History In The Bible

A few episodes ago, I mentioned the two distinct literary traditions behind the OT or Tanakh). Most important is the rabbinic Hebrew language tradition, known as the Masoretic tradition. The other tradition is the Greek language bible, known as the Septuagint. This was translated from some unknown Hebrew original.  In many instances, the Septuagint draws upon ancient Hebrew documents that differ from those used by the rabbis. While the two traditions are in broad agreement, sometimes they diverge quite significantly. One of those places is in the origin story of King David. In this episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions and I explore these differences.  

I always thought that the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in Roman imperial times not only destroyed the city of Pompeii, but all its inhabitants. Turns out that quite a lot of people escaped.  In this detour episode join Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast and I, as we find out who died and who escaped. You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history. And be sure to check out Bernie's new youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fanofhistory4701

This is a reprise of my Epiphany 2019 show (2-33), just in time for Epiphany 2026.  It relates the story of Christmas as told by the gospel of Matthew. In Matthew, the story is told from Joseph's point of view, not Mary's. Matthew has wise men, the infamous massacre of the innocents, and the flight to Egypt. No angels and no shepherds. He does not mention Mary's relative Elizabeth, and her son John the Baptist. If you read Matthew carefully, he says nothing of the day of Christmas, but he has a lot to say about the day of Epiphany, 6th January, the day the magi paid homage. I also introduce the Gospel of James, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.

This is a reprise of my Christmas 2018 show, just in time for Christmas 2025. It relates the story of Christmas as told by the gospel of Luke. With lots of canticles: the Magnificat, the Benedictus, and the Nunc Dimmitis. Luke has many unique stories. He concentrates on Jesus' mother Mary and her relative Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. The angel Gabriel makes two cameo appearances.

In this detour episode we go way, way back.  Six thousand years ago, a language was forming that would spawn dozens of descendants, who came to occupy most of Europe and much of Anatolia, India and Iran. This ancient tongue is Proto-Indo-European. Join Bernie Maoplski of the Fan of History podcast and I, as we chase down the latest theories on the origins of this ancestral language. You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history.

A little while back, Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast and I discussed some recent research into the use of hydraulics at the step pyramid of Pharoah Djoser.  Well, lordy lordy, we received an email from a hydraulic engineer who said that the original researchers were barking up the wrong tree. Let's see what he had to say.  You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history.  

I'm back with Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions. In its 29th chapter, the book of Jeremiah contains a letter that the prophet wrote to the exiles in Babylonia. There is another letter of Jeremiah to the exiles, a very short work. In the Orthodox tradition, this is a separate book all to itself. In the Catholic canon, it is a chapter in the book of Baruch. Thanks to Martin Luther, the Protestants don't have it in any form. In this episode, Gil and I investigate the letter. Who wrote it, when, and why.

There are two distinct literary traditions behind the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). Most important is the Masoretic Hebrew tradition. The other tradition is the Greek bible, known as the Septuagint.  While the two traditions are in broad agreement, sometimes they diverge quite significantly. One of those places is in the book of Jeremiah. In this episode, Gil and I explore these differences.

Another detour episode. In this episode, Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast invited me onto his show to discuss new research into the step pyramid of Pharoah Djoser.

Another detour episode. This time I am with Gregg Gassmann of many podcasts: Popeular History (that's Popular with an "e"), Pontifacts, and Cardinal Numbers. You won’t find a bigger Pope aficionado than Gregg. Gregg and I discuss the papal conclave of May 2025. You can find Gregg's podcasts at https://www.popeularhistory.com/ and https://pontifacts.podbean.com/. Yes, we are rather late in getting this show out, but sometimes life gets in the way.

The year 2025 marks fifty years of publication by Biblical Archaeology Review, often known as BAR. This is halfway between a journal and a magazine, rather like National Geographic. It has worked as a bridge between professional archaeologists and historians, and the general public.  In this show I am joined by my old mate Steve Guerra of the History of the Papacy podcast. We discuss BAR’s history, and present some of its articles. 

On this first detour show, I am joined by Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast. We investigate the most mysterious objects ever produced in the Roman empire.   

In the last Afterlife episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions and I explored the relationship between the Jewish festival of Passover, and Christian Easter.  This time, we explore two more parallels. This time, we explore the Jewish festival of Shavuot or Weeks, and its significance to the Christian celebration of Pentecost.

In this Afterlife episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions (https://podcastofbiblicalproportions.com) explains to me the origins and customs of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Then I explain what Easter is about, and how it is intimately connected to Passover.

In this Afterlife episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions (https://podcastofbiblicalproportions.com), and I try to figure out where the rabbis came from.  

In this Afterlife episode, Bernie Maopolski of Fan of History (https://shows.acast.com/history), Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions (https://podcastofbiblicalproportions.com), and I discuss some of the miraculous births to be found in the world's religions, including the birth of Jesus by the virgin Mary.

Announcing the publication of the final volume in the History in the Bible Podcast Companion series of books. The book contains the entire scripts of the show’s third and final season. It follows the history of the two heirs of Abraham, rabbinic Judaism and Christianity, to the year 200. By that year, the rabbis had formed their foundational document, the Mishnah;, and Christianity had created the imperial church incorporate. The volume also discusses Gnosticism at length, the many books that almost made into the New Testament, and the early years of the rabbinic movement. All the information you need is at https://www.historyinthebible.com/books.html  

In this Afterlife episode, Bernie Maopolski of Fan of History (https://shows.acast.com/history), Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions (https://podcastofbiblicalproportions.com), and I discuss some of our favourite crazy theories.

In this Afterlife episode, Steve Guerra of History of the Papacy (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/history-of-the-papacy-podcast--4899207) and I discuss history podcasting.

I introduce the New Testament to Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions (https://podcastofbiblicalproportions.com). Here are the Amazon US links for the books mentioned in this episode: Vol 1 Genesis to Babylon https://www.amazon.com/dp/0645950734 Vol 2 Age of the Second Temple https://www.amazon.com/dp/0645950769 Vol 4 Essential Resources https://www.amazon.com/dp/0645950726