Imaginative Exegesis
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; Genesis 16:1 NIV Hagar – Who was Hagar? The question seems innocent enough until you consider Abraham’s relationship (or relations) with her. That leads to the propensity to enhance her status and character in order to squelch what might be…
Vow Times Two
And should you tell of this mission of ours, we will be clear of your vow that you made us vow. Joshua 2:20 Robert Alter Your vow/us vow – Alter’s translation helps us realize that the same Hebrew word is used in both occurrences. If you read this verse in the NASB, you probably would…
The Nature of a Commandment – Initial Thoughts
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. Galatians 3:25 NASB Under – Paul’s view of the Law is probably the most controversial element of all his writings. It certainly separated Christianity from Judaism and it contributed to replacement theology and anti-Judaism, perhaps even to pogroms. When the Church interpreted Paul…
Cultural Progression
Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 NASB Doubt – As we noted in other studies,[1] there is no Hebrew word for doubt in the Tanakh. That means that prior to the return from Babylon, Hebrew had…
Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Spyridon
Port City of Trieste, Italy
In the Grip
Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 NASB Took hold – “Hold on! I’m coming!” Rescue work. That’s what’s needed. Unfortunately, most of the time we don’t even know we’re falling. We’re so caught up in the…
A Love That Lasts
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NASB So loved – Thanks principally to evangelical Protestants, this is probably the most recognized verse from the Bible. Billboards and placards at football games proclaim God’s love. The exegetical issue,…
