This paper was originally presented on August 25, 2023 at the 2023 OCABS symposium held at St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

The 12 Tribes of Israel: 

• The sons of Reuben 
  • Hanoch dedicated
  • Pallu wonder/marvelous
  • Hezron settlement/ village
  • Carmi my vineyard 
• The sons of Simeon 
  • Jemuel Day of El
  • Jamin Right Hand
  • Ohad Joined Together
  • Jachin He will establish 
  • Zohar Whiteness 
  • Shaul Asked for 
• The sons of Levi 
  • Gershon Outcast/ sojourner 
  • Kohath Assembly? 
  • Merari My bitter one 
• The sons of Judah
  • Er Awake 
  • Onan Vigorous 
  • Shelah Prosper
  • Perez Break through
    • Hezron Settlement/ village
    • Hamul Spared
  • Zerach Rise/ come forth 
• The sons of Issachar
  • Tola Worm/ Scarlet 
  • Puah Here/ hither
  • Job Cry in a shrill voice
  • Shimron Something preserved 
• The sons of Zebulun 
  • Sered Fear
  • Elon Oak 
  • Jahleel Whom God has made sick 
• The sons of Gad
  • Zephon Expectation
  • Haggi My festival/ my pilgrimage 
  • Shuni My quiet one
  • Arodi Wild donkey
  • Areli Lion of El 
• The sons of Asher 
  • Jimnah Fortunate
  • Ishuah Be level
  • Ishvi My level one 
  • Beriah In evil? 
  • Heber United/ be joined
  • Malchiel My King is God 
• The sons of Joseph 
  • Manesseh Forget
  • Ephraim Ashes 
• The sons of Benjamin 
  • Bela Devour 
  • Becher Young Camel 
  • Ashbol Sprout
  • Gera Grain
  • Naaman Favor 
  • Ehi My brother
  • Rosh Head 
  • Muppim Wavings
  • Huppim Cover
  • Ard Fugitive 
• The son of Dan
  • Hushim Those who make haste
• The sons of Naphtali 
  • Jahzeel Alotted by God
  • Guni Painted 
  • Jezer Image/ form
  • Shillem Retrubution/ Avenger

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

This week, we continue our recitation and discussion of the book of Genesis with an emphasis on the Semitic understanding of "peace" as it relates to Joseph's reunion with his brothers. 

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

This week, Rowdy and I continue our read through of Genesis with chapter 44. Let us be attentive!

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

In the process of reuniting with his brothers, Joseph celebrates the occasion by inviting them to a common meal. Not only does he order them according to the order of their birth, he also serves the youngest brother the biggest portion. In other words, the last shall be first. Join Rowdy and I as we continue our read through of the book of Genesis. 

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

Continuing our recitation and commentary on the book of Genesis, we point out interesting similarities between Joseph and Cyrus. When it comes to the messiah, everybody expects a homegrown King David, but such a king is never to be found because the iniquity comes from inside the group, not outside. The cancer began in Jacob when he followed the ways of the nachash, and it spread to his murderous children. For their salvation, it takes the humiliation of having their God save them via a foreign agent. Let us be attentive!

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

An in-depth look at the broad Biblical narrative ranging from the Old Testament (Torah, Prophets, and Writings) to the New Testament. 

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

Welcome to another episode of Tell Me the Story! Today, we will be looking at Paul’s letter to Philemon, which is the last of the so-called pastoral letters and the penultimate letter traditionally attributed to Paul. The next book in the canon of course is the monumental letter to the Hebrews, which bookends the Pauline corpus starting with Romans. 

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.

This week we look at Joseph's interactions with Pharaoh and how they determine the coming narrative and development of Joseph's impact on the Biblical story. Let us hear the story! 

Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.