Adonai

"Adonai" is the pronunciation that pious Jews substitute for the written word in scripture Jehovah (or Yahweh or YHWH). The novel opens with the Rabbi of Nazareth, Jesus' Uncle Simeon, crying out for Adonai to bring freedom to Israel. Jesus' paralyzed father, Joseph, spends all his time and energy trying to get the three awe-filled syllables out of his mouth. Whenever a Messianic atmosphere is to be conveyed, Adonai rather than God is used.

Bethany

The home of grown siblings Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, Bethany is conveniently located at the foot of the Mount of Olives on the approach to Jerusalem. Jesus first happens upon Bethany in a rainstorm, after battling God and Satan in the desert. Mary and Martha take him in, warm and feed him before the village elders come to meet the stranger. These include huge old Melchizedek, venomous, snake-eyed Samuel, and a stumpy...