Exegetically Speaking

The Greek of Heb. 12:14-16, though rendered into separate sentences in some English translations, is a single Greek sentence. Paying close attention to the internal structure, especially a participle at the beginning of v. 15, sharpens our understanding of the integrated thought: The pursuit of true peace can involve conflict, albeit a conflict for the sake of peace. Pat Miller is an attorney now working on his M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton Graduate School, while teaching as an adjunct in the Department of Politics and International Relations. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/45qkw3y  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3UkbqQS 

The opening lines of Genesis illustrate the way Hebrew relies on the sounds of words to convey meaning, for example, the menacing Hebrew word for ‘darkness.’ Rabbi Steven Bob, who has contributed several episodes to this podcast series, is Rabbi Emeritus at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, Il and guest faculty at Wheaton College. He is the author of Go to Nineveh: Medieval Jewish Commentaries to the Book of Jonah, Translated and Explained, and is working on a commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/456wqAM  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/45vlawP   

At a crucial juncture in his argument and in the space of two verses Paul uses four terms related to the πιστ- word-group, usually rendered as “faith” or “belief.” Background and the context of Romans favor hearing the ideas of “loyalty” and “faithfulness” in v. 3. Dr. Bates, who has been on this podcast before, is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. Among his several publications are Beyond the Salvation Wars: Why Both Protestants and Catholics Must Reimagine How We Are Saved and Salvation by Allegiance Alone. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/44XpTZ5  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4fixRzB 

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – their refusal to bow down to the king’s image and their deliverance from the furnace – is among the most oft-told of the Bible. Archaeology has provided a compelling backstory for that event, illuminating some of drama that the narrator would have assumed. Dr. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. He has many volumes in his “Lost World” series along with many other publications, including (with Andrew Hill), A Survey of the Old Testament (4th ed.). He is currently collaborating with Dr. Aubrey Buster in preparing a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is due out soon. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4kIGFj9  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4kSBFIV 

A small, common, but theologically charged Greek verb in Rev. 20:3 quietly signals the fate of Satan in the triumphant King’s victory procession. Dr. Shane Wood is Professor of New Testament & Its Origins at Ozark Christian College. His publications include The Alter-Imperial Paradigm: Empire Studies & the Book of Revelation and Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/44PwmnC  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4kRgXt0 

Unlike other prophetic books that directly address an audience, the message of Habakkuk presents itself to listeners by pondering a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God. By paying attention to repetition related to “seeing” in Habakkuk 1-2, we can pick up on God’s invitation to allow God’s perception of reality to enrich and challenge our own. Dr. Andrew Abernethy, a frequent contributor to this podcast, is Professor of Old Testament, Assistant Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies in the Litfin Divinity School, and Program Director of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton Graduate School. He is currently President of the Institute of Biblical Literature. His publications include Savoring Scripture: A Six-Step Guide to Studying the Bible and (with Gregory Goswell) God's Messiah in the Old Testament: Expectations of a Coming King.  Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3GdsmVS  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3IxWKux 

Amos’ Hebrew is rich with rhetorical techniques such as word play and satire, sometimes throwing hard punches. Some of these can be heard in translation, others are difficult to preserve in English. Dr. Danny Carroll Rodas, who has contributed several episodes to this podcast series, is the Scripture Press Ministries Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy at Wheaton College.  He has written extensively on Amos, including a major commentary on that prophetic book in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series. He explores the features discussed in this episode in his newest publication, The Lord Roars: Recovering the Prophetic Voice for Today. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4lxtcLR  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Ib6VoX 

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew’s Greek utilizes figures of speech that can be impossible to translate into English but which lend force and memorability to his words. Dr. Alexander Loney is Associate Professor of Classical Languages and the Coordinator of the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College. His publications include The Ethics of Revenge and the Meanings of the Odyssey and (co-editor) The Oxford Handbook of Hesiod. He has contributed several episodes to our podcast. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4npvVsB  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4eJpHjz 

The English words, “where there is no vision, the people perish,” would seem to commend the need of a good plan for a desired future, but the Hebrew sentence points in a different direction. Dr. Richard Schultz is the Blanchard Professor of Old Testament in Wheaton College Graduate School. In addition to other publications, he has authored Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible and The Search for Quotation: Verbal Parallels in the Prophets; he has co-edited with Daniel Block, Bind Up the Testimony: Explorations in the Genesis of the Book of Isaiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4e7CgVw  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3HFTMnn 

Is Ecclesiastes 3:10-14 about a despotic, distant god or a benevolent, known God? It depends on whether we recognize the force of a Hebrew definite article. Bradley Cameron (PhD, Wheaton) is Visiting Instructor in Old Testament at Wheaton College. His dissertation was, “Learning to Fear: An Exploration of the Fear of God in Ecclesiastes through the Lens of Emotion.” Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4l0bd0B  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4kx3ozy 

Heb. 1:1-4 is a beautifully rounded Greek sentence in praise of God’s Son in and as whom God has spoken. One metaphor conveys the uniqueness of this person as the “express image” of God himself. It is this metaphor that Dr. Ryken explains. Dr. Phil Ryken, who has been a regular on our podcast, is the President of Wheaton College, 8th in the college’s history. His most recent book is I Have My Doubts: How God Can Use Your Uncertainty to Reawaken Your Faith. You can hear many of his talks at Family Life Ministry – Podcast or at Every Last Word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/43wN0Yw  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3FwNk1l 

Daniel’s refusal to eat the food provided by the king of Babylon is among the most popular of the Bible’s stories. But what food did Daniel refuse, what did he request, and why? A new look at the Hebrew text and its background suggests new answers. Dr. Aubrey Buster, who has been with us before, is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Her publications include Remembering the Story of Israel: Historical Summaries and Memory Formation in Second Temple Judaism. Dr. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. He has many volumes in his “Lost World” series along with many other publications, including Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Dr. Buster and Dr. Walton are collaborating on a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is due out soon.  Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3Sm7pdH  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/43IbAqx 

Beneath the surface of fairly stable English translations of 1 Corinthians 1:30 there flow quite varied interpretations of the Greek language Paul uses. Jon C. Laansma is the Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis in the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College, and the Wheaton-based director of this podcast series. He is currently working on a commentary on 1 Corinthians for the T&T Clark International Theological Commentary series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3SFcxcR  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/45dIW1H 

The choice for Israel is between quiet trust and anxious haste in an important prophetic passage. Prof. Schultz explains the background, Hebrew imagery, and the NT’s interpretation of Isaiah 28:16. Dr. Richard Schultz is the Blanchard Professor of Old Testament in Wheaton College Graduate School. In addition to other publications, he has authored Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible and The Search for Quotation: Verbal Parallels in the Prophets; he has co-edited with Daniel Block, Bind Up the Testimony: Explorations in the Genesis of the Book of Isaiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3EWIdHE  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/42Pce5h 

Dan. 5:2, within the Aramaic portion of Daniel, has always been taken to refer to the king, his nobles, his wives, and his concubines, but a fresh look at the Aramaic and its context suggests that the last were female officials, not concubines. Dr. Aubrey Buster, who has been with us before, is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Her publications include Remembering the Story of Israel: Historical Summaries and Memory Formation in Second Temple Judaism. She and John Walton are co-authoring a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is due out soon. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4m02lJy  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4jUhz0K