These are a selection of articles on different topics or issues arising from the study of the Old Testament.
Are chapters 1 - 11 of Genesis history?
These early chapters of Genesis are often dismissed as being legendary or fictional. Does the rest of the Bible consider the people and events to be historical?
Did the patriarchs have very long lives?
The genealogy of the patriarchs in the Book of Genesis claims that they lived for hundreds of years. Is this account realistic?
The Table of the Nations (Gen 10)
The list of the descendants of Noah through his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth gives the origin of many peoples around the ancient near east.
This page looks at each of these and notes where these names are found elsewhere in the Bible, as well as in other historical records.
The Tower of Babel
Why do we speak many different languages around the world? A look at this well-known account, and the origin of nations and languages, and what the Bible has to say about racism.
Names of God
Hebrew names have meanings, especially the names of God, which are used in the OT to describe his nature and character.
Covenants
To understand the Old Testament it is necessary to understand the importance of a covenant. This article explains what a covenant was, how one was made, and the significance of covenant in the thinking of the Old Testament.
Sacrifices and offerings
This summarises the differences between burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings which God commmanded in the Law of Moses
Jewish Festivals
This describes each of the Jewish Festivals which were celebrated through the year, including the Sabbath, Passover, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles
Tithing
Churches often teach that Christians should give 10% of their income, but what were the instructions in the original laws given through Moses, and how can we learn from them today?
Differences between the Books of Kings and Chronicles
At first sight, the Books of Kings and the Books of Chronicles appear to be very similar, covering much of the same period of the history of Israel, especially the monarchy.
However, there are some significant differences between the two, which are listed on this page.
Fall of Satan?
It is frequently claimed that certain passages in Isaiah and Ezekiel teach that Satan is a fallen angel, but what do these passages actually say?
Holy Spirit in OT
How did the Holy Spirit function in the Old Testament in the centuries before the Day of Pentecost?
Daniel’s 70 weeks
Some thoughts on a very difficult passage in the Book of Daniel.
Types of Jesus in the OT
A study on typology, when real people, events, places or objects in the Old Testament in some way foreshadow the person and work of Jesus.
OT quoted in NT
A list of the passages in each of the Old Testament books, showing where they are quoted in the New Testament. For a list of the passages in the NT books where the OT is quoted, please go to the NT quotes of OT page.