The Bible Lore Podcast
The Bible Lore Podcast explores the hidden mythology and lore of the Bible, taking listeners on a journey through the chronological history of the Middle East. It delves into lesser-known stories and interpretations from biblical texts.
Episodes
BATM 9: Samson (2018) (feat. Jon Gabrus & Julian Feeld)
That's right, we've got the boys from @Super Structure with Julian Feeld on the show to talk about 2018's forgotten 300 wannabe, Samson. This episode, as always, arrives two weeks early for paid subscribers. This one is a stinker (they don't even let Samson have sex with the sex worker!), but I almost want to recommend it for attempting fun. You've got Billy Zane, Rutger Hauer, that one guy who pl
Ep. 34: The Messiah, Pt. 3
In this miniseries finale pulled heavily from Herodotus, Cyrus the Great meets a hubristic end. His son Cambyses conquers Egypt but finds failure in Sudan and Algeria. There's farting and heads dunked in blood. This is a serious podcast. Also the prologue is an origin story for cuneiform translation, and I talk about Solomon the Great. This shit's got it all, gang. Subscribe to the Patreon if you'
BATM 8: David (2025) (feat. Propagandos)
Due to a combination of new employment opportunities, the Spokane Fires (hey, that's where I live!), and a variety of other issues, I've been unable to finish the Cyrus series (check back soon). However, all is not lost, as Conner and Alek from Propagandos are here to talk me through Angel Studios' 2025 musical adaptation of 1 Samuel: David. This movie is fairly forgettable, but we get plenty of t
BATM 7: Bad Lieutenant (feat. Hesse Deni)
"NO MAN CAN KILL ME, I'M BLESSED." That's right folks, we've got Hesse here to talk about one of the greatest Catholic movies of all time, 1992's Bad Lieutenant, directed by Abel Ferrara. This episode is a bit unfocused but I hope you all enjoy it anyway. Check out Hesse's podcasts! Seeking Derangements: https://www.patreon.com/seekingderangements Trouble in River City: https://www.patreon.com/cw/
Ep. 33: The Messiah, Pt. 2
The saga of Cyrus continues while the Exile ends. But what does Exile really mean? Today, I explore Second Isaiah, Ezekiel, and a little bit of Ezra. What do these wildly different works say about the end of the Exile? And how does that line up with what archaeology tells us about late 6th century Jerusalem? Join the Patreon: http://patreon.com/biblelorepodcast Bibliography: Hallo & Younger - 'Th
BATM 6: Exodus: Gods and Kings (feat. Chris Wade)
Apologies for neglecting the standard feed! On the other hand, that means you'll be getting two episodes this week and another in two weeks! And even better, despite Chris saying he can't announce anything, now he can! Check out Chunks, a new comedy anthology that Chris put together and produced along with fellow Chapo co-host Amber Frost! https://patreon.com/chunkstv Anyway, onto episode info: It
Ep. 32: The Messiah, Pt. 1
Cyrus the Great arrives, Nabonidus falls, and several people eat human meat as we sort through Herodotus to tell the story of the rise of Persia in the mid-6th century BCE. Support the show by joining the Patreon: https://patreon.com/biblelorepodcast Helpful map: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/265/empire-of-cyrus-the-great/ Check out the episode of Super Structure I was featured in: https://w
Bonus Interview: David Perry on Public Scholarship, Medieval Popes, and Disability
David M. Perry stops by the show to promote his new book, The Public Scholar: A Practical Handbook, a book that is good enough that you'll forget you're reading a manual on how to pitch op-eds and trade volumes. Because David has a wide knowledge base, I used his book as a platform to discuss a variety of subjects, from "Who are your guys?" for medieval popes to how changes in disability policy co
Ep. 31: The Writing on the Wall
Apologies to my Spotify listeners, I thought I had addressed an issue to their satisfaction but they removed the episode anyway. Here is a reupload of episode 31. This one's all about Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, an oddball devotee of the moon god Sin whose reign ends up becoming the basis for some of Daniel's most infamous stories. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Bibl
The 12 Tribes: An Interview with Andrew Tobolowsky (plus a small announcement)
Hello wonderful Patreon subscribers and freeloaders (whom I also love). Today's episode is a special one, an extended conversation with Andrew Tobolowsky about the myth of the 12 tribes of Israel in the Hebrew Bible and then later in everything from early Christianity to the Black Hebrew Israelites. Plus, a small announcement, now in custom written form: the pace of this show has slowed down due t
Ep. 30: The Assassination of Governor Gedeliah by the Davidide Ishmael
We get right back into the 6th century as we explore the latter years of Nebuchadnezzar's reign and the chaos of his three immediate predecessors. On the lore side, this episode features a lengthy discussion of the origins of the Sabbath, various Judahite festivals, seeing the face of Yahweh himself, and an ancient board game! Try the Royal Game of Ur yourself: https://royalur.net/ Bibliography: R
BATM 5: Assassin 33 A.D. (feat. Jesse and Luke from Stores)
PLEASE WATCH THIS MOVIE BEFORE LISTENING. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. CLICK THIS LINK ASAP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUkeQM_QsCA This episode released a week early for Patreon subscribers. Join their ranks and support the show here: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast This time, I've got Luke and Jesse from Stores podcast to talk about the greatest Christian movie of all time: Black Easter: As
Ep. 29: JEDP and the Thirty or So Ten Commandments
This episode released a week early for Patreon subscribers. Happy New Year to all, and especially all of my wonderful subscribers here! After the holidays and an extended period of congestion, we're back in the 570s BCE. I talk about the precious little archaeological evidence for the Torah outside of two magic scrolls, and the overall reasons scholars believe the Pentateuch, the first five books
Ep. 28: You're Canceled and That's It, Chief
Jerusalem is a smoldering ruin, and the king is dead. The destruction of the temple of YHWH leads to one of the most eclectic and strange and disturbing books of the Bible, as the prophet Ezekiel rants and rages about the failings of Judah. Also I talk about weed. Get bonus content and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/BibleLorePodcast Bibliography: Christian Frevel - 'History of Ancient
UNLOCKED: Susan Ackerman Interview
Hello all! As I'm currently putting together a few episodes that have taken a touch longer than anticipated, I thought I'd unlock some Patreon-exclusive content for everyone to enjoy. Find more bonus content here and become a subscriber to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast
Ep. 27: The End is the Beginning (feat. Eric Harvey)
It's the grand finale of the first part of the history of the Bible: the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar the Second. The last king of Jerusalem, Zedekiah, repeats the same mistake made by his brother Jehoiakim and bets against Babylon. As we explore this fateful event, scholar Eric Harvey takes us through the way the elites of ancient society exploited the working class, and how some of
Ep. 26: The Storm Before the Storm (With Apologies to Mike Duncan)
We bring Jerusalem to the brink of total destruction and explore the roots of astrology, as we near the end of the Judahite monarchy. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast Bibliography: Mario Liverani - 'Israel's History and the History of Israel'; Christian Frevel - 'History of Ancient Israel'; Robert Alter - 'The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary'; Moudhy a
Ep. 25: The Long Seventh Century, Pt. 6 – Armageddon (feat. Kipp Davis)
Kipp Davis joins the pod again, as we say farewell to a king and an empire. Josiah's time on the throne meets an abrupt and unexpected end, leaving the kingdom of Judah reeling, and Assyria gets its send-off, as the kingdom is conquered by the Babylonians. Buy Kipp's book: https://bookshop.org/a/117081/9781069638502 Support the show and join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast Bu
Ep. 24: The Long Seventh Century, Pt. 5 – The Inquisition (feat. Kipp Davis)
Dead Sea Scrolls scholar Kipp Davis returns to walk us through the reign of Josiah, the monarch against which all others are measured in the book of Kings. The Assyrian Empire crumbles, Jerusalem rejoices, and the righteous king begins his crusade to centralize all worship in Judah's capital. Check out Kipp's book here: https://bookshop.org/a/117081/9781069638502 And his YouTube channel here: http
BATM 4: Deux heures moins le quart avant Jésus-Christ ft. Max aka Palma
This episode came out early for Patreon subscribers, so make sure to become a supporter here: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast Max (Palma) introduces me to the terrific French Bible epic parody, Deux heures moins le quart avant Jésus-Christ. Join us as we determine whether the movie is racist and homophobic and Orientalist or just French! Check out The Drain: https://www.patreon.com/thedra
Ep. 23: The Long Seventh Century, Pt. 4 – Warrior, Scholar, King (feat. Eckart Frahm)
This episode release several early for paid subscribers. To get early access along with hours of bonus content, and to support the show, become a member of the Patreon here: https://patreon.com/biblelorepodcast This time, I'm elated to bring on Dr. Eckart Frahm, who is the John M. Musser Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Yale University, and whose wonderful book, Assyria: Th
Ep. 22: The Long Seventh Century, Pt. 3 – Moloch
This episode came out early for Patreon subscribers, so make sure to become a supporter of the show here: https://patreon.com/biblelorepodcast It's child sacrifice time again at the Bible Lore Podcast! Yay! This time I talk about the real mlk sacrifice sites discovered throughout the Mediterranean, the real Manasseh, and the way both biblical authors and modern apologists attempt to deflect and ob
BONUS: Bob Cargill Talks Melchizedek (Patreon Preview)
Here's an extended preview of today's Patreon episode. To get full access to the interview, become a paid member here: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast I am absolutely honored to welcome Bob Cargill to the show to talk about all things Melchizedek, as well as the use and abuse of archaeology to attempt to legitimize claims from Israeli settlers in the modern Palestinian West Bank. Check ou
BATM 3: The Chosen (pilot) feat. Jordan (@SLCLunk)
We're BACK to watching the Bible on the screen, as I'm joined by Brigham Young Money podcast's Jordan, aka @slclunk, to dive into an evangelical/Mormon foray into prestige TV Jesus. This time it's Angel Studios' pilot for The Chosen: if the streaming era has been marked by bloat, The Chosen is conservative Christianity's answer to this boring trend. Watch as all the minutiae of the gospels are ext
Ep. 21: The Long Seventh Century, Pt. 2
Patreon subscribers get early access to this episode! This time, I'm talking about one of the most taboo and horrifying topics in the Bible: child sacrifice. This first of two episodes on the subject covers some of the biblical laws and rhetoric and folktales about child sacrifice, while the next will go over the practice in archaeology and history. Today I answer a few questions: was Isaac actual
Ep. 20: The Long Seventh Century, Pt. 1
This week's episode, we spend a lot of time with Assyrian king Esarhaddon, whose hellbent insistence on ensuring his own son's succession was not a repeat of his own disastrous rise to the throne that he promulgated a treaty text to the far corners of the Assyrian empire, a text that would be reworked to be a treaty between Yahweh and his people in Judah. All of this and so much more on this week'
Ep. 19: The Pious Kings, Pt. 2 (feat. Eve Feinstein)
This is part 2 of the story of the prophet Isaiah, the Judahite King Hezekiah, and the Assyrian Emperor Sennacherib. We explore prophetic oracles, a tortured cultural pizza metaphor, divine snakes, and more on purity and sacrifice from scholar Eve Feinstein. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BibleLorePodcast Check out the Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydentank/ Bi
Ep. 18: The Pious Kings: Pt. 1 (feat. Eve Feinstein)
This is part 1 of the life and times of the prophet Isaiah, Judahite King Hezekiah, and Assyrian King Sennacherib. A lot of political history in this one, folks. Featuring an interview with Dr. Eve Levavi Feinstein, who provides important context on the concept of purity in the Hebrew Bible. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BibleLorePodcast Check out the Instagram: https://
BATM 2: Left Behind: The Movie (2000) (feat. The Trillbillies)
Welcome to the Rapture, which doesn't seem too bad, all things considered. Thanks to Tom Sexton and Tarence Ray! Check out the Trillbillies: https://www.patreon.com/trillbillyworkersparty And to support this show, become a member of the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast
Ep. 17: The Fall of Israel (feat. Seth Sanders)
This time on the Bible Lore Podcast, we bring our kingdom of Samaria to an end. Along the way I talk about an important baby whose mother saves him from certain death by secreting him away in a basket on a river: Sargon. And scholar Seth Sanders returns to the show to talk about the prophetic critique, Israelization, and much more. Outro music: Mustafa - Gaza is Calling Check out Seth's work: ht
The Bible at the Movies 1: Noah (2014) feat. Alex Nichols
This week we're taking the Bible into the unholiest of unholies: the cinema! Join me and Radio WFYM's Alex Nichols as we venture into Darren Aronofsky's biblical fantasy epic and talk about God's hog. Go see WFYM live in Beacon NY on June 7: https://www.theyardbeacon.com/upcoming-events/toy-pizza-expo-five-points-fest-present-wfym-world-tour For more Good Content: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLor
Ep. 16: Empire
This episode I explore the emergence of Assyria as the world's first proper empire, with all of the impressive achievements and horrifying consequences this implies, as Israel descends into the chaos of a series of coups. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast Bibliography: Finkelstein & Silberman - 'The Bible Unearthed'; Mario Liverani - 'Israel's History and the History of
Ep. 15: Eat the Rich
This time, I cover a couple of forgotten queens of history, Dido and Shammu-Ramat, the reign of GOAT Israelite King Jeroboam II, and the prophet Amos, whose book is a social justice screed against the rich and powerful. Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast Check out my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/haydentank/ Check out Dig's video on Ramath's Yahwistic king
BONUS: Dan McClellan Interview
A while back, I did an interview with scholar Dan McClellan. Since his new book, The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture's Most Controversial Issues just came out, I decided to unlock that episode from behind the paywall! Make sure to buy Dan's book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-bible-says-so-what-we-get-right-and-wrong-about-scripture-s-most-controversial-issues-dani
Ep. 14: Listomania and the Son of None
Today we say farewell to one last Omride queen while watching the brief fall of Assyria and the brief rise of Aram-Damascus. Along the way I talk about another two identically-named kings who might be the same guy, as well as a lot of lists! Tap in, gang, it's Bible Lore Day once again! Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/BibleLorePodcast Bibliography: Marc van de Mieroop - 'A History of the
Ep. 13: One Man's Revolution...
This week, we're going Rashomon mode as I examine the end of the Omrides and the rise of Jehu from several different angles, bringing in contemporary inscriptions and conflicting biblical narratives on the same events - one author considers Jehu's rise as direct divine providence, while another calls it a blood-soaked coup and the first domino that would lead to the Israelite kingdom's eventual co
Ep. 12: Bury Your Queens, Pt. 2 (Feat. Dr. Jonathan Stökl)
Apologies for the reupload, ran into a Spotify issue. This time, I bring Jezebel's story to a close and inch us closer to the end of the Omride Dynasty, with special guest scholar Dr. Jonathan Stökl giving context to just what prophecy was in Biblical times. Check out Dr. Stökl's work here: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/staffmembers/jonathan-stokl#tab-1 Support the show by becoming a Patre
Ep. 11: The Gods of Israel
Before we get to the end of Ahab and Jezebel, let's finally introduce Yahweh, the god of Israel, and compare him to Ba'al and El, his predecessors. RIP Ka - check out his album Descendants of Cain. Bibliography: Coogan, Smith, et al - 'The Oxford Companion to the Bible'; Theodore J. Lewis - 'The Origin and Character of God'; John Barton - 'A History of the Bible'; Daniel McClellan - 'YHWH's Div
Ep. 10: Bury Your Queens, Pt. 1
We made it to ten, gang! And we've mostly made it out of the Bronze Age Collapse. In this, my first completely solo episode, the Bible gets its earliest confirmed real characters who existed outside of legend, but it's not all sunshine and roses as we immediately confront three women who get a pretty unfair rap in the book of Kings: Ma'acah, Asherah, and Jezebel. Check out my Instagram account for
Bonus: Take Me to the River (feat. Moudhy Al-Rashid)
In this bonus episode, Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid takes us on a deep dive into the material culture and cuneiform writing of Mesopotamia, as detailed in her wonderful book 'Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History'. Pre-order Moudhy's book (available now globally, releases in August in the US): https://bookshop.org/p/books/between-two-rivers-ancient-mesopotamia-and-the-birth-of-h
Ep. 9: The Bull, the Goat, and the Donkey (feat. Seth Sanders)
This time we pick back up on the history of the emergence of Israel and the Hebrew language before diving deep into the complicated lore that connects Jeroboam I, Jeroboam II, Moses, Aaron, and Jacob/Israel. Along the way we look at early Hebrew and West Semitic alphabetic inscriptions with the brilliant Seth Sanders here to guide us. Check out Seth's blog here: https://sethlsanders.wordpress.com/
Ep. 8: The Bible, Slavery, & You (feat. Josh Bowen)
This week, we're talking about the historical Solomon, the city of Jerusalem, and the practice of slavery as described in the Bible and practiced in Ancient West Asia. Special guest Dr. Josh Bowen stops by to talk about all things slavery, debt servitude, and corvee labor. Digital Hammurabi website: https://www.digitalhammurabi.com/ Digital Hammurabi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digital_ha
Ep. 7: Hell of a King (feat. Chris Wade)
This time I bring Chapo Trap House's Chris Wade along as we dive into the story of David's ascension to king in both history and legend. Check out Chris and Molly's other podcasts here: https://soundcloud.com/and-intro-pod https://soundcloud.com/infinite-cast Bibliography: Christian Frevel - 'History of Ancient Israel'; Mario Liverani - 'Israel's History and the History of Israel'; Joel Baden
Ep. 6: Conquest (feat. Kipp Davis)
It's history week on the Bible Lore Podcast. This time, Dead Sea Scrolls scholar Kipp Davis talks with me about the real and invented history of the conquest of Israel set in the book of Joshua. This episode serves as a sort of bird's eye view of all the history we're going to see between now and the mid-Second Temple Period, because in order to understand the Bible as a book, we have to understan
Ep. 5: Gilgamesh & the Deluge
This week's a special episode, where we take a break from history (mostly) and spend our time recounting the Epic of Gilgamesh, the GOAT of ancient literature that gets referenced and quoted in the biblical texts. I've got brief portions of my interview with Professor Susan Ackerman, where we talk about the liminality that allows for potentially homoerotic readings in both Gilgamesh and the story
Ep. 4: Disintegration feat. Kerry Sonia
This time on the Bible Lore Podcast, we bid our farewell to the Bronze Age. Joining today is Dr. Kerry Sonia, who is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Colby College and author of the wonderful book 'Caring for the Dead in Ancient Israel'. Join us as we check out the Baal Cycle, El's Drinking Party, and other Ugaritic texts, and definitively answer your most pressing existential question:
Ep. 3: Sundown feat. Dan McClellan
The Bible Lore Podcast Episode 3: Sundown - This time, we finish the story of Akhenaten's brief religious/political heresy, inducting a new Egyptian dynasty from the ashes of the Aten and setting the stage for the Bronze Age Collapse. Discover the TRUE origins of monotheism and Steve Martin's SNL King Tut sketch. Thanks again to Dan McClellan - pre-order his book, The Bible Says So here: https
Ep. 2: Praise the Sun! feat. Dan McClellan
Pre-order Dan's book, The Bible Says So https://linktr.ee/maklelan Written and edited by Hayden Tank Artwork by Amanda Tank Subscribe to the Patreon for bonus content Bibliography: Christopher Hayes - Hidden Riches Ronald Ridley - Akhenaten: A Historian's View Donald Redford - Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times Eric Cline - 1177 B.C. Theodore J. Lewis - The Origin and Character of G
Patreon Preview: Megan Lewis Interview
In our first bonus episode, Patrons will be able to check out the full interview with Assyriologist Megan Lewis that I used for our Hammurabi episode. Check it out! https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-interview-116972200
Ep. 1: Hammurabi feat. Megan Lewis
In the beginning... Digital Hammurabi website Digital Hammurabi Instagram Digital Hammurabi Facebook Amanda Tank artwork Bibliography: David Carr, The Formation of Genesis 1-11 Marc van de Mieroop, A History of the Ancient Near East Marc van de Mieroop, King Hammurabi of Babylon Christopher Hayes, Hidden Riches Theodore Lewis, The Origin and Character of God Wilfred Lambert, Babylonian Creation My
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