“What should we learn from the life of Rahab?”……Answer: In the book of Joshua, we are introduced to one of the most thought-provoking and astonishing heroines of the Old Testament. Rahab, the prostitute of the Canaanite city of Jericho, ultimately is noteworthy for her great faith and for her place in the lineage of Jesus […]

“What should we learn from the life of Sarah?”……Answer: Sarai began her life in the pagan world of Ur, in the land of the Chaldees, which was located in the area now known as Iraq. She was the half-sister, as well as the wife, of Abram who would become Abraham. They had the same father, […]

“Who were the Samaritans?”……Answer: The Samaritans occupied the country formerly belonging to the tribe of Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The capital of the country was Samaria, formerly a large and splendid city. When the ten tribes were carried away into captivity to Assyria, the king of Assyria sent people from Cutha, Ava, Hamath, […]

“What was the Sanhedrin?”……The term Sanhedrin is from a Greek word that means "assembly" or "council" and dates from the Hellenistic period, but the concept is one that goes back to the Bible. In the Torah, God commands Moses Numbers 11:16 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Gather before me seventy men who are recognized […]

“Who were the Sadducees and the Pharisees?”……Answer: The Gospels refer often to the Sadducees and Pharisees, as Jesus was in constant conflict with them. The Sadducees and Pharisees comprised the ruling class of Israel. There are many similarities between the two groups but important differences between them as well.……The Sadducees: During the time of Christ […]

Shechem, Sichem, Sychem, Sychar [ShÔöÇ├┤’chem]-SHOULDER. 1. A son of Hamor, a Hivite prince-"a prince of the country"-that is, of Shechem. It is not certain whether the Levitical city was named after the son of Hamor, or whether he was named after the city (Gen. 33:18, 19, 34; Josh. 24:32; Judg. 9:28). The Man Who Disgraced […]

Shem, Sem [ShÔöÇ├▓m,SÔöÇ├▓m]-renown, or name. …A son of Noah, and ancestor of Christ (Gen. 5:32). From his name, it is to be inferred that Shem was a distinguished person. The men of Babel sought to make themselves a name (Gen. 11:4) and become, thereby, rivals of Shem. The greatness of Shem arose from the fact […]