Alternate First Reading

Detail from the Ottheinrich Bible, ca. 1450.
Commentary on 1 Kings 19:1-4 [5-7] 8-15a

Considered part of the Historical Books of the Christian Old [...]

Photo of a sculpture representing the dove of the Holy Spirit in Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Rennes, Brittany, France.
Commentary on Genesis 11:1-9

There are a great many “issues” nestled in these few verses: unity/oneness and scattering, the [...]

Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12

This is a clarion call to an (outwardly) pious and religious community who fasted and [...]

Nikolai Ge,
Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:1-7

This week’s passage contains a song of David, curiously introduced with the superscription, “The Last [...]

Hannah Praying
Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:4-20

First Samuel 1 introduces Hannah, among other characters who appear more privileged and powerful than [...]

The Poor Widow's Offering, Frederick Goodall, before 1904
Commentary on Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

The book of Ruth has been widely read and understood [...]

spray-painted hearts
Commentary on Ruth 1:1-18

The book of Ruth, especially the first chapter, illustrates a relationship between migration and food [...]

Millstone in a garden
Commentary on Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

The idiom “caught between a rock and a hard place” [...]

Detail from
Commentary on Job 42:1-6, 10-17

This is the last of four lections from Job. All [...]

storm clouds with lightning
Commentary on Job 38:1-7 [34-41]

This is the third of four lections from Job, and [...]