Old Testament
50 pieces filed under this heading on the old site. For a surer way to what you are after, browse by book of the Bible.
Biblical Covenants
Introductory Comments Current discussion on the topics of biblical covenants swirls through theological circles like a Martian dust storm. Two types of theological particulates cloud the atmosphere and blot out light.
Israel Research Trip, Post #15
Due to the amount of information I desire to communicate about Beth-shean, this site will require two posts: this post covers Old Testament Beth-Shean and Post #16 will cover New Testament Scythopolis.
The Psalms: A Primer for Prayer
For six and a half years we worked our way through the Psalter psalm by psalm (Psalm 1 through Psalm 150). After reading each psalm at the start of our Sunday morning class, we then prayed sentence prayers based upon that psalm.
Israel Research Trip, Post #13
Tel Dan No site in Israel combines all the elements that Tel Dan displays: a delightful walk through the forest along the rushing waters of a source for the Jordan River, a high place notorious in the Old Testament, an example of a gateway containing both a judgment seat and massebot, and a Middle…
Israel Research Trip, Post #12
Hazor Tell el-Qedah (Hazor) is one of the most thoroughly excavated sites in all Israel, joining Megiddo with a similar reputation. The site sits about ten miles north of the Sea of Galilee in a well-watered pass between the Sea of Galilee and the Huleh basin.
Expository Resources
Where can I find a resource helping me to access the core truths of God’s Word with theological consistency throughout both Old and New Testaments?
Israel Research Trip, Post #6
Jezreel The meaning of “Jezreel” (יִזְרְעֶאל, yizre’e’l; LXX Ιεζραελ) appears to be either “God sows” or “may God make fertile/fruitful.” Jezreel sits opposite Shunem (1 Samuel 28:4; 2 Kings 4:8–10) and near halfway between Megiddo and Bethshan/Beth-shean with each being about ten miles distant…
Israel Research Trip, Post #5
Megiddo Introduction. Some scholars date the city of Megiddo from as early as 5000 BC. Of all the sites excavated in Israel, this represents the richest of all.
Praying the Psalms: Psalm 13
Praying the Psalms brings songs to the heart. As the psalmist speaks, his words join with the music arising from his harp like incense rising toward heaven. Nothing prepares us for corporate prayer like personal prayer.
Israel Research Trip, Post #3
Timnaʿ The valley of Timnaʿ sits about 20 miles north of the Gulf of Aqaba. The location stands out for its copper mining operations for at least 5,000 years. Only Spain’s southern region of Rio Tinto can claim such a long history of mining metals.
Israel Research Trip, Post #2
Tel Arad Arad sits on the southern border of Old Testament Judah along the ancient caravan route to Edom. When Israel first came to Arad, the Canaanites together with the Amalekites withstood their assault and drove the Israelites as far as neighboring Hormah (Numbers 14:44–45; Deuteronomy 1:44).
Israel Research Trip, Post #1
After one week of research on the ground in Jordan, we turned our attention to Israel for the next two weeks. On our first day, six of us drove a rented van south to the Negev and the Gulf of Aqaba. We went with two purposes in mind: (1) to visit the site of ancient
Jordan Research Trip, Post #11
This final post reporting on my research trip to Jordan includes two sites we visited on our first day. I’ve done so in order to tie together some of the significance aspects of our visit to Gerasa and our later examination of sites in Israel. Elijah’s Hill / Tell Elias In order to identify sites
Jordan Research Trip, Post #10
Where should we expect to find the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? I already addressed this matter in part in Post #9 about Lot’s Cave in the vicinity of Zoar. In that post I used the evidence of the biblical text, of toponomy (linguistics of place names), and the Medeba Map. In addition, we
Jordan Research Trip, Post #9
This particular research trip set as one of its goals the evaluation of three lines of evidence with regard to identifying the locations of Sodom and Gomorrah and attempting to establish chronological timelines: (1) Biblical evidence within the text of Scripture itself as the prima facie evidence;…
Jordan Research Trip, Post #8
Petra Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time. — John William Burgon Biblical Connections Preparing for a tour of Petra provides an opportunity to think about its biblical connections.
Jordan Research Trip, Post #7
Aroer and the Arnon Gorge Most references in the Old Testament to Aroer occur with reference to a fortress on the edge of the Arnon Gorge known also as Wadi Mujib. Such a location fits “crest of a mountain” as the possible meaning of the name Aroer — another possible meaning would be “juniper,” a
Jordan Research Trip, Post #6
Peor Geographical details in the account regarding Balaam in Numbers 22–24 provide information identifying the area where Israel camped east of the Jordan River before entering Canaan.
Jordan Research Trip, Post #5
Medeba Scripture refers to Medeba in lists of cities seized by the Israelites (Numbers 21:30; Joshua 13:9, 16). Joab, during David’s reign, fought the Amorites and Ammonites at Medeba (1 Chronicles 19:6–15).
Jordan Research Trip, Post #4
Rabbah Ammon / Amman Citadel Today Amman serves as the capital of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan. In ancient times it was known as Rabbah of the Ammonites. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods the city was named Philadelphia (honoring Ptolemy II Philadelphos, ruler of Egypt 285–247 BC).
Jordan Research Trip, Post #3
Peniel / Penuel Traveling southward from Haran (cf. Genesis 27:43), Jacob fled from Laban with Rachel and Leah to the hills of Gilead (Genesis 31:21).
Jordan Research Trip, Post #2
Adam When the Israelites reached the Plains of Moab and prepared to cross the Jordan River into Canaan, God miraculously divided the water for the Israelites. When He did so, the waters backed up as far upstream (north) as Adam (Joshua 3:16).
Jordan Research Trip, Post #1
For the first week of December 2019 my travels take me to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with a group connected with Shepherds Theological Seminary and The West Institute. As we visit various sites of significance for biblical studies, I will post a few pictures and a brief description.
Samson and Gaza’s Gates
Over 40 years ago I published “Samson’s Removal of Gaza’s Gates,” Journal of the Near Eastern Archaeological Society 8 (1976): 83–93. Prof. Stan Swinney and I worked on the research for this article a mere four years into my first full-time teaching post in Denver, CO.
Priceless Treasures in Familiar Settings—Psalm 23:1
Priceless treasures of propositional truth reside in divine Scripture. Priceless, because their value exceeds anything this world has to offer. Treasures, because such truths enrich the soul, infuse life with supreme joy, and produce contentment no amount of earthly treasures can supply.
Digging for Truth Interview, June 23
In May Henry Smith of Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) interviewed me on his program, “Digging for Truth.” WBPH TV-60 of Bethlehem, PA works with ABR to make this broadcast/podcast. ABR has made a preview available (click on this link).
The Authority of Scripture in the Book of Jeremiah
Introduction Jeremiah “combined the fearlessness of Amos, the loving concern of Hosea, and the stern grandeur of Isaiah.”[1] The Word of God is one of the major themes of the Book of Jeremiah. “‘And those who escape the sword will return out of the land of Egypt to the land of Judah few in number.
Hallelujah Chorus–Psalm 150
For a week I posted text pictures on Instagram covering Psalm 150 verse by verse. Each slide showed the unpointed Hebrew text and English translation. In case you missed it on FaceBook or Instagram, here are the six slides. May the Lord stir up in you the praise for which He alone is worthy as
Shalom Living for God’s People
In 2014, as part of my participation in the ministries of Abraham Lincoln Foundation of Albania (ALFA), Robb Provost (ministry director) asked me to prepare and present a study about “shalom living” from the Old Testament.
Uncommon Wisdom: Old Testament Wisdom Books
Introduction Overall, Old Testament (OT) wisdom books are fairly anthropocentric (man-centered) since they address the issues of everyday living faced by God’s people. That does not mean that they are not also theocentric (God-centered).
Daniel 11—Amazing Prophetic Accuracy
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself attributed the book of Daniel to the prophet bearing that name (cf. Matthew 24:15). The Book of Daniel itself indicates that Daniel was the author (“I, Daniel,” 8:1).
Daniel 8–Focus on a Key Individual
Daniel 7 repeats the same series of six kingdoms as Daniel 2, but uses different figures to represent them. However, Daniel 8 focuses only on the 3rd through the 6th of those kingdoms. Daniel’s prophetic revelation highlights Antiochus Epiphanes as the historico-prophetic springboard.
The Structure of Daniel’s Prophecies
God’s Kingdom stands out as the major theme of the Book of Daniel. Daniel presents God as sovereign over all the kingdoms and empires of mankind. Prophetic themes include the times of the Gentiles, the time of Jacob’s trouble, the second advent of the Messiah, and the final resurrections.
Bible Expositor’s Handbook–New Testament
Dr. Greg Harris, Professor of Bible Exposition at The Master’s Seminary, has written and published a two-volume series on the exposition of the Bible. WordSearch Bible makes both volumes available at a special reduced rate for a short time.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, October 8
If you plan to make a visit to the British Museum in London, having a guide like Through the British Museum with the Bible by Brian Edwards and Clive Anderson helps to direct your experience.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, October 1
Dr. Eugene Merrill’s A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles is one volume in the Kregel Exegetical Library series. As he explains in his “Preface,” the Chronicler sets forth the history of his people as the last, if not one of the last, writers of the Old Testament.
Messianic Hope and the Gentiles–Thinking Through Romans 15:8-13
Romans 15:8-13 provides us with the apostle Paul’s theology of Messianic hope as founded upon the scriptures of the Hebrew Bible. In this significant text he builds upon the revelation of hope about which he speaks in Romans 15:4.
Blessing–Even in Affliction
Sometimes our lives seem as fragile as a bluebell clinging to its perch on an ancient chapel’s stone wall. The prophet Jeremiah caught the deep emotional pain disobedient Jerusalem must endure as the Lord brings upon her the covenant curses as discipline.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, June 12
Reading the Old Testament sometimes can seem like ploughing through long pages filled with words without fully understanding their importance. Don’t miss the overall meaning, beauty, and power of over two-thirds of your Bible.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, May 29
Dr. Eugene Merrill’s Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament presents the most dependable and readable theology of the Old Testament available today. The stance that Dr. Merrill takes consistently espouses a conservative, evangelical viewpoint.
“Song of the Bow”: A Biblical Meditation for Memorial Day
Memorial Day marks the national commemoration of those American warriors who gave their lives for our nation on the field of battle. We take the time to honor their memory, to decorate their graves, and to remember their sacrifice.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, March 27
When Greg Harris first shared his project with me, I was immediately captivated by his passion for formalizing and publishing what he has taught consistently from his church pulpit and his seminary classroom lectern. The Bible Expositor’s Handbook: Old Testament commences his two-part publication.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, March 13
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament includes Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and some of the Psalter’s psalms. Dr. Daniel Estes’ Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms stands at the head of the list of books written as introductions or handbooks for the Wisdom Books.
Biblical Genealogies: Begetting a Devotional Reading
What do you do when you come to the book of 1 Chronicles in your Bible reading? Skip?–Jump over genealogies without reading. Skim?–Read the inserted headings, but not the text. Scavenge?–Read only the narrative inserts, like the one about Jabez. Squirm?–Read with distinct discomfort.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, March 6
Satellite Bible Atlas: Historical Geography of the Bible provides a very handy guide for any Bible land tour of Israel. Bill Schlegel lives in Israel and has led tours for several decades. The atlas combines modern satellite imagery with a conservative handling of the biblical text.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, February 27
Dr. Eugene Merrill’s Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament presents the most dependable and readable theology of the Old Testament available today. The stance that Dr. Merrill takes consistently espouses a conservative, evangelical viewpoint.
Hebrew Whiteboard Update
Now we come to Psalm 4:6-7 (Hebrew verse numbering) as we continue to analyze this psalm. After one imperative in verse 4 and four imperatives in verse 5, verse 6 adds two more, for a total of seven.
New Book Endorsement
“For nearly a century, only a handful of scholars have published manuals for the exegesis of the Hebrew Bible.
My Recommendations: Book of the Week, February 20
Are you looking for the best reference work for obtaining book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter Bible background information for history, geography, archaeology, and culture? I highly recommend Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (5-volume set) for the Old Testament edited by John H.
Hebrew Whiteboard
Structural or logical line diagramming serves as one of the chief means by which the exegete can identify verse structure in the Hebrew Bible.