Exegetically Speaking

Isaiah 7:14 is quoted by Matthew (1:23) in application to Mary’s pregnancy: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.” But is Isaiah’s reference to a young woman (עַלְמָה) or a virgin (παρθένος)? The former is the Hebrew of Isaiah, and the latter is the Greek of the Septuagint and Matthew’s citation. Can Genesis 24 shed some light on this question? Dr. Emanuel Tov is the J. L. Magnes Professor of Bible Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Among his roles, he was one of the editors of the Hebrew University Bible Project and was Editor-in-Chief of the Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project (1990-2009). His many publications include Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible: Revised and Expanded Fourth Edition and The Text-Critical Use of the Septuagint in Biblical Research. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3xE2mOx M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3TVabGY

For the first several chapters in the book of Acts, the author, Luke, consistently speaks of one Saul, but at 13:9 Luke begins referring to him as Paul, which is also the name that this apostle uses in all his letters. Where do these two names come from? What does each mean? Why this switch in which name is used? Dr. Steve Walton is Senior Research Fellow in New Testament at Trinity College in Bristol, U.K., and former Secretary of the British New Testament Society. His many publications include (with David Wenham), Exploring the New Testament, vol. 1: The Gospels and Acts. He is currently working on a major critical commentary on Acts for the Word Biblical Commentary Series; volume 1 will appear in October 2024. He has contributed past episodes to this podcast series, and you can read an article of his on the topic of this episode here. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages: https://bit.ly/3xx6tfm M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3TLAvn2

Dr. Steven Jones is the co-author of Acquiring Medical Language(McGraw Hill), a widely used textbook in medical schools for instruction in medical terminology and rooted directly in his education in Classical Greek and Latin. He makes a case for translating this terminology so that patients can understand it, but also so that the human and ethical aspects of medicine are brought out of the shadows of obscure technical language. Dr. Jones is the Teaching & Training Pastor at Kingsland Baptist Church, Katy, TX, a Greek instructor at Lanier Theological Library (which sponsors this podcast along with Wheaton College), and is currently teaching Greek, Latin, and Medical Terminology at Rice University. He has an MA in Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies from Bryn Mawr College, and a PhD in Classics from the University of Texas at Austin. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3vxDpUv M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3PPFdPB

In I John 2:5 the apostle writes, “Whoever keeps his word, truly in this one the love of God is completed.” The Greek phrase translated “the love of God” (ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ) could be understood as God’s love for us or our love for God. Dr. Elizabeth Mburu explains the grammar, the context, and the reasoning behind her conclusion. Dr. Mburu is Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya, and is the regional coordinator for Anglophone Africa for Langham Literature. She is on the board of the Africa Bible Commentary and is the editorial coordinator and New Testament editor for its revision. Her publications include Qumran and the Origins of Johannine Language and Symbolism and African Hermeneutics. She has also contributed the exegetical notes on 1, 2, 3 John to the forthcoming Greek New Testament Study Bible (Zondervan). Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): bit.ly/4abFiF7 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4aesr5b

In writing to the “rich in this present world,” Paul stirs together a related adjective (πλούσιος), noun (πλοῦτος), adverb (πλουσίως), and infinitive (πλουτεῖν), pastorally building up to his point: understanding the true source of wealth and how to use it richly. Dr. Phil Ryken, who has been a regular on our podcast, is the President of Wheaton College, 8 in the college’s history. His most recent book is Beauty Is Your Destiny: How the Promise of Splendor Changes Everything. You can hear many of his talks at Family Life Ministry – Podcast or at Every Last Word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3ILirUO M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4aqbZia

James 5:11 refers to the “patience of Job” (KJV). If we take a detour through the book of Job and notice how the Greek vocabulary of perseverance (the KJV’s “patience”) is used in James’ letter, we gain insight into human suffering as something properly to lament. Dr. Grant Flynn is Visiting Assistant Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College. His Ph.D. (Wheaton Graduate School) dealt with lament in the Epistle of James. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3TeXZAD M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4ceHg9q

The act of “calling out,” either to pagans or to the Lord, forms a thread through the story of Jonah, which was challenging to Jonah, and can remain challenging for modern readers. Dr. Andrew Abernethy is Professor of Old Testament and Director of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton Graduate School. He co-edited the newly published The Prophets and the Apostolic Witness: Reading Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel as Christian Scripture. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4c3ACCC M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/49Wq2LU

In the greeting of his letter to Philemon (v. 2), Paul calls Archippus a “fellow soldier.” Roman soldiers were often involved in the capturing and returning of runaway slaves, a function that may explain why Paul characterizes Archippus like so in this letter. Dr. Seth Ehorn is guest faculty at Wheaton College currently teaching Greek. His publications include 2 Maccabees 1-7: A Handbook on the Greek Text and 2 Maccabees 8-15: A Handbook on the Greek Text. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3T5SK6f M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4a2Tr78

Peter, along with other NT writers, uses a term (ὑποτάσσω, hypotasso) which related to the idea of subordination, or being sub-ordered, whether in the society, household, church, or in cosmic terms. While Peter calls Christians to live out the faith under the hierarchies or “orders” of ancient Roman society, may the church be an agent in society which helps change the “orders”? In this episode, Dr. Green refers to Mark Noll’s book The Civil War as a Theological Crisis which describes how Christians brought about such change through the abolition of slavery. Dr. Gene Green is Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School. He has published widely, including Jude and 2 Peter and Vox Petri: A Theology of Peter. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3URAPmn M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/48teK0F

The very first words of the Hebrew Bible, usually translated as “In the beginning God created…” can also be translated, “In the beginning when God created . . . God said . . . .” What is the basis for this rendition? Dr. Emanuel Tov, the J. L. Magnes Professor of Bible Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, recounts his learning of the biblical languages and illustrates the importance of that learning for interpretation. Among his earlier roles, he was one of the editors of the Hebrew University Bible Project and was Editor-in-Chief of the Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project (1990-2009). His many publications include Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible: Revised and Expanded Fourth Edition and The Text-Critical Use of the Septuagint in Biblical Research. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48AaFrH M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4bC3W2V

The Hebrew term yehudim in modern Hebrew can be straightforwardly translated as “Jews,” but when it occurs in the Hebrew Bible this is not the best translation. Remarkably, more than half the occurrences in the OT are in one book: Esther. The question can be extended into the NT as well. Rabbi Steven Bob, who has contributed several episodes to this podcast series, is Rabbi Emeritus at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, Il and guest faculty at Wheaton College. He is currently working on a commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3uyqT6B M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/48hluhX

In Acts 2:33 there is a completely new thing: Whereas in the OT and everywhere in Judaism it is God, Yahweh, who sends the Holy Spirit, in Acts 2 Jesus has ascended to the right hand of God, received the Spirit from his Father, and himself performs the act of pouring out the Spirit. This should provoke reflection on both Jesus and the Spirit. Dr. Steve Walton is Senior Research Fellow in New Testament at Trinity College in Bristol, U.K., and former Secretary of the British New Testament Society. His many publications include (with David Wenham), Exploring the New Testament, vol. 1: The Gospels and Acts. He is currently working on a major critical commentary on Acts for the Word Biblical Commentary Series; volume 1 will appear in October 2024. He has contributed past episodes to this podcast series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3uLWMIK M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/48Aa6y5

In his lecture to philosophers in Acts 17, Paul declares that God has so ordered human history that people “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us” (NIV). The verb translated “reach out for” (ψηλαφάω) can be illuminated by the blinded Cyclops in Homer’s Odyssey or by the biblical Isaac trying to identify which of his sons was talking to him. Dr. Jones is the Teaching & Training Pastor at Kingsland Baptist Church, Katy, TX, a Greek instructor at Lanier Theological Library (which sponsors this podcast along with Wheaton College), and is currently teaching Greek, Latin, and Medical Terminology at Rice University. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3I3fUVG M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3OMWS9X

The spiritual gift of “tongues” in 1 Cor. 12-14 was evidently by itself unintelligible, requiring that someone render what was being said in plain Greek if the Corinthian church was to benefit from it. When discussing the negative effect the utterance would have if left unintelligible, Paul calls a part of the audience the ἰδιῶται (idiotai). Are these believers, unbelievers, Christian catechumens, or what? Jon C. Laansma is the Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis in the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College, and the Wheaton-based director of this podcast series. He is currently working on a commentary on 1 Corinthians for the T&T Clark International Theological Commentary series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3I3fUVG M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3OMWS9X

The Greek of the New Testament writers is known as Koiné Greek. What did it sound like? Some recent research has aided our hearing. Dr. Alexander Loney is Associate Professor of Classical Languages and the Coordinator of the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College. His publications include The Ethics of Revenge and the Meanings of the Odyssey and (co-editor) The Oxford Handbook of Hesiod. In this conversation, Dr. Loney makes reference to the book of Benjamin Kantor, The Pronunciation of New Testament Greek. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4283x3T M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3OawE0E

We’ve heard of biblical literacy, but if we don’t know what to do with the Bible once we’ve read it, we might be suffering from hermeneutical illiteracy. The lack can be especially apparent in approaches to the Old Testament. Dr. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. One of his most recent publications is Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation. An earlier but related work is Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief. B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48mVHG2 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/490LOxR

It has been the contention of Dr. John Walton that the authority of Scripture is located in the intention of the human authors as represented in what they wrote. In this conversation he explains what he means, in part by contrasting it with some other possible models. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. One of his most recent publications is Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation. An earlier but related work is Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48rJ38H M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3vpeW3b

Colossians 1:15-20, which many think was an early Christian hymn, is one of the uniquely rich and intense expressions of the identity and work of Christ. Daniel J. Treier models a wise union of exegetical care and theological sophistication while reading this passage. Prof. Treier is the Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Theology and Director of the Ph.D. Program at Wheaton College & Graduate School. His most recent publication is Lord Jesus Christ (New Studies in Dogmatics). Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3tlYW1e M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Tvez18

In Gal. 1:16 Paul uses the arrestive phrasing that God had revealed his Son “in me.” Taken together with other expressions used by Paul in Galatians, it looks as if one of the ways Paul thought of the gospel was through a pregnancy/maternal metaphor. Amy Peeler is the Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College. One of her most recent publications is Women and the Gender of God and she is presently working on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48pRa5t M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3RwVFp1

Dr. Ben Witherington III argues passionately against burnishing the nativity stories of Luke and Matthew with unfounded speculation and mistranslations. He gives particular attention to the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:7. Prof. Witherington is the Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and is an emeritus professor of New Testament at St. Andrews University, Scotland. He has published widely including commentaries on every book of the New Testament. Two of his books won the Christianity Today annual top biblical studies book award: The Jesus Quest: The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth and The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of Tarsus. His Biblical Theology; The Convergence of the Canon (Cambridge) won the Prose Prize National Book of the Year award in 2020 for books in religion and philosophy. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3uJzV0i M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3N7ykry