exegesis

  • Rosh Hashanah: Isaac, Ishmael, and the Well

    Today, Muslims of Mid Eastern descent claim their lineage to Abraham through Ishmael. Jews claim theirs through Isaac. God tells Abraham, “through Isaac shall your offspring be named” (vs. 12), though God would “make a nation of the son of the… Continue reading

    Rosh Hashanah: Isaac, Ishmael, and the Well
  • Nitzavim: He is Coming and His Reward and Recompense Is with Him

    This section of Isiah and the next several chapters that follow describe the Messiah who will come and conquer Israel’s enemies, Messiah ben Judah. Christians believe this is the prophetic description of the second coming of the Messiah. The nations… Continue reading

    Nitzavim: He is Coming and His Reward and Recompense Is with Him
  • Nitzavim: The Tree that Made Wormwood Sweet

    The root bearing poisonous fruit in Deuteronomy chapter 29 is associated according to Hebrew tradition with hemlock, an herb deadly to humans. Socrates was executed by drinking hemlock. This phrase in Deut. 29 literally is translated “a root bearing a… Continue reading

    Nitzavim: The Tree that Made Wormwood Sweet