Hebrew Bible Insights

In this episode Rabbi Eisen shares insights about the connections and differences between Torah and Wisdom in the Hebrew Bible. Rabbi Chaim Eisen is joining us from Israel! He has been teaching, editing, and publishing on the Hebrew Bible, Talmud, Midrash, Medieval Jewish Philosophy, and more for over 40 years. In this episode, we talk about the relationship between Torah and wisdom. To learn more and Rabbi Chaim Eisen and connect more with his content, check out https://zionbiblest...

What is Biblical wisdom? Wisdom is such an important topic of life, and it is critical to think about this biblically. In this special episode, Dr. Nathan French asks Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) questions about the first ever Hebrew Bible Insights video course. Matthew shares why he created the course, the methodology behind the research, as well as a number of insights from studying wisdom in the original languages of Hebrew and Aramaic of the Hebrew Bible....

Rabbi Chaim Eisen is joining us from Israel! He has been teaching, editing, and publishing on the Hebrew Bible, Talmud, Midrash, Medieval Jewish Philosophy, and more for over 40 years. In this episode, we talk about the third section of the Hebrew Bible called the “Ketuvim” or the “Writings.” The order of the books of the Hebrew Bible are very different from the order that many experience in Bibles in Christian communities. The way that books are grouped can impact how we interpret the books ...

Dr. Douglas K. Smith gives a presentation based on his PhD dissertation in which he does a blended discourse analysis of the flood account in both the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) and Greek Septuagint (LXX). His goal is to validate a holistic methodology that can 1) discern the structure, coherence, and communicative purpose of the discourse and 2) compare the versions to reveal and assess the translation strategies of the translator of Greek Genesis. The presentation is followed by questions f...

What does the Bible have to say about wisdom? Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) discusses a part of Scripture where the English word for wisdom might not show up even though the Hebrew word does appear. This teaching has implications for how we understand Exodus, how we approach career, and has a challenging and encouraging message about our God given gifts and callings.Stay tuned for an upcoming video course on Biblical wisdom!Chapters0:00-3:00 Intro3:01-6:17 The...

We have a conversation with Chad Bird inspired by his new book “Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament.” How do we summarize the Hebrew Bible in a way that is engaging and helpful? How do read difficult Psalms? How do we see Christ in the Hebrew Bible? We talk about all of this and more in today’s episode. Chad’s Book: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781956658866-hitchhiking-with-prophetsChad’s Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hitchhiking...

Habakkuk 3 is one of the most unique chapters of all the poetic prophets in the Hebrew Bible. The content and literary genre are both unexpected twists in this powerful book. Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) shares Hebrew language insights from this chapter, reading the chapter in Hebrew along with his own translation with commentary. Chapters0:00-0:54 Intro0:55-7:08 Overview of Habakkuk7:09-10:06 Hebrew Reading - Habakkuk 310:07-14:49 Verse 1 - Staggering V...

Is the Flood more about “Salvation” or “Judgment”? Dr. Dustin Burlet has researched and published on this question. Following the methodology of rhetorical criticism, Dustin explores the rhetoric of the flood story in its ancient Near Eastern context to explore this question. Dustin G. Burlet is an instructor at Millar College of the Bible in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His reviews and articles have appeared in journals including the Canadian-American Theological Review, Conspectus, the Journal ...

In this episode, we explore the Book of Ben Sira with Dr. Panc Beentjes, who shares the importance and nuance of studying the Hebrew manuscripts of the book. He provides an overview of Ben Sira’s significance, discusses the unique introduction by Ben Sira’s grandson, and explains the importance of the Hebrew manuscripts. Dr. Beentjes also touches on intriguing aspects like the potential reference to Job as a prophet and reads some of his favorite sections of the book.Dr. Beentjes is Professor...

Want to read the Hebrew Bible with Dr. Nathan French and Matthew Delaney? Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsHow do we make sense of not only the story of David and Bathsheba, but also the number of scenes that ensue after involving a number a difficult passages relating to David? Dr. Nathan French (PhD Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East) presents his original academic research on Divine Retribution in the Throne Succession Narrative (2 Samuel 9-20...

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsWhat happened during the approximately 400 years “between the old and new testaments?” Dr. George Athas dispels the myth of the “400 years of silence” that unfortunately breaks apart the flow of the continues Biblical story. George shares insights from his new book “Bridging the Testaments” in which he tells the grand story of this time period, synthesizing scholarship into a narrative style presentation with erudite ...

Job is one of the most profound and controversial books of the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew language of its 39 chapters of poetry is the most difficult to understand of the whole corpus of the Hebrew Bible. Yet it is the 3 chapters of narrative that have garnered the most attention - and understandably so - because of a rare setting: the divine council of God. What is the divine council and who is in this group? How does understanding this impact our interpretation of the book of Job?Chapters0:26...

What are some Hebrew language insights from Habakkuk 2? This chapter has famous verses and some hidden gems. Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) shares some insights from this chapter that are rooted in the original language. All insights are shared in such a way that people of any (or no) level of Hebrew can engage with. Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights00:27-01:36 Intro01:37-04:52 Unhelpful Chapter Division04:53-14:29 Hab...

How do we make sense of Ezekiel? Our guest, Dr. Donna Petter, answers a number of questions about this important book. How do we make sense of graphic and violent sections in the book? What is the big picture structure of the book? Donna gives great insights into the intentionality of the design of the book between its two halves as well as a progression of restoration. You can find a link to her new commentary (which has been made completely free and online) below. Dr. Donna Petter is A...

What are some of the most interesting Hebrew language insights from Habakkuk 1? In this episode Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) shares a variety of insights from this chapter of the Hebrew Bible. Everything is shared in such a way that people with no knowledge of Hebrew will be able to benefit from this. Those who want a visual of the Hebrew as it is being taught might enjoy the YouTube version of this episode. Chapters0:26-2:04 Intro 2:05-3:54 Unhelpf...

Why does Jacob the Patriarch show up in Hosea 12? Hosea makes a number of comparisons between Israel and Jacob the Patriarch in Genesis. On the surface, some of these moments in the rhetoric are confusing. Our podcast guest, Jonathan Finley, wrote his Masters Thesis on this topic. Jonathan shares a number of insightful thoughts on the flow of the rhetoric in Hosea while also pointing out fascinating details in the text. Jonathan has a M.Th. in Biblical Studies from the University of Edin...

Isaiah 7-8 are chapters that contain some of the most enduring and influential words of prophecy of the Hebrew Bible. What insights can be gained by reading these chapters in Hebrew? In this episode, Matthew (M.A. Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) shares a variety of interesting and meaningful ideas from reading this section of Isaiah in Hebrew. All of the content is shared in such a way that people of all different levels of Hebrew (or no Hebrew at all!) can enjoy this episode. &nbs...

One of the most popular verses about "vision" that is used in teaching about personal and group vision statements is Habakkuk 2:2, but what is the original context of this verse? Understanding what is meant by "vision" both generally and specifically in the book of Habakkuk is essential to not taking this verse out of context. Unfortunately, Habakkuk 2 also causes confusion due to an unhelpful chapter division. Once the flow of Habakkuk as a book is seen, the themes and message of the book co...

What is the context for the famous verse "Where there is no vision, the people perish"? Is this Biblical support for company and personal vision and mission statements? Or is something else going on here? We dive into the context of this verse within the book of Proverbs, analyze the Hebrew language of the text, and talk about the dynamic of the function of the surprising "Sage-Prophet" in the Hebrew Bible. 0:27-3:53: New Year’s Resolutions and “Vision” in the Hebrew Bible3:54-7:32: Diff...

Samuel has a surprising connection to Christmas. Church lectionaries during Advent are filled with prophets like Isaiah, yet 2 Samuel 7 makes its way into the lineup. Why? Whether or not you are interested in this chapter’s connections to Christmas, 2 Samuel 7 is a pivotal passage for the plot of the Hebrew Bible. Themes of dynasty, presence, servant leadership, and more are on full display in this major movement of the Hebrew Bible. 0:27-2:34: A Surprising Christmas Chapter2:35-4:36: Ch...

What is the actual context behind the famous verse about the virgin giving birth to a son named “Emanuel”? This line comes from Isaiah, and the context opens up deeper layers of meaning. In this episode Matthew (M.A. Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) shares the story of Isaiah 7-8 and teaches the difference between “prediction fulfillment” and “typological fulfillment.” This topic has wide ranging implications for reading the prophets in general. Chapters0:27-1:44: Intro1:45-4:...

Micah 3 contains a passage that challenges hypocritical prophets. The Hebrew language of this chapter is biting and intense. What follows this section of judgment is an unexpected message hope. Micah 3-4 is a great section of the prophets that illustrates two important themes of the prophets of the Hebrew Bible. Matthew (M.A. Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) breaks down these chapters and does an analysis of some of the interesting Hebrew insights in these chapters. 0:27-1:19: ...

How do we make sense of the Hebrew Prophets? The Latter Prophets of Isaiah-Malachi are some of the most enduring books of the Hebrew Bible. While this literature is full of meaning, these books can be some of the most difficult to understand. We interviewed a scholar on the prophets to learn more about how to approach this part of Scripture. Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer is Professor of Old Testament Exegesis at ALT School of Theology, Sweden. She holds a PhD in Divinity/Hebrew Bible from Oxford, ...

How do we do responsible and holistic exegesis of the Hebrew Bible? What are principles and methods that we can apply reasonably and consistently? In this unique interview, Dr. Matthieu Richelle wrote responses to questions that we sent him about his book on the subject. In this episode we share our correspondence with him and also share our own thoughts. Dr. Matthieu Richelle is Professor of Old Testament Exegesis at the Universitè catholique de Louvain (Belgium). Link to Book "Interpreting ...

Making sense of narrative books of the Hebrew Bible. We interview Dr. Gary Schnittjer about his latest book and questions related to narrative books of the Hebrew Bible. See below for episode timestamps and information for the giveaway.Old Testament Narrative Books: the Israel Story: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Testament-Narrative-Books-Connections/dp/108774752X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2URGDYR3D8NVQ&keywords=old+testament+narrative+books&qid=1694998120&sprefix=old+testament+narrative+books...

Who are the Nephilim in Genesis 6? The answer to this question plays a key role for the plot of the Hebrew Bible. This rabbit hole is deep and fascinating. Our journey takes us to comparing ancient manuscripts, analyzing Hebrew text, and exploring the Mesopotamian tradition of divine beings and a flood. The conversation finishes with how this topic is related to the important theme of divine sonship in the Bible. 0:25-1:27 Intro1:28-8:37 Comparing Variant Manuscripts of Deut 328:38-...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Iosif Zhakevich about his new commentary on the book of Zechariah. See more about Iosif below.Link to Iosif’s book: https://www.gracebooks.com/zechariah-motc.htmlWe talk about a number of topics Nathan and Iosif share memories studying at Hebrew University of Jerusalem together Iosif Zhakevich’s commentary on Zechariah What does it mean when God “remembers”? What are the visions of Zechariah? Why is there a unique Priest-King in Zechariah even though...

What did the life of women actually look like during the time of the Hebrew Bible both in Israel and in the surrounding ancient Near East? Dr. Hélène Dallaire gives us a taste of her newest course that she teaches at Denver Seminary. Dr. Dallaire brings the world of the Hebrew Bible to life by giving vivid pictures of both the general life of women as well as specific women. She talks about the woman who is the first named scribe in world history, how archaeology paints a picture of life in t...

Deuteronomy has one of the most famous lines in all of Scripture that Jesus quotes as part of an answer to the question: "What is the greatest commandment?" The Shema is the core of a Jewish prayer that is one the of the oldest prayers in the world. Deuteronomy 6:4 and following are famous for good reason...but what is the entire book of Deuteronomy about? What was supposed to be a Bible study on Deuteronomy 32 quickly became a discussion about the form and message of the book as a whole. Her...

Introductions matter. They give purpose for the book, orient readers to the trajectory of the work, and show important themes. Unfortunately, many do not realize that Psalm 1 AND 2 together form the introduction to Psalms. This has major implications for how we approach this book.JC from Bite Size Seminry joins Matthew in a Bible Study on Psalm 1-2, the introduction to the book of Psalms. They cover a number of topics. * What is the significance of the introduction of Psalms?* What does it me...

We interviewed Gary Schnittjer about his new book about the Torah “Torah story, Second Edition: An apprenticeship on the Pentateuch” We talk about a number of topics related to the Torah How the Torah is the foundation of the Bible and the foundation of the Gospel Misconceptions about the Torah Understanding the meaning of the Hebrew word for Torah Does the New Testament have more commands than the Torah? Why are there so many connects and parallel stories between Exodus and Numbers? W...

What is the voice of God and how does this impact the revelation of God? The Hebrew word קול can mean sound, voice, and even thunder. We trace this word through important stories in the Hebrew Bible to see what we can learn about God from this. What does קול mean in Genesis? What sound of God did Adam and Eve hear in the Garden of Eden? What does it mean that God walked in the “cool of the day”? What type of sound did they hear? His voice? A different kind of sound? The thunder of the storm ...

Our latest podcast guest is experienced in both academic teaching and practical ministry. JC Schroeder is a clear and peaceful communicator who has a gift for getting to the heart of the matter to touch the heart of people. He is an Instructor at The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelism, a discipleship and ministry training ministry in the metro Detroit, MI area. JC is also an adjunct professor at Cornerstone University. With over 10 years of full-time ministry experience, JC is driven by a h...

Dr. Nathan French shares insights from his experience getting a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East back in 2018. Nathan talks about how he felt called by God to pursue deep academic study. This leads us into a discussion about valuing the callings of others even if they are different from ours. Have you ever wanted to know what this journey is like? Perhaps you are thinking about getting a Phd? Or maybe you are just curious about the process and value of deep learning. Whatever you...

In this episode, Matthew Delaney shares insights about the book of Joel. One of the most famous passages of the entire Hebrew Bible about God pouring out His spirit on all flesh is found in this book...but what is the context of this famous line? Matthew gives a brief overview of the book and its message before sharing a number of Hebrew language insights in the text. The episode concludes by discussing the value of understanding Joel for the New Testament and our lives today. Timeline0:25-1:...

We had a conversation with Hebrew Linguist Dr. Kevin Grasso. We discussed a variety of topics His choice to specialize in linguistics to be a better Bible scholar His favorite areas of linguistics The role of comparative semitics for linguistics The word order debate in Biblical Hebrew How we know what Biblical words mean Discourse analysis in Biblical Hebrew Biblingo: the biblical language learning resource that he started And more!Kevin Grasso received his M.A. in Linguisti...

Dr. Nathan French had the amazing opportunity to get a Masters degree at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel from 2009-2011. He shares a number of highlights from his experience. His unique degree program Stories of what it was like walking in the Holy Land while studying Scripture Some of his favorite classes that he took including everything from Akkadian to Archaeology The tripartite educational strategy: languages, archaeology, and texts Inspiration from his favorite professors T...

Dr. Edward Cook is Ordinary Professor of Semitic Languages at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. His newest book is Biblical Aramaic and Related Dialects An Introduction (2022). (Link below)Aramaic was the lingua franca of the ancient Near East after Akkadian, and it is one of the original languages of Scripture. For biblical and historical reasons, Aramaic is a critical language. Edward Cook is an expert on the Aramaic language. We talk about a number of topics: How underrated and o...

After a decade of research, Jason Staples challenges the surface level assumptions of scholarship from decades ago that is pervasive to this day about Israelite identity in Second Temple Judaism. The implications of the results of his work are vast. Most notably this groundbreaking research adds great depth to the great commission of Jesus. Jason presents a new paradigm for how the words Hebrew, Israelite, Jew, and related terms are used in a key period of the formation of Scripture.Our podca...

In this episode, I give some big picture thoughts on what makes Genesis such a great book along with some tips for reading.Genesis is the ultimate origin story. Every major group of the Bible is mentioned in the book.How is Genesis 1-11 and 12-50 connected? These feel like two very different types of stories. How are stories of a cosmic scale connected to quaint family dramas?What makes Genesis 12-50 engaging? There are themes that connect all of these family stories that help us in interpret...

Do you have goals of getting more out of your Bible reading plan for 2023? Here are some tips for engaging with the Hebrew Bible this year. Best translations How much to read What order to read in What to do when it gets boring Tips for reading Law, Prophets, and Wisdom and more!WHERE TO FIND USPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hebrewbibleinsights/TikTok: www.tiktok...

The New Testament directly quotes Isaiah 7 as a powerful prophecy that is fulfilled in Jesus. Isaiah 9 also contains a beautiful passage about the Messiah.In this episode, we explore the context of these famous verses and 9 contain verses that are referenced. Do these Christmas verses mean anything to their original, immediate audience? Does this give any insight into how they point to Jesus?Literary Context Isaiah 7-12 as a single literary unit Isaiah 7 as the first chapter after the introdu...

Ben Sira (also known as Sirach or Ecclesiasticus) is one of our most important sources of ancient Hebrew literature. It is also one of 7 books that belong to the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books of the Bible. This great source from second temple Judaism has played an important role to the Christianity since the early church. Our guest, Peter Beckman, is completing his PhD at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario and is a pastor at a Lutheran church. We discuss a number of topics: The...

Genesis 1 has inspired deep study of Scripture and sparked intense debates amongst people of faith. Here are some thoughts from the Hebrew language and the ancient Near East Context to contribute to this age long discussion. We address a number of topics Gap Theory How do we translate Genesis 1:1-2? What is the Hebrew behind “formless and void” (תהו ובהו)? What is this referring to? We look at where the original Hebrew words are used in the rest of the Hebrew Bible An early scholarly the...

I share the first mind-blowing Hebrew language insight that I ever learned.This episode is about two big questions.What is worship?What is work?What if I told you that Hebrew has a word that means BOTH?This Hebrew word launches us into a foundational conversation about core components of life. Our journey takes us to Exodus where this word is the golden thread throughout the entire book…but you probably wouldn’t guess since the word is translated differently throughout the book in most transl...

We have some fun with a holiday themed episode! We look at some scary and spooky stories in the Hebrew Bible and have some surprisingly deep moments in our conversation. Also, don't worry. We bring it all back to the Fear of the LORD at the end. We discuss a number of topics Who are the Nephilim and the Sons of God in Genesis 6? A witch story in the Book of Samuel A harrowing prophecy by a nameless prophet Bear mauls dozens of people Judgment and the Day of the LORD in the prophets T...

Dr. Michelle Knight is a professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She is passionate about reading the biblical text closely, understanding its world, and seeing what it is doing on a literary level. Her expertise and infectious energy inspire students to engage with the Biblical text.TEDS Mdiv: https://www.tiu.edu/divinity/programs/master-divinity/ TEDS MA in Old Testament and semitic languages: https://www.tiu.edu/divinity/programs/master-...

Yitzhaq Feder is a Lecturer in Hebrew Bible at the University of Haifa. He received his PhD from the University of Bar-Ilan University and has been teaching and researching since 2008. He won the 2012 David Noel Freedman Award for Excellence and Creativity in Hebrew Bible Scholarship.Feder’s Book “Purity and Pollution in the Hebrew Bible: From Embodied Experience to Moral Metaphor"Link to his published academic works: https://haifa.academia.edu/YitzhaqFederWe talk about a number of topics wit...

How do the Hebrew authors portray that way that God gets involved in the lives of individuals and communities? How does this look in the New Testament, and how can we grapple with this question today? The hermeneutical principle of retribution is one of the most important worldview concepts of Israel and its neighbors. Reward and punishment (blessing and cursing) based on merit is one of the foundational components of how they viewed the world. In this episode, we discuss this topic at length...

Corina Cater is the host of the God-besotted podcast, a devotional podcast that focuses on digging into God’s Word to delight in Him more. Holding a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Belhaven University and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary, Corina’s passion is expositing the Word of God for the people of God through writing and teaching.Corina is an engaging communicator. She talks about the attributes of God in a way that leads us to a place o...

Dr. Joanna Kline is a professor at Gordon College where she teaches Old Testament. She specializes in literary approaches to the Bible and early interpretation of Scripture. If you enjoy seeing connections between different biblical stories, you will love today’s episode.Joanna talks about narrative analogy: when Biblical stories are written in such a way to make comparisons to other stories that can lead to more avenues of interpretation. She sees connections between the story of David and t...

We start our Bible study in Psalm 113 and use it as a launching pad to other conversations! Ancient Near East Cosmology. What does the name of the LORD mean? How does modern science impact our interpretation of Scripture? The Hebrew of Psalm 113. The strong connection between Psalm 113 and the Song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2 How caring for the poor is important to God.WHERE TO FIND USPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtub...

Keith Pinckney is the podcast host of the Windows and Mirrors bible podcast and is a PhD student at the University of St. Andrews. Keith is an engaging communicator and a relentless researcher with a drive to reach others. He is passionate about biblical research and teaching that impacts real communities. Keith is particularly interested in inner-biblical exegesis. We talk about a number of topics How Keith first got interested in studying the Old Testament Keith’s passion for modeling ...

Chad Bird shares devotional insights from deep research of the life of Jacob in his latest book “Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship.”Chad shows how Jacob and his family are highly relatable, and uses them as a launching pad into discussions about discipleship. Chad’s engagement with the text, his spiritual reflection, and writing ability makes the story of Jacob come to life.Our interview gives you a taste of what he does in his newest book.Link to book:...

How significant is the Year of Jubilee within its ancient Near East Context? The ideas of justice and social justice are critical now and in the Hebrew Bible. What do these ideas look like for the authors of the HB and their neighbors? We discuss this topic with Noah Green, one of Nathan French's students, who wrote his senior paper on this topic. We talk about1. Incorporating ANE into Hebrew Bible Studies2. Justice and righteousness in Hebrew and other ANE languages3. What justice looke...

We discuss one of the monumental scenes in the story of 1 and 2 Kings. We talk about a number of topics such as the big picture story of Kings, politics in the ancient Near East, why Cain killed Abel, and the characters of Rehoboam and Jeroboam.WHERE TO FIND USPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hebrewbibleinsights/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsightsWebsite...

We answer a listener question who wanted to hear about Samson in a deeper than the typical retellings of Samson's life. We talk about the context of Samson within the book of Judges as a whole and then we discuss some of the fascinating parts of his life that we don't hear about as often such as his amazing birth narrative, the meaning of his name, how a lion attack is a microcosm of his life, and much more. WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsight...

David shares his story about how he, an Orthodox Jew, got into Jewish Christian Relations. He has spent over two decades in this field doing everything from teaching to humanitarian work. We discuss why there has been a historical rift between Jews and Christians. David gives his take on how he views the Holy Spirit. Lastly, David shares his most recent project with us: Your Sabbath Invitation. You can learn more about this on his website. David's "Your Sabbath Invitation": https://www.y...

What does the Hebrew of the Psalms teach us about how to approach the Psalms? Dr. Jonathan Kline speaks with wisdom about not just the Psalms but also on learning, teaching, and life. Jonathan is not just a great scholar is but an excellent editor. Jonathan is a true professional in the field and handles conversations with wisdom and kindness that makes him easy to listen to and fascinating to learn from. In this episode, he covers a number of topics ranging from sound play in Hebre...

Jacob has a mysterious encounter with a figure in the middle of the night that is a key event in his life. The story is ambiguous about who he wrestles. Dr. Daniel Bunn did his PhD Dissertation on the topic and shared his research with us in this episode. Prefer YouTube? Check out the YouTube version here: https://youtu.be/mf9manVkMuY Daniel Bunn's "The Good Book Podcast"WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights Audio Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qg...

Dr. Pete Myers talks about his most recent project: A Hebrew Reader for the Psalms: 40 Beloved Texts. Pete read 40 of the Psalms comparing every word between two manuscripts, analyzing every word down to not just to the vowels but also the diacritical marks. This kind of research leads to excellent insights that he shares with us in this episode. Pete approaches his scholarship and teaching with passion, energy, and precision. Pete also has experience working in the Anglican Church and s...

Lenore Mullican grew up in Israel from the mid 40s to the mid 50s as a missionary kid. She was a nurse in Gaza during the 70s before moving to the US to teach modern and Biblical Hebrew for over 30 years. Matthew and Nathan both learned Hebrew from Lenore who they call "Morah" (the Hebrew word for teacher). She has been a mentor to countless students about how to walk faithfully with God and family, leaving a legacy for many. Lenore is full of stories, wisdom, and is an excellent professor an...

I introduce our new permanent Cohost, Dr. Nathan French. We discuss the heart and vision of where we are going.We have a website! Check it out here to learn more about us and a “one stop shop” that makes sharing our content easy. We have links to all of our content platforms there.You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠htt...

See below for info about how to get Netanel’s Hebrew Alphabet course for free!Netanel Barak is an Israeli who has been teaching Biblical Hebrew to people all over the world for well over a decade. Netanel has an infectious joy for life and Scripture that pours into everything he does. In addition to teaching Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, Netanel is a husband, father of 6 children, the cantor at his local synagogue, and Co Captain of the Mazkeret-Batyah Silverbacks American Football Team in Isr...

What are the rewards of learning Biblical Hebrew? Catherine McDowell gives substantive, meaningful answers and examples. Some responses to this question can unfortunately become technical, vague, or shallow. McDowell’s book gives real examples from a depth of academic knowledge, but delivers the information in an engaging and clear way.If you are studying or teaching Biblical Hebrew, this is a must have. Even if you don’t know Hebrew well, this is a resource with plenty of insights to learn f...

I interview Nathan French (Ph.D. Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East) about his Ph.D. Dissertation on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He shares the history of how the tree has been interpreted, walks us through his research strategy, and then shares his unique contribution to this area of research. He traces the phrase "knowledge of good and evil" throughout the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near East to show how Genesis 2-3 is about more than just "God told Adam and Eve not to do s...

In this episode I read Genesis 12 in Hebrew and in English. Instead of just listening to your "chapter of the day" in English, you can listen to it in Hebrew and in English along with some thoughts that I have on the chapter. Whether you just enjoy hearing the sound of the Hebrew language, are learning Hebrew, or are excellent at Hebrew, this is an episode that you will enjoy. In this chapter I talk about the biggest problem of Abraham's story that goes almost completely unnoticed. I giv...

We take a short break from focusing on the Hebrew Bible to have a great conversation with Dr. Jeff Voth about his new book about one of the greatest influencers of the last century: C.S. Lewis!"Why Lewis?: Seven Reasons Why C. S. Lewis is the Second Most Influential Author in Modern Christian History" by Dr. Jeff Voth.Dr. Voth is a Professor of Practical Ministry at Oral Roberts University. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry-Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation from Denver Seminary, a Ma...

Dr. Chris Dost is a biblical scholar, language expert, and pastor. He has a gift for discussing incredibly complicated (but important!) topics in Biblical scholarship in a clear way without sacrificing depth. Our conversation covers a number of topics: languages, Targums, BHQ (the newest immense project of comparing Hebrew and translation language manuscripts of the Old Testament), and more. If you want a deep dive into these subjects, this conversation will do that and get you intereste...

Dr. Nathan French has a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East from the University of Aberdeen. He has spent his entire academic career studying or teaching on these subjects. Dr. French is passionate about guiding his students through the geographical, cultural, and historical context of the Hebrew Bible. A fun fact that might make you feel jealous: he received his masters degree from Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. In this episode we talk about:His journey from being a...

Dr. Sonya Cronin has a PhD in Religions of Western Antiquity, focusing on Biblical Studies. She is also a huge fan of fantasy literature. Sonya taught one of the most popular courses at Florida State University: Religion and 20th Century Fantasy Literature. A truer lover of stories, Sonya brings everything from Tolkien to the Bible to life. In our conversation Sonya talks about: How she grew up as a Hindu before encountering the Bible. Why and how engaging great fantasy stories helps us be be...

Josh is back for part 2! Josh did his undergraduate degree in Ministry. He is currently the Director of Education at a church in Tulsa and is working on a masters degree in Biblical Literature.Josh and I continue our conversation from last time about Psalm 42-43. We pick up where we left off at 42:5 and finish all the way through Psalm 43. In this episode, we discuss the structure of the poem, the rich imagery within, and nuances in the Hebrew language and culture.To close off the episode, I ...

I bring in a new co-host for this episode!Josh did his undergraduate degree in Ministry. He is currently the Director of Education at a church in Tulsa and is working on a masters degree in Biblical Literature.0:00-16:59 Intro, Proverbs glitch on tablet, Apocalyptic literature, Josh’s love of Abraham Heschel, and a tease for my masters thesis that I’m writing.17:00-End Psalm 42-43--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Cl...

Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith has a fantastic scene with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker that powerfully illustrates how heroes in the Hebrew Bible work, especially the first hope figure of the Bible: Cain.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/U...

I interview Chad Bird about his new book “Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew.” Chad is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. ...

Why is Jesus’ name “Jesus”? The meaning of His name leads us straight to the heart of the Gospel.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠ Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/...

If Exodus was a 2 hour movie, most Christians only watch the first 45 minutes. As you can imagine, that creates some problems for learning what this story is all about. In this episode, I talk about three ideas that are important for understanding the big picture story of Exodus and how it impacts our lives. HBI Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsHBI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ma...

Psalm 113 is one of my new favorite Psalms! This Psalm takes us on a tour of the universe to show us how awesome God is, but then it takes an unexpected turn to highlight one of the most important character traits of God: loving the people in the lowest places of society. This poem leads to me awe of God, inspires me to love like never before, and fills me with God's love for us.HBI Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsHBI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights-...

I talk with New Testament and Judaic Origins of Christianity scholar, Katia Motzeva-Gutierrez, about the parable of the Good Samaritan. The only thing better than a story that you don't know is a story that you think you know. That's how I felt when I first heard Katia talk about the Good Samaritan. I knew in that moment that I had to have her on the show. We only scratch the surface in this conversation. If you want to learn more from her, you can find Katia's content at "Scripture in Contex...

I talk with guest, Jonathan Finley, who is passionate about showing how the Old and New Testament is a unified story. We talk about some fascinating research that he has done about how the resurrection story of Jesus is connected to the Garden of Eden. If you love an in depth Bible study, this is for you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: ⁠h...

One of the benefits of understanding the Hebrew Bible is that we are able to see more depth and meaning in New Testament stories. Peter’s “Food Nightmare” is one of those stories! We talk about Peter’s famous vision, food laws, and its connection to outreach. In the end I talk about how we can use our gifts to create a better community. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsig...

Ruth is one of the more popular stories in the Hebrew Bible. It’s one of the few narratives where a woman is one of the main characters. Yet there is something about this story that modern readers almost always miss that keeps us from seeing how shocking and inspiring this story really is. Once we learn about some of the “bad guys” of the Hebrew, this story will leap off of the first page, changing the way we read the story and inspiring us in a whole new way. --- Support this podcast: https:...

America is in one of the worst racial tensions in many generations. Racism and mistreating minorities has unfortunately been a constant problem in the history of humanity. Sin truly pervades all parts of society. How do we as Christians respond to everything that is going on and think about this perennial problem? Does the Bible have anything to say about this important subject? In this series, we will be looking at stories of racism, slavery, and minorities in the Bible. In today’s episode, ...

In today’s episode we continue our conversation from last episode. So if you haven’t listened to that, you’ll want to do that before listening to this one. In this conversation, we take a look at one of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world. Before Greece and Persia, Babylon was the powerhouse of the Middle East. It’s ruler in the 6th century BC was Nebuchadnezzar (the guy responsible for the famous Fiery Furnace story). What you might not know about him is that it looks like he also ...

Here’s the question we are asking in today’s episode: Why is there a story about the first human looking for a partner among the animals? Is this an offensive sexist narrative? Is it a “dumb” primitive story? Or could this be about something so much more...a story about morality, ethics, and what it means to be human. Our journey takes us through Babylon, the Holocaust, Ancient Greece, and back to our present day. An old Babylonian creation story, one of the most famous holocaust poems, and “...

In the first few episodes, we talked about only a couple chapters. In this episode, it’s all about the big picture! We talk about the general structure as well as some common misconceptions that cause unnecessary stress when reading the Old Testament. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠ YouTube: ⁠h...

In this episode, we dive into the second half of Genesis 2:18 that some use to leverage gender controversies that impact our families, workplaces, and communities. When you take a closer look at this verse in Hebrew, we learn that the verse means something very different and very powerful. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: ⁠https://www.patre...

Jesus’ last words on the cross in Matthew 27 and Mark 15 seem to depict defeat; however, when we take a closer look, His words are actually telling the opposite story! In this episode we unpack what Jesus said, why He said them, and how understanding the original Hebrew of the Psalm that Jesus is quoting highlights the story of Jesus’ victory for all creation. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/supportJoin the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patr...

We learn a lot about people from what they like AND what they don’t like. The same is true with God. What is the first thing that God doesn’t like? A perennial truth that is highly relevant for the times that we are in with COVID-19.Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠ Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2...

The Hebrew Bible for many people is confusing, boring, or ignored. For some of us, it is fascinating, but we want teaching with more depth than what typical church services are able to do. Having learned Hebrew for nearly a decade and taught the language since 2017, I love the language and story of the Hebrew Bible! I can’t wait to share more about my heart for this in this introductory episode. Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights WHERE TO FIND US...