Melchizedek is one of the more enigmatic figures in the Bible. Mentioned in only two passages in the Old Testament (Gen 14:17-24; Psalm 110), he nevertheless drew a lot of attention during the Second Temple Period and the New Testament. Thousands of pages of scholarly...
Typology
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 103 – Moses and the Bronze Serpent
The episode is now live. Naked Bible Podcast Episode 103 explores the often-misunderstood passage in Numbers 21:4–9, where Moses is instructed to make a bronze serpent and lift it up for Israel’s healing after yet another episode of rebellion in the wilderness. Dr....
Genesis 1-3, the Sin of Achan, and Acts 5 (Ananias and Sapphira)
The most recent Naked Bible podcast featured some discussion of the point of the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira. I made the comment that Luke wanted readers to see a patterning contrast between others who sold something and "laid the money at the apostles' feet"...
What Do You See in Psalm 66:5-6?
I came across Psalm 66:5-6 the other day while working with Mark Futato at Logos Bible Software last weekend (it was a reference in a presentation he made). Here's the ESV: 5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. 6 He...
Guest Post on Adam Topic
A Naked Bible reader, Bryan Hodge, asked permission to post his thoughts on the Adam issue (it picks up on my previous post about 'adam with or without the definite article). They are below. I presume that reader comments will be answered by him. Once again, the...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 008: Problem Passages and Baptism: 1 Peter 3:14-22
The latest episode is now uploaded. It's a podcast version of my recent post on 1 Peter 3:14-22. Dr. Michael Heiser unpacks one of the most theologically complex passages in the New Testament: 1 Peter 3:14–22, which blends themes of baptism, salvation, the flood, and...
The OT Cited in the NT: A First Look at Amos 9:11-12
Amos 9:11-12 will be our next passage. I am only giving you the reference here because I want you to read it and answer in your own mind the following questions after you do so. As an Israelite contemporary to the time of Amos, when you read Amos 9:11-12 ... 1. What...
My Take on Matthew’s Use of Hosea 11:1
In addition to the good thoughts in the comments on the previous post, I thought I should chime in here. In a nutshell, I think we need to consider Matthew's real world setting. Matthew's gospel was written decades after Jesus' death and resurrection. Why is this...
The OT Used in the NT: Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15
On to another famous passage for how the NT writers use the OT. Matthew 2:13-15 (key verse: v. 15) reads: 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and...
Where Did the NT Writers Get the Idea of Jesus as Co-Creator?
Last Sunday I gave a talk at church on Jesus as co-creator. Specifically, the discussion focused on the embodied "Word" idea and "Wisdom" in the Old Testament. Here it is: Editor's note: broken video removed. Michael Heiser December 6, 2009 from Grace Church...