Biblical History
Abortion and the Bible
The word “abortion” does not appear in the Bible, but that doesn’t mean its not mentioned. In fact, the Mosaic Law stipulates that someone who causes the death of a...
0
Kris Udd
Biblical Archaeology
Standing Stones in Ancient Israel
The Hebrew Bible refers in numerous places to standing stones. These stones had a special use, and a special name as well. The ordinary Hebrew word for “stone” is even...
0
August 15, 2024
Biblical Archaeology
High Places in Ancient Israel
There are numerous references in the Hebrew Bible to religious centers known as “high places” (Heb. bamah, or plural bamot). Many English speakers assume this refers to elevated ground, a...
0
March 13, 2024
Biblical History
On the Use of Titles in the Church
It is a natural human tendency to give and receive honor, but mostly to receive it. This can be seen in nearly every walk of life and in every culture....
0
January 16, 2024
Biblical Chronology
Why Ussher’s Chronology is Wrong
In 1650, James Ussher published Annales Veteris Testamenti, a chronology of the Old Testament. In it, he claimed that the first day of creation was October 22, 4004 BC. Although this...
3
January 03, 2024
Acts, Biblical Archaeology
Roman Altar to an Unknown God
When Paul was at Athens, he infamously made mention of “an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD'” (Acts 17:23). A number of altars to “unknown” Greco-Roman deities have...
0
September 14, 2023
Archaeology
Pompeii’s Finest Mosaic?
The use of mosaics is one of the hallmarks of finer homes and businesses of the Greco-Roman world. Mosaics are made by laying small stones called tesserae into a matrix...
0
August 22, 2023
Biblical Chronology
When Did the Patriarchs Live?
The Hebrew Bible preserves enough chronological data to calculate dates for the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and even for Joseph. The starting point for such calculations is the reign...
0
August 03, 2023
Biblical Archaeology, Crucifixion
Earliest Depiction of the Crucifixion?
It is somewhat ironic that the oldest known depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus comes from Rome, and its in the form of a grafitto that mocks a follower of...
0
July 27, 2023
Biblical Archaeology
Portrait Art in the 1st Century AD
Among the many interesting discoveries from Pompeii and Herculaneum are the frescoes that graced the walls of the 1st century homes. They reveal a mastery of painting that would have...
1
July 20, 2023
Biblical Archaeology
A Stone Altar Southeast of Shiloh
A large, stone-built altar has been discovered southeast of the ancient city of Shiloh. Like the altar at nearby Givat Harel, this one is about a mile from the ancient...
1
July 14, 2023
Biblical Archaeology
An Altar West of Shiloh
A rock-hewn altar was discovered west of ancient Shiloh in 2002. It is situated at the edge of the Israeli settlement of Givat Harel, about a mile west of Shiloh....
0
July 11, 2023
Biblical Archaeology
“Manoah’s Altar” Near Ancient Zorah
I recently had the opportunity to visit the site of a large stone altar near the ancient city of Zorah. This altar has been known to scholars since the late...
3
July 05, 2023
Archaeology, Biblical History
James and the “Gold Ring”
James chapter 2 begins with a warning against showing favoritism in the church. James starts with a hypothetical scenario where “a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring...
1
December 22, 2022
Biblical Chronology, Christmas
Did Christmas Begin as a Pagan Holiday?
You’ve probably heard the old saw that December 25, Christmas, began as a pagan holiday. The most commonly cited connections are that it began as the Greco-Roman festival of Saturnalia,...
1
December 08, 2022
Archaeology, Revelation
Archaeology and the Seven Bowls of the Wrath of God
Revelation 15:7 describes seven angels who are given seven bowls full of the wrath of God which are to be poured out on the earth. The concept of pouring out...
0
October 28, 2022
Archaeology, Revelation
Roman Background of the Seven Trumpets of Revelation 8
Revelation 8 describes seven trumpets that were blown by seven angels as part of the judgment of earth’s inhabitants. What were trumpets like in the 1st century AD, and how...
0
September 23, 2022
Archaeology, Revelation
Roman Eye Salve
In Revelation 3:18, God advises the church in Laodicea to purchase eye salve from him, “so that you may see.” In the context this is clearly a metaphor for gaining...
6
May 30, 2022
Biblical Archaeology, Revelation
Where are all the Roman seal impressions?
In Revelation 5-8, John describes a scroll in heaven that is sealed with seven seals, each of which is broken in turn. One would assume this imagery was based on...
2
April 07, 2022
Biblical Archaeology, Revelation
“Hot or Cold” at Laodicea
A common myth regarding Laodicea has to do with Jesus’s statement to the church there, “I wish that you were hot or cold; because you are lukewarm, and neither hot...
9
March 24, 2022
Biblical Archaeology, Crucifixion
More Evidence of Crucifixion
Despite numerous historical references to crucifixion in the ancient literature, it was not until 1968 that the first physical evidence for the practice was discovered. It came in the form...
0
March 09, 2022
Acts, Biblical History
A Sabbath Day’s Journey
Acts 1:12 mentions that the distance traveled by the disciples from the place of the Ascension to Jerusalem was about “a Sabbath day’s journey.” How far was this? The setting...
0
February 15, 2022
Acts, Biblical Chronology
“He appeared to them for forty days”
According to Acts 1:3, Jesus appeared to various people for a period of “forty days,” beginning at his resurrection. The end of the forty days, by logical deduction, would be...
0
February 09, 2022
Biblical Chronology
The “king who knew not Joseph”
Exodus 1:8 says, “Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” Who was that king? The quick answer is that his name was Ahmose. If you’re...
19
February 04, 2022
Acts, Biblical History
Was Caiaphas a Descendant of Aaron?
I received a question recently about whether or not Caiaphas, the high priest who presided at the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, was actually qualified to be a priest....
10
November 24, 2021
Biblical Archaeology, Faith
Fibbing for the Faith
Definition of fib: a trivial or childish lie Its a sad fact that some Christians are willing to make up “evidence” to prove the Bible. An example was brought to...
4
August 26, 2021
Biblical Archaeology
Name of Gideon Discovered in Israel
Archaeologists have discovered a very early inscription with Gideon’s other name, “Jerubbaal” (see Judges 6:32; 7:1). The discovery was made at Khirbet al-Ra‘i, a site in southern Israel, west of...
1
July 15, 2021
Biblical History, Joshua
Hamstring Their Horses
In Joshua 11:6 God told Joshua that he would deliver the Canaanites into the hands of Israel, and that Joshua should “hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”...
6
April 29, 2021
Biblical Geography, Joshua
Joshua’s Covenant Renewal at Shechem
Moses commanded that the Israelites renew their covenant with Yahweh when they reached the Promised Land. Joshua 8:30-35 records how this took place. Joshua led the Israelites up to the...
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April 08, 2021
Biblical Archaeology, Joshua
Joshua’s Altar on Mount Ebal
It is unusual for a structure that is mentioned in the Bible to be uncovered by archaeologists. A short list might include examples like the “Temple of Baal-berith” at Shechem...
0
April 01, 2021
Biblical Geography, Joshua
Locating Joshua’s Camp at Ai
Joshua 8:11 states that Joshua and the main Israelite force went up to Ai, “arrived in front of the city, and camped on the north side of Ai; now there...
0
March 16, 2021
Biblical Archaeology, Joshua
Joshua’s Memorial at Gilgal
The memorial set up by Joshua and the Israelites to commemorate the crossing of the Jordan River is described in Joshua 4. The narrative slows way down and becomes a...
25
December 24, 2020
Biblical History, Faith, History of the Bible
Wisdom vs. Godliness
Although wisdom is always upheld in the Bible as a desirable trait, it does not necessarily keep a person from evil. Consider Solomon. As a young king he was asked...
0
December 10, 2020
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Joshua
Was Rahab of Jericho an Ancestor of the Messiah?
In his genealogy of Jesus, Matthew mentions a several women along with the male ancestors of the Messiah. One of these is a certain “Rahab” who was married to Salmon...
2
November 27, 2020
History of the Bible
Bloopers in the Printing of the KJV
The King James Version (KJV) has been the most influential Bible in the history of English Bibles. First published in 1611, it supplanted the popular Geneva Bible within a decade...
0
October 15, 2020
History of the Bible
Review of “The Pure Word” Translation
This is a critique of a new book that claims to be a ground-breaking “translation” of the New Testament by Brent Miller, Sr. Other reviews of this book have been...
11
August 07, 2020
Archaeology, Biblical History
Was Jesus Black?
Was Jesus black? This question comes up from time to time. After all, how do we know what ancient people looked like? In this case, archaeology provides a clear answer....
2
July 28, 2020
Biblical Geography
Forest of Ephraim
The battle between the troops of David and Absalom took place in the “forest of Ephraim” (2 Sam 18:6). Ephraim is associated with land west of the Jordan River (cf....
9
July 14, 2020
Biblical History
Absalom: Caught by Head or Hair?
Absalom was a son of David who instigated a revolt, an attempt to overthrow David and take his place on the throne. This led to a battle in the heavily...
6
July 08, 2020
Biblical Archaeology, Crucifixion
New Evidence of Crucifixion
Archaeologists were excited in 1968 to uncover the very first physical evidence of ancient crucifixion. The find came from a tomb of the 1st century AD near Jerusalem. Among the...
0
May 22, 2020
Daniel, Revelation
Daniel on Resurrection
The references to resurrection in the Old Testament are not many. In fact, they are few enough that in Jesus’s day the topic was hotly debated between Jewish factions. The...
0
April 16, 2020
Daniel
End Times According to Daniel
Most of Daniel 11 is a prophecy concerning the nations and kings of the Persian and Greek kingdoms (see here for more detail). A large section (verses 20-35) deals specifically...
0
April 03, 2020
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Daniel
Unveiling Daniel 11, Part 2
For Part 1, covering Daniel 11:1-4, see here. Daniel 11:5-35 relates to the Greek kingdoms of the period between the Old Testament and New Testament. The main players in this...
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January 24, 2020
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Daniel
Unveiling Daniel 11, Part 1
Daniel 11 presents the fourth vision given to the prophet Daniel. Much of the chapter pertains to events that unfolded during the intertestamental period, also known as the Hellenistic age....
0
January 24, 2020
Biblical Chronology, Daniel
Daniel’s Mourning
The final section of the book of Daniel is the vision recorded in chapters 11-12. The introduction to that section is chapter 10, which describes the prelude to the vision....
0
January 08, 2020
Biblical Geography, Christmas
Nazareth to Bethlehem
Luke 2:4 indicates that Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to participate in a census. What kind of trip would that have entailed? Nazareth is located...
6
December 23, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Christmas
No Room in the Inn?
As the KJV renders it, Jesus was laid in a manger “because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). Was Joseph turned away by some hard-hearted...
0
December 23, 2019
Biblical Chronology, Daniel
Seventy Sevens are Determined
Daniel 9:20-27 is one of the most important passages for understanding the prophetic timeline of the Bible. At the same time, it is given in veiled language that makes it...
3
December 18, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Daniel
Daniel’s Library
Daniel 9:2 records that Daniel “observed in the books” that the exile would last 70 years, and apparently realized that the time was nearly up. The book of Jeremiah is...
0
November 27, 2019
Biblical Chronology, Daniel
Daniel and the 70 Years of Jeremiah
Daniel 9:1-3 introduces us to the prayer of Daniel for his people. It occurred in the first year of Darius the Mede, which was late 539 BC or early 538...
10
November 19, 2019
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Daniel
2,300 Mornings and Evenings
Daniel 8:13-14 includes an enigmatic statement about the length of the desolation of the holy place. “Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that...
4
November 15, 2019
Biblical Geography, Daniel, Esther
Daniel in the City of Susa
Daniel’s vision in Daniel 8 is set in a distant city, Susa. Susa was in Babylonian territory, but on the very eastern edge. It was about 225 miles from where...
3
October 23, 2019
Biblical Geography, Revelation
John on the Island of Patmos
John wrote the letter of Revelation from the island of Patmos (Rev 1:9). The island of Patmos is about 60 miles from the ancient city of Ephesus. Both are visible...
0
September 26, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Daniel
A Den of Lions in Babylon?
In a previous post we argued that the most likely location for the events of Daniel 6 was Babylon, the place where Daniel had spent nearly his entire life. So...
2
September 05, 2019
Biblical Geography, Daniel
Where Was Daniel’s Den of Lions?
The author of Daniel does not state where the events of Daniel 6 (Daniel in the lions’ den) took place. There are several possibilities, all shown on the map above,...
0
September 04, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Daniel
Who was Darius the Mede?
Darius the Mede is mentioned several times in the book of Daniel: Dan 5:31 – Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of 62; he was “made king”...
0
August 28, 2019
Archaeology, Biblical Archaeology
A Letter About the Temple
The small potsherd with writing shown here (also known as an ostracon) was discovered by archaeologists digging at a Judean fortress in southern Israel. The name of the site is...
0
August 23, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Biblical Geography, Daniel
Babylon – How to Take a Strong City
Ancient Babylon was a mighty city. Although ancient historians greatly exaggerated its size as well as the height and width of its walls, it was likely the largest city of...
2
August 15, 2019
Daniel
Belshazzar’s Throne Room Identified
Nearly all of the narrative sections of the book of Daniel (Dan 1-6) took place in and around the capital, Babylon. Daniel 5 records the night on which Babylon fell...
0
August 09, 2019
Daniel, Malachi
Elijah, Daniel, and Miracles
Malachi ends his book with the pronouncement that Elijah the prophet would come before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Mal 4:5-6). This prophecy stumped the disciples of...
0
August 02, 2019
Malachi
I Will Rebuke the Devourer
As part of God’s effort in Malachi 3 to bring the Israelites back to true worship, he told them to test him and see if he would not reward faithfulness....
0
July 03, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Malachi
He Will Sit as a Smelter
Malachi uses the word picture of a metal refiner to describe how God will separate those who are truly his own from those who are not. “But who can endure...
0
June 27, 2019
Biblical History, Malachi
Shut the Door!
In Malachi 1:10, God laments the half-hearted service of the priests. He says, “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle...
0
June 05, 2019
Biblical Geography, Malachi
“Esau I Have Hated”
God’s declaration in Malachi 1:3, “I have hated Esau,” follows immediately on the heels of his declaration of love for Israel. What does it mean that God hated Esau? At...
0
May 31, 2019
Biblical History, Daniel
Was Daniel a Eunuch?
It is suggested from time to time that Daniel and his friends may have served as eunuchs in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. This idea is illustrated, for example, in the...
18
May 24, 2019
Biblical Archaeology
Name of Another Biblical Figure Identified
It’s always exciting to hear of the discovery of another name in an archaeological setting that also appears in the Bible. In this case, it is a bullah that bears...
0
May 22, 2019
Biblical Archaeology
Samuel and the Tabernacle
The tabernacle was a portable structure that had every sign of being a temporary structure. Constructed as a semi-permanent tent, it had walls made of wooden panels set in metal...
0
May 14, 2019
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Daniel
Life and Times of Daniel
As we start out a new Sunday School series on the book of Daniel it may be helpful to see Daniel in the midst of the events that were going...
0
May 02, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Biblical History, Easter
Did Jesus Have an Ossuary?
Jewish burials in the first century AD in the area of Jerusalem followed a regular pattern. The tomb itself was dug as a cave in the rock. The typical tomb...
2
April 20, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Biblical History, Easter
A Rolling Stone
The Gospel accounts tell that a large stone was used to block the entrance to Jesus’ tomb (Matt 27:60). Many modern artists incorrectly depict that stone as a massive 5-6′...
2
April 18, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Biblical History, Easter
Where was Jesus’ Tomb?
Christian tourists who visit Jerusalem nearly always want to see the tomb of Jesus. There are two locations that they most often visit. Is either more likely to be the...
0
April 17, 2019
Biblical Archaeology, Crucifixion, Easter
Crucifixion in Antiquity
The practice of crucifixion is known from as early as the 5th century in Greece. Herodotus mentions the crucifixion of a captured Persian general at the hands of the Athenians...
0
April 15, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Battling City to City in Esther
Xerxes, the king of the Persian Empire in the days of Esther, granted the Jews the right to defend themselves from their attackers on the 13th day of Adar, 473...
0
April 11, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Two Days Fighting in Susa
Purim, a celebration of the victory of the Jews over their enemies in the days of Esther, is celebrated for two days. In 2019, Purim was March 21 and Shushan...
0
April 09, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
How Far to Elephantine?
When Mordecai created a new edict allowing the Jews of the Persian empire to defend themselves from their attackers (Esther 8:11-12), he needed to send it throughout the kingdom. In...
0
April 02, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Haman’s No Good, Very Bad Day
Its amazing what a single day can bring. For Haman, his final day began with a sense of anticipation. He was waiting in the outer court of the palace at...
0
March 26, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
“What Honor or Dignity?”
When Xerxes (Ahasuerus) heard again of how Mordecai the Jew had saved his life, he asked, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” (Est 6:3). The...
0
March 21, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
The King’s Chronicles – What Language?
Esther 6:1 records that Xerxes (Ahasuerus) could not sleep, so he called for the court records to be brought and read before him. What exactly did they bring, and in...
0
March 19, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Haman’s “Gallows”
There are a number of references to hanging in the book of Esther, which has traditionally been paired in English translations with the noun “gallows.” Esther 2:23 – the two...
3
March 15, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Esther and the Presumption of Innocence
One of the founding legal principles of United States is the presumption of innocence. We are “innocent until proven guilty” in the eyes of the law. Although many American’s do...
0
March 06, 2019
Acts, Archaeology, Biblical History
Ring of Pontius Pilate Discovered
A ring that once belonged to Pontius Pilate has been discovered at Herodium in southern Judaea. We know it belonged to him because it has his name inscribed on it....
0
February 28, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Golden Scepter of Ahasuerus
Queen Esther made an uninvited visit to King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes, when she went to plead for the lives of her people. She had previously mentioned the law...
1
February 26, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Mordecai in the City Square
Twice in the book of Esther we find Mordecai in the city square. It would be easy to imagine that this was a marketplace in the center of town like...
0
February 20, 2019
Acts, Biblical History
Paul’s Centurion, Julius
Acts 27:1 names the centurion who was placed in charge of Paul for his voyage to Rome as “Julius.” Perhaps the fact that he is named is an indicator that...
1
February 19, 2019
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Esther
Esther’s Thirty Days (Esther 4:11)
After discovering that an edict had been issued for the extermination of the Jewish people, Mordecai urged Esther to take action by making an appeal to the king. Esther’s response...
0
February 13, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Mordecai at the King’s Gate
The palace at Susa as seen from an artist’s perspective. Archives de la Maison Archéologie & Ethnologie, René-Ginouvès, JP_V03_37 © Mission de Suse. Délégation archéologique française en Iran / Daniel...
8
February 08, 2019
Acts, Biblical History
Siglum for a Centurion
Latin inscriptions from ancient Rome often used abbreviations. For example, many Roman coins were minted with the inscription “S C” emblazoned on them. This stood for the Latin phrase Senatus...
0
February 01, 2019
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Esther
Esther’s Rise as Queen
There are some interesting deductions that can be made with regard to the date and time of Esther’s being chosen as the new queen of the Persian Empire. Although the...
2
January 30, 2019
Biblical History, Esther
Drinks in Golden Vessels
When Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I) held a banquet in Susa at the end of his military planning party, he served drinks in “golden vessels of various kinds” (Esther...
0
January 25, 2019
Biblical Chronology, Biblical History, Esther
Esther & Chronology
A quick read through the book of Esther might leave the impression that all of the events in the book transpired within six months. However, there are three references in...
6
January 18, 2019
Acts, Biblical History
Julius the Centurion?
In Acts 27:1-3, Luke gives an account of the first leg of Paul’s voyage to Rome. Twice in these verses he mentions the centurion who was put in charge of...
2
January 09, 2019
Encouragement, Philippians
I Press On
As we enter 2019, Paul’s teaching in Philippians 3 can help us re-set our thinking for the new year. “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining...
0
January 06, 2019
Christmas
Advent of the Messiah
Christmas is traditionally a celebration of the first coming of Jesus the Messiah, when he came as a baby in Bethlehem. This coming was to deal with our sin, and...
0
December 26, 2018
Christmas
Born in Bethlehem
Jesus fulfilled many prophecies during his lifetime, and some have accused him of doing so in order to try and appear as the Messiah even when he was not. However,...
0
December 19, 2018
Romans
To Him Who is Able to Establish You
Paul ends his book to the Romans with a doxology, calling for the glorification of the one “who is able to establish you” (Rom 16:25). The verb “to establish” (Gk....
0
December 12, 2018
Biblical History, Romans
I, Tertius
There are several places in Paul’s letters where his use of a secretary or amanuensis is clear. In Romans 16:22, the amanuensis pens his own line, “I, Tertius, who write...
0
December 10, 2018
Biblical History, Romans
Erastus the City Treasurer Greets You
Paul wrote the letter to the Romans from the city of Corinth. In his final greetings at the end of the book, he sends greetings from “Erastus the city treasurer”...
1
December 08, 2018
