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1500 questions
22
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10 answers
Why is there a difference of 100 (or 50) years in the age of the patriarchs at their first sons' dates of birth between the LXX, SP and MT?
The Septuagint (along with the Samaritan Pentateuch) and Flavius Josephus in his Jewish Antiquities allow for about 6 to 7 hundred more years from our days back to the Flood (which accordingly would date back to the 31st century b.c. - there are…
hannes
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Was 'σκύβαλον' (skubalon) profanity?
In Philippians 3:8, Paul uses the word σκύβαλον (skubalon), which is usually translated as "dung" , "garbage", or "rubbish". I've heard that this was considered an impolite word with much stronger force behind it, and that the typical translations…
user474
22
votes
4 answers
What does the term "principalities and powers" mean?
In some translations, I see the term "principalities and powers." To what does this refer?
This will not be exhaustive, but for example, consider the KJV's translation of Romans 8:38-39:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor…
Andrew
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22
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What is Sensus Plenior and how does it impact the field of hermeneutics?
What is the Sensus Plenior view of Scripture?
Without trying to resolve it's ultimate validity or not, what significant implications does the idea hold for Biblical hermeneutics in theory and application?
Caleb
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22
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Why should an altar be made with uncut stone?
God told Moses that the altar must be made of unhewn stones:
And if you make for Me an altar of stones, do not build it of hewn stones; for by wielding your tool upon them you have profaned them.—Exodus 20:22 (NJPS)
Deuteronomy 27:5 includes a…
Jon Ericson
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22
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8 answers
Does Paul refer to his past or present evil/sin in Romans 7
In Romans 7:19, Paul says this:
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ESV
Is Paul talking about "doing evil" in his present, converted state, or in his past, unconverted state, or is this verse to be…
Jack Douglas
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22
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4 answers
Does the original Hebrew support the NLT of Genesis 6:3?
Genesis 6:3 refers to when God set humans' lifespans to (approximately) 120 years. However, the NLT (the translation I prefer) has a slightly different translation for the 120-years part.
Genesis 6:3 (NIV)
3 Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not…
El'endia Starman
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When was Job written?
My question is when Job was written. I am not necessarily wondering when the events in Job took place, nor am I asking when the bulk of the content was written (in the case of redaction) -- though these things may be relevant data points. I am…
Jas 3.1
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Who were the "sons of God" (bene elohim) in Genesis 6:2?
Genesis 6:1-2 (ESV emphasis mine):
When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose.
Who are these "sons…
Soldarnal
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21
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8 answers
Does Granville Sharp's Rule indicate that “God” and “Savior” share a referent in Titus 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:1?
Granville Sharp's rule states that when a clause has two nouns (or other substantive) in the same case, connected by a copulative kai ("and"), that are not proper nouns (i.e. not someone's name), which describe a person, and the first noun has the…
Tony Jays
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10 answers
Why would Jesus look for figs out of season?
In Mark 11, as Jesus is entering the temple he stops to inspect a fig tree to find out if it has any fruit. It doesn't, which Mark tells us is "because it was not the season for figs." Jesus then proceeds to curse the tree, saying "May no one ever…
Soldarnal
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21
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5 answers
What is the meaning of "violence" in Matthew 11:12?
In Matthew 11:12, Jesus said,
"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
Luke 16:16 is often given as a companion scripture: "The law and the prophets were until…
Bob Black
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What did Jesus mean by "be perfect" in the Sermon on the Mount?
I asked this on the Christianity Stack Exchange site, and they told me it would be better here. So I here I am asking it...
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 NKJV)
What is the text commanding…
ByronArn
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21
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3 answers
How can we determine if a text is sarcastic?
What hermeneutical principles help in understanding whether a particular passage is to be understood as sarcastic?
For instance,
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did…
jrdioko
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21
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In Colossians 1:24 what "is lacking in Christ's afflictions" according to Paul?
In Colossians 1:24, I read:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church (ESV)
I'm very confused by this verse. Does Paul here…
Soldarnal
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