Bible Review

In one instance other than the life of Jacob, a matzevah does appear in a positive light. It is in the account of the ratification of the Sinai covenant, where we are told (Exodus 24:4) that Moses set up twelve matzevot at the foot of the mountain. But even here it seems to be connected with Jacob (= Israel), for these matzevot are intended to correspond to the tribes of Israel, that is, to Jacob’s twelve sons.

Jacob is also fleeing from his jealous brother Esau who seeks to kill him because Jacob stole his birthright (Genesis 27:41–44).

See Kenneth V. Mull and Carolyn Sundquist Mull, “Biblical Leprosy—Is It Really?” BR 08:02.

Pertaining to the end of human history.

See Helmut Koester and Stephen J. Patterson, “The Gospel of Thomas—Does It Contain Authentic Sayings of Jesus?” BR 06:02.

Winners of the 1991 Biblical Archaeology Society Publication Awards.

YHWH, the so-called “Tetragrammaton,” is the four-letter name of the God of Israel. Its pronunciation is uncertain, but it is often rendered “Yahweh” or “Jehovah,” and is usually translated as “the Lord” in English Bibles.

Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki, is the best-known Jewish commentator on the Bible. He lived in France in the 11th century.

See the comprehensive articles by Elaine Goodfriend and Karl van der Toorn under the entry “Prostitution” in the Anchor Bible Dictionary.

“Does the Bible Prohibit Homosexuality?” BR 09:06.