Rephonic
Artwork for The Bible Bar
Abraham
Jacob
Esau
Bar-Ilan University
Edom
Genesis
Genesis 1
Ancient Near Eastern Creation Myths
Tower Of Babel
Isaac
Genesis 36
Table Of the Nations
Genesis 34
Genesis 4
Covenant
Genesis 3:16
Genesis 5
Genesis Flood Narrative
Fugitive Hero Pattern
Genesis 18

The Bible Bar – The Podcast of the Bible Department of Bar-Ilan University. Hosted by Dr. Joshua Berman, The Bible Bar offers a guided journey through the Bible, one chapter at a time, in conversation with leading scholars from Bar-Ilan University and across the globe. Drawing on the full spectrum of biblical studies, the podcast translates cutting-edge research into thoughtful, engaging discussio... more

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Artwork for The Bible Bar

Latest Episodes

Guest: Dr. Rachel Adelman.

In Genesis 38, Tamar exposes Judah's wrongdoing, but does she merely humiliate him—or does she make possible his moral transformation? What is it about Judah's response that makes this episode a turning point in his life?... more

Guest: Prof. Shaul Bar, University of Memphis.

Joseph’s dreams of greatness set in motion one of the Bible’s most dramatic family conflicts. But were these dreams divine revelations, predictions of the future, or expressions of Joseph’s own ambitio... more

Guest: Prof. Yigal Levin, Bar-Ilan University

Genesis 36 presents a lengthy genealogy of Esau and the history of Edom, seemingly interrupting the narrative of Jacob and his family. Yet a closer look reveals striking parallels between the histories o... more

Host: Dr. Hillel Mali. In Genesis 35, Jacob returns to Bethel, where he had once vowed to build a house of God and dedicate a tenth of his possessions. But does he actually fulfill his promise? Ancient Jewish authors noticed the difficulties in the b... more

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Recent Guests

Shaul Bar
University of Memphis professor and author of A Letter That Has Not Been Read: Dreams in the Hebrew Bible
University of Memphis
Episode: Gen 37: How Did the Bible Understand Dreams?
Yigal Levin
Professor at Bar-Ilan University specializing in biblical studies
Bar-Ilan University
Episode: Gen 36: Why Does the Bible List Esau’s Descendants?
Hillel Mali
Bar-Ilan scholar specializing in Second Temple literature
Bar-Ilan University
Episode: Gen 35: Rewriting Scripture: The Bible in the Second Temple Period
Deborah Geller
Scholar whose doctoral dissertation examined revenge narratives in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern literature
Bar-Ilan University
Episode: Gen 34: Revenge in the Bible and the Ancient Near East
Elie Assis
Bar-Ilan University colleague who has written on Esau and Jacob
Bar-Ilan University
Episode: Gen 33: Why Don't People Forgive Each Other in the Hebrew Bible?
Bradford Anderson
Lecturer in Hebrew Bible
Dublin City University
Episode: Gen 32: Did Jacob Wrestle with God or with Esau?
Erin Darby
Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
Episode: Gen 31 : Why Did Rachel Steal Her Father’s Gods?
Suzie Park
Associate Professor of Old Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Episode: Gen 30: More Than Spotted Sheep
Zvi Shimon
Bar-Ilan colleague
Bar-Ilan University
Episode: Gen 28: Bethel not Babel

Host

Joshua Berman
Host of The Bible Bar, guiding scholarly discussions on biblical texts

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • Unique topics!

    Great conversations and unique topics. Keep it up. Loved your guest Michael LeFebvre - bought his book and enjoying that too. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oxaro Sharp
    Australia7 months ago
  • Interview technique could be improved

    This is a good show with good guests. Rabbi Berman is one of my favorite writers and thinkers. As some constructive criticism let me say that I think this show would improve a lot if Rabbi Berman would allow his guests to fully answer questions before he interrupts them and would improve as an interviewer if he made fewer sounds of affirmation while they were speaking. It can be very distracting. Ask your question and let the guest cook!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Benny B Boy 4 EVAH!
    United States7 months ago
  • Great content, need fewer interruptions

    The rich content is marred by Dr Berman’s frequent interjections while the guest speaker is trying to talk. Please wait for your guest to finish before interrupting or adding your “uh huh” and “wow”. So distracting!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    pearlgirl55
    United States7 months ago
  • Bisher sehr interessante Gespräche. Hoffentlich gibt es noch VIEL mehr davon. Schön wären Literaturhinweise in den Shownotes.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Sibillea
    8 months ago
  • Fun

    I love this new podcast. The host is inquisitive and open to ideas and seems like a person you’d love to have a conversation with at a bar! I learn new things from every episode and if anything, I with the episodes were a bit longer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Valchemist
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Interviews are praised for strong guest expertise, though some note host interruptions can distract.
Listeners appreciate the depth and breadth of topics, from ethics to archaeology, and the rigor of scholarly discussion.
The content is consistently informative and thoughtful, with admiration for the host's inquisitive approach.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gen 37: How Did the Bible Understand Dreams?
Q: Were Joseph's dreams divine revelations, or could they express his own ambitions?
Bar says modern psychological readings might understand the dreams as expressing Joseph's desire to dominate his brothers, since he is weaker in daily life. He also believes Joseph came to understand that God was guiding the events of his life.
Gen 37: How Did the Bible Understand Dreams?
Q: How did people in the ancient world understand dreams, and how did the Bible's treatment compare with other ancient Near Eastern sources?
Bar says ancient people commonly understood dreams as messages from gods, and biblical accounts share that belief. He contrasts direct prophetic dreams with symbolic dreams and notes that ancient dream books offered interpretations, while the Bible presents interpretation as coming from God.
Gen 36: Why Does the Bible List Esau’s Descendants?
Q: What statement is being made by the list of Edomite kings who are not related to one another?
Levin compares the succession to the judges of Israel, suggesting it may represent a pre-monarchic stage in Edomite society, with leaders arising in successive generations.
Gen 36: Why Does the Bible List Esau’s Descendants?
Q: Why is there a need for this chapter in the story?
Levin says it establishes the background of Israel's neighboring peoples, many of whom are relatives, and shows that Abraham's descendants beyond Jacob also became nations with land and histories.
Gen 35: Rewriting Scripture: The Bible in the Second Temple Period
Q: Why should readers interested in the Bible study Second Temple literature?
Mali argues that alternative retellings make familiar stories newly visible, prompting readers to reconsider their assumptions and notice details such as the importance of Jacob's vow.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bible Bar

What is The Bible Bar about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Scholarly discussions of biblical texts are explored through close readings, interdisciplinary methods, and historical context. Episodes center on Genesis narratives and related ancient Near Eastern perspectives, using literary, theological, archaeological, and anthropological angles to probe ethics, law, birth, land, and ritual. Guests are typically Bar-Ilan or allied scholars, and conversations emphasize rigorous analysis, multiple interpretations, and how ancient texts continue to shape contemporary understandings of identity, covenant, and culture. A notable strength is the breadth of expertise—from trauma theory to geography to ethics—paired with a host who guides with thoughtful questions and pushback, making complex passages accessib... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Bible Bar?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bible Bar:

1. The Biblical Mind
2. OnScript
3. SAPIR with David Wolpe
4. The Tikvah Podcast
5. Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times

How many episodes of The Bible Bar are there?

The Bible Bar launched 9 months ago and published 38 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Bible Bar?

Recent guests on The Bible Bar include:

1. Shaul Bar
2. Yigal Levin
3. Hillel Mali
4. Deborah Geller
5. Elie Assis
6. Bradford Anderson
7. Erin Darby
8. Suzie Park

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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