Analysis for the purpose of dividing a text into its composite sources.
10
votes
3answers
150 views
Based on recent manuscript discoveries, is the LXX more reliable than the MT?
Based on recent manuscript discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, is the text of the LXX more reliable than the MT?
9
votes
3answers
163 views
Who led the people out of Israel in Jude 5?
Lest anyone think this is a "stump the chumps" question, I am specifically interested in support for a particular reading of this text. It is disputed which manuscript should be followed in Jude 5. ...
9
votes
1answer
122 views
Does the Shibboleth story help us date the book of Judges?
This story has always fascinated me:
Judges 12:4-6 (ESV)
4 Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, “You are ...
8
votes
5answers
341 views
Who named the wrong priest in Mark 2:26?
Here's a story Jesus told about David according to Mark 2:23-28 (ESV):
One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. ...
8
votes
2answers
549 views
When was the book of Joel written?
The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. Hear
this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath
this been in your days, or in the days of your fathers? Tell ...
7
votes
1answer
91 views
How should Sirach 3:17 be translated?
Here are four alternate translations for Sirach (Ecclesiasticus / Wisdom of Joshua Ben Sira) 3:17 --
My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by
those whom God accepts ...
7
votes
1answer
114 views
Can we date Mark without first committing to an interpretation of the Olivet Discourse?
Most scholars believe Mark is the earliest biography of Jesus. (Paul's writings and perhaps one or two other New Testament letters are earlier, but they include very little biographical material ...
6
votes
1answer
124 views
What led to the division of Ezra-Nehemiah?
Modern consensus is that the books of Ezra and Nehemiah actually comprise a single work which was subsequently divided into two. How is it that scholars realized this was the same book (Does it have ...
6
votes
1answer
168 views
Why are 2 Peter and Jude usually together in commentaries?
It seems pretty standard for commentaries to be written on the combination of 2 Peter and Jude. Obviously they both share the subject matter of false teachers, but I assume there are reasons beyond ...
6
votes
1answer
128 views
Did someone really name their son Fool?
In 1st Samuel 25, we read about Abigail's first husband, who is named Nabal. Near the end of the story, she pleads with David to save his life:
My lord should not pay attention to this wicked man ...
5
votes
1answer
88 views
Literary independence of the synoptics
Which scholars, historical figures, or churches have argued that the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) were all written independently without access to any of the other gospels? What ...
5
votes
1answer
208 views
Who wrote the hymn in Philippians 2?
Wikipedia claims, "It is possible that the kenosis passage in Philippians 2:5-11 may have been a Christian hymn that Paul quoted." If Paul is possibly not the author of this hymn, is there any ...
4
votes
1answer
162 views
Does archaeological evidence contradict the Documentary Hypothesis?
In an interview, the late Dr. Clifford Wilson implied that archaeology has shown that the Pentateuch could not have been compiled the way that the JEDP theory suggests:
Professor G. Ernest Wright, ...
4
votes
2answers
499 views
Was the Beloved Disciple the author of the Fourth Gospel?
One very common interpretation of the Gospel of John is that the Beloved Disciple was the author of the book. (Presumably, he was interested in obscuring his identity for some reason.) But other ...
4
votes
3answers
182 views
When did Jonah compose his prayer in chapter 2?
Almost the entity of Jonah, chapter 2 is a prayer to God:
Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish. He said:
In my trouble I called to the Lord,
And He answered me;
From ...
3
votes
1answer
181 views
Why does Jesus include “persecutions” in the list of things received by his followers?
Shortly after Jesus' interaction with the rich young man:
Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left ...
2
votes
1answer
25 views
What is the relationship between the Synoptics and the Gospel of Thomas?
I know the Jesus Seminar held that Q and the Gospel of Thomas were prior in composition to the writing of the Synoptics. Is this still a dominant view among scholars (as far as Thomas)? What can be ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
What signs does Q show of stages of composition?
Regarding the Jesus Seminar, N.T. Wright writes in Jesus and the Victory of God:
Great reliance has been placed on the work of John Kloppenborg, who has painstakingly analysed the Q material into ...
-2
votes
2answers
285 views
Which are the Ten Commandments?
Here are the ten commandments in Exodus 20:2-17 (Wikisource):
I am Yahweh your God, who took you out of the land of Egypt, from the slave-house. You will have no other Gods in my presence.
...
