Exegetically Speaking

Wheaton College

"Exegetically Speaking" is a weekly podcast of the friends and faculty of Wheaton College, IL and The Lanier Theological Library. Hosted by Dr. David Capes, it features language experts who discuss the importance of learning the biblical languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—and show how reading the Bible in the original languages "pays off." Each podcast lasts between seven and eleven minutes and covers a different topic for those who want to read the Bible for all it is worth. Click on the ⓘ symbol below for each episode to read the description.

If you're interested in going deeper, learn more about Wheaton's undergraduate degree in Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) and our MA in Biblical Exegesis.

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S8 · E5
Monday · 11 min
Well Versed in the Teaching of Moses, with Rabbi Steven Bob: Ezra 7:6
When the man Ezra is introduced in the book of Ezra, he is identified as "a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses" (NIV). The word translated as "law" there is torah, frequently translated as "law," but is "law" the best way to represent its meaning here? 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. His newest book is When Judaism Began: Exploring the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3TvJRXG M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4yWiGVU
S8 · E4
October 5 · 11 min
Savvy Involvement in a Social Context, with Ron Lindo Jr.: Esther 4:14
One of the most memorable lines of Esther comes in 4:14, where Mordecai cautions Esther that if she is unwilling to involve herself in the plight of her fellow Jews, "deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place." What other "place" is in mind? Dr. Lindo is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry at East Texas Baptist University. His publications include Literary Allusions in Esther: A Study on the Convergence of Intertexts and Narrative. He is presently working on commentaries on Jeremiah and Esther. We heard him in the previous episode on Esther 1. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4wBqomN M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4568yfP
S8 · E3
September 28 · 9 min
A Would-Be Solomonic Ruler, with Ron Lindo Jr.: Esther 1
The first chapter of Esther impresses many readers as simple background information for the following story. Taking a hint from the Jewish Targums (Aramaic translations of the OT), Ron Lindo found that there are many allusions to 1 Kings 1-10, suggesting parallels between the Persian king, Ahasuerus (Xerxes), and Israel's King Solomon. Dr. Lindo is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry at East Texas Baptist University. His publications include Literary Allusions in Esther: A Study on the Convergence of Intertexts and Narrative. He is presently working on commentaries on Jeremiah and Esther. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4btDp9I M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4xnLrcN
S8 · E2
September 21 · 12 min
Seeing is Not Believing, Part III, with J. D. Atkins: Acts 1:3
Luke reports that Jesus, in the days following his resurrection but before his ascension, "presented himself alive... by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God" (ESV). Grammatically and contextually, it turns out, the "proofs" do not merely refer to the physical evidence for the resurrection (Luke 24:36-43) but also to the way that Jesus's death and resurrection fulfill the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-47). Dr. J. D. Atkins is Associate Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, and Chair of the Department of Biblical and Exegetical Studies at Tyndale Theological Seminary (Netherlands). Among other things, he has authored The Doubt of the Apostles and the Resurrection Faith of the Early Church. His co-authored book, 40 Questions about the Gospels, is forthcoming with Kregel. This episode is a continuation of Dr. Atkins' two earlier episodes also entitled "Seeing is Not Believing." Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4zaroQO M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4w5rMNw
S8 · E1
September 14 · 14 min
The Church of God, the Continuation of Israel, with G. K. Beale: 1 Corinthians 1:2 and Nehemiah 13:1
The phrase, "the church of God," is used only by Paul in the NT, and occurs only once in the OT, in Nehemiah 13:1. Is Paul's use of the phrase under the influence of this OT passage, and, if so, what would the connection entail? Dr. Gregory Beale, long time Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College & Graduate School, and elsewhere, is currently Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas. He has written and edited or co-edited many books, including a commentary on Revelation, the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, The Temple and the Church's Mission, A New Testament Biblical Theology, and Union with the Resurrected Christ: Eschatological New Creation and New Testament Biblical Theology. In this podcast he refers to his own following articles: "The Background of ἐκκλησία Revisited," Journal For the Study of the New Testament 38 (2015), pp. 151-168; "The New Testament Background of ἐκκλησία Revisited Yet Again," in Redeeming the Life of the Mind, edited by J. M. Frame, W. Grudem, and J. J. Hughes (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), pp. 47-60. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4hZXbhb M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4wUxYsl
S7 · E50
August 31 · 16 min
The Logos as Locus for God's Glory, with Denis Salgado: John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14, NIV). The verb (σκηνόω) translated as "made his dwelling" occurs in the NT also in Rev. 7:15; 12:12; 13:6; and 21:3. It turns out to be a suggestive verb with a strong history in the OT connected with Moses' tabernacle. Dr. Denis L. Salgado is the Lead Research Fellow & Assistant Executive Director at the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM). His publications include (co-editor), Intersection: Interdisciplinary Approaches to New Testament Text and Manuscript Studies. In addition to his exposition of John 1:14, in this episode Dr. Salgado talks about the urgent importance of studying the remaining manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4vbwYzP M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4viuaBc
S7 · E49
August 24 · 13 min
So Many Days Till Judgment, with Milton Acosta: Jonah 3:4
In the Hebrew of Jonah 3:4, the prophet announces a forty day delay before judgment falls on the Assyrian city of Nineveh. In the Greek version (LXX) of the same passage, the period allowed is just three days. Sometimes the Greek version is a more reliable witness to the original than the Hebrew, since the Hebrew may exist only in later copies. So did Jonah announce a deadline of three days or forty days? Dr. Milton Acosta is Associate Director of Training with Mesa Global, and was formerly professor of Old Testament and chair of the Biblical Sciences Research Group at la Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia. His publications include El Humor En El Antiguo Testamento; he also serves as Old Testament editor for the Latin America Bible Commentary. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4oy8f6n M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4v8IKuL
S7 · E48
August 17 · 10 min
A Vision of Visions for Israel and the Self-Doubting Nations, with David Baer: Isaiah 2:3
In a passage closely paralleled in Micah 4, the entire book of Isaiah is anticipated. A Hebrew particle in Isa. 2:3, the meaning of which is debated, hints at the scope of the inclusion of the nations (Gentiles) in God's dealings with Israel and the nations' own misgivings about the extent of their inclusion. Will they experience partial or full participation? Dr. David Baer, a Wheaton College alum and a missionary with Mesa Global, is Director of Mesa Scholars and Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Medellín's Biblical Seminary of Colombia. His publications include (co-editor), Leshon Limmudim: Essays on the Language and Literature of the Hebrew Bible in Honour of A.A. Macintosh. In an earlier episode of this podcast he discussed Isa. 57:15. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4a0GRrJ M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4fRR2md
S7 · E47
August 10 · 8 min
Erasmus Vision, with David Baer
Dr. David Baer, a Wheaton College alum and a missionary with Mesa Global, is Director of Mesa Scholars and Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Medellín's Biblical Seminary of Colombia. In this episode he announces and explains a planned Erasmus Academy of Biblical Languages, which will be a Spanish language institution, based in Colombia, serving as a platform for learning the biblical languages across the global Spanish speaking world. Dr. Baer's publications include When We All Go Home: Translation and Theology in LXX Isaiah 56-66. This is his second time on this podcast series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/43BSemk M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4uA1zpu
S7 · E46
August 3 · 13 min
God Gave the One Named Son, with George Kalantzis: John 3:16
Prof. George Kalantzis returns for a third comment on one of the Bible's most well-known verses, John 3:16. A seemingly small question – should the English pronoun 'his' be inserted where the Greek has only the article 'the'? – swells with importance when viewed through the lens of the church's theological growth over the centuries following the apostles. Dr. George Kalantzis is Professor of Theology and Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies at Wheaton College. Among his publications are Theodore of Mopsuestia: Gospel of John and Caesar and the Lamb: Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service. He has been editor or co-editor of several volumes, including, Christian Dying: Witnesses from the Tradition. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4tUlbFz M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3P1abqI
S7 · E45
July 27 · 14 min
The Masoretes, the LXX, the Scrolls, and Modern Translations, with Michael Graves: 2 Samuel 17:3
The KJV of 2 Sam. 17:3 reads in part, "And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace," whereas the ESV reads, "and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace." Behind this difference is a fascinating story of rediscovery worthy of Indiana Jones. Dr. Michael Graves, a frequent contributor to this podcast, is Armerding Professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College. He is the translator of Commentary on Jeremiah (Ancient Christian Texts) and author of How Scripture Interprets Scripture, among other things. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4tiQPeS M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4eXoqY4
S7 · E44
July 20 · 9 min
Nothing Iffy About It, with Philip Graham Ryken: Philippians 2:1
Paul writes to the Philippian believers, "if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love . . . ." Does he doubt that they do? How do conditional sentences work on occasions like this? Dr. Phil Ryken, who has been a regular on our podcast, is the President of Wheaton College, 8th in the college's history. His most recent book is I Have My Doubts: How God Can Use Your Uncertainty to Reawaken Your Faith. You can hear many of his talks at Family Life Ministry – Podcast or at Every Last Word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4urqZpE M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4eMmXnB
S7 · E43
July 13 · 8 min
Assonance, Burning Brush, and Consonance, with Bradley Cameron: Ecclesiastes 7:5
In the hevel-ridden world of Ecclesiastes the writer is asking whether it is all worth it for human beings. These reflections resonate with a modern audience, but what can be hard to grasp in translation is the sound of the Hebrew sentences, which itself assists in conveying the intended meaning. Bradley Cameron (PhD, Wheaton), who has been on the podcast before, is Visiting Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. His dissertation was, "Learning to Fear: An Exploration of the Fear of God in Ecclesiastes through the Lens of Emotion." His publications can be found on his faculty page. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4dbqUQh M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/48Dqj8y
S7 · E42
July 6 · 14 min
A Wee Little Man, with Jon Laansma: Luke 19:3
In Luke 19:3, Zacchaeus is unable to see Jesus because he is short. Is it possible that the short person in question is Jesus? Jon C. Laansma is Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek & Exegesis and the Director of the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College, and also the Wheaton-based director of this podcast series. Some of his publications may be found here. He is currently working on a commentary on 1 Corinthians for the T&T Clark International Theological Commentary series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4uOCpV1 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4uu1Ivc
S7 · E41
June 29 · 11 min
Finding Community in a New Social Unit, with John Walton: Genesis 2:24
The traditional translations of Gen. 2:24 have the man "leaving his father and mother," "clinging to his wife," and "becoming one flesh." The assumed frame of reference is that of marriage and sexual union. Yet situating that language in its cultural context and noting a Babylonian parallel to one of those phrases points to a corporate frame of reference. Dr. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. He has many volumes in his "Lost World" series along with many other publications, including, Genesis (NIV Application Commentary). He is currently collaborating with Dr. Aubrey Buster in preparing a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is already available, and the second volume on Daniel 7-12 is on the way. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/42KEbKC M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Rmomao
S7 · E40
June 22 · 12 min
Noah: First Impressions as Prologue, with Adam Miglio: Genesis 5:29 and 6:6-8
When Noah (Noach) is first introduced in Genesis 5, it is said that "he will bring us relief (nacham)." This and other wordplays will feature significantly throughout the entire story of the flood, not least in Gen. 6:6-8. Dr. Adam E. Miglio, a frequent contributor to our podcast, is Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. His publications include The Gilgamesh Epic in Genesis 1-11: Peering into the Deep and Tribe and State: The Dynamics of International Politics and the Reign of Zimri-Lim. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4dpBfZV M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/49rF9iw
S7 · E39
June 15 · 10 min
The Divine Parakletos, with Philip Graham Ryken: John 14:16, 26
In a Trinitarian passage, Jesus (the Son) declares, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another παράκλητος (parakletos), to be with you forever." The understanding of that Greek designation of the Holy Spirit is critical for grasping the promise of Jesus, the assurance it contains, and the marks of its fulfillment. Dr. Phil Ryken, who has been a regular on our podcast, is the President of Wheaton College, 8th in the college's history. His most recent book is I Have My Doubts: How God Can Use Your Uncertainty to Reawaken Your Faith. You can hear many of his talks at Family Life Ministry – Podcast or at Every Last Word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4wqxtaq M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/48FmVtH
S7 · E38
June 8 · 10 min
They've Taken the Lord, with Amy Peeler: John 20:2
Some modern translations of John 20:2 have Mary exclaiming, "They have taken away the Lord's body from the tomb." The word "body" is not in the Greek sentence, and its insertion might dampen our sympathy with Mary's profound grief. Dr. Amy Peeler has contributed several episodes to this podcast. She is the Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies, Professor of New Testament, and Chair of the Ph.D. Program at Wheaton College. Her most recent publication include Ordinary Time: The Season of Growth and Hebrews (Commentaries for Christian Formation). She is presently working on Paul's view on the impact of the Incarnation. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3QOZOqE M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4tZGPs8
S7 · E37
June 1 · 8 min
To Breathe' or 'A Witness'? Ugaritic, Hebrew, and the Text of Proverbs 12:17, with Andrew Burlingame: Proverbs 12:17
We are approaching the centenary of the discovery of the Ugaritic language, which belongs to the same family of languages as Hebrew, Aramaic, Moabite, and others. This relationship with Hebrew permits insights to flow both from Hebrew to Ugaritic and Ugaritic to Hebrew. One illustration of this is found in Prov. 12:17. A word traditionally parsed as a verb in a context that seemed to call for a noun was confirmed to be a noun when Ugaritic parallels were uncovered. Some English translations are still catching up. Dr. Andrew Burlingame, a prior contributor to this podcast, is a Wheaton College Classical Languages program alumnus and is now Assistant Professor of Hebrew at the same. He specializes in Northwest Semitic languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician, and Ugaritic, along with their history and texts. Some of his recent publications are featured here. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4dbosJz M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4nb1vKP
S7 · E36
May 25 · 10 min
Backpacks, with John Walton
Due to his extensive writing and lecturing John Walton is recognized as a leading scholar on OT backgrounds. His attempts to convey this research to varied audiences, often non-specialists, has led him to search out imagery that will make even involved ideas more intuitively accessible. One such metaphor is that of cultural "backpacks." Dr. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. He has many volumes in his "Lost World" series along with many other publications, including (with Andrew Hill), A Survey of the Old Testament (4th ed.). He is currently collaborating with Dr. Aubrey Buster in preparing a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is already available, and the second volume on Daniel 7-12 is on the way. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4daJ6cH M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3OYI4bK

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