Questions tagged [historical-criticism]

Investigation of the origin of a particular text and the historical context in which it was created. Sometimes called "higher criticism".

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Seeking Resources on Hermeneutical Interpretation of Scripture Influenced by Egyptian Culture [closed]

I recently heard an interesting perspective from an Adventist Christian pastor and archaeologist regarding the potential influence of Egyptian culture on biblical scriptures. Specifically, he pointed ...
Humberto José Bortolossi's user avatar
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Is it possible that priests in the early Christian community were called father before Jesus said call no man father

Matt 23:9 - And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. I am aware of the standard response to why Jesus said to call no man Father, that he was speaking ...
Chozang's user avatar
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Was the author of Daniel 7-11 a traditionalist?

According to the Maccabean Hypothesis, the author of the apocalyptic half of the book of Daniel, 7-12, was written during the Maccabean Revolt (c.165 BC) as a way to either encourage the Jews to keep ...
user329957's user avatar
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Is Mark 12:13-17 a reference to the Fiscus Judaicus?

Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do ...
David George's user avatar
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Did scholars doubt Belshazzar's existence before 1854?

I realise this isn't entirely related to hermeneutics, but anyway I was doing some research on people's views on King Belshazzar mentioned in Daniel 5. All the Christian apologists who defend the book ...
You are consciously breathing's user avatar
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What is the internal & external evidence for the authorship/inclusion of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and what evidence is against its inclusion? [duplicate]

We read: “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their ...
Cork88's user avatar
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What was the Pharisee’s view of “demonology”?

“We read “As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like ...
Cork88's user avatar
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Why do scholars think Abraham came from Ur in Mesopotamia?

Most scholars still think that Abraham came from Ur in southern Mesopotamia / Sumer. This seems strange for a number of reasons, including: -The Ur in Mesopotamia is NOT beyond (East of) the Euphrates,...
Yahweh-Elohim's user avatar
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What are the arguments of scholars who suppose that the Gospel according to John does not go back to John the disciple of Jesus?

Many authors, even some who write the preface to acknowledged Bible editions, suppose that the Gospel according to John has not been written by John, the former disciple of Jesus. Although such ...
SDG's user avatar
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If the LXX version of Judges 18:30 states "Μωυσῆ" (Moses), why would New Testament bibles prefer מְנַשֶּׁ֜ה (Menasseh) from Tanakh's MT?

Why would Tanakh's MT sometimes be preferred over Greek LXX as correct sources for New Testament bibles? - Example : Judges 18:30. [Judges 18:30, LXX] states : "καὶ ἀνέστησαν ἑαυτοῗς οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ ...
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Did Jesus establish in Matthew 4:4 that the later LXX editions add words to Deuteronomy 8:3?

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 4:4 what is written in Deuteronomy 8:3 LXX, but Jesus excludes two words (ὁ,τῷ) from his citation of Deuteronomy 8:3 LXX. [Matthew 4:4] Οὐκ ἐπ᾽ ἄρτῳ μόνῳ ζήσεται ἄνθρωπος : ...
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If Luke 1:17 was quoting the LXX version of Malachi 4:6, Why was ἐπιστρέφω used for “to turn” instead of copying ἀποκαθίστημι?

Should historians think Luke’s author used an available copy of LXX to reference Malachi 4:6, if the LXX-Malachi uses the Greek word “ἀποκαθίστημι” instead of “ἐπιστρέφω” in Luke 1:17? [LXX Malachi 4:...
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Why would the Textus Receptus edition of Matthew 3:11 include "kai pyr" (καὶ πυρί) if the majority M-Texts omit the words & few NU-Texts include them?

If the NKJV says a Majority (M) of greek manuscripts exclude "καὶ πυρί" in [Matthew 3:11] but the NU-Texts includes "καὶ πυρί", then what specific reason warranted the [inspired] ...
חִידָה's user avatar
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What deeper understanding can the bible reader get from the 2 Samuel 8:2's account of how David killed off the defeated people of Moab?

( Related Posting: Was the use of a measuring line literal or symbolic in 2 Samuel 8:2? Related Posting: What are the Dangers of the Judgemental side of David's life in the Bible? ) What deeper ...
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Is there historical evidence for the persecution in Acts 8:1 where "...a great persecution broke out.. all except the apostles were scattered"

Acts 8:1-3 in the NIV says And Saul approved of their killing him. The Church Persecuted and Scattered On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the ...
Keith Sobus's user avatar
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Are there any academic scholars ,who interpreted Isaiah 11, non messianically? [closed]

Are there any academic scholars ,who interpreted the Stump of Jesse ,and all the predictions in the Isaiah 11, as NOT a reference to the far future Messiah and his messianic age,as believed by Jews ...
resarcher's user avatar
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Is there a logical reason why the creation account came so late?

Would there be a logical reason as to why God would inspire Moses to write Genesis so late and not have the creation account available earlier. I have heard this question and people have said that ...
hirohe's user avatar
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In Acts 22:5, what authority did Paul have to destroy Christians?

[Act 22:5 NLT] (5) The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the ...
Ruminator's user avatar
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Variant Readings of Titus 2:13

Are there any variant readings of Titus 2:13, possessing at least one of the following three characteristics ? the omission of the name Jesus Christ at the end of the verse a definite article placed ...
Lucian's user avatar
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Versions of Daniel not Mentioning Darius in the Sixth or Ninth Chapter

There are three main versions of the Book of Daniel : Masoretic, Old Greek, and Theodotion. However, they all read Darius (but allude to Cyrus) in both their sixth and ninth chapters. Are there any ...
Lucian's user avatar
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In Matthew 3:6 was Jesus' interview with John the baptizer modeled after rabbinic protocols for proselyte baptism?

I notice that 2nd temple period Jewish water ablution/baptism for proselytes involved certain protocols, such as: ..Our Rabbis taught: If at the present time a man desires42 to become a proselyte, he ...
Ruminator's user avatar
2 votes
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In Hebrews 12:23, what does it mean that the firstborn (plural) are “enrolled”?

[Heb 12:23 ESV] (23) and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, [Heb 12:23 MGNT] (23) καὶ ἐκκλησίᾳ ...
Ruminator's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
1k views

How historical-critical biblical scholars calculate the 490 year prophecy in Daniel 9?

Introduction The accepted date of authorship by critical scholars for the visions in Daniel (7-12) is the second century BC (Maccabean revolt 167-3 BC). The reasoning goes that the predictions in ...
bach's user avatar
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Is the story of Barabbas possibly fabricated?

I would post the relevant passages, but they are too long to post. They are Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:15-25, and John 18:39-40. I heard Richard Carrier argue that the story of Barabbas ...
CMK's user avatar
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In John 1:36 what is the background of the term "Lamb of God"?

John 1:36 King James Version (KJV) 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! No one seems bewildered by this designation. Was it an idiom, a recognized concept in ...
Ted DeRose's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
450 views

How can we trust the Gospels if nobody was there to witness? [closed]

I am reading the Gospels and sometimes I wonder how can some stories have been recorded and then written down. The case is when Jesus is basically by himself and nobody there to witness or when he is ...
Federico Gentile's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
672 views

Were Bela and Balaam originally the same person?

Genesis 36.31-32 (NRSV) These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites. Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah. ...
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6 votes
3 answers
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In Genesis 1:29 why was Abel a shepherd when vegetation was the only permitted food? [duplicate]

According to Gen 1:29-30 and Gen 3:18b, God had given green herbs as mankind's food both before and after the fall. Before the curse: Genesis:1.29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb ...
user20490's user avatar
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4 votes
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In Jeremiah - Who is the "Queen of Heaven"?

In Jeremiah - Who is the "Queen of Heaven"? Is this a reference to a god in chaldea or somewhere else? NKJV, Jeremiah 44:25 - Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘You ...
elika kohen's user avatar
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1 vote
4 answers
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Why does the NIV translate 2 Thessalonians 2:2 as "the day of the Lord"?

What is the meaning of “the day of Christ” as found in several New Testament passages? Using the KJV, it is specifically referenced in 1 Corinthians 1:8, 5:5, 2 Corinthians 1:14 and 2 Thessalonians 2:...
Tyrone E Wilson's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
7k views

How far was a "Sabbath's Day Journey"?

From the information in Acts, what is the least amount of distance the disciples might have traveled, in order to get an idea of what they thought a "Sabbath's Day Journey" was? NKJV, Acts 1:12 - ...
elika kohen's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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Are there any Architectural Similarities between Herod's and Ezekiel's Temples?

Closely Related: - In Luke, Was Jesus Dedicated in the Second Temple, or Third? NKJV, Ezekiel 43:10 - “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their ...
elika kohen's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
499 views

Luke 23:3 - Why Wasn't Jesus' Claim to be King Unlawful?

NASB, Luke 23:3 - So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” After this, Pilate said, "I find no fault in him." But later, Pilate ...
elika kohen's user avatar
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5 votes
6 answers
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Luke 1 - What time of the year were John and Jesus born?

Question : Given the specific details from the passages, is it possible to infer an approximate time of the year when John and Jesus were born? Or, are certain times of the year excluded by the text? ...
elika kohen's user avatar
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8 votes
3 answers
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1 Samuel 20:18: How was the First of the Month / New Moon Determined?

Closely Related: • Judaism.SE/How was Rosh Chodesh determined, if a New Moon Cannot be Seen? • Calculating months and weeks in the Mosaic Law • Astronomy.SE/How Soon Could a Waxing Crescent Moon Be ...
elika kohen's user avatar
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14 votes
5 answers
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John 1:1 - How would Λόγος (Logos) be understood in Hellenistic philosophy?

In John 1:1 (NIV, KJV, ESV, NASB, RSV, ASV, NRSV), the text is often translated as something close to In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. "the Word" as ...
James Shewey's user avatar
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Did Luke have a priestly source?

Luke begins with several events that take place at the Temple: Angel appearing to Zechariah in the Holy Place [Luke 1:5-25] - Jesus' circumcision [Luke 2:21] The presentation in the Temple [...
Revelation Lad's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
538 views

Acts 14:23: Does "ordained" mean laying-on of hands?

Does the word "ordained" in Acts 14:23 mean laying-on of hands? Acts 14:23 KJV: And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to ...
brilliant's user avatar
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What about Psalm 29, specifically, makes somes scholars think it was originally a hymn to Ugaritic Baal?

I'm currently reading the Introduction of Stories from Ancient Cananan, eds. Coogan and Smith, and it gives several examples of how Canaanite gods and goddesses appear in several passages of the ...
Butterfly and Bones's user avatar
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What is the best book(s) giving an unbiased guide to Biblical interpretation for beginners? [closed]

I'm looking for a guide to interpreting the Bible as it was meant to be interpreted by its original audience, and perhaps something that details how the Bible came to be what it is today. Although ...
Matt S.'s user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
446 views

Multiple conflated sources or literary device in Jesus' Farewell Discourse?

In the Gospel of John, during Jesus' Farewell Discourse during his last meal with his disciples (chapters 13-17), the following statements are present in the account: Simon Peter said to him, "Lord,...
Dan's user avatar
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Matthew vs Levi in the Gospel according to Matthew

Referring to: Matthew 9:9 - "a man called Matthew" Mark 2:14 - "Levi the son of Alphaeus" Luke 5:27 - "a tax collector named Levi" Is it widely regarded that Levi and Matthew are the same person ...
user2754486's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
514 views

How can we determine the author's intent in listing various ages in Genesis?

I believe some of the ages given in Genesis are historical, but am one of many who happens to think the earliest ages might be symbolic (example source). If this were to be the case that leaves us ...
John Martin's user avatar
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9 votes
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What was Malachi's meaning in "The sun of righteousness" vs the sun gods of his day?

In Malachi 4:1-3 (Tanach 3:19-21) It is interpreted as 'sun' (Shemesh) and then talks of the 'wings' (Kanaph) using the Hebrew words. When looking at the history and the pagan gods of that day, they ...
Laurie's user avatar
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20 votes
7 answers
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Can John's Passion chronology be reconciled with that of the Synoptics?

Background: Over the centuries, many readers of the four Gospels have seen significant discrepancies between John and the Synoptics, particularly with regards to chronology. This has led many to ...
Jas 3.1's user avatar
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What, if any, is the significance of the color of the cord that Rahab hung out of her window?

Joshua 2 describes Rahab's concealment of the Hebrew spies. Vv. 18 Unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have ...
swasheck's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
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What language was Tobit originally written in?

According to the Jewish Encyclopedia entry on Tobit: The text exists in Greek, Latin, Syriac, and Judæo-Aramaic, besides two late Hebrew translations. It concludes: The excellent Greek style of ...
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6 votes
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What are higher and lower criticism?

What is historical criticism (also known as higher criticism)? What is textual criticism (also known as lower criticism)? How can they help us understand the scriptures? How can they interefere with ...
Bruce Alderman's user avatar
18 votes
2 answers
14k views

What is the difference between historical-grammatical and historical criticism?

The historical-grammatical method and historical criticism are both hermeneutical approaches seeking to uncover the original meaning of the text. What is the difference between the two?
Bruce Alderman's user avatar