The Bible Project

Are numbers in the Hebrew Bible literal? Is it dangerous to adapt God’s laws? Does Israel’s conquest of Canaan justify other historical conquests? In this episode, Tim and Jon explore audience questions about the Numbers scroll. Thanks to our audience for your insightful questions.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Are Repeated Numbers Literal or Literary Embellishments? (1:20)Why Does Israel’s Population Decrease in Numbers? (16:25)What Does Jesus’ Title “The Rock” Have to Do with Moses? (21:45)Is it Dangerous to Adapt God’s Laws? (34:34)Does Israel’s Conquest of Canaan Justify Other Historical Conquests? (47:35)What’s With All the 10s and 2s? (52:22)What Are Some Resources for Seeing Edenic Themes in the Torah? (01:01:58)Referenced ResourcesAni Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth, and the Thirteen Principles of Faith, Joshua BermanA Defense of the Hyperbolic Interpretation of Numbers in the Old Testament, David M. FoutsDeuteronomy 1-11 (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries), Moshe Wei

In the second movement of Deuteronomy, Moses gives Israel the law … again. But this time, he’s not talking to a nomadic group of people wandering the desert—he’s talking to the next generation preparing to settle in a permanent home for the first time. As they move into the land, their laws and their lives will need to look a little different. But in what way? In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they discuss how the law was always meant to form Israel (and modern readers) into people of wisdom, justice, and righteousness.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (0:00-19:35)Part two (19:35-34:39)Part three (34:39-50:46)Part four (50:46-1:13:08)Referenced ResourcesZondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Clinton E. ArnoldOld Testament Ethics for the People of God, Christopher J. H. WrightInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music

In this episode, we once again encounter the Nephilim, the evil demon-human hybrid beings we first met in Genesis 6. Now they resurface as giants inhabiting Canaan, the land Yahweh promised to Israel. Join Tim and Jon as they tackle the complex issues of violent conquest, human and spiritual evil, and divine justice.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-14:18)Part two (14:18-28:56)Part three (28:56-45:29)Part four (45:29-01:11:22)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"The Truth About Flight, Love, and BB Guns" by Foreknown"Radio Station" by Moby"Heal My Sorrows" by Grey FloodShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distri

How do you clean a tabernacle? What does “laying of hands” represent? Is the scapegoat a hyperlink to Cain and Abel? How was it even possible for Israelites to follow the law? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions about the Leviticus scroll. Thanks to our audience for your insightful questions!View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps How Do You Clean a Tabernacle? (1:02)What Does “Laying of Hands” Represent? (9:06)Is the Scapegoat a Hyperlink to Cain and Abel? (14:26)What’s the Connection Between Abraham’s Two Sons and the Two Goats? (21:10)How Was It Possible To Follow the Law? (31:30)How Does Leviticus Change Our Understanding of Communion? (39:00)Do We Need the New Testament to “Get” Leviticus? (46:36)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSShow produced by Cooper Peltz wi

In the first movement of Deuteronomy, two words appear more frequently than any others—listen and love. Why did Moses emphasize these two words in his farewell speech to Israel? In this episode, Tim and Jon explore what it looks like to be loyal to Yahweh, the God unlike any other, who listens to humanity.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-11:41)Part two (11:41-32:15)Part three (32:15-51:10)Part four (51:10-01:05:43)Referenced ResourcesA Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Walter Bauer, William T. Arndt, Wilbur Gingrich, F. W. DankerInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“March 10th and a Third (Instrumental)" by JGivens"Eyes Aligning Stars Shining" by Xihcsr"Issa Vibe" by Sam StewartShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey

Have you ever wondered where the earliest sermons in the Bible are found? Moses’ final speech to Israel, found in Deuteronomy, is the first time we see what is essentially a modern sermon—a long speech meant to communicate God’s truth. Just as Israel is about to enter the promised land, Moses reminds them that, just like their ancestors, they have the choice to live by their own wisdom or to follow Yahweh’s life-giving commands. Join Tim and Jon as they dive into the final scroll of the Torah and explore the choice before Israel—and the choice we face today too.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-20:00)Part two (20:00-40:38)Part three (40:38-1:02:14)Referenced ResourcesIntroduction to the Old Testament as Scripture, Brevard S. ChildsInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Praise through the

After years of wandering in the wilderness and what seems like way too many rebellions against Yahweh, Israel has finally arrived on the edge of the promised land. What could possibly go wrong now? And yet even here, two of Israel’s tribes rebel, repeating the sins of Adam and Eve and dividing themselves from their brothers. Join Tim and Jon as they wrap up the Numbers scroll.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-20:20)Part two (20:20-33:50)Part three (33:50-43:29)Part four (43:29-01:01:21)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Solar Cove" by Mama Aiuto"Alone Time" by Sam StewartSound design by a contributorThis episode was produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. It was edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey and Frank Garza. MacKenzie Buxman provided

As Moses’ death draws near, Yahweh selects Joshua to lead the people of Israel. What made Joshua uniquely qualified to lead? How does his leadership differ from Moses’? In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they discuss how the Hebrew Bible depicts Joshua as a new Adam, a new Moses, and a precursor to the Messiah himself.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-15:08)Part two (15:08-37:33)Part three (37:33-49:43)Part four (49:43-1:04:16)Referenced ResourcesThe Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Ludwig Koehler and Walter BaumgartnerInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“I Main Samus Now" by Sleepy Fish"Empty Me Out" by Liz Vice"I'll Pray for You" by XihcsrThis episode was produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder. It was edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and

In the third movement of Numbers, five sisters approach Moses with a legal case not covered in God’s laws: Without any brothers to inherit their father’s land, their family inheritance will be lost unless women are allowed to receive an inheritance too. Yahweh agrees with these five women, setting an important precedent for not just how Israel was to engage the laws of the Torah but for later followers of Jesus as well. Join Tim and Jon as they discuss the story of Zelophehad’s daughters and Jesus’ fulfillment of the law.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-19:55)Part two (19:55-33:05)Part three (33:05-55:24)Part four (55:24-01:12:30)Referenced ResourcesThe Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Ludwig Koehler and Walter BaumgartnerInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Long Lost

So far in the second movement of Numbers, the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel have rebelled against Yahweh, the people themselves have rebelled against Yahweh, and even the Levites have rebelled against Yahweh. In fact, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb are the only people that haven’t rebelled. So what happens when those closest to Yahweh fail to obey his word, too? In this episode, Tim and Jon talk about Moses’ rebellion, the high cost of leading God’s people, and humanity’s deep need for a more faithful representative to intercede on our behalf.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-14:55)Part two (14:55-39:37)Part three (39:37-55:08)Referenced Resources“Deir Alla Inscription”Interested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Spiritual Mind" by C Y G N"Easy Chair" by Tyler BaileyShow produced by

God chose the Levites to take care of the tabernacle, and within the tribe of Levi, he picked Aaron’s family to have the special duty of offering sacrifices and burning incense. In Numbers 16, a Levite named Korah and 250 Israelite leaders accuse Aaron and Moses of setting themselves above everyone else. What’s going on here? In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss the story of Korah’s rebellion, God’s judgment and mercy, and the responsibility of the leaders God chooses.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-7:24)Part two (7:24-27:40)Part three (27:40-42:47)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Wake Up” by xander.“The Size of Grace” by Beautiful EulogyShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Podcast an

We’re looking at a story about God’s chosen ones facing a test with fruit trees in a beautiful garden—sounds like Genesis 3, right? Surprisingly, this is a story from Numbers 13-15, with another tree and another test. In this episode, Tim and Jon dive into the second movement of Numbers and the choice Israel faces when they reach the border of the promised land. Will they choose to trust their wisdom or Yahweh’s?View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-17:24)Part two (17:24-33:01)Part three (33:01-51:10)Part four (51:10-1:04:11)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS“Sub Sandwich” by Tyler Bailey“Attack of the Clones” by JGivens (feat. John Givez and Jackie Hill Perry)Show produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Show notes by Lindsey Pon

How do God’s people follow his will in situations where there are no explicit rules or laws given? At the conclusion of the third movement of Numbers, the Israelites don’t know how God wants them to respond to a situation. Join Tim and Jon as they explore Numbers 6-9 and how followers of Jesus today can learn to understand the will of God.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-19:22)Part two (19:22-32:42)Part three (32:42-45:40)Part four (45:40-01:06:50)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Evening Flight" by Sam Stewart"I Ain't Got an Answer" by Propaganda"Butterfly" by Sleepy FishShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by MacKenzie Buxman.Powered and di

Confession of sins, strange water rituals, Nephilim, and Nazarite vows—Numbers 5 and 6 might feel like a confusing mix of laws, but the scroll’s author is cleverly reminding us of the Hebrew Bible melody we first encountered in Genesis 1-9. In this episode, Tim and Jon talk about four odd laws that are part of the intricate story we’ve been following through the Torah. View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-9:03)Part two (9:03-22:31)Part three (22:31-39:27)Part four (39:27-57:55)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Fizzle Pop" by Tyler Bailey"Goofy Nights in Tokyo" by Sam Stewart"Today Feels Like Everyday" by Mama AiutoShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject

The scroll of Numbers can be difficult to make sense of without context, and there’s a reason for that. The scroll was never meant to be understood on its own. Numbers picks up where Leviticus leaves off and mirrors the scroll on the other side of Leviticus (Exodus). To fully understand all of these scrolls, we need to read them together. Join Tim and Jon as they dive into Numbers, trace the theme of the temple, and discuss the unique role of the tribe of Levi.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-22:02)Part two (22:02-40:55)Part three (40:55-58:55)Referenced Resources“Large Numbers in the Old Testament,” J. W. Wenham“A Defense of the Hyperbolic Interpretation of Large Numbers in the Old Testament,” David M. FoutsThe Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS)Interested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrum

Blasphemy, principles of restitution, jubilee, exile, and the mercy and justice of God––it’s all there in the final lines of the scroll of Leviticus. Join Tim and Jon as they talk about the great gift and responsibility of carrying Yahweh’s name and discuss the wisdom and surprising hope of the Law that’s finally fulfilled in Jesus.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-18:22)Part two (18:22-31:17)Part three (31:17-44:54)Part four (44:54-1:08:33)Referenced ResourcesS. Tamar KamionkowskiInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Sails" by Strehlow & Aylior"Wonderful" by Beautiful Eulogy"A Bridge Between" by Beautiful EulogyShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by MacKenzie B

Are there specific times humans can meet with God in special ways? For ancient Israel, the answer was yes. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they explore the final movement of Leviticus, talk about the Sabbaths and festivals ancient Israelites celebrated every year, and discuss the significance of rituals and liturgies that allow us to see our time as a significant part of God’s story.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-11:49)Part two (11:49-40:12)Part three (40:12-01:00:19)Referenced ResourcesWho Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of the Book of Leviticus, L. Michael MoralesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Stomp" by Evil Needle"Movement" by FeltyShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Show notes by Lindsey Ponde

Throughout the Leviticus scroll, Yahweh instructs Israel, “Be holy as I am holy.” But what does that actually mean? As we enter into the third and final movement of Leviticus, we’ll find that living holy lives had everything to do with how Israel treated others and utilized their time, a theme reinforced by the continual command to honor the Sabbath. Join Jon and Tim as they explore the wisdom we can find in these ancient laws.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-15:18)Part two (15:18-32:43)Part three (32:43-48:12)Part four (48:12-01:08:13)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Alive" by Ouska"No Problem" (from a contributor)“Beneath the Cross" by EventideShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel, Tyler Bailey, and Frank Garza. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Pod

At the center of the center of the Torah is the Day of Atonement. What is the significance of this day the biblical authors have placed at the heart of the Torah? What does this day accomplish? And what’s with the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat? In this episode, Tim and Jon explore the Day of Atonement and the ultimate atonement accomplished by Jesus on the cross.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-20:20)Part two (20:20-37:53)Part three (37:53-51:08)Part four (51:08-01:08:30)Referenced ResourcesSin, Impurity, Sacrifice, Atonement: The Priestly Conceptions, Jay SklarCult and Character: Purification Offerings, Day of Atonement, and Theodicy, Roy GaneInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Wanna Get Away with Me?" by Xihcsr"Pockets" (Artist Unknown)"Butterfly" by SwørnShow produced by Coop

Childbirth, non-kosher food, sex, death, disease—they’re all considered impure in the book of Leviticus. In this episode, join Tim and Jon as they discuss the levitical laws of purity and impurity and how they create a way for humanity to share in God’s own life and form a surprisingly beautiful backdrop for Jesus’ miraculous healings.View full show notes from this episode →Timestamps Part one (00:00-10:50)Part two (10:50-28:04)Part three (28:04-44:35)Part four (44:35-01:05:32)Referenced ResourcesInterested in more? Check out Tim’s library here.You can experience the literary themes and movements we’re tracing on the podcast in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTS"Harbor" by Stan Forebee & Francis"Protected" by Swørn"Acquired In Heaven" by Beautiful EulogyShow produced by Cooper Peltz. Edited by Dan Gummel and Tyler Bailey. Show notes by Lindsey Ponder. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by MacKenzie Buxman and Ashlyn Heise.Powered and