The Family of Abraham: Part 20—Mandrakes and Poplar Rods
April 4, 2019
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.
More From Alastair Roberts
Q&A#123 Sex Recession?
Alastair Roberts
April 5, 2019
Today's question: "Any thoughts on the recent research on decreased rates of sex among under 30s, especially men? I would particularly be interested i
Q&A#124 What Does Worldview Thinking Miss?
Alastair Roberts
April 6, 2019
Today's question: "You've criticized 'worldview' approaches on a number of occasions. What are some of the things that you think they are missing?"
S
Q&A#125 Contrasting Complementarian Approaches to Headship
Alastair Roberts
April 7, 2019
Today's question: "Could you comment a little on practical differences among complementarians on the notion of headship?"
Within this episode, I refe
The Family of Abraham: Part 19—Rachel and Leah
Alastair Roberts
April 3, 2019
Jacob encounters Rachel at the well and marries Rachel and Leah.
My blog for my podcasts and videos is found here: https://adversariapodcast.com/. Yo
The Family of Abraham: Part 18—Jacob's Ladder
Alastair Roberts
April 2, 2019
I comment on Genesis 28 and Jacob's Ladder.
Within my discussion, I mention Matthieu Pageau's book, The Language of Creation: https://amzn.to/2VdAFE4
The Family of Abraham: Part 17—The Deception of Isaac
Alastair Roberts
April 1, 2019
I discuss Genesis 27, where Isaac is deceived and Esau loses the blessing to Jacob.
My blog for my podcasts and videos is found here: https://adversa
More on OpenTheo
Why Is It Necessary to Believe Jesus Is God?
#STRask
February 19, 2026
Questions about why it’s necessary to believe Jesus is God, whether belief in the Trinity is required for salvation, and why one has to believe in the
Can Two Logical People Come to Conflicting Conclusions Without Committing a Fallacy?
#STRask
January 8, 2026
Questions about whether two logical people can come to conflicting conclusions on a topic without committing a fallacy, how Greg, as a public figure,
How Could One Person Trust Another Person on the Topic of God?
#STRask
March 5, 2026
Questions about how one person could trust another person on the topic of God, how STR obtained information about God that others haven’t obtained, an
Is Greg Placing His Faith in the Wrong Thing?
#STRask
February 12, 2026
Questions about Greg placing his faith in his personal assessment of which truth claims best match reality rather than in the revelation of God in Jes
Christmas Cranks and Christmas Blessings with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
December 17, 2025
If you are looking for a podcast where three friends talk about whatever they want to talk about and ramble on about sports, books, and grievances, th
Can You Recommend Good Books with More In-Depth Information and Ideas?
#STRask
January 22, 2026
Questions about good books on Christian apologetics, philosophy, and theology with more in-depth information and ideas, and resources to help an intel
Who Wrote the Gospels? Michael Licona vs. Bart Ehrman - Part 1
Risen Jesus
March 11, 2026
Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write the gospels that bear their names? The texts themselves do not name them as the authors and were published and
Who Wrote the Gospels? Michael Licona vs. Bart Ehrman - Part 2
Risen Jesus
March 18, 2026
Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write the gospels that bear their names? The texts themselves do not name them as the authors and were published and
What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?
#STRask
January 19, 2026
Questions about whether there’s an issue with churches advertising on social media, whether it’s weird if we pray along with a YouTuber, and whether C
How Do We Advocate for Christian Policy Without Making the Government Interfere in Every Area of Life?
#STRask
November 20, 2025
Questions about how to advocate for Christian policy without making the government interfere in every area of life, and the differences between the mo
Why Do We Say Someone Was Saved on a Particular Date If It Was Part of an Eternal Plan?
#STRask
November 24, 2025
Questions about why we say someone was saved on a particular date if it was part of an eternal plan, the Roman Catholic view of the gospel vs. the Bib
Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?
#STRask
December 11, 2025
Questions about whether references to demon possessions and exorcisms in the New Testament are literal, how to talk to young children about ghosts, an
How Do You Justify Calling Jesus the Messiah?
#STRask
December 18, 2025
Questions about how one can justify calling Jesus the Messiah when he didn’t fulfill the Hebrew messianic prophecies, and whether the reason for the v
E. Calvin Beisner: Climate and Energy Policy
Knight & Rose Show
January 4, 2026
Wintery Knight and Desert Rose welcome Dr. E. Calvin Beisner to discuss climate and energy policy. They explore Biblical dominion and stewardship, con
Would You Say God’s Primary Object Is to Not Be Found?
#STRask
March 19, 2026
Questions about whether God’s primary object is to not be found, how one can say God doesn’t make mistakes if the percentage of Christians in the worl