Word of the Week No 2: Samaria
The Bible is full of interesting words and etymologies. And, surprisingly often, it actually explains them to us. One example is found in 1 Kings…
Word of the Week No 4: Amen
This is one of my favorite etymologies just because it’s so nice and easy. So, where do we get the word “Amen”? We get it…
Word of The Week No 8: Tortiloquy
Tortiloquy: crooked talk, crooked speech Tortiloquy is a weird word. The only surviving record of this being a word anywhere ever (that I’ve found at…
What on Earth is Mount Zion?
Zion is a fun little word, because it’s got a big ‘ole history of being confusing. The earliest record we have of the word is…
Word of The Week No 9: Hosanna
We only see the word “Hosanna” in two places in our English translations of the Bible, Mark 11:9-10 and Matthew 21:9,15. These examples both happen…
Gilead: The Witness Heap
When reading through the Bible, have you ever noticed how it just lists off the origins of all sorts of words? Often, we can’t make…
Alamoth And Sheminith
In 1 Chronicles 15:20-21 we read: …Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth, 21 and… Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing…
Ophel
In the book of 2 Chronicles, 27:3, we read: 3 He [Jotham] built the upper gate of the house of the Lord, and he built the wall…
The Millo
In 2 Samuel 5:9 we read: 9 So David lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. And David built all around from the Millo…
Selah
In Psalm 3:2, we read: 2 Many are saying of my soul,“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah We’re interested specifically in that last word,…
Why Is It Called The ‘Passion’ Of Christ?
Around Easter time, you’ve probably heard people talk a whole lot about the “Passion of Christ”. Obviously they’re talking about His torture, crucifixion, and death.…
What Was The Hexapla Of Origen?
Origen was an early Christian scholar. He was likely born around 185 and died around 254. Of his many written works, there is one that…
What Are The Dead Sea Scrolls?
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a large set of ancient manuscripts found near the Dead Sea in Israel. They are especially important because they contain…
What Is The Peshitta/Syriac?
In the footnotes to some Bibles, you’ll find references to the “Syriac Text” of the Old Testament. Well, what is that? The “Syriac Text” typically…