The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Episode 237 explores the apparent discrepancy between Exodus and Numbers where Moses seems to 'rename' Hosea as Joshua. Lance Smith explains how naming conventions, proleptic usage, and theological meaning resolve the difficulty, showing the change highlights Yahweh's role in salvation. Drawing on Jewish tradition and biblical scholarship, the episode argues the shift is clarifying and theological rather than contradictory.

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: [email protected] 

Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 

Zev Farber, “Why Was Joshua Singled Out by Moses? A New Insight into an Old Question,” TheTorah.com (June 10, 2014). https://www.thetorah.com/article/why-was-joshua-singled-out-by-moses

“The 12 Spies (Meraglim) in the Bible,” Chabad.org. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3700062/jewish/The-12-Spies-Meraglim-in-the-Bible.htm

BibleHub discussion: “Why did Moses change Hoshea’s name to Joshua?” https://biblehub.com/q/Why_did_Moses_rename_Hoshea_Joshua.htm

Mesu Andrews, “Moses Changed Joshua’s Name—Why It Matters.” https://mesuandrews.com/moses-changed-joshuas-name-why-it-matters/

Elinoar Bareket, “What’s in a Name?: The Bible vs. the Middle Ages,” TheTorah.com (December 12, 2016). https://www.thetorah.com/article/whats-in-a-name-the-bible-vs-the-middle-ages

David Frankel, “The Story of the Anonymous Scouts, Modified by the Book of Numbers,” TheTorah.com (June 23, 2022). https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-story-of-the-anonymous-scouts-modified-by-the-book-of-numbers

Episode 236 examines a skeptical claim that juxtaposes Matthew 19 and Deuteronomy 23 to argue the Bible prefers castrated men. Lance Smith walks through context, covenant differences, and historical background to show Jesus’ words address marriage and voluntary celibacy, while Deuteronomy regulated assembly and separation from pagan practices.

The episode traces the biblical trajectory through Isaiah 56 and Acts 8 to demonstrate inclusion and redemption rather than exclusion, concluding that Scripture cares about the heart and faith, not physical condition.

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: [email protected] 

Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/castrated.html 

“The Prohibition of Joining the Assembly of the Lord.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-prohibition-of-joining-the-assembly-of-the-lord

“Even Eunuchs Are Included.” Ligonier Ministries. https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/even-eunuchs-are-included

“Tough Passages #5: Eunuchs and Pharisees (Deuteronomy 23:1).” Redeeming Culture. https://redeemingculture.com/theology/tough-passages/2613-tough-passages-5-eunuchs-and-pharisees-deuteronomy-231

“What is a eunuch in the Bible?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/eunuch-eunuchs.html

“Eunuchs in the Bible.” Biblical Archaeology Review / BiblicalArchaeology.org. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/eunuchs-in-the-bible/

“Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 19:12.” Bill Muehlenberg. https://billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/30/difficult-bible-passages-matthew-1912/

Episode 235 examines Numbers 12:3—"Now, Moses was very humble..."—asking whether this sounds like a boast or a divine assessment. Lance Smith walks through the context, Hebrew meaning, manuscript evidence, and scholarly views to show why the verse explains Moses' silence and humility rather than contradicting Mosaic authorship.

Listeners will hear how the term ʿānāv can mean humble or afflicted, how Numbers 11–12 shape our understanding of Moses' character, and why ancient manuscripts and theological insight support the verse's reliability and purpose.

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: [email protected] 

Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 

Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library. Manuscript 4Q27 (4QNum^b). Accessed via https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/explore-the-archive/manuscript/4Q27-1

Rogers, Cleon. “Moses: Meek or Miserable?” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29/3 (1986): 257–263. Available at: https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/files_JETS-PDFs_29_29-3_29-3-pp257-263_JETS.pdf

Dawes, Stephen B. “Numbers 12.3: What Was Special About Moses?” The Bible Translator 41, no. 3 (July 1990).

Ward, Doug. “The Meanings of Moses’ Meekness.” http://graceandknowledge.faithweb.com/num12.html

“How could Moses write this, if he was more humble than all men?” Evidence Unseen. https://evidenceunseen.com/old-testament/numbers/difficulties/how-could-moses-write-this-if-he-was-more-humble-than-all-men

Butt, Kyle. “How Humble Could Moses Have Been?” Apologetics Press, 2002. https://apologeticspress.org/how-humble-could-moses-have-been-939/

Jeff. “How Can Moses Say He is the Most Humble Man on the Earth?” Anti-Itch Meditation, February 21, 2023. https://antiitchmeditation.wordpress.com/2023/02/21/how-can-moses-say-he-is-the-most-humble-man-on-the-earth/

Hamilton, Jim. “Failed Humblebrag? Mosaic Self-Promotion? Or True Humility?” September 14, 2011. https://jimhamilton.info/2011/09/14/failed-humblebrag-mosaic-self-promotion-or-true-humility/

“Evidence for Mosaic Authorship of the Torah.” Answers in Genesis. https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/moses/evidence-mosaic-authorship-of-torah/

Rashi, Commentary on Numbers 12:3. (See standard editions or Sefaria.org for English rendering: “ענו means, humble and patient.”)

In episode 234 Lance Smith examines Matthew 19:4–6 and the Genesis creation accounts to answer whether God originally made humans male and female. He contrasts Genesis 1’s overview with Genesis 2’s detailed account, shows how Jesus uses creation as the authority on marriage and gender, and argues that the Bible presents maleness and femaleness as God’s original design.

The episode also addresses contemporary cultural challenges, urges churches to hold to Scripture’s teaching, and offers compassion and hope to listeners wrestling with gender questions.

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: [email protected] 

Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/male_and_female.html 

Troy Lacey, “Does Genesis 1:27 Mean That God Originally Created Adam with Both Genders?” Answers in Genesis, July 1, 2022. https://answersingenesis.org/family/gender/god-created-adam-both-genders/

Ryan Pauly, “Are Genesis 1 and 2 Contradictory Creation Accounts?” Think Well, January 2, 2018. https://think-well.org/2018/01/02/are-genesis-1-and-2-contradictory-creation-accounts/

Carey Griffel, “Are Genesis 1 and 2 Separate Creation Accounts? Comparing the Two Stories,” Genesis Marks the Spot. https://www.genesismarksthespot.com/blog/two-creation-accounts-in-genesis-1-2/

“What does the Bible mean by ‘male and female He created them’ (Genesis 1:27)?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/male-and-female-He-created-them.html

“Male and Female Forever? Complementarity in the New Creation,” Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/male-and-female-forever

Eikon: A Journal for Biblical Anthropology, Fall 2019 issue (Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood). Free PDF: https://cbmw.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/eikon_issue2_web_2.pdf

Join Lance Smith for a special Easter episode as he slows down to sit with the greatest moment in history: the empty tomb. He examines the differing Gospel details not as contradictions but as complementary eyewitness perspectives that deepen the story.

More than a historical event, the resurrection is presented as a present, life-changing reality—proof that broken things can be restored and that hope defeats death. Lance offers a simple challenge: read Luke 24, reflect on the shift from confusion to joy, and invite the risen Jesus to renew your heart.