6.134: Lightning Round: Cyrus? Ezekiel’s Cords? Jesus’ Reading in Hebrew? Miracles on Sabbath?

In episode 134, the final episode of season 6 of the Enter the Bible podcast, co-hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston discuss a series of audience-submitted questions in a lightning-round episode with guest Dr. Rolf Jacobson.

In episode 134, the final episode of season 6 of the Enter the Bible podcast, co-hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston discuss a series of audience-submitted questions in a lightning-round episode with guest Dr. Rolf Jacobson.

Rolf Jacobson is Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary and Dean of the Faculty. He has served as co-host of Working Preacher’s Sermon Brainwave and Narrative Lectionary podcasts.

Questions addressed in this Lightning Round:

Who was Cyrus?
What is the significance of the cords in Ezekiel 4:8?
In Luke 4:14-30, did Jesus read in the synagogue from the Septuagint in Greek or from a Hebrew scroll?
Why did Jesus’ miracles happen on the sabbath day?

Show notes

Biblical books and passages mentioned

Isaiah 45: Cyrus is God’s anointed (Messiah)
Ezra 1: Cyrus decrees that Jews can return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple
Ezekiel 4:1-8: Ezekiel is ordered to build a model of Jerusalem under siege
Luke 4:14-30
Examples of Jesus healing on the Sabbath: Matthew 12:9-13, Mark 3:1-6, and Luke 6:6-11, Luke 13:10-17, Luke 14:1-14

Topics, themes, and figures mentioned

See these entries in Enter the Bible’s Timeline:
- Exile (586-539 BCE)
- Judah during Persian Rule (538-332 BCE)
Cyrus Cylinder at the British Museum
The Great Isaiah Scroll (Hebrew)
Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible)
Targum (Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible)

Featuring

Rolf A. Jacobson

Rolf Jacobson, Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry, earned a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, an M.Div. from Luther Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Known for his humor and faithful biblical interpretation, Jacobson enjoys collaborating with other teachers and pastors. His collaborative projects include the Narrative Lectionary (with Craig Koester), The Book of Psalms (with Beth Tanner and Nancy deClaissé-Walford), Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms (with five fellow Luther Seminary graduates), and Crazy Book: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Biblical Terms (with Hans Wiersma and Karl Jacobson). His voice can be heard on two weekly preaching podcasts, “Sermon Brainwave” and “The Narrative Lectionary.” He is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker is Professor and Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisconsin, before coming to Luther in 2006. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to Working Preacher, Word & World, and the author of "Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job" (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

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Katie Langston

Katie Langston is a doubter by nature and a believer by grace. She grew up Mormon in a small Utah town and still isn't sure she fits in anywhere sophisticated enough to have a Target. She's the author of Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, an acclaimed spiritual memoir about her conversion to orthodox Christianity. Katie is Pastor of Mission and Outreach at New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah. From 2020-2025, she was the director of digital strategy for Luther Seminary's innovation team, where she oversaw digital projects aimed at cultivating vibrant Christian spirituality in a post-modern, post-Christian cultural context.

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About Enter the Bible Podcast

The Enter the Bible podcast is where you can get answers (or at least reflections) on everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask. Each season, the podcast hosts address questions submitted by listeners. If you have a question you’d like us to discuss in the upcoming season of the Enter the Bible podcast, submit it here.

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