the old testament

the old testament Latest

15th-century painting Healing of the Cripple and Raising of Tabith, by Masolino da Panicale.

Mar 5 Blog

Tabitha in the Bible

Biblical studies scholar Robin Gallaher Branch explores Luke’s depiction of a woman set on doing good for the poor and serving her friends, the widows, for whom she makes robes and clothing.

Cropped illustration shows Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Photo: From Charles Foster, The Story of the Bible (1897)

Feb 1 Blog

Who Was the Wife of Cain?

By: BAS Staff

Who did Cain marry? Where did she come from? Mary Joan Winn Leith suggests that while the Israelite storyteller knew that other men and women in Genesis existed outside of Eden, they did not matter to him or factor into his account. He was concerned with Adam and Eve and their progeny—not those outside of this group.

Jan 22 Blog

Where Were the Old Testament Kings of Ancient Jerusalem Buried?

By: BAS Staff

Jeffrey Zorn presents some of Raymond Weill’s early-20th-century plans from his Jerusalem excavations in “Is T1 David’s Tomb?” in the November/December 2012 edition of BAR. […]

Nov 6 Blog

Laughter in the Bible? Absolutely!

By: Robin Gallaher Branch

Robin Gallaher Branch on the lighter side of the Bible.

Ancient tekhelet: the Jewish prayer shawl

Sep 11 Blog

What Color Was Tekhelet?

By: Robin Ngo

In the Bible, a shade of blue called tekhelet was God’s chosen color for the ancient Israelites. Tekhelet drapes adorned Solomon’s Temple, and tekhelet robes were worn by Israel’s high priests. What was the actual color of ancient tekhelet and tzitzit?

Aug 31 Blog

53 People in the Bible Confirmed Archaeologically

By: Lawrence Mykytiuk

How many people mentioned in the Hebrew Bible have been confirmed archaeologically? Lawrence Mykytiuk reveals the surprising number—from Israelite kings to Mesopotamian monarchs—and some lesser figures as well.

Aug 21 Blog

Judith: A Remarkable Heroine

By: Robin Gallaher Branch

The Book of Judith presents a truly remarkable heroine. Judith is introduced as a devout, shapely, beautiful and wealthy widow who exhibits characteristics equal to those of Israel’s finest warriors.

Aug 21 Blog

Minor Prophets in the Bible: Amos

By: John Ahn

Learn how to read the Book of Amos in context and how the prophet Amos’s message is relevant today.

Jul 24 Blog

Anna in the Bible

By: Robin Gallaher Branch

Anna is one of the Bible’s most unusual women. Introduced at the end of the Birth Narrative (Luke 1:1-2:40), Anna concludes the sextet of named, pious Israelites surrounding the miraculous births of John and Jesus.

Cover of the November/December 2010 issue of BAR juxtaposes two artistic representations of Jesus’ face.

Jun 3 Blog

What Did Jesus Really Look Like?

By: BAS Staff

What did Jesus look like? In “Painting a Portrait of Jesus,” D. Moody Smith examined the difficulties in answering this question.

Must-Read Free eBooks

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future

Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel

Who Was Jesus? Exploring the History of Jesus’ Life

Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus

More Free eBooks

Want more Bible history?

Join Us on an Educational Journey

For more than 40 years, the Biblical Archaeology Society has partnered with world-renowned hosts and guides to provide you exceptional educational offerings in the archaeology of the Biblical lands and in Biblical studies.

Learn More