Elimelech and Naomi

Elimelech and Naomi are figures from the Jewish and Christian Bibles. The name “Elimelech” means “My God is King,” indicating that his father, at his birth, considered God to be King. However, by Elimelech’s generation, the people no longer regarded God as King, even “not knowing the Lord or the works that he had done […]

Introduction to the Book of Ruth

The Hebrew name for the Book of Ruth is “Megilat Ruth” (מגילת רות / Megilath Ruth). In the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Judges and the Book of Ruth are traditionally considered one book. The Book of Ruth recounts the story of Ruth, a Moabite widow, who, during the time of the Judges, returned in […]

Israel’s Abundant Produce in the Song of Solomon

In the Old Testament, God and the people of Israel referred to the Promised Land as a “land flowing with milk and honey.” How beautiful was that land truly? We can catch a glimpse from the Song of Solomon. [Song of Solomon 1:14] “My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the […]

Background of the Song of Solomon

In the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh (תנ״ך‎‎), the Song of Solomon is the first of the Five Megillot. Its Hebrew name is “Shir HaShirim” (שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים), meaning “Song of Songs,” taken from the book’s opening phrase: “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (1:1 original text). “Song of Songs” means “the most beautiful song,” and […]

The Prophet Zechariah

Zechariah, whose name means “the LORD remembers,” is a figure in the Hebrew Bible, a prophet of the Kingdom of Judah, and the author of the Book of Zechariah (the 11th of the 12 Minor Prophets). Like Ezekiel, Zechariah also came from a priestly family. He was the son of Berechiah and the grandson of […]

Background of the Book of Zechariah

The Hebrew name for the Book of Zechariah is “Zechariah” (זכריה / Z’kharyah), and it’s the eleventh book in the Book of the Twelve Prophets (תרי עשר / Trei Asar). In the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, Zechariah is placed after the Book of Haggai. Through the Book of Haggai, God declared that the time for […]

Background and Author Introduction to the Book of Malachi

The Hebrew name for the Book of Malachi is “Malachi” (מלאכי / Mal’akhi), and it is the last book in the Book of the Twelve Prophets (תרי עשר / Trei Asar). In the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, Malachi is placed after the Book of Zechariah. Through Zechariah, God declared how He would prepare the environment […]

Historical Background and Author Introduction to the Book of Habakkuk

The Hebrew name for the Book of Habakkuk is “Habakkuk” (חבקוק/Khavaquq), and it is the eighth book in the Book of the Twelve Prophets. In the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, Habakkuk is placed after the Book of Nahum, declaring that God will use the Chaldeans to discipline Judah, and then use other nations to judge […]

Historical Background and Author Introduction to the Book of Zephaniah

The Hebrew name for the Book of Zephaniah is “Zephaniah” (חבקוק /Khavaquq), and it is the ninth book in the Book of the Twelve Prophets (תרי עשר / Trei Asar). In the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, Zephaniah is placed after the Book of Habakkuk. Through Habakkuk, God prepared the people to accept the coming discipline, […]

Assyrians

The Assyrians, also known as Syriacs, are a people primarily residing in northern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq, particularly around the Euphrates and Tigris rivers). They boast a rich history spanning nearly 4,000 years. In ancient times, Assyria was a militaristic state, frequently engaged in warfare, and its empire, extending across Asia and Africa, once flourished. However, […]