Jeremy Thompson

Category: Old Testament Study

  • Ralph Klein's Summary of Isaiah 50.4-9 (and Free Book Chapters from Israel in Exile)

    Here is Ralph Klein’s summary of Isaiah 50.4-9 (today’s Old Testament reading)  from chapter 5 of his book Israel in Exile: 50:4-9. In this poem the servant commits himself to his vocation even in the face of opposition. Like the servant of the first poem (42:3), and like Yahweh himself (40:29-31), the servant helps and…

  • A Lot of Good Posts over at Ancient Hebrew Poetry

    Wow! John Hobbins has been busy blogging for the last couple of days.  Ancient Hebrew Poetry is one of my favorite blogs to actually read.  Some blogs are good for a blurb here or there.  Others are good for a quick laugh.  But, John normally writes substantial posts in terms of content that are kind…

  • Interesting Note on the Thank Offering in Leviticus

    Here’s an interesting note I found on Leviticus 7.15 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament: 7:15. difference between thanksgiving offering and other fellowship offerings. Unlike the other fellowship offerings, the thanksgiving offering was often made in places other than the sanctuary.  As a result there is a stricter rule about eating it the…

  • Philip Davies on Are There Ethics in the Hebrew Bible?

    HERE is a link to an online article by Philip Davies giving his answer to the question “Are there ethics in the Hebrew Bible?”  The article is causing a bit of a stir in the Yahoo! Biblical Studies group.  If you are interested in this and other conversations like it, you might consider joining the…

  • Lectionary Insertions of "Thus Says the Lord"

    I know that I have noticed this before today, but the lectionary inserts “Thus says the Lord” in places where it is not really there.  For instance, the Old Testament lectionary reading for yesterday begins: Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God,… (Is.…

  • Influential Female Scholars Meme

    In line with the meme started HERE, these are female scholars whose work has been influential in the wider field of Biblical Studies as well as for my own understanding of the Old Testament.  I have linked to the faculty page for each and what I consider to be one of their most influential works.…

  • Synonymous Parallelism – God's Name, God's Power

    One of the primary features of the Hebrew poetry of the Old Testament is parallelism.  One of these types of parallelism is called synonymous, which means that the writer is essentially saying the same thing two different ways.  In today’s responsorial Psalm, there is a potentially helpful example of synonymous parallelism.  It may demonstrate the…

  • Must Read Quote on the Bible being used as a Means of Oppression

    This is a must read quote pertaining to the use of the Bible for oppression.  In it Indians in Latin America seek to “return the Bible” to John Paul II.  Anyone who seeks to defend passages like the conquest narratives should be required to read quotes like these from those whose oppressors have used these…

  • Helpful Discussions of Genesis 1 Happening

    There are some interesting and helpful discussions on Genesis 1 going on at Ancient Hebrew Poetry – HERE (read the comments too), Targuman – HERE and HERE, and Boulders 2 Bits – HERE.  Commenting on all of them would require more time than I have for the moment, but check them out at your leisure.

  • Gary Rendsburg – The Bible and History Free Mini-course

    HERE is a link to a free mini-course entitled the Bible and History offered by Gary Rendsburg of Rutgers University.  I have not had time to review this course yet and do not know the format.  However, I have used some of Rendsburg’s material in the past and been impressed.  His course on Genesis from…