All Questions
8
votes
3answers
443 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
515 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
229 views
Unfamiliar metaphors in Hosea 14:6-7
Hosea 14:5-7 (ESV) reads,
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he shall blossom like the lily;
he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
6 his shoots shall spread out;
his beauty shall ...
-1
votes
1answer
59 views
Is there an interpretive significance for nashak (kiss) and nasak (burn) being puns?
It was suggested here that 'kissing the calf' may be a play on words for 'burning the calf'. Is there other support in scripture where the use of 'kiss' and 'burn' has interpretive significance?
See ...
7
votes
2answers
116 views
What were the Corinthians doing when they “baptized on behalf of the dead”?
In the very center of an argument about the general resurrection, which the Corinthians questioned, Paul says:
Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead ...
7
votes
1answer
198 views
What is the “Theological Interpretation of Scripture” movement?
As the title asks--what is meant by "Theological Interpretation of Scripture", a.k.a. TIS, and how does it differ from other methods?
2
votes
1answer
49 views
Why does the household table in Colossians spend so long on slaves?
In the household table in Colossians 3:18-4:1, almost half the words are directed towards slaves. This seems significant, especially since in the house table in Ephesians it is much more even (perhaps ...
5
votes
2answers
360 views
Did Jesus wear pants?
While researching this question, I came across an article I'd rather not link to1 that asserted that Jesus wore pants. The particular bit of evidence they cited was:
Then I saw heaven opened, and ...
2
votes
2answers
313 views
Does Moses Speak Broken Hebrew?
When translating Exodus, I became intimately familiar with every sentence (it is really a tremendous form of close reading), and I noticed something amazing. The cases where Moses speaks Hebrew, he ...
8
votes
2answers
165 views
“Until they see the kingdom of God” in Luke 9:27 and parallels
What are the possible interpretations of "will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God"? Which is most likely correct?
Luke 9:27:
But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those ...
15
votes
2answers
357 views
Understanding Numbers 11:25
As I am studying, I have encountered different renderings of the last phrase in this verse, which describes the prophesying of the seventy elders of Israel after the Spirit was placed on them. An ...
7
votes
3answers
854 views
What are the differences between allegorical and typological interpretation?
In a recent discussion on a question about allegory, it was pointed out that allegory and typology are not the same thing. What are the differences between the two approaches? Is one a subset of the ...
4
votes
1answer
120 views
Is the death of the pious precious in the eyes of God?
How does one understand the word yakar in Psalms 116:15? Classic Jewish commentators explain the word in context to mean "difficult". However, that is not how is it commonly used nor is it in ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Admah and Zeboiim in Hosea 11:8
In one of the most beautiful passages of a beautiful book, God says:
How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you ...
5
votes
1answer
125 views
Is Naaman impure?
In 2 Kings 5:10 we read:
וַיִּשְׁלַח אֵלָיו אֱלִישָׁע, מַלְאָךְ לֵאמֹר: הָלוֹךְ, וְרָחַצְתָּ שֶׁבַע-פְּעָמִים בַּיַּרְדֵּן, וְיָשֹׁב בְּשָׂרְךָ לְךָ וּטְהָר.
And Elisha sent a messenger unto ...
9
votes
2answers
330 views
How consistent were Augustine's hermeneutics?
St. Augustine of Hippo seems to have had considerable influence on the field of hermeneutics. His work in the field seems to be a bit of a landmark in the history of how hermeneutics is done.
However ...
0
votes
2answers
121 views
To what degree are extra-biblical books referenced in the bible considered to be valid for Hermeneutical research?
The bible contains many references to other books, some of which are lost, some of which are fragmentary, and some of which still exist in whole.
When said books are known, or are found, to what ...
7
votes
2answers
917 views
What is “sin that leads to death” in 1 John 5:16?
1 John 5:16 (NIV) Emphasis Added
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead ...
2
votes
1answer
188 views
Is Psalm 19 an example of the Teleological Argument?
This morning, on the way to work, I listened to a philosophy lecture that offered Psalm 19 as an example of the Teleological Argument. The quoted portion is Psalm 19:2 in the NJPS translation:
...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What does it mean when God separated light from darkness?
Genesis 1:4 NIV
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
God separated the light from the darkness.
I don't get this part.
Does it mean that light and ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Existing beliefs or contents of the text more formative in hermeneutics?
This answer states:
In general: philosophy informs one's reading of a text, not the other way around.
This statement in itself is an answer to one of the biggest issues of hermeneutics: the way ...
8
votes
2answers
160 views
Who Killed Saul?
I am enjoying my ride through 1 & 2 Samuel. I remember there being a contradiction contest/tag and here's a "contradiction" that got me thinking.
What should we make of Saul's death? In 1 Samuel ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
What are the biblical metaphors for the local church? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the biblical metaphors for the local church?
The Bible often uses metaphors or images to illustrate a point. What are the different metaphor the New Testament ...
6
votes
1answer
876 views
What does the term “principalities and powers” mean?
In some translations, I see the term "principalities and powers." To what does this refer?
This will not be exhaustive, but for example, consider the KJV's translation of Romans 8:38-39:
For I ...
4
votes
1answer
46 views
Which prophets are mad in Hosea 9:7?
Hosea 9:7 (ESV) reads,
The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is mad, because of your great iniquity ...
0
votes
1answer
212 views
Is Hosea 6:1-3 a prophecy of Jesus?
I've asked in a separate question if Hosea 6:1-3 is a quotation. Here is the ESV translation for reference:
“Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the third heaven that Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:2?
2 Corinthians 12:2 (NIV)
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.
What is ...
2
votes
2answers
451 views
When was Jesus's body 'broken' for us?
In order to fulfill prophecy, his bones were not broken.
Lu 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave
unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do ...
4
votes
2answers
121 views
How do you know an allegory is valid?
If an allegory is just an invention? How can you discus the validity of something that is based on opinion.
For example:
Ex 23:19 ... Thou shalt not seethe [boil] a kid in his
mother’s milk.
...
6
votes
1answer
446 views
In light of Isaiah 7:15-16, how could Jesus be the promised child born of a virgin?
Isaiah 7:14 is the famous verse in which King Ahaz is promised that a virgin (or a young woman—I know the translation issues) shall conceive. This prophecy is even quoted in the New Testament ...
7
votes
3answers
268 views
How is this passage on the authority of women to be interpreted?
I have heard it said that 1 Timothy 2:11,12 is to be examined through the "lens" of culture but what Paul writes right after it in verses 13 and 14 seems to nullify that.
A woman should learn in ...
3
votes
2answers
96 views
Do any Hermeneutical approaches provide an explanation of the limited information on Shamgar the Judge?
Shamgar is mentioned only twice in the bible, Judges 3:31 and an oblique reference in Judges 5:6.
It is striking in that certain facts are made completely plain such as the number of Philistines he ...
0
votes
2answers
57 views
Is it valid to use Matthew 10 in reference to end times?
I've heard people use Matthew 10:16-25 as a prophecy regarding the end times.
Matthew 10:16-25 NET
“I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent ...
3
votes
3answers
720 views
What does “reconciling all things” mean in Colossians 1:20?
In Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV) we read:
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by ...
3
votes
1answer
161 views
“God of Heaven” in the book of Daniel
I noticed that "the God of heaven" is a common title used for God in the book of Daniel. Is this name used anywhere else in the Scriptures? Why is it used so much in the book of Daniel? (Perhaps for ...
2
votes
4answers
389 views
Which hermeneutical approaches support a literal interpretation of the Creation account?
I had always been told that a day meant 24 hours, but a systematic theology textbook I read disputed that pretty well. (Please do not address this item in particular. This isn't the question I'm ...
6
votes
2answers
88 views
Why do Biblical authors call John's baptism a baptism of repentence? [closed]
What is the relationship of this baptism to the ministry of Jesus, and how is it related to the baptism practiced after a profession of faith in Acts?
4
votes
3answers
496 views
What is the significance of Moses being called a “bridegroom of blood?”
In Exodus 4:24–26 the story is recounted of Moses' failure or delay in circumcising his son, and Zipporah stepping in herself to perform the right, saving Moses' life.
I am aware some theologians ...
6
votes
2answers
788 views
“Cakes of Raisins” in Hosea 3
Hosea 3:1 reads (ESV):
And the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other ...
14
votes
4answers
623 views
Does Genesis's creation account depict creation “ex nihilo”?
I had once heard that one of the remarkable thing about the creation account in Genesis, as compared to the other creation accounts of the cultures of the surrounding area is that God creates the ...
2
votes
1answer
238 views
Who or where is Meroz in Judges 5:23?
We read:
“Curse Meroz!” said the angel of the Lord.
“Bitterly curse its inhabitants,
Because they came not to the aid of the Lord,
To the aid of the Lord among the warriors.”—Judges ...
4
votes
2answers
234 views
Gilgal and Beth-aven in Hosea 4:15
Hosea 4:15 (ESV) reads:
Though you play the whore, O Israel,
let not Judah become guilty.
Enter not into Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven,
and swear not, “As the LORD lives.”
What is the ...
7
votes
3answers
622 views
Did King Hezekiah do something wrong in showing off his wealth to emissaries from Babylonia in II Kings 20?
The Hezekiah (Heb: Chizkiyahu) narrative in II Kings (chapters 17 – 20) and Isaiah (36 – 39) concludes on a dissonant and haunting confrontation between King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah ...
9
votes
2answers
188 views
What is the textual evidence for defining “μισέω” as “reject”?
I have heard that μισέω does not necessarily mean hate in the sense of a wrathful detestation, but can also have a judicial sense, i.e. reject. A classic example where this meaning would be applied is ...
7
votes
3answers
142 views
What is the difference between the 'life' given by wisdom in Proverbs and 'life' given by Jesus in 1 John?
These two passages are rather similar:
Proverbs 8:35-36 (ESV)
For whoever finds me [wisdom] finds life and obtains favor
from the Lord, 36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who
...
3
votes
2answers
442 views
Why was Zacchaeus saved according to Jesus?
In Luke 19:1-10 we read the story of Zacchaeus which ends like so:
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone ...
6
votes
2answers
605 views
What does Hebrews 6:4-6 mean?
This passage is a bit confusing. Could someone please shed some light on how we are to interpret what Paul is saying here?
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV)
It is impossible for those who have once been ...
7
votes
1answer
91 views
Did Paul expect Timothy to see “the last days”?
In 2 Timothy, Paul warns Timothy as follows:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)
3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of ...
