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Part One · Chapter Fifteen — Natzav & Yatzav
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Natzav or yatzav — though the two roots differ, the meaning is one, as you know from all their conjugations. This noun is equivocal: it may bear the sense of standing up and being erect — 'and his sister stood afar off' (Exod 2:4); 'the kings of the earth set themselves' (Ps 2:2); 'they came out and stood' (Num 16:27).
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And it bears the sense of fixity and permanence — 'Your word stands fast in the heavens' (Ps 119:89), meaning firm and abiding.
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And every instance of this noun that comes regarding the Creator is of this sense — 'and behold, the Lord stood above it' (Gen 28:13): firm and abiding upon it, I mean upon the ladder whose one end is in heaven and whose other end is on the earth, and upon which one climbs.
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And everyone who ascends climbs up until he necessarily apprehends Him who is above it — for He is firm and abiding at the top of the ladder. It is plain that my saying here 'above it' is in accordance with this parable that is set forth.
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And the 'angels of God' are the prophets, of whom it is said plainly: 'and He sent an angel' (Num 20:16); 'and an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim' (Judg 2:1). And how apt is His saying 'ascending and descending' (Gen 28:12) — the ascent before the descent.
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For after the ascent and the attainment of a certain rung of the ladder comes the descent, with what one has received of the command — to govern the people of the earth and to instruct them; and this is what is figured by 'descending,' as we have explained.
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And I return to our purpose: that 'stood above it' means firm, lasting, and abiding — not the standing-erect of a body. And of this sense is: 'and you shall stand upon the rock' (Exod 33:21).
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So it has become clear to you that natzav and ʿamad have one meaning for this purpose. And He said, 'behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb' (Exod 17:6).