Hebrew Bible Insights

Acts 7 is one of the clearest summaries of the big picture story of Scripture. In this episode, Matthew walks through the final words of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, to see how he summarizes the story of the Old Testament. He also reflects on how this speech can inspire and guide us in our own walk with God.

Chapters
0:00-5:31 Introduction
5:32-29:57 Acts 7 with Commentary
29:58-40:40 Devotional Insights

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Nehemiah 9 is one of the clearest summaries of the big picture story of Scripture in the Old Testament. In this episode, Matthew walks through the prayer of Nehemiah 9 and shows how it retells the story of the Old Testament. He also reflects on how this prayer teaches us to confess sin, remember God’s faithfulness, and see our lives within the larger story of the Gospel. 

Chapters

0:00-8:54 Introduction

8:55-32:07 Nehemiah 9 with Commentary

32:08-50:15 Devotional Insights

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What does Elijah’s ascension have to do with the ascension of Jesus? In this episode, Matthew (MA in Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) explores 2 Kings 2 alongside Luke 24 and Acts 1, tracing how these two stories illuminate one another and deepen our understanding of Christ, the Church, and the Holy Spirit.

Chapters
0:00-2:13 Intro
2:14-12:29 Ascension of Jesus
12:30-35:02 Ascension of Elijah
35:03-44:45 Bonus Insight

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What do wisdom and the temple have to do with each other? In this episode, we explore one of the most fascinating overlaps in the story of Scripture. From creation as God’s cosmic temple to Solomon building the temple in wisdom, from Proverbs 8 to Exodus 40, we trace how God orders the world in wisdom and dwells with His people in sacred space. We also reflect on how these themes come together in Jesus—the true image and true temple—and what it means for us as those being built up into a spiritual house. This conversation invites us to see the Bible as one unified story and to consider how wisdom, worship, and vocation shape our lives today.

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Psalm 149 might just change how you read the entire Book of Psalms. In this episode, Matthew (MA in Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) explores a powerful connection between the opening psalms and the closing chapters of the Psalter. Psalm 1 invites us into the way of righteousness, Psalm 2 depicts the rebellion of the nations against the Lord and His Anointed, and Psalm 149 brings those same themes to a dramatic conclusion. We trace the story of rejection, warning, patience, and ultimately judgment—while also seeing how these psalms point us to Jesus and the hope given to the humble. This conversation invites us to read the Psalms as one unified story and to reflect on what that story means for our lives today.

Chapters
0:00-13:08 Psalms 1-2
13:09-33:43 Psalm 149

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Daniel 4 is one of the most surprising and underrated chapters in the Bible. In this episode, Matthew (MA in Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) and Dr. Nathan French (PhD in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East) walk through this wild and deeply edifying story line by line, exploring Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream, Daniel’s bold counsel, the mysterious “watchers,” and the king’s humbling descent into madness. Along the way, we uncover foundational biblical themes: the danger of arrogance, the necessity of humility, God’s kingship over the universe, and His persistent desire to lead people toward repentance and restoration. Daniel 4 reminds us that no one is too far gone for God’s mercy—not even the king of Babylon—and shows how true repentance leads to restoration and renewed allegiance to God. This chapter is both gripping and accessible, making it an incredible text for personal study, church teaching, and small groups.

Chapters
0:00-4:52 Intro
4:53-11:42 Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
11:43-20:31 Why is the king of Babylon a great tree?
20:32-23:29 Daniel’s Counsel
23:30-26:29 The “Watchers”
26:30-35:55 Why the punishment of becoming like an animal?
35:56-48:51 Incredible Repentance and Restoration

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The Book of Psalms is far more than ancient poetry—it’s the prayerbook of the Church and a vital guide for encountering Jesus. In this episode, we interview Chad Bird, author and scholar who specializes in teaching the Old Testament to Christians. We ask a variety of questions related to his newest book "Untamed Prayers." We explore why the Psalms are essential for Christians today. We discuss how the New Testament interprets the Psalms, the connection between David and Jesus, and how to see Christ even in Psalms that aren’t quoted in the New Testament. We also talk about the beauty of reading the Psalms in Hebrew, the intentional structure of the book, and how the Church Fathers used the Psalms for formation and devotion. From wrestling with the language of enemies to learning how to pray through every season of life, this episode is a call to dive deeper into the Psalms and meet Jesus there.

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God.

Untamed Prayers - 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms: https://a.co/d/eeZ9ilM

Chapters

0:00–1:08 Intro
1:09–3:29 Why Psalms is important
3:30–7:06 How the New Testament interprets Psalms
7:07–11:45 Thinking about David and Jesus
11:46–16:19 Seeing Jesus in Psalms even if the chapter isn’t quoted in the New Testament
16:20–22:31 Insights from Reading Psalms in Hebrew
22:32–31:14 Intentional ordering of Psalms
31:15–34:11 Psalms as the prayerbook of the Church
34:12–37:50 Church Fathers and Psalms
37:51–41:30 Prayerbook of the soldiers of Christ
41:31–45:38 Encountering Jesus in Psalms
45:39–53:04 Understanding “enemies” in Psalms
53:05–56:34 Admonishment to read the Psalms

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Read the Bible in Hebrew with Matthew: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

Psalm 1 is rich with meaning, and reading it in Hebrew brings out layers we often miss. In this episode, Matthew (MA in Biblical Literature and Semitic Languages) walks through key Hebrew language insights that deepen our understanding of this foundational psalm. We explore the meaning of the word “happy” or “blessed,” the beautiful poetic style of the psalm, and how Hebrew parallelism and verb tense in verse 1 set the tone for the whole psalm. We also dive into what it really means to “meditate” on God’s law, why Torah is central to this psalm, and how Psalm 1 connects to Genesis, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and ultimately, to Jesus Christ. Whether you know Hebrew or not, this episode will help you appreciate the beauty and depth of Psalm 1 in a whole new way.

Chapters

0:00-2:00 Intro
2:01-3:45 Psalm 1 in Hebrew and English
3:46-17:50 Happiness Word Study
17:51-20:31 Beautiful style in Psalm 1
20:32-33:26 Parallelism and Tense in Psalm 1:1
33:27-40:28 What is “Meditate” and “Law”?
40:29-52:02 Why meditating on Torah is strongly emphasized
52:03-59:12 Parallels to Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
59:13-1:04:09 Jesus and Psalm 1

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The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the most fascinating and important archaeological discoveries for understanding the world of the Bible. In this episode, we sit down with Dead Sea Scrolls scholar, Dr. Andrew Perrin, to explore the rich and complex world of these ancient texts. From the famous Isaiah Scroll and the commentary on Habakkuk to Aramaic dream visions, scribal traditions, and the Pseudepigrapha, this conversation uncovers the diversity of writings found at Qumran. We also dive into the Enoch literature, the War Scroll, and how the theme of Messiah shows up in the scrolls. Along the way, we discuss the historical context of Scripture, the role of scribes, and the importance of curiosity when it comes to exploring these texts. Whether you’re new to the Dead Sea Scrolls or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode offers insights, resources, and plenty to reflect on.

Link to Dr. Andrew Perrin’s book “Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds: Rediscovering the Dead Sea Scrolls” https://a.co/d/essK7cm

Dr. Andrew Perrin’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DrAndrewPerrin/featured

Dr. Andrew Perrin’s recommended Dead Sea Scroll Resources

Digital Images of Dead Sea Scrolls: https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/?locale=en_US

Dead Sea Scrolls Bible: https://a.co/d/44awjn8

The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation: https://a.co/d/aJSzXnV

Chapters

0:00-2:09 Intro
2:10-10:21 Isaiah in the Dead Sea Scrolls
10:22-18:28 Commentary on Habakkuk in the Dead Sea Scrolls
18:29-24:10 Aramaic dream vision texts
24:11-30:02 Scribal and Sacred Languages
30:03-37:12 Pseudepigrapha
37:13-43:25 Enoch
43:26-49:38 The War Scroll and Ritual Purity
49:39-53:12 Historical context of Scripture
53:13-57:02 The influence of scribes
57:03-1:02:29 Theme of Messiah in Dead Sea Scrolls
1:02:30-1:10:36 Personal thoughts on searching and being curious
1:10:37- Resources for Dead Sea Scrolls

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What happens after Israel escapes Egypt? In part two of our exploration of “service” in Exodus, Matthew Delaney and Dr. Nathan French pick up where the story left off—moving from liberation to covenant, from slavery to worship. We trace the development of this theme through key moments in Exodus 15–40, including the image of God vs. the images of idols, the meaning of Sabbath, and the construction of the tabernacle. Along the way, we reflect on the relationship between salvation and obedience and how God’s presence reshapes what it means to truly serve. This episode offers a deeper look at how the Exodus story calls God’s people to a new kind of life.

Listen to part 1 here: 

Biblical Wisdom Video Course: https://hebrewbibleinsights.teachable.com/p/biblicalwisdom

Chapters

0:00-7:57 Review of “service” in Exodus 1–14
7:58-14:42 Salvation, Covenant, and Works
14:43-32:53 Image of God vs images of gods
33:04-42:38 The service of Sabbath
42:39-48:22 Slavery, apologetics, and Bible study
48:23-1:05:12 Tabernacle and the presence of God

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