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39
votes
9 answers
In Genesis 22:5 why did Abraham say "We shall return" before sacrificing Isaac?
I was reading the story of the binding of Isaac in Genesis 22 and something confused me. Abraham packs his donkey and brings with him his son and two servants to the hill God had designated.
My understanding is that the mainstream view is that…
Zebrafish
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votes
8 answers
Why is the Septuagint (LXX) significant?
What is the LXX and why is it so noteworthy that there is a Greek translation of the OT? Wouldn't it be better to directly reference manuscripts in the original languages?
Caleb
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38
votes
5 answers
What was Jesus referring to by "the eye of the needle"?
What is the opinion on Jesus's use of the phrase "the eye of a needle" in Mark 10:25:
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed…
Gryphoenix
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38
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5 answers
What does "meek" mean in Matthew 5:5?
Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
What does "meek" mean in the original language? Is "meek" a good translation for the original Greek word?
Richard
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37
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11 answers
What did Jesus likely say in John 8:58?
In John 8:58, the author quotes Jesus:
. ..πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγὼ εἰμί (NA28)
...before Abraham was, I am (ESV)
Many have understood this as a claim to divinity, and some translations render all caps "I AM" to reflect this. The NET notes:
I am!…
Susan
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37
votes
6 answers
Pre-Christian, Jewish interpretation of Psalm 22
How was Psalm 22 understood by Jewish tradition before the birth of Jesus? Was it interpreted messianically? What pre-Christian sources discuss Psalm 22?
jrdioko
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35
votes
11 answers
Arguments for early/late date of authorship of Daniel
What are the most significant arguments for an early date of authorship of Daniel (6th century BC)? What are the primary arguments for a late date (2nd century BC)?
jrdioko
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34
votes
7 answers
Why is Isaiah 14:12-15 interpreted by some to refer to Satan?
Is 14:12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the…
Niobius
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33
votes
12 answers
How is it that Jesus could be "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth"?
This verse is usually interpreted as a prophetic word by Jesus about Himself:
Matthew 12:40: For as Jonas was three days and three nights
in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three
nights in the heart of the…
brilliant
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How can we ensure a given "chiasm" was intentional by the author, and is not merely fanciful eisegesis?
What is 'chiasm'?
Chiasm is a literary technique by which the contents of a portion of text are structured in such a way that they could be laid out in a ">" shape...
A) This is an example of a chiasm
B) which has been reformatted to illustrate…
Jas 3.1
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32
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13 answers
How does Jesus' argument from David and the showbread work?
Jesus defended his disciples gleaning on the Sabbath by retelling a story about David. Mark 2:23-28 (ESV):
One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees…
Jon Ericson
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32
votes
12 answers
What is “sin that leads to death” in 1 John 5:16?
1 John 5:16 (NIV) Emphasis Added
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am…
Richard
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32
votes
3 answers
What are good contextual clues that a passage is meant to be read as hyperbole?
Today in conversation with an atheist we ran into trouble over this passage in Matthew:
Mathew 18:9 (ESV)
And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be…
Caleb
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32
votes
7 answers
What role does the Holy Spirit play in hermeneutics?
Christians believe that they have an indwelling of the Holy Spirit who acts as a counselor and guide, enabling them to rightly understand God's word. A term often used to describe this concept is "illumination".
How does the role of the Holy Spirit…
Caleb
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32
votes
9 answers
What does the prohibition against women speaking in church in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 mean?
In 1st Corinthians 14:34-35 (NASB), Paul says:
34The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own…
jrdioko
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