The Capture of the Ark of the Covenant

1 Samuel chapter 4 records that when the Philistines were about to attack the hill country of Ephraim in Israel, the Israelites reluctantly encamped at Ebenezer to meet them in battle. After an initial defeat, the Israelite elders decided to bring the Ark of God from Shiloh to the battlefield, hoping that the Ark would […]

Shiloh

Shiloh means “Peace,” “Resting Place,” or “Bringer of Prosperity.” It is located approximately 24 kilometers northeast of Ramah, where Samuel’s family lived. The city was built on a ridge, at an elevation of 803 meters, and surrounded by mountains on three sides with ample water. It was an excellent agricultural and pastoral area. In Joshua’s […]

Eli

Eli (Hebrew: עֵלִי) was a high priest of Shiloh and one of the last judges of ancient Israel before the monarchy began, as recorded in the Book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. Eli governed Israel for forty years. The name Eli means “my height” or “my exaltation.” Eli the priest was a descendant […]

Hannah

Hannah (Hebrew: חַנָּה‎, Ḥannāh) is a figure recorded in the Old Testament Book of Samuel. She was one of Elkanah’s wives and the mother of Samuel. The name “Hannah” means “grace” in Hebrew. According to the Bible, Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, who was from the tribe of Ephraim. His other wife […]

Introduction to the Book of Samuel

In the Hebrew Bible, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are a single book, directly following the Book of Judges and preceding the Book of Kings. The Septuagint, for convenience, divided the Book of Samuel and the Book of Kings each into two parts. The Book of Samuel records the history of Samuel, Saul, and David […]

Samuel, the Last Judge

The Bible records Samuel as the last judge of Israel and a prophet after the nation was established. Not only that, he was also a priest, and a great military strategist, politician, and religious leader. Samuel’s parents were a devout couple who went to the sanctuary in Shiloh every year. His father, Elkanah, whose name […]

New Testament and Roman Military

The biblical authors frequently use military terminology as metaphors to help people better understand the meaning of their words, “taking every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Among the most famous examples is Paul’s description in Ephesians 6:13-17: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand […]

Socio-Economic Aspects of Rome

​The Apostle Paul lived during the Roman Empire, and his background and later missionary areas were closely related to Rome. To better study the Bible, especially the New Testament, let’s take a detailed look at various aspects of society at that time. Ancient Rome originated in the hilly area of the Latium Plain on the […]

Slavery in the Roman Empire

Slavery was the backbone of the Roman Empire’s economy. One-third of the population in Italy and one-fifth of the entire empire’s population were slaves, serving in all areas of Roman life. Slaves were considered a necessity for Roman citizens. They were typically prisoners of war, descendants of slave mothers, or people who had been kidnapped, […]

Ancient Roman Marriage System

Ancient Greco-Roman marriage was strictly monogamous. Romans traditionally believed that the purpose of marriage was to produce legitimate children, allowing citizens to produce new citizens. The legal age for marriage was 12 for girls and 14 for boys, with most Roman women marrying in their late teens or early twenties. Wives were relatively financially independent, […]