First Reading

Lucas van Leyden: Detail from Inner left wing of a diptych with Christ as the Man of Sorrows
Commentary on Isaiah 53:4-12

Today’s reading, Isaiah 53:4–12, moves from humiliation to celebration. It ends the fourth of the [...]

threading a needle
Commentary on Amos 5:6-7, 10-15

In a course on the prophets, a professor of mine [...]

judge's gavel
Commentary on Genesis 2:18-24

In a passage that differs from the first description of the creation of humankind in [...]

Children embracing with smiles
Commentary on Jeremiah 11:18-20

A phrase not uncommon in English translation among the prophets [...]

Man looking sternly in rebuke
Commentary on Isaiah 50:4-9a

In a book full of evocative language, the servant song1 of Isaiah 50 stands out: “The [...]

Detail from
Commentary on Isaiah 35:4-7a

Although this week’s reading technically falls within the chapters of First Isaiah (Isaiah 1–39) attributed [...]

Hand washing
Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Deuteronomy (“second law”) is the last book in the Torah [...]

Fufu and eforiro on white plates (Bread of Life series)
Commentary on Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

The book of Joshua follows on the heels of Moses’ [...]

Noodles drying on a rack (Bread of Life series)
Commentary on Proverbs 9:1-6

Food is a metaphor for life in many biblical stories. For a few weeks now, [...]

Injera with other Ethiopian foods (Bread of Life series)
Commentary on 1 Kings 19:4-8

In my youth, when I would watch movies and television or read novels, I was [...]