Study: Luke 4:18-19

This is an Addendum to Romans, Part 45. Now Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom.  He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.  He unrolled the scroll...

Jesus the Leg-breaker, Part 1

“Jesus the leg-breaker” is a more persistent tale than I expected.  I decided not to give it short shrift. I am the beautiful shepherd,[1] Jesus said.  Did He mean to turn my attention to Him or to human shepherds?  Do I know Him through the Bible?  Or should I study...

My Reasons and My Reason, Part 7

I am persuaded that the primary meaning of πορνεία in the New Testament refers to ancient idolatrous worship practices.  It can be stretched to mean adultery in general (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 NET Table): For this is God’s will: that you become holy, that you keep away...

Forgiven or Passed Over? Part 2

I studied ʽâbar through Genesis.  Nothing so far justifies translating it forgiven in Nathan’s response to David’s confession—Yes, and the Lord has forgiven (ʽâbar, העביר; Septuagint: παρεβίβασεν) your sin.[1]  But ʽâbar kept some evocative company for anyone studying...

Appendix 1

pânı̂ym – Genesis Reference Hebrew NET NKJV Septuagint Genesis 1:2 פני surface of the watery deep face of the deep ἐπάνω (above) Genesis 1:2 פני surface of the water face of the waters ἐπάνω (above) Genesis 1:20 פני across the expanse of the sky face of the...

Deuteronomy, Part 1

I intend to do a detailed study of Deuteronomy.  It coincided with my reading of an article in Newsweek, but I don’t know yet if that is anything more than a coincidence.  This is what Moses said to the assembly of Israel in the Transjordanian wastelands,[1] the book...