Recent trends in the interpretation of the Tower of Babel narrative have focused on the use of ancient Near Eastern parallels. For example, in their 2018 work The Lost World of the Flood, Tremper Longman and John Walton write, “the tower was a ziggurat–of that there is little doubt,” (130). Additionally, Andrew Giorgetti argues that … Read more
Biblical scholars have differing interpretations regarding the ultimate purpose of Ecclesiastes. However, one theme that has not been fully explored is”grasping.” In this paper, I propose the theme of grasping and how it ultimately connects to the New Testament and Christ. The search for the meaning of life is a timeless pursuit. The book of … Read more
Ecclesiastes 3:1–15 presents a poetic structure of the cycles of human existence followed by a brief commentary explaining that, within these transient cycles, God has set eternity on man’s heart. The rhetorical question in Ecclesiastes 3:9 suggests that man’s “toil” is included in the transience of life’s seasons, and Qoheleth concludes that it is a … Read more
Handbooks on hermeneutics and commentaries on Proverbs have trained readers to interpret any proverbial promises as merely probable patterns. A scholarly consensus asserts that proverbs are general truths, not laws. Some readers are relieved to know that Prov 22:6 does not condemn good parents whose children turned out bad, because the proverb was never a … Read more
The account of YHWH’s dynastic promise to David in 2 Sam 7 (= 1 Chr 17) is a watershed moment in salvation history and a focal point in biblical theology. Understandably, most interpreters give special attention to YHWH’s oracle in vv. 4–17 (= 1 Chr 17:4–15). However, the response in vv. 18–29 (= 1 Chr … Read more
The rhetorical function of Isaiah 1–66 has received limited attention with scholars more interested in examining the rhetoric of themes or sections rather than the book. While some refer to Isaiah’s structure to support a rhetorical function of ‘repentance and reconciliation’ (O’Connell) or ‘envisioning the future’ (Conrad), greater attention needs to be given to Isaiah’s … Read more
This paper explores the motif of the sight of God in the book of Exodus, focusing on the nature of the sight of God—especially in chapters 24 and 33—and how it relates to the rest of the canon of Scripture. It argues that Moses’s sight of God is a type of spiritual vision that will … Read more
It is common for students of the Bible – including believers – to minimize the importance of love in the Old Testament. This is unfortunate and incorrect because the love of God is an essential teaching that permeates both parts of the Bible. This essay will focus on the Psalter – the “little Bible” of … Read more
The proposed paper would deal with Elijah’s ascension into heaven as recorded in 2 Kings 2. My thesis statement is that this event was instructive for the people of Elijah’s and Elisha’s day, and that it is instructive for us today. On the basis of the prophet’s assumption there will be discussion of the following: … Read more
A survey of the literature demonstrates how the understanding of typology has developed in the last twenty years. The scholarly debate is still quite divided about the nature of typology, its application, and relevance for Christians today. Two major approaches have been identified. The traditional approach is split mostly between prospectivists and retrospectivists. The first … Read more