After Babylon fell, Persia became a major power in the Ancient Near East. Find out what influence Persia had on the people of Israel in the Bible. Persia— now modern-day Iran— was a key country of power during biblical times. Learn about the role it played and the people… Read More

What area does Palestine refer to? How was it important in the Bible? Check out this article to find out more. Have you been wondering about the conflict in the Middle East and why it has been going on for so long? Learn more about Palestine and see if… Read More

In Genesis 15, God promised to provide Abraham and his descendents a land of their own. After this point land was a prominent theme in the Old Testament. The people of Israel believed that God was the creator and owner of all land (Gen 1; 2). Read More

In the Old Testament Jacob’s descendents grew into the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people who lived in covenant with him. Read more about the origin and history of this nation. The Name. The Hebrew word for “Israel” means “one who wrestles with God” or “May God join in… Read More

Alexandria was a major center of learning and Jewish scholarship. Read more about this ancient city and its influence on the Hellenized world. At the height of the Roman Empire, Alexandria in Egypt was the largest city in the empire after Rome. Its population of close to one million… Read More

Assyria controlled a powerful army known for its cruelty. Eventually the Assyrian army defeated the northern kingdom of Israel. Find out more here. Does Assyria have a link to the conflict going on today? Take a look back in time and see where this ancient land fits into the… Read More

Babylon was a powerful kingdom in the Ancient Near Eastern world that conquered Judah and sent the people into exile. But Babylon is also an important image that appears in the New Testament. Read more about the significance of Babylon here. What does this ancient city have to do with… Read More

From the Israelite’s exodus to Joseph and Mary’s flight from Herod the Great, Egypt has been an important factor in biblical history. Find out more about this country and its role in the Bible. Why was Egypt such a significant country during biblical times? How does that fact… Read More

What was slavery like in Jesus’ time? Could slaves ever earn their freedom? Read more to find out. The word in the New Testament usually translated as “servant” actually means “slave,” and referred to someone who was owned or controlled by someone else, not just a servant hired to… Read More

At the time of the New Testament, most people in the Roman Empire worshiped a variety of Roman gods, including the emperor. Learn about the religious context that was in place during the early church era. At the time Christianity was beginning to spread throughout the Roman Empire, most… Read More