Hannah was an oppressed woman, scorned by her husband’s rival wife because of her barrenness. But the way she prayed and trusted Yahweh through this hardship became a remarkable example of how God works through the lowly to subvert human notions of power and status. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they trace the theme of the firstborn in the scroll of Samuel.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-9:59)Part two (09:59-27:27)Part three (27:27-46:11)Part four (46:11-1:03:54)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Downhill" by Leavv"The Birds Will Leave Soon" by fantompower"Shakshuka" by Philanthrope & mommyShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

How does the plague of the firstborn from Exodus fit into the biblical theme of the firstborn? And what does it mean when Yahweh calls Israel his firstborn son? In this episode, Tim and Jon explore the theme of the firstborn in the Exodus scroll.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-19:23)Part two (19:23-37:19)Part three (37:19-52:07)Part four (52:07-1:11:44)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Mitigating the Distance" by Xihcsr"Enclosed by You" by Liz Vice"Fallen Angel" by Tyler BaileyShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Lead Editor Dan Gummel. Edited by Tyler Bailey and Frank Garza. Mixed by Tyler Bailey. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Early in the story of the Bible, God chooses the family of Abraham, his son Isaac, and Isaac’s son Jacob as his chosen representatives to bless other peoples. But these families are full of the same rivalry, envy, and division present in any other family. What is God doing with these less-than-ideal candidates? Join Tim and Jon as they trace the theme of the firstborn in the narratives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-11:35)Part two (11:35-26:44)Part three (26:44-40:08)Part four (40:08-53:40)Part five (53:40-1:09:20)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Chilling at Last" by Emapea"Beautifully So" by less.people"Bloc" by KVSound design by contributorShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Lead Editor Dan Gummel. Edited by Tyler Bailey and Frank Garza. Mixed by Tyler Bailey. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Only a few pages into the story of the Bible, the story starts to get really bleak. Cain kills his brother Abel, Cain’s descendants become famous murderers, and Noah’s youngest son violates his father and mother. And all of it happens because humans decide that power is worth the cost of harming others. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss the dark side of human nature and the God who favors the powerless—the people who choose to trust him for blessing and exaltation.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-17:05)Part two (17:05-32:06)Part three (32:06-45:29)Part four (45:29-01:08:11)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience our full library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Hayride" by Florent Garcia and anbuu"Zero Point" by dryhope"Indifference" by Magnole & Ben Bada BoomShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

It’s not explicitly stated, but the theme of the firstborn first appears in the opening narratives of the Hebrew Bible. In Genesis 1 and 2, Yahweh elevates humans, the latecomers of creation, to rule the land. In Genesis 3, a snake, who is some kind of spiritual being, tricks the humans despite their authority as God’s image bearers. This story is echoed in other accounts of sibling rivalry that continue throughout the Hebrew Bible. Join Tim and Jon as they discuss the land rulers and sky rulers and the theme of the firstborn in Genesis 1-3.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-14:38)Part two (14:38-36:14)Part three (36:14-55:26)Part four (55:26-01:07:43)Referenced ResourcesTraditions of the Bible: A Guide to the Bible As It Was at the Start of the Common Era, James L. KugelInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Maple Leaves" by Stan Forebee & Inf"In Between" by Enluv & Molly McPhaulStem from a license-free music libraryShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In ancient Near Eastern societies, firstborn sons were prized above all other children and inherited special privileges and authority simply because of their birth order. In this episode, Tim and Jon start a new theme study covering the theme of the firstborn. Spoiler alert: The God of the Bible opposes lots of human ideas about power, and the privilege of the firstborn is no exception. Again and again, we’ll see Yahweh picking younger siblings and people we wouldn’t expect to be his chosen representatives.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-21:51)Part two (21:51-37:16)Part three (37:16-52:27)Part four (52:27-1:09:34)Referenced ResourcesZondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Clinton E. ArnoldInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Find Yourself" by Blue Wednesday and juniorodeo"Green Valley Trail" by Ruck P"Passing Storm" by Thomas Prime and ModeratorShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.

We shared a lot of firsts together in 2022—from launching our first app, to reading the Torah movement by movement as an international community, to experiencing the Bible through new classes and videos. In our final episode of 2022, Tim, Jon, and BibleProject CEO, Steve, reflect on the year behind us and look forward to the years ahead.View full show notes from this episode →Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience all of our resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

When a Jewish synagogue finishes reading through the Torah together, they celebrate Simkhat Torah. What is Simkhat Torah? Find out on today’s episode as Jon and Tim reflect on our year-long journey through the Torah and look ahead to the rest of the TaNaK.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-09:30)Part two (09:30-31:00)Part three (31:00-57:45)Part four (57:45-01:15:47)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Tzur Teudati” by Yaacov Alkobi“Simchu Na” by Hibba – Israeli Heritage Movement“For When it's Warmer” by Sleepy Fish“A Note From My Book” by Sleepy Fish and CoaShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

How do we know the biblical authors intended to link certain words and stories? When do someone’s words become a blessing? How do sacrifices actually atone for sins? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to audience questions from a year’s worth of conversations about the Torah. Thank you to our audience for your questions!View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps How Do We Know the Biblical Authors Used Hyperlinks? (1:19)When Do Words Become a Blessing? (13:47) Is the Genesis 3 Curse Part of a Covenant? (20:31)What’s the Significance of Passing Through the Waters? (27:58)Why Do Firstborns Have to be Redeemed? (35:36)How Do Sacrifices Atone for Sin? (46:50)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo. Audience questions compiled by Christopher Maier.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Which ancient Israelite laws still apply today and which don’t? Should the law be divided into moral, civil, and ceremonial categories? And why did Jesus quote Deuteronomy when Satan tempted him? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to audience questions about the Deuteronomy scroll. Thanks to our incredible audience for your questions.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Which Laws Still Apply and Which Don’t? (1:30)Can Laws Be Categorized as Moral, Civil, and Ceremonial Rules? (12:52) Were Jesus and His Disciples Considered Sojourners Under the Law? (22:47)Why Did Jesus Quote Deuteronomy When Satan Tempted Him? (27:55)How Did Jesus Connect Idolatry and Adultery? (33:38)Did the Prophets Really Use Moses’ Song to Confront People? (37:48)How Many Covenants Did Yahweh Make with Israel? (44:38)Referenced ResourcesOld Testament Ethics for the People of God, Christopher J. H. WrightJohn H. SailhamerInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo. Audience questions compiled by Christopher Maier.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.