The Sound of Meaning, with Rabbi Steven Bob: Genesis 1:1-5
Release Date: 08/11/2025
Jesus, Son of God, with Christopher M. Hays: Mark 1:1 and 15:39
Exegetically Speaking
In the opening line of Mark’s Gospel Jesus is referred to as “the Son of God,” except that the Greek phrasing in this instance, somewhat non-typically, lacks any definite article. That this idiom echoes imperial propaganda is seen to be likely when a Roman centurion employs the same wording as he observes how Jesus died on their cross. Dr. Christopher Hays, a return contributor to this podcast, is president of and host of . Among his publications are and . Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): M.A. in...
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Canceling a King, with Oliver Hersey: Exodus 1:8-9
Exegetically Speaking
When the king of Egypt is first introduced in our OT book of Exodus he is not named, nor thereafter. But the book itself in Hebrew is called “Names,” and even the midwives are named (Exod. 1:15). Egyptians tended to treat the kings of their enemies the same way. Dr. Oliver Hersey is the 11th president of Jerusalem University College. This college, located on the southwestern corner of Mount Zion, equips for ministry by providing immersive study of the ancient and modern contexts of Israel and the surrounding regions for a deepened understanding of God and his word. Check out related...
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What Was From the Beginning, with Elizabeth Mburu: 1 John 1:1-4
Exegetically Speaking
John’s longer letter begins with a series of clauses headed by neuter relative pronouns without clear antecedents. In particular, the neuter gender draws our attention. To what do they refer and how does this relate to John’s larger concerns? Dr. Elizabeth Mburu, who contributed earlier to this podcast, is Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya, and is the regional coordinator for Anglophone Africa for . She is on the board of the and is the editorial coordinator and New Testament editor for its revision. Her...
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Cranky, Bald Donkeys and Textual Criticism, with Andrew Perrin: Jeremiah 14:6
Exegetically Speaking
Looking at ancient copies (manuscripts) of the Old Testament is necessary if we are to reconstruct the earliest wording of the texts, but the manuscripts can also shed light on the ancient scribes, their work, and perennial challenges of interpretation. For example, 4Q Jeremiah A (dates to around 225-175 B.C.E.), one of the Qumran Scrolls, has some interesting wording at Jer. 14:6. Dr. Andrew B. Perrin is Professor of Humanities at Athabasca University. His publications include and . Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): ...
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The Messianic Whipper Snapper, with N. Clayton Croy: John 2:15
Exegetically Speaking
The RSV’s translation of the “cleansing of the temple” in John 2:15 is in part, “And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple.” John’s Greek, however, suggests that Jesus was using the whip only on the animals, which might have other implications for interpretation. Dr. Croyis the author of a widely used beginning Greek grammar, , and , among other things. His newest book, forthcoming in December, 2025, is . He previously held teaching posts at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, and Southern Nazarene University,...
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The New Creation Story of Jesus Christ, with David Capes: Matthew 1:1
Exegetically Speaking
The opening words of Matthew’s Gospel are translated as, “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah” (NRSV), or “This is the genealogy . . .” (NIV), or “This is a record of the ancestors . . .” (NLT). A comparison with the parallels in Genesis and a look at what Matthew actually composes suggest that Matthew had something else in mind. , formerly Dean of , is the host of Exegetically Speaking and the Director of Academic Programming at the , which sponsors this podcast series along with Wheaton College. His publications include . Check out related programs at Wheaton...
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At the Doorstep of Nicaea, with Malcolm Yarnell: Colossians 2:9
Exegetically Speaking
The Colossian churches had shifted their attention from Christ to calendrical matters, mediatorial figures, mystical visions, and philosophical notions. Paul is calling them to focus on Christ, who is the center and circumference of reality. In 2:9, Paul’s language makes Christ’s full deity unavoidable and unmistakeable. Dr. Malcolm Yarnell III, who has been on this podcast before, is Research Professor of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is Teaching Pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church. His publications include . The second volume, , is forthcoming (February, 2026)....
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Whose Koilia is This?, with Jennifer Houston McNeel: John 7:38
Exegetically Speaking
The NRSV translates John 7:38, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” Behind that stand entangled questions of the punctuation of the Greek sentences (punctuation is lacking in the earliest manuscripts), the meaning of the word κοιλία (koilia), and whose koilia is in mind. Another translation could be, “Out of Jesus’ womb flow rivers of living water,” which fits nicely with John’s wider context. Dr. Jennifer McNeel is a NT professor at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore, MD. She also teaches at United Lutheran Seminary and is...
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Honor Everyone As the King, the King as Everyone, with Jason Maston: 1 Peter 2:17
Exegetically Speaking
Peter’s Greek wording in 1 Pet. 2:17 suggests a subtle but potent leveling of people and Roman king in Peter’s kingdom vision. Dr. Jason Maston is Professor of Theology at Houston Christian University, where he is also Associate Dean, School of Christian Thought, and Director, BA to MDiv Program. His publications include (author) and (co-editor) . He is currently writing a theology of 1 Peter as part of the being published by Cambridge University Press. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): M.A. in Biblical...
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This Place, with James Hoffmeier: Jeremiah 7:7
Exegetically Speaking
Modern students of biblical Hebrew learn that the “pointing” (symbols for vowels) of the commonly used Masoretic text of the OT was added to the Hebrew consonants in the medieval period, and that the meaning of a passage can depend on the pointing used. Depending on the pointing chosen, Jeremiah 7:7 can be translated as, “I will let you dwell in this place,” or as, “I will dwell with you in this place.” Was the ambiguity of the unpointed text intentional? James Hoffmeier is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Near Eastern History and Archaeology at (former) Trinity...
info_outlineThe 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