The Nethinim (also spelled Nethinims or Nathinites) were a group of temple servants in biblical times who assisted the Levites in the worship services of the tabernacle and later the temple. The word “Nethinim” comes from the Hebrew word Nathin, meaning “given” or “dedicated ones.” They were lower-ranking temple personnel, subordinate to the Levites. The Bible first mentions the Nethinim in Ezra 2:43-58 and Nehemiah 7:46-60 in the lists of returning exiles from Babylon. These passages indicate that the Nethinim were originally assigned by King David and the princes for the service of the Levites (Ezra 8:20). Though not of…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The question of whether salvation is by faith alone or by faith plus works is one that has been debated for centuries. At the heart of the issue is James 2:24, which says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” This seems to clearly contradict the verses that speak of salvation by faith apart from works (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). However, when we examine the context of James 2, we see that James is not contradicting the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Rather, he is speaking against a distorted understanding…
The prophet Amos repeatedly uses the phrase “for three sins… even for four” as a literary device to introduce God’s judgments against the nations surrounding Israel, including Judah and Israel itself, in Amos chapters 1-2. This distinctive phrase appears eight times and serves to emphasize the certainty and completeness of God’s punishment for the various nations’ sins. Here is a breakdown of where this phrase appears and what it refers to in each instance: 1. Against Damascus (Amos 1:3) “Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have…
The New Jerusalem is a city described in the Bible as the future dwelling place of God and redeemed humanity. It is referred to in several books of the Bible, most notably Revelation 21-22. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the New Jerusalem: The Origin and Location of the New Jerusalem The New Jerusalem is said to come “down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:2). So its origin is heavenly and divine, not earthly. It is also described as the “holy city” (Revelation 21:2) and the “city of my God” (Revelation 3:12), indicating it belongs…
The Bible teaches that God is perfect in all His attributes. He is perfectly holy, just, loving, wise, and good. Here is what the Bible says about God’s perfection: God is Perfect in Holiness Holiness means to be set apart and completely pure. God’s holiness is emphasized repeatedly in Scripture. 1 Samuel 2:2 states “There is no one holy like the Lord.” In Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim around God’s throne cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” Revelation 4:8 echoes this praise of God’s supreme holiness. God’s holiness means He is completely separated from sin and evil.…
The statement “I AM” was a radical claim by Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John that encapsulated His divinity and oneness with God the Father. This apparently simple phrase provoked sharp reactions from Jewish religious leaders of the day and continues to be analyzed from various theological perspectives. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of Jesus’ “I AM” declarations in the Bible. Old Testament Background of “I AM” To understand what Jesus meant, we first need to examine how “I AM” was used in reference to God in the Old Testament. When God first appeared to Moses in the…
How is choosing a good name better than choosing riches (Proverbs 22:1)? We live in a world that values wealth, riches, and material possessions. Our society tells us that having money, a nice car, a big house, and expensive clothes will lead to happiness and fulfillment. However, the Bible offers a different perspective. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” This proverb encourages us to see that choosing a good reputation and character is far more valuable than material wealth. In this article, we will…
Thankfulness and gratitude are key themes throughout the Bible. God desires that His people cultivate grateful hearts and regularly give thanks for all that He has done. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical teachings on thankfulness and gratitude: 1. We should give thanks to God for who He is As our Creator and Sustainer, God is the ultimate source of all good things (James 1:17). Throughout the Psalms, we are exhorted to praise and thank God for His love, faithfulness, righteousness, mercy, and salvation (Psalm 106:1, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 136:1). Giving thanks is a…
This is a great question that many parents of young children ponder. According to the Bible, there is no set age requirement for asking Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. The key factor is that the child understands their need for salvation and intentionally decides to accept Christ. Here are some biblical principles to consider regarding children and salvation: Children can have faith The Bible shows us examples of young children who demonstrated faith in God. In Matthew 21:15-16, when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things Jesus did and heard the children crying out “Hosanna…
The land of Canaan is a region that plays an important role in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. Canaan was the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. It later became the land where the Israelites settled after their Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. Here is an overview of the significance of the land of Canaan in the Bible: God’s Promise to Abraham In Genesis 12, God calls Abraham (at that time called Abram) to leave his country and go to a land that God would show him. God makes a covenant with…