Easy Reading

Ian, at NT Math has calculated the Top Twenty easiest chapters to read in the Greek New Testament.  Ian is a mathematician with an interest in religion and the Greek New Testament, in particular.  Thanks to Daniel and Tonya  at Hebrew and Greek Reader for the tip.

I wouldn’t have guessed that John 17 is the easiest chapter in the GNT.

Top 50

Biblioblogs list the top 50 Bible Blogs  here.

West Semitic Inscriptions

The University of Southern California sponsers the West Semitic Research Project, which includes “Ancient images and commentary relating to the Bible and the ancient Near East, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and West Semitic inscriptions.

There are a few easy links to low resolution images for the general public and information to register for access to high quality digital images for scholars.

Sites for Ancient Greek

Ancient Greek Inscription

Telamon is a new online library of ancient Greek inscriptions from Bulgaria.  Right now the site only has three inscriptions, but each one is simple and interesting.  The site also has links to other similar projects.

If you are just learning the Greek alphabeta, try out some of these inscriptions–it’s good practice!

The TLG list of online resources is another great access point for budding scholars.

Interview

Daniel and Tonya interviewed Hebrew teacher Karyn Traphagen on their Hebrew and Greek Reader blog.  Karyn gives her advice on teaching and learning Hebrew, and on gardening, at her Boulders 2 Bits site.  Be sure to check out the “Hebrew Resources” page, if you are learning Hebrew.

Karyn is living in North Carolina; it’s a bit warmer there, so her tomato plants are ahead of mine.  But I’ll catch up by July, deo volente.

Can You Dig It?

If you’ve always wanted to be like Indiana Jones, and participate in a real archaeology dig–The Biblical Archaeology Review publishes a list of projects looking for volunteers, here.

More than 30 archaeological digs throughout Europe and the Middle East are looking for volunteers this summer to help them excavate history.

Digital Hammurabi

Read about the Digital Hammurabi project at Johns Hopkins here, and learn a little more about cuneiform tablets in the process.

Hebrew Seal

This seal was discovered the day before Halloween, 2008, in Jerusalem. It is dated to the seventh century BC, in the time of Manasseh or Josiah, kings of Judea. If archaeology interests you, you can learn more at the Israel Antiquities Authority site.

The seal is a reverse image, because it is meant to leave an impression when stamped in clay or wax.  Hebrew is written from right to left, but you can read the mirror image of the letters above from left to right: L-H-G-B, “for Hagab.”  The script uses the archaic alphabet that the Hebrews shared with the Phonecians.

The Bible and the Qur’an

Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Mormons all have a holy book that plays a very important role in their faith.  But the role of the Bible is different than the role of other holy books:

Jews might say, the Master of the Universe gave us the Torah.

Mormons say, God gave us the book of Mormon.

Muslims say, Allah gave his very words in the Holy Qur’an.

Christians say, God gave his son.

There is a difference.  The Bible points beyond itself to God who involved himself in human history and human life.

Mark D. Roberts has written a good series on The Bible, the Qur’an, Bart Ehrman, and the Words of God here.

Tip of the Day

Keep up with Greek or Hebrew!  (5 tips here)