The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Numbers 1:1–4:49 — Two Million in the Desert? Rethinking the Numbers in Numbers

Episode 209 digs into Numbers 1–4 to examine the famous census that lists roughly 603,550 fighting men and implies a population of 2–2.5 million. Lance Smith surveys the logistical, archaeological, and textual challenges that raise doubts about a literal headcount.
The episode surveys three main responses: appeal to ongoing miracles, symbolic or theological exaggeration, and a linguistic solution reading Hebrew "’eleph" as clan or unit (which reduces the population to roughly 20–30,000). Smith weighs the evidence and emphasizes the census's theological purpose over raw statistics.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
Katz, Ben-Zion. “Recounting the Census: A Military Force of 5,500 (not 603,550) Men.” TheTorah.com, May 15, 2015. https://www.thetorah.com/article/recounting-the-census-a-military-force-of-5500
Wood, Bryant. “The Number of Israelites in the Exodus.” BibleArchaeology.org. https://biblearchaeology.org/research/exodus-from-egypt/3943-the-number-of-israelites-in-the-exodus
Adair, Aaron. “Counting on the Census Numbers: Mathematical Approaches to the elep in Numbers.” HIPHIL Novum, 2025. https://tidsskrift.dk/hiphilnovum/article/view/152021
GotQuestions.org articles: “Are the numbers in the Bible accurate?” and “How many Israelites left Egypt in the exodus?” https://www.gotquestions.org/numbers-Bible-accurate.html and https://www.gotquestions.org/Israelites-exodus.html
“The Exodus: Fact or Fiction?” Biblical Archaeology Society. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/exodus/exodus-fact-or-fiction/

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 12:47 – Did Jesus Tell Us to 'Hate' Our Parents?

Lance Smith examines the apparent contradiction between biblical commands to honor parents and Jesus' strong sayings about family priority. Using context, cultural idiom, and examples from Matthew, Luke, and John, he shows how phrases like “hate your father” are hyperbolic calls for ultimate allegiance to God, not literal family rejection. The episode explains the passages, defends Jesus' respect for his mother, and concludes the Bible reorders family priority rather than condemning familial love.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/parents.html 
GotQuestions.org – "What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to hate our father and mother (Luke 14:26)?" https://www.gotquestions.org/hate-father-mother.html
Jews for Jesus – "Did Jesus teach his disciples to hate their parents?" https://jewsforjesus.org/answers/did-jesus-teach-his-disciples-to-hate-their-parents
BibleInterpretation.org – "MATTHEW 12:46-50 THE TRUE FAMILY OF JESUS" by Fr. Abraham Mutholath https://bibleinterpretation.org/matthew-12_46-50/
Benedictine Media – "‘Who Is My Mother?’ Did Jesus Disrespect Mary?" https://media.benedictine.edu/who-is-my-mother-did-jesus-disrespect-mary
GotQuestions.org – "Was Jesus being rude to Mary when He referred to her as “woman” in John 2:4?" https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Mary-woman.html
Christian Research Institute (equip.org) – "Luke 14:26: Hate or Hyperbole" https://www.equip.org/articles/luke-1426/
Crossway.org – "Did Jesus Really Mean That We Should Hate Our Families? (Luke 14)" by Thomas R. Schreiner https://www.crossway.org/articles/did-jesus-really-mean-that-we-should-hate-our-families-luke-14/

Numbers 1:1—Did Moses Write Numbers? Examining the Documentary Hypothesis

Host Lance Smith begins a 31-episode tour through Numbers by tackling a major question: could Moses have written this book, or is it a later compilation as the documentary hypothesis claims?
Smith reviews the biblical claims, Jesus’ testimony, archaeological evidence, and ancient literary practices to argue that the evidence supports Mosaic authorship and that the question matters for how we read Scripture today.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
DuBay, Jenny. "Sacred Scripture and Mosaic Authorship: Fact or Fiction?" August 14, 2019. Available at: [the PDF provided, but since it's attached, no URL; reference as per user].
"Evidence for Mosaic Authorship of the Torah." Answers in Genesis. Available at: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/moses/evidence-mosaic-authorship-of-torah/
Youssef, John. "The Case for Mosaic Authorship." Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@john.youssef/the-case-for-mosaic-authorship-b0a102f394e7
"Mosaic Authorship of the Pentateuch—Tried and True." Apologetics Press. Available at: https://apologeticspress.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/0301.pdf
Armstrong, Dave. "Moses Wrote the Torah: 50 External Evidences." Patheos. Available at: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2022/12/moses-wrote-the-torah-50-external-evidences.html
"The Documentary Hypothesis." University of Maryland. Available at: https://www.cs.umd.edu/~mvz/bible/doc-hyp.pdf
Baden, Joel S. "The Re-Emergence of Source Criticism: The Neo-Documentary Hypothesis." The Bible and Interpretation. Available at: https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/articles/bad368008

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 12:40 – Jonah, the 'Whale,' and Jesus: Clearing Up the Ancient Language Confusion

Host Lance Smith examines the classic ‘‘Jonah and the Whale’’ question by reading the Hebrew and Greek texts, consulting the Septuagint, and comparing translations. The episode explains how ancient language and translation choices—not contradiction—account for ‘‘great fish’’ versus ‘‘whale,” and shows why Jesus’ reference in Matthew 12:40 aligns with the original text.
The show also listens to skeptical objections, reviews Christian scholarship, and explores the theological importance of Jonah as a sign pointing to Jesus’ death and resurrection, while emphasizing God’s sovereignty and the story’s message of repentance and mercy.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/whale.html 
GotQuestions.org – "Was Jonah truly swallowed by a whale?" https://www.gotquestions.org/Jonah-whale.html
Apologetics Press – "Was Jonah Swallowed by a Fish or a Whale?" by Eric Lyons https://apologeticspress.org/was-jonah-swallowed-by-a-fish-or-a-whale-2830/
Apologetics Press – "Jonah and the 'Whale'?" by Dave Miller, Ph.D. https://apologeticspress.org/jonah-and-the-whale-69/
Answers in Genesis – "Jonah and the Great Fish" by Don Landis https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/jonah-and-the-great-fish/
The Domain for Truth – "Bible Contradiction? Was Jonah swallowed by a fish or a whale?" by SLIMJIM https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2016/11/20/bible-contradiction-was-jonah-swallowed-by-a-fish-or-a-whale/
Logically Fallacious – "Examining Jonah: A Secular Critique of a Biblical Tale" https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/posts/examining-jonah-a-secular-critique-of-a-biblical-tale.html
Catholic Answers – "Is the story of Jonah and the whale a myth?" https://www.catholic.com/qa/is-the-story-of-jonah-and-the-whale-a-myth
Armstrong Institute – "Is the Book of Jonah 'Entirely Ahistorical'?" https://armstronginstitute.org/639-is-the-book-of-jonah-entirely-ahistorical
The Atheist Experience – "Scientific Proof For The Story Of Jonah" (YouTube clip) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCSMpS0BCkc

Leviticus 26:30—Unpacking When God Says “I Will Despise You”

Episode 205 concludes the Leviticus series by tackling Leviticus 26:30 and the question: did God despise Israel? Lance Smith explains this strong language as covenantal, judicial judgment against persistent idolatry rather than ultimate rejection, showing how discipline aims at restoration and preserves God’s covenant promises.
The episode connects the chapter’s blessings and curses to covenant enforcement, cites scholarly perspectives, and points forward to the hope of restoration and the significance of Christ as the faithful covenant-keeper.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
Keathley III, J. Hampton. "A Welcome Warning (Leviticus 26)." Bible.org. Available at: https://bible.org/seriespage/21-welcome-warning-leviticus-26
"Leviticus 26:30 Meaning." Video Bible. Available at: https://www.videobible.com/meaning/leviticus-26-30
McKinniss, Mike. "Tough Passages #9: The Price of Treason (Leviticus 26:27-30)." Redeeming Culture. Available at: https://redeemingculture.com/theology/tough-passages/3179-tough-passages-9-the-price-of-treason-leviticus-2627-30
Barrick, William D. "The Eschatological Significance of Leviticus 26." The Master's Seminary Journal 16/1 (Spring 2005): 95-126. Available at: https://drbarrick.org/files/papers/other/msj21e.pdf
"Leviticus 26:30 and the Critical Importance of Rendering 'Bamot' as 'High Places' in Bible Translation." UASV Bible. Available at: https://uasvbible.org/2025/04/30/leviticus-2630-and-the-critical-importance-of-rendering-bamot-as-high-places-in-bible-translation/
Barrick, William D. "Leviticus 26: Its Relationship to Covenant Contexts and Concepts." Unpublished Th.D. dissertation, Grace Theological Seminary, 1981.
Manby, Ted D. "An Exegetical Study of Leviticus 26: Mosaic Covenantal Laws, Blessings, and Curses with Implications for the Reading of Old Testament Canonical Books." Unpublished Th.M. thesis, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2008.

Sidebar Episode: 2025 Wrap-Up - Growth, Milestones, and the Road Ahead

Host Lance Smith reviews the podcast's 2025 growth, key milestones, and listener-driven series that shaped the year.
He shares download stats, geographic and platform trends, standout episodes, and plans for 2026 while thanking the community for its support.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 12:39 – The Sign of Jonah: Why Jesus Refused a Miracle on Demand

In this episode Lance Smith examines Matthew 12:38–41 and Luke 11:29 to explain why Jesus refused to perform a sign on demand and instead pointed to "the sign of Jonah." Drawing on scripture and scholarly insights, the episode shows that Jesus wasn’t denying his miracles but rebuking a hard‑hearted generation and pointing ahead to his death, burial, and resurrection as the ultimate sign.
Listeners will hear how Jonah’s three days in the fish functions as typology for Jesus’ three days in the earth, why the demand for signs was sinful testing rather than genuine faith, and how this clarifies an apparent contradiction in the Gospels.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptics Annotated Bible:https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/signs.html 
Beate Kowalski, "Meaning and Function of the Sign of Jonah in Matthew 12:38-42 and 16:1-4," https://www.academia.edu/10737836/Meaning_and_Function_of_the_Sign_of_Jonah_in_Matthew_12_38_42_and_16_1_4 (or similar source for the PDF).
Amy-Jill Levine and Ben Witherington III, "The Sign of Jonah," https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4547&context=byusq
"The Sign of Jonah," https://wmpl.org/sign-of-jonah/
Vern Poythress, "The Miracles of Jesus," https://frame-poythress.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/PoythressVernTheMiraclesOfJesus.pdf
"Mysteries of the Bible: What Made Jesus’ Generation So Wicked For Asking A Sign," https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017/04/09/mysteries-of-the-bible-what-made-jesus-generation-so-wicked-for-asking-a-sign/
"What is the sign of Jonah?" https://www.gotquestions.org/sign-of-Jonah.html
"How the Sign of Jonah Points to Jesus," http://www.steppesoffaith.com/apologetics/sign-jonah-jesus
"The Mind-blowing Meaning Behind the Sign of Jonah," https://crossexamined.org/the-mind-blowing-meaning-behind-the-sign-of-jonah/

Leviticus 23:42-43 — Booths vs. Tents: The Sukkot Mystery Explained

Episode 202 examines Leviticus 23:42–43 and the seeming tension between Israel dwelling in "tents" during the wilderness and being commanded to live in temporary "booths" for Sukkot. Host Lance Smith explains that tents were the practical homes of a nomadic people, while the festival booths were symbolic, short-term structures meant to teach dependence on God and to recall the fragile beginnings after the Exodus.
Drawing on biblical passages and scholarly commentary, the episode shows how Sukkot reenacts memory and gratitude—transforming discomfort into a yearly act of remembrance.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
New Revised Standard Version Bible with Apocrypha: New Annotated Study Edition. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://www.amazon.com/New-Oxford-Annotated-Apocrypha-Third/dp/0195289552
Katulka, Chris. "Practicing the Presence of God: The Feast of Tabernacles." The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, September 17, 2021. https://www.foi.org/2021/09/17/practicing-the-presence-of-god-the-feast-of-tabernacles-2/
ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry. "The Meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles." ONE FOR ISRAEL. https://www.oneforisrael.org/the-meaning-of-the-feast-of-tabernacles/
Posner, Menachem. "What Is Sukkot? - A Guide to the Jewish Holiday of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Meanings Behind It."  https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4784/jewish/What-Is-Sukkot.htm
Hal. "The Feasts of Israel – Booths (Sukkot)." Bible.org Blogs. https://blogs.bible.org/the-feasts-of-israel-booths/
deSilva, David A. "A History of Sukkot in the Second Temple and Rabbinic Periods." In The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in Orthodox Judaism, edited by Shmuel Shalom Ohana, Johns Hopkins University Press (Project MUSE Open Access). https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/327/oa_edited_volume/chapter/2545394