Podcasts about ancient near eastern

Many of us think of the Bible as a book written in Hebrew and Greek, overlooking the important role of Aramaic—the lingua franca of much of the ancient Near East. In this episode, Helen and Lloyd climb into the Time Machine with Tawny Holm, one of the world's leading experts on Aramaic, to explore the language's history, literature, and cultural significance. Who spoke and wrote Aramaic? What kinds of texts were composed in it? And how can Aramaic literature beyond the Bible help us better understand the Aramaic passages within it?Tawny M. Holm is Professor of Hebrew and Aramaic Studies at Penn State University. Her main research areas are the Hebrew Bible in its Ancient Near Eastern context, early Judaism and Aramaic studies. She is the author of Of Courtiers and Kings: The Biblical Daniel Narratives and Ancient-Story Collections (Eisenbrauns, 2013), and, most recently, Aramaic Literature from Egypt and the Levant, published in May 2026 in SBL's series, Writings from the Ancient World (Volume 30). Support the showTheme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson. 

Welcome to Day 2858 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2858 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 124:1-8– Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2858 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2858 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Song of Ascent – Surviving the Raging Waters of Chaos In our previous episode on this grand expedition, we explored the fourth Song of Ascent, Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Three. We stood safely within the seamless walls of Jerusalem, yet we realized that our souls were still carrying the heavy, agonizing scars of the wilderness. We felt the crushing, suffocating weight of cultural contempt. In response, we adopted the posture of a hyper-vigilant servant. We chose to lift our eyes above the earthly mockery of the arrogant, and we fixed our gaze firmly upon the hand of the Master, waiting desperately for His unmerited, vindicating mercy. Today, we are exploring the fifth song in this ancient pilgrim collection. We are turning our attention to Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Four, verses one through eight, in the New Living Translation. The psalmist shifts our perspective dramatically. Instead of looking upward in exhaustion, he demands that we look backward, and stare directly into the terrifying abyss of what could have been. He forces the congregation to confront a chilling, hypothetical question, imagining a reality where the Creator had ignored their upward gaze. Let us step back onto the trail, and examine the raging waters from which we have been saved. The first segment is: The Horrifying Hypothetical and the Maw of the Underworld Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Four: verses one through three What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. The stanza opens with a dark, shuddering question: "What if the Lord had not been on our side?" The psalmist is not asking this lightly; he commands the entire gathered congregation of Israel to repeat the phrase. He wants the collective community to mentally strip away the protection of Yahweh for just a moment, and truly comprehend their own agonizing vulnerability. Imagine a universe where the Most High God was neutral, apathetic, or simply absent. Imagine facing the hostility of the surrounding pagan nations without the covering of the Divine Shield. The psalmist describes the attackers not merely as human politicians, or enemy soldiers, but as forces of cosmic destruction. He says, "They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger." To fully grasp the terror of this imagery, we must understand the Ancient Near Eastern, and biblical, worldview. The language of being "swallowed alive" is heavily rooted in the mythology of the Canaanite god of death, Mot. In the ancient world, death was not just an inevitable biological event; death was a predatory, insatiable entity. The underworld, Sheol, was often depicted as a monstrous beast with a gaping maw, a throat that stretched from the dirt all the way up to the heavens, eager to swallow humanity whole. When the psalmist says the attacking armies would have swallowed them alive, he is revealing the spiritual reality behind the human conflict. The nations attacking Israel are the earthly proxies of the rebel elohim—the fallen spiritual principalities of the Divine Council. The ultimate goal of the kingdom of darkness is not just to win a military skirmish; it is to consume, devour, and entirely erase the imagers of God from the face of the earth. Without the intervention of Yahweh, the burning, demonic anger of the rebel gods would have dragged the entire covenant community down into the belly of the grave. The second segment is: The Torrent of Cosmic Chaos Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Four: verses four and five The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. The terrifying metaphors continue to escalate. The psalmist shifts from the gaping jaws of the underworld, to the devastating, unstoppable force of a flash flood. "The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us." In the arid, rocky landscape of the Middle East, a sudden rainstorm in the distant mountains can create a deadly, roaring wall of water that completely floods a dry riverbed, or wadi, in a matter of minutes. Anyone caught in its path is violently swept away. But once again, the physical imagery points directly to a massive, cosmic reality. In the biblical worldview, stretching all the way back to Genesis Chapter One, the raging, untamed waters represent primordial chaos. The sea—known as Yamm in the ancient Ugaritic texts—was viewed as a hostile, chaotic deity, a dark, churning realm that constantly threatened to undo the beautiful, organized creation of Yahweh. The rebel spiritual forces use the chaotic waters as their primary weapon against the order of God. When the psalmist says, "the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives," he is describing a spiritual tsunami. Have you ever felt that sensation in your own life? Have you ever felt the toxic culture, the deceptive lies, and the sheer hostility of the world rising up like a dark flood, threatening to sweep you off your feet, and pull you under? That is the exact experience of the exile. The enemy does not just want to defeat you; they want to drown you in despair. They want to engulf your soul in chaos, until you can no longer breathe. And the chilling truth that the psalmist wants us to acknowledge is this: on our own, we are no match for the flood. Human willpower cannot hold back the raging waters of cosmic fury. If the Lord had not been standing as a breakwater on our behalf, the torrent would have absolutely overwhelmed our very lives. The third segment is: Escaping the Teeth of the Beast and the Fowler's Snare Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Four: verses six and seven Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter's snare. The snare is broken, and we are free! Suddenly, the dark, suffocating tension of the hypothetical question breaks, and the psalm explodes into a brilliant, breathless shout of triumphant gratitude. "Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!" The psalmist looks back at the jaws of the predator, and he realizes that the mouth of the beast was forcibly slammed shut. Just as God famously shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel in the pit, Yahweh intervened for His people. The rebel gods bared their fangs, the chaotic nations moved in for the kill, but the Creator simply said, "No." He would not permit His beloved exiles to be torn to pieces. He then uses an incredibly delicate, beautiful metaphor to describe our deliverance. "We escaped like a bird from a hunter's snare. The snare is broken, and we are free!" Imagine a small, fragile bird, desperately fluttering its wings, caught tightly in a hidden net laid by a cruel fowler. The bird has absolutely no strength to break the thick ropes of the snare. It is completely helpless, exhausted, and awaiting its execution. This perfectly describes our condition when we are trapped by the deceptive, arrogant schemes of the wicked. But then, the massive, capable hands of the Divine Warrior reach down. God does not just untangle the bird; He violently snaps the trap in half. "The snare is broken!" This is the ultimate, cosmic rescue mission. The rebel spirits set their intricate traps of idolatry, fear, and cultural compromise, hoping to permanently bind the believers. But Yahweh shatters their mechanisms of control. And the result of that divine intervention is absolute, soaring liberty. "...and we are free!" In the biblical sense, freedom is not the ability to do whatever your sinful flesh desires. True freedom is the glorious release from the suffocating, chaotic traps of the enemy, allowing you to fly upward, and live joyfully within the safe, ordered boundaries of God's cosmic blueprint. You have been liberated from the snare of death, so that you can sing in the branches of the Tree of Life. The fourth segment is: The Cosmic Anchor of the Creator Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Four: verse...

John McKee delivers the April 2026 Outreach Israel News update. There are many people who will make claims about supposed paganism present in the Apostolic Writings (NT). And, this actually does extend to concluding that the account of Yeshua of Nazareth was adapted from Greco-Roman mythology. But this standard is seldom ever held to the Tanach (OT) itself, and supposed influences from Ancient Near Eastern mythology.

Since the Israelites' liberation from 400 years of slavery in Egypt, Jews have commemorated the Passover that spared their ancestors from death and marked a new beginning for their people.   Exodus 12 describes the Passover as an ordinance. When the Savior and His disciples participated in the Last Supper, Jesus transitioned parts of the Passover to become the sacrament. In a way, the sacrament ordinance of today is a tie to both the Last Supper and the original Passover.  In this episode of the Church News podcast, Matthew Grey, a professor of ancient scripture and coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern studies at Brigham Young University, speaks with Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen about the lessons that can be remembered during the Easter season from the Passover and the institution of the sacrament.  Grey shares how the sacrament helps demonstrate hope in the past, present and future, thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience.

Welcome to Day 2823 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2823 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 119:41-48 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2823 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2823 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Waw of Freedom – Speaking Truth to Kings In our previous episode, we navigated the fifth stanza of Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, known as the "He" section. There, we prayed an urgent, navigational prayer. We asked the Creator to turn our eyes away from the worthless, glittering idols of the culture, and to bend our affections toward His eternal decrees. We realized that, without divine intervention, our natural tendency is to wander off the path, lured by selfish gain and the deceptive promises of the surrounding world. But when Yahweh actively guides our steps, we find our true happiness within the safe boundaries of His cosmic order. Today, we take our next confident stride along this majestic, alphabetical trail. We are entering the sixth stanza of Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, which corresponds to the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the letter "Waw," or "Vav." We will be immersing ourselves in verses forty-one through forty-eight, in the New Living Translation. In biblical Hebrew, the letter "Waw" functions primarily as a conjunction. It is the word "and." It is a hook, or a peg, that connects one thought to another. In fact, in the original Hebrew text, every single verse in this specific stanza begins with the word "And." This stanza serves as a magnificent bridge. It takes the internal, private devotion we built in the previous stanzas, and hooks it directly to external, public boldness. We are moving from the quiet prayer closet, out into the hostile, public square. We are going to learn how a heart anchored in the unfailing love of God can stand fearlessly before the mocking kings of this world. So, let us secure our gear, and step onto the trail. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verses forty-one and forty-two. Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me. Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word. The stanza opens with a desperate, yet highly confident, plea for tangible rescue. "Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me." Here we see our old, familiar friend, the Hebrew word Hesed. This is God's loyal, stubborn, covenant-keeping love. But notice that the psalmist links this unfailing love directly to "salvation." He is not just asking for a warm, internal feeling of affection. He is asking for a visible, concrete deliverance. He needs God to physically intervene in his life, and rescue him from a very real, very present danger. He is holding God to His own promises, reminding the Creator of the covenant they share. And why does he need this visible salvation so urgently? "Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word." In the Ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were the absolute driving forces of society. To be taunted, or mocked, was not just an issue of hurt feelings; it was an act of public, spiritual warfare. We must view this through the lens of the Divine Council worldview. The people who are taunting the psalmist are not just schoolyard bullies. They are representatives of the surrounding pagan nations, driven by the rebel spiritual principalities of the unseen world. These mockers look at the psalmist's suffering, and they sneer. They say, "Where is your God? You follow His invisible laws, you refuse to worship our idols, and yet, look at you! You are suffering. Your God is weak, and your trust is completely foolish." The psalmist knows that he cannot win this argument with clever human philosophy. The only way to silence the taunts of the rebel gods, and their human proxies, is for Yahweh to visibly show up. When God's Hesed arrives in the form of tangible salvation, it becomes the ultimate apologetic. It provides the definitive answer to the mockers. The psalmist can point to his deliverance and say, "Look! My God is alive. He keeps His word, and my trust was perfectly placed." Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verses forty-three and forty-four. Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope. I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever. While he waits for this visible vindication, the psalmist voices his deepest, most profound fear. "Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope." What does it mean for God to snatch His word of truth away? In the biblical framework, this is the terrifying concept of divine silence. If you remember the history of Israel, there were seasons of intense rebellion where God withdrew His prophetic voice. The heavens became like brass. A famine of hearing the words of the Lord swept through the land. To be stripped of God's truth is the ultimate, catastrophic judgment. The psalmist is essentially pleading, "Lord, no matter how intense the mocking gets, and no matter how long I have to wait for my salvation, please do not let me lose my grip on Your reality. Do not let the truth slip from my mouth. If I lose Your regulations, I lose everything, because they are my only hope." In a chaotic, contested world, the Torah is not a burden; it is a life raft. When the storms of cultural opposition rage, the instructions of the Creator are the only things that keep us from drowning in the abyss. Because he recognizes this profound reality, he makes a sweeping, eternal commitment: "I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever." This is not a temporary, weekend commitment. This is a cosmic allegiance. The psalmist is declaring that his loyalty to Yahweh extends beyond his current crisis, beyond his earthly lifespan, and straight into eternity. He is locking his will onto the unshakeable foundation of the Divine Architect. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verses forty-five and forty-six. I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. These two verses contain one of the most brilliant, mind-bending paradoxes in the entire Bible. The psalmist boldly declares, "I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments." In our modern, Western culture, we have completely redefined the concept of freedom. We tend to think that true freedom means absolute autonomy—the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want, without any external rules or restrictions. But the ancient, biblical mind knew that autonomy from the Creator is a deceptive, deadly trap. If a train decides to free itself from the tracks, it does not find liberation; it finds destruction. The Hebrew word translated as "freedom" here is rachabah, which literally means "a wide, broad, or open place." We saw this exact concept back in Psalm One Hundred Eighteen. True freedom is not the absence of boundaries; it is operating exactly as you were designed to operate, within the safe, wide-open spaces of God's grace. The psalmist experiences expansive, breathing room in his soul, precisely because he has devoted himself to God's commandments. When you align your life with the grain of the universe, you are no longer crashing into the destructive, chaotic consequences of sin. You are truly, wonderfully free. And this internal freedom produces massive, external courage. "I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed." Do not miss the staggering audacity of this statement. In the ancient Near East, kings were not just politicians. They were the supreme, absolute rulers of their domains. More importantly, in the pagan worldview, kings were viewed as the literal sons of the gods. They were the earthly pontiffs, the avatars, of the rebel spiritual principalities. To stand before a foreign king was to stand before the concentrated power of the kingdom of darkness. Yet, the psalmist says he will walk right into the throne room, look the king in the eye, and speak about the laws of Yahweh. He will declare the supreme, cosmic authority of the God of Israel over the pagan pantheons. And he will do it without a shred of shame or fear. This is the exact same courage we see later in the Bible, when Daniel stands before Nebuchadnezzar, or when the Apostle Paul stands before King Agrippa. When you are walking in the wide-open freedom of God's truth, the intimidating thrones of human kings suddenly look very small. You realize that you serve the King of Kings, and therefore, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Psalm One Hundred Nineteen: verses forty-seven and forty-eight. How I delight in your commands!...

In this session, we continue our exploration of Genesis 1, paying special attention to the Ancient Near-Eastern context within which the story was composed and directly speaks. The focus of this episode is humanity and the important distinctions that the Genesis story makes regarding mankind compared to the perceptions of the peoples surrounding Israel.

Alex and Ben discuss reward from God, with a small sidebar about Ancient Near Eastern dung piles. Thanks for listening! CONNECT with CCFC:Visit us on FacebookVisit our websiteDownload our app!

Ancient Near Eastern cultures had some interesting ideas about the sea.  Let's begin a conversation about how the Biblical authors made use of the sea to discuss spiritual ideas.  

Many of us find the Old Testament difficult to understand. Some find it incomprehensible, and some find it difficult to square with our modern sensibilities. We wonder if the Old Testament is irrelevant. Or we try to understand it and find it so confusing that we give up trying to read it.Our guest is one of the most influential Old Testament scholars of this generation. John Walton has spent his career engaging deeply with the Old Testament's text and understands the ancient context in which it was written.His latest book is Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief (InterVarsity Press, 2025). In it, he invites us to leave our modern, and even our inherited Christian, preconceptions at the threshold as we enter the world of the Old Testament. We discuss:* How the New Testament writers viewed the Old Testament, and the danger of shirking our desire to understand it.* That since the Old Testament was written for us, it was not written to us. To fully comprehend the way that it is for us, we have to do whatever it takes to join the author's implied audience. We discuss the importance of delving into both the cultural and literary contexts.* The Israelites swam in the “cultural rivers” of the Mesopotamian and Egyptian religious ideas. Does this mean that the Old Testament is just a flawed human creation because it was influenced by its Ancient Near Eastern context?* From the beginning, God's intention has always been to dwell among his people and to be in relationship with them. Not only that, God makes plans and has purposes, and includes humans in his plan as fellow workers. How can this foundational relationship principle help us grasp all the stories of the Old Testament?* As Christians, we think the focus of faith is on salvation and eternal life. Therefore, we define our identity in those terms: “I'm saved and heaven bound.” The Israelites didn't see it that way. The substance of their faith was something else. What can we learn about authentic faith from their view of their relationship with God?Scroll down to learn more about John Walton.Thanks for listening!If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with your friends!Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney. For further resources on reintegrating all of life with God's mission, go to re-integrate.org.John H. Walton, Ph.D. Dr. John H. Walton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament, emeritus, at Wheaton College and Graduate School. His many books include “The Lost World” series, which includes the influential book, The Lost World of Genesis One. He has written commentaries on Genesis, Job, Daniel, and Jonah. He is also the co-editor (with Craig S. Keener) of the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible.Support independent booksellers! We recommend purchasing John's books from Byron and Beth Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. They are eager to serve God's people with great books. Order online through their secure server or call 717-246-3333. Ask for 20% OFF by mentioning that you heard about these books on the Reintegrate Podcast! Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Oldest Stories, we cover Sargon II of Assyria and his most famous campaign: the Great Invasion of Urartu (714 BCE), centered on the extraordinary Assyrian text known as Sargon's Letter to Ashur. This episode examines the Neo-Assyrian Empire, Assyrian military strategy, intelligence networks, and imperial warfare in the late 8th century BCE, drawing directly from Assyrian royal inscriptions, letters, and annals.We follow Sargon II (r. 722–705 BCE) from the construction of Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad) through his campaigns in Mannea, Zikirtu, Zamua, the Zagros Mountains, and deep into Urartian territory near Lake Van. Special attention is given to Assyrian spy networks and intelligence reports, including letters from the Assyrian agent Assur-resuwa, which provide rare, detailed insight into ancient espionage, reconnaissance, and military planning.The episode analyzes the Letter to Ashur, one of the most detailed narrative texts to survive from ancient Mesopotamia, describing Sargon's march routes, logistics, road construction, mountain warfare, pitched battles, and large-scale destruction. We discuss how this text differs from typical Assyrian annals, why it was written, and how it shaped Sargon's reputation as a conqueror.Major topics include:• Sargon II and the Sargonid dynasty• Assyrian military organization and logistics• Ancient Near Eastern intelligence and espionage• The Assyrian–Urartian rivalry• Mannea, Zikirtu, Musasir, and Nairi• The sack of Musasir (Ardini) and the capture of the god Ḫaldi• Destruction of Urartian cities, orchards, irrigation systems, and tax bases• Imperial propaganda vs historical reality• Ancient warfare in the Zagros Mountains• Neo-Assyrian imperial ideology and kingship• The beginning of Assyria's late imperial “golden age”This episode is ideal for listeners interested in Assyrian history, ancient Mesopotamia, Urartu, biblical-era history, ancient warfare, Near Eastern archaeology, and primary historical sources from the first millennium BCE.Oldest Stories is a long-form history podcast focused on the ancient Near East, especially Mesopotamia, Assyria, Babylon, and the surrounding world. New episodes explore royal inscriptions, letters, myths, daily life, and the political realities behind ancient empires.I am also doing daily history facts again, at least until I run out of time again. You can find Oldest Stories daily on Tiktok and Youtube Shorts.If you like the show, consider sharing with your friends, leaving a like, subscribing, or even supporting financially:Buy the Oldest Stories books: https://a.co/d/7Wn4jhSDonate here: https://oldeststories.net/or on patreon: https://patreon.com/JamesBleckleyor on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG2tPxnHNNvMd0VrInekaA/joinYoutube and Patreon members get access to bonus content produced when and as I have time.

In this session, we take a look at the literary context of Genesis 1 by establishing its genre. In doing this, we explore an overview of other Ancient Near Eastern literature, noting the similarities and differences between these ancient stories and that of Genesis 1.

Alex and Ben discuss in detail, the load capacity of an Ancient Near Eastern donkey.Thanks for listening! CONNECT with CCFC:Visit us on FacebookVisit our websiteDownload our app!

Is it possible to read the Balaam narrative of Numbers 22-24 cohesively? Ben Wiggershaus says, “Yes,” and part of his solution is in reading the Balaam Cycle in light of its ancient Near Eastern context. Tune in as we speak with Ben Wiggershaus about his recent monograph, The Man of Opened Eye: Ancient Near Eastern Revelatory Convention and the Balaam Cycle (Gorgias Press, 2025). Ben Wiggershaus holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, and is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Ministry at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Is it possible to read the Balaam narrative of Numbers 22-24 cohesively? Ben Wiggershaus says, “Yes,” and part of his solution is in reading the Balaam Cycle in light of its ancient Near Eastern context. Tune in as we speak with Ben Wiggershaus about his recent monograph, The Man of Opened Eye: Ancient Near Eastern Revelatory Convention and the Balaam Cycle (Gorgias Press, 2025). Ben Wiggershaus holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, and is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Ministry at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

Is it possible to read the Balaam narrative of Numbers 22-24 cohesively? Ben Wiggershaus says, “Yes,” and part of his solution is in reading the Balaam Cycle in light of its ancient Near Eastern context. Tune in as we speak with Ben Wiggershaus about his recent monograph, The Man of Opened Eye: Ancient Near Eastern Revelatory Convention and the Balaam Cycle (Gorgias Press, 2025). Ben Wiggershaus holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, and is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Ministry at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Abstract: Political legitimacy is a key concept related to the exercise of political power. Legitimacy was especially critical for “irregular kings,” so named because they were not automatically legitimated by the existing political structure. There are many examples of apologetics from the literature of the Ancient Near East that sought to bolster the legitimacy of irregular kings. The Book of Mormon uses similar apologetics to legitimate its own irregular rulers. The most striking example is seen in the case of Nephi (son of Lehi). Nephi provides dozens of arguments that strengthen his status as a divinely sanctioned king within an Ancient Near Eastern framework. Startlingly, Nephi and other Book of Mormon prophets also seem to have viewed Joseph Smith, the future seer who would bring their words to light, in similar terms. Joseph appears to have been presented as the legitimate heir of the Nephite royal line. The prophecies of the Book of Mormon and Joseph's receipt of the royal artifacts serve to bolster this claim. The post Irregular Kings and Precious Things: Viewing Nephi and Joseph Smith through the Lens of Ancient Near Eastern Kingship first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Send us a textMoses continues his look back.  Veronica explains how covenants and stone tablets were typical of Ancient Near Eastern customs. Then Moses turns the conversation to Israel's call to fearing God, walking in obedience, serving Him with heart and soul and observing His commands.  Our website is The Context and Color of the BibleWe are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | FacebookWe are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebibleWe are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTubeMusic: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutThis episode concludes a four-part series examining slavery, polygamy, and genocide in biblical texts. The discussion addresses remaining questions about the moral gap between Mosaic law and early Christian teaching, arguing that Scripture reflects a progressive moral pedagogy rather than an immediate ideal. The framework employs natural law theory and Eastern Orthodox theology to distinguish between morally impermissible slavery and morally acceptable servitude arrangements, while contextualizing Old Testament ethics within the Ancient Near Eastern cultural baseline from which God drew his people toward eventual Christian perfection.All the links: Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastWebsite: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobsAcademia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:20 Recapping the Slavery Episode 00:08:20 Recapping the Polygamy Episode 00:10:00 Recapping the Genocide Episode 00:11:27 Why a 4th Episode? 00:15:00 Slaying of Innocence 00:19:45 Possibility #1 00:20:30 Possibility #2 00:22:15 Possibility #3 00:23:40 The Rich Man and Lazarus 00:27:30 The Most Troubling Psalm 00:36:17 Lingering Concerns with Genocide 00:42:35 Are the Innocent Damned? 00:46:35 Loose Ends with Slavery 00:53:29 The Law and Moral Progress 01:00:50 Sensitivity of Moral Faculties 01:06:15 The Ideal of the Logos

Have you ever wondered what it really means to be made in the image of God? Genesis 1:27 reveals that being created in God’s image isn’t just about our unique qualities—it’s about our purpose. In Scripture, God appoints humanity to represent His character and authority on earth, reflecting His love, order, and goodness wherever we go. This devotional explores the deeper biblical meaning behind being made in God’s likeness, revealing how we were created not only with identity but also with divine responsibility. Like royal ambassadors, we are called to bring light into darkness, peace into chaos, and God’s presence into every sphere of influence. ✨ Highlights Being made in God’s image goes beyond identity — It’s about living out God’s authority and reflecting His goodness. Purpose and responsibility — We are meant to represent God’s character wherever we live, work, and influence others. A biblical perspective — Ancient Near Eastern kings used statues to represent their reign; in the same way, we represent God’s kingdom on earth. Humanity’s mission — Bring God’s order, kindness, and love into the spaces around you, from your home to your community. Practical reflection — Use your unique gifts not only to build yourself up but to magnify God’s presence and goodness in the world.

Jonathan and Heather discuss the numerous ancient near eastern flood accounts to explore which one holds the most weight and proves itself to be most trustworthy. They discuss the Epic of Gilgamesh in addition to other ANE flood accounts. They also ask the question, is God good by sending a world wide flood? Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.comBecome part of our growing Facebook community Join our "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstcenturyouthministryLike our fan page! https://www.facebook.com/FirstCenturyYouthMin

Jonathan and Heather have a conversation about Ancient Near Eastern cosmologies. They look at the Babylonian and Egyptian creation myths and compare them to Genesis 1. Heather quotes from John Currid's book, "Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament"Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.comBecome part of our growing Facebook community Join our "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstcenturyouthministryLike our fan page! https://www.facebook.com/FirstCenturyYouthMin

Do I need to keep the Sabbath or eat clean to be holy?If Christians don't follow Old Testament laws about clothing and sacrifices, why do some still quote Leviticus about sexuality?Support this show!! : https://www.bibspeak.com/#donateGrab your free gift: the top 10 most misunderstood Biblical verses https://info.bibspeak.com/10-verses-clarifiedJoin the newsletter (I only send 2 emails a week): https://www.bibspeak.com/#newsletterShop Dwell L'abel 15% off using the discount code BIBSPEAK15 https://go.dwell-label.com/bibspeakDownload Logos Bible Software for your own personal study: http://logos.com/biblicallyspeakingSign up for Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=cassianBuild your Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=91448e0438b143e7ad61073df7a93346Join the Biblically Heard Community: https://www.skool.com/biblically-speakingAbout the guest: Richard E. Averbeck, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Semitic LanguagesTrinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolIn 1980 Richard moved back to Grace Theological Seminary where he took a position as a Professor of Old Testament Studies and taught until 1990. Melinda and Richard have two sons (Nathan and Micah) and two grandsons (Levi and Orion). Richard also has an MA degree in Counseling from Grace in 1989. From 1990 to 1994 Richard taught at Dallas Theological Seminary, and then moved to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, where he has been teaching Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern studies for the last 29 years.Richard publishes in the fields of Hebrew and Old Testament Studies (especially the Pentateuch), Biblical Theology, Ancient Near Eastern History, Languages, Literature, and Religion (Sumerian, Akkadian, and Ugaritic), the relationship between ancient Near Eastern Studies and the Old Testament, as well as Spiritual Formation, and Counseling. He is the authorof The OT Law for the Life of the Church: Reading the Torah in the Light of Christ (InterVarsity Press, 2022). What Dr. Averbeck recommends for additional reading: The Old Testament Law for the Life of the Church by Dr. Richard Averbeck

As Paul and Todd continue their series on natural evil, join them as they chat with Nate Labadorf about curses in the Bible. In the Ancient Near Eastern culture of the Bible, curses went hand in hand with blessings. You can't understand the one without the other. As we look to the curse pronounced in Genesis 3, it's important to look even closer to understand how it relates to blessing. Nate takes us through all of these points as we ponder the consequences of the curse in creationism.

Both Moses and God are popularly thought of as the opposite of grace as portrayed in the Old Testament. Exodus 34 tells the story of a God who does measure out justice to his creation, but magnifies his grace far beyond measure. The difference is that of the life-horizons of an individual contrasted with countless generations. Dr. K. Lawson Younger is Emeritus Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His publications include A Political History of the Arameans: From their Origins to the End of Their Polities, which won the Biblical Archaeology Society 2017 Publication Award for Best Scholarly Book on Archaeology, and Ancient Conquest Accounts: A Study in Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical History Writing. He was Seymour Gitin Distinguished Professor at the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, Israel (2012–13). Music credit for this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRCip6D9uxg. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/41OqpXG  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4heGTgb 

Leviticus 20: A Call to Holiness and Consequences for Sin Leviticus 20 is one of the most significant chapters in the Torah, outlining God's moral and judicial laws for Israel. These laws emphasize holiness, justice, and obedience, with a focus on punishments for various sins, particularly those related to idolatry, sexual immorality, and defilement. This chapter demonstrates God's expectation for Israel to be distinct from the surrounding nations, setting a standard of purity that would ensure their survival and relationship with Him. Historical and Cultural Context of Leviticus 20 The laws in Leviticus were given to the Israelites during their time at Mount Sinai, around 1446–1406 BC, as part of God's covenant with them after their exodus from Egypt. Israel had just left behind a society steeped in idol worship, sexual immorality, and child sacrifice. The Canaanites, whom they were about to encounter, practiced many of these detestable customs, including offering their children to the god Molech, engaging in temple prostitution, and committing incestuous relationships. These laws were not just about morality but also about preventing Israel from adopting Canaanite and Egyptian customs. God repeatedly warns the Israelites not to imitate the sinful ways of the nations they would dispossess (Leviticus 18:3, 24-30). The punishments for disobedience were severe because violating these laws threatened the spiritual purity and survival of Israel as a nation. Key Themes in Leviticus 20 1. Judgment Against Idolatry and Molech Worship (Leviticus 20:1-5) “Anyone who sacrifices his child to Molech shall be stoned to death by the people of the land. I Myself will set My face against him and cut him off from his people, for by giving his child to Molech, he has defiled My sanctuary and dishonored My holy name.” (Leviticus 20:2-3) One of the most abominable practices in ancient Canaan was child sacrifice to Molech, a god associated with the Ammonites and Phoenicians. Archaeological discoveries, including tophets (sacrificial burial grounds) in Carthage, confirm that child sacrifice was a real and horrific practice in the ancient world. Molech worship involved burning infants alive in fire as an offering to secure favor from the gods. God declares this practice a capital offense, requiring the community to execute offenders. If the people failed to act, God Himself would intervene and cut off the guilty party, ensuring that Israel remained holy. This law was meant to prevent Israel from following the same gruesome religious customs as their neighbors. 2. The Consequences of Consulting Mediums and Spiritists (Leviticus 20:6) “I will set my face against anyone who consults the spirits of the dead and mediums, and I will cut them off from their people.” Ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Egyptians and Babylonians, practiced necromancy and divination—attempting to speak with the dead or predict the future. Some cultures believed that the dead had insight into the future and could be called upon for guidance. God strictly forbade such practices because they opened people up to demonic influences and diverted them from trusting in Him alone. Consulting the dead violated Israel's faith in God's sovereignty over life and the future. The punishment for this was being “cut off” from the community, meaning exile or even divine judgment. 3. Punishments for Sexual Sins (Leviticus 20:10-21) Leviticus 20 lists severe penalties for sexual immorality, including adultery, incest, homosexuality, bestiality, and other forbidden relationships. These sins were common in pagan societies, but Israel was called to be different. Some of the prescribed punishments included: •Adultery (20:10) – Both the man and woman were to be put to death. In ancient Israel, marriage was sacred, and adultery not only betrayed trust but also threatened the integrity of family and inheritance laws. •Incest (20:11-12, 17-21) – Various forms of incest were strictly forbidden and carried punishments ranging from death to being “cut off” from the community. Incest was common among the royal families of Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, often used to keep power within the family. •Homosexuality (20:13) – The law condemns homosexual relations as an abomination, prescribing death as the penalty. While the surrounding nations engaged in temple prostitution and same-sex rituals as part of their religious practices, Israel was to uphold sexual purity. •Bestiality (20:15-16) – Those who engaged in sexual relations with animals were to be put to death, as this was considered an extreme form of defilement. These laws reinforced that marriage and sexuality were sacred gifts from God, meant to be preserved within His design. 4. Holiness and Separation from the Nations (Leviticus 20:22-27) “You must keep all My decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you will not vomit you out.” (Leviticus 20:22) God reminds Israel that obedience to His laws determines whether they can remain in the Promised Land. The phrase “vomit you out” is significant—just as the Canaanites were being removed for their detestable sins, Israel would face the same fate if they followed in their ways. In verse 26, God gives one of the most defining commandments: “You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.” This principle of holiness (being set apart) is repeated throughout Leviticus. Israel was called to be distinct from the world, not blending in with Canaanite, Egyptian, or Babylonian customs. Historical Impact and Later Biblical References 1.Israel's Failure to Obey – Sadly, despite these strict warnings, Israel later fell into the very sins God condemned. By the time of the kings, child sacrifice to Molech, idolatry, and sexual immorality became rampant, leading to God's judgment through the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 21:6, Jeremiah 32:35). 2.Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Law – In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfills the law by calling people to holiness not just outwardly, but in heart and spirit (Matthew 5:27-28). While believers today are not under the Old Testament judicial system, the moral principles of holiness, purity, and obedience to God remain (1 Peter 1:15-16). 3.The Early Church Reaffirmed Holiness – Paul's letters warn against sexual sin, idolatry, and occult practices, reinforcing that God's standards have not changed (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21). Conclusion: Lessons from Leviticus 20 Leviticus 20 provides a strong call to holiness in a world filled with moral corruption. It reminds us that: 1.God's people must remain distinct from sinful cultures. 2.Idolatry and moral decay lead to divine judgment. 3.God desires a holy people who reflect His character. Though we live under grace through Christ, the principles of Leviticus 20 remain relevant—God calls His people to reject sin, live pure lives, and be set apart for Him.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Join us for a fascinating conversation on biblical imagery. Dr. Michael Seufert, pastor at Mission OPC in St. Paul, Minnesota, and author of the dissertation Of Beasts and Men: A Study of Genesis 49 in Light of Iconography, Metaphor, and Animal Studies, guides us through the rich tapestry of ancient Near Eastern hero culture and its implications for understanding Scripture. We explore Genesis 49, Jacob's poetic blessing, and its striking use of animal metaphors, unpacking themes of violence, power, and divine faithfulness. Dr. Seufert highlights the ambivalence in biblical heroism, contrasting the lion-like strength of Judah with the paradoxical power of the Lamb in Revelation. Dan Svendsen, pastor of First OPC in South Holland, Illinois, also provides his perspective as a preacher immersed in the narratives of 1 Samuel. Together, we examine how the stories of David and Judah resonate with biblical themes of leadership, humility, and redemption, offering additional depth and richness to our understanding of hero culture in the Bible. With insights into the cultural, theological, and practical applications of these themes, we discuss how the church today can embrace the counterintuitive way of weakness modeled by Christ. This collaborative discussion bridges rigorous scholarship and pastoral application, offering profound encouragement for the Christian life. Chapters 00:00:07 Introduction 00:10:04 Michael Seufert's Academic Journey 00:25:47 Understanding Hero Culture in Scripture 00:35:43 The Wilderness of Empire and Violence 00:38:58 Animal Imagery in Biblical Power Dynamics 00:41:29 The Complexity of Judah's Legacy 00:48:20 Lessons from Jacob and David         00:59:16 Embracing Christ's Path to Victory 01:09:23 Conclusion

Join us for a fascinating conversation on biblical imagery. Dr. Michael Seufert, pastor of Mission OPC in St. Paul, Minnesota, and author of the dissertation Of Beasts and Men: A […]

Abstract: The concept of the serpentine seraphim from biblical iconography is discussed in the context of biblical serpent symbology. The association of the seraphim with Ancient Near Eastern kings, deities, and temples is noted. The concept of the seraphim as members of the Council of God is explored, and the possibility of the seraph as […] The post “Upon Thy Belly Shalt Thou Go”: The Garden of Eden Serpent Symbology Based on the Concept of Seraphim first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Theologically Fashioned, I talk with author and Bible teacher, Rachel Booth Smith  about her book Rest Assured, What the Creation Story was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God. This is not a conversation about science. Instead, Rachel asks us to set that aside and become "holy eavesdroppers" as we listen to the creation narrative of Genesis chapter One as an Ancient Near Eastern person would have. Some parts would have been highly offense, while other parts would make ears perk up or hearts lean in.    Rachel is full of God's wisdom and a joy to learn from. Her book and additional resources are linked below.  Website: Rachel Booth Smith  IG: Rachel Booth Smith  Book: Rest Assured

This week we continue in the spirit of Jeremiah with our first reading from Baruch, the man who served as Jeremiah's scribe. In it we find many parallels with the Old Testament and contemporary prophetic literature, specifically the Book of Isaiah. We explore the three covenant types of Ancient Near Eastern culture and link Baruch to Genesis 22 in which God himself is the covenant guarantor. Lastly, we explore the New Exodus theme implicit in our first reading and its clear link to our Gospel and the figure of John the Baptist. (Mass Readings for Dec 8, 2024) --> Join Katie's Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi: https://bit.ly/rome_assisi

Was Adam a real person? Is Genesis just an Ancient Near-Eastern myth or a poem? How can Christian young people deal with facing mockery for their biblical beliefs? All this and more from Simon Turpin, Executive Director of Answers in Genesis UK!

The Mountain E2 — Ancient Israel's neighbors believed that the world originated as a mountain rising up out of the chaos waters. The gods ruled from this great cosmic mountain, fighting battles with nature and issuing decrees that kept the world in order. So how did this surrounding culture impact the cosmology of the Bible? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss what the cosmic mountain meant in the Ancient Near Eastern context and how the biblical authors adapted and subverted this symbol in surprising ways.View more resources on our website →Timestamps Chapter 1: Recap and Intro to Cosmic Mountains in the Ancient Near East (0:00-6:52)Chapter 2: Egyptian and Mesopotamian Cosmic Mountains (6:52-17:54)Chapter 3: Canaanite and Phoenician Cosmic Mountains (17:54-28:17)Chapter 4: Psalm 48: The True Cosmic Mountain (28:17-38:40)Referenced ResourcesThe Cosmic Mountain in Canaan and the Old Testament by Richard J. Clifford“The Common Temple Ideology of the Ancient Near East” by John M. LundquistCheck out Tim's library here.You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music“Are We There Yet?” by The Bridge, Efechto & D. Steele“Lozari” by L'indécis“Lily (Floriana)” by Timothy BrindleBibleProject theme song by TENTS Show CreditsProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Aaron Olsen edited today's episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Does Job convincingly argue against a fixed system of just retribution by proclaiming the prosperity of the wicked, an argument that runs contrary to traditional biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom? Addressing this question, Dominick Hernández gives careful consideration to the rhetoric, imagery, and literary devices used to treat the issue of the fate of the wicked in Job's first two rounds of dialogue. Tune in as we speak with Dominick Hernández about his monograph on the Book of Job, The Prosperity of the Wicked: A Theological Challenge in the Book of Job and in Ancient Near Eastern Literature (Gorgias Press, 2022) Dr. Dominick Hernández is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Director of Talbot en Español. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Does Job convincingly argue against a fixed system of just retribution by proclaiming the prosperity of the wicked, an argument that runs contrary to traditional biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom? Addressing this question, Dominick Hernández gives careful consideration to the rhetoric, imagery, and literary devices used to treat the issue of the fate of the wicked in Job's first two rounds of dialogue. Tune in as we speak with Dominick Hernández about his monograph on the Book of Job, The Prosperity of the Wicked: A Theological Challenge in the Book of Job and in Ancient Near Eastern Literature (Gorgias Press, 2022) Dr. Dominick Hernández is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Director of Talbot en Español. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

Does Job convincingly argue against a fixed system of just retribution by proclaiming the prosperity of the wicked, an argument that runs contrary to traditional biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom? Addressing this question, Dominick Hernández gives careful consideration to the rhetoric, imagery, and literary devices used to treat the issue of the fate of the wicked in Job's first two rounds of dialogue. Tune in as we speak with Dominick Hernández about his monograph on the Book of Job, The Prosperity of the Wicked: A Theological Challenge in the Book of Job and in Ancient Near Eastern Literature (Gorgias Press, 2022) Dr. Dominick Hernández is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Director of Talbot en Español. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Job convincingly argue against a fixed system of just retribution by proclaiming the prosperity of the wicked, an argument that runs contrary to traditional biblical and ancient Near Eastern wisdom? Addressing this question, Dominick Hernández gives careful consideration to the rhetoric, imagery, and literary devices used to treat the issue of the fate of the wicked in Job's first two rounds of dialogue. Tune in as we speak with Dominick Hernández about his monograph on the Book of Job, The Prosperity of the Wicked: A Theological Challenge in the Book of Job and in Ancient Near Eastern Literature (Gorgias Press, 2022) Dr. Dominick Hernández is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Director of Talbot en Español. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

“We have to go back to the very basic thing of understanding our shared humanity. And we've departed a long way from that—even the best of us, I'm afraid. It is just stunning. I mean, we are such a danger to everything we value.” (Marilynne Robinson, from the episode) Today on the show, Mark Labberton welcomes the celebrated novelist and essayist Marilynne Robinson to discuss her most recent book, Reading Genesis. Known for novels such as Housekeeping, Gilead, Home, and Lila, she offers a unique perspective on ancient scripture in her latest work of nonfiction. In this enriching and expansive conversation, they discuss the theological, historical, and literary value in the Book of Genesis; the meaning of our shared humanity; fear and reverence; how to free people from the view of God as threatening; the complicated and enigmatic nature of human freedom; the amazing love, mercy, and long-suffering of God on display in the unfolding drama of the Genesis narrative; and overall: “The beautiful ordinariness of a God-fashioned creature in ordinary communion with one another.” About Marilynne Robinson Marilynne Robinson is an award-winning American novelist and essayist. Her fictional and non-fictional work includes recurring themes of Christian spirituality and American political life. In a 2008 interview with the Paris Review, Robinson said, "Religion is a framing mechanism. It is a language of orientation that presents itself as a series of questions. It talks about the arc of life and the quality of experience in ways that I've found fruitful to think about." Her novels include Housekeeping (1980, Hemingway Foundation/Pen Award, Pulitzer Prize finalist), Gilead (2004, Pulitzer Prize), Home (2008, National Book Award Finalist), Lila (2014, National Book Award Finalist), and most recently, Jack (2020). Robinson's non-fiction works include Mother Country: Britain, the Welfare State, and Nuclear Pollution (1989), The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought (1998), Absence of Mind: The Dispelling of Inwardness from the Modern Myth of the Self (2010), When I was a Child I Read Books: Essays (2012), The Givenness of Things: Essays (2015), and What Are We Doing Here?: Essays (2018). Her latest book is Reading Genesis (2024). Marilynne Robinson received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Brown University in 1966 and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Washington in 1977. She has served as a writer-in-residence or visiting professor at a variety of universities, including Yale Divinity School in Spring 2020. She currently teaches at the Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa. She has served as a deacon for the Congregational United Church of Christ. Robinson was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho and now lives in Iowa City. Show Notes Get your copy of Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson Mark introduces Marilynne Robinson and her most recent foray into biblical interpretation Overarching narrative of God's time vs. Human time Theological, biblical, historical, and literary categories Why Genesis? Why biblical commentary? “Genesis is the foundational text, and God's self-revelation is the work of Genesis.” The expansiveness of the creation narrative from the beginning of everything to two people hoeing in a garden. Elohim and the universal God-name Monotheism and the enormously cosmic assertion of the nature of God From cosmology to granular human existence Amazement and the Book of Genesis “God saw the intentions of our heart and they were only evil always.” Conjuring the idea of a vindictive God—as opposed to a merciful, long-suffering, and loving God “It's hard to wiggle people free from the idea that God is primarily threatening.” The role of fear in sin, temptation, and evil “I think the fall is a sort of realization of a fuller aspect of our nature, which is painful to us and painful to God. But it's our humanity.” From the book: “The narrative of scripture has moved with astonishing speed from let there be light to this intimate scene of shared grief and haplessness. There is no incongruity in this. Human beings are at the center of it all. Love and grief are, in this infinite creation, things of the kind we share with God. The fact that they have their being in the deepest reaches of our extensionless and undiscoverable souls only makes them more astonishing. Over and against the roaring cosmos, that they exist at all can only be proof of a tender solicitude.” Ancient Near Eastern mythology “Meaning cannot leak out of this. It's absolutely meaningful.” Genesis is a “particular series of stories that are stories of the tumbling, bumbling, faithful, faithless, violent, peaceable, loyal, disloyal agency of human beings.” Mystery Theology as a vision, a revelation “The beautiful ordinariness of a God-fashioned creature in ordinary communion with one another.” The impact of Genesis in the history of our understanding of humanity, freedom, relationships, and so much more. Law as a liberation of one another: it limits your behavior and is emancipating to everyone around you. God's patience with human freedom and the ability to go wrong The enigma of freedom “From the very beginning, the Bible seems aware that we are our enemy and that we are our apocalyptic beast.” “Our freedom is very costly. It's costly to us. It's costly to God.” Imagination and the dynamics of freedom “An enhanced reverence for oneself has to be rooted in a reverence for God.” “The idea of the sacredness of God and the sacredness of the self.” Fear and reverence “You are holding in your imagination … and helping us to see, feel, and hear the voices and see the actions of ordinary human beings, who are both (like Psalm 8), ‘a little lower than the angels,' and at the same time, ‘we are dust and to dust you will return.'” Paying attention Marilynne Robinson's upbringing, access to nature, access to books, and plenty of solitude Joseph and the ending of the Genesis narrative: How might the story of Joseph speak to our time? “We have to go back to the very basic thing of understanding our shared humanity. And we've departed a long way from that—even the best of us, I'm afraid. It is just stunning. I mean, we are such a danger to everything we value. We are a danger to everything we value. And the fact that we can persist in doing that or tolerating it … there we are, you know? … We've always been strange, we human beings.” The perplexity of freedom “The way that Joseph understands his history is a comment on the idea of divine time.” “Joseph did enslave the Egyptians.” “There is no bow to tie around anything. There's simply whatever it yields in terms of meaning and beauty and so on.” Matthew 28 and the Great Commission “Christianity sliding into empire” The value of resolution and the open-ended nature of the Genesis narrative Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: AUG 9, 2009Dr. Michael Heiser's teachings were recently criticized in a video by New-Age convert Doreen Virtue. Since Dr. Heiser is no longer here to defend himself against these straw-man attacks, please enjoy this Fringe Flashback from 2009 of Dr. Heiser on A View From The Bunker with Derek Gilbert, as a way to clarify Dr. Heiser's view on the Divine Council, the word elohim and more.The Old Testament is a record of rebellion. Fallen angels, placed over the nations by God after the Tower of Babel incident, led the peoples under their control in a war of extermination against the one nation reserved by Yahweh for Himself.In other words, Baal, Asherah, Molech, Chemosh, Dagon, and the other gods who bedeviled the ancient Hebrews weren't simply constructs of wood and stone; they were real. They still are.Dr. Michael S. Heiser, scholar of the Bible and Ancient Near Eastern languages and history, shares the biblical evidence for the Divine Council paradigm and explains why it matters to Christians today.

Ep.208 Dr. Andrea Myers Achi is trained as a Byzantinist, and her curatorial practice focuses on Byzantine art of the Mediterranean Basin and Northeast Africa. She graduated from Barnard College in 2007 with a BA in Ancient Studies. She thought she would become a Classics Professor but fell in love with Byzantine art and archaeology her senior year during a study abroad program on an excavation in Egypt. Dr. Achi went on to receive two Masters' of Arts degrees from New York University, the first in Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian Studies with a concentration in archaeology and the second in Byzantine Art. In2018, she earned a Ph.D. in Art History and Archaeology from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.  Currently, Dr. Achi is the Mary and Michael Jaharis Associate Curator of Byzantine Art in the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In her role, she specializes in the art and archaeology of Late Antiquity and Byzantium, with a particular interest in illuminated manuscripts and ceramics. She has brought this expertise to bear on exhibitions like Art and Peoples of the Kharga Oasis (2017), Crossroads: Power and Piety(2020), The Good Life (2021),  Africa& Byzantium (2023), and Afterlives: Contemporary Art in the Byzantine Crypt (2024) at The Met and in numerous presentations and publications.  Portrait credit Eileen Travell  Metropolitan Museum https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/afterlives-contemporary-art-in-the-byzantine-crypt https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/articles/2024/05/afterlives-conversation https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/collection-areas/medieval-art-and-the-cloisters/staff-list https://www.metmuseum.org/met-publications/africa-and-byzantium Yale University Press https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9781588397713/africa-and-byzantium/ Center for Curatorial Leadership https://www.curatorialleadership.org/participants/ccl-smh-curators-forum/ Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2024/01/04/africa-byzantium-exhibit-met-review/?_pml=1 Barnard Magazine https://www.bgc.bard.edu/about/news/1003/08-feb-2024-exhibiting-africa https://barnard.edu/magazine/winter-2024/andrea-myers-achi-07 Princeton https://humanities.princeton.edu/event/africa-byzantium-at-the-met/ Church Times https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/23-february/books-arts/book-reviews/book-review-africa-and-byzantium-edited-by-andrea-myers-achi Tiwana Contemporary https://www.tiwani.co.uk/publications/26-africa-and-byzantium-the-museum-of-metropolitan-art/ The National Herald https://www.thenationalherald.com/hacf-presented-dr-andrea-achi-lecture-on-africa-and-byzantium-on-feb-1/  Artnet https://news.artnet.com/career-stories/andrea-achi-1933101  National Endowment for the Humanities https://www.neh.gov/article/marvels-byzantine-africahttps://www.neh.gov/news/disorienting-beauty-africa-byzantium  Apollo Magazine https://www.apollo-magazine.com/andrea-myers-achi-40-under-40-usa-the-thinkers/  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-myers-achi-9b575168

Let's look at one of the childhood classics: Daniel looking a little nervous, circled by hungry lions showing off their teeth and rib cages. This story, and many like it, are often dismissed early on as ahistorical – the narrative resonates, but there's no history behind it. But let's look closer. Let's look at Ancient Near Eastern history and the lion hunts staged by rulers, just like King Darius. Again, the history is waiting for us, and plays an important role in our faith. This and an informative discussion about flannel-graph.

Join us as we discuss the Ancient Near Eastern concept of temple meals and its relation to the Garden of Eden. 

Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee addresses whether the issues Bible readers encounter in Genesis chs. 1-11 are to be (1) mainly regarded as themes of Ancient Near Eastern literature in Israel's Scriptures, or (2) absolute imperatives of the scientific discipline.

From several cultures. Thank you for listening! Please leave a 5 star review, share and subscribe!

The daughters of Akhenaten and Nefertiti were not just "ornaments" for their parents. Like many princesses, they also participated in the religious rituals and royal pageantry of the Egyptian government. In this interview, Courtney Marx (MA, George Mason University) joins us on behalf of the American Research Center in Egypt, to discuss the Amarna princesses and their role as priestesses. We also explore the history of royal women as priestesses and the unique roles they played in the temple rituals. Finally, we explore the aftermath of Amarna: how the visible roles, titles, and imagery of princesses changed following the death of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. The American Research Center in Egypt is celebrating 75 years of work in the Nile Valley. Dedicated to scholarship of the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds, the ARCE supports researchers and students, funds archaeological and scholarly work, and organises many public outreach programs. Learn more about ARCE at their website and follow the ARCE Podcast online and on all podcasting apps. Logo image: Block fragment showing two Amarna princesses (Metropolitan Museum of Art 1985.328.6). Photo by Courtney Marx. Further reading (provided by Courtney Marx): Ayad, Mariam F. “The God's Wife of Amun: origins and rise to power.” In Carney, Elizabeth D. and Sabine Müller (eds), The Routledge companion to women and monarchy in the ancient Mediterranean world, 47-60. New York: Routledge, 2021. Ayad, Mariam F. God's Wife, God's Servant: The God's Wife of Amun (ca.740–525 BC). United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2009. Bryan, Betsy M. “Property and the God's Wives of Amun.” In D. Lyons and R. Westbrook, eds. Women and Property in Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean Societies. Washington, DC: Center For Hellenic Studies, Harvard University, 2005. Pawlicki, Franciszek. Princess Neferure in the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari: Failed Heiress to the Pharaoh's Throne? Études et Travaux 21, 109-127. 2007. Xekalaki, Georgia. Symbolism in the Representation of Royal Children During the New Kingdom. Oxford: Archaeopress, 2011. Troy, Lana. “Patterns of Queenship in Ancient Egyptian Myth and History.” PhD diss., Uppsala University, 1986. Williamson, Jacquelyn. “Death and the Sun Temple: New Evidence for Private Mortuary Cults at Amarna.” The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 103, no. 1 (June 2017): 117–123.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did no other ancient society produce something like the Bible? That a tiny, out of the way community could have created a literary corpus so determinative for peoples across the globe seems improbable. For Jacob Wright, the Bible is not only a testimony of survival, but also an unparalleled achievement in human history. Forged after Babylon's devastation of Jerusalem, it makes not victory but total humiliation the foundation of a new idea of belonging. Lamenting the destruction of their homeland, scribes who composed the Bible imagined a promise-filled past while reflecting deeply on abject failure. More than just religious scripture, the Bible began as a trailblazing blueprint for a new form of political community. Its response to catastrophe offers a powerful message of hope and restoration that is unique in the Ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds.  Wright's Bible is thus a social, political, and even economic roadmap - one that enabled a small and obscure community located on the periphery of leading civilizations and empires not just to come back from the brink, but ultimately to shape the world's destiny. The Bible speaks ultimately of being a united yet diverse people, and its pages present a manual of pragmatic survival strategies for communities confronting societal collapse. Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins (Cambridge University Press, 2023) is a tour de force. Jacob L. Wright is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Why did no other ancient society produce something like the Bible? That a tiny, out of the way community could have created a literary corpus so determinative for peoples across the globe seems improbable. For Jacob Wright, the Bible is not only a testimony of survival, but also an unparalleled achievement in human history. Forged after Babylon's devastation of Jerusalem, it makes not victory but total humiliation the foundation of a new idea of belonging. Lamenting the destruction of their homeland, scribes who composed the Bible imagined a promise-filled past while reflecting deeply on abject failure. More than just religious scripture, the Bible began as a trailblazing blueprint for a new form of political community. Its response to catastrophe offers a powerful message of hope and restoration that is unique in the Ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds.  Wright's Bible is thus a social, political, and even economic roadmap - one that enabled a small and obscure community located on the periphery of leading civilizations and empires not just to come back from the brink, but ultimately to shape the world's destiny. The Bible speaks ultimately of being a united yet diverse people, and its pages present a manual of pragmatic survival strategies for communities confronting societal collapse. Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins (Cambridge University Press, 2023) is a tour de force. Jacob L. Wright is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Join hosts Bill Reel & Britt Hartley on this thought-provoking episode of Almost Awakened as they engage in a profound conversation with Dr. Dan McClellan. With a rich background in Ancient Near Eastern studies and a doctorate in the cognitive science of religion, Dr. McClellan brings a unique perspective to the table. In this interview,… Read More »Dan McClellan: Discerning Between Data and Dogma [Almost Awakened: 179] The post Dan McClellan: Discerning Between Data and Dogma [Almost Awakened: 179] appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

Episode: What do we know about children in ancient Israel, about who they were, the lives they led, and the people in their lives? Kristine Garroway is at the forefront of a new interest in the lives of children, and she draws on insights from comparative Ancient Near Eastern literature, archaeology, and the biblical text to help us get to know them better. Guest:  Dr. Kristine Garroway is Professor of Bible at Hebrew Union College, at the LA campus. She's excavated at Ashkelon, Tel Dor, and Tel Dan, and is the author of Children in the Ancient Near Eastern Household (Eisenbrauns 2014) and Growing up in Ancient Israel (SBL 2018), and has another book forthcoming, The Cult of the Child: The Death and Burial of Children in Ancient Israel (OUP). We'll be discussing Growing Up in Ancient Israel, which won the BAR 2019 Publication Award for Best Book Relating to the Hebrew Bible. Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help OnScript and Biblical World continue by becoming a regular donor.

Dr. Sandy Richter (PhD Harvard) is the real life Indiana Jones. She's an Ancient Near Eastern linguist and archaeologist. She can read original Old Testament Hebrew better than most of us read English, which is probably why she's one of the few women on the NIV Bible Translation Committee. In Part 5 of our Godbreathed interview series, Evan Wickham asks Dr. Richter how she stumbled from lost to believer to leading voice in biblical scholarship. Also, does the Bible demean women and promote slavery (fun fact: she disagrees with Nijay Gupta's answer to this Q from a few episodes ago in this series)? What parts of the Bible still keep Sandy up at night? And most importantly, how does Jesus encounter Sandy through the scriptures?

Tying the Biblical narrative to ancient historical accounts takes years of meticulous research. Here to break this fascinating subject down for us is Douglas Petrovich. He sits down to discuss his outlook on biblical history and exegesis, Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern history, and more…  Douglas is a Professor of Biblical History and Exegesis at Brookes Bible College who brings more than 40 years of experience as a Christian researcher and educator to the table. He is also the author of The World's Oldest Alphabet: Hebrew as the Language of the Proto-Consonantal Script, a book that illuminates the earliest Israelite history in a way that few books have achieved – apart from the Bible itself.  Are you ready to uncover the ancient mysteries of the Biblical past? Jump in now! In this discussion, we cover: The interconnectedness of Exodus Pharaoh and the Biblical story of Moses. Why all Pharaohs who ruled had multiple names. The origins of the Egyptian people. Want to learn more about Douglas and his work? Click here now! Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9