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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Were the trumpets in the NT actually shofars?
This is from the Jewish Encyclopedia article on "trumpets":
In Shab. 36a (comp. Suk. 34a) it is noted that since the destruction of the Temple the names for the shofar and the trumpet had been ...
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Ezekiel 28:13-14 Was Eden on a mountain?
Relevant Scripture
Ezekiel 28:13-14
3 You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was your covering,
sardius, topaz, and diamond,
beryl, onyx, and jasper,
sapphire, emerald, and ...
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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, ...
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How did Egyptians practice divination using silver cups?
I've been wondering how silver cups could have been used to practice divination. It was practiced in Egypt according to the following passage.
Gen 44:5
Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and ...
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Amos 4:11 description of some natural disaster?
In Amos 4:11
I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were
like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have not returned
to me," declares the LORD.
It seems ...
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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 heart.
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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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Son of theos vs son of kyrios
I'm hesitant to speak in absolute terms about this, but perhaps it can be generally agreed upon that in many cases where we see Χριστὸς we tend not to see κυριος as a relational lexicon to describe ...
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Wise Men from the East...but not Sheba and Tarshish?
So the two main Old Testament prophecies surrounding the wise men seem to be Psalm 72:10-11 and Isaiah 60:6:
Both of these passages state the kings will come from Sheba, and Psalms mentions Tarshish ...
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Did Jesus call God YHWH?
In Matthew 27:45-46 Jesus is recorded as saying:
Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?
Based on Jesus the Phoenician Jesus called God 'EL'—which is a Phoenician God—when he was on the cross. Is ...
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Luke 3:1-3 was Luke mistaken about the year in which John the Baptist's preaching began?
Luke goes into detail concerning the beginning of Christ’s ministry. To quote:
“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate
being governor of Judea, and Herod being ...
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What about the noncanonical books quoted in Jude?
The book of Jude contains many quotes and references to the Old Testament. However, there are two quotes which seem to be from elsewhere.
The first is attributed to The Assumption of Moses.
Jude ...
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In Genesis 26:18, historical reasons why Philistines might have filled Abraham's wells of water?
In Genesis chapter 26, there are a number of points noted about wells of water. Using the NKJV, particular points paint an odd picture. First, Genesis 26:15, 17-18 (NKJV, bold added):
15 Now the ...
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Did Moses have an Egyptian name?
Moses got his name from Pharaoh's daughter:
When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the ...
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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 brought ...
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How would stoning of an adulterer actually be carried out under the Law of Moses?
How would stoning of an adulterer actually be carried out under the Law of Moses?
In John Chapter 8 there is the familiar story of how Jesus prevented a stoning of a woman who had committed adultery. ...
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Does the double portion of the firstborn inheritance imply not just honour but also responsibility?
The Old Testament links Israel with the firstborn's double portion of the inheritance.
Exodus 4:22
Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my
firstborn son."
Deuteronomy 21:...
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Does 2nd Peter have extant manuscripts that are a combination of Greek and Aramaic?
I heard from somewhere (I cannot recall) that the extant manuscripts of 2nd Peter were written in a combination of Aramaic and Greek, is there any evidence for this?
Example: (1 particular manuscript ...
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In Genesis 24:2 why did Abraham have his servant make his oath under his "thigh"?
There is an old question on Christianity.SE which I suggested that it should also be asked here - since we don't migrate OLD questions. In doing so, I noticed that the OP hasn't been really active ...
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Who are the soldiers in John 18:3?
Does the "detachment of soldiers" refer to a Roman guard? If so, how large of a group? Or is it a different group of soldiers, perhaps a temple guard or Jewish soldiers if there were any at the time?
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In Daniel 12 to what do the 1290 and 1335 days refer?
Daniel 12:11-12: From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the ...
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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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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 ...
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Did Gideon use a different return route in Judges 8?
It is said when Gideon chased the two kings of Midian Zebah and Zalmunna he passed through Sukkoth who refused to give him provisions for his army
Judges 8:6 NIV
But the officials of Sukkoth said, “...
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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 ...
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Why are women and children viewed as plunder in Deuteronomy 20:14?
Deuteronomy 20 is about how Israel should wage war against nations that are far from them (excluding Canaan)
However, I am having trouble understanding why verse 14 views women and children as plunder,...
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In 1 Samuel 28:15 did the witch at Endor actually bring up the spirit of Samuel from the land of the dead?
When the witch at Endor conjured up a spirit through her sorcery to speak with King Saul, the Holy Bible actually stated thus:
"Then Samuel said to Saul, 'Why have you disturbed me by bringing me ...
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John the Baptist compared with Samson, Samuel via Nazirite vow
The Bible mentions about three people who were dedicated by their parents to be Nazirites already from birth. These people were Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. Jesus said:
Mat 11:11 (NIV) "...
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Were priests prohibited from tearing their garments
While studying an aspect of the crucifixion of Jesus (the seamless garment that the soldiers cast lots for), I came across a sermon transcript that said the following as part of its argument (...
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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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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 ...
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Is the "cock that crows" in Luke 22:34 not an actual rooster but a man that calls for prayer?
Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:34 NIV
https://news.ag.org/Features/Sometimes-a-Rooster-is-Not-a-Rooster
This ...
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What, if any, is the biblical basis to interpret prophecy as future when wording seems to reflect past history instead of future fulfillment?
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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What were the four standards around which the tribes of Israel were camped (Numbers 2:1-34)?
H1714
Original: דּגל
Transliteration: degel
BDB Definition:
1) banner, standard
Numbers 2:17 (NKJV)
"And the tabernacle of meeting shall move out with the camp of the
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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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"Him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay" (1 Kings 19:17). Whom did Elisha slay?
We know the prophet Elijah called fire down from heaven, killing bands of soldiers; and we know he slew the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. But his successor, Elisha, who had received the double ...
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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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Why was Goliath's sword kept in the tabernacle at Nob?
Then David asked Ahimelech, “Is there not a spear or sword on hand
here? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me,
because the king’s business was urgent.”
9The priest ...
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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 of ...
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Did Jesus use a reference to Herod Archelaus in the Parable of the Ten Minas?
The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27) is nearly identical to the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30).
Perhaps the most surprising variation of the Ten Minas is that it references the ...
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"For it was without number" - Numeral system in the time of Genesis 41
Genesis 41:49 (King James Version)
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
Without being a perfect equivalent, this ...
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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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What did "Kingdom of Greece" refer to in Daniel 8:21?
I was reading Daniel 8:15-27, where it says:
.... the ram you saw that had two horns represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia. The goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the prominent horn ...
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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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Have the sizes of the image of gold made of Nebuchadnezzar any significance?
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. (Daniel 3:1)
Did these sizes represent something in ...
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Why will Dan not be in heaven? What did he do worse than his brethren?
The entire tribe of Dan is absent from the list of those tribes which are to be found in heaven.
Here is the list given in Revelation 7.
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there ...
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Historical Context and Fulfillment of Isaiah 7:8
Isaiah 7:8 (NET) reads:
For Syria’s leader is Damascus, and the leader of Damascus is Rezin.
Within sixty-five years Ephraim will no longer exist as a nation.
As the IVP OT Commentary points out:...
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Where did the information come from for Moses to write Genesis since he was born generations beyond 'Adam'?
Genesis is included in the Torah, which is the first five books of the Bible. Joshua 8:31 says that Moses wrote the Torah:
And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he [Joshua] wrote on ...
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What is "sackcloth" in Revelation 11:3?
In Revelation 11:3 is written:
"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
(Revelation 11:3, NASB, emphasis ...
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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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