History in the Bible

A few episodes ago, I mentioned the two distinct literary traditions behind the OT or Tanakh). Most important is the rabbinic Hebrew language tradition, known as the Masoretic tradition. The other tradition is the Greek language bible, known as the Septuagint. This was translated from some unknown Hebrew original. 
In many instances, the Septuagint draws upon ancient Hebrew documents that differ from those used by the rabbis.
While the two traditions are in broad agreement, sometimes they diverge quite significantly. One of those places is in the origin story of King David. In this episode, Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions and I explore these differences.

I always thought that the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in Roman imperial times not only destroyed the city of Pompeii, but all its inhabitants. Turns out that quite a lot of people escaped. 
In this detour episode join Bernie Maopolski of the Fan of History podcast and I, as we find out who died and who escaped.
You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history. And be sure to check out Bernie's new youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fanofhistory4701

This is a reprise of my Epiphany 2019 show (2-33), just in time for Epiphany 2026. 
It relates the story of Christmas as told by the gospel of Matthew. In Matthew, the story is told from Joseph's point of view, not Mary's. Matthew has wise men, the infamous massacre of the innocents, and the flight to Egypt. No angels and no shepherds. He does not mention Mary's relative Elizabeth, and her son John the Baptist. If you read Matthew carefully, he says nothing of the day of Christmas, but he has a lot to say about the day of Epiphany, 6th January, the day the magi paid homage. I also introduce the Gospel of James, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.

This is a reprise of my Christmas 2018 show, just in time for Christmas 2025. It relates the story of Christmas as told by the gospel of Luke. With lots of canticles: the Magnificat, the Benedictus, and the Nunc Dimmitis. Luke has many unique stories. He concentrates on Jesus' mother Mary and her relative Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. The angel Gabriel makes two cameo appearances.

In this detour episode we go way, way back. 
Six thousand years ago, a language was forming that would spawn dozens of descendants, who came to occupy most of Europe and much of Anatolia, India and Iran. This ancient tongue is Proto-Indo-European. Join Bernie Maoplski of the Fan of History podcast and I, as we chase down the latest theories on the origins of this ancestral language.
You can find Bernie's show at https://shows.acast.com/history.