Why does Genesis 25:1 call Keturah Abraham’s wife, while 1 Chronicles 1:32 calls her his concubine? PROBLEM: Genesis 25:1 says, “Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah.” However, 1 Chronicles 1:32 states, “Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine.” Was Keturah Abraham’s wife, or wa... [ Continue Reading ]
How could Abraham have children naturally here when years before he needed a miracle to have Isaac? PROBLEM: As early as Genesis 17, Abraham “laughed” when God told him he would have a son (Isaac) by Sarah, since he was “a hundred years old” (v. 17). But here in Genesis 25, many years later, he has... [ Continue Reading ]
Did the Hebrews have a concept of life after death at such an early point in their history? PROBLEM: Critical scholars assert that the early Hebrews had a very rudimentary religion that over the centuries would undergo great evolutionary development before ultimately arriving at a concept of life a... [ Continue Reading ]
Did Jacob purchase the birthright or get it by deception? PROBLEM: This text says Esau was asked by Jacob to “sell” him the birthright. But Genesis 29:1ff tells how he got it by deception. SOLUTION: Jacob purchased the “birthright,” but he got the “blessing” by deception. These are distinct things... [ Continue Reading ]