Category: Old Testament Study

  • Hosea 14:10 – Interesting Imagery

    Hosea 14:10 has some interesting imagery.  It was a part of the lectionary reading for today.  And, I used this as an opportunity to experiment with putting more video on the site.  Sorry for the blur, YouTube said it might improve Translation Posts

  • Poor Old Nabonidus

    It is a little sad when you read about someone in history who was such a poor ruler that people welcomed his demise.  Like this section from Bright’s History of Israel: Nabonidus who fled was subsequently taken prisoner.  A few weeks later Cyrus himself entered the city in triumph.  According to his own inscription, he…

  • Fast with Joy and Gladness – An Old Testament Word on Fasting

    Since some of us are in Lent I though I’d share this passage I came across today in my reading.  Here is an Old Testament word on fasting from Zechariah 8: 18 The word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying: 19 Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth…

  • Are There Any Good Introductions to the Writings?

    I was reading a bit from Collins’ Introduction to the Hebrew Bible today.  And, I realized once again how much I prefer to read short books over long ones.  Collins is about 700 pages.  Don’t get me wrong, I like long books as reference works.  And, I’ll read them from time to time.  But, I…

  • Joseph's Coat of Many Colors?

    We’ve all heard about Jospeh’s coat of many colors, right?  Well, it looks like you may need to throw that fond childhood memory out.  Today’s lectionary reading is from Genesis 37.  Here are a few translations in comparison with regard to “Joseph’s coat of many colors” (translation comparisons on this site are done in BibleWorks…

  • Eat or Be Eaten – Word Play in Isaiah 1

    “Eat or be eaten” that’s what the prophet tells Israel their choice is in today’s lectionary reading from Isaiah 1, though I’m not using this idiom in the same way it is often used in English.  It is more of obey or disobey and experience completely opposite results.  This message comes in the form of…

  • Second Lenten Reflection Posted

    My second Lenten reflection is up HERE.  You can read a bit more about them HERE.

  • Love Your Neighbor – A Little Lectionary Editing

    “Love Your Neighbor” that’s what your supposed to do, right?  Well, at least that is what Jesus said in in Matthew 22:38 repeating a line from Leviticus 19:18.  But, what about those other voices in scripture?  You know the ones that say not so nice things about neighbors or wish not so nice things upon…

  • Old and New Testament Introductions (ELCA Videos)

    Decent, brief Old and New Testament introductions are sometimes difficult to come by in video format.  But, these two seem to be pretty good videos for lay people that make use of professors at Lutheran universities and schools of theology.  They are done by the ELCA, but they do treat different traditions, such as by…

  • Boring Parts in the Bible, Let's Be Honest …

    Okay, I can’t be the only Christian who thinks parts of the Bible are boring, can I?  I’m listening through the Old Testament currently.  And, I thought I was going to slip into a coma this morning because I was listening to the beginning of the Book of Numbers.  I understand the whole “the Bible…