Biblical World

Biblical World episodes:

• 05.31.2024

  Biblical Hebron - Jeff Chadwick

  Kyle Keimer and Chris McKinny speak with Jeff Chadwick, Jerusalem Center Professor of Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies at BYU about his excavations at biblical Hebron (Tell er-Rumeide).

  
• 04.29.2024

  Amy and Chris - Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 4)

  Here’s the fourth in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! It’s a fun tour through Tablet 3, so tune in and enjoy!

  
• 04.18.2024

  Final Best Archaeological Finds of 2023 (pt 3)

  In final part of our three-part series (finally!), Chris and Kyle discuss the year’s top ten archaeological discoveries and stories related to the Bible, including in this one, a weird and strange discovery.

  
• 03.19.2024

  Amy and Chris - Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 3)

  Here’s the third in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! It’s a fun ep, so tune in!

  
• 03.04.2024

  Amy and Chris – Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 2)

  Here’s the second in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! They finish Tablet 1 in this episode, discussing Gilgamesh’s need to tame his passions, his journey into the wilds, the character...

  
• 02.20.2024

  Paul Evans - Sennacherib and the War of 1812

  In this episode of Biblical World, Kyle interviews Paul Evans about his new book, Sennacherib and the War of 1812: Disputed Victory in the Assyrian Campaign of 701 BCE in Light of Military History (T&T Clark, 2023). They delve into...

  
• 01.18.2024

  Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in 2023 (Pt 2)

  Part 2 in our 3-part series on the top ten archaeological discoveries and stories related to the Bible from 2023. Some are honorable and some ... dishonorable. We talk about the lead ”tablet” from Mt. Ebal, cosmic rays, the location...

  
• 01.12.2024

  Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in 2023 (Pt 1)

  In this three-part series - Chris and Kyle discuss the year’s top ten archaeological discoveries and stories related to the Bible. Part 1 discusses the most important finds related to the Bronze Age. We talk Hittites, the location and identification...

  
• 12.11.2023

  Steve Ortiz - Solomonic Gates

  Kyle and Mark talk with Prof. Steve Ortiz about the Archaeology of the United Monarchy. In particular, they focus on the so-called ”Solomonic” gates while also touching on the historicity of David and Solomon and issues in the use and dating of...

  
• 11.27.2023

  Kristine Garroway - Growing Up in Ancient Israel

  What do we know about children in ancient Israel, about who they were, the lives they led, and the people in their lives? Kristine Garroway is at the forefront of a new interest in the lives of children, and she...

  
• 11.15.2023

  Amy and Chris - Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 1)

  Welcome to the first of a multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! Why is this story so important, and what might it say about how we read the Bible? Where did it...

  
• 11.02.2023

  Suzanna Miller and Sebastien Doane - The Bible and Animal Studies

  Suzanna Millar and Sébastien Doane introduce us to a newer field in biblical studies that focuses on animals in the Bible and ancient Near East. Millar and Doane co-chair ”The Bible and Animal Studies” program unit at the Society for...

  
• 08.31.2023

  Azzan Yadin-Israel - Temptation Transformed

  In this episode, Amy Balogh interviews Prof. Azzan Yadin-Israel (Rutgers University) about his recent book Temptation Transformed: The Story of How the Forbidden Fruit Became an Apple (Univ of Chicago Press, 2023) in which he finally solves the mystery of...

  
• 07.26.2023

  Erica Ferg - Geography and Religion in the Eastern Mediterranean

  In this episode, Amy speaks with Prof. Erica Ferg (Regis University) about the impact of geography on the religious history of the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Baal Cycle from Ugarit and the biblical story of Elijah. Erica’s research focuses on the...

  
• 06.27.2023

  Ron Simkins - Creation and Ecology in Ancient Israel

  This episode covers new terrain for Biblical World. Amy speaks with Ron Simkins about the environmental crisis, ancient Israel, and an economy of enough. This is part 1 of our series on ”The Bible and Nature”.

  
• 06.20.2023

  Kyle Keimer - Hezekiah Prepares for War

  Biblical World co-host Kyle Keimer discusses his research on King Hezekiah’s preparations for the Assyrian attack in 701 BCE. How do archaeologists determine the nature and extent of Hezekiah’s defensive network? Did the Judeans use fire signals? How did the...

  
• 05.16.2023

  Shlomit Bechar - Middle and Late Bronze Age Canaan

  In this episode, Kyle and Chris chat with Shlomit Bechar of Haifa University about her recent book Political Change and Material Culture in Middle to Late Bronze Age Canaan (Eisenbrauns 2022). We tackle the topic of how changes in the material culture relate...

  
• 05.05.2023

  The Archaeology of Nazareth in the Days of Jesus - Ken Dark

  Chris and Kyle chat with Ken Dark about his work in and around Nazareth, which has illuminated our understanding of early Roman-period Nazareth. Ken talks about his survey on the northern outskirts of Nazareth, his re-analysis of the Franciscan excavations at the Church of the...

  
• 04.19.2023

  Tom Davis - Pauline Archaeology (and beyond)

  This wide-ranging interview explores the joys, travails, and wonders of archaeology related to the history and context of the Bible. Discussion focuses on Pauline archaeology, especially on Cyprus, but also his excavations in Kazakhstan, Sudan and elsewhere.

  
• 04.09.2023

  The Archaeology of Passion Week (pt. 3) - Kyle Keimer and Chris McKinny

  This episode is the final installment in the 3-part archaeology of Passion Week discussion. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week....

  
• 04.07.2023

  Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer - Archaeology of Passion Week (pt 2)

  This episode is part-two of the three-part series on the archaeology of Passion Week. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week....

  
• 04.06.2023

  Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer - The Archaeology of Passion Week (Pt 1)

  This episode is the first of a three-part series on the archaeology of the Passion week. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this...

  
• 03.14.2023

  Biblical Geography - The Missing Ingredient

  What happens when we ignore the physical settings of the Bible? In this episode, Biblical World co-hosts explore the significance of the land for biblical interpretation. We journey to Shechem, Nahal Besor, and the end of the Jordan River to...

  
• 02.23.2023

  Moses among the Idols - Amy Balogh

  In this episode, we discuss the god Moses. Yes, you heard that right! It’s there in Exod 7:1. But what does this mean? How can we make sense of the transformation of Moses from a man of ”uncircumcised lips” to...

  
• 02.15.2023

  The Egyptian Plagues – Real-World Calamities on the Nile (Egypt Series)

  In this episode of the Egypt and the Bible series, Chris and Mark discuss the Egyptian background and context of the ten plagues from the Book of Exodus, including the details of real-world calamities.

  
• 01.26.2023

  Elephantine - Collin Cornell

  Elephantine continues to fascinate scholars of Second Temple Judaism, in part, because it shows that there wasn’t just one Jewish temple after the return from exile. In this episode, which is part of longer episode to be released later on OnScript,...

  
• 01.17.2023

  Finding a Dig (with BAR) - Nathan Steinmeyer

  In this episode - Chris and Kyle are joined by Nathan Steinmeyer (Biblical Archaeological Review, Assistant Editor) to discuss BAR’s dig issue - one of the best resources for finding a place to dig! Also, hear about how Kyle got...

  
• 01.05.2023

  The Ancient Israelite World - George Pierce, Kyle Keimer, Chris McKinny

  George Pierce joins host Kyle Keimer to discuss their newly edited volume The Ancient Israelite World (Routledge, 2022). This volume brings together a world-class line-up of scholars and includes a whopping 47 essays on ancient Israelite society, economy, religion, language, culture,...

  
• 12.22.2022

  The History and Archaeology of Christmas (Part 2) - Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

  In part 2 of this series, Kyle and Chris discuss additional historical and archaeological aspects associated with the origin stories of Jesus as seen in Matthew and Luke. They discuss the archaeological background and traditions associated with the Church of...

  
• 12.21.2022

  The History and Archaeology of Christmas (Part 1) - Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

  Biblical World hosts Chris and Kyle talk about the archaeology and historical context of Christmas. They try not to be Grinches. This is part 1 of a two part series. This is a re-broadcast of an episode from last year.

  
• 11.29.2022

  Ruth’s World - Oliver and Chris

  One site in Jerusalem, this episode explores the cultural backgrounds to the book of Ruth. We discuss agriculture, famine, marriage relationships, orphans, widows, geography and much more!

  
• 11.10.2022

  Solomon’s Officials and Administration in Kings - Koert van Bekkum

  In this episode, Chris and Kyle interview Koert van Bekkum (ETF Leuven) about his views on Solomon’s Administrative Division in 1 Kings 4 in its Ancient Near Eastern context. What is the purpose of this list? Are there parallels to this...

  
• 09.16.2022

  Early or Late Emergence of Israel (Egypt Series) - Chris McKinny and Mark Janzen

  Chris McKinny and Mark Janzen discuss the early vs. late date for the date of the exodus, date of the conquest, the emergence of Israel in the land of Canaan, and biblical chronology.

  
• 08.31.2022

  Gigantomachy - Biblical Giants in their Ancient Near Eastern Background (Chris and Kyle)

  In this episode, Kyle and Chris take a look at giants in the wider literary, cultural, archaeological, and geographical context of the Biblical World. A previous episode discussed giants in connection with Hebron in Judges 1. This episode focuses on...

  
• 08.10.2022

  In the field with Steve Ortiz

  Another episode from Tel Burna! Enjoy sounds and insights with Steve Ortiz, Director of the newly established Lanier Center for Archaeology at Lipscomb University.

  
• 07.19.2022

  From the Field! Tel Burna with Itzick Shai

  Our first on site episode ever! That’s worth celebrating, right? Chris McKinny is in the field at Tel Burna, where he’s been digging for over a decade with site director Itzick Shai, whom he interviews from the top of the Tel.

  
• 07.08.2022

  Understanding Josephus - Paul Spilsbury

  Paul Spilsbury knew Josephus personally ... or at least he’s spent so much time with him that it’s almost as if he did. In this episode we talk about Josephus’ writings, identity, and how understanding Josephus helps us understand the New...

  
• 06.23.2022

  Jesus and Jezreel - Paul Wright

  Oliver Hersey (president of Jerusalem University College) speaks with his predecessor Paul Wright, who has lived and breathed the land of the Bible. They discuss Jesus and Jezreel, the Old Testament stories Jesus would’ve known as he overlooked the Jezreel,...

  
• 06.16.2022

  How Did Biblical Writers Access The Past? Daniel Pioske

  Episode: In this episode Matt Lynch sits down with Dan Pioske to talk about the way we know about ancient Israel. Most scholars have been so text-based in their assumptions about memory transmission in the ancient world. They assume that texts...

  
• 05.26.2022

  Wave Nunnally - Israel, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Dead Sea Scrolls

  This episode takes you on a wild ride through the land of the Bible, the world of Josephus, into the ER after crashed planes, by the Dead Sea, and includes encounters with Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and a fire-breathing dragon....

  
• 05.12.2022

  Egypt and the Bible (part 2): Mark Janzen and Chris McKinny

  This is the second in a multi-part series on Egypt and the Bible. Mark and Chris discuss Israel in Egypt, evidence of Egyptian influences in the Bible, Israel in Goshen, the early chapters of exodus, and none other than Moses...

  
• 05.04.2022

  Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities on the Plain (pt 2): Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

  In this second part of our look at Sodom and the Cities of the Plain, we (Chris and Kyle) get into the biblical and geographical details connected with locating Sodom and the Cities of the Plain. We continue to argue...

  
• 04.21.2022

  Egypt and the Bible (Part 1) - Mark Janzen and Chris McKinny

  This is the first in a multi-part series on Egypt and the Bible. Mark and Chris discuss the visits of the Hebrew patriarchs in Egypt. They focus especially on the presence of Semites in Egypt and the plausibility of the...

  
• 04.14.2022

  Newly Discovered Lead Tablet on Mt. Ebal - A Roundtable Discussion

  We discuss the lead 2x2 cm ”curse tablet” found on Mt. Ebal in Israel. Is it inscribed in a proto-Hebrew proto-alphabetic text? Does it relate to the Bible, and especially the book of Joshua? What about its provenance? What are...

  
• 04.06.2022

  Geography of Judges (part 2): Giants Episode – Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

  In episode 2 of the series “Geography of Judges,” Chris and Kyle talk about “Giants in Judges” in connection with the giants of Hebron mentioned in Judges 1:8–15. They also discuss the archaeological background of the fortifications of Hebron.

  
• 03.23.2022

  Bedouin Culture in the Bible - Clinton Bailey

  Episode: Dru Johnson talks with Clinton Bailey about how he ended up living with Bedouins in the Negev, their law, gender practices, and poetry. His most recent book, Bedouin Culture in the Bible (Yale University Press, 2019), examines and explains...

  
• 03.09.2022

  Jason Staples - The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism

  Lynn Cohick speaks with Jason Staples about concepts of Israel that emerged in the Second Temple period, and their implications for understanding the early Judaism. Staples challenges prevailing ideas about Jewish identity around the turn of the Common Era.

  
• 03.02.2022

  Lachish Letters - Chris McKinny and Mary Buck

  Co-hosts Chris McKinny and Mary Buck discuss the discovery of the Lachish Letters (or Lachish Ostraca), and work through several example texts to help you understand their content and significance.

  
• 02.23.2022

  Sodom & Gomorrah and the Cities on the Plain (pt 1) - Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

  Episode: A recent report - published in the very prestigious journal Nature - argued that the site of Tall al-Hammam and other sites in its vicinity were destroyed by an ”airburst event” around 1650 BCE. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-97778-3 The underlying assumption of the article is that...

  
• 02.16.2022

  Andrew Lawler - Beneath Jerusalem

  What lies beneath Jerusalem? Join Kyle and Chris as they interview Andrew Lawler about his excellent and exciting new book Under Jerusalem: the Buried History of the World’s Most Contested City (also available via Audible.com as an audio book). In this interview, we discuss a...