Join a Hebrew language cohort with Matthew Delaney: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

In today’s episode, we chat with Bobby about his fascinating journey into the world of biblical languages and dive deep into his work on a Hebrew dictionary. What inspired him to create it? How do we understand Hebrew words beyond the Bible? And what’s the deal with Paleo Hebrew? We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the joys and challenges of putting together a dictionary and how the process shaped Bobby spiritually. It’s a rich and inspiring conversation for anyone interested in biblical studies, language, or the intersection of work and personal formation.

“Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic Dictionary” https://zondervanacademic.com/products/biblical-hebrew-and-aramaic-dictionary

Robert R. Duke, (PhD, University of California, Los Angeles) is a professor in the Honors College and former dean of the School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. He is the author of The Social Location of the Visions of Amram and serves as the director of the Scholars Initiative at the Museum of the Bible.

Chapters
0:00-2:25 Introduction
2:26-8:11 Dr. Kirk’s journey in biblical studies
8:12-11:28 Elevator pitch for Agur
11:29-15:23 Order, Disorder, and Stuart Weeks
15:24-26:11 History of Wisdom Literature Interpretation
26:12-34:20 Agur the Eccentric Genius
34:21-45:40 What is Philology?
45:41-56:31 Difficult title and the genre of Agur
56:32-1:02:52 Humor in the Bible
1:02:53-1:09:07 The Big Picture Flow of Proverbs 30
1:09:08-1:16:05 Reading Agur as Christian Scripture

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠

Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Enroll in the "What is Biblical Wisdom" Video Course: https://hebrewbibleinsights.teachable.com/p/biblicalwisdom

In today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Alexander Kirk to explore his book, Agur's Wisdom and the Coherence of Proverbs 30. Who is Agur, and why does he stand out as an eccentric genius? What can we learn about wisdom literature from the history of its interpretation? And how do we approach the humor, structure, and deeper meanings in Proverbs 30?

Dr. Kirk also shares his journey in biblical studies and gives us a glimpse into the art of philology. Whether you're curious about Agur’s unique voice or how to read Proverbs 30 as Christian Scripture, this episode has something for everyone who loves wisdom literature and the Hebrew Bible.

“Agur's Wisdom and the Coherence of Proverbs 30” https://a.co/d/2xCSGgf

0:00-2:25 Introduction
2:26-8:11 Dr. Kirk’s journey in biblical studies
8:12-11:28 Elevator pitch for Agur
11:29-15:23 Order, Disorder, and Stuart Weeks
15:24-26:11 History of Wisdom Literature Interpretation
26:12-34:20 Agur the Eccentric Genius
34:21-45:40 What is Philology?
45:41-56:31 Difficult title and the genre of Agur
56:32-1:02:52 Humor in the Bible
1:02:53-1:09:07 The Big Picture Flow of Proverbs 30
1:09:08-1:16:05 Reading Agur as Christian Scripture

Alex Kirk joined the faculty of Beeson Divinity School in 2024 to teach Old Testament and Hebrew after serving in global theological education for nearly a decade. He has previously taught in over a dozen countries, at schools like Ecole Superieure Baptiste de Théologie de l’Afrique de l’Ouest in Lomé, Togo, Institut Biblique de la Croix-des-Bouquets in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, and Baptistička teološka škola in Novi Sad, Serbia, as well as helping to launch William Tennent School of Theology in Colorado and serving with Crosslands Training in the UK. Both a philologist and a theologian by training, his academic interests range from biblical Hebrew linguistics and text criticism to poetry, wisdom literature, hermeneutics and theological interpretation of Scripture. His first book, Agur's Wisdom and the Coherence of Proverbs 30 (SBL, 2024), combines many of these interests to present a detailed interpretation of Proverbs chapter 30 as a coherent collection that mocks pride and commends humility as the better part of wisdom. Ongoing projects relate to the relationship of wisdom and law in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism, the role of humor in biblical wisdom and theological interpretation of Ecclesiastes.

As the son of a pastor and an enthusiast for literature of all types, Kirk is particularly passionate about leading church leaders deeper into the text of the Old Testament to encounter God. To thi

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Enroll in the "What is Biblical Wisdom" Video Course: https://hebrewbibleinsights.teachable.com/p/biblicalwisdom

We interview the authors of a new intermediate Hebrew grammar: “Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew.” Dr. Chip Hardy and Dr. Matthew McAffee give insights and methods for how students can learn during the unique intermediate phase of the Hebrew language journey. They also give thoughts for professors and teachers who are instructing others in intermediate Hebrew. 

0:00-2:14 Intro
2:15-6:51 Why an Intermediate Grammar of Hebrew?
6:52-12:26 Challenges of intermediate Hebrew
12:27-22:48 Best method for learning/teaching intermediate Hebrew
23:49-29:02 Inspiration to learn Hebrew
29:03-39:42 Examples that show the need for understanding Hebrew
39:43-44:08 Hebrew insights about Pharaoh’s heart
45:15-54:51 With great (Hebrew) power comes great responsibility
54:52-1:00:13 The balance of reading the text vs grammar
1:00:14-1:05:04 The need for Hebrew in every generation

Biblical Hebrew Cohorts: https://www.patreon.com/c/hebrewbibleinsights/membership?view_as=patron

“Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew”: https://a.co/d/jln0Gnb

Chip Hardy: https://www.samford.edu/beeson-divinity/directory/Hardy-Chip

Matthew McAffee: https://welch.academia.edu/MatthewMcAffee

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

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Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

In this episode Rabbi Eisen shares insights about the connections and differences between Torah and Wisdom in the Hebrew Bible. 

Rabbi Chaim Eisen is joining us from Israel! He has been teaching, editing, and publishing on the Hebrew Bible, Talmud, Midrash, Medieval Jewish Philosophy, and more for over 40 years. In this episode, we talk about the relationship between Torah and wisdom. 

To learn more and Rabbi Chaim Eisen and connect more with his content, check out https://zionbiblestudies.org

Chapters
0:00-1:33
1:34-7:48 Do the nations of the world have wisdom?
7:49-13:12 Proverbs and Torah
13:13-27:37 Interpretations on wisdom and creation vocabulary
27:38-36:13 Why is the Torah the “wisdom” of Israel?
36:14-38:54 Prophets, Priests, Kings, and Sages
38:55-47:43 Complexities of the Priest-King
47:44-57:01 Prophecy, Wisdom, and Philosophy
57:02-1:08:20 What Wisdom Endures?

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠

Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

What is Biblical wisdom? Wisdom is such an important topic of life, and it is critical to think about this biblically. In this special episode, Dr. Nathan French asks Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) questions about the first ever Hebrew Bible Insights video course. Matthew shares why he created the course, the methodology behind the research, as well as a number of insights from studying wisdom in the original languages of Hebrew and Aramaic of the Hebrew Bible.  

Link to the course: https://hebrewbibleinsights.teachable.com/p/biblicalwisdom
Coupon Code for 50% off the video course (expires Monday October 7 11:59 US Central time): WISDOM

Chapters
0:00-3:25 Our first video course!
3:26-7:39 Why a course on wisdom?
7:40-11:41 Following the wisdom vocabulary, not modern categories
11:42-20:14 Biggest surprise in researching biblical wisdom
20:15-25:03 Does Scripture talk about anti wisdom?
25:04-32:40 What is the connection between God and wisdom?
32:41-37:26 Are wisdom and covenant related?
37:27-44:54 What does the Hebrew word for wisdom really mean?
44:55-53:46 The goal of the video course and what comes with it

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠

Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Rabbi Chaim Eisen is joining us from Israel! He has been teaching, editing, and publishing on the Hebrew Bible, Talmud, Midrash, Medieval Jewish Philosophy, and more for over 40 years. In this episode, we talk about the third section of the Hebrew Bible called the “Ketuvim” or the “Writings.” The order of the books of the Hebrew Bible are very different from the order that many experience in Bibles in Christian communities. The way that books are grouped can impact how we interpret the books themselves. Learning about very old traditions of the Hebrew order can yield interesting insights for those engaging with the Hebrew Bible. We give special attention to Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Chronicles, and even talk about the Holy Spirit in Rabbinic tradition. 

To learn more and Rabbi Chaim Eisen and connect more with his content, check out https://zionbiblestudies.org

Chapters
0:00-1:45 Intro
1:46-11:40 Why a different order?
11:41-18:56 Why Psalms, Job, and Proverbs are connected
18:57-23:00 Two essential levels of meaning in Scripture
23:01-34:23 How authoritative are the Writings compared to the rest of the Hebrew Bible?
34:24-42:50 What makes the “Megillot” special?
42:51-49:36 The placement of Ruth
49:37-1:05:00 The value of Chronicles
1:05:01-1:19:31 Rabbinic tradition and the Holy Spirit
1:19:32-1:20:32 Conclusion

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠

Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_hebrewbibleinsights/⁠

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Dr. Douglas K. Smith gives a presentation based on his PhD dissertation in which he does a blended discourse analysis of the flood account in both the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) and Greek Septuagint (LXX). His goal is to validate a holistic methodology that can 1) discern the structure, coherence, and communicative purpose of the discourse and 2) compare the versions to reveal and assess the translation strategies of the translator of Greek Genesis. The presentation is followed by questions from Matthew Delaney and Dr. Nathan French.

Dr. Smith is a Professor, Researcher, and Speaker with a PhD in Biblical Studies from Columbia International University. 

Be sure to check out Dr. Smith’s YouTube channel: Studying the Biblical Languages. The goal of his YouTube channel is “Encouraging and equipping people on the journey to learn the languages of the Bible: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek”

If you would like to contact Dr. Smith about his research: [email protected]

Chapters
0:00-2:56 Intro
2:57-37:30 Dr. Smith’s presentation
37:31-40:49 Our reaction to the presentation
40:50-44:25 The impact of Dr. Smith’s research on his view of LXX
44:26-48:48 Devotional insights from research
48:49-52:46 Authorship of the flood story
52:47-55:43 Chiastic structure in the flood story
55:44-59:04 Words of wisdom from Dr. Smith

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

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Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

What does the Bible have to say about wisdom? Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) discusses a part of Scripture where the English word for wisdom might not show up even though the Hebrew word does appear. This teaching has implications for how we understand Exodus, how we approach career, and has a challenging and encouraging message about our God given gifts and callings.

Stay tuned for an upcoming video course on Biblical wisdom!

Chapters
0:00-3:00 Intro
3:01-6:17 The Two Halves of Exodus
6:18-10:43 Wisdom and Skill
10:44-15:61 (16:01) The Spirit and the Gifts
16:02-22:18 Wide Range of Wisdom
22:19-29:51 Wisdom and the Kingdom of God

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

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Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

We have a conversation with Chad Bird inspired by his new book “Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament.” How do we summarize the Hebrew Bible in a way that is engaging and helpful? How do read difficult Psalms? How do we see Christ in the Hebrew Bible? We talk about all of this and more in today’s episode. 

Chad’s Book: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781956658866-hitchhiking-with-prophets

Chad’s Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hitchhiking-Prophets-Through-Salvation-Testament-ebook/dp/B0CZQ56S2D?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. Chad has authored several books, speaks regularly at conferences and congregations, and cohosts the popular podcast, “40 Minutes in the Old Testament.” Chad and his wife Stacy make their home in Texas, where they have been blessed with four children and three grandchildren.

Chapters
0:00-1:27 Intro
1:28-7:37 The Goal of the Book
7:38-12:06 How to Summarize the Hebrew Bible well
12:07-19:14 Why Hitchhiking and Why Prophets?
19:15-26:18 How Do We See Jesus Christ in the Hebrew Bible?
26:19-32:42 Making Sense of YHWH and Christ
32:43-38:48 Reading Difficult Psalms
38:49-44:07 The Story of the Intertestamental Period
44:08-52:55 Scripture, Tragedy, and Coming Home
52:56-56:12 Jacob, Joseph, and David
56:13-59:26 Upcoming Hermeneutics 101

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠

Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Habakkuk 3 is one of the most unique chapters of all the poetic prophets in the Hebrew Bible. The content and literary genre are both unexpected twists in this powerful book. Matthew Delaney (MA Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) shares Hebrew language insights from this chapter, reading the chapter in Hebrew along with his own translation with commentary. 

Chapters
0:00-0:54 Intro

0:55-7:08 Overview of Habakkuk

7:09-10:06 Hebrew Reading - Habakkuk 3

10:07-14:49 Verse 1 - Staggering Verse

14:50-21:08 In Wrath or Trembling?

21:09-26:30 When and Where is the storm of God?

26:31-30:09 The Storm of God

30:10-40:02 The LORD, the Sea, and the Creation of Israel

40:03-46:29 The Song of Habakkuk

Join the Hebrew Bible Book Club ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDA⁠

Podcast Platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268028/share

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TikTok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights⁠

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Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com