All Questions
7
votes
4answers
296 views
Who/what is Peter's angel?
In Acts 12, Peter is miraculously released from prison when an angel visits him at night. Peter escapes and returns to the house where a group is gathered praying. A servant girl, Rhoda goes to answer ...
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
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 ...
7
votes
4answers
234 views
What does it mean for Jesus to fulfill the law?
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says he didn't come to abolish the law or Prophets but to fulfill them. What does it mean to "fulfill the law"?
7
votes
1answer
244 views
Did David keep household idols?
The biblical account of David's first escape from Saul in 1 Sam 19 mentions that his wife Michal camouflaged his escape by hiding an "image" (KJV) or a "household idol" (NASB) in his bed.
Is that to ...
7
votes
3answers
302 views
How are we to take the fact that Lot offered his daughters for rape?
In Genesis two angels visited Sodom and Gomorrah to check what's what. The residents of the town wanted to rape the angels (who had visited the most virtuous man in the town, Lot). Lot to protect the ...
7
votes
1answer
85 views
Is Malachi a pseudonym?
The ESV has a note on Malachi 1:1:
The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.1
1:1 Malachi means my messenger
Malachi's Wikipedia entry shows that this has caused interpreters ...
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
...
7
votes
1answer
85 views
Is there any research that challenges the standard definition of 'προορίζω' (predestine)?
The definition of προορίζω in the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon is:
4309 Six occurrences; AV translates as “predestinate” four times,
“determine before” once, and “ordain” once. 1 to predetermine, ...
7
votes
1answer
80 views
What does Genesis 3:16 literally say?
I've noticed that sometimes words are repeated in the hebrew text.
Gen 3:16 אֶֽל־ H413 to הָ·אִשָּׁ֣ה H802 Unto the woman אָמַ֗ר H559 he said הַרְבָּ֤ה H7235 I will greatly אַרְבֶּה֙ H7235 ...
7
votes
2answers
121 views
In the Peshitta, what is the difference between the original word translated “Sabbath” and that translated “week?”
In Matthew 28:1 of the Aramaic Peshitta text, the word translated "Sabbath" and the word translated "week" appear similar but with slight variation.
Does anyone know what the significance is of the ...
7
votes
4answers
264 views
What portions of the New Testament are purported to have originally been written in Aramaic?
I am wondering what portions of the New Testament are purported to have originally been written in Aramaic, and by whom. I am aware that Seventh Day Adventist and Nestorian scholars often assert ...
7
votes
1answer
92 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
186 views
Is the ending of the Gospel of Mark (16:9-20) original?
Some scholars believe that the ending of Mark is unoriginal due to it appearing to have a different style and the fact that it's missing from some key manuscripts. At the same time, several early ...
7
votes
1answer
226 views
Coherence-Based Genealogical Method vs. Local Text-Types Theory
The NA28 text marks a departure from the traditional methodology of textual criticism. As described by Jeff Kloha in the Concordia Theology Journal,
Previous generations learned to classify ...
7
votes
1answer
207 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?
7
votes
2answers
267 views
Why did God “change His mind” with Balaam?
There are so many interesting questions regarding the account of Balaam in Numbers 22-24. But for now, let me focus on the one that is most puzzling to me: Why did the Lord seem to "waffle" in His ...
7
votes
3answers
163 views
What are the Pharisees saying to search in John 7:52?
The Pharisees say to Nicodemus in John 7:52:
ἐραύνησον καὶ ἴδε ὅτι ἐκ τῆς Γαλιλαίας προφήτης οὐκ ἐγείρεται
Or
Search and see that a prophet has not arisen from Galilee
Is there any way to ...
7
votes
3answers
314 views
What is the meaning of “calculate” in Revelation 13:18?
This is perhaps the most famous prophesy in popular culture:
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his ...
7
votes
4answers
188 views
What did Isaiah intend with his unusual usage of “create” in Isaiah 45:7?
In Isaiah 45:7 (ESV):
I form light and create darkness,
I make well-being and create calamity,
I am the LORD, who does all these things.
The word "create" (01254) is the same word used in ...
7
votes
1answer
277 views
Primary components of lexical-syntactical analysis
What is lexical-syntactical analysis as it applies to Biblical hermeneutics? What are the primary steps involved in a lexical-syntactical analysis of a Biblical passage?
7
votes
2answers
125 views
What is the “Water” of Genesis 1:2?
We read in the creation account:
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.—Genesis 1:2 ...
7
votes
1answer
115 views
Where can I find Targum Neofiti online?
I'm looking for Targum Neofiti online in the original Hebrew/Aramaic lettering. Does anyone know where I can find it?
7
votes
3answers
158 views
Does Theophilus of Antioch's statement have any bearing on interpreting Mathew 5:28?
I found a quote on this site which calls into question the accuracy of Matthew 5:28 in the KJV according to a quotation of Theophilus of Antioch:
"ἡ δὲ εὐαγγέλιος φωνὴ ἐπιτατικώτερον διδάσκει ...
7
votes
1answer
186 views
What is the argument against the authenticity of 1 John 5:7-8 in the KJV?
I was reading through Lee Strobel's The Case for the Real Jesus and came across a passage in the book that indicates the inauthenticity of 1 John 5:7-8 in the King James Version:
1 John 5:7-8 ...
7
votes
3answers
507 views
What does “the grace of life” refer to in 1 Peter 3:7?
My question is pretty straightforward. I'm wondering what "the grace of life" refers to in this verse:
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way,
showing honor to the ...
7
votes
1answer
820 views
Why pray, “lead us not into temptation”?
Those famous words from The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:13:
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
I find puzzling. Why would anyone ask God not to lead is into ...
7
votes
5answers
425 views
What is the head covering referring to in 1 Corinthians 11:4-6?
There's a passage of text that has always confused me. I'm curious if there's any special historical context for this passage or if there's some understanding of these commands that I'm completely ...
7
votes
2answers
217 views
“My son” in Hosea 11:1 quoted in Matt. 2:14-15
Matthew 2:14-15 (NASB) reads:
14So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill ...
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
147 views
Jesus and the adulterous woman: was stoning a practical possiblity?
In John 8:5, the Pharisees ask Jesus:
In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say? (NIV)
Was stoning a woman for adultery often/sometimes done during Jesus' days, or ...
7
votes
1answer
490 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
1answer
135 views
How many and who were the people the women found at Jesus' tomb?
In the empty tomb stories, somebody was already there when the women arrived. But how many people and who were they?
For reference:
Mark: a young man
Matthew: an angel of the Lord
Luke: two men
...
7
votes
2answers
254 views
How big were the nomadic clans of the patriarchs?
According to the book Genesis, 70 people came down with Jacob to dwell in Egypt after contact was made with Joseph:
And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two souls; all the ...
7
votes
2answers
81 views
Sense of περἰ in Romans 8:3
Romans 8:3 says the following
καἰ περἰ ἁμαρτἰας (and for sin)
Many translations suggest as an offering for sin as an alternate translation. I can see how περί can mean in place of, but is as an ...
7
votes
2answers
62 views
Blessed is the man who WALKS NOT or HAS NOT WALKED?
I noticed in studying the Psalms that Psalm 1 in the old Coverdale text reads, "Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, and hath not sat ...
7
votes
2answers
98 views
Does “days” in prophecy equal “years” (Daniel 9 - Seventy Weeks)
A lot of theologians take Daniel's seventy weeks and interpret the seventy weeks to be 490 years, a year for each day. From a hermeneutic standpoint, I seek to know if this type of calculation is ...
7
votes
5answers
217 views
What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Mark 3:20-30 contains a familiar passage with a long debated phrase:
3:20 Now Jesus went home, and a crowd gathered so that they were not able to eat. 21 When his family heard this they went out ...
7
votes
1answer
54 views
Why are there two harvesters in Revelation 14?
In Revelation 14:15-16, at seemingly the end of the age, we have this scene:
Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your ...
7
votes
1answer
105 views
Was Abiathar the son of Ahimelech or was Ahimelech the son of Abiathar?
According to the following three verses, Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech:
1 Samuel 22:20.
1 Samuel 23:6.
1 Samuel 30:7.
But a couple other passages down the road claim that in fact Ahimelech ...
7
votes
2answers
836 views
Is “breath of life” in Genesis 2:7 is the same as spirit?
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
What is the meaning of "breath of life" ...
7
votes
2answers
162 views
Who is the prophetess in Isaiah 8:3?
The bible doesn't seem to give much information for who "the prophetess" in Isaiah 8:3 is. Who is she? Many seem to assert that she is his wife, but cite no evidence to support this.
The word ...
7
votes
1answer
138 views
Did the apostles travel with their wives?
I was doing some research for an answer and came across this verse:
This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take ...
7
votes
1answer
243 views
Why did David and Jonathan need the arrow signal?
Just before David left Saul's service for the last time, he and Jonathan arraigned a way to communicate with one another in code:
Jonathan, out of his love for David, adjured him again, for he ...
7
votes
1answer
113 views
Which experts believe Paul “lost” his arguments in 1st Corinthians.
I read on a layman's site about a theory that much of the "reconciliation" in 2nd Corinthians was actually Paul attempting to patch up his relationship with the Corinthian church after his ...
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
935 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
652 views
What is “verbal plenary inspiration” and to what texts does it apply?
What is the "verbal plenary" view of the inspiration of Scripture and to what texts is it considered to apply? What hermeneutical approaches hold this view and how does it affect the way they ...
7
votes
1answer
150 views
What does Jesus mean by “vain repetition” or “babbling” in Matthew 6:7?
What ancient tradition of prayer is Jesus critical of in Matthew 6:7?
In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. (NABRE)
But ...
