Biblical History

Did G-d Himself kill the Egyptian first born? As we read in the Hagadah, Ex. 12:12 clearly implies that G-d Himself would smite the Egyptian firstborn; the verse uses the first person three times, and ends with "ani ha-Shem". But…

Is there a book called the "Sefer ha-Yashar" (Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18)? A book called the Sefer ha-Yashar that expands on the Biblical narratives, attributed to Josephus, was published in Venice in 1625, and many times since. It…

What happened to Rahab after Jericho was conquered? According to the Talmud (Megillah 14b), Rahab converted to Judaism and married Joshua, and eight prophets (including Jeremiah) were descended from her.

What is known about the ancestry of Devorah? Devorah's parents' names aren't given anywhere. We know only that she was from the tribe of Naftali (Yalkut ha-Machiri on Tehillim 22:1).

What was Yiftach's daughter's name? Her name isn't mentioned in any of the standard sources, but according to the Chronicles of Yerahmeel, written around 11-1200 and translated by Gaster in 1899 from an Oxford manuscript, her name was Sh'eilah. The…

What are the Lachish letters? About 20 ostraca (written on potsherds) were discovered in Lachish (modern Tel ed-Duweir) in the 1930's. Most were letters, though a few were lists. They date from the 580's B.C.E. The letters don't refer to…

Why was Moses forbidden to enter the Promised Land? The Midrash Tanchuma on Deut. Ch. 3 points out that Moses sinned six times: (1-2) By saying “Send whomever You send” (Ex. 4:13) and “From the time I came to Pharaoh…

What does the name "Solomon" mean? In 1 Chron. 22:9 David tells his son Solomon (Heb: Shelomoh) that G-d had said to him "A son will be born to you… and Shelomoh will be his name; and I will give…