What was the significance of the elders in the Old Testament?
In ancient societies, the elders were the adult men, usually older, who were responsible for making decisions in a local village or community. While the term elder could simply refer to someone older (as in Genesis 10:21), most often, a reference to “elders” was an allusion to the men who led in local decision-making. We…
What is the meaning of sackcloth and ashes?
Sackcloth and ashes were used in Old Testament times as a symbol of debasement, mourning, and/or repentance. Someone wanting to show his repentant heart would often wear sackcloth, sit in ashes, and put ashes on top of his head. Sackcloth was a coarse material usually made of black goat’s hair, making it quite uncomfortable to…
What is the significance of Jacob’s well?
Jacob’s well is only mentioned in John’s Gospel, so biblical information about it is quite limited. However, tradition and archaeology provide more detail about the well’s original owner and its location. In chapter 4 of his Gospel, John recorded the story of Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman. Samaria was located in the northern half…
What is a bridegroom?
A bridegroom is a man just married or just about to be married. A bridegroom is the male version of a bride, a woman who is just married or just about to be married. The word bridegroom comes from the Old English brydguma, which was a combination of bryd (“bride”) and guma (“man”). The word…
What was the Babylonian captivity/exile?
The Babylonian captivity or exile refers to the time period in Israel’s history when Jews were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. It is an important period of biblical history because both the captivity/exile and the return and restoration of the Jewish nation were fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies. God used Babylon as…
What does it mean to receive a double portion?
Six times in the Bible, specific reference is made to a “double portion.” When someone receives a double portion, he gets a gift twice as much as that given to others. The concept of the double portion is first mentioned in the Law of Moses: “But he shall acknowledge the firstborn . . . by…
What is a solemn assembly in the Bible?
In the Bible, a solemn assembly is a gathering of the people of Israel for a sacred feast, festival, or holy occasion. A solemn assembly included a ritual of purification or observing a state of holiness in which all the people of the community were commanded to do no work. The solemn assembly is also…
What does the Bible say about stoning?
Stoning is a method of execution during which a group of people, usually peers of the guilty party, throws stones at the condemned person until he or she dies. Death by stoning was prescribed in the Old Testament Law as a punishment for various sins. Both animals and people could be the subjects of stoning…
What is an altar?
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. It was usually a raised platform with a flat surface. There are over four hundred references to altars in the Bible. The word altar is first used in Genesis 8:20 when Noah built an altar to the Lord after…
What is ablution? Does the Bible talk about ablutions?
Ablution is a ceremonial act of washing. What’s being washed could be parts of the body or sacred containers. In many religions, ablutions prepare people to approach God. The term ablution does not appear in Scripture, but the Bible does make numerous allusions to the practice. Ablution in Scripture reveals truths about God’s holiness, human…