:35:36 AM PDT by Convert from ECUSA ("Typical 'bitter' 'White Male" whose vote the Dems now desperately want so bad - HA!)
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To: SJackson

“Then Deborah said to Barak, Go!
This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into our hands.
Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?
So Barak went down to Mount Tabor,
followed by ten thousand men.”
Judges 4:14


7 posted on 04/17/2008 8:37:29 AM PDT by AuntB ('If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." T. Paine)
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To: SJackson
Barack or Baraq is also the name of Muhammed's flying horse with the face of a woman, that supposedly took him to heaven on the Night Journey.

What's in a name, indeed?

8 posted on 04/17/2008 8:37:36 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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To: EagleUSA

Even if someone were not so dangerous would it be wise to elect someone named Hitler...bin laden.....stalin?
So the name does matter it’s just a matter of how much.


9 posted on 04/17/2008 8:42:17 AM PDT by smoketree (the insanity, the lunacy these days)
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To: AnAmericanMother

What a poetic way to describe his “Midnight at the Oasis”.


10 posted on 04/17/2008 8:57:54 AM PDT by Constitutions Grandchild
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

Comment #12 Removed by Moderator

To: SJackson

Not to worry about the name of the biological progenitor of the Arab people being found among your ancestors, and perhaps casting doubt on your position regarding the current phase of the War Between Civilizatons. Arab is not equivalent to Muslim.


13 posted on 04/17/2008 9:11:32 AM PDT by Elsiejay (Rev.)
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To: SJackson
In Obama's case "Barak" is an anglicisation of Buraq, Muhammed's winged horse. It has nothing to do with the Hebrew Barak.
14 posted on 04/17/2008 9:20:38 AM PDT by agere_contra
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To: SJackson
Barack Hussein Obama is a classic American name, especially for someone who thinks people in small towns cling to guns, God and maybe even apple-pie for all the wrong reasons. The classic “real” American is an advocate of socialism, multilaterism to the extent of subordinating US sovereignty under it, and of course someone who thinks retreat and surrender is an option, if not the best answer!

I bet Washington, Lincoln, Teddy are rolling in their graves. I wonder, if I call Obama “unAmerican,” does that make me a racist, xenophobe, or plain mean and insensitive?

15 posted on 04/17/2008 9:36:35 AM PDT by Red6 (Come and take it.)
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To: agere_contra
His Christian heritage began with his political endeavors.

He was largely raised abroad and did go to an Islamic based school for at least two years, despite what some in the media falsely claim as not true.

His dad was Muslim, his mom atheist. He lived in Islamic nations like Indonesia, by his mothers choice; she more or less loathed the US.

To assume his name has any connection with the Judea-Christian heritage is plain nonsense, but it “feels good.” And those who vote for an Obama are all about what “feels good” to them, not reality.

16 posted on 04/17/2008 9:44:18 AM PDT by Red6 (Come and take it.)
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To: Red6

Calling Snob-ama anti-American is not only being a good American, its just plain telling it like it t-i-s!


17 posted on 04/17/2008 9:53:10 AM PDT by Convert from ECUSA ("Typical 'bitter' 'White Male" whose vote the Dems now desperately want so bad - HA!)
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To: Red6
I wonder, if I call Obama “unAmerican,” does that make me a racist, xenophobe, or plain mean and insensitive?

I vote for.... intelligent!!

the infowarrior

18 posted on 04/18/2008 3:26:45 AM PDT by infowarrior
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