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by Department of Bible, Bar-Ilan University
The Bible Bar – The Podcast of the Bible Department of Bar-Ilan University. Hosted by Dr. Joshua Berman, The Bible Bar offers a guided journey through the Bible, one chapter at a time, in conversation with leading scholars from Bar-Ilan University and across the globe. Drawing on the full spectrum of biblical studies, the podcast translates cutting-edge research into thoughtful, engaging discussions, helping listeners discover new depth and meaning in the text
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- Yesterday37 min
Gen 18 : Praying Through Questions
Guest: Dr. Steven Mann. In Genesis 18, Abraham stands before God and does something remarkable: he prays not by making requests, but by asking questions. As God reveals His intention to judge Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham responds with a series of probing questions about justice, mercy, and the fate of the innocent.Is this the Bible’s first prayer of intercession? Is Abraham praying, arguing, or seeking justice? And what does this extraordinary encounter teach us about the role of questions in our own prayer lives?In this episode:Why questions play such a central role in Genesis 18God’s opening question: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?”How questions invite reflection and deepen relationshipsWhether Abraham is praying, bargaining, arguing, or intercedingThe connection between prayer and the pursuit of justiceWhat Abraham’s boldness reveals about his relationship with GodWhy questioning God can be an expression of faith rather than doubtThe surprising rarity of intercessory prayer in the Hebrew BibleWhat Genesis 18 teaches us about praying for others todayThe episode centers around Dr. Mann's study, "Ask and You Shall Intercede: The Peculiar Perlocutionary Power of Asking God Questions." Bulletin for Biblical Research 29.2 (2019): 208-224.
- 1 weeks ago30 min
Gen 17: Why Circumcision? From Laughter to Faith
Guest: Jonathan Inman. What is circumcision really about in Genesis 17?Drawing on biblical scholarship, anthropology, and close textual reading, we examine why circumcision became the covenantal sign given to Abraham and how it relates to the central drama of Genesis 17: Abraham's struggle to believe that God's promise of a son could still come true.The conversation moves beyond sociological explanations of circumcision and uncovers a profound theological message. The covenantal mark on Abraham's body is not simply about identity or membership—it is a sign of faith in God's ability to bring life, descendants, and a future where human possibility seems exhausted.Along the way, they revisit Abraham's laughter, the birth promise of Isaac, and the recurring tension in Abraham's life between trust and doubt.In This EpisodeWhy scholars have proposed so many different explanations for circumcisionCircumcision in ancient Egypt and the broader ancient Near EastThe strengths and limits of anthropological approaches to biblical ritualsThe structure of Genesis 17 and the covenant of circumcisionAbraham's laughter: skepticism, amazement, or something in between?The significance of God's promise that Sarah will bear IsaacHow circumcision functions as a sign of faith in God's future promisesThe relationship between the covenant sign and fertility, descendants, and continuityAbraham as a model of both faith and doubtWhat Genesis 17 teaches about trusting God when fulfillment seems impossibleThe discussion is based on, Jonathan D. Inman “Why Circumcision? A New Understanding of the Covenant Sign in Genesis 17.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 48, no. 2 (2023): 163–182.
- 2 weeks ago41 min
Genesis 16: Hagar and the Pattern Behind Biblical Heroes
Guest: Prof. Edward Greenstein. Genesis 16 is often read as the story of Hagar, Sarah, and Abraham—a difficult episode marked by surrogacy, jealousy, and exile. But a closer look reveals something more. Hagar's story follows a literary pattern that appears throughout the Bible in the lives of some of Israel's greatest heroes.In this episode, we explore how Hagar's flight into the wilderness anticipates stories later told about Moses, David, Elijah, and others. Far from being a marginal figure, Hagar becomes the first character in Scripture to embody a recurring biblical pattern: the fugitive who flees into the wilderness, encounters God, receives a promise, and emerges transformed.What happens when we read Genesis 16 not only as family drama, but as the prototype of a larger biblical story type? And what does this reveal about the way the Bible invites us to understand Hagar's significance?In this episode:Why biblical narratives often work through recurring story patternsThe sequence of motifs that define the "fugitive hero" type-sceneHow Hagar's experience anticipates Moses, David, Elijah, and othersWhat literary parallels can teach us about characterizationWhy Genesis 16 elevates Hagar's status in surprising waysHow recognizing these patterns enriches our reading of biblical narrative
- 3 weeks ago33 min
Gen 15: Why the Borders of the Land Keep Changing
Guest: Dr. Aubrey McClain - In Genesis 15, God promises Abraham a land stretching “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.” But elsewhere in the Torah, the borders of the Promised Land look very different. Why?We explore how biblical borders are about far more than geography. They reveal theological ideas about covenant, identity, holiness, and Israel’s partnership with God.The conversation examines the multiple territorial descriptions found throughout the Pentateuch, the meaning of the Transjordan, and why Scripture preserves differing visions of the land. Rather than contradictions, these shifting maps may reflect different spiritual and political ideals within the biblical tradition.Among the questions explored:Why does Genesis 15 describe such expansive borders?Why do other biblical passages define the land differently?What role does the Transjordan play in biblical thought?Are biblical borders descriptive, aspirational, or theological?What does it mean for Israel to “collaborate with God in defining territory”?The conversation stems around Dr. McClain's work, The Transjordan in Biblical Literature: A Critical Spatial Approach.
- 4 weeks ago32 min
Gen 14 – Why Does Melchizedek Matter?
Guest: Dr. Josh Mathews. Genesis 14 is the first war recorded in Scripture — but the chapter turns on a mysterious priest-king who appears out of nowhere. Why does Melchizedek bless Abram? Why does Abram give him a tithe? And why does Psalm 110 and Hebrews later build so much theology around this brief encounter?In this episode we explore:The battle of the kings in Genesis 14Abram’s rescue of LotThe identity of MelchizedekMelchizedek as priest and kingBread, wine, blessing, and covenant themesWhy Melchizedek matters for understanding JesusTexts discussed:Genesis 14Psalm 110Hebrews 5–7The episode features Dr. Mathews' book, Melchizedek's Alternative Priestly Order: A Compositional Analysis of Genesis 14:18-20 and its Echoes Throughout the Tanak (Eisenbrauns, 2013).If this episode helped you, consider sharing it and subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts.
- May 11, 202633 min
Gen 13: What Lot Reveals About Abraham
Guest Dr. Dan Rickett. In Genesis 13, Lot's presence helps reveal Abraham’s faith, priorities, and character. As conflict grows between their households, Abraham chooses peace over power, generosity over self-protection, and trust in God over grasping for the best land. Lot, meanwhile, chooses by sight, drawn toward the fertile Jordan Valley and the cities near Sodom.This episode explores how Lot functions as a contrast within the Abraham narrative. Through their separation, Genesis highlights two different ways of living: one shaped by visible opportunity and another shaped by confidence in God’s promise. We’ll discuss the literary role Lot plays in Genesis, the importance of land and inheritance in the patriarchal stories, and why Abraham’s response becomes a defining expression of faith.Topics include:The conflict between Abraham’s and Lot’s householdsWhy Abraham lets Lot choose firstThe symbolism of “looking” in Genesis 13Lot as a foil to AbrahamThe theological importance of the land promiseThe first movement toward SodomFaith versus sight in the patriarchal narrativesWhat Genesis 13 reveals about Abraham’s characterIf you’re enjoying the podcast, consider subscribing and sharing the episode with others studying Genesis and the story of Abraham
- May 4, 202640 min
Gen 12: Two Journeys to Canaan and the Choosing of Abram
Guest: Dr. Zvi Shimon. Genesis 12 does not begin in isolation. Abram’s call is set within an earlier, incomplete journey led by Terah. This episode explores the relationship between these two movements toward Canaan and what they reveal about divine calling, human initiative, and election.Key ThemesThe continuity between Genesis 11 and 12Two journeys toward the same destinationThe significance of Terah stopping in HaranAbram’s call as both interruption and continuationDivine election and human movement already underway
- Apr 27, 202631 min
Gen 11: The Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the World
Guest: Prof. John Day. In this episode, we explore one of the most intriguing and often misunderstood stories in the Bible: the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). What was so wrong with humanity coming together in unity? Why does God intervene—and what does this moment reveal about human nature, ambition, and the divine plan?Joined by Old Testament scholar Professor John Day (Oxford), we dig into the deeper theological and historical dimensions of the text. This conversation brings clarity to a story that serves as the turning point from the primeval history (Genesis 1–11) into the story of Abraham and the formation of God’s people.In this episode, we discuss:What exactly was the “problem” at Babel—was it the tower, the city, or something deeper?The meaning behind “making a name for ourselves” and the dangers of human self-definition apart from GodWhy unified humanity can be both powerful—and problematicHow Babel explains the origin of nations, languages, and human divisionThe relationship between Babel and ancient Mesopotamian culture and zigguratsHow Genesis 11 sets the stage for Abraham and God’s redemptive plan
About The Bible Bar
The Bible Bar – The Podcast of the Bible Department of Bar-Ilan University. Hosted by Dr. Joshua Berman, The Bible Bar offers a guided journey through the Bible, one chapter at a time, in conversation with leading scholars from Bar-Ilan University and across the globe. Drawing on the full spectrum of biblical studies, the podcast translates cutting-edge research into thoughtful, engaging discussions, helping listeners discover new depth and meaning in the text
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