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Abraham’s world was filled with uncertainty. Kingdoms rose and fell, cities flourished and disappeared, and the future of a family depended upon the survival of its descendants and the land they would inherit. Against...
The Temple Revealed Course starts Sunday, November 15, and registration is now open for this twelve-week study of Genesis 1–11 through the historical, cultural, mythic, and linguistic world of the ancient Near East. Many...
When God called Abraham to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s household, He set in motion a plan that would eventually embrace the entire world. Abraham was called out of the nations...
The ancient royal harem was far more than a collection of women gathered for the pleasure of a king. It was a powerful political institution, designed to secure alliances, produce heirs, expand territories, and...
Every year, as we begin a new Torah cycle, we return to those familiar words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Most approach Genesis with questions about the origins of...
This week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim, opens with a declaration: “You are standing today, all of you, before Adonai your God.” The Hebrew word nitzavim, from the root natzav, means to be set, stationed, or...
The Exodus is generally remembered as Israel’s great deliverance from Egypt. Pharaoh’s power is broken, the sea opens, and a nation of slaves walks out free. From the sea, Israel’s journey turns toward Sinai,...
The book of Samuel opens with Hannah, a barren woman whose anguish becomes the doorway into Israel’s kingship story. Her situation is familiar. She stands in the line of the barren matriarchs—Sarah waiting for...
What does it mean to be redeemed? We often use the word as another way of saying that someone has been saved or rescued. Rescue is certainly part of redemption, but the biblical story...
One of the great biblical themes is “the place that the LORD your God will choose to put His Name.” Moses directs Israel to one location where sacrifices are offered and covenant life is...