I’m your host Lance Smith. Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!
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I’m your host Lance Smith. Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!
Exodus 31:18 –Did God Have Fingers? Unpacking the 'Finger of God'
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast
11 minutes
1 month ago
Exodus 31:18 –Did God Have Fingers? Unpacking the 'Finger of God'
In this episode, Lance Smith explores Exodus 31:18 and the phrase "written by the finger of God," asking whether it implies a literal digit or serves as a metaphor. He examines anthropomorphism, ancient Near Eastern imagery, and related biblical passages to clarify how language about God conveys theological truth.
Drawing on historical and scholarly insights, the episode argues the "finger of God" emphasizes God’s direct authority and personal involvement in giving the Ten Commandments, rather than a physical attribute.
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Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI
Doak, Brian R. “Written with the Finger of God: Divine and Human Writing in Exodus.” Digital Commons at George Fox University, 2014. Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=ccs
Hundley, Michael B. “Anthropomorphisms in Ancient Israelite Religion.” Digital Commons at George Fox University, 2019. Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=ccs
Heiser, Michael S. “Anthropomorphisms in P.” The Naked Bible. Available at: https://drmsh.com/TheNakedBible/Anthropomorphisms%20in%20P.pdf
Harrington, Wilfrid J. “The Finger of God.” Grace in Focus, Faith Alone, 2018. Available at: https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/the-finger-of-god/
“Anthropomorphism.” Jewish Virtual Library. Available at: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/anthropomorphism
“What does it mean that the tablets with the Ten Commandments were written by the finger of God?” GotQuestions.org. Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/finger-of-God.html
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast
I’m your host Lance Smith. Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!
