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What is the meaning of the seven unclean spirits (Matthew 12:43–45, Luke 11:26)?

Answered by Bible Q · 27 March 2023 · Add Comment
Matthew 12:43–45 43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits [...]
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Did Jesus “accommodate” to Pharisee beliefs in his casting out of demons? And if so why?

Answered by Bible Q · 27 March 2023 · Add Comment
The accommodation explanation for Jesus’ readiness to use both the language and acts of Pharisee exorcism practice is discussed below in a chapter taken from ‘Studies in the Gospels’ by Harry Whittaker. A fuller answer and additional references may be added here in due course. 30. Demons The synoptic gospels recount a considerable number of [...]
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Is cannabis mentioned in the Bible?

Answered by Bible Q · 21 March 2023 · Add Comment
No. This claim was made by a Polish folk anthropologist Sula Benet in 1936 based on the superficial resemblance of the Hebrew term qaneh bosom (aromatic cane, sugar cane) to the Ancient Greek word for hemp κάνναβις (kánnabis).  Neither of which terms meant cannabis. Benet was not a qualified linguist or Hebraist and her claim [...]
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What does it mean Melchizedek was without father, without mother, without descent…? (Hebrews 7:3)

Answered by Bible Q · 7 March 2023 · Add Comment
The word ‘without descent’ here (Greek ἀγενεαλόγητος agenealogētos) is an adjective really meaning ‘without genealogy’. So the issue is that Melchizedek was not given any genealogy in Genesis. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. (Hebrews [...]
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In Revelation 13:8 was the lamb slain from before the foundation (NIV), or the book written from before the foundation (ESV), or both?

Answered by Bible Q · 5 March 2023 · Add Comment
In Revelation 13:8 was the lamb slain from before the foundation (NIV), or the book written from before the foundation (ESV), or both? The Greek text is as follows: 13:8  καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν αὐτῷ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ;  ὧν οὗ γέγραπται τὰ ὄνοματα ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου ἐσφαγμένου ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου 13:8 kaí proskynísousin autó pántes oi katoikoúntes epí tís gís ; ón oú gégraptai tá ónomata en te bíbloi tes zoes toú arníou esfagménou [...]
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Does the divine council in Psalm 89:5-7 literally exist?

Answered by Bible Q · 1 March 2023 · Add Comment
Psalm 89:5-7 employs Ancient Near East language of a court of the gods in heaven. Or more accurately the court of One God, since Jewish religion is strictly monotheistic. So in this court there is one God, YHWH, and a surrounding court of courtiers, much like the court of an absolute monarch on earth. 5 Let the [...]
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Why does Christ commend the unjust steward for defrauding his master? (Luke 16:8)

Answered by Bible Q · 25 February 2023 · Add Comment
Although the parable of the dishonest manager is sometimes read literally, particularly by churches promoting the idea that the church or its ministers should be shrewd in financial matters, it is often missed that Jesus explains the parable in verse 15 where he identifies the laughing Pharisees as the target of the parable. The text [...]
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Who or what is Belial?

Answered by Bible Q · 14 January 2023 · Add Comment
Old Testament The Hebrew phrase wicked men, literally “Sons of Belial” is an expression rendered literally in older English Bibles so for example: Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; (Deuteronomy 13:3 KJV) [...]
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What does the Escape-Goat, Azazel, mean in Leviticus 16:8?

Answered by Bible Q · 31 December 2022 · Add Comment
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. (Leviticus 16:8 KJV) The reading Azazel is found is several modern English translations: ESV NRSV. The KJV reading is retained in NIV NASB. And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot [...]
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“strain at a gnat and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24)

Answered by Bible Q · 31 December 2022 · Add Comment
“You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” (Matthew 23:24 ESV) Many people have heard the claims that Jesus’ saying about a camel through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24)  could have been ‘rope’ not camel in Aramaic when supposedly Jesus originally said it. But there is no real evidence for [...]
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