How to cite this article: Joshua N. Tilton, “Bible Versus Scriptures: Part 3—Models of Inspiration,” Jerusalem Perspective (2026) [https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/38058].
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What do we mean when we say something is “inspired”? In everyday conversation it usually means that something from outside ourselves gave us the idea or the motivation to do or to make something new. A beautiful sunrise inspired me to paint this landscape. Watching a mother hen with her baby chicks inspired me to write this essay. My trip to a distant location inspired me to write this song. A motivational speaker inspired me to attempt something new outside my comfort zone.
With reference to the Scriptures, inspiration is understood to come not from nature or a charismatic speaker but from the Holy Spirit. Inspiration by the Holy Spirit is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Scriptures. As it is stated in 2 Timothy, “Every Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16). No literary work was admitted into the library of the Scriptures if it was not regarded as having been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Indeed, this criterion is one reason why several highly regarded literary works were not admitted into the Jewish canon. Books like 1 and 2 Maccabees were certainly inspiring, but it was widely agreed that by the time these books were written prophecy had ceased, or, to put it differently, the Holy Spirit had stopped inspiring people to write authoritative and holy books.
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| [*] Music in the Audio JP files is excerpted from the Hebrew song Moshe written by Immanuel Zamir in a recording sung by Yaffa Yarkoni obtained from Wikimedia Commons. |
