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Why the Verb baraʾ Does Not Mean ‘to Create’ in Genesis 1.1–2.4a

Ellen van Wolde · Journal for the Study of the Old Testament · 2009

Ellen van Wolde examines all seven occurrences of the Hebrew verb baraʾ in Genesis 1 and argues that, in this passage, the verb is better understood as referring to separation rather than creation. She tests the proposal through linguistic and textual analysis, comparison with Mesopotamian creation traditions, and other biblical Hebrew evidence. The article is especially relevant to discussions of the opening creation account, the semantics of baraʾ, and whether Genesis 1 itself describes creation out of nothing.

Creation and CosmologyHebrew Language and Lexicography
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Life-size Reproduction of the Shroud of Turin and its Image

Luigi Garlaschelli · Journal of Imaging Science and Technology · 2010

Garlaschelli reviews the history and scientific examination of the Shroud of Turin and experimentally tests a proposed artistic mechanism for producing a Shroud-like body image. Using full-size linen, pigment-based rubbing techniques, acidic compounds, washing, and artificial aging, the study produced a 1:1 replica exhibiting several features associated with the Shroud image, including superficial coloration, pseudonegative appearance, three-dimensional information, and comparable visual and spectroscopic properties. The paper argues that these results provide a plausible non-miraculous, potentially medieval method of image formation.

Shroud of Turin
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Roman versus Jewish Reckoning of Hours in the Gospel of John: An Exegetical Misconception That Refuses to Die

Adam Kubiś · The Biblical Annals · 2021

Examines the claim that the Gospel of John used a distinctively Roman system of counting daytime hours from midnight while the Synoptic Gospels used a Jewish system beginning at sunrise. Drawing on ancient extrabiblical evidence, Kubiś argues that Romans and Jews reckoned daytime hours in essentially the same way, from sunrise, despite Roman civil days being counted from midnight. The article applies the competing models to John 1:39, 4:6, 4:52, and 19:14 and concludes that the supposed Roman-versus-Jewish distinction in hourly reckoning is an exegetical misconception.

Gospel of JohnChronology and Time Reckoning
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