Hebrew Bible Insights

Dr. Nathan French shares insights from his experience getting a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East back in 2018. Nathan talks about how he felt called by God to pursue deep academic study. This leads us into a discussion about valuing the callings of others even if they are different from ours.

Have you ever wanted to know what this journey is like? Perhaps you are thinking about getting a Phd? Or maybe you are just curious about the process and value of deep learning. Whatever your specific calling is or where you are in your own journey, we hope this episode is both interesting and helpful.

We discuss a number of topics.* Nathan received his PhD from the University of Aberdeen in the UK, specializing in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East. * Nathan talks about how he felt called by God to pursue deep academic study. This leads us into a discussion about valuing the callings of others even if they are different from ours.* The difference between US and UK PhD process* The unique role of a PhD supervisor with a PhD student* How a PhD (and deep learning in general) impacts how we think and communicate* An average day in the life of a Hebrew Bible PhD student

0:25-1:11 Intro1:12-4:27 Inspiration Behind PhD4:28-9:27 Different Callings in the Body of Christ9:28-13:13 Nathan’s PhD University and dissertation topic13:14-20:38 Big picture process for getting a PhD in Hebrew Bible20:39-27:14 PhD Supervisor vs BA or MA Professor27:15-38:47 How a PhD changes your thinking38:48-43:43 Average Day for a PhD student43:44-46:17 Nathan’s favorite part of the PhD process46:18-50:48 Thoughts for someone who wants to get a PhD in Hebrew Bible50:49-56:28 Thoughts for those skeptical of Christian academics

WHERE TO FIND US

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

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

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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights

Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

In this episode, Matthew Delaney shares insights about the book of Joel. One of the most famous passages of the entire Hebrew Bible about God pouring out His spirit on all flesh is found in this book...but what is the context of this famous line? Matthew gives a brief overview of the book and its message before sharing a number of Hebrew language insights in the text. The episode concludes by discussing the value of understanding Joel for the New Testament and our lives today.

Timeline

0:25-1:10 Introduction1:11-3:06 Funny Origin of My Hebrew Group’s Name3:07-5:17 First Reading of Joel5:18-7:01 Big Picture Message of Joel7:02-9:19 Structure of Joel9:20-16:08 What makes Joel engaging?16:09-21:05 The famous passage about the Holy Spirit21:06-25:13 “Locust” in Biblical Hebrew25:14-29:00 “Dry up” or “Be Ashamed”? Wordplay in Joel29:01-30:41 “Destruction” and “Almighty” More Wordplay30:42-31:17 Connection Between the Exodus and Joel31:18-34:14 “Like the deer pants for water…” and Joel34:15-36:07 Israel has become the new Egypt36:08-41:00 The Powerful Message of Joel 241:01-43:09 Joel and the New Testament43:10-44:09 Joel and Today44:10-44:51 Recommended Commentary

WHERE TO FIND US

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

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

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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights

Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

We had a conversation with Hebrew Linguist Dr. Kevin Grasso. We discussed a variety of topics His choice to specialize in linguistics to be a better Bible scholar His favorite areas of linguistics  The role of comparative semitics for linguistics  The word order debate in Biblical Hebrew How we know what Biblical words mean Discourse analysis in Biblical Hebrew Biblingo: the biblical language learning resource that he started And more!Kevin Grasso received his M.A. in Linguistics with a concentration in Bible Translation from Dallas International University and his PhD in Hebrew Language from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is also working on an M.A. in Comparative Religion at Hebrew University. He has taught Biblical Greek for the University of the Holy Land and is on the Executive Committee for the Biblical Hebrew Linguistics and Philology Network. Kevin is also the co-founder & CEO of Biblingo, an app that makes the biblical languages easier to learn.Biblingo.org Biblingo Podcast: https://biblingo.org/podcast/WHERE TO FIND USPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hebrewbibleinsights/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsightsWebsite: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Dr. Nathan French had the amazing opportunity to get a Masters degree at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel from 2009-2011. He shares a number of highlights from his experience.

• His unique degree program
• Stories of what it was like walking in the Holy Land while studying Scripture
• Some of his favorite classes that he took including everything from Akkadian to Archaeology
• The tripartite educational strategy: languages, archaeology, and texts
• Inspiration from his favorite professors
• The outcomes of a specialization in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East

WHERE TO FIND US

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

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

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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights

Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Dr. Edward Cook is Ordinary Professor of Semitic Languages at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. His newest book is Biblical Aramaic and Related Dialects An Introduction (2022). (Link below)Aramaic was the lingua franca of the ancient Near East after Akkadian, and it is one of the original languages of Scripture. For biblical and historical reasons, Aramaic is a critical language. Edward Cook is an expert on the Aramaic language. We talk about a number of topics: How underrated and overlooked the Aramaic language is The relevance of Aramaic for understanding Scripture, the world of the Bible, and important biblical manuscripts. Edward Cook’s new Aramaic textbook and its unique strategy for learning the language. The expansive corpus of Aramaic literature in Imperial Aramaic How Aramaic is simpler than Hebrew The role of comparative Semitics in understanding Aramaic Theorizing why Aramaic became the lingua franca of the ancient Near East Ed reads Jeremiah's unique verse that is written in Aramaic and gives a translation with explanationEd's Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Aramaic-Related-Dialects-Introduction/dp/110871448XEd's Book (Cambridge University Press): https://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/religion/biblical-studies-old-testament-hebrew-bible/biblical-aramaic-and-related-dialects-introduction?format=PB&isbn=9781108714488Ed's University Profile: https://semitics.catholic.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/cook-edward-m/index.htmlWHERE TO FIND USPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hebrewbibleinsights/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsightsWebsite: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

After a decade of research, Jason Staples challenges the surface level assumptions of scholarship from decades ago that is pervasive to this day about Israelite identity in Second Temple Judaism. The implications of the results of his work are vast. Most notably this groundbreaking research adds great depth to the great commission of Jesus. Jason presents a new paradigm for how the words Hebrew, Israelite, Jew, and related terms are used in a key period of the formation of Scripture.

Our podcast conversation covers a number of topics: critical thinking, constructing ideas from looking at vast amounts of texts, implementing data driven research in humanities and biblical fields, interpreting Second Temple Jewish Texts, understanding the Jewish eschatological vision and hope, the faithfulness of God to the 12 tribes of Israel, and more.

Jason’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Idea-Israel-Second-Temple-Judaism/dp/1108842860/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N4GDLGZAL3EY&keywords=jason+staples&qid=1675653389&sprefix=jason+staples%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-1

Jason’s website: https://www.jasonstaples.com

WHERE TO FIND US

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

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

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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights

Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

In this episode, I give some big picture thoughts on what makes Genesis such a great book along with some tips for reading.

Genesis is the ultimate origin story. Every major group of the Bible is mentioned in the book.

How is Genesis 1-11 and 12-50 connected? These feel like two very different types of stories. How are stories of a cosmic scale connected to quaint family dramas?

What makes Genesis 12-50 engaging? There are themes that connect all of these family stories that help us in interpretation.

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

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

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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights

Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Do you have goals of getting more out of your Bible reading plan for 2023? Here are some tips for engaging with the Hebrew Bible this year. Best translations  How much to read What order to read in What to do when it gets boring Tips for reading Law, Prophets, and Wisdom and more!WHERE TO FIND USPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRSNQ7xVw7PjQ5FnqYmSDAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hebrewbibleinsights/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsightsWebsite: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

The New Testament directly quotes Isaiah 7 as a powerful prophecy that is fulfilled in Jesus. Isaiah 9 also contains a beautiful passage about the Messiah.

In this episode, we explore the context of these famous verses and 9 contain verses that are referenced. Do these Christmas verses mean anything to their original, immediate audience? Does this give any insight into how they point to Jesus?

Literary Context

• Isaiah 7-12 as a single literary unit
• Isaiah 7 as the first chapter after the introduction

Historical context

• The war between Syria and Ephraim against Judah
• Assyria
• Egypt

Hebrew Language Insights

• “Virgin”
• Emanuel
• The titles and descriptions of the Messiah in Isaiah 9

Along with this, we give our general commentary on Isaiah 7 and 9 and make connections to other parts of Scripture.

One of the major themes in this section is trust. Who will we put out trust in?

Isaiah 7-12 is packed with so much information. We hope that our conversation is a launching pad for you in your study in this section. It is amazing how many themes from the famous Christmas lines are found in all of these chapters. Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to let us know what you see when you read!

WHERE TO FIND US

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

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

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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights

Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

Ben Sira (also known as Sirach or Ecclesiasticus) is one of our most important sources of ancient Hebrew literature. It is also one of 7 books that belong to the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books of the Bible. This great source from second temple Judaism has played an important role to the Christianity since the early church. Our guest, Peter Beckman, is completing his PhD at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario and is a pastor at a Lutheran church. We discuss a number of topics: 

• The placement (or lack thereof) of Ben Sira in the biblical canon
• The different names for the book and what they show 
• The author of Ben Sira 
• The differences between the Hebrew and Greek versions 
• The purpose, style, and message of the book of Ben Sira 
• The unique prologue to the Greek version of Ben Sira 
• How Ben Sira navigates challenges that people of faith deal with today 
• How Ben Sira interprets Scripture 
• The “canon consciousness” of Ben Sira 
• We have a little debate about literacy and the target audience of Ben Sira
•  How has the book of Ben Sira been used in the church throughout history up to today in different denominations 
• How all wisdom should lead to worship and prayer

WHERE TO FIND US

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

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

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

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hebrewbibleinsights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebrewBibleInsights

Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew9793/support

Join our Bible Study: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

WHERE TO FIND US

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hebrewbibleinsights

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

Website: ⁠https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com