The significance that the book of Ruth plays in the story of the Messiah can be seen clearly at the end of the book, with the genealogy connecting the child given to Naomi through Ruth to David. This is routinely noted by biblical theologians, seen recently in T. D. Alexander (1998), Kaiser (2008), and Schreiner … Read more
The term ‘Semitism’ has long accompanied analyses of the language of the Septuagint and, by extension, of the New Testament. However, the criteria for determining a Semitism are unclear. For Moulton, Semitisms of vocabulary are nothing more than ‘correct Greek’ used with greater frequency than normal owing to ‘the accident of their answering to Hebrew … Read more
The Biblia Hebraica Quinta series recently published its edition of the book of Job in the Fall of 2024. This publication furnishes the opportunity to review the aims of BHQ and the new Job edition. Specifically, this presentation will evaluate BHQ Job’s use of Old Greek Job and the Hexaplaric remains of Job within its … Read more
I was unable to attend and present last year due to a university requirement, so I am resubmitting that proposal that was accepted. Genesis 1-2 depicts an idyllic world in which humans occupy the prominent place of bearing God’s image and ruling over all creation. Notably, God creates these image-bearers as “male and female” (Gen … Read more
The go’el custom which has been investigated from sociological and anthropological perspectives contains rich implications for leaders today. I previously argued that “the go’el custom, as reflected in Ruth, depicts an established custom wherein the redemption of property was merged with the practice of levirate marriage” (p. 237). This current proposal builds upon that work … Read more
Every death in Scripture conveys a message with purpose, and this study seeks to consider the function of the portrayal of Moses’s death in Deuteronomy 34. Lloyd Bailey has defined “bad” deaths as those that are premature or violent, but T. Desmond Alexander has countered that what distinguishes “good” from “bad” deaths is whether the … Read more
This paper explores the discourse structures of Job 41 in the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Old Greek translations, with a particular focus on the depiction of Leviathan. The discourse features in the MT and the OG translations emphasize Job’s inability to conquer Leviathan. Additionally, the discourse features in the OG provide insight into the … Read more
The Hebrew Scriptures depict a change in relationship between man and woman after humanity sinned in the Garden of Eden. The nature and implications of this change hinge on the interpretation of Gen 3:16 and, specifically, the meaning of תשוקה—the “desire” as found in the divine judgment on Eve (as wife). Definitions like “inclination,” “turn/return,” … Read more
From the cosmic trees in the garden of Eden, to the cursed tree of the cross of Christ, to the tree of life in the Revelation, trees stand as silent witnesses to God’s unfolding plan of salvation within the storyline of the biblical narrative. In this paper I seek to demonstrate how tree imagery is … Read more
Many scholars interpret “the sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 as spiritual beings, fallen or otherwise, and “the Nephilim” as their half-human, colossal offspring, but such an interpretation stands completely opposed to exegeting the text with a literal, grammatical-historical hermeneutic. This study will carefully demonstrate through the surrounding context of Genesis, and the Pentateuch collectively, … Read more