judaism

Studies involving Jewish Scripture, tradition, and theological themes with relevance to biblical interpretation.

Dead Sea Scrolls & Biblical Theology Members Public

With the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) in 1947, manuscripts were discovered which give us a window into the specific beliefs and practices of a certain Jewish group living around the area of Jerusalem. One such scroll is known as the Community Rule, and highlights some of the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
apocryphacanonbible

Justin’s Knowledge of Paul Pt. 2 Members Public

This post is taken from the following blog articles: * The Letters of Paul in Justin Martyr (Part 1) * The Letters of Paul in Justin Martyr (Part 2) * Paul and Justin: Conclusions and Bibliography The Letters of Paul in Justin Martyr (Part 1) History, Theology This post is part of an

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
historytheologychristianity

The Trinity in Neofiti Revisited Members Public

I quote from the English translation of Targum Neofiti 1: Genesis (The Aramaic Bible 1A), translated with Apparatus and Notes by Martin McNamara, M.S.C, and published by The Liturgical Press in 1992. All emphasis will be mine. CHAPTER 1 1. From the beginning1 with wisdoma the Memra2 of

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
trinitygenesistorah

The Messiah of Genesis Rabbah Members Public

Bereshit Rabbah is a rabbinic exposition of the book of Genesis. As such it gives us an idea of how the rabbis understood the Person and work of the Messiah. For instance, the following OT texts are all interpreted in respect to the Messiah: Genesis 1:2; 3:14-15; 4:

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
judaismmidrashmessiah

Muhammad’s Jewish Sex-Slave Members Public

According to the Sunni traditions, Muhammad had at least two sex slaves that he did not marry, namely, a Christian Coptic girl named Mariyah and a Jewish concubine named Rayhanah. I have written at length about Mariyah so here I will focus on Rayhanah. Here is what a modern biography

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
islamhadithsunnah

Talmud, Christian Writings & the Name Members Public

The Talmud contains an interesting discussion concerning what should be done to the scrolls of heretics such as Christians, which contain God’s names. All emphasis will be mine. תָּא שְׁמַע: הַגִּילְיוֹנִין וְסִפְרֵי מִינִין אֵין

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
judaismchristianitygod

John of Hyrcanus Among the Prophets? Members Public

Jewish historian Flavius Josephus writes about a high priest during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes IV and the Maccabean period, named John Hyrcanus. The historian claims that Hyrcanus was given the gift of prophecy and that God spoke to him and enabled him to foretell future events. Here’s what

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
historyjudaismmaccabees

Rashi & Messianic Prooftexts Members Public

In this post I will be citing from The Complete Tanakh (Tanach) – Hebrew Bible with Rashi Commentary in respect to particular Old Testament passages, which this renowned medieval Rabbi interpreted as being messianic prophecies. All emphasis will be mine. Gen. 15:11 and Abram drove them away. Heb. וַיַ

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
judaismmessiahprophecy
Get Updates