Category: Old Testament

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Old Testament Theology

Who Are the Gods in Psalm 82?

An empty throne in a heavenly divine council scene, representing the judgment and deposition of foreign gods in Psalm 82.

The “gods” of Psalm 82 were originally divine beings who governed foreign nations in the Hebrew Bible. In the scripture’s heavenly courtroom scene, YHWH stripped the lesser deities of their godhood as a punishment for failing to protect the poor and needy. In doing so, he asserted himself not just as the god of Israel, but also as the sovereign Lord of all nations. Centuries later, Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6 in John 10 to defend himself against a charge of blasphemy. By citing the famous line, “I said, ‘You are gods,'” Jesus leveraged a rabbinic tradition that applied the text to human beings, influencing the way we now view humanity and divinity. In this interview, Bible scholar Dan McClellan walks through the psalm’s historical context, its New Testament reinterpretation, and its modern legacy among Latter-day Saints.

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Old Testament

What Is the Meaning of Hesed in the Bible?

Two human hands pulling in opposite directions while gripping the same rope, symbolizing hesed as a shared bond of covenant loyalty under strain.

In the Bible, ḥesed signifies a bond of steadfast loyalty and kindness that defines a relationship’s enduring commitment. While the word is often rendered as “mercy” in the King James Version, it more accurately describes a “pact” requiring mutual fidelity between Israel and God. This bilateral bond is especially exemplified in the Book of Ruth and the Psalms, where human devotion mirrors the unbreakable nature of God’s covenant: even in moments of exile or despair, ḥesed offers a reassuring promise of God’s empathetic concern. In this interview, translator Robert Alter discusses the nuanced meanings of ḥesed in the Hebrew Bible.

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Old Testament

Rosalynde Welch on 7 Songs in the Old Testament

An impressionist painting of an open Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) showing poetic line breaks, used in the interview "Seven Songs" with Rosalynde Welch.

Finding Jesus Christ in the Old Testament often involves learning to discern the ancient music of the Hebrew Bible. In Seven Songs, Rosalynde Welch and Adam Miller explore the “Tanakh” as a literary masterpiece, organizing seven specific poems into a narrative arc that mirrors the lifecycle of a believer’s faith. From the fiery devotion of the Song of Miriam to the “salty tears” of divine absence in the Psalms, this approach treats the text as a living witness of Jesus’s own spiritual formation. In this interview, Rosalynde Welch explains how these poetic voices offer a theology of providence that remains sufficient even when God feels far away.

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Ancient history Book excerpts Old Testament

How Does the JPS Torah Commentary Introduce the Book of Exodus?

Artistic rendering of Mount Sinai at sunrise, evoking the sacred and ancient setting of the Book of Exodus as described in the JPS Torah Commentary.

Present-day editions divide the Book of Exodus into 40 chapters. This practice is not rooted in Jewish tradition but was borrowed from Christian Bibles. In the late Middle Ages, the Church forced Jews to engage in disputations, which usually focused upon the interpretation of scriptural passages. This necessitated a common, standardized system of reference, and so the Christian chapter and verse numberings were introduced into the Hebrew manuscript Bibles by Rabbi Solomon ben Ishmael (ca. 1330).1

Editorial Note: This is an authorized excerpt from “The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus” published by the Jewish Publication Society.

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Old Testament

Genesis: A New Translation for Latter-day Saints

An illustration of a hand reaching out to translate a copy of Genesis positioned on a desk, with the Tree of Life springing up from the pages and a temple in the background that highlights the importance for Latter-day Saints.

BYU scholar Kent P. Jackson has produced a modern translation of Genesis for Latter-day Saints. Published as a standalone hardcopy book, it features a literal translation of the Hebrew text formatted alongside the Joseph Smith Translation and Jackson’s personal commentary. While the author had long planned to translate Genesis to help Latter-day Saints become familiar with modern translations, the book’s publication coincided with the Church’s updated instructions on Study Bibles in late 2025. In this interview, Jackson sheds light on his translation process, provides examples from the book, and highlights details especially important to church members.

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Ancient history Old Testament

What Is the Meaning of the Akedah in Genesis 22?

Silhouetted Abraham and Isaac walk up Mount Moriah at sunrise, Abraham carrying wood for the offering, in an oil-painted style evoking Genesis 22 and the Akedah.

The Akedah—Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22—has long been read as the Bible’s ultimate test of faith and obedience. The Hebrew word means “to tie up” or “to bind,” describing what Abraham does to Isaac in response to God’s command to kill his son. He sets out without telling Sarah, fully intending to murder his child, only for the Lord to intervene at the last moment with a critical message. Abraham’s trial of faith is so devastating that he never again speaks to Isaac, Sarah, or God. Philosophers and theologians have interpreted the story in strikingly different ways: Did God expect Abraham’s obedience—or yearn for his “pious irreverence”? In this interview, scholar Aaron Koller explores the history of interpreting the Akedah, examining what this haunting episode means for readers of faith.

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Joseph Smith Old Testament Pearl of Great Price

What Does Genesis Really Say About Creation?

At its core, Genesis offers not one but two distinct creation accounts, each highlighting different aspects of humanity’s relationship with God. Far from being the straightforward words of Moses, the book reflects centuries of redaction and compilation—much like the Book of Mormon—woven from multiple voices and contexts. Along the way, readers encounter surprising details: skies imagined as a solid dome, humans formed from dirt, and Joseph Smith’s bold emendations of the Old Testament Hebrew text. In this interview, Avram R. Shannon explains how ancient context reshapes our understanding of Genesis, creation, and the faith-science conversation.

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Come Follow Me Old Testament Scriptures

How to Pick a Study Bible: Latter-day Saint Edition

An excerpt from the SBL Study Bible translation of Genesis 1, alongside four Study Bibles, illustrating how Latter-day Saints can benefit by learning about the Bible from experts rather than relying only on the archaic King James Version.

Study Bibles offer valuable insights that can help Latter-day Saints understand the scriptures, including the Old Testament. Church members can use reliable editions alongside the King James Version to better comprehend historical and doctrinal issues obscured by the 1611 text. The General Handbook allows for the use of study Bibles and includes a list of Bibles published or preferred by the Church to maintain clarity in discussions. In this interview, BYU scholar Joshua Sears evaluates leading study Bibles from a Latter-day Saint perspective, explains what to look for, and shares practical tips.

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Devotional Old Testament

“His Hand Is Stretched Out Still”: The Lord’s Eternal Covenant of Mercy

A section from the Sistine Chapel showing the hand of God outstretched toward man.

Many times in the scriptures, we read of the Lord’s outstretched hand or arm. It serves as a metaphor both for his forbearance and for his invitation to come to him. Nephi reports the Lord’s assurance that “mine arm is lengthened out all the day long (2 Nephi 28:32). We find such references scattered throughout Isaiah’s writings. “His anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”

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Ancient history Book excerpts Old Testament

How Did the Urim and Thummim in the Bible Work?

An illustration of an Old Testament priestly breastplate featuring the Urim and Thummim in the Bible.

When the Urim and Thummim are identified [in the Old Testament] with the gems of the breastpiece, light is often associated with them. 4QpIsa i 4–6 can be interpreted in this way. Josephus clearly links a miraculous light with the divine revelation. The oracular shining or dimming of a stone on the breastpiece is also found in subsequent Jewish and Samaritan tradition.

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