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...

Romans, Part 2

By the time he wrote his letter to the Romans Paul was back.  He abandoned all pretense of being concerned about nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.1  His letter began with a history lesson like those he preached at Pisidian Antioch and Athens. ...

Ezra and Divorce

I have gone through similar changes in my response to Paul as those I mentioned in response to Jesus.  There was a time when I thought Paul had written extraordinary claims, statements so exaggerated that they should never be taken literally or at face value.  Not the...