All Questions
3
votes
2answers
76 views
God's speech in Job 38-42
For me the Book of Job is one of the most contraversial books in the Bible yet. In chapters 38-41 we see the Lord's unnecessary boasting in front of his slave. Job 41:5 is an example of a cynism:
...
3
votes
2answers
422 views
What is “the hermeneutical circle”?
This question mentions "the hermeneutical circle":
I sometimes hear ... of hermeneutical "methods", such as the grammatico-historal approach, or literal-historical approach, or sensus plenior. ... ...
2
votes
1answer
66 views
How many resurrection hours does Jesus refer to in John 5:25-29?
In John 5:25-29 we read:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has ...
14
votes
4answers
626 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 ...
14
votes
2answers
425 views
How can we determine if a text is sarcastic?
What hermeneutical principles help in understanding whether a particular passage is to be understood as sarcastic?
For instance,
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! ...
14
votes
5answers
1k views
Is Jesus giving the Spirit in John 20:22?
After the resurrection in John's gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples and in John 20:22 he breathes on them and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit." What is happening here? Is Jesus giving them the Holy ...
14
votes
6answers
436 views
What role does the Holy Spirit play in hermeneutics?
As Christians in the NT age of the Church it is understood that believers have an indwelling of the Holy Spirit who acts as a counselor and guide, enabling them to rightly understand God's word. How ...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
What does it mean that “Scripture interprets Scripture”?
What does the rule that "Scripture interprets Scripture" mean and where does it fit into a larger picture of the field of hermeneutics? What hermeneutical approaches use this as a guiding principle?
12
votes
3answers
406 views
Does the original Hebrew support the NLT of Genesis 6:3?
Genesis 6:3 refers to when God set humans' lifespans to (approximately) 120 years. However, the NLT (the translation I prefer) has a slightly different translation for the 120-years part.
Genesis ...
12
votes
2answers
408 views
“You are gods” in John 10:30-36
In John 10:30-36 (NASB), Jesus responds to an accusation of blasphemy by quoting the Old Testament:
30I and the Father are one.”
31The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32Jesus ...
12
votes
4answers
2k views
Interpretations of Elihu in Job
In the book of Job, it becomes clear that the first three of Job's friends - Eliphaz, Blidad, and Zophar - speak wrongly. Not only do they incur the indignation of Job and his other friend Elihu, but ...
11
votes
2answers
546 views
How different is Biblical Hebrew from modern Hebrew?
It's been variously suggested on this site that the difference between Biblical Hebrew and modern Hebrew is like either the difference between:
Old English and modern English
Shakespeare's English ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
Does πορνεία mean premarital sex in 1 Corinthians 5-7?
I'm interested in this question because some liberal theologians insist that the Bible does not say anything about premarital sex*. To get a reasonable scope for the question, I limit this to just the ...
11
votes
2answers
378 views
Arguments for early/late date of authorship of Daniel
What are the most significant arguments for an early date of authorship of Daniel (6th century BC)? What are the primary arguments for a late date (2nd century BC)?
11
votes
4answers
303 views
Is there an English equivalent for Nephilim of Genesis 6:4?
Genesis 6:4 (NIV)Emphasis added
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes ...
10
votes
3answers
125 views
To what extent is Psalm 51:4 poetic exaggeration?
The context of Psalm 51 is clear:
To the choirmaster. A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
These events are described in 2nd Samuel ...
10
votes
3answers
153 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?
10
votes
4answers
600 views
What was Noah thinking when he sent a raven from the ark?
In tablet 11 of the epic of Gilgamesh, after Utnapishtim's ark lodges on a rock, he releases a dove, a swallow, and a raven, in that order. The first two birds return when they fail to find a resting ...
10
votes
2answers
225 views
Is there any significance behind Jesus' use of the word “love” in “John 21:15-17”
In John 21:15-17 (ESV), we read:
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that ...
10
votes
4answers
300 views
Does Paul refer to his past or present evil/sin in Romans 7
In Romans 7:19, Paul says this:
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ESV
Is Paul talking about "doing evil" in his present, converted state, or ...
10
votes
6answers
350 views
How should we understand the “Cleansing of the Temple”?
As a preface, I was talking with some good friends last night and this passage came up. On of my friends contributed an interpretation that made my blood boil. He was clearly wrong and clearly ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Translation of “abba” (Αββα, אבא)
What is the best English translation of abba (Greek: Αββα, Aramaic: אבא)? What are its senses in the original languages, and are those best captured by father, dad, daddy, or something else in ...
9
votes
4answers
137 views
Would it matter if the ID of 'Autor' was revealed and who are the potential candidates?
The author of Hebrews, being generally uncertain, sometimes goes by the moniker "Autor". But who or what lies behind the mask? What clues do we have to work with that could tip us off to their ...
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
4answers
172 views
Does Peter intend to identify the Pauline Epistles as canonical?
In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peters states:
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his ...
9
votes
5answers
977 views
Why should an altar be made with uncut stone?
God told Moses that the altar must be made of unhewn stones:
And if you make for Me an altar of stones, do not build it of hewn stones; for by wielding your tool upon them you have profaned ...
9
votes
5answers
369 views
Is Ecclesiastes a book of negative wisdom?
When I was younger, I thought that because Ecclesiastes was so dour, it was a sort of negative wisdom—something like, "This is how crazy you get when you don't follow God." However, this ...
9
votes
2answers
305 views
Why did Abel keep flocks if man wasn't supposed to eat flesh til after the Flood?
Per Genesis 9:3, man is given the animals as food after the flood. A reasonable implication of that statement is that prior to this, man was supposed to be vegetarian.
That said, Genesis 4:2 clearly ...
9
votes
5answers
3k views
Why did the witnesses lay their coats at Paul's feet?
During the stoning of Stephen, according to the book of Acts, "the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul," who later converted to Christianity and took the name Paul.
...
9
votes
1answer
179 views
What role should textual (lower) criticism play in biblical hermeneutics (if any)?
A recent comment on another question demonstrated a common perspective, namely that textual criticism is usually a bad thing when interpreting scripture (some would even go so far as to say that it is ...
8
votes
3answers
111 views
What is the judgment in Psalm 1?
The ending of Psalm 1 provides great hope for those who delight in the instruction of the Lord:
Not so the wicked;
rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked ...
8
votes
2answers
116 views
Should the title in Isaiah 9 be translated?
Translators publishing for the Christian market translate the title in Isaiah 9:6:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his ...
8
votes
3answers
91 views
How many animals is the King of Zion to ride according to Zechariah?
I've read that Zechariah prophesied that the King of Zion would enter the city on a donkey with another donkey in tow. But the passage seems to indicate just one animal to me:
Rejoice greatly, O ...
8
votes
2answers
194 views
Was there some connection between barley bread and Gideon in the mind of the Midianites?
Before attacking the Midianite camp, Gideon does a little spying:
When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of ...
8
votes
1answer
196 views
Pros and Cons of Barth's Commentary on Romans
What are the merits/problems with Karl Barth's commentary on Romans?
How much does he treat the details of the Greek?
What is his overall hermeneutic of the book? (Please steer away from explaining ...
8
votes
4answers
733 views
How tall was Goliath?
In 1 Samuel 17, David intends to battle against Goliath and ultimately wins by slinging a single stone into his forehead before decapitating him. As Wikipedia can confirm, there are multiple accounts ...
8
votes
2answers
924 views
At what point did Abraham know he was talking to God in Genesis 18?
At the start of the story in Genesis 18, Abraham does not seem to know who the three men are:
Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of ...
8
votes
2answers
584 views
What does “born again” from John 3:3 mean?
John 3:3 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
A note for this verse in the NIV says, "The Greek for again also means from ...
8
votes
3answers
387 views
Historical interpretations of Ezekiel's vision of a temple
From Ezekiel 40 to the end, the author records a pretty detailed vision of a temple. Historically, what are the main ways this vision been interpreted?
Did the rabbis consider this vision to be ...
8
votes
1answer
212 views
How does Canon Criticism relate to the concept of a Gesamtbiblische Theologie?
It is my understanding that Brevard Childs's so-called canonical (or canon) criticism places an emphasis on looking at the Bible as a complete work. This reminds me of the concept of a Gesamtbiblische ...
8
votes
2answers
288 views
What is “Regula Fidei”?
What is "Regula Fidei" and is this principle of interpretation considered obsolete by those who practice the Grammatical Historical approach to hermeneutics or does it survive in some form?
7
votes
2answers
82 views
Was Jesus 'delivered from his fear' or 'delivered because he had fear' of God?
In Hebrews 5:7 Jesus has his 'prayer heard in what he feared' or 'heard in respect to what he feared' - 'εισακουσθεις απο της ευλαβειας'.
The ESV had his prayer was heard 'because of his reverence' ...
7
votes
1answer
314 views
What is the significance of switching from Gideon to Jerubbaal?
Gideon got a new name in this story:
When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was ...
7
votes
1answer
169 views
How would stoning of an adulterer actually be carried out under the Law’s of Moses?
How would stoning of an adulterer actually be carried out under the Law’s of Moses?
In John Chapter 8 there is the familiar story of how Jesus prevented a stoning of a woman who had committed ...
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
...
7
votes
1answer
487 views
How should the story of David's concubines be read?
There's a small story of ten concubines spread across Samuel:
And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” Then David said to all his servants ...
7
votes
4answers
403 views
Did Jesus have the legal authority to cleanse the temple?
The narrative of Jesus' cleansing of the temple is present in all four gospels: Mark 11:15-17, Matthew 21:12-13, Luke 19:45-46, John 2:13-17. When He cleanses the temple, there does not seem to be any ...
7
votes
3answers
480 views
How many people were involved in the Exodus?
According to Numbers 1:20-46 (NJPS):
They totaled as follows:
The descendants of Reuben, Israel’s first-born, the registration of the clans of their ancestral house, as listed by name, head by ...
7
votes
2answers
930 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
68 views
How should Psalm 22:16 read?
Psalm 22:16 seems textually quite difficult. The NET for example reads:
Yes, wild dogs surround me –
a gang of evil men crowd around me;
like a lion they pin my hands and feet.
Yet, they note that ...
