Rephonic
Artwork for The Bible Bar
Bar-Ilan University
Abraham
Genesis
Genesis 1
Ancient Near Eastern Creation Myths
Table Of the Nations
Covenant
Genesis 3:16
Genesis 4
Genesis 5
Genesis Flood Narrative
Cosmogonies
Theogonies
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Sabbath
Gilgamesh Epic
Noah Flood Narrative (genesis 6-9)
Genealogies
Gender Roles

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes15Founded4 months ago
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Artwork for The Bible Bar

Latest Episodes

Guest: Dr. Aubrey McClain - In Genesis 15, God promises Abraham a land stretching “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.” But elsewhere in the Torah, the borders of the Promised Land look very different. Why?

We explore how bibl... more

Guest: Dr. Josh Mathews. Genesis 14 is the first war recorded in Scripture — but the chapter turns on a mysterious priest-king who appears out of nowhere. Why does Melchizedek bless Abram? Why does Abram give him a tithe? And why does Psalm 110 and H... more

Guest Dr. Dan Rickett. In Genesis 13, Lot's presence helps reveal Abraham’s faith, priorities, and character. As conflict grows between their households, Abraham chooses peace over power, generosity over self-protection, and trust in God over graspin... more

Guest: Dr. Zvi Shimon. Genesis 12 does not begin in isolation. Abram’s call is set within an earlier, incomplete journey led by Terah. This episode explores the relationship between these two movements toward Canaan and what they reveal about divine ... more

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Recent Guests

Aubrey McClain
Shapiro Chair for Jewish Christian Studies and Associate Professor in the Department of Theology at Greenville University
Greenville University
Episode: Gen 15: Why the Borders of the Land Keep Changing
Josh Mathews
Professor of Old Testament Studies
Gateway Seminary
Episode: Gen 14 – Why Does Melchizedek Matter?
Dan Rickett
Scholar and author known for Separating Abraham and Lot
Legacy Biblical Institute; Brill (author of Separating Abraham and Lot)
Episode: Gen 13: What Lot Reveals About Abraham
Zvi Shimon
Bar-Ilan colleague
Bar-Ilan University
Episode: Gen 12: Two Journeys to Canaan and the Choosing of Abram
John Day
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament Studies at Oxford
Oxford University
Episode: Gen 11: The Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the World
Yigal Levin
Bar-Ilan colleague, Chair of the Koshitzky Department of Jewish History and Contemporary Judaism
Bar-Ilan University
Episode: Gen 10 : The Table of Nations: Why the Genealogies Matter
Justin Reed
Professor, Old Testament
Louisville Seminary
Episode: Gen 9: What Did Ham Do… and Why Is Canaan Cursed?
Michael LeFebvre
Presbyterian minister and Senior Fellow at the Center for Pastor Theologians
Center for Pastor Theologians
Episode: Gen 8 : Why All the Dates in the Flood Story?
Gary Rendsburg
Professor of Biblical Studies, Hebrew Language and Ancient Judaism
Rutgers University
Episode: Gen 7 : The Flood: The Bible vs. Mesopotamia

Host

Joshua Berman
Host of The Bible Bar with a focus on guiding listeners through biblical texts via scholarly conversations.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 38 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
    Australia2 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 States2 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 States2 months ago
  • Bisher sehr interessante Gespräche. Hoffentlich gibt es noch VIEL mehr davon. Schön wären Literaturhinweise in den Shownotes.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Sibillea
    3 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 States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is valued for its thoughtful, accessible scholarly dialogue and strong guest lineup.
Some feedback requests longer episodes while praising rigorous scholarly context.
Guests are described as highly knowledgeable and the discussions deepen understanding of familiar texts.
Listeners appreciate the host's inquisitive and open 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 14 – Why Does Melchizedek Matter?
Q: Terrific. So Genesis 14 is a little bit different in some ways than the other stories of Abraham. Tell us a little bit about a kind of a survey of how scholars have viewed Genesis 14, the reasons that maybe some scholars have seen this as not really part of the Abraham narratives in a late edition.
The discussion notes that debates center on language and abrupt entrances, with some scholars arguing for a later addition, while others see coherent thematic links to the Abraham narratives, especially through Abram's ongoing involvement and the Lot connection that ties the chapter back to the preceding text.
Gen 10 : The Table of Nations: Why the Genealogies Matter
Q: Yigal, do you see this as a divinely orchestrated outcome? That is, either that God has put this into place or that God approves of this, or is this simply just reporting what happened?
God's explicit presence isn't foregrounded in the text, but the genealogies are read as a theological statement about humanity's origin, unity, and the spread of peoples after blessing and dispersion; the commentator suggests a divine framework underlying the human actions rather than a direct narrative of divine command at every step.
Gen 9: What Did Ham Do… and Why Is Canaan Cursed?
Q: How has this text been used historically in debates about slavery?
Readers have historically linked Ham and his descendants to African peoples and used the passage to justify subjugation, though scholars today emphasize the importance of contextual, critical interpretation to avoid weaponizing the text.
Gen 9: What Did Ham Do… and Why Is Canaan Cursed?
Q: Why is Noah's curse directed at Canaan and not Ham?
Scholars offer a range of explanations, from tracing the punitive focus through the lineage and the broader biblical narrative, to readings that view the punishment as a narrative device reflecting later political and theological concerns.
Gen 9: What Did Ham Do… and Why Is Canaan Cursed?
Q: What are the two biggest interpretive questions that have challenged expositors since time immemorial?
The questions concern what Ham did by seeing Noah's nakedness and why the curse is directed at Canaan rather than Ham, with many interpretations linking these actions to broader themes of sin, punishment, and lineage.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A scholarly, humanities-forward show that deep-dives into biblical texts with experts from Bar-Ilan University and beyond. Episodes center on source criticism, ancient Near Eastern context, and literary analysis of Genesis, focusing on how editors wove traditions, examined ages, and interpreted key narratives. A standout trait is the rigorous, academically grounded approach packaged in approachable conversations that still reward careful listening for specialists and curious readers alike. Notable strengths include meticulous guest selection, clear explanations of philology and methodology, and a host who fosters thoughtful pushback without sacrificing accessibility. The format and guests make it a strong fit for listeners who want to explo... 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. The Tikvah Podcast
3. OnScript
4. SAPIR Conversations
5. What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

How many episodes of The Bible Bar are there?

The Bible Bar launched 4 months ago and published 15 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. Aubrey McClain
2. Josh Mathews
3. Dan Rickett
4. Zvi Shimon
5. John Day
6. Yigal Levin
7. Justin Reed
8. Michael LeFebvre

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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