Exegetically Speaking

When the king of Egypt is first introduced in our OT book of Exodus he is not named, nor thereafter. But the book itself in Hebrew is called "Names," and even the midwives are named (Exod. 1:15). Egyptians tended to treat the kings of their enemies the same way. Dr. Oliver Hersey is the 11th president of Jerusalem University College. This college, located on the southwestern corner of Mount Zion, equips for ministry by providing immersive study of the ancient and modern contexts of Israel and the surrounding regions for a deepened understanding of God and his word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4qXJAsL M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4i2FEmo

John's longer letter begins with a series of clauses headed by neuter relative pronouns without clear antecedents. In particular, the neuter gender draws our attention. To what do they refer and how does this relate to John's larger concerns? Dr. Elizabeth Mburu, who contributed earlier to this podcast, 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 is currently writing the commentary on 1-3 John for the Word Biblical Commentary Series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4qL6SBW M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3XePdVF

Andrew Perrin, Professor of Humanities and a Dead Sea Scrolls specialist, delves into the fascinating world of ancient manuscripts. He discusses how the Dead Sea Scrolls enhance our understanding of biblical texts and scribes’ techniques. Perrin highlights intriguing details from 4Q Jeremiah A, including a notable variant at Jeremiah 14:6 involving a 'bald donkey.' The conversation emphasizes the significance of messy manuscripts for textual development and the ongoing necessity of text critiques in biblical studies.

The RSV's translation of the "cleansing of the temple" in John 2:15 is in part, "And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple." John's Greek, however, suggests that Jesus was using the whip only on the animals, which might have other implications for interpretation. Dr. Croyis the author of a widely used beginning Greek grammar, A Primer of Biblical Greek, and The Mutilation of Mark's Gospel, among other things. His newest book, forthcoming in December, 2025, is The Martyrdom of Polycarp: Translation, Introduction, and Commentary. He previously held teaching posts at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, and Southern Nazarene University, at the last of which he continues in a part-time teaching role as Professor of Greek and New Testament. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4ov2J2Z M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/47D9xGd

The opening words of Matthew's Gospel are translated as, "An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah" (NRSV), or "This is the genealogy . . ." (NIV), or "This is a record of the ancestors . . ." (NLT). A comparison with the parallels in Genesis and a look at what Matthew actually composes suggest that Matthew had something else in mind. David Capes, formerly Dean of Biblical & Theological Studies at Wheaton College, is the host of Exegetically Speaking and the Director of Academic Programming at the Lanier Theological Library & Learning Center, which sponsors this podcast series along with Wheaton College. His publications include The Divine Christ: Paul, the Lord Jesus, and the Scriptures of Israel. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/47eidS5 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4hc5Omd

The Colossian churches had shifted their attention from Christ to calendrical matters, mediatorial figures, mystical visions, and philosophical notions. Paul is calling them to focus on Christ, who is the center and circumference of reality. In 2:9, Paul's language makes Christ's full deity unavoidable and unmistakeable. Dr. Malcolm Yarnell III, who has been on this podcast before, is Research Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is Teaching Pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church. His publications include God, Volume 1 of Theology for Every Person. The second volume, Word, is forthcoming (February, 2026). Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48gx7tf M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4o8XupB

In this discussion, New Testament professor Jennifer Houston McNeel explores the intriguing nuances of John 7:38. She dives into the often-overlooked significance of punctuation in ancient Greek manuscripts. Jennifer raises fascinating questions about the term 'koilia,' suggesting it could translate as 'Jesus’ womb.' This interpretation resonates with broader themes of birth and living water in John's writings. Additionally, she connects these ideas to her research on maternal imagery, enhancing our understanding of motherhood in the New Testament.

Jason Maston, a theology professor at Houston Christian University, dives deep into 1 Peter 2:17, revealing how Peter levels the honor owed to the emperor with that owed to everyone else. He critiques the NIV translation for masking this powerful message and explains how verb tense influences our understanding of the text. The conversation also touches upon how early Christians navigated honoring authorities without worshiping them, highlighting their unique approach during a time of persecution. Maston's insights illuminate a fascinating intersection of faith and societal norms.

James Hoffmeier, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Near Eastern History and Archaeology, discusses fascinating insights into Jeremiah 7. He delves into the ambiguity of the Masoretic text and how different vowel pointings can drastically change the meaning of 'this place.' Hoffmeier challenges the false confidence of Judah in their temple and explores covenant conditions tied to location. His expert analysis sheds light on the complexities of Hebrew textual interpretation and offers crucial context for understanding biblical literature.

In a healing story shared by the first three Gospels, Luke reports a uniquely worded response of onlookers, translated in the NIV as, "We have seen remarkable things today." The key Greek word is παράδοξα (paradoxa), which is in fact noncommittal on the morality of what is in view. Dr. Thomas Schmidt is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University. His most recent book, Josephus and Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ (Oxford) examines the description of Jesus given by the Jewish historian Josephus. Through generous donor, it is available for free on the book website: JosephusandJesus.com. His other publications include, The Book of Revelation and its Eastern Commentators: Making the New Testament in the Early Christian World. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4mZ6AVC M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4mbcRwA