Who was Onesimus that is mentioned in the Book of Philemon? Why is it important for us to know about him? Onesimus’ Name Onesimus’ name is derived from a root that means “beneficial,” “profitable,” “useful” or “helpful” but they all have the same idea but the question is this; were these statements about Philemon’s slave and how he was beneficial or helpful to Paul or was it his actual name? Could this have been this runaway slave’s Christian name? Mysteries... Read more
Who was the Martha mentioned in Scripture? What is her significance to the Christian today? The Meaning of Martha’s Name The name Martha apparently is of Hebrew origin and means “bitter” but in the Aramaic language, it means “lady” or “mistress of the house.” Martha was the brother of Lazarus, the man who Jesus raised from the dead (John 11). Martha is mentioned in both the Gospel of John and in the Gospel of Luke and since, in both cases,... Read more
Who was Rahab the Harlot? Why is she even mentioned in the Bible and actually listed in the genealogies of Jesus Christ? Who was Rahab? Rahab was a harlot or prostitute who helped to shelter Joshua’s men when they came to spy out the land of Jericho. She openly defied the orders of Jericho’s king and actually misdirected the king’s men who were trying to find the spies who had infiltrated the city-state of Jericho. She helped Joshua’s men to... Read more
Here are 7 of the top Bible verses on Armageddon or areas that are related to this place. Defining the word Armageddon Megiddo is a real place or real location and it’s in the Middle East, just east of present day Israel. It is located to the east of the Plains of Jezreel, which is just south of Galilee in what was originally Judea. Armageddon is really a compound word and apparently came from the Hebrew words “har Megiddo” which... Read more
What does fruit represent in the Bible? What significance does this have for the Christian? Knowing Christians by their Fruit Jesus once said that “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles” (Matt 7:16)? This is because “every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good... Read more
Does the eagle have special meaning in the Bible and if so, what does it represent? The Eagle Bears us Up The image of God as an eagle is found throughout the Bible but primarily in the Old Testament. It is a sign of strength and able to bear much weight, as Moses wrote, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Ex 19:4). This... Read more
Water has great significance in the Bible so what does it represent according to the Scriptures? The Washing of the Word The word of God is often referred to as water in the Bible because the Word acts as a cleansing agent which explains what Paul meant when he wrote concerning Jesus’ cleansing the church “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word so that he might present the church to himself... Read more
What does oil represent in the Bible? Is there significance to its meaning? The Anointing of the Priests The real symbol of oil becomes clear when we read about Aaron, Israel’s first priest, who was anointed with oil as it consecrated him and his sons to serve as priests for God which we read about in Exodus 30:30-32 “You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. And you shall say to... Read more
Here are my top 7 Bible verses that reveal God’s character and why they are so important for us to know. Isaiah 6:3 “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” I believe of all of God’s characteristics, this is the greatest of them all. This is the only attribute of God that is taken to the 3rd power. In the Jewish vernacular, saying something... Read more
Here are my top 7 Bible verses about spiritual blindness with commentary that follows each. John 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Jesus quotes, nearly word for word, Isaiah’s prophecy about the hardening of the hearts of those who would refuse to believe in Him (Isaiah 6:10). It’s not that God has hardened their hearts or that God... Read more
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