How to Find Bible Questions and Answers: A Multi-Faith Perspective

In Jewish tradition, engaging with sacred texts through questions and answers isn't just encouraged — it's foundational. The entire structure of Talmudic learning is built on she'elot u-teshuvot (questions and responses), and this method traces directly back to the Hebrew Bible itself.

The book of 2 Chronicles records King Josiah commanding his officials to inquire of God regarding a discovered scroll, modeling the idea that encountering scripture should prompt active, urgent questioning 2 Chronicles 34:21. This wasn't passive reading; it was a call to seek divine meaning with seriousness and humility.

Jeremiah reinforces this posture of direct inquiry, asking the prophet: what did God answer you? and what did God speak? Jeremiah 23:37 — framing the discovery of divine answers as something to be actively pursued and reported. The prophet is expected to have sought, listened, and received.

Deuteronomy goes further, commanding the Israelites to inquire, search, and ask diligently when seeking truth Deuteronomy 13:14. The Hebrew verb darash (inquire/seek) used here is the same root that gives us midrash — the rabbinic tradition of interpretive questioning. Rabbi Akiva (c. 50–135 CE) and later scholars like Maimonides (1138–1204 CE) built entire systems of learning on this principle of relentless, structured questioning of the text.

Practically, Jewish learners today find Bible questions and answers through study partners (chevruta), commentaries like Rashi and Ibn Ezra, and online resources such as Sefaria.org, which aggregates traditional texts and commentaries in searchable form.

Christianity has always placed enormous emphasis on engaging the Bible through questions and seeking answers through prayer, study, and community. The tradition of biblical Q&A stretches from the early Church Fathers through the Reformation and into modern digital resources.

The Psalms model this posture of expectant inquiry beautifully. Psalm 17:6 declares: I call on You; You will answer me, God; turn Your ear to me, hear what I say Psalms 17:6 — expressing the confidence that seeking God through scripture is never a one-way exercise. God is expected to respond to sincere inquiry.

Numbers 22:19 shows Balaam waiting overnight specifically to hear what God would say, reflecting a pattern of patient, deliberate seeking: that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more Numbers 22:19. Christian commentators like John Calvin (1509–1564) and Matthew Henry (1662–1714) both highlighted this posture of waiting on God's word as a model for Bible study.

Jeremiah 23:37 frames the question-and-answer dynamic as central to prophetic engagement: What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken? Jeremiah 23:37 — suggesting that finding answers in scripture is inseparable from listening for God's active voice.

Practically, Christians today find Bible questions and answers through resources like BibleGateway.com, Got Questions (gotquestions.org), Blue Letter Bible, and denominational study guides. Scholars like N.T. Wright and theologians in the Reformed, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions all offer structured approaches to biblical inquiry, though they disagree on matters of interpretation and authority.

Islam doesn't use the Bible as a primary scripture, but the Qur'an does directly address the concept of possessing and learning from divine scripture. Qur'an 68:37 pointedly asks: Or do you have a scripture in which you learn Quran 68:37 — a rhetorical challenge that underscores the Islamic view that all divine knowledge must be grounded in authentic revelation.

Furthermore, Qur'an 28:65 describes the Day of Judgment when God will ask humanity: What answer gave ye to the messengers? Quran 28:65 — framing accountability to divine scripture as an ultimate, unavoidable question. This suggests that engaging seriously with scripture and its questions isn't optional in Islamic thought.

While Muslims turn to the Qur'an and Hadith rather than the Bible for religious guidance, Islamic scholarship has a rich tradition of questions and answers (fatawa) through scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah (1263–1328 CE) and Al-Nawawi (1233–1277 CE). For those interested in comparative scripture study, Islamic scholars generally acknowledge the Torah and Gospel as originally revealed texts, though they hold that current Biblical texts have been altered over time — a position known as tahrif.

Tanakh shows a path: ask directly, investigate carefully, and pray for God’s answer Deuteronomy 13:14Psalms 17:6.

When uncertainty arises, “enquire… and ask diligently,” which grounds Q&A in careful verification, not rumor Deuteronomy 13:14.

Leaders model seeking authorized guidance: “Go, inquire of GOD… concerning the words of the scroll,” showing that questions are brought to established textual authorities and recognized intermediaries 2 Chronicles 34:21.

Personal prayer is central: “I call on You; You will answer me,” so Jewish practice includes turning questions into petitions for divine response alongside study Psalms 17:6.

People also asked prophets, “What did GOD answer you?”, reflecting that not every answer is immediate and that patient, reverent inquiry is expected Jeremiah 23:37.

Christians share the Hebrew Scriptures, which portray a question-and-answer posture toward God and his word Jeremiah 23:37.

“Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee?” highlights asking recognized servants for God’s reply when discerning truth Jeremiah 23:37.

Practical method: inquire diligently, check claims, and confirm if a matter is true before accepting it, which frames responsible Bible Q&A in the church and at home Deuteronomy 13:14.

Waiting on further light is part of discernment: “that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more,” reminding seekers that some answers mature over time in prayerful study Numbers 22:19.

The Qur’an directs seekers to revelation as the place to learn, asking, “Or have you a scripture in which you learn,” which validates turning to Scripture for trustworthy Q&A Quran 68:37.

It also warns that God will ask, “What answer gave ye to the messengers?”, stressing that questions aren’t merely academic; answers carry moral responsibility Quran 28:65.

This shapes a method: consult the revealed text, learn from it, and be prepared to account for how you responded to guidance when you had questions Quran 68:37Quran 28:65.