NOTE:
This post has been withdrawn. The post has been published in my book, Rereading the Biblical Text: Searching for Meaning and Understanding. The approach taken in the book is to compare how different translations have approached difficult texts in the Old Testament. The goal of the book is to invite readers to reread the biblical text in light of the new understanding of the intent of the original writer of the text. You can order the book from Amazon.
Rereading the Biblical Text
Visit my Amazon author’s page to purchase the book (click here).
Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
A Note About This Post:
Before “The Donkey and Its Crib” was withdrawn for publication, “The Donkey and Its Crib” was read by 1738 readers. “The Donkey and Its Crib” was also shared 9 times by readers who enjoyed reading the post. You can read “The Donkey and Its Crib” and other articles on Isaiah by reading my book Isaiah: The Prophet of Hope. Below is the content of the book:
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments – Page xi
Abbreviations – Page xii
Introduction – Page xv
SECTION 1 — THE PENTATEUCH
Chapter 1. The Creation of Animals in Genesis 2:19 – Page 3
Chapter 2. The Serpent Was Right (Genesis 3) – Page 7
Chapter 3. The Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15) – Page 11
Chapter 4. Were They Really Giants? (Genesis 6:4) – Page 17
Chapter 5. “As Far as Dan” (Gen 14:14) – Page 20
Chapter 6. Abraham and the Promises of God – Page (Genesis 12:7) – Page 23
Chapter 7. The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:8) – Page 26
Chapter 8. The Rape of Bilhah (Genesis 35:22) – Page 29
Chapter 9. Miriam, a Leader in Israel (Exodus 15:20) – Page 32
Chapter 10. Azazel (Leviticus 16:8-10) – Page 35
Chapter 11. Understanding Numbers 24:24 – Page 38
SECTION 2 — THE HISTORICAL BOOKS
Chapter 12. The Levite and His Concubine (Judges 19:1–30) – Page 43
Chapter 13. The Sacrifice of Jephthah’s Daughter (Judges 10:6–12:7) – Page 47
Chapter 14. The Fate of Jephthah’s Daughter (Judges 10:6–12:7) – Page 4750
Chapter 15. The Virginity of Jephthah’s Daughter (Judges 10:6–12:7) – Page 54
Chapter 16. Who Went Back to the City? (Ruth 3:15) – Page 59
Chapter 17. Was Ruth Barren? (Ruth 4:13) – Page 59
Chapter 18. King Saul: Little in His Own Eyes (1 Samuel 15:17) – Page 63
Chapter 19. How Old Was Saul? (1 Samuel 13:1) – Page 64
Chapter 20. David and Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4) – Page 67
Chapter 21. David’s Sons Were Priests ((2 Samuel 8:18) – Page 70
Chapter 22. “Him that Pisseth against the Wall” (1 Samuel 25:22) – Page 72
Chapter 23. Whose Cloak Did Ahijah Tear? (1Kinga 11:4–7) – Page 78
Chapter 24. The Challenges of Parenthood (2 Kinga 21:25–26) – Page 82
SECTION 3 — THE WISDOM AND POETICAL BOOKS
Chapter 25. Psalm 8:5: In Search of a Better Translation – Page 87
Chapter 26. Understanding Psalm 17:14 – Page 90
Chapter 27. Jezebel’s Wedding Song (Psalm 45:1–17) – Page 93
Chapter 28. Psalm 100:3: In Search of a Better Translation – Page 99
Chapter 29. Sons or Children? (Psalm 127:3-5) – Page 103
Chapter 30. Proverbs 29:18 – Page 106
Chapter 31. “Black and Beautiful” or “Black but Beautiful”? (Song of Songs 1:5) – Page 108
SECTION 4 — THE PROPHETICAL BOOKS
Chapter 32. The Use of Gender Inclusive Language (Isaiah 9:1) – Page 115
Chapter 33. “You Have Increased Their Joy” (Isaiah 9:3) – Page 118
Chapter 34. Who Will the Messiah Strike? (Isaiah 11:4) – Page 120
Chapter 35. The Way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3) – Page 122
Chapter 36. “All Their Goodliness” (Isa 40:6) – Page 126
Chapter 37. The Proclaimer of Good News (Isaiah 40:9) – Page 129
Chapter 38. The Problem of Divorce in the Old Testament (Isaiah 50:1) – Page 132
Chapter 39. Beulah Land (Isaiah 62:4) – Page 135
Chapter 40. The Balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22) – Page 138
Chapter 41. The Mother of Seven (Jeremiah 15:9) – Page 142
Chapter 42. The Coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:25–27) – Page 144
Chapter 43. The Seventy Weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:25–27) – Page 148
Chapter 44. The Knowledge of God (Hosea 4:1) – Page 152
Chapter 45. The Word “Hesed” in the Book of Hosea (Hosea 4:1) – Page 154
Chapter 46. The Word “Justice” in Amos (Amos 5:24) – Page 157
Chapter 47. “What the Lord Requires” (Micah 6:8) – Page 160
Bibliography – Page 165
Index of Subjects – Page 169
Index of Authors – Page 171
Index of Scriptures and Other Ancient Documents – Page 173
Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament 
What book of yours or others would you recommend to me for studying Old Testament history and survey? I am a Pastor’s daughter so I have some firm understanding. Thank you and God bless you 🙏
On Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 8:43 AM Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old
LikeLike
Gail,
I apologize for the delay in answering your question. I have been away from my blog for almost a year.
There are many books I could recommend to you. If you genuinely want to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Old Testament, I recommend reading John Bright’s book, The Kingdom of God. This is an old book, but it offers a valuable insight into the purpose and theology of the Old Testament. That is the book I required my students to read for the 30 years I served as an Old Testament professor.
If you decide to read the book, which I strongly recommend that you do, let me know what you learned from it.
I wish you the best as you study the Old Testament.
Claude Mariottini
LikeLike
Thank you again for your commitment to our understanding of the Old Testament.
I read the Bible through at least twice a year and always I wish I had a way to put it all in a time order or some how understand it from a (Jewish) historical perspective. Since I am a “Gentile” I want applied perspective I suppose. Things like how did all the men live 500 years etc and we don’t now? And how wide was the Red Sea when the children crossed ? And how was Moses life around Pharaoh? Did he fear for his life as a child? Little things that make me want to reason out the details. Do you think it will be Moses and Elijah in Revelation that returns? I don’t expect you to stop to answer my questions but maybe the book you mentioned will. Also what is Old Testament Survey? Is it more than a survey of the 929 chapters? I’m saw a course awhile back listed that way..
It is late, rest well and God bless you and yours 🙏
On Mon, Mar 31, 2025, 7:12 AM Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old
LikeLike
Gail,
To answer all your questions would require a long entry. Let me say a few words. A course on Old Testament Survey entails studying the Old Testament from a chronological perspective, beginning with its formation and a survey of its history. There are many books that I could recommend for you to study the Old Testament. Let me make a different recommendation. Buy the book God With Us: A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament by Christoph Barth. You can purchase the book on Amazon for $12.77. You can also buy a used copy for $5.99.This book is a theological introduction to the Old Testament. This book may answer many of the questions you have.
Best wishes in your search for answers.
Claude Mariottini
LikeLike