What is a sardius stone in the Bible? Carnelian symbolism
As far as we can tell, a sardius stone (sometimes called “sard stone" or “sardine”) was an ancient name for carnelian, a reddish mineral considered a semi-precious stone. Use of the sardius for decoration goes back to at least ...
What is algum wood in the Bible?
Algum is a type of wood that’s referenced in the Old Testament. It was one of the main types of wood used by Solomon in the construction of Solomon’s Temple. Almug and algum are both variants of the same word, originally writte...
Who was Hushai the Archite in the Bible? A friend of David
We don’t know much about Hushai except what is listed in I Chronicles and II Samuel. Scholars suggest that “Hushai” was probably short for a name like “Ahishai” or “Ahushai”, and that “Archite” indicated that he belonged to the...
Who was Tartak in the Bible? The idol of the Avites
Tartak is mentioned in the second book of Kings (also called “4th Kingdoms” in older Bibles) as one of the idols that was set up in Samaria by the people who were living there. 2 Kings chapter 17 describes the religious confusi...
Samyaza and the fall of the angels
Samyaza (also spelled Shemyaza or Semjaza) was the leader of a group of angelic beings described in the Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish text that influenced early Christians. The text tells the story of a group of beings calle...
Agur son of Jakeh: The mysterious proverb writer
Proverbs chapter 30 begins by noting that the following text is “sayings of Agur, son of Jakeh” and, depending the translation, that it is “an inspired utterance” (NIV) or a “prophecy” (KJV); that he is “the oracle” (ESV); and ...
Why stay away from the Book of Enoch
If you’ve heard of the Book of Enoch, you probably know it’s very weird. It’s an ancient document that claims to be written by the great-grandfather of Noah, a mysterious man who is mentioned in the Bible as being “taken away” ...
What is Goshen in the Bible? Pharoah's gift to Israelites
The “land of Goshen” is the name of the region that the pharaoh of Egypt gave to the Israelites when they settled in Egypt. This gift is the culmination of the story of Joseph, an Israelite sold into Egyptian slavery by his bro...