In the Old Testament Jacob’s descendents grew into the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people who lived in covenant with him. Read more about the origin and history of this nation. The Name. The Hebrew word for “Israel” means “one who wrestles with God” or “May God join in… Read More

Alexandria was a major center of learning and Jewish scholarship. Read more about this ancient city and its influence on the Hellenized world. At the height of the Roman Empire, Alexandria in Egypt was the largest city in the empire after Rome. Its population of close to one million… Read More

Assyria controlled a powerful army known for its cruelty. Eventually the Assyrian army defeated the northern kingdom of Israel. Find out more here. Does Assyria have a link to the conflict going on today? Take a look back in time and see where this ancient land fits into the… Read More

From the Israelite’s exodus to Joseph and Mary’s flight from Herod the Great, Egypt has been an important factor in biblical history. Find out more about this country and its role in the Bible. Why was Egypt such a significant country during biblical times? How does that fact… Read More

What was slavery like in Jesus’ time? Could slaves ever earn their freedom? Read more to find out. The word in the New Testament usually translated as “servant” actually means “slave,” and referred to someone who was owned or controlled by someone else, not just a servant hired to… Read More

At the time of the New Testament, most people in the Roman Empire worshiped a variety of Roman gods, including the emperor. Learn about the religious context that was in place during the early church era. At the time Christianity was beginning to spread throughout the Roman Empire, most… Read More

Stories have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years, but sometimes they have been passed down in different formats. Read about how history has been handed down through the centuries. If you have ever listened with fascination as older relatives spoke about their lives, you… Read More

Peter was a fisherman and Jesus referenced fishing several times in his earthly ministry. Find out what fishing was like in New Testament times. In Jesus’ time, fishing took place mostly on Lake Galilee, because the Jewish people could not use many of the harbors along the coast of… Read More

Crucifixion is one of the most painful forms of execution invented. Learn about Jesus’ crucifixion and why this form of death was significant Have you ever thought about what Jesus went through when he died on the cross? This piece can help you gain a better understanding of the… Read More

Proper burial was important to the ancient Israelites. Read about the traditions and factors surrounding this practice. The people of Israel and the other countries of the ancient Near East considered it very important to honor those who had died by giving them a proper burial. Because of the warm… Read More