Prof. Jean-Louis Ska is Professor of Old Testament Exegesis at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, where he has taught since 1983. He has been emeritus since January 2016. He received his doctorate in Sacred Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He has published books in French, English, and Italian, including Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch (Eisenbrauns 2006). Some of his works have also been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. His main interests are biblical narratives, biblical law, and the influence of biblical literature on western civilization.
Last Updated
October 26, 2026
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The biblical narrator tells us that YHWH appears to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, yet Abraham sees three men. Does Abraham recognize YHWH? If so, why do neither Abraham nor Sarah explicitly acknowledge having seen God? The story’s “open narrative” invites readers to piece together the clues and interpret an encounter that unfolds not in a sanctuary, amid priests and liturgical rituals, but in an ordinary family setting, through hospitality, meal preparation, and conversation.
The biblical narrator tells us that YHWH appears to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, yet Abraham sees three men. Does Abraham recognize YHWH? If so, why do neither Abraham nor Sarah explicitly acknowledge having seen God? The story’s “open narrative” invites readers to piece together the clues and interpret an encounter that unfolds not in a sanctuary, amid priests and liturgical rituals, but in an ordinary family setting, through hospitality, meal preparation, and conversation.
In the ancient Near East, when a city was conquered, its gods were godnapped to the victor’s city. Where did YHWH go after the Temple was destroyed?
In the ancient Near East, when a city was conquered, its gods were godnapped to the victor’s city. Where did YHWH go after the Temple was destroyed?
