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The Contrast Between Judges and Samuel on Kingship
I was re-struck this morning as I was reading in the Book of 1 Samuel by the contrast between some of the views of kingship in it and in the Book of Judges. The books of Samuel are certainly not a monolith on this topic, however, since there are positive views of kingship found therein. …
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"Prostitute," "Harlot," "Whore" – Does it Make a Difference?
I’m sorry to disappoint you after that provocative title, but this is a translation issue. I was reading Judges again this morning in the NJPS. I read Judges 16.1, which is translated as follows: “Once Samson went to Gaza; there he met a whore and slept with her.” I thought to myself that I was…
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Judges 11.31 – "Whoever" or "Whatever"
I was reading in the Book of Judges again this morning and was reminded of the interesting translation issue in Judges 11.31. Parallel Translations of Judges 11.31 then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the LORD’s, and I will…
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"Judges" or "Chieftans"?
This morning as I was reading in the Book of Judges in the New Jewish Publication Society (=NJPS) version of the Tanakh, I came across the word traditionally translated as “judges.” The NJPS renders the word as “chieftans.” I have also seen it rendered as “leaders/rulers.” I think the NJPS and those that render it…
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How Luz Gets Its Name – Judges 1.23-26
I was reading the Book of Judges this morning and though it was interesting how Luz supposedly get its name. (Check here for the wider context of Judges 1.23-26). Judges 1.23-26 23 The house of Joseph sent out spies to Bethel (the name of the city was formerly Luz). 24 When the spies saw a…
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The Most Unfathomable Part
This morning I posted a link to Doug Chaplin’s thoughts on today’s Old Testament lectionary reading. And, I just sat down to write my own thoughts about this strange text. As Doug has said, there is certainly a lot going on here. So, I wanted to post the reading in its entirety: The Spirit of…
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Clayboy on the Bewailing of Jephthah's Daughter
Today’s Old Testament reading is one of the most bizzarre Old Testament stories. Jephthah makes a vow to the Lord that he will sacrifice whatever (or whoever) comes out of his door first if the Lord will deliver the Ammonites into his hands. It turns out that the Lord does deliver them into his hands,…
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The Pattern of Judges
As I said, I mis-clicked on Monday and thought there was no Old Testament reading. But, there actually was one – Judges 2.11-19. Here we find the predominant pattern of the Book of Judges. The people sin (vs. 11-13) – The cycle starts with the people sinning. Usually this sin is the sin of idolatry,…
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Oh Man! I Missed a Judges Reading – What's a Biblical Judge Anyway?
Yesterday I reported that there was no Old Testament lectionary reading. I was actually incorrect. I had clicked the wrong Monday on the lectionary calendar. We actually do get some readings from Judges before the lectionary sells its soul by leaving out the Old Testament in favor of the likes of Revelation and 1 Thessalonians. …