All Questions
3
votes
2answers
72 views
Who repents in Zechariah 1:6?
The first oracle the prophet Zechariah receives is this:
2"The Lord was very angry with your fathers. 3Therefore say to them, Thus declares Yahweh of hosts: Return to me, says Yahweh of hosts, and ...
4
votes
7answers
466 views
What does Matthew 18:8-9 say about eternity?
Matthew 18:8-9 (NIV):
8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and ...
1
vote
2answers
53 views
Do we have such expressions as “the holiest” in the New Testament Greek?
Do we have such expressions as "the holiest" in the New Testament Greek? Is there a superlative of "holy" in Old Greek at all?
5
votes
2answers
167 views
Who incited David to take a census?
According to 2 Samuel 24:1 (NRSV)
Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go, count the people of Israel and Judah."
But according to ...
2
votes
2answers
352 views
Is El-Shaddai “Sky God” where Sky==Breasts?
I found the name "El-Shaddai" mysterious, but while going over Genesis, found the following passage (Gen 49) Wikisource translation
From the god of your fathers, and he will help you, and the ...
1
vote
2answers
206 views
Why is Beer-Sheva' called Beer-Sheva'?
There is a place in Israel called Be-er-Sheva', which is given two different stories to justify the name. The word Be-er means well, as in a well of water, and the word Sheva means "seven" or more ...
6
votes
1answer
185 views
Signficance of name change from Saul to Paul
Acts 13:9 appears to record the moment Saul's name changes to Paul:
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said...
(Prior to this time, ...
1
vote
2answers
59 views
Three Valleys in Joel 3
Three valleys are mentioned in Joel 3:
The Valley of Jehoshaphat (2, 12)
The Valley of Decision (twice in 14)
The Valley of Shittim (18)
I'm wondering:
Are any of these known, historical places? ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Jacob's name is Israel. So why is he still called Jacob?
When born, Jacob is given the name "Jacob" meaning, "trickster, supplanter, heel grabber." After he wrestles at Jabbok, he is renamed "Israel" meaning "strives with God." However, after this ...
4
votes
2answers
171 views
The two winged women in Zechariah 5
Angels are often portrayed as winged women. Even aside from the fact that those who are clearly angels in the Bible do not appear as winged women, I have not seen any evidence that the winged women ...
10
votes
2answers
345 views
Who is the woman in Revelation 12?
She is introduced:
A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.—Revelation 12:1 (NIV)
Who is the ...
9
votes
2answers
516 views
How can I identify puns in the Hebrew Bible?
The Bible sometimes uses words with multiple meanings to the effect of an intentional pun or wordplay. Punning seems especially common in Hebrew. I think that being aware of these literary devices ...
18
votes
4answers
832 views
The Eye of the Needle
What is the opinion on Jesus's use of the phrase "the eye of a needle" in Mark 10:25:
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to ...
5
votes
2answers
160 views
Is oral history like the telephone game?
Bart Ehrman argues that the gospel texts are not historically reliable beginning with this analogy:
It is [oral circulation] that causes special problems for historians who want to know what ...
3
votes
1answer
194 views
Translation of κοπιῶντες in Matthew 11:28
The word κοπιῶντες in Matt. 11:28 is translated differently in the NASB and the ESV:
NASB:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
ESV:
Come to me, all who ...
11
votes
1answer
195 views
Quotations in 1 Corinthians 6:13
I've noticed that in the 2011 NIV more of 1 Corinthians 6:13 is considered part of a quotation than in the 1984 version.
Obviously Greek did not use quotation marks—so what hints are there for ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Rod and Staff (Psalm 23)
I am under the impression that the two are actually one physical item. That on one end was a kind of hook (staff) that was used to aid his duty as a Shepard and on the other end more of a club (rod) ...
6
votes
1answer
469 views
Did Jesus not heal the crippled beggar at the gate Beautiful?
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was ...
4
votes
1answer
137 views
Why was there a Sabbath year?
Leviticus mentions a 'Sabbath year' where they were supposed to give the land a rest:
The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I ...
4
votes
2answers
81 views
Murder on the way to Shechem in Hosea 6:9
Hosea 6:9 (NLT) reads:
Priests form bands of robbers, waiting in ambush for their victims. They murder travelers along the road to Shechem and practice every kind of sin.
Hosea seems intent on ...
6
votes
4answers
540 views
What is the tree of life in Proverbs 11:30?
While reading through Proverbs, I found a somewhat startling verse:
Proverbs 11:30 (NIV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the one who is wise saves lives.
My immediate ...
8
votes
3answers
174 views
How to interpret Genesis 25:1-2?
In Genesis 25:1-2 we see:
"Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him
Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah".
But even before that in Genesis 17 it says:
...
4
votes
1answer
78 views
Does the story of the thief on the cross imply that Jesus believed religious practice was unnecessary for salvation?
In Luke we read that Jesus predicted he would see one of the criminals hanging beside him in Paradise:
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
The meaning of “I” in Zechariah 7:3
Zechariah 7:2-3 (with my emphasis)
The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melech, together with their men, to entreat the LORD by asking the priests of the house of the LORD Almighty ...
6
votes
1answer
193 views
Is Ezekiel a reluctant prophet?
Many of God's servants in the Old Testament are reluctant—Moses, Gideon, Saul (eventually defunct), Jonah and Jeremiah spring to mind. Moses protests five times in the course of Exodus 2-3:
11But ...
4
votes
1answer
91 views
Does the New Testament use of Abba to address God signify a more intimate relationship than found in the Tanakh?
Yesterday's sermon at the church we visited was about Father's Day and referenced this passage:
And [Jesus] said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
What does it mean to lay down beside an altar (Amos 2:8)?
Amos 2:8 (ESV) reads,
They lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
The condemnation of ...
16
votes
3answers
490 views
What does the prohibition against women speaking in church in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 mean?
In 1st Corinthians 14:34-35 (NASB), Paul says:
34The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35If ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Who are the brothers in Numbers 14:4?
Numbers 14:4 states that a man says to his brother that they should appoint a new head (of the Israelites) and return to Egypt. Who are these two brothers? And, if this is just a turn of phrase, why ...
2
votes
1answer
88 views
In Dispensationalism what rule determines applicability of a scriptural demand?
This is an attempt at re-scoping this.
Dispensationalism as an interpretive framework closely related to a doctrinal predisposition and a literal hermeneutic.
Given that an interpretive framework, ...
4
votes
2answers
182 views
Humankind divided up among the gods?
[ question originally posted here ]
Deuteronomy 32:8-9 (NRSV), part of Moses' song:
When the Most High apportioned the nations, when he divided humankind, he fixed the boundaries of the peoples ...
6
votes
2answers
605 views
What is the significance of Ezekiel's description of God's heavenly chariot in chapter 1?
Chapter 1 of Ezekiel contains a famous description of God's heavenly chariot (the maaseh merkava):
...as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were
opened, and I saw visions ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
What does “Jealous” mean in Exodus 34:14?
Most translations seem to agree that "Jealous" is the best translation for this passage. For example:
Exodus 34:14 (NASB)
—for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is ...
5
votes
1answer
133 views
Should we read Melchizedek in Genesis 14 to be metaphorical?
Genesis 14:17-20 (NJPS):
When he returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh, which is the Valley of the King. And ...
6
votes
1answer
119 views
What is the order of events of Nahum and Jonah?
I was reading the book of Nahum and it was speaking about Ninevah. Is the book of Nahum foretelling the destruction of Ninevah, for which the people of Ninevah averted by repenting of their sins, or ...
1
vote
1answer
370 views
Where is God coming from in Habakkuk 3:3, and what does that signify?
It is easy to skim through the prophets, brushing by all the unfamiliar proper nouns. However, recently I've been trying to be more attentive to the details of meaning that the prophets are including ...
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
608 views
What is the meaning behind the parable of Children in the Marketplace in Luke 7:31-35?
Can you shed some light over the intended meaning of the parable of the Children in the Marketplace?
Is there more context or any words in the parable that have special meaning? Also, are there any ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
Where was the dinner in John 12?
On this question someone posted a link to an article arguing that Lazaraus is the beloved disciple. One of the arguments he makes is that his theory cleanly reconciles the account of a dinner in John ...
13
votes
1answer
172 views
Who is the author of Hebrews quoting in Hebrews 10:38?
Who is the author of Hebrews quoting in Hebrews 10:38?
Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul
shall have no pleasure in him.
The "just shall live by faith" part ...
9
votes
4answers
431 views
Was there an eclipse just before Jesus died?
I know that there is quite a bit of information about the possibility of an eclipse at the time of Jesus' execution. But none of the accounts actually mention why there was darkness:
And when the ...
3
votes
1answer
348 views
What does the Old Testament phrase 'cut off from their people' mean?
What does the Old Testament phrase 'cut off from their people' mean?
I have often read it, but am having difficulty imaganing how it may have actually been practiced? If it was determined that so and ...
0
votes
1answer
89 views
Using literal hermeneutics how does one determine if a demand is made on the reader?
This is an attempt at rescoping this.
Given that an interpretive framework, whether it be a set of rules or a theological predisposition, guides the interpretation of scripture, what are the rules or ...
4
votes
2answers
243 views
Pagan hairstyle forbidden in Leviticus 19, who had it?
There is a curious law in Leviticus that seems to refer to avoiding an ancient pagan rite.
Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. (Leviticus 19:27)
...
6
votes
3answers
96 views
Why is David's throne established by so much deceit?
This question made note that David acts in a deceitful manner towards the priest when he goes to ask for help as he flees from Saul. This isn't the only time, however, that deceit is a feature in ...
7
votes
2answers
203 views
Cutting body and pagan tattoos forbidden in Leviticus 19, what pagan group?
There is a curious law in Leviticus that seems to refer to avoiding an ancient pagan rite.
Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:28
...
8
votes
3answers
440 views
How does Jesus' argument from David and the show bread work?
Jesus defended his disciples gleaning on the Sabbath by retelling a story about David. Mark 2:23-28 (ESV):
One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his ...
7
votes
2answers
90 views
Is the usual translation of “ηὐχόμην” as “I could wish” justified in Romans 9:3?
In the early part of Romans 9, Paul speaks fervently of his hope and anguish concerning his fellow-countrymen, even contemplating losing his own salvation if it could gain theirs:
1I am speaking ...
8
votes
2answers
513 views
Per 1 Cor 10:8, when did God kill 23,000 for sexual immorality?
I was going through 1 Corinthians 10, doing my best to not fixate on verse 13 until i knew the context :) when I read this:
8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in ...
2
votes
2answers
70 views
Can Enoch's hermeneutical approach be determined?
This is related to Jack's hemeneutical approaches
And follows Abel's hermeneutic
Enoch is the second on the list of faithful. Can we determine a plausible hermeneutic that explains Enoch's 'pleasing ...
