OpenTheo

The Family of Abraham: Part 20—Mandrakes and Poplar Rods

Alastair Roberts

The Family of Abraham: Part 20—Mandrakes and Poplar Rods

April 4, 2019
Alastair Roberts
Alastair Roberts

Today, I discuss a couple of the strangest episodes in the story of Genesis: Rachel's request for some of Leah's mandrakes and Jacob's taking of Laban's flocks using—among other things—poplar rods.

Within this episode, I mention this video by Rabbi David Fohrman on Rachel's reward: https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/how-do-we-mourn-on-tisha-bav. I also recommend this article by Scott Noegel: http://faculty.washington.edu/snoegel/PDFs/articles/Noegel%2020%20-%20JANES%201997.pdf.

My blog for my podcasts and videos is found here: https://adversariapodcast.com/. You can see transcripts of my videos here: https://adversariapodcast.com/list-of-videos-and-podcasts/.

If you have any questions, you can leave them on my Curious Cat account: https://curiouscat.me/zugzwanged.

If you have enjoyed these talks, please tell your friends and consider supporting me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/zugzwanged. You can also support me using my PayPal account: https://bit.ly/2RLaUcB.

The audio of all of my videos is available on my Soundcloud account: https://soundcloud.com/alastairadversaria. You can also listen to the audio of these episodes on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/alastairs-adversaria/id1416351035?mt=2.

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More on OpenTheo

#221 Big Questions for Tom from Children: why did God make mosquitos? why does this world suffer?! did God create hell? (replay)
#221 Big Questions for Tom from Children: why did God make mosquitos? why does this world suffer?! did God create hell? (replay)
Ask NT Wright Anything
June 13, 2024
Tom answers children's questions on today's show and tackles some of the ways we talk to children about tricky things like suffering and hell (and mos
Is Matthew 23:23 an Argument for Social Justice?
Is Matthew 23:23 an Argument for Social Justice?
#STRask
May 13, 2024
Questions about how to respond to someone who uses Matthew 23:23 as an argument for social justice and what to say to a family member who argues that
What Apologetics Strategies Can We Use with Agnostics?
What Apologetics Strategies Can We Use with Agnostics?
#STRask
May 30, 2024
Questions about apologetics strategies to use with an agnostic who says it’s pointless to worry about whether there is a God because we can’t know if
What Does a Personal Relationship with God Look Like on a Practical Level?
What Does a Personal Relationship with God Look Like on a Practical Level?
#STRask
May 27, 2024
Questions about how to explain what a personal relationship with God looks like on a practical level and whether it’s okay to pray to Jesus and to the
Lydia McGrew Answered! Are the Gospels Greco-Roman Biographies?
Lydia McGrew Answered! Are the Gospels Greco-Roman Biographies?
Risen Jesus
June 10, 2024
In this episode, part 2 of 8 in a series, Dr. Licona answers Lydia McGrew's contention that the Gospels are not affiliated with Greco-Roman biography.
Drinking, Merriment, and Heaven
Drinking, Merriment, and Heaven
For The King
May 8, 2024
What is the biblical view of alcohol? https://fortheking.substack.com/p/drinking-merriment-and-heaven Parallel Christian Economy * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ref
Why Would You Say Evolution Has No Purpose?
Why Would You Say Evolution Has No Purpose?
#STRask
May 20, 2024
Questions about the claim that evolution has no purpose and whether the fact that people who have aphantasia are unable to form mental images shows th
The Airing of Gratitude with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
The Airing of Gratitude with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
June 17, 2024
Kevin is joined once again by his friends—and by now, only somewhat special guests—Justin and Collin. Listen in as the three amigos talk about books,
Is It Okay to Cover a Coworker’s Shift so They Can Officiate a Same-Sex Wedding?
Is It Okay to Cover a Coworker’s Shift so They Can Officiate a Same-Sex Wedding?
#STRask
June 6, 2024
Questions about whether it would be wrong to knowingly cover a coworker’s shift so they can officiate a same-sex wedding and whether it’s okay for a C
Conspiracy Theory and Autodidact Brain (with Susannah Roberts and Derek Rishmawy)
Conspiracy Theory and Autodidact Brain (with Susannah Roberts and Derek Rishmawy)
Alastair Roberts
April 20, 2024
The journalist and writer Naomi Wolf recently posted on Twitter about her reading of a New Testament interlinear: https://twitter.com/naomirwolf/statu
What’s the Best Evidence for the Reliability of the Old Testament?
What’s the Best Evidence for the Reliability of the Old Testament?
#STRask
May 23, 2024
Questions about the best evidence for the reliability of the Old Testament, whether Greg subscribes to the idea of four independent Gospel accounts or
Anticipations of Pentecost (with Rev Benjamin Miller)
Anticipations of Pentecost (with Rev Benjamin Miller)
Alastair Roberts
May 20, 2024
This is the second video in our treatment of Pentecost. The first can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esXSNcRbMak&ab_channel=AlastairRob
#219 Title Why don’t I hear from God any more? (Replay)
#219 Title Why don’t I hear from God any more? (Replay)
Ask NT Wright Anything
May 30, 2024
Join Tom today as he sits down to answer a fresh batch of questions from listeners who are having trouble hearing from God. Nicole asks why 'Ask and y
#220 Understanding the Concept of Satan in the Bible (Replay)
#220 Understanding the Concept of Satan in the Bible (Replay)
Ask NT Wright Anything
June 6, 2024
Tom answers listeners questions on the question of Satan and the powers of evil. Are we supposed to believe in a literal Satan? Explore with Tom Wrigh
Lydia McGrew Answered! On Paraphrase
Lydia McGrew Answered! On Paraphrase
Risen Jesus
June 13, 2024
In this episode, Dr. Licona gives attention to Lydia McGrew's contentions that historians in antiquity would not have employed the literary exercises