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Before the Tower of Babel did all speak Hebrew as the original human language?
I find it fascinating that rabbinic literature suggests that Hebrew was the original human language. I have seen Christian authors also argue the same.
For example, from the Jewish Encyclopedia:
The confounding of the languages—before that they all…
Mike
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What are the seven middoth (Hillel's rules for interpretation)?
The "middoth" were Rabbi Hillel's rules for interpretation. There are seven of them. What are they? Please list them and include one or two clear examples for each.
Jas 3.1
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Was the word ἐπιούσιον used prior to the Lord's prayer? What does it mean?
The word ἐπιούσιον has been translated in numerous ways, but the greatest modern consensus is to translate the word as 'daily.' Was the word ἐπιούσιον used prior to the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3)? What does it mean?
Dan
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Was nûn deleted from Psalm 145 in the Masoretic Text?
Psalm 145 is an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet, except that in most of the MT manuscripts verse 13b is missing along with therefore the letter nûn. The ESV renders it like this:
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion…
Soldarnal
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What is the difference in meaning between the phrases «Χριστός Ἰησοῦς» (“Christ Jesus”) and «Ἰησοῦς Χριστός» (“Jesus Christ”)?
In the New Testament, sometimes the authors use «Χριστός Ἰησοῦς» (“Christ Jesus”), where «Χριστός» precedes «Ἰησοῦς»,1 yet other times they use «Ἰησοῦς Χριστός» (“Jesus Christ”).2
What is the difference in meaning, if any?
If there is no difference…
Der Übermensch
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What does it mean to convict the world concerning righteousness?
In John 16:8-11, we read (emphasis mine):
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the…
Soldarnal
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In John 14:2, what is Jesus' Father's house?
In John 14:2, Jesus tells his disciples:
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (NIV)
What is Jesus referring to by "my Father's house?" Would the disciples have…
Soldarnal
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In Luke 11:42 and Matthew 23:23 did Jesus endorse tithing for all when addressing the Pharisees?
Here's the text of Luke 11:42:
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (ESV)
And Matthew 23:23:
“Woe to you,…
cdjc
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How is literary dependence or relationship established?
I see many claims that texts are related to or dependent upon each other in many publications. For example:
Although Paul did not write Hebrews, the text possesses a crucially important relationship to Paul's undisputed letters nonetheless. The…
swasheck
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Why did God specifically target the firstborn in the 10th plague (Exodus 12:29-36)?
What was so special about the firstborn of Egypt that God decided to kill them, to bring judgement on Pharaoh and Egypt for their sins against the Israelites? Why not just kill anybody who supported the Pharaoh's pro-Israelite slavery policies?
Did…
AngelusVastator
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Does Theophilus of Antioch's statement have any bearing on interpreting Mathew 5:28?
I found a quote on this site which calls into question the accuracy of Matthew 5:28 in the KJV according to a quotation of Theophilus of Antioch:
"ἡ δὲ εὐαγγέλιος φωνὴ ἐπιτατικώτερον διδάσκει περὶ ἁγνείας λέγουσα· “Πᾶς ὁ ἰδὼν γυναῖκα ἀλλοτρίαν…
Thomas Kemper
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How did authorities know that Paul was really a Roman citizen?
A previous answer to a different question ventured into the territory of my question here, quoting from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (which in turn, cited from some commentaries) that some type of certificate was often given to…
ScottS
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In what way was Jesus' prayer heard (Hebrews 5:7)?
Hebrews 5:7 (ESV):
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Do the "prayers and…
Soldarnal
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What did Jesus mean by "on this rock, I will build my church"?
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
What does Jesus mean by "on this rock, I will build My church"? One interpretation has that Peter is…
phil-al-sophy
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Why the definite article in 'Abba, Father'?
In both Jesus' prayer :
Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee. Mark 14:36. [KJV.]
and in Paul's epistles :
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,…
Nigel J
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