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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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 ...
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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 ...
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Why did Peter dedicate his first book to those who are 'strangers'? (1Peter1.1) Was Peter different to the other apostles, and aware of it?
Does the linguistic trope 'strangers' hold implications regarding inner nature of certain biblical characters? If Jesus blessed Peter could he have opened Peter's eyes to his (base) nature in need of ...
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What do we know about the seven nations in Deut. 7:1, 2?
In Deut 7:1, 2 we read of seven nations that were cast out. What were they known for in terms if their religion or culture, that merited their total annihilation?
Why were they so bad that they needed ...
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Why are "Judah" and "Israel" distinguished in many verses BEFORE the split of the two kingdoms?
Similar questions have been asked previously, but answers emphasized the era after the split of the tribes. Even though Judah is one of the tribes of Israel, why are Judah and Israel often ...
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Is there any OT equivalent of the 'earthen vessel' concept in 2 Cor. 4:7?
I am looking at the words 'earthen vessel' and was wondering if this concept had a OT equal or not? I am looking for anything in the OT that could be conveying the concept of the treasure (the light ...
user49416
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Is there any deeper meaning to the word translated as 'potsherd' in Job 2:8?
I am looking at the word translated as 'potsherd' in Job 2:8 and was wondering if anyone came across any other OT evidence that suggests there is a deeper/symbolic meaning behind the fragment of ...
user49416
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Does the mention of Sheep Gate in John 5:2 give a lead to explanation for the allegory of Camel and Eye of the Needle?
We read in John 5:2 :
Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha,which has five porticoes.
We also read in Mtt 19 :24 :
Again I tell you, it is easier for a ...
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What evidence is used to support the claim that Isaiah was written before the reign of King Cyrus?
I'm studying the book of Isaiah at the moment and have been trying to understand the prophecy of the reign of Cyrus from Isaiah 45-52.
Here's a sample that refers to him:
Cyrus, God’s Instrument
Thus ...
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How did Paul became a Roman citizen?
In Acts 16:37 we read that Paul was Roman (emphasis mine)
But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being
Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out
...
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What evidence from the Bible indicates that, for Jewish law-keeping, the day began at sunset? [duplicate]
Another questioner asks about historical evidence for a day beginning at sunset (see Historical Evidence that the Jewish Calendar Day Began at Sunset?) I am interested in evidence specifically and ...
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What is the full meaning of " propitiation" in the first segment of Romans 3:25 in the King James version?
In Romans chapter 3:25 Paul writes "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood," the whom being Jesus Christ. Paul developes Romans and his understanding of our ...
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Was Stephen put to death by legal execution or a lynch mob?
Previous discussion on the site
This is a follow up to the question: In the time of Jesus, were the Jewish authorities allowed to execute? - the selected & most upvoted answer concludes:
The only ...
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Did Saul believe that the spirit of Samuel was in Sheol?
Several questions have already been asked on 1 Samuel 28 (e.g. here, here & here), but none has had a focus on what Saul believed about Sheol. In 1 Samuel 28, the witch of En-dor describes Samuel ...
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What are the origins of the different elements present in the setting of the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31)?
Luke 16:19-31 (ESV):
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ...
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The isrealites were being called Judah and later Jew? [closed]
Why and when were the isrealites being called Judah and later Jew?
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What are the theological implications of Paul's continuing identifying himself as a Pharisee in Acts 23:6-10 despite being an Apostle of Christ?
Acts 23:6-10 (ESV):
6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to ...
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At the wedding of Cana, how large of a gathering was likely taking place?
Many people have a presupposition that the wedding of Cana would have involved such a large number of people that all of the wine, miraculously made, would have been consumed during the remaining days ...
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Why did Jesus' disciples believe in ghosts / disembodied spirits? [closed]
Luke 24:36-39 (NASB):
36 Now while they were telling these things, Jesus Himself suddenly stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened, and ...
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Evidence for the unity of Daniel
I understand that the book of Daniel is comprised of two languages: Aramaic from chapter 2:4 to 7:25, the narrative part, and Hebrew in chapters 8 to 12, the prophetic and apocalyptic part. I ...
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On which day of the week was Jesus crucified - Wednesday or Thursday?
My question does not involve understanding what the meaning of the Day of Preparation is. This is about which day of the week.
While there are contrary opinions on this, I believe all gospels point to ...
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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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What is the meaning behind Acts 2:44-45?
In Acts 2:44-45 (KJV) one reads
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men,
as every man had need.
Does ...
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What did Second Temple Judaism think about the Messiah/Christ?
“But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.””
Matthew 26:63
What is understood by the Christ? ...
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What kind of magic did Simon practice? Acts 8:9-24
Acts 8:9-24 (ESV)
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid ...
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Who gives the word in Acts 9:15 the Father or Jesus?
Who gives the word in Acts 9:15 the Father or Jesus? Or even the Holy Spirit? And if it's one of them, how could I know the letter (LORD) refers to Jesus Or Father? I feel confused to explain it to my ...
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In Jonah (3:5-9), we see the great city of Nineveh repent of their wickedness. How might 8 simple words have such a dramatic effect on them?
Jonah spoke these few words:
Jonah 3:4b: "Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown."
Can we understand how such a slight message would be enough to convince the entire population of ...
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Manuscripts and Minuscules
I came across the concept of minuscules quite recently. Wikipedia says that they are manuscripts written with small font sizes. How do they matter more or less than any other Christian manuscript? Is ...
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Does "turn the other cheek" refer to a court tradition, not general violence?
We often hear "turn the other cheek". However, recently I've heard that being slapped in the context of Matt. 5:39-42 is referring to a court setting, not general violence. I'm no advocate ...
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Did Isaac die before Joseph was sold to the Midianites?
Genesis 35:27-29 NIV
27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29 Then he ...
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Was the Gospel preached to all nations prior to A.D. 70?
Matthew 24:9-14 (ESV):
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one ...
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What, if any, is the biblical basis to interpret prophecy to refer to historical and not just future events?
A possible example of prophecy referring to past events can be Joel's four waves of locusts, unless Joel lived even before the deportation of Israel, which is not entirely consistent with the rest of ...
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Why are passages in the Book of Joshua repeated in the Book of Judges (Jos. 15:15-19, Jdgs. 1:11-15)?
In these two parallel sets of passages, why is the Book of Judges merely restating that which was stated in Joshua 15?
Joshua 15:15-19, NASB: Then he went up from there against the inhabitants of ...
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How did Jewish people living under Roman rule understand the role of a Paraclete?
John 14:16 (DRB):
And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete,
that he may abide with you for ever.
John 14:26 (DRB):
But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will ...
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Is there any interpretative room for considering the prophetic predictions of 2 Peter 3:3-13 as already fulfilled?
2 Peter 3:3-13 (ESV):
3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? ...
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Can we determine from the text/context in what language Peter preached his sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41)?
We all know that the apostles and disciples miraculously spoke different tongues at Pentecost, that the foreigners around who were native speakers of those languages could understand:
5 Now there ...
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The Land of Israel Joshua 21:43-45
I was reading Joshua 21:43-45
Joshua 21:43(A)Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44 (B)And the ...
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Was stoning legal under Roman law?
From John 8:
3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group
4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of ...
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Is there any evidence to support the "different calendar theory" often invoked to resolve chronological discrepancies in the gospels?
Is there any evidence that there was a confusion of calendars in the first century, such that dates reported within the NT might vary as to the "actual" date of an event, and some authors (...
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How did the Jewish exorcists of Acts 19:13 cast out demons before they undertook to invoke the name of Jesus?
Acts 19:13 informs us about the existence of iterant Jewish exorcists who, inspired by Paul, decided to undertake the practice of invoking Jesus' name to cast out demons, probably because they wanted ...
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Can history shed any light on the "secret arts" of the Egyptian magicians who turned their staffs into serpents?
Exodus 7:11-12 (ESV):
11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they ...
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Is there any interpretative room for considering the prophetic predictions of Matthew 24:29-31 as already fulfilled?
Matthew 24:29-31 (YLT):
29 `And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the ...
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Why does Matthew 26:17 seem to ignore/contradict the instructions and schedule of Leviticus 23:5-7?
In Leviticus 23, Passover completely precedes the Feast of Unleavened Bread, with the first day being a day of convocation:
[Lev 23:5-8 NLT] (5) "The LORD's Passover begins at sundown on the ...
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Was Barabbas released from prison temporarily?
It is generally understood that when Barabbas was released from prison, he was not required to return after the Passover festival. Why believe this was the case? Perhaps a more modest temporary ...
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Why were Pilate and Herod Antipas upset with each other?
In Luke 23 we are told that over the course of Jesus' trial, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod [Antipas], and after questioning & mocking Jesus, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate.
Then we are given this ...
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What is the meaning of “ten thousands” in Daniel 11:12
Daniel 11:12 KJV
And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.
Most commentators connect ...
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Who was Pharaoh in Joseph's time?
In Genesis 40:2
Pharaoh was furious with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
Who was the Pharaoh?
Note: similar question was asked about the Pharaoh of Ezekiel's time and an ...
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Which Caesar did Paul demand to appear before?
Acts 27:24a
and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar.'
The title "Caesar" was given to a number of Roman rulers. To which Caesar does the text refer?
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What do we know about tower of Peniel in Judges 8?
The text is:
He also pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the town. - Judges 8:17
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Who is the King of Babylon referenced in Isaiah 14:4 and 14:17?
[Isa 14:4, 17 NLT] (4) you will taunt the king of Babylon. You will say, "The mighty man has been destroyed. Yes, your insolence is ended. ... (17) Is this the one who destroyed the world and ...
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