The Masoretic Text has “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:8 KJV) 4QDeutj “When Elyon gave the nations as an inheritance, when he separated the sons of […]
What does God made Jesus to “be sin who knew no sin” mean? (2 Corinthians 5:21)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV) The simple answer is, just what it says. This is clearly a somewhat figurative message since ‘sin’ is concept like ‘wrongdoing’. And a human being cannot literally […]
In 1 John 1:1c in Greek is it “The Word was God” (KJV) or “God was the Word” (many modern scholars)?
In 1 John 1:1, third clause, c, in Greek is it “The Word was God” (KJV) or “God was the Word”? In answer to this question we need to first be aware that the rendering “God was the Word” which is found in the Wycliffe Bible (c.1382) is not relevant as Wycliffe was translating from […]
What does God is Spirit mean? (John 4:24)
The sentence here in Greek is very simple: John 4:24 God is spirit (πνεῦμα ὁ θεός) So, without the need for ‘a’ to be added as the KJV does, best reads: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV) Compare two similar God is statements in 1 […]
What is the meaning of the seven unclean spirits (Matthew 12:43–45, Luke 11:26)?
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 […]
Did Jesus “accommodate” to Pharisee beliefs in his casting out of demons? And if so why?
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 […]
Is cannabis mentioned in the Bible?
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 […]
What does it mean Melchizedek was without father, without mother, without descent…? (Hebrews 7:3)
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 […]
In Revelation 13:8 was the lamb slain from before the foundation (NIV), or the book written from before the foundation (ESV), or both?
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 […]
Does the divine council in Psalm 89:5-7 literally exist?
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 […]