An obituary for Kurt Vonnegut said that he preferred the French “blessed are the débonnaires” to the English “blessed are the meek.” That sounds odd. Are these words equivalent?—Jane M., via e-mail In a discussion of the French use of débonnaires, The Interpreter's Bible says… Read More

In Luke 4.16, 17, Jesus reads the words of Isaiah in the synagogue: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” What were the rules governing readings in those days?—Will K., Clinton Township, Mich. The reading of the Parascha, or section from the Law, by another person would… Read More

In some translations, the Lord’s Prayer ends with the verse, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Why is this phrase not in all translations?—Patrick Bannerman, via e-mail You are a close reader of Scripture! The phrase is a doxology. It was… Read More

I’m reading Exodus 33.11 and Exodus 33.20, and there is a seeming contradiction. Can you spot it?—Boyd Kiel, via e-mail The first of these verses reads, “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend,” and the second, “Thou canst not… Read More

I came across a 1962 article about a finger-powered phonograph that played Scriptures in 40 languages. Does anyone still make this kind of device?– John, via e-mail In the late 1950s, the American Bible Society devised the finger-fono, powered by the turn of one finger. The finger-fono produced… Read More

I seem to remember reading when God wanted to judge Israel, he would give them leaders who were either young and inexperienced or female. Is this true?— Ms. C. Joy Hulting, Aurora, Ill.Although I am unable to locate the specific Scripture, I can give you passages where God… Read More

What is the full meaning of the transfiguration? Is it related to John 17, when Jesus asks the Father to glorify him?—Frank Rogers, via e-mail Transfiguration is a change in appearance: a glorifying, spiritual change. This event in Jesus' life appears in three of the Gospels: Matthew 17.1-13,… Read More

There is mention of the Book of Jashar in the Old Testament. Is this a missing book of the Bible?—Joe O., via e-mail The Book of Jashar is one of the lost source books of early Israelite poetry from the Amarna Age (15th and 14th centuries B.C.). It… Read More

The words “the disciple whom Jesus loved” in John's Gospel, referring to John himself, trouble me. Isn't this the epitome of conceit?— Ms. Caryl A. Reid, Leesburg, Fla. Congratulations on raising a question that has sparked many lively discussions through the years. The traditional view is that the… Read More

There seem to be a lot of Marys in the accounts of the Resurrection. Who are they?—Christina Galanes, via e-mail There were many witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, but women were the first. Mary Magdalene is the only person who appears in all four gospel accounts. She returned to… Read More