Biblical History

Who was Melchizedek? He was the king of Jerusalem (“Shalem”) in Abraham’s time (Gen. 14:18). The Targum and the Talmud identify him with Shem the son of Noah (Nedarim 32b). He was also a priest; the Rabbinical sources give no…

What were the symbols of the Tribes of Israel? According to the Midrash (on Num. 1:52 and 2:2), the symbols of the tribes which were embroidered on their banners were as follows: Reuven: Mandrake. Shimon: City of Shechem. Levi: Urim…

Why is “the son of” in Joshua’s name punctuated “bin” rather than the usual “ben”? Nachmanides (on Ex. 33:11) suggests that the “bin” in Joshua’s name is an allusion to his great wisdom (binah). Another explanation is as follows: The…

Who was Jabez? The Talmud (Temurah 16a) identifies Jabez with Osniel son of Kenaz (Joshua 15:17; Judges 3:9). In Joshua and Judges he is a warrior, and in 1 Chron. 4:9-10 he is blessed with Divine favor, but 1 Chron.…

Who was Hannah? Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. Her story is told in Chs.1-2 of I Samuel. She was childless; when her prayer for a child was granted, she dedicated him to the service of G-d, and…

How long were the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon? Saul reigned for only three years (Talmud, Temurah 15a). The Talmud implies that he reigned for two years after Samuel’s death; but the Seder Olam (Ch. 13) says that reigned…

Why was Jonah chosen to prophesy against Nineveh? Jonah was a major prophet in Israel (the Northern Kingdom); according to the Midrash (Pirkei Rabbenu Ha-Kadosh) he was a disciple of Elijah. The Assyrians (whose capital was Nineveh) were the major…

What is known about the prophet Habakkuk? The Jewish sources on Chavakuk ("Habakkuk") are sparse. The Seder Olam (Ch. 20) says that he prophesied in the days of King Menasheh; see also Yalkut Shimoni on 2 Kings 21. The Zohar…

What is the meaning of the “key” in Isaiah 22? The prophecy in Isaiah 22:15ff is addressed to Shevna, who was in charge of the king’s house (and perhaps of the Temple), telling him that he would be replaced by…