Questions tagged [history]
Events in the Bible, the wider cultural background of those events, and the biblical text itself, all have a historical dimension.
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In the culture of Corinth in Paul's time, what does being “engaged” mean?
1 Corinthians 7:36-38, NIV: "36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he ...
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21 views
Does Deuteronomy 20:10-14 apply to cases where Israel is the aggressor?
When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim
peace unto it. 11And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and
open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people ...
3
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0answers
42 views
Which king of Tyre is mentioned in Ezekiel 28?
This is the chapter in question.
The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to the ruler of
Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘In the pride of your heart
you say, “...
0
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1answer
50 views
In Galatians 2:11 what is meant by “I opposed him to his face”?
[Gal 2:11 NASB] (11) But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
[Gal 2:11 MGNT] (11) ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν Κηφᾶς εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῷ ...
3
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2answers
90 views
Is what Laban said in Genesis 29:26 true?
In Genesis 29:26, after Jacob asks why Laban deceived him, Laban responds:
"And Laban said, 'It must not be done so in our country, to give the
younger before the firstborn.'"
I've tried ...
1
vote
2answers
49 views
What was the time gap between the event Abraham justified by Faith in James 2:23 a and later Abraham justified by works in James 2:21?
What was the time gap between the event Abraham justified by Faith in
James 2:23 Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
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, ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
What's the basis for the Book of Job being history and not a parable?
And in addition, what is the basis behind the popular notion that it was set in the 2000s BC, also the same time period that Abraham allegedly lived in according to a conservative model of the Bible's ...
1
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1answer
21 views
Was it the fathers or sons of the rebels who were being addressed by Moses in Deuteronomy 11:1-7?
When they came into the wilderness of Arabah Moses addresses the descendants of the rebels.Most of the things he makes reference to were actually seen and experienced by the rebels rather than their ...
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17 views
How is the “period of time” when someone mentioned in the Bible lived estimated?
I do not doubt that, for example, there are estimated "periods of time" when some people from the Bible lived for all or almost all of the people mentioned there.
But, I think that also there is at ...
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1answer
38 views
Looks or keeps looking at a woman: Matthew 5:28
ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΝ 5:27-28 1881 (WHNU)
28 εγω δε λεγω υμιν οτι πας ο βλεπων γυναικα προς το επιθυμησαι
[αυτην] ηδη εμοιχευσεν αυτην εν τη καρδια αυτου
English translations usually render the verse ...
1
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1answer
93 views
How were scrolls sealed in the time of Revelation?
In Revelation 5:1, John introduces a scroll with seven seals:
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
The Lamb is ...
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4answers
98 views
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 ...
1
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1answer
74 views
In ancient Rome who were the many “lords” (KURIOI)?
Some think that calling Jesus "one KURIOS" in verse 6 that he is referring to the Tetragrammaton (IE: "YHVH"). However, he seems to be saying that the Romans considered many to be KURIOI, so it seems ...
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59 views
History: Might Herod Agrippa have prosecuted Christians as being an illegal religion?
From what I understand Roman law had two very significant statutes regarding religion:
a law requiring that the Roman deities be acknowledged by a periodic sacrifice
a law permitting Judaism to ...
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1answer
206 views
History: Per Leviticus 19:27 would the apostles have had side locks? [closed]
[Lev 19:27 ESV] (27) You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.
Note:
Related article from Jewish Encylopedia.
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20 views
What was Gideon's relationship to the Ishmaelites in Judges 8:24?
I want to know how Gideon was associated with the Ishmaelites in Judges 8:24. I have researched this and what the majority of the web sites talked about was the gold earrings Gideon asked the ...
2
votes
2answers
49 views
Where does the second part of the proverb 2 Peter 2:22 come from?
"But it happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:22 (KJV)
The part about the ...
4
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3answers
141 views
What are God's voice, charge, commandments, statutes & laws that Abraham kept?
What are God's voice, charge, commandments, statutes & laws that Abraham obeyed & kept
Genesis 26:4-6 and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of
heaven, and will give unto thy ...
2
votes
2answers
134 views
Why did the Israelites lose the battles to the Benjamites after receiving the green light from God?
In Judges 20:18,23. The men of Israel enquired and sought counsel from the Lord to fight with the Benjamites because of their wickedness towards the concubine of the Levite(Judges 19:25-26,20:4). The ...
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2answers
39 views
Verse Division in 1 Peter 3:15-16 / μετά πραΰτητος καί φόβου in
In 1 Peter 3, the Greek phrase μετά πραΰτητος καί φόβου appears in verse 15 in the Textus Receptus (https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1pe/3/15/t_conc_1154015), but in verse 16 in the GNT (https://...
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1answer
48 views
In 1 Kings 11:43 and 1 Kings 12:1 why was Rehoboam the only one listed as a son of Solomon?
What happened to all of king Solomon’s sons?
Solomon had many wives and concubines:
[1Ki 11:3 ESV] (3) He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his ...
2
votes
4answers
110 views
How ought we to understand Zeresh's response in Esther 5:14?
Esther 5 describes how Haman was incensed by Mordechai’s arrogance and couldn’t tolerate his existence anymore. V. 10 describes how Haman convened with his cronies to plot and devise a plan how to ...
1
vote
1answer
121 views
Were Samson and Samuel as great as John the Baptist? [closed]
The Bible mentions about three people who were dedicated by their mothers to be nazirites already from birth. These people were Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. Jesus said:
Mat 11:11 (NIV) "...
1
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1answer
70 views
Were Roman Soldiers allowed to Marry? The Word παῖς in Matthew 8:5 implies that Roman Centurion had offspring [closed]
Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 mentions a story of Centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus. Matthew in 8:5 uses the word pais which may mean son. However, Luke 7:2 uses the word dulos specifying ...
6
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2answers
352 views
How did authorities know that Paul was really a Roman citizen?
A previous answer to a different question ventured into the territory of my question here, quoting from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (which in turn, cited from some commentaries) that ...
5
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1answer
92 views
What does the sentence “their grapes are filled with poison” in Deu 32:32,33 (NIV) mean?
Sodom is known for having been more decadent than Israel. And judging on the below Bible verses, their decadence seem to have had something to do with their drinking culture. Was their grapes ...
1
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1answer
103 views
Boat's speed in Jesus days
In Mark's gospel we read about Jesus and his disciples moving in a boat from Capernaum to Dekapolis, to a place in the other side of the Sea of Galilee about 20 kilometers away south. They set out in ...
5
votes
4answers
367 views
Use of leap years in the bible
As we can clearly see, the bible relates to a month as a 30 days period: 150 days of the flood which are five month (genesis 7,8), the feast of Ahasuerus of 180 days that are 6 months and so on. We ...
4
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2answers
127 views
Why was Ishbosheth absent from the battle that killed Saul and his brothers?
1 Samuel 31:6 states that all of Saul's men died:
So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.
So Ishbosheth surviving them would suggest he wasn't ...
1
vote
2answers
255 views
Why are there only four kings of Persia in Daniel 11:2? [closed]
Daniel 11:2,
Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia,
and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he
has gained power by his wealth, he ...
2
votes
2answers
57 views
In 1st Samuel 17:55 how is it that Saul and Abner did not know who David was?
In 1st Samuel 16:13 Samuel anointed David with oil. There is no indication that he said anything upon doing that. Did anyone but Samuel even know it was a Kingly anointing? Why didn't Samuel give ...
3
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5answers
514 views
Did The Amalekites survive?
There seems to be a contradiction is scriptures. 1 Samuel 15:15 says:
And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the
people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to ...
0
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0answers
31 views
Is it possible that the soldiers near Pontius Pilate were less in number than the people in the crowd at Jesus' trial?
Matthew 27:24 KJV — When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but
that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands
before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood ...
2
votes
2answers
58 views
Could Moses's instructions have indirectly lead to the bad report of the ten spies in Numbers 13:17-20?
Numbers 13:17-20 NASB
17 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up [b]there into the [c]Negev; then go up into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like, and ...
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2answers
285 views
In Acts 26:1 why does Paul stretch out his hand before beginning his defense?
In a courtroom setting and facing serious charges before King
Agrippa II Paul is permitted by the king to make his defense. Luke says "Paul stretched out his hand" and began his defense:
[Act 26:1-...
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3answers
112 views
Why was Jesus' message so attractive?
I'm just a beginner in studying origins of Christianity.
I know Jesus emerged in a Jewish state where people already believed in a monotheistic religion and one God. So my question is: What was the ...
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vote
3answers
326 views
In Leviticus 15:8 why are husband and wife unclean temporarily after emission of semen?
We see in Leviticus 15:18 where the man and woman are unclean until evening after a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen. Why does this make them unclean?
[Lev 15:8 KJV] 8 And ...
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2answers
83 views
Who are the “tortured and refused their release…world was not worthy of them” people in Hebrews 11:35?
Hebrews 11
Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might
gain a better resurrection.
Still others endured mocking and
flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
They were ...
0
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1answer
38 views
In Mark 14:43 what were the staves the mob was carrying?
[Mark 14:43 KJV] 43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
...
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1answer
69 views
Did the event spoken of in Jude 9 literally happen? [duplicate]
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. — Jude 9
This event ...
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54 views
In the First Jewish-Roman War (The Great Revolt of 66-73AD, aka “the Great Tribulation”) what percentage of Jews died?
According to Josephus, 1.1 million non-combatants died in Jerusalem and 100,000 in Galilee. He also tells us that 97,000 were enslaved.
Matthew White estimates the combined death toll[...
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vote
2answers
175 views
In 2 Samuel 21:8-10 was Rizpah’s use of the sackcloth a sign that the land had repented of its sin?
[KJV]2 Samuel 21:
8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she ...
2
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3answers
2k views
Why are there 12 tribes of Israel and not 13?
Why are we are told that there are 12 tribes of Israel when there are, in fact, 13 tribes!
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh?
...
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304 views
Job 9:13 and the word “Rahab?”
I’ve seen plenty of dispute over the meaning of the word “Rahab” in Job 9:13. (not Rahab the prostitute)
It can mean “haughty,” but it also can mean “sea monster” (like the word “Leviathan” in Job 3:...
3
votes
1answer
188 views
Why did Belshazzar, King of Babylon name Daniel as the third ruler of his kingdom?
In Daniel 5:7, Belshazzar promised that whosoever read and interpreted the handwriting on the wall would be made the third ruler of his kingdom. This promise was fulfilled in verse 29 when Daniel was ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
In Luke 5:33-35 does Jesus imply that the Twelve are not part of the bride of the Lamb?
Update
I have been researching this and it appears that the whole matter hangs on the definition of "the sons of the bridechamber" which is not obvious to me:
KJV Luke 5:34 And he said unto them, ...
3
votes
2answers
427 views
In Exodus 32:6, what was the nature of the pagan revelry of the Israelites?
What sort of "revelry" did they indulge in while Moses was up on the mountain getting the 10 Commandments? (Exodus 32:6)
And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought ...
0
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1answer
54 views
The Mark of the Beast [closed]
I have been wondering if the Mark of the Beast has already happened. From Revelation:
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,
to receive a mark on their right hand or ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
In Isaiah 59:21 are the descendants of the apostles (even today) likewise infallible?
KJV Isaiah 59:
(20) And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
(21) As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My ...
