'Cain' means blacksmith and 'Abel' means shepherd. Both act as priests. And we silently wonder on what basis a priesthood expects that YHWH should appreciate its sacrifices. Jews, however, cannot ask that question; let alone answer. It is clear that a priesthood is generally appreciated for its pastoral work, while church development work deserves much more respect; and so should receive (Gen4,1-16) .

By not translating 'Hanoch' (consecration), 'Hirad' (temple city), 'Mehujahel' (God gives life), 'Methusael' (the man who belongs to God), 'Lamech' (power), 'Ada' ( ornament), 'Zilla' (gloom), 'Jabal' (leading), 'Jubal' (jubilation), 'Tubal-cain' (arms), 'Naema' (goddess of love), our readers are then reminded how a priesthood derives limitless power from its ecclesiastical existence (Gen 4:17-24). But created humanity also asserted itself at that time. She founded an alternative priesthood, the historical existence of which was depicted as follows (Gen5).

Such a priesthood is expanding at the seams in many ways and especially in a delusion of grandeur against which little can be said. This prompted Noah to build a conference center for a private and neutral meeting. The location had also been carefully considered at the foot of the 'Ararat' in the area of present-day Armenia' (Gen6). Here the priests met with all the ideas brought from home. It resulted in an overwhelming accumulation of life-giving authority, which no one knew what to do with. In the same year it was decided to show the result to heaven; and to leave the earth alone (Gen7-8). For 'Noah' this was a debacle. The priesthood could not base its authority on a general attitude of faith among its members; could therefore no longer be a spokesperson. It had to derive its transcendent authority from heaven to be impressive. But where one asked for a reign of terror, the other simply needed a rainbow. The priesthood remained divided into that of the 'Semites' in the east, of the 'Hamites' in Egypt and of 'Japheth' in the Greek archipelago to the west. 'Canaan', the land of the Jews, was in the middle (Gen9:1-18). As an umbrella body, 'Noach' henceforth focused on the development of a transcendent spirituality; also a sign of inability. This was also seen as such by the priests of 'Cham'. The priests of 'Shem' and 'Japheth', on the other hand, saw it as a dignified covering for their entire priestly existence (Gen9:19-23).

It then became clear to 'Noah' that the Jewish land 'Canaan' would always be a curse because of its servitude to a priesthood; provided that 'Shem' and 'Japheth' would succeed in making 'YHWH' their God, and 'Canaan' subservient to them (Gen9:24-27). But after a total of nine hundred and fifty years of existence, 'Noah' no longer had anything to say. In that year (about 1950 BC) Hebrews were given control in the border area between Egypt and Canaan (Gen 9:28-29).

* In the name 'Noah' I read the reverse of 'Hanoch'. By focusing on earthly existence, Sultan 'Sargon I' brought with him the priests in the rich agricultural region 'Mesopotamia' between the Euphrath and Tigris rivers. He founded the first Semitic priestly dynasty. Many priestly cities joined.

* However, it did not lead to unification. The year 2300 BC is considered a turning point. The autonomy of the individual cultural areas still had to be respected.

Following in the footsteps of 'Noah', the Assyrians emerged from Mesopotamia in the last millennium BC. They still wanted to realize a generally applicable priesthood. This led to a political power game, in which the entire priestly world took part. And from ecclesiastical Judah the eastern basin of the Mediterranean was also included; even armed violence was not avoided. The prophets of 'Elisha' (God's salvation) established their authority there. Remnants of the old priesthood of Egypt participated in it (Gen 10:1-7). Because of their Jewish faith, the Canaanites could not judge all this pursuit of their own credibility, control, power and self-enrichment (Gen 10:8-20). 'Hebrews' then spoke for them. They were still priests according to the traditions of 'Shem' (Gen10:21-22).

The 'Hebrews' lived in seclusion and had long accepted that priestly unity was not feasible. They delved into religion, with 'God is friend' being the first thought. They also experienced religion as mutual service; and with 'God' a familiar fatherhood was thought of. This applied in particular to the religious communities on both sides of 'the Red Sea'. From their experiences the Hebrew book was written, which could be used by Jews as a textbook (Gen 10:22-32). In Babylon, the ancient priestly city in Mesopotamia, priests built a center of authority; although on well-founded grounds and with coherent arguments, nevertheless contrary to YHWH. The Hebrew book wrote against it, causing total confusion in the religious world of those days (Gen 11:1-9).

Now this Hebrew book the Phoenicians carried with them when they left Canaan. It became the Jewish textbook and consisted of 'seven' parts, a sign of completeness. It was taught in 'school'; called 'synagogue' in Hebrew.