Contact

If you have a question about the Old Testament, suggestions for topics to be discussed, or any other issue related to the Hebrew Bible, you can contact me by email. My email address is as follows: drmariottini at gmail.com.

34 Responses to Contact

  1. Terri Snyder says:
    May 25, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    My granddaughter would like to know what man is doing to upside down baby’s back in left handedness picture.

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      May 26, 2014 at 9:33 pm

      Terri,

      Thank you for your comment. The picture reflects the imagination of the artist. The title of the painting is “The Left Handed Painter.” When I was looking for a classical painting that reflects lefthandedness, that was the only painting I could find. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what was in the mind of the artist when he painted this work.

      It is a strange picture, but somehow, I liked it when I saw the picture for the first time.

      Please, tell you granddaughter that the painting reflects only the view of the painter and that unfortunately we do not know what he intended by what he painted.

      Thank you for visiting my blog.

      Claude Mariottini

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  2. Ian Paul Wragg says:
    July 19, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    Hi Claude. In your recent post on Messianic Prophecies you state that Genesis 3:15 is not a Messianic prophesy and follow with “see here, here and here” but you do not have links attached to it. I am interested in what you have to say here and would like to follow the article up when the links are attached.
    It is the 5th last paragraph of the article.

    Cheers, Ian Wragg
    Geelong Australia.

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      July 20, 2014 at 6:20 pm

      Ian,

      I apologize for the failure to include the links. When I published the post I forgot that I needed to add the links in those places.

      I have added the links and updated the post. After you read my posts, let me know what you think.

      Claude Mariottini

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  3. existentialtheory says:
    August 5, 2014 at 1:13 am

    How do you deal with the contradictions in the OT? For example, Ruth and Malachi are thought to be written as “protest literature” against Ezra-Nehemiah (EN). EN says YHWH wants his people to divorce their foreign wives (Moabites included). According to Malachi, YHWH hates divorce; according to Ruth, YHWH is okay with Moabite women… Using the presupposition that the Bible (OT included) is the “word of God,” how do you deal with this issue? (I need an honest answer – not some Norman Geisler gibberish gymnastics.)

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      August 5, 2014 at 10:48 am

      Dear Friend,

      Thank you for your comment. A thorough answer to your question would require more than a few paragraphs. The reason is that I need to set the proper background to answer your question.

      Let me begin by saying that the Bible is the word of God. The Bible is the story of what God is doing in the world. There are many characters in this story, and because they are humans, they make mistakes and fail to live their proper role in this grand story.

      As to your questions. First, Ruth is a protest literature. Malachi probably was active before Ezra and Nehemiah. Second, God does not hate divorce, to the contrary, God allows it (see Deut. 24:1-4) even though it was not his will for people to get divorced (see Matt. 19:7-8). What God hates is when men send their wives away without a decree of divorce. Read my post on divorce.

      God does not reject all Moabites, only those who worship pagan gods. Ruth was a believer in the God of Israel.

      As you can see, a proper understanding of the God of the old Testament solves most of these so-called contradictions in the Old Testament. The issues you raised are based on a misunderstanding of what the Bible teaches about God. If I had time, I would elaborate on these issues.

      Thank you for visiting my blog.

      Claude Mariottini

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  4. Simona Ardelean says:
    September 1, 2014 at 5:44 am

    I really appreciate the quality blog articles. Can refer advise me similar forums specializing in the New Testament?
    Thank you,
    Simona Ardelean
    Romania

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  5. devorah43 says:
    October 19, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    Would you comment on releasing people from debt on the 7th year – Deuteronomy 15:1
    Deborah

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      October 20, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Deborah,

      Thank you for your question. The purpose of this law is to limit the time a person served as a debt slave because of his or her inability to pay the debt. The law limits the time of bond service to seven years. The idea present in the law was the desire to avoid the development of a group of people in ancient Israel that was hopelessly and perpetually in debt.

      This law about debt cancellation reflects the covenant traditions of ancient Israel. This law is contrary to today’s idea of a free market where the idea of debt cancellation does not exist. Since I have never written on this subject, I may write a post on this topic sometime in the future.

      Thank you for visiting my blog.

      Claude Mariottini

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  6. John Hall says:
    May 29, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    Dr. Mariottini: Forgive my lateness to the discussion of Ezra from “existentialtheory” 8-5-14. I believe that a careful reading of Ezra 9-10 reveals that God was not properly consulted before Ezra and his cohorts dictated the divorce policy. This was a flawed human dictate and one that took and inspired Paul to finally correct with justification. Thanks for your edifying comment on divorce.

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      June 9, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      John,

      It is very possible that Ezra’s divorce policy was not approved by God. Humans do a lot of things in the name of God. It is probable that the book of Ruth was written as a reaction to Ezra’s policy.

      Thank you for your comment.

      Claude Mariottini

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  7. Nirman Pradhan says:
    April 23, 2016 at 6:17 am

    Is there a major difference between modern old testament and Torah?

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      April 25, 2016 at 9:03 am

      Nirman,

      Thank you for your question.

      To understand my answer, it becomes necessary to define the terms. In Judaism, the Torah are the five books of Moses also know in English as the Pentateuch. The Old Testament is the Christian name for what in Judaism is called the Tanak. The first five books of the Old Testament are identical with the first five books of the Jewish Bible. In Judaism they are called the Torah and in Christianity they are called the Pentateuch. The Old Testament is also identical with the Tanak of Judaism.

      I hope this will answer your question.

      Claude Mariottini

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  8. Darline Royer says:
    September 14, 2016 at 11:38 pm

    What translation(s) do you recommend to your students? I have just read your informative article on the permanent text of the ESV and note that you do not recommend it to your students.

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      October 17, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Darline,

      I use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) because this translation avoids ideological translation of the text. I use the NRSV in my study and in my preaching. I class I recommend the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV), 4th edition. This is an excellent study Bible which provides a good introduction to each book of the Bible and also good study notes.

      Claude Mariottini

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  9. matthew H says:
    December 3, 2017 at 11:54 pm

    I appreciated your view on the covenant when you reference in Exodus that the covenant requires a sacrifice. Would you not agree that that sacrifice is God himself fulfilled in Christ?

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      December 25, 2017 at 3:01 pm

      Matthew,

      Thank you for your question. You have a point with your comment. Here is how we should understand the issue:

      When God established a covenant with Israel, the covenant was sealed with a sacrifice.

      When God established a new covenant in Christ, Christ was the sacrifice, he is “the lamb of God.”

      However, it is wrong to say that the sacrifice that sealed God’s covenant with Israel was God himself or that it was Christ. The sacrifice of Christ occurred on the cross, not in the wilderness of Sinai.

      Claude Mariottini

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      • jovan Kesic says:
        August 18, 2018 at 4:11 am

        Dear Mr Mariottini
        I appologise, I’m using this ‘Reply’ option to post a question (not related to above)
        Question regards Balm of Gilead/Apharsemon: do You have an entry on that ?
        What is Your opinion on Commiphora Gileadensis being a domesticated tree/shrub from which this valuable product was obtained. What archaeology/textual evidence is saying since when ?

        Sorry for taking Your time and thanks in advance

        Regards

        Jovan Kesic
        Rijeka, Croatia
        jovan.kesic@ri.t-com.hr

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      • Claude Mariottini says:
        October 24, 2018 at 11:10 am

        Jovan,

        I am not an expert on the botanical terminology for biblical plants. Here is what the Anchor Bible Dictionary says about the Bal of Gilead:

        A number of proposals for the identification of ṣŏrı̂ (balm) have been made previously, some of which, however, assumed the erroneous identification of ṣŏrı̂ with other plant products such as bośem and nāṭāp. Previous botanical identifications have included Commiphora opobalsamum, Pistacia lentiscus, Balanites aegyptiaca, and others. These must be rejected in favor of one or several of the aromatic tree resins mentioned in the Greek botanists. Indeed even today, remnants of the ancient forests of Gilead (the district of Ajlun in modern Jordan) still contain the ancient sources of rhētinē mentioned in the classical writers—Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and Phoenician cedar (Juniperus phoenicia).

        I hope this is helpful.

        Claude Mariottini

        Richard N. Jones, “Balm,” ed. David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 574.

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      • jovan kesic says:
        October 24, 2018 at 11:32 am

        Dear Mr Mariottini

        Thank You for answering, most appreciated.
        Hope You will find time to consider the other question posted also
        Thank You once again
        Regards

        J. Kesic
        Rijeka, Croatia

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      • Claude Mariottini says:
        August 13, 2019 at 3:43 pm

        Jovan,

        I apologize for the delay in answering your note. I read your comment, but I do not understand what other question you are asking. Please, clarify your question.

        Claude Mariottini

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  10. jovan Kesic says:
    August 18, 2018 at 4:14 am

    Pls. notify me via e-mail in case You can find time to answer/comment.
    Thanks in advance

    J. Kesic
    Rijeka, Croatia

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  11. james brooks says:
    September 19, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    claude, this is my question…in 2nd. samuel ch. 21-19..the kjv says the brother of goliath…in the nasb it says goliath…please tell me which one is correct….also 1st. chronicles ch. 20-5…thank you

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      September 20, 2018 at 11:52 am

      James,

      Thank you for your patience concerning the problem about your comment. I am sending you an email at your gmail address with a detailed answer to your question. My answer will be too long for the space available in this comment section.

      Claude Mariottini

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  12. Lexi Mariottini says:
    November 5, 2019 at 8:13 am

    Hi Vovo i like all of this stuff -love your favorite grandauter lexi

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      November 5, 2019 at 5:14 pm

      Hi Lexi,

      Thank you for visiting my blog. I am happy to know you like it. You are right, you are my favorite granddaughter. In fact, I have five favorite granddaughters and you are one of them.

      I hope you do well in school. Next time I see you, I will give two hugs just because you visited my blog. Love you.

      Vovo.

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  13. Petr Gina says:
    December 13, 2020 at 3:57 am

    Rechab was grandson of Moses they were Nazarites but they belong to Levi tribe 1 Chronicle 23-17 is about Eliezer sons, Eliezer was Moses son

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  14. Bri Mariottini says:
    May 11, 2021 at 7:38 pm

    Hi Vovo,

    I miss and love you lots!! Can’t wait for you to help me with soccer!!

    Love,Brianna

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  15. Chris Bennett says:
    August 23, 2022 at 7:43 am

    Dr Claude Mariotti, time to revisit the claims about Old Testament cannabis use in light of tel Arad…. Let me know if you are interested in reviewing some material on this and opening a more civilized and less biased dialogue than that which you addressed the Quaintances

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  16. Nic says:
    January 4, 2023 at 12:39 am

    Dear Claude,
    I have just finished reading Divine Violence and it is a book that will remain on my shelf and I’ll probably read it again at some point. I have left a review on Good reads.

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    • Claude Mariottini says:
      January 11, 2023 at 12:38 pm

      Nic,

      Thank you for let me know you read my book. I read your review. Thank you very much for your positive words.

      If you are willing to write a long review of the book, I will consider publishing your review of my blog.

      Claude Mariottini

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