Dear Questioning Christianity, Hello ! 2 Kings 2:24 -- "And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore, (mauled, lacerated, ripped, rend) forty-two of the boys." "Tore" is the Hebrew word "בָּקַע" (baqa) - to cleave, break open or through. Of note is the fact that this is the same word used in Ex. 14:16, 21 where it describes how the waters of the "Red Sea" were "divided" (split, cleave). Are we sure what is being "בָּקַע" (baqa) is the individual boys or the group ? In 2 Kings 2:24 why do we not understand that the Bears came and divided (dispersed) the GROUP of forty two boys ? I find it really hard to believe that the two bears would be able to chase down 42 boys, running in different directions, and maul all of them. (I don't think the text is implying the bears were given supernatural speed to catch the boys). I propose an experiment to test feasibility. Feasibility Experiment: Take a group of forty two boys (this experiment could be repeated using different ages groups of boys), and get two college football linebackers (known for their power, agility and speed), to represent the bears. Let the linebackers come running out of the woods and run down each boy, as the boys run in different directions to escape, and see if the two linebackers can manage to (just) push down each of the boys. Do you really think they could catch all the boys ? However, I am sure the two linebackers could very effectively divide (disperse, split, break apart) the GROUP, and the boys would not be attentive to calling Elisha names any longer. It is more rational to believe this was the scenario being described, because it is more realistic, and would effectively had resolved the problem of the heckling boys. I don't think the bears could catch all forty two boys tearing each one apart. Remember that the Hebrew language has a rather limited vocabulary to describe things, so many words have multiple shades of meaning. I think we have been conditioned to accept the traditional English translations and understanding of the text without due consideration of alternative interpretations that may make more sense. Be Well, DZ
I greatly appreciate understanding how much God had to accommodate his high standards to continually look after our welfare within our low moral standards. We cannot look at the Bible with a knee-jerk human moral standard and immediately cast off God as lacking in goodness
When reading it context you see how progressive the laws were; how protective; and how they weren't meant to cover every single situation or be a static work. To continue to improve on laws and morals is part of the beauty of God's story. Jesus lives! ♥️ and is God 🙏🏻 Christ ✝️ and King 👑
Sigh. God help me, this is brutal, redundant and soooo long to GET TO THE POINT. The point of the Abraham Isaac Test Sacrifice is Abraham's and Isaac's willingness to do the same thing that God the Father and the Son were going to do to fulfill the covenant to save all believers in the world. Isaac was also a young man, not a child, and was complicit. WE ARE TOLD in Hebrews 11:19 that Abraham thought God would RAISE ISAAC FROM THE DEAD: "He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type." This goes to a large implication that Abraham, who was like a friend to God (Isaiah 41:9, James 2:23) that God was compelled to test and share things with, like Sodom and Gommorah : "Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Gen. 18:17-19
Dear Questioning Christianity, Hello !
2 Kings 2:24 -- "And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore, (mauled, lacerated, ripped, rend) forty-two of the boys."
"Tore" is the Hebrew word "בָּקַע" (baqa) - to cleave, break open or through.
Of note is the fact that this is the same word used in Ex. 14:16, 21 where it describes how the waters of the "Red Sea" were "divided" (split, cleave).
Are we sure what is being "בָּקַע" (baqa) is the individual boys or the group ?
In 2 Kings 2:24 why do we not understand that the Bears came and divided (dispersed) the GROUP of forty two boys ?
I find it really hard to believe that the two bears would be able to chase down 42 boys, running in different directions, and maul all of them. (I don't think the text is implying the bears were given supernatural speed to catch the boys).
I propose an experiment to test feasibility.
Feasibility Experiment:
Take a group of forty two boys (this experiment could be repeated using different ages groups of boys), and get two college football linebackers (known for their power, agility and speed), to represent the bears.
Let the linebackers come running out of the woods and run down each boy, as the boys run in different directions to escape, and see if the two linebackers can manage to (just) push down each of the boys. Do you really think they could catch all the boys ?
However, I am sure the two linebackers could very effectively divide (disperse, split, break apart) the GROUP, and the boys would not be attentive to calling Elisha names any longer.
It is more rational to believe this was the scenario being described, because it is more realistic, and would effectively had resolved the problem of the heckling boys. I don't think the bears could catch all forty two boys tearing each one apart.
Remember that the Hebrew language has a rather limited vocabulary to describe things, so many words have multiple shades of meaning.
I think we have been conditioned to accept the traditional English translations and understanding of the text without due consideration of alternative interpretations that may make more sense.
Be Well, DZ
I greatly appreciate understanding how much God had to accommodate his high standards to continually look after our welfare within our low moral standards. We cannot look at the Bible with a knee-jerk human moral standard and immediately cast off God as lacking in goodness
When reading it context you see how progressive the laws were; how protective; and how they weren't meant to cover every single situation or be a static work. To continue to improve on laws and morals is part of the beauty of God's story.
Jesus lives! ♥️ and is God 🙏🏻 Christ ✝️ and King 👑
Great interview, too many commercials. I don’t know if you have control of it, but there was one every 5-10 minutes for me.
Sigh. God help me, this is brutal, redundant and soooo long to GET TO THE POINT. The point of the Abraham Isaac Test Sacrifice is Abraham's and Isaac's willingness to do the same thing that God the Father and the Son were going to do to fulfill the covenant to save all believers in the world. Isaac was also a young man, not a child, and was complicit.
WE ARE TOLD in Hebrews 11:19 that Abraham thought God would RAISE ISAAC FROM THE DEAD: "He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type."
This goes to a large implication that Abraham, who was like a friend to God (Isaiah 41:9, James 2:23) that God was compelled to test and share things with, like Sodom and Gommorah : "Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Gen. 18:17-19