Who — or what — were the Nephilim in Genesis 6?Were they fallen angels? Human-angel hybrids? Ancient giants? In this episode of our new Nephilim series, Dr. Mark Chavalas dives deep into one of the most controversial and mysterious passages in the Bible. From Genesis 6 to 1 Enoch, Jude, and 2 Peter, we explore the ancient context, Jewish tradition, and even Mesopotamian legends to uncover who these beings really were — and why it matters.🔥 In This Episode:➡️ Genesis 6:1–4 explained in historical and literary context➡️ What the Bible means by “sons of God” and “daughters of men”➡️ Why the Nephilim were likely hybrid beings➡️ The role of 1 Enoch, Jude, and 2 Peter in interpreting Genesis 6➡️ Why the early church abandoned the angelic view — and why Mark reconsiders it➡️ Teaser: Are Mesopotamian Apkallu the real-world Nephilim?📚 Why This Episode MattersUnderstanding the Nephilim helps us read the Bible the way ancient readers would have — through the lens of divine rebellion, sacred space, and cosmic order. This episode lays the foundation for a series that will challenge modern assumptions and deepen your love for Scripture’s complexity and depth.💬 Let’s Talk in the CommentsWhat’s your take on the Nephilim? Angelic offspring, ancient heroes, or something else? Drop your thoughts or questions below!Email: [email protected]📚 Books Discussed:The Unseen Realm by Dr. Michael S. Heiser▶️ https://amzn.to/3gQZ7xEIn Search of the Sages of Mesopotamia by Josette Feixner (aka Josette Finkelstein/Fleckner depending on spelling)🎥 Like, Subscribe & ShareIf this episode challenged or encouraged you, make sure to like it, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who loves digging deeper into the Bible.CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro01:19 - Who are the Nephilim04:55 - Genesis 6:1-4 Explanation11:20 - God’s Response to the Nephilim16:40 - Nephilim: Giants or Fallen Ones20:15 - Nephilim Before and After the Flood25:27 - What are the Nephilim27:50 - Understanding the Flood29:41 - Where else do we see the Nephilim32:14 - Insights from 2 Peter35:30 - Insights from Jude46:15 - Overview of Other Views on the Nephilim55:10 - God's Spirit and Humanity1:02:48 - Preview of Next Episode

Episode 13 : Genesis 3:20-24What really happened when Adam and Eve were banished from Eden? Who (or what) were the cherubim guarding the Tree of Life? And what does this ancient imagery tell us about divine presence, death, and eternity?In this final episode of our Genesis 1–3 series, Dr. Mark Chavalas unpacks Genesis 3:20–24 and explores Ancient Near Eastern parallels, the symbolism of the east gate, and the mysterious heavenly beings called cherubim. We also wrestle with massive theological questions about immortality, afterlife, and whether Eden still exists—somewhere.🔥 In This Episode:➡️ Cherubim: terrifying guards or heavenly worshipers?➡️ Is Eden lost—or just relocated?➡️ Ancient Near Eastern views on the underworld➡️ Are Adam and Eve real and archetypal?➡️ Did the Israelites copy Mesopotamian myths?➡️ The significance of the Tree of Life📚 Books & Resources Mentioned:Daniel I. Block - The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24 (NICOT)Othmar Keel - The Symbolism of the Biblical WorldThe Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago – Free online accessMichael S. Heiser - Angels: What the Bible Really Says About God’s Heavenly HostWhy This Episode Matters:Understanding the ancient world clarifies God’s judgment, mercy, and mission. This episode bridges ancient iconography, theology, and modern interpretation, helping us rethink what it means to be human after the fall—and how God makes a way back to Himself.💬 Let’s Talk in the Comments:What’s your take on cherubim? Do you think Adam and Eve were literally cursed—or just redirected? Let us know below!🎥 Like, Subscribe & ShareHelp others rediscover the ancient roots of Scripture.📜 Watch Now and Rediscover Genesis Through Ancient Eyes.#BuriedBiblePodcast #Genesis3 #Cherubim #BiblicalContext #AncientNearEast #Eden #TreeOfLife #BiblicalTheology

Genesis 3:1-19 | Were Adam & Eve cursed? Why did they hide from God? What all happened during the fall of all mankind?In this episode of The Buried Bible Podcast, scholar Dr. Mark Chavalas takes you beneath the surface of Genesis 3 to uncover the ancient meaning of the Fall. From the serpent's deception to Adam and Eve's shame, we explore the cultural, poetic, and theological layers of this pivotal passage. Join us as we unpack the poetic structure of the curses, the theological and historical implications of “dust you are, and to dust you will return,” and how the battle of the sexes begins in Genesis 3.🔥 In This Episode:➡️ Why God asked “Where are you?”➡️ Was Eve “cursed” with childbirth pain—or something else entirely?➡️ Why Adam blames both Eve and God➡️ The curse of the ground and what it means for human vocation➡️ How Genesis 3 brilliantly exposes human nature➡️ Ancient Near Eastern parallels➡️ Is “death” introduced—or access to life removed?📚 Why This Episode Matters:Genesis 3 is one of the most misunderstood chapters in the Bible. By examining its original context, language, and ancient Near Eastern parallels, this episode helps us see the Fall not just as a story of sin—but as a mirror into human nature, moral autonomy, and divine mercy. We uncover timeless truths about sin, shame, and salvation that still shape the human experience.💬 Let’s Talk in the Comments:What surprised you most in this episode? Do you see echoes of this story in modern culture? Do you think the consequences for Adam and Eve were fair? How do you interpret the serpent's role?🎥 Like, Subscribe & Share:If this helped you rethink Genesis, help someone else discover it too! Like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with a friend.#BuriedBiblePodcast #GenesisExplained #FallOfMan #AdamAndEve #BiblicalContext #AncientNearEast #Genesis3 #TreeOfLife #DivineCouncil #Theology #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #BibleThroughHistory

Is Genesis 3 really about a talking snake? Or is something deeper hiding behind the ancient word serpent?In this episode of the Buried Bible Podcast, Keagan Walz (the layman) and Dr. Mark Chavalas (the scholar) explore one of the most misunderstood and theologically loaded characters in Scripture: the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Is it just a snake? A symbol of evil? A divine being in disguise?We break down how ancient Near Eastern readers would have understood the serpent, why Eve doesn’t react to a talking animal, what divination has to do with the story, and whether Genesis is hinting at far more than zoology. This conversation flips familiar assumptions upside down—and may just change how you read the Bible.🔥 In This Episode:

➡️ Is the “serpent” really a snake—or a heavenly being?➡️ What ancient audiences knew about talking animals and divine beings➡️ Why divination, shininess, and wordplay matter in Genesis 3➡️ How the serpent is connected to underworld imagery and cosmic rebellion➡️ The curse of crawling and eating dust: humiliation or mythology?➡️ What “enmity between your offspring and hers” might really mean➡️ Why early interpreters connected this being to Satan—and what the original audience actually understood

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If you’re enjoying the Buried Bible Podcast, help us grow by liking this video, subscribing, and sharing it with others who want to go deeper into the Word.

Why did God place a forbidden tree in Eden — and was it really just about knowing right from wrong?

In this episode, Dr. Mark Chavalas as he examines Genesis 2:16–25 through the lens of the ancient Near East. You’ll discover how the phrase “good and evil” may have carried legal and judicial implications, and why the true issue at the heart of Eden may not have been just moral naivety—but moral autonomy and rebellion against God’s authority.We also dive into questions like, What does it mean to take the place of God in judging right and wrong? What was the real rebellion in Eden? And how does the creation of woman reveal a radical vision of equality in the ancient world?🔥 In This Episode: ➡️ Was “good and evil” a legal concept in the ancient world?➡️ Did Adam and Eve already know right from wrong?➡️ What’s the real meaning of “helper” — and is it subordinate?➡️ Why does Adam naming the animals matter?➡️ How nakedness and shame set the stage for Genesis 3📚 Why This Episode Matters:Understanding the tree, the command, and the creation of woman through ancient eyes reshapes how we see sin, authority, and human identity in Scripture. This isn't just a story about fruit — it's about rebellion, representation, and relationship.💬 Let’s Talk in the Comments:What’s your take on the Tree of Knowledge? Was it about wisdom… or about power?🎥 Like, Subscribe & Share if this helped you think deeper about Genesis.#RethinkingGenesis #TreeOfKnowledge #AncientNearEast #GenesisExplained #BiblePodcast #BiblicalStudies #BuriedBiblePodcast

Why would God create humans from dust — the lowliest material imaginable — and yet call us His image-bearers?

In this episode of The Buried Bible Podcast, Dr. Mark Chavalas dives deep into the ancient Near Eastern background behind Genesis 2. Discover how the ancient world viewed dust, how Mesopotamian gods "created" divine statues, and why the biblical creation story stands radically apart.

🔥 In This Episode:

➡️ What "made from dust" really meant to the ancient mind — and why it's shocking.

➡️ How God’s direct breath of life bypasses ancient rituals of idol-making.

➡️ The royal garden of Eden — real geography or cosmic imagery?

➡️ Why being made from dust and in God’s image is filled with deep irony and purpose.

➡️ How Eden connects to temple imagery and humanity's priestly role.

📚 Why This Episode Matters:Understanding the ancient context behind Genesis 2 reveals the humility and majesty of our calling — we are dust creatures lifted by God's own breath to rule and reflect His image. It also shows how the Bible directly confronted the religious ideas of its time with bold, countercultural truth.

💬 Let’s Talk in the Comments:What stood out to you most about humanity's creation from dust? Do you think the "breath of life" points toward a deeper meaning of spirit and purpose? Share your thoughts!

🎥 Like, Subscribe & Share if you're loving this series on Genesis and the Ancient Near East! Help us reach more people who are hungry to uncover the Bible’s deeper meaning.

#GenesisExplained #BiblicalHistory #AncientNearEast #BuriedBiblePodcast #CreationStory #MadeFromDust #ImageOfGod

What does it really mean to be made in God’s image?

Is it about how we look, how we act… or something far more profound that we’ve missed for centuries?

In this eye-opening episode of the Buried Bible Podcast, ancient Near Eastern scholar Dr. Mark Chavalas takes a deep look into the cultural and historical context behind Genesis 1:26–2:3, exploring what it meant to be made in the "image and likeness" of God—not just to modern Christians, but to the original audience in the ancient world.

🔥 In This Episode:

➡️ What “Image of God” actually meant in the ancient Near East

➡️ The divine council and why God says, “Let us make mankind”

➡️ Why being made in God's image was once reserved for kings

➡️ How Genesis flips that on its head to give everyone royal identity

➡️ Temple imagery, sacred space, and God dwelling with humanity

➡️ The shocking connection between Eden, Jesus, and the Church

➡️ What this means for your purpose, identity, and calling today

📚 Why This Episode Matters:

We often gloss over “made in God’s image” without grasping how radical that claim was to the ancient world.

This episode uncovers the revolutionary theology buried in Genesis—where every human, not just rulers, is crowned with divine purpose. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of your value and God’s vision for sacred space… on earth as it is in heaven.

💬 Let’s Talk in the Comments:

What stood out to you about the divine image or the temple theme? What questions do you have about Genesis or ancient context?

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If this episode helped you see the Bible in a deeper way, hit like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’d be encouraged by it!

#BuriedBible #MadeInGodsImage #GenesisExplained #DivineCouncil #TempleTheology #AncientNearEast #BiblePodcast #BiblicalContext #ChristianPodcast #Genesis126

In this episode of the Buried Bible Podcast, hosts Keagan Walz and ancient Near Eastern scholar Dr. Mark Chavalas explore the historical context behind Genesis 1 and what the original audience would have understood about creation, time, and order. Discover the secrets of creation and some of the 'hidden meanings' behind the book of Genesis.We’ll unpack what “day” meant in the ancient world, how creation stories functioned in Mesopotamian cultures, and whether the Bible was ever meant to answer our modern scientific questions. This isn't just about what happened — it’s about how ancient people saw the world, and what Genesis really reveals about God's character and cosmic order.🔥 In This Episode:➡️ Was Genesis ever meant to be taken as a science textbook?➡️ What did “day” mean to the original audience?➡️ How Genesis Challenges Mesopotamian creation myths➡️ Why the Bible’s account is radically countercultural for its time➡️ What “order and function” really mean in the biblical narrative➡️ What “Good” Really Means in Genesis ➡️ Made in God's Image? 📚 Why This Episode Matters:Most people read Genesis through modern eyes—it’s about reading Genesis the way its original audience would’ve understood it. When we actually read it in light of its ancient historical and literary context, we discover a creation account that’s far more theological and powerful than we ever imagined.If you've ever wrestled with the “7 literal days” question, this episode will challenge and deepen your understanding of Scripture.💬 Let’s Talk in the Comments:What questions do you have about Genesis, the creation account, or the divine council? Drop them below—we may feature them in a future episode!🎥 Like, Subscribe & Share!Help us spread biblical literacy and ancient context to others hungry to know God’s Word more deeply.👉 Watch now and rediscover Genesis through ancient eyes.#Genesis #BiblicalCreation #BiblePodcast #AncientNearEast #BiblicalHistory #BuriedBiblePodcast #OldTestament #CreationAccount #BibleContext #UnderstandingGenesis #DivineCouncil #HistoricalContext #Theology

Was Genesis 1 written as a scientific explanation—or something far deeper?

Welcome to Part 1 of our Genesis series, where we explore the opening verse of the Bible through the lens of ancient Near Eastern history, literature, and theology. Join Dr. Mark Chavalas, a renowned scholar and historian, as we uncover what Genesis 1 truly meant to its original audience and why it was never intended to be a science textbook.

Instead, Genesis 1 is a theological declaration of God’s sovereignty—radically distinct from the creation myths of surrounding cultures.

🔥 In This Episode:

➡️ What Genesis 1 meant to ancient Hebrews
➡️ Why Genesis isn’t a scientific account, but a theological one
➡️ How Mesopotamian creation myths compare to the Bible’s creation story
➡️ The meaning behind “formless and void”
➡️ What ancient cosmology reveals about worldview and Scripture

📚 Why This Episode Matters:

If you’ve ever wrestled with how to interpret the creation account—or want to go deeper into the original context of Genesis—this episode is the perfect place to start. Great for Bible students, pastors, and curious Christians alike.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Got questions or insights? Drop them in the comments or email us—your question may be featured in a future episode.

🎥 Like, Subscribe & Share to help others rediscover the Bible’s ancient roots.

📧 Email: [email protected]
📷 Instagram: [@BuriedBiblePodcast]

#Genesis #Creation #BibleContext #AncientNearEast #BiblicalHistory #OldTestament #BuriedBiblePodcast #UnderstandingTheBible #HistoricalContext #BiblicalTheology #InTheBeginning

📜 Wrapping Up the Ancient Near East & the Context Behind the Bible 📜

In the final installment of our Ancient Near East deep dive, we uncover how understanding the historical and cultural world of the Bible transforms the way we read Scripture. Dr. Mark Chavalas, a leading expert in ancient history and biblical studies, returns to revisit key themes, explore listener questions, and reveal how deeply connected Israel was to the civilizations around it.

From creation accounts and ancient empires to the surprising role of language and law, this episode offers a fresh lens on the Old Testament—one that connects ancient worldviews with timeless truths.

🔥 In This Episode:

➡️ How ancient context transforms biblical understanding
➡️ Why empires like Assyria and Babylon conquered without full occupation
➡️ How Mesopotamian culture shaped parts of the Bible
➡️ The powerful role of language in shaping ancient worldviews
➡️ How Israel’s stories both mirrored and challenged surrounding nations

📚 Why This Episode Matters:

If you’ve ever wanted to understand the Bible beyond the surface, explore the impact of archaeology, culture, and language, or connect the Old Testament to real-world history, this conversation will bring ancient Scripture to life.

👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE to support the podcast and help others explore the buried world behind the Bible.
💬 Got a question? Drop it in the comments or email us—your question could be featured in a future episode!

📧 Email: [email protected]
📷 Instagram: [@BuriedBiblePodcast]

#BibleContext #AncientNearEast #BiblicalHistory #BiblePodcast #OldTestament #BiblicalArchaeology #BuriedBiblePodcast #BiblicalCulture #AncientEmpires #FaithAndHistory #UnderstandingTheBible