The ministry of John the Baptist 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival 4 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 4 studies
The last week before the arrest 2 studies
Reliability of the Scriptures and other doctrinal topics 9 studies
- 12The Ten Plagues of Egypt
- 13The Initial Confrontation Between Moses and Pharaoh
- 14The First Plague: The Water of the Nile Turned to Blood
- 15The Second Plague: The Invasion of the Frogs
- 16The third plague: mosquitoes that emerged from the dust
History of the Bible 2 studies
Contradictions 1 study
Peter's ministry 2 studies
Miracles 1 study
Historical notes 12 studies
- 27The Code of Hammurabi
- 28The unpronounceable name of God
- 29The land of Canaan
- 30The Torah
- 31The Pentateuch
The ministry of John the Baptist
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PER038
The first Passover festival
Pericope PER038 analyses the first Passover festival in John’s Gospel (John 2:13), dated precisely to 7 April 30. The article makes three observations: the festival’s chronological value for dating Jesus’ ministry over three and a half years, John’s distinction of the ‘Passover of the Jews’, and Jesus’ observance of Jewish rites. John alone records this period before John the Baptist’s arrest.
John 5.1 (King James Version) :After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER072
Testimonies confirming that of Jesus the Messiah
The article discusses the testimonies confirming that Jesus is the Messiah, notably those of John the Baptist and the divine miracles, in John's tradition. The setting is Jerusalem after Passover in March AD 31. Jesus criticises the religious authorities who do not recognise him and invokes Moses as a precursor. Some, such as Nicodemus, will convert.
John 1.26-27 (King James Version) :John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER089
The Sermon on the Mount (5), the Messiah Jesus' relationship with the law
The fifth part of the Sermon on the Mount, this article analyses Jesus' relationship with Mosaic law on the basis of Matthew 5:17–20. Jesus states that he came to fulfil the law fully according to God's original purpose rather than abolish it. He distinguishes Moses' authentic law from the religious traditions added by scribes and Pharisees and warns that their institutionalised righteousness does not lead to the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5.17-20 (King James Version) :Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER090
The Sermon on the Mount (6), murder, offerings, and forgiveness
The sixth part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21–26), this pericope examines Jesus' teaching on murder, offering and forgiveness. Jesus deepens the fifth commandment by showing that anger and contempt towards one's brother are spiritually as serious as murder itself. He contrasts the letter of Pharisaic law with God's original spirit and affirms that sincere forgiveness alone, rather than an offering, restores a normal relationship. The warning is eschatological: without reconciliation, there is Gehenna.
Matthew 5.22 (King James Version) :But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER094
The Sermon on the Mount (10): loving one's enemies
The tenth section of the Sermon on the Mount concerns love of enemies (Matthew 5:43–48; Luke 6:27–36). Jesus goes beyond Pharisaic interpretation by inviting his disciples to love even Gentiles, following God, who loves all people. The ‘Golden Rule’ (Matthew 7:12) complements this teaching. The ultimate aim is divine perfection: ‘Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Matthew 5.43-48 (King James Version) :Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER170
The reaction of the crowd
After the multiplication of the loaves, the crowd recognizes Jesus as the prophet announced by Moses and wants to crown him king. Only John reports this episode. Jesus withdraws to the mountain, refusing a political kingship. This passage reveals the tension between popular messianic expectations and the spiritual mission of the Messiah, who refuses to conform to the nationalist hopes of his time.
Deuteronomy 18.15 (King James Version) :The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER193
The transfiguration
The article explores the transfiguration of Jesus, in which he shines with divine light alongside Moses and Elijah on Mount Hermon. Peter, James and John are witnesses of it. This event reveals the divinity of Jesus.
Luke 9.28-36 (King James Version) :And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER195
The disciples’ question about the prophet Elijah
After the transfiguration, the disciples ask Jesus about the prophecy concerning Elijah. Jesus reveals that John the Baptist fulfills this prophecy, a connection that the Gospels develop progressively.
Matthew 17.10-13 (King James Version) :And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER213
Teaching of the Messiah Jesus in the temple
At the Feast of Tabernacles in October AD 32, the Messiah Jesus teaches at the temple in Jerusalem with an authority that astonishes the crowd and angers the Pharisees. John 7.14-24 reports this unique episode in which Jesus affirms that his teaching comes from God and defends a Sabbath healing with a rigorous scriptural argument. The hostility of the religious authorities intensifies.
Luke 13.10-17 (King James Version) :And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
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PER295
The questions of the Pharisees and the Herodians
In the Temple of Jerusalem, the Sadducees try to trap Jesus with a question about the resurrection involving a woman who had seven husbands. Jesus answers by revealing their ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God: in the life to come, people no longer marry. He proves the resurrection from the Torah by quoting Exodus 3.6: God is the God of the living, not of the dead. His adversaries are reduced to silence.
Luke 20.35-36 (King James Version) :But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER298
Indictment Against the Religious Leaders
In the courtyard of the Temple in Jerusalem, on the Wednesday before his Passion, Jesus delivers a severe indictment against the scribes and the Pharisees. Through eight proclamations of ‘Woe to you!’, he denounces their hypocrisy, their pride and their outward show of religion, while expressing deep sorrow over Jerusalem. He calls his disciples to a genuine, humble faith that serves others.
Matthew 23.1-39 (King James Version) :Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Reliability of the Scriptures and other doctrinal topics
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PLA000
The Ten Plagues of Egypt
The article 'The ten plagues of Egypt' analyzes these biblical events as a progressive revelation of God as judge and liberator, drawing parallels with the Revelation of John. The Hebrew people, oppressed in Egypt, see in Moses, accompanied by Aaron, the divine instrument of their liberation despite Pharaoh's stubborn refusal.
Exodus 7-11 (King James Version) :And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.Notepools…: Heb. gathering of their watersAnd Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Notekneadingtroughs: or, doughAnd if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.NoteGlory…: or, Have this honour over me, etcNotewhen: or, against whenNoteto destroy: Heb. to cut offNoteTo morrow: or, Against to morrowAnd Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank.But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Noteswarms…: or, a mixture of noisome beasts, etcNotea division: Heb. a redemptionNoteto morrow: or, by to morrowNotecorrupted: or, destroyedElse, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us.And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Noteraised…: Heb. made thee standNoteregarded…: Heb. set not his heart untoFor I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.Notemighty…: Heb. voices of GodNotenot grown…: Heb. hidden or, darkNoteby Moses: Heb. by the hand of MosesIntreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD’s.But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:Noteface: Heb. eyeNotewho…: Heb. who and who, etcAnd that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go?And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.Notecalled: Heb. hastened to callNotecast: Heb. fastenedNow therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.Noteeven…: Heb. that one may feel darknessAnd Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.Noteus: Heb. into our handsAnd Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:Notethat follow…: Heb. that is at thy feetNotea great…: Heb. heat of angerAnd all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA001
The Initial Confrontation Between Moses and Pharaoh
The article examines how the first confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh, before the ten plagues, symbolizes a clash of sovereignties between Yahweh and the Egyptian deities. Moses challenges Pharaoh's authority, thus revealing a struggle for divine recognition and laying the foundations for the coming judgment. This encounter highlights the divine process of redemption initiated by the word, and underscores the asymmetry of divine power in the face of human pretensions.
Exodus 4.29-31 (King James Version) :And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA002
The First Plague: The Water of the Nile Turned to Blood
The first plague of Egypt turns the Nile into blood, marking a rupture in the Exodus. This divine sign illustrates the sovereignty of God, the fragility of the Egyptian idols, and calls for repentance. It highlights the dynamic of reversal orchestrated by God against Pharaoh and his beliefs.
Exodus 7.14-24 (King James Version) :And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.Notepools…: Heb. gathering of their watersAnd Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA003
The Second Plague: The Invasion of the Frogs
The article analyzes the second plague of Egypt, the invasion of frogs. This sign attacks a major Egyptian religious symbol and begins to chip away at Pharaoh's pride, illustrating the divine pedagogy and the progress of the work of liberating Israel.
Exodus 8.5-15 (King James Version) :And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.NoteGlory…: or, Have this honour over me, etcNotewhen: or, against whenNoteto destroy: Heb. to cut offNoteTo morrow: or, Against to morrowAnd Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank.But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA004
The third plague: mosquitoes that emerged from the dust
This article explores the third plague of Egypt, in which dust turns into gnats, underscoring a divine strategic turning point without prior warning to Pharaoh, and emphasizing the sovereign power of God.
Exodus 8.16-19 (King James Version) :And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA005
The fourth plague: the swarms of flies
This article deals with the fourth plague of Egypt, the swarms of flies, and explores the divine distinction between Israel and Egypt. God protects Israel while Pharaoh, unyielding, begins to negotiate.
Exodus 8.20-32 (King James Version) :And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Noteswarms…: or, a mixture of noisome beasts, etcNotea division: Heb. a redemptionNoteto morrow: or, by to morrowNotecorrupted: or, destroyedElse, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us.And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA006
The fifth plague: the death of the livestock
The fifth plague of Egypt, addressed in this article, demonstrates divine power through the death of the livestock, a pillar of the economy. It underscores the distinction between Israel and Egypt, despite the hardening of Pharaoh. This judgment amplifies the demonstration of God's sovereignty, while sparing the flocks of the Israelites.
Exodus 9.1-4 (King James Version) :Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA007
The Sixth Plague: Boils
The sixth plague of Egypt marks a major turning point in the Exodus. God strikes the Egyptians directly with boils, revealing the collapse of Egyptian powers and illustrating his faithfulness to the Hebrews. This symbolic act turns the tools of oppression into instruments of justice, thus preparing the deliverance to come.
Exodus 9.12 (King James Version) :And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PLA008
The seventh plague: hail mingled with fire
This article explores the seventh plague of Egypt, hail mingled with fire, underscoring the escalation of the conflict between God and Pharaoh. By describing the widespread destruction caused by this plague, the text examines the divine message about divine justice and the possibility of salvation. This analysis highlights the different behaviors of the Egyptians in the face of this manifestation of divine power.
Exodus 9.31-35 (King James Version) :And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
History of the Bible
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BIB001
The Founding Texts of the Bible
The article deals with the writing of the first five books of the Bible. It highlights oral transmission, writing, and the integration of various literary sources. The importance of textual preservation through the centuries is also addressed, as are the historical motivations of the writers.
Exodus 13.8 (King James Version) :And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
BIB003
The Hebrew Bible
This article analyzes the development and compilation of the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, focusing on its three sections: the Torah, the Nevi'im and the Ketouvim. It highlights the historical processes and scholarly decisions that led to its final form.
Contradictions
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CTD072
Word of God or word of Moses?
This article examines a discrepancy between Matthew and Mark concerning divorce. It explains that Jesus speaks differently according to his audience: Jews, for whom divine law is intrinsically linked to Moses, and non-Jews, for whom a direct mention of Moses is more understandable. Both Gospels are considered faithful despite their distinct approaches.
Luke 16.18 (King James Version) :Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Peter's ministry
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ADA026
The arrest of Stephen
The article analyzes the arrest of Stephen (Acts 6.8-12) in Jerusalem around AD 34-35. Although appointed among the Seven, Stephen carries out a remarkable apostolic ministry. His witness provokes the opposition of Hellenistic Jews who, unable to refute him, resort to false witnesses to bring him before the Sanhedrin. Luke highlights the parallels with the trial of Jesus and the gradual extension of the persecution to the whole Church.
Acts 6.11-13 (King James Version) :Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
ADA028
Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin
Before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem around AD 34-35, Stephen delivers the longest speech in Acts. Retracing the history of Israel from Abraham, he shows that God's messengers have always been rejected, culminating in the rejection of the Messiah. Far from defending himself, Stephen becomes the accuser of his judges, taking his place in the line of the prophets and of Christ.
Acts 7.39-41 (King James Version) :To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Miracles
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MIR029
The transfiguration
The Transfiguration, recounted in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, reveals Jesus' divinity. He is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on a mountain. Moses and Elijah appear, and a heavenly voice declares Jesus to be the beloved Son. These accounts emphasize the importance of Jesus and his teaching.
Luke 9.28-36 (King James Version) :And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Historical notes
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INF008
The Code of Hammurabi
The Code of Hammurabi allowed a barren woman to offer her servant to her husband to secure descendants, the child being recognized as legitimate. This practice, widespread in the ancient Near East, was not prescribed in the Law of Moses. It sheds light on Sarah's gesture in offering Hagar to Abraham, an act that was culturally acceptable but contrary to the specific divine promise made to Abraham concerning his descendants.
Genesis 29.31 (King James Version) :And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.NoteReuben: that is, See a sonNoteSimeon: that is, HearingNoteLevi: that is, JoinedNoteJudah: that is, PraiseNoteleft…: Heb. stood from bearingKing James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
INF010
The unpronounceable name of God
YHWH, God's proper name in the Hebrew Bible, consists of four Hebrew consonants (the Tetragrammaton). Its exact pronunciation is unknown because ancient Hebrew does not write vowels. Out of respect for the third commandment (Ex 20:7), Jews replace it with 'Adonai' or 'Ha Elohim'. Translated as 'Kyrios' in Greek and then as 'the Eternal' in Protestant Bibles, this name appears nearly 6,800 times in the Old Testament.
Exodus 20.7 (King James Version) :Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
INF011
The land of Canaan
The land of Canaan, corresponding to present-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and parts of Jordan and Syria, is described in the Bible as 'the most beautiful of all lands'. Inhabited by the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites and Philistines, it is the land promised to the Hebrew people. Two stages, separated by 470 years, mark its conquest: Abraham's arrival, followed by Joshua's conquest after captivity in Egypt and wandering in the wilderness.
Ezekiel 20.6 (King James Version) :In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
INF031
The Torah
The Torah, the sacred text of Judaism, consists of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible and is essential to Jewish faith and morality. It is read regularly in the synagogue and has generated a rich rabbinic literary tradition.
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INF032
The Pentateuch
The Pentateuch, made up of the first five books of the Bible, is essential to the Jewish and Christian traditions. It recounts the creation and the liberation of the Hebrews under Moses, and contains foundational laws and narratives.
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INF034
Examples of the Jahwist source
The article describes passages of the Pentateuch attributed to the Jahwist source, which is distinguished by its use of the divine name Yahweh and anthropomorphic descriptions of God. Notable examples: the creation, the fall, Cain and Abel, and the call of Moses. These passages show the distinctive characteristics of the Jahwist source.
Genesis 2.4-25 (King James Version) :These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,Notethere…: or, a mist which went up from, etc.Noteof the dust…: Heb. dust of the groundAnd every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.NoteEthiopia: Heb. CushNotetoward…: or, eastward to AssyriaNotethe man: or, AdamAnd out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:Notethou…: Heb. eating thou shalt eatNotethou shalt surely…: Heb. dying thou shalt dieBut of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.Notemeet…: Heb. as before himNoteAdam: or, the manNotegave: Heb. calledAnd out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;Notemade: Heb. buildedNoteWoman: Heb. IshaNoteMan: Heb. IshAnd the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
INF035
Examples of the Elohist source
The article examines the biblical passages often attributed to the Elohist source, which uses the divine name Elohim and presents God appearing in dreams. It covers accounts such as those of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and Moses, detailing their distinctive elements.
Genesis 22.1-19 (King James Version) :And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.NoteBehold…: Heb. Behold meAnd he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.Notelamb: or, kidThen on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.NoteJehovah-jireh: that is, The Lord will see, or, provideAnd he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,Noteshore: Heb. lipAnd said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
INF036
Examples of the Deuteronomist source
This article examines the Deuteronomist source, highlighting its role and influence in the Hebrew Bible through Deuteronomy and other historical books such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. Focusing on themes of law, covenant and centralized worship, it explores Deuteronomistic theology and its implications for Israel.
2 Kings 22.1-20 (King James Version) :Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,Notedoor: Heb. thresholdGo up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.Notegathered: Heb. meltedAnd Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.NoteAchbor: or, AbdonNoteMichaiah: or, MicahNotewardrobe: Heb. garmentsNotein the…: or, in the second partAnd the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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The Jahwist source
The Jahwist source (J) is a hypothetical source of the Torah identified by the documentary hypothesis of the 19th century. Named after its use of the divine name YHWH, it is characterized by an anthropomorphic and narrative style. Associated with texts such as the creation (Gen 2) and the fall (Gen 3), its dating remains debated. Today, its validity is called into question by contemporary exegetes.
Genesis 3 (King James Version) :Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?NoteYea…: Heb. Yea, because, etc.And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.Notepleasant: Heb. a desireNoteaprons: or, things to gird aboutNotecool: Heb. windAnd the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:Noteto thy…: or, subject to thy husbandAnd I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;Notebring…: Heb. cause to budNoteEve: Heb. Chavah: that is LivingThorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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The Deuteronomist Source
The Deuteronomist source (D) is one of the four hypothetical sources of the Torah according to the documentary hypothesis. Associated with the Book of Deuteronomy, it is distinguished by a homiletic style, a theology of the covenant and an insistence on the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. Dated to the 7th century BC, it is linked to the religious reforms of King Josiah and also influences the historical books from Joshua to 2 Kings.
2 Kings 1.1 (King James Version) :Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.NoteThou shalt…: Heb. The bed whither thou art gone up, thou shalt not come down from itKing James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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The Tanakh
The Tanakh is the canon of the sacred Scriptures of Judaism, corresponding to the Christian Old Testament. Its name is an acronym formed from its three sections: Torah (Pentateuch), Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings). Written mainly in Hebrew with a few passages in Aramaic, it forms the theological, moral and liturgical foundation of Judaism and the common roots of the Jewish and Christian traditions.
1 Kings 1.1 (King James Version) :Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.Notestricken…: Heb. entered into daysNoteLet there…: Heb. Let them seekNotea young…: Heb. a damsel, a virginNotecherish…: Heb. be a cherisher unto himKing James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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Difference Between Tanakh, Torah and Hebrew Bible
This article clarifies the distinction between three terms related to the Hebrew Scriptures: the Tanakh refers to the whole Jewish canon (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim); the Torah is its first section, made up of the five books of Moses (Pentateuch); the Hebrew Bible is simply another name for the Tanakh. The Torah is part of the Tanakh, and the Hebrew Bible and the Tanakh are synonymous.
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