In the famous Sermon on the Mount Yeshua said to his disciples “you are salt of the earth…” But what does that exactly mean? Look beyond the usual explanations, focus on the cultural context of his words and consider a…Continue Reading
Posts
Between the Testaments
Protestant Christians call this time the “Intertestamental Period”, Jews call it the “Second Temple Period”. Learn some key facts about the historical eras that lead up to the days when the New Testament was written form these lectures recorded live…Continue Reading
Did Archaeologists Find Pontius Pilate’s Ring?
Anyone who is familiar with stories about Jesus, even those who have never read the gospels for themselves know about Pontius Pilate who ordered the crucifixion. Besides the New Testament Pilate was mentioned by Josephus at the end of the…Continue Reading
If you Forgive the Sins
Have you ever wished you did not hear or see something? What we see and hear is hard to put back into a box of non-existence. Once we experience something we simply cannot put it out of our mind. Basically,…Continue Reading
Mark Kinzer and N. T. Wright on the Meaning of Israel
Dr. Mark Kinzer is one of the most prominent Messianic Jewish theologians. And Dr. Wright is a very well-known author and theologian, a retired archbishop of the Church of England. This video is their discussion on the meaning of Israel…Continue Reading
Roman Dining Room Mosaic in Egypt
Alexandria, Egypt – Ahram Online reports that a team of Egyptian and Polish archaeologists discovered a well-preserved Roman mosaic floor in a house at the site of Kom El-Dikka, which features a small theater, an imperial bath, and a group…Continue Reading
Help for Imperfect Scribes
Have you ever sent an email and then realized that you colossally misspelled a couple of words in your message? I have. And even worse, the grammatical structure of one of my sentences was so backward that I truly wondered…Continue Reading
Sunday vs. Saturday and Messianic Jews
There is a long-standing debate over Sunday and Saturday among Christ-followers, both Jewish and non-Jewish. The institution of Sunday in historical Christianity is a well-known fact and for many Christians, their very identity is tied to Sunday and what it…Continue Reading
The Bethlehem Seal
Back in 2012 some volunteers and archeologists have uncovered a number of important discoveries while sifting through dirt in vicinity of Jerusalem Archaeological Park near Siloam pool. Among the findings was an ancient clay seal (bulla) which was probably used…Continue Reading
A City from the days of David and Saul Discovered
Researchers from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority and Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, believe they have discovered the Philistine town near Kiryat Gat, immortalized in the Biblical narrative. Ziklag is mentioned multiple times in the Bible…Continue Reading
Is Kosher Biblical?
You are probably intrigued. Why would anyone suggest that Kosher is not biblical? Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 articulates what should be eaten and what should not be eaten by Israelites without ambiguity. However, the terminology of Kosher vs. Unkosher…Continue Reading
What Kinds of Fish Were Eaten in Ancient Jerusalem?
Over the past century and a half, archaeologists have excavated a variety of sites in Jerusalem, bringing to light many aspects of everyday life in the biblical city. The examination of ceramic vessels for cooking and serving, as well as…Continue Reading
Fifth Century Samaritan Master Adios Inscription
A new Tzur Natan neighborhood construction in central Israel was proceeded by a dig. The excavation unearthed a rare written record. It points to a Samaritan business from 1600 hundred years ago. The Greek inscription mentions a wealthy landowner ‘Master…Continue Reading
Top Useful Websites for Bible Study
From time to time I get asked to recommend some good websites for studying Biblical texts and for free research resources. So in this article, I decided to offer a collection of links with some brief annotations. If you are…Continue Reading
Aramaic Comics
Archaeologists in Jordan have uncovered a Roman-era tomb decorated with spectacular frescoes (Aramaic Comics) that include some very elaborate drawings. The unique feature of the frescoes is that the titles and descriptions were written in Aramaic, but using the Greek…Continue Reading
Last Supper: Unleavened Bread or Leavened?
Recently, I was asked an intriguing question, “Did Jesus use bread or Matzah on Passover?” I was a bit puzzled at first. Because in my mind, of course, he used Matzah (מַצָּה), the unleavened bread. So I had to clarify,…Continue Reading
Mysterious Hebrew Title
A handful of ancient Israelite inscriptions feature an enigmatic title that has been variously translated as “governor of the city” and “commander of the fortress.” Who was this figure? This late eighth-century B.C.E. bulla discovered near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount displays…Continue Reading
The Symbolism of Doves
Few symbols have a tradition as long and as rich as the dove. A particular favorite in art and iconography, the dove often represents some aspect of the divine, and its use has been shared, adapted and reinterpreted across cultures…Continue Reading