As explained in this answer, many Bible passages use the word “soul” to mean “person”. For example, when God breathed into Adam the breath of life he became a living soul (Genesis 2:7 KJV); when Adam breathed out for the last time he became a dead soul, i.e. he was a dead person. Dead people […]
How is “soul” used in the Bible?
The Hebrew word ‘nephesh’ is translated by various related words – ‘soul’ (428 times), ‘life’ (119), ‘person’ (30), ‘heart’ (15), and ‘mind’ (15). Difficulties arise because, although the meanings are related, they are not exactly the same and even in those cases in which the word is translated as soul there is a range of […]
What did the tithe represent?
A tithe means a tenth. Under the Law of Moses, the Israelites were asked to pay one tenth of their produce and one tenth of their flocks to God (Leviticus 27:30-32). This is called “tithing”. The basic principle in tithing is that everything actually belongs to God, and the giving of one-tenth acknowledges this. If […]
What is the biblical meaning of the number 10?
Some Bible readers interpret many numbers symbolically. Certainly some numbers occur with sufficient frequency that they seem to have meaning beyond their numerical value. For example, the number 7 occurs frequently, especially in the book of Revelation, and appears to indicate completeness of some kind. Also the number 12 occurs often (e.g., 12 tribes, 12 […]
Is it wrong to go to a nightclub?
Well, night clubs certainly are a “den of iniquity” — or at least, that’s how they are mostly used. So keeping away is probably wise: Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away […]
Which passage talks about King Solomon’s decision to cut a baby in half?
This event is recorded in 1 Kings 3:16-28. It was a brilliant method of finding out who really cared for the baby (1 Kings 3:26-27) and is an example of Solomon’s great wisdom, which he received from God (1 Kings 3:12,28).
What did Lot’s wife do wrong?
Jesus chose her as an stark example warning people against an attachment to ‘the old life’ (Luke 17:28-32). Genesis 19:15-25 tells how Lot was led urgently out of Sodom by the angels because it was to be destroyed. The angels told them not to look back or stop (Genesis 19:17). Lot’s wife went with him, […]
Why is there so much evil in the world?
Because there are so many evil people in the world. Usually evil is the product of selfishness and goodness the product of unselfishness. So, if you wish to promote goodness you should encourage people to be unselfish — as Jesus did. Jesus talked about why there is evil in the world and people’s preference for […]
Why shouldn’t people do what they like if it doesn’t hurt anyone else?
People can do whatever they like. God gave us free will. But if people want to be saved and receive eternal life, then they must do exactly what God tells them to do, because he is the only one who is able to give such a gift/reward. That is, they must believe and be baptized […]
Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute?
The idea that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute comes from the account given in Luke 7:36-50 of a woman who anointed the feet of Jesus with her tears and ointment. She is described as ‘a woman of the city who was a sinner’, so this woman may have been a prostitute. Jesus told her to […]