Hebrew Bible Final
Joab
Commander of David's forces during Absalom's rebellion in 2 Samuel 18. Absalom was David's son who rallied against David and Israel. David could not bring himself to kill his own son, so Joab's men do instead. Joab scolds David for mourning over his son in 2 Samuel 19. Joab turns his allegiance to David's son Adonijah rather than the promised king, Solomon. On his deathbed, David orders for Solomon to have him killed. Joab flees to the House of Yahweh where he is killed by Benaiah. Significant because this shows the importance of allegiance to the Davidic monarch?
Latter Prophets
Contains Major and Minor prophets, fifteen books in total. Each book has its own literary and editorial history, and in general contain three types of materials: third person biography about the prophet,first person autobiography about the prophet, oracles/speeches by the prophet. Collections/anthologies of prophecies. 2nd part of Prophets -- includes Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the 12 minor prophets (Hosea - Malachi)
Judah
Sounthern kingdom in Israel, exiled in 586 to Babylon. [The name of one of Jacob's sons, the ancestor of the tribe of Judah. This tribe dominated southern Israel and became the southern kingdom of Judah. Later the same region was called Judah.]
Syro-Ephraimite Crisis
The attack on Judah and Jerusalem by the northern kingdom of Israel and Aram in 734 BCE, in an attempt to force the king of Judah, Ahaz, to join an anti-Assyrian alliance.
Sennacherib Prism
clay prisms inscribed with the same text, the annals of the Assyrian king Sennacherib notable for describing his siege of Jerusalem during the reign of king Hezekiah. This event is recorded in several books contained in Bible including Isaiah chapters 33 and 36; 2 Kings18:17; 2 Chronicles 32:9. This event is also recorded by Herodotus.
Succession Narrative
In modern scholarship, the originally independent source incorporated into the Deuteronomistic History that relates how Solomon eventually succeeded David on the throne. It is found in 2 Samuel 9-20 and 1 Kings 1-2. Also called the "Court History of David."
Minor Prophets
In modern scholarship, the twelve shorter prophetic books, from Hosea through Malachi. Includes Amos, Habakkuk, Haggai, Joel, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Obadiah, Zechariah, and Zephaniah. Part of the Latter Prophets.
Uta-napishti/Utnapishtim
In the Gilgamesh epic, the hero of the story of the Flood.
Maccabean Revolt
168 BC, Jewish revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Greek ruler)
Eli
A priest who acted as a teacher to the prophet Samuel. Samuel sees image from god, that he will punish him for his family's wickedness by killing his sons before they achieve old age. Died at 98 from falling out of a chair and breaking his neck.
Four Beasts (Daniel 7)
A prophesy of the nations and Kings to come. Represents four kingdoms to come. But one shall be different and put down the other kings. Everlasting Kingdom will be established
Wisdom Literature
A type of writing whose focus is human existence and often its relationship to the divine. It employs a variety of forms, such as proverbs, dialogues, and fables. Wisdom literature was used widely in the ancient Near East and is found throughout the Bible, especially in the books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, and Sirach, and the Wisdom of Solomon in the Apocrypha.
Theodicy
A word of Greek origin meaning "divine justice," used with reference to literature that deals with the problem of human suffering, especially the suffering of the innocent.
Synagogue
A word of Greek origin meaning "gathering together," used of religious assemblies of Jews and the buildings in which such assemblies took place.
Shechem Assembly
Unsure, but place where Joshua assembled the israelites and had them reaffirm the Torah.
Apocalyptic
A genre of literature in which details concerning the end-time are revealed by a heavenly messenger or angel. Includes Daniel
Uruk
City Gilgamesh is king of.
Medes and Persians
Joined forces in 6th century BCE → able to defeat Babylon.
Naboth's Vineyard
(1 Kings 21) Naboth the Jezreelite. King Ahab asked for Naboth's vineyard but Naboth refused. So Ahab's wife, Jezebel, had Naboth stoned and gave the vineyard to Ahab. The Lord had Elijah go to Ahab and told him that YHWH will bring disaster on Ahab and his descendents. Explains the end of Ahab's line.
Cyrus II of Persia
(AKA Cyrus the Great). The Persian King who conquered the kingdom of Babylon in 539 BCE. He is important because of his unique style of administration, employed to maintain his new vast empire. He exhibited great regard for local legal entities and allowed communities to maintain a considerable degree of autonomy (they could continue to follow their own laws and customs). He did not employ assimilation like Assyria or deportation like Babylon. Quite the contrary, in the case of Judah, he passed the Edict of Cyrus in 538 BCE, which initiated the repatriation of Jewish exiles from Nebuchadnezzar's deportations of 597 and 586. He is also recorded in the Bible to have supported and funded the restoration of the Temple. The interesting quirk about the Biblical record is that Cyrus is perceived as a Messianic anointed agent of Yahweh who actually glorifies the Jewish God in his decrees. While this description is highly unlikely due to his Persian culture (he actually glorifies Marduk on the Cyrus cylinder), it understandably reflects the jovious perception of the exiles and the approving evaluation of the Deuteronomistic Historian, for his decree was truly an act of liberation from the period of exile the people had just emerged from. Also, it reflects their contemporary worldview, for Yahweh was believed to be behind all events of history, directing both the agents of punishment and deliverance.
Law of the King
(Deut. 17;14-20) God allows Israel to have a king -- as long as he has a hand in it. → RESTRICTIONS (on wives, riches, horses, must be an Israelite). Yahweh is their new Suzerain. Negative/pessimistic view of having a king. *God has an air of resignation (king not really wanted; ambivalent law/compromise). Israel conforms to foreign politics [shift from hierarchical families to monarchy. Foreshadows pitfalls of kingship seen in Judges/ Samuel with king Saul. Israel rejects God as their king.
"New Exodus"
(Isaiah 40+) To persuade Israelites to return to Judah, Isaiah uses the language of the exodus. He says that the whole world will be amazed and that King Cyrus is YHWH's agent in this exodus. Isaiah 40 also says that they are finally being restored because they have paid for their sins. YHWH is going to deliver his people again.
Covenant of Grant
A Hittite charter between a deity and human, where some privilege is conferred to the latter. A warrior (one person, not a group) is granted the covenant to be king as a gift—he just receives it; he doesn't ratify or accept it. It's simply bestowed upon him. Only the deity is bound by an oath in this covenant.
Inviolability of Jerusalem
A belief that Jerusalem, the "chosen place of God," will not be destroyed. A sense of eternal security based on Nathan's oracle given to David in 2 Samuel 7:1-17 in which God says, "Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever." (v. 16) Nathan delivers the message that Yahweh will guarantee the security of Israel and the house of David unconditionally, even if David's successors act wrongly. This belief is challenged by the prophets Jeremiah and Micah, who write that the city will be destroyed because of its transgressions. Significant because when Jerusalem falls and the temple is overthrown, those who hold this belief are distraught over the loss of God's presence. This sense of loss is answered in the theological solutions of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Job
A book concerning the nature of God's justice. Job is a good man whom God identifies as righteous. God boasts about him to the Satan (The Accuser). Yahweh gives the Satan powers to take away from Job in order to prove Job's devotion. Job passes the test (Job 1:21). The book of Job addresses two problems: monotheism and piety. Job exemplifies the separation between deed and reward/punishment. Significant because this book signifies a turn in Israelite religion in which there is no connection between deed and reward/punishment. Yahweh is not bound to act based on human expectations- He is neither just nor unjust, He is just Yahweh.
Hezekiah
A good King of Judah who came into power in 727/715 BCE and ruled until 698/687 BCE. He ushered in reforms and tore down "high places." He also built an awesome tunnel. He is described with "there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah after him, or among those who were before him" (2 Kings 18:5); he followed the Deuteronomic Code and purely worshipped YHWH. He withheld tribute and allied with Egypt and Ethiopia declaring independence from Assyria. But soon his rebellion against Assyria led to an invasion; Jerusalem was protected only by submission and large tribute; he ultimately failed to gain independence. Significant because he's a boss and enacted sweeping religious reforms, during which he removed the worship of foreign deities from the Temple in Jerusalem, and restored the worship of Yahweh, as instructed by the Torah. (We see two different depictions of his reaction to Sennacherib's siege: in 2 Kings, he cowers and fearfully offers tribute and humble apologies; in Chronicles, he is a brave king who encourages the people and prepares for the cool-headedly invasion by redirecting the water supply via a tunnel and gathering an army. Also, no offering of tribute is mentioned in Chronicles.)
Aramaic
A language originating in ancient Syria that in the second half of the first millennium BCE became used widely throughout the Near East. Parts of the books of Daniel and Ezra are written in Aramaic. During the Persian period, it would have been a royal language (accurate usage in Ezra), although it gradually replace Hebrew during the Hellenistic period. Was replaced by Greek.
Jeremiah
A major prophet who is remembered as being "unrelentlessly" destructive. Credited author of Jeremiah, 1 & 2 Kings, and Lamentations. Deeply involved in politics, expresses complaint about the world by countering political rule. His mission is to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow," but also "to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10). Jeremiah predicts divine judgment, but he also anticipates the defeat of the Babylonians, Jerusalem's restoration, the return of the exiles, and the renewal of the Sinai covenant. He prophesies a new covenant in Jer 31:31-34— a law and a promise of forgiveness that will be written on the hearts of Israel. Jerusalem falls as Jeremiah prophesies. Significant because Jeremiah prophesies judgment through the fall of Jerusalem, but he also provides consolation and guidance for Israel with a new covenant.
Ancient One/Ancient of Days
A name for God in the Book of Daniel, captures essence of an everlasting god
Zion
A name of Jerusalem, used especially in poetic texts.
High Place
A place of idolatrous worship apart from the temple; place of worship of gods, usually dedicated to gods other than YHWH. Many were destroyed by Hezekiah. i.e. Cultic sites of Bethel and Dan were kept by the northern kingdom—this is an act against YHWH. Significant because they show that Israel, even in the promise land, began to adopt local cultic practices and followed other gods besides YHWH; Israel, even in the promise land remained heavily influenced by the culture and religion of their neighbors (Caanaites or somebody)
Ephraim
According to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Ephraim Modern Efrayim Tiberian; "double fruitfulness" was one of the Tribes of Israel. The Tribe of Manasseh together with Ephraim also formed the House of Joseph.
Greek Esther
Actually older than the Hebrew text that has survived. The Hebrew work is much more secular and was debated as to whether it counted as cannon. The Greek version includes references to god. Often called the Septuagint.
Josiah's Reforms
After finding the book of law, he institutes a series of reforms. He destroyed pagan idols and images and cleansed the temple of other gods and religions. He governed according to the law. In addition to instituting the exclusive worship of YHWH, he upheld other laws such as the Passover.
Agag the Amalekite
Agag was king of the Amalekites who were defeated in war by King Saul in First Samuel. Though Saul destroyed his people, he took Agag as prisoner. Saul pardoned Agag and took the best of his livestock and crops. Samuel, however, saw this as defiance of God, who had commanded complete destruction of the Amalekites. Thus, Samuel himself killed Agag. The story of Agag demonstrates the power that Samuel maintained during Saul's rule. Whenever Samuel believed that Saul was not ruling properly, he himself took over and assured that the will of God was maintained. The relationship between the Amalekites and the line of Saul, the Benjamites, resurfaces in the story of Esther. Haman is an Agaggite while Mordecai is introduced as a Benjamite.
Amalekites
Amalek's descendants, tribesmen who attacked the jews during the exodus, led by Agag during Saul's time and were ordered destroyed by Yahweh. When Saul failed to kill Agog but rather stole his livestock, Solomon became furious they had ignored Yahweh's will and kills him himself. (1 Samuel). Overall they are always depicted as always opposed to the Jews. Haman in Ester was a descendent of them who tried to kill the Jews.
The Day of Yhwh
Amos does not use this term to predict the hopeful joyous day of deliverance as traditionally employed by prophets. Rather, he speaks of a day Israel should fear—the day that the God they have forsaken will turn against them and bring down the force of his wrathful punishment via his puppet, the Assyrian army. This is characteristic of Amos, for we often see him "reversing expectations" in his ministry, a strategy that boosted the effectiveness of his deliverance of the message he mediated. [A phrase used by the prophets to describe Yahweh's fighting against his enemies. In apocalyptic literature, it is used of the final battle between good and evil.]
Cyrus Cylinder
An artifact that describes a record of Cyrus the Great's reign over the Persian Empire. Significantly, it provides extrabiblical evidence of the Edict of Cyrus and records Judah as a benefactor of it. However, it reveals that this policy was administered universally, applying to all peoples of his empire, not Judah exclusively. Also, it shows that Cyrus was not a "follower of Yahweh", for he glorifies Marduk on the cylinder, as was typical of Persian religion. Ultimately, it helps us to evaluate the historicity of the Deuteronomistic History's account, allowing us to sift the elements of historicity from the theological evaluation/perspective.
Daniel
An exile of the the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He was one of the elite youngsters who was selected to serve in the court of the king and to be trained to be useful to the empire. Like Joseph, he was blessed with the gift of dream interpretation, and he also uses this ability to ease the anxiety of the King and to glorify Yahweh. The first half of his book is a narrative and can be read as a historically fictitious Diaspora novella. However it prescribes a different strategy of exile than Esther. According to the example of Daniel, it seems to recommend maintaining personal piety and faithfulness to God in a foreign land as the best path for survival as a people. In the second half of the book, the perspective changes to a 1st person narrative where Daniel experiences visions which he cannot understand. This portion of the book can be described as apocalyptic literature, and they reveal a historical snapshot of the progression of future kingdoms the world would see, finally predicting the "kingdom of God" to be the ultimate kingdom which would be eternal. In the end times, the guardian of Israel, Michael, would rise up and defeat the other evil spirits of the world, ushering in a new age for Israel and the world. Thus, it is hard to classify this book as either a prophecy or a writing; it is a bit of both.
Mesha Stele/Moabite Stone
An inscribed monument erected by the Mesha (Moabite King) in mid-9th century BCE -- celebrates his victory over the Israelites.
Ephod
An ornamental part of the dress worn by the Hebrew priests. Young Samuel wore an ephod (1 Samuel 2:18).
Monotheism
Belief that there is one god, YHWH. Israelites theology seems to change to monotheism in Isaiah 40. Also seen, in the book of Job, which explains how bad things can happen in a monotheistic world. Some Israelites believed that evil came from lesser gods, but Job tries to explain that there are no other gods and that YHWH is not bound by conception of good and evil.
Mount Moriah
Believed to be the site of the sacrifice of Isaac. Some scholars say that the Temple was built on this same site.
Song of Songs/Song of Solomon
Book found in the Old Testament, specifically the Ketuvim. Its inclusion in the biblical canon has been very controversial. It is only included because of its allegorical interpretation.
Jebusites
Canaanite tribe which inhabited Jerusalem before Israel came into the land. Judges 1:21 portrays that Jebusites did not leave upon Israel's arrival and that they "have lived in Jerusalem among the Benjaminites to this day." Significant because this supports the theory of gradual emergence which states that Israel gradually attained identity and migrated from the highlands into the lowlands of Jerusalem.
Zion Theology
Casts the Hope of God's Blessing on Mt. Zion. David is empowered by God to defeat his enemies and protect the Arc of the Covenant which he then houses at the temple on Mt. Zion.
Tamar
Character from 2nd Samuel. She is the daughter of King David and the sister of Absalom. She was raped by her half brother Amnon.
Mordecai
Cousin of Esther and Jewish exile. Descendent from Kish (the same line as Saul). Mordecai urges Esther to speak to the king to try and save the Jews. Mordecai is tagged with the famous speech to Esther saying that she was chosen for "such a time as this". Mordecai also ends up "defeating" his foe, Haman (descendant of Agag the Amalekite). *Remember Saul (Kish) was suppose to kill Agag the Amalekite.
722 b.c.e.
Date of the fall of the Northern Kingdom, or the capital of Samaria (burned), to the Assyrians → EXILE → caused king Ahaz to become Assyrian vassal.
Jezebel
Daughter of the King of Tyre, married to Ahab, king of northern Israel. Ahab "walked in the sins of Jeroboam" by marrying Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31). She had major influence over her husband. Ahab erected an altar for Baal and worshiped him. Ahab did more to provoke the anger of the Lord than any king of Israel before him. Significant because she turned her husband away from Yahweh and led him to do evil in the Lord's sight, demonstrates influence of women in religious and social structure of the time.
Josiah
Depicted as the next David by the Deuteronomistic Historian. He leads a reformation after finding a book interpreting the covenant at Sinai during the repair of the Temple. Josiah strips the Temple of idols and enforces the worship of Yahweh alone. He destroys altars of other gods and reunites the north and south. Significant because although Josiah moves against popular religion, his reforms bring about the purging and purification of Judah.
United Monarchy
During the tenth century BCE, the ten northern tribe of Israel and the southern tribe of Judah were united under the rule of David and his son Solomon, both of whom are called "king of Israel." When Solomon died in 928 BCE, the united kingdom of Israel was split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
Omri
Dynasty consisting of four kings during the mid-ninth century BCE, was one of the most powerful in the northern kingdom of Israel. Moved capital to Samaria, and constructed lavish royal city.
Eliab
Eldest son of Jesse and brother of David, once called Elihu. He was of commanding appearance and when serving in Saul's army at the time when it was confronting the Philistines and Goliath was inclined to the lord over his brother David.
Jerusalem
Established as the religious center under the Davidic monarch, the site which Yahweh chose to reside, and in the Deuteronomistic ideology, the only place where Yahweh can be worshiped. The city in which the Temple was built in 1 Kings 5-8 under King Solomon. In royal Judean ideology, God promises to defend the city of Jerusalem (Isa 37:35). Jerusalem falls to Babylonians in 587 BCE, and the Temple is destroyed causing a theological crisis. With the fall of Jerusalem, the religion and theology of Judah is shaken. Judah is purged and purified through religious reform during exile. In 70 AD, Rome took over Jerusalem and Jews were exiled and persecuted for 150 years. Jerusalem remains a holy city for all Abrahamic religious traditions. Dome of the Rock is now located on the place where Isaac was sacrificed. Jews are waiting for Zion to be given back to them because it represents the place where God's presence resides. Significant because it is the holy city of all Abrahamic religious traditions, and its claim for territory has caused an identity crisis for the Jewish tradition.
Tiglath-pileser III/Pul
Exacted 1000 talents of silver tribute from King Menahem of Israel and then defeated his successor Pekah. Ahaz, king of Judah at the time, appealed to Pul by promising him Temple Gold in exchange for the destruction of their enemies. Pul seized Damascus and executed the leader Rezin. Alliance was not beneficial to Ahaz.
Exogamy
Exogamy is marriage from outside of a social or cultural group. The opposite of endogamy (marriage within a social or cultural group). The Jews did not approve of exogamy, because it weakens a group's identity. They were afraid that those who married outside the Jewish community would let other cultural and religious views pollute the pure and true worship of Yahweh.
Jesse
Father of David and grandson of Ruth and Boaz. Mentioned in both the genealogy of David (1 Chronicles 2) and Jesus Christ (Luke 3:23-38). He was a descendant of Ruth, a foreign woman, and also an ancestor of two of the most influential figures in history, David and Jesus Christ. Significant because during Ezra's reforms enforcing the divorce of foreign women, this genealogy is a biological account, which emphasizes that foreign women who committed sexual indiscretion were responsible for the lives of both David and Jesus.
Isaiah of Jerusalem/First Isaiah
First Isaiah is believed to have developed in the 8th century BCE while Isaiah lived in Jerusalem under the Davidic monarch, Ahaz. First Isaiah, or Isaiah chapters 1-39, is thought to be an anthology because of its overlaps with other biblical books. 1 Isaiah is a book of prophecy with elements of apocalyptic literature in which Isaiah condemns Jerusalem for its lack of faith and predicts an apocalypse. Significant because this text does not fit with chapters 40-66 of Isaiah, and its attachment to second and third Isaiah poses several theological questions: why are these bodies of prophecy attached, and does Isaiah 2/3 add to Isaiah 1 even if that is not what Isaiah of Jerusalem intended?
597 b.c.e.
First exile of 3,000 prominent Jews, inc. Ezekiel after Judah stopped paying tribute due to the perceived weakness of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom due to the failed invasion of Egypt
Ruth the Moabite
Followed Naomi back to Bethlehem after her husband died. Gleaned in the fields and met Boaz. Slips into bed with him. He marries her as he is a blood relative of her husband, and as it is social norm for a blood relative to marry the widow who never had her husbands baby for the purpose of having a child considered to be the heir of the original husband. Great Grandmother of David.
Messiah
From mashiah ("anointed one"); used to refer to past and present kings and priests who had been anointed.
Alexander the Great
Great persian leader and general, defeated the Persian empire established by Cyprus. Book of Daniel predicts the separation of his empire into four separate nations. Was tolerant to the Jews.Let Israel pay a tax as a vassal as the empires before him.
Persian Empire
Greatly expanded by Cyrus. 539 defeated Assyrians for control of region and began resettling Jews. 538 authorized the second temple. lasted until until Alexander the Great in 330s BCE.
"The Sin of Jeroboam"
He was made King of the North after the ten northern tribes rejected Rehoboam and made his capital Shechem. He set up shrines to worship at so they would no longer travel to the temple in Jerusalem. This was his sin.
Darius I of Persia
He was the Persian king who had to throw Daniel into the lion's den. Also, he is recorded in Daniel as the Persian king who conquered Balteshezar's Babylonian empire (when it was actually Cyrus II who conquered Babylon).
Solomon's Temple/The First Temple
Holy temple in ancient Jerusalem. Constructed under Solomon circa 10th century BCE. Destroyed by king Nebuchadnezzar II after the siege of Jerusalem in 587 BCE. Temple was dedicated to YHWH and said to have housed the Ark or the Covenant.
Covenant Lawsuit/rib
In a rib, a prophet accuses and sentences Israel for covenantal infidelity in their relationship with Yahweh. Usually occurs once the infidelity has reached a crisis point, after much prophetic warning, as in the case of Hosea's message to the Northern Kingdom. The time for repentance has past. Punishment is due and imminent. [A genre used by prophets in which Israel is put on trial by Yahweh for having violated its covenant with him.]
Second Isaiah/Deutero-Isaiah)
In modern scholarship, chapters 40-55 of the book of Isaiah, dated to the mid-sixth century BCE, aka Deutero-Isaiah. Important to note that Isaiah is composed of writings from several different periods. The principal enemy is Babylon, as opposed to Assyria in First Isaiah (1-39).
Major Prophets
In modern scholarship, the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, so called because of their relative length compared to the shorter books of the Minor Prophets. In Christian tradition, the books of Lamentations and Daniel have often been included under this heading.
Enkidu
In the epic of Gilgamesh, the wild man created by the gods to distract Gilgamesh from his antisocial activities. Gilgamesh and Enkidu became friends, and Enkidu's death motivated Gilgamesh to seek immortality.
Saul
Initially selected by God in response to the people's request for a king over Israel. He was selected as a king who would fight for Israel, but ironically, in the David & Goliath story, paid others to fight against Goliath. Saul is a tragic figure because Yahweh set him up for failure-- although doomed early, he rules for 42 years after having lost both Samuel & Yahweh's support. He loses his right to a dynasty by violating Deut. laws: offers a sacrifice by himself, without the presence of a priest. Positive: started an army. Negative: enmity toward David.
Tel Dan Stele/Inscription
Inscribed stone found around 1993/94 during excavations at Tel Dan in Northern Israel. Writings are in Aramaic, but are mostly accounts of battles. Hazael (the unnamed king) boast of his victories over the king of Israel and his ally the king of the "House of David." The FIRST time David is mentioned outside of the Bible. Is thought to be genuine in reference to the Davidic Dynasty and the Aramaic Kingdom of Damascus.
Yehuda Amichai
Israeli poet. Considered to be Israel's most distinguished modern poet. Considered first to write in Colloquial Hebrew.
Jeremiah's Temple Sermon
Jeremiah stands at the temple gates and delivers God's word in Jeremiah 7:1-15. He announces Yahweh's conditions for continued possession of the Promised Land: "Amend your ways and your doings, and then I will dwell with you in this place. Do not trust in these deceptive words: 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord'" (Jer 7:3-4). Judah relied on divine protection, as promised in 2 Samuel 7, which assured security for Jerusalem. Jeremiah's Temple Sermon is significant in that it rebukes the ideology of the Inviolability of Jerusalem. Jeremiah says that divine protection is conditional—based on Judah's observance of the Sinai covenant.
587/586 b.c.e.
Jerusalem falls, Temple destroyed. King Nebuchadnezzar attacks Jerusalem again and the city and temple are completely destroyed. Second wave of Judeans are taken to Babylonia/ 587- marks both a political/theological crisis. Political: the Davidic monarchy is ended. Theological: sense of belief that Yahweh has lost to the Babylonian God. *The record of history begins. Hebrew Bible comes out of this.
Jew/Jewish
Jew ("Yehudi") is a name derived from the piece of recovered land in Jerusalem called the territory of Yehud. Originally it applied to all territories of Judah. Yehudi replaces the name Israeilite— it is a statement of nationality, not just a designation tied to geography. Question: How feasible is it to call yourself a Jew if you live outside of the land? Isaiah accredits Jewish identity to those who return to Jerusalem, Esther sees identity as cultural and traditional practice in diaspora. Significant because this label of nationality gives former exiles who remained in diaspora a sense of nationality and connection with their homeland.
Purim
Jewish feast celebrated annually on the l4th, and in Shushan, Persia, also on the 15th, of Adar, in commemoration of the deliverance of the Persian Jews from the plot of Haman to exterminate them, as recorded in the Book of Esther. According to that book the feast was instituted as a national one by Mordecai and Esther.
Deuterocanonical Works (Apocrypha)
Jewish religious writings of the Hellenistic and Roman periods that are not considered part of the Bible by Jews and Protestants, but are part of the canons of Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. Includes Judith, Wisdom, Sirach/Ecclesiastics, Maccabees 1+2
Bildad, Eliphaz, Zophar
Job's three friends, who try to convince him that his sufferings must be punishment for some sin, and urge him to confess. They even go as far as to accuse Job of wickedness.
Michal
King Saul's daughter who helps David escape. Marries David to legitimize him as king.
Sennacherib
King of Assyria who reigned from 705-681 BCE. This was during the time that Judah was subject to Assyrian rule. In 701 BC, a rebellion backed by Egypt and Babylonia broke out in Judah, led by King Hezekiah. In response Sennacherib sacked a number of cities in Judah. He laid siege to Jerusalem, but did not sack it
Ahab
King of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and husband of Jezebel, a powerful woman of monarchic times. His marriage to Jezebel illustrates the dangers associated with marrying foreign wives. To the Deuteronomistic Historians, their marriage is representative of the problems concerning both monarchy and foreign wives. Ahab's rule and sin (see episode of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 20) results in the destruction of the dynasty as prophesied by Elijah. Ahab's connection to the prophet Elijah is exemplary of how social justice became a topic of many prophets' preaching (Coogan 253).
Amos
Minor prophet, was a sheep herder and not officially trained. Souther prophet but he preached to the Northern Kingdom and warned of God's judgement of their sins oof not being loyal in the time of Jeraboam II
Jehoiakim II
King of Judah, second son of Josiah. "He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, just as all his ancestors had done" (2 Kings 23:37). He raised taxes and eventually stopped paying tribute to Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzer II invaded Judah and lead siege of Jerusalem. Significance- he screwed Jerusalem over and caused their overthrow by Babylon.
Ahasuerus/Xerxes
King of Persia, in the capital of Susa, and one of the main characters of the Diaspora Novella of Esther. Ahasuerus is depicted as an incredibly wealthy and powerful king but also as a slightly comical figure. Esther ultimately finds favor with the King and plays a pivotal role in saving the Jewish people from mass murder. (theme of what it means to be a minority people in a foreign land- Jewish diaspora) (the concept of providence- where is God?)
Ahaz
King of the Southern Kingdom of Israel, Judah, circa 730 BCE. During the Syro-Ephraimite War, Ahaz makes a strategic political agreement with King Tiglath- pileser III of Assyria: Judah would become Assyria's vassal rather than join the coalition of northern Israel and Syria. The Hebrew Bible presents this agreement by Ahaz as evidence of his lack of faith in Yahweh (See Second Kings). Ahaz is also significant in terms of his relation to the prophet Isaiah: Isaiah is Ahaz's political advisor (supports the assertion that Isaiah is the most politically engaged prophet). In an encounter with the prophet Isaiah, Ahaz is told to not fear attacks from the north and that the Kingdom of Judah will find peace again with the birth of a boy named Immanuel, but he does not heed this advice (see Isaiah 7-8).
Deuteronomistic History
Literary entity that spans Joshua to kings (minus Ruth). It traces Israel's history from the end of the Pentateuch until the exile and return of the 6th century. Its name is derived from the fact that it takes the Deuteronomic Code as its "thesis statement." Essentially, it is a narrative form of a constitution document for the nation of Israel and focuses on how the Israelites should conduct themselves in the Promised Land. It tells the people's history based on these laws/worldview (worship Yahweh alone, centralize worship, covenant, law of the king, etc). [According to modern scholars, the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, which form a narrative history of Israel in the Promised Land. It was produced in several editions from the late eighth to the sixth centuries BCE by the Deuteronomistic Historians, who were informed by the principles of the book of Deuteronomy.]
Minimalists vs. Maximalists
Minimalist --Conservative, DON'T use Bible as main source - no external collaborations united monarchy is fiction Maximalist --believe that the united monarchy DID existCAN use Bible as main source - its presented history IS reliable *show debate on how to read the Bible (primary or secondary source)
Hosea
Minor prophet in Israel with great hair, marries a promiscuous girl at God's command, symbolic of God's relationship with Israel, a promiscuous unfaithful people who disregard their covenant to God. Marriage is a metaphor for covenant. (from wikipedia->) Hosea searched for his wife, found her and brought her back; God would not abandon Israel and brought them back even though they had forsaken him. The book of Hosea was a severe warning to the northern kingdom against the growing idolatry being practiced there; the book was a dramatic call to repentance (end wikipedia). Pure worship of YHWH was not prevalent in the northern kingdom (too much idolatry and Baal worship, high places, etc); Hosea expresses the need to abandon Baal and exclusively worship YHWH.
the satan
Most prominently a figure in Job, a member of the divine counsel. Serves as adversary to Yahweh. Not the same as Satan/Devil. The satan challenges God to test Job's faithfulness in the prologue, but does not appear anywhere else in the book. The satan is also a figure in Numbers 22:22, Zechariah 3:1, and 1 Chronicles 21:1.
Mount Carmel
Mountain where Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal. Elijah poured water on his sacrifice and prayed to God that he would consume the altar with fire. Fire fell and burned everything on the altar and the prophets of Baal were then killed.
Egyptian Love Poetry
Often seen in parallel to the Song of Songs. Debate on its allegorical meaning versus pure love poetry.
Amnon
Oldest son of David, raped his half sister Tamar. Pretended to be sick and while she was tending to him, he raped her. Killed by Absalom's servants (his half brother) two years later in revenge
Philistines
One group of the Sea Peoples. In the late second millennium BCE, having failed to conquer the Egyptians, they settled on the southeast coast of the Mediterranean where they vied with Israel from the control of Canaan. The term "Palestine" is derived from their name.
Davidic Covenant
Only Yahweh is bound by an oath here. David just receives it; he doesn't ratify or accept it. It's simply bestowed upon him. While the king's covenant guarantees the eternality of his dynasty, it doesn't invalidate or supercede the Sinai covenant. Israel will still face the curses and blessings that are the stipulated consequences of its adherence to the previous covenant. This covenant resembles a covenant of grant because it is between God and David, and it is unconditional (for only the perfectly faithful Yahweh has any oath to uphold). At the time of the covenant, David has apparently already fulfilled his side of the pact (earning his worthiness). Thus, his heirs are merely an afterthought. They will benefit from this promise, but the covenant is between God and David—his descendants haven't yet earned God's favor in any way, nor are they expected/required to. [The covenant between Yahweh and David, which guaranteed the divine protection of the dynasty that David founded and of Jerusalem, its capital city.]
539 b.c.e.
Persians conquer Babylonians led by King Cyrus. He instituted a policy of allowing the ethnic groups/nations that had been resettled under the Babylonians to return to their native land, including the Jews beginning in 538.
Ahijah the prophet
Predicts the splitting of the Southern and Northern Kingdoms of Israel under the reign of Solomon's successor Jeroboam (928/925 BCE). Ahijah claims that Solomon does not walk in God's ways as David did and states that only the southern tribes will remain due to Solomon's apostasy (worshipping the gods of foreign wives). This is an example of selective recall of the historian in the Hebrew Bible, i.e. David is the standard/model of what a King should be. David's faults are suppressed and his piety is elevated).
Immanuel
REJOICE. GOD WITH US. From Isaiah 7, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.[h] 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good." The son of a virgin, and the embodiment of "God with us." A prophecy of hope and deliverance for Israel. The exile will end. Significant because it's Jesus. How do I make that sound scholarly and stuff? [The child whose birth and early life were signs from God to Ahaz, king of Judah, during the Syro-Ephramite War. He was probably the child of the prophet Isaiah and his wife, who was also a prophet] That definition is dumb.
Antiochus IV/Antiochus Epiphanes
Ruled Jews 175 to 164 BCE, seen as villain and persecutor associated with Hanukkah from book of Maccabees
Jonathan
Saul's son who shares an intimate friendship with David. Their relationship is somewhat one sided- Jonathan loves David "as his own soul" (1 Samuel 18:1). Jonathan views David as his superior. They make a covenant in 1 Samuel 18:3 in which David receives Jonathan's loyalty. David is the only one who stands between Jonathan and the throne, yet he gives the throne to David. Jonathan helps David when Saul is trying to kill him. Jonathan is killed with his father Saul and his brothers on Mount Gilboa in 1 Samuel 31. David laments over the death of Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1. Significant because through the friendship (bromance) and covenant of Jonathan and David, Jonathan hands over his inheritance to David to become King of Israel. Also, the relationship between Jonathan and David is similar to the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. (Influence?)
515 b.c.e.
Second Temple construction completed after being started in 538 BCE. According to Lecture, there was debate about rebuilding, with factions for and against the construction that led to it taking 23 years to build a Temple not a grand as the first. In the Book of Erza the "people of the land" offered to help build and were denied. Then they "discouraged the people of judah and made them afraid to build and bride counselors against them." Often important to note that that they are building on the orders of Cyrus, who claims to have been told by Yahweh, Yahweh has not told them directly.
Asherah
She is identified as the wife or consort of the Sumerian Anu or Ugaritic El, the oldest deities of their pantheons. The Book of Jeremiah written circa 628 BC possibly refers to Asherah when it uses the title "Queen of Heaven" in Jer 7:18 and Jer 44:17-19, 25. Some biblical scholars believe that Asherah at one time was worshiped as the consort of Yahweh, the national god of Israel. There are references to the worship of numerous gods throughout Kings, Solomon builds temples to many gods during his reign and Josiah is reported as cutting down the statues of Asherah in the temple Solomon built for Yahweh.
Uriah the Hittite
Soldier in King David's Army. Husband of Bathsheba, who had an adulterous affair with King David resulting in a child. Murdered by order of David. The death of Bathsheba's baby and the insurrection of prince Absalom were punishments for David's adulterous affair and murder.
Adonijah
Solomon's competitor for the throne, following David. He attempts to take the throne because of David's sexual sin with Bathsheba. Solomon arranges a group of supports to secure the throne from Adonijah, who is the oldest and the rightful heir. Both Adonijah and Solomon are involved in what is known as the Succession Narrative, or the conflict surrounding who will rise to power following David's fall (See 1 Kings).
Bathsheba
Solomon's mother, with whom David had an illicit affair after arranging her husband Uriah's murder. This affair is a turning point in David's reign; as a result of his actions, David loses control of his house and is ousted by his son Absalom. Bathsheba is "an active participant in the machinations that lead to Solomon's coronation" (Cgn 214).
Absalom
Son of David. His sister, Tamar, flees to him for protection after she is raped by her half brother, Amnon. It is left to Absalom to bring justice to his brother on behalf of his sister, because David will not act. Absalom kills Amnon. He is also one of 3 children that David loses to death. Absalom attempts to seize the throne from David and dies in the rebellion.
Solomon
Son of David; great wisdom given as a gift of God. The Hebrew Bible credits Solomon as the builder of the First Temple in Jerusalem and portrays him as great in wisdom, wealth, and power, but ultimately as a king whose sin, including idolatry and turning away from Yahweh by following his many foreign wives gods, leads to the kingdom being torn in two during the reign of his son Rehoboam. Solomon is the subject of many other later references and legends. Was youngest son, convinced by nathan and his queen bathsheba he was picked after Adonijah moved to declare himself king
Haman the Agagite
Son of Hammedatha; chief minister of King Ahasuerus (Esth.iii.1-2). As his name indicates, Haman was a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites. On account of his attempt to exterminate the Jews in the kingdom of Ahasuerus, he is frequently called "the persecutor of the Jews; Esth. iii. 10; viii. 1; ix. 10, 24). His machinations against the Jews and his downfall are remembered during the Feast of Purim. Filled with annoyance because Mordecai did not bow before him, Haman resolved upon the extermination of the Jews throughout the whole kingdom. He drew lots to determine the day of the massacre, and the lot fell on the 13th of Adar (Esth. iii. 4-7). He offered the king ten thousand talents of silver for permission to do with the Jews as he pleased. The permission was granted, and he accordingly despatched letters to all parts of the Persian kingdom to massacre the Jews on the 13th of Adar (iii. 8-15). His intrigues, however, were baffled by Esther. In order to throw him off his guard she invited him to a banquet to which she had also asked the king. Haman, looking upon this as an indication of special favor, in his pride went so far as to prepare a gallows whereon to hang Mordecai (v. 14). But in that night a sudden change occurred in Haman's fortunes. His own answer to the king's question what should be done to him whom the king delighted to honor, which Haman supposed referred to himself, obliged Haman to lead Mordecai, his mortal enemy, clad in royal garments and seated on the king's horse, through the streets of Shushan and to proclaim: "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor"
Abimelech
Son of Jerubbaal and Gideon the judge, who murders his brothers in order to establish himself as King of Israel in Shechem (location in Joshua 24 where the 12 tribes of Israel reaffirmed their covenant). Judges 9:2 "'Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?' Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh." (questions of how to integrate kingship into the social structure of Israel when a system of enslavement and violence ensues?)
Assyrian Empire
Strongest empire of its day, 934 to 609 BCE. Had Israel in relationship of Vassal. Destroyed Northern Kingdom in 722 after Pekah allied against King Ahaz of Judah, who then allied with Assyria (Exile 732, gone 722).
Kinsman Redeemer
The Avenger of Blood, the Vindicator, is the goel. In Biblical Law the next of kin who is obligated to avenge or to assume the duties of a person, usually someone who has just died. In Job 19: 25-26, Job seems to be saying that he is confident that after he has died the truth of his case will be demonstrated by his goel, but he'd like it done in his lifetime. [In Hebrew the goel, the closest male relative who is legally responsible for his kin, usually in matters related to death and property. Often translated as redeemeer.
Second Temple
The Temple completed in 515 BCE to replace the Temple of Solomon, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586. It was destroyed with the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, with the rise of the Roman Period.
Baal
The Canaanite storm-god, who in Ugaritic myth defeats Sea and Death. In the Bible, worship of Baal is condemned. Especially in creation, Yahweh behaves like a storm god, an influence of Canaanite religion on the Hebrew Bible. Coogan draws several other comparisons between Yahweh and Baal.
Sheol
The Hebrew term for the underworld, where persons go at death.
Dietary Laws
The Israelites were given a set of Dietary Laws at Mount Sinai. These were recorded by Moses and are found in Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14. God told Moses certain animals were "clean" to eat — those with cloven hoofs which chewed the cud such as cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and so forth. All fish with fins and scales, and insects of the locust family were also "clean." The pig and the camel, however, were "unclean" and were not to be eaten. All carnivorous birds, sea creatures without fins and scales, most insects, rodents, reptiles, and so forth were "unclean."
Septuagint
The ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, made beginning in the third century BCE.
End of Days
The apocalypse. In Judaism, the main textual source for the belief in the end of days and accompanying events is the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible. The Five Books of Moses describe a time when the Jewish people will not be able to keep the Laws of Moses in the Land of Israel, and will be exiled but ultimately redeemed. The main sources are the book of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The books of the Hebrew Prophets also elaborate and prophesy about the end of days.
City of David
The Jebusite city of Jerusalem that David conquered. He set up his monarchy here, and Solomon built Yahweh's temple here, thereby centralizing religious and political authority within one set of walls. The Davidic Covenant protected both the dynasty and city of David. However, Jerusalem was conquered and destroyed by Babylon in 586 BCE after King Jehoiakim's revolt failed. One of the difficulties exile presented was a separation from the City and what it stood for: the promise of nationhood, God's presence, and his covenantal protection. [Another name for Jerusalem, especially the ancient pre-Israelite city that King David captured and made his capital in the early 10th century BCE. In later tradition, it is also used of Bethlehem, David's birthplace.]
"New Covenant"
The Jewish view of the mere wording "new covenant" is no more than a renewed national commitment to abide by God's laws. In this view, the word new does not refer to commitment that replaces a previous one, but rather to an additional and greater level of commitment. Because Jews view the Mosaic covenant as applying only to Jews and any New Covenant merely a strengthening of the already existing one, Jews do not see this phrase as relevant in any way to non-Jews. For non-Jews, Judaism advocates the pre-Sinaitic Seven Laws of Noah. "Unlike Christianity, Judaism does not deny salvation to those outside of its fold, for, according to Jewish law, all non-Jews who observe the Noahide laws will participate in salvation and in the rewards of the world to come"
Babylonian Empire
The Neo-Babylonian, or Chaldean, Empire (626-539 BC) was a dominant cultural force in the Ancient Near East. Their capture of Jerusalem in 586 looms large in Israel's collective memory and throughout the Biblical text. Kings: Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar II, and Nabonidus. Gave way to the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539.
Jotham's Parable
The Parable of Jotham (chapter 9 of the Book of Judges) is an important treatise on the characteristics of leadership and human nature. Therefore, it stands as a core text in any course dealing with leadership in the Bible. Outlines what it means to be a good ruler. "And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon."—Judges 9:7-15
Second Temple Period
The Second Temple survived from 515 BCE - 70 CE, during the Persian, Hellenistic, & part of the Roman Period. Prophets: Haggai & Zechariah. Also, Nehemiah governed during this period. The stories of Esther and Daniel also took place during this period.
Canon
The body of text considered to be authoritative Scripture by a certain group. The Hebrew, Protestant, and Catholic canons are all somewhat different.
Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel from the early ninth century to 722 BCE, when it fell to the Assyrians. Subsequently, Samaria was used as the name of the region in which the city was located.
Syncretism
The combining of different (often seemingly contradictory) beliefs. Example: In "Moses and Monotheism," Sigmund Freud made the case that Judaism probably rose out of a pre-existing monotheistic religion that was briefly imposed on the Egyptians.
Sabbath
The day of rest, the seventh day of the week. The term can also be used for longer periods of time, as in a "sabbatical year".
Woman Wisdom
The depiction of the concept of wisdom as a goddess who is the companion of Yahweh.
Assimilation
The idea of the Jews adopting the nation they live in as their homeland, as opposed to considering the Holy Land as home. Books that deal with exile often have to deal with Assimilation. Esther is a Jew that is Queen of Persian empire, when the jews are threatened they don't think to flee, but rather to stay and hope to be saved. The return to the Holy Land is never considered. Daniel also deals with exile in the Persian empire and the Jews position in foreign society
Ketuvim/ketubim/The Writings
The final division of the Hebrew Bible. It includes the writings (historical narrative and historical fiction) and wisdom literature (such as Job/Proverbs/Ecclesiastes), as well as poetry such as Psalms and Lamentations. The diversity indicates that decisions in the canonization process took place over many centuries by many leaders. [In Jewish tradition, the third of three parts of the Hebrew Bible, comprising of Psalms, proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehimiah, Chronicles]
Jeroboam I
The first king of Northern Israel after the schism. He encounters the prophet Ahijah who tells him that he will inherit the kingdom because Solomon worshiped other gods. Jeroboam establishes new centers of worship at Bethel and Dan when worship should be centered at the Temple in Jerusalem. He appoints non-levitical priests and makes his own sacrifices. He makes calves (perhaps as thrones for an unrepresentable deity?). His sin becomes a stain for northern kings, a paradigm for what happened in the north— It explains the fall and exile in 722 BCE. Jeroboam is significant because he sets up the nation of Northern Israel for failure from the start.
Vashti/Queen Vashti
The first wife of King Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther. Banished for her refusal to appear at the King's banquet and is replaced by Esther.
Naomi
The mother-in-law of Ruth, the moabite. She later changes her name to Mara because she is so bitter. Naomi has no next of kin, so she helps Ruth marry Boaz who then together have a child. Naomi nursed the child and the women of the town said "a son has been born to Naomi". She names the child Obed, who became the grandfather of David. This story was intended to explain why there was a Moabite in the lineage of David.
Sinai
The mountain on which God revealed himself to Moses and made the covenant with Israel. Its location is disputed.
Qohelet/Ecclesiastes
The name "Ecclesiastes"—literally, "Member of an Assembly," often thought to mean (after Jerome) "Preacher"—is the Septuagint rendering of the Hebrew "Ḳohelet. The author represents himself as the son of David, and king over Israel in Jerusalem (i. 1, 12, 16; ii. 7, 9). The work consists of personal or autobiographic matter, with reflections on the purpose of life and the best method of conducting it. These, the author declares, were composed by him as he increased in wisdom, were "weighed," studied" corrected, expressed in carefully chosen phrases, and correctly written out (xii. 9, 10), to be taught to the people.
Nathan's Parable
The parable about how the rich man took the sheep away from the poor man. Nathan delivered this parable to David after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and had Uriah, her husband, killed. The parable helped David realize what he had done. Because of David's sin, he loses 4 sons; Amnon, Tamar, Absalom, and Adonijah.
Eschatology
The part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind.
Psalm 137
The psalm is a hymn expressing the yearnings of the Jewish people in exile following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. The rivers of Babylon are the Euphrates river, its tributaries, and the Tigris river (possibly the river Habor, the Chaboras, or modern Khabur, which joins the Euphrates at Circesium). In its whole form, the psalm reflects the yearning for Jerusalem as well as hatred for the Holy City's enemies with sometimes violent imagery. Rabbinical sources attributed the poem to the prophet Jeremiah, and the Septuagint version of the psalm bears the superscription: "For David. By Jeremias, in the Captivity."
Ark of the Covenant
The religious symbol of the pre-monarchic confederation of the twelve tribes of Israel, later installed in the Temple in Jerusalem by Solomon in the tenth century BCE. It formed the footstool for the cherubim throne on which Yahweh was thought to be invisibly seated.
David
The second king of Israel, idealized by the Deuteronomistic Historian as the paramount king with whom all successors would be compared. He received God's anointing and covenant (see Davidic covenant) after Saul failed. Essentially, the dynasty and monarchical rule of Saul were transferred (God's spirit literally departs from Saul and fills David) to David even as Saul was still on the throne. David is depicted as the capable king—pious and courageous—that Saul never was, illuminated most poignantly in his defeat of Goliath. The Deuteronomistic Historian shows some determination to defend David as innocent of some unspoken charge; he is persistently presented as a humble individual who is advanced by the will of Yahweh rather than his own efforts. After he receives the Davidic covenant, his portrayal becomes a bit more complex. We see him commit several errors that compromise his claim to piety and wisdom. However, his dynasty remains eternal, and he continues to be remembered as Israel's greatest king and a symbol of power and faith. His greatest political achievements were the unification of the kingdom of Israel, extensive expansion of the empire's borders, and achieving peace from their adversaries. However, his desire to build God a temple would be denied and instead passed on to his heir, Solomon, perhaps due to his infraction with Bathsheba or maybe because of his "war-stained" reign.
Diaspora
The status of existence experienced by Judah after the exiles of 597 and 586 BCE. This period presented many new difficulties, for they were now living as minorities within a foreign kingdom. Such dangers were threats of religious and cultural assimilation, being taken advantage of, and being inexplicably hated. A genre of fictional writing called Diaspora Novellas served to advise these exiles on how to endure and even prosper in their new places of residence. Also, many prophets, such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Second Isaiah wrote to the exiles in order to direct them in the will of God and to remind them of their covenantal identity and obligations. [Literally, scattering or dispersion, used to refer to exiles from Judah to Babylonia in the early sixth century BCE, and subsequently for any Jews living outside of Israel.]
Masoretic Text
The traditional medieval text of the Hebrew Bible
Hezekiah's Tunnel
Underground water conduit, purpose was to divert Jerusalem's main water source source to protect it from enemy (Assyrian) attack or poison. Part of the expanded area beyond the fortified limits of the city of David. [A 1700 ft long tunnel under the city of David, constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah in the late eighth century BC. Its function was to divert the waters flowing from the Gihon Spring to a location within the city wall. ]
Diaspora Novella
Type of literature that developed during the Persian and Hellenistic periods, typically involving one Jewish hero. Ultimately modeled after Joseph story in Genesis. Each have a historical setting, although it may be inaccurate; women are often protagonists. Often there is a threat on the protagonist because they are Jewish. Includes: Jonah, Esther, Daniel,
Zerubbabel
Was a governor of the Persian province of Judah. Led the first group of Jews numbering 42,360 who returned from the Babylonian Captivity in the first year of Cyrus.
Gomer bat-Diblaim
Wife of Hosea through divine appointment, referred to as a promiscuous woman. Relationship of Hosea and Gomer often seen as a parallel as the relationship between God and Israel. She runs away and sleeps with another yet Hosea still loves her, just as god does for Israel.
Wisdom
Wisdom is based upon knowledge. Often, in fact, wisdom and knowledge are mentioned together (see Jeremiah 10:12; 51:15; Luke 1:17(AV); Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 2:5; Colossians 2:3; Revelation 5:12; 7:12). Wisdom cannot exist without a knowledge of all the facts pertinent to any purpose or plan. The God who is all-wise is also the God who is all-knowing. God knows everything. Theologians use the term "omniscient" when speaking of God's infinite knowledge. God knows everything about everything. He knows what men are thinking (see Ezekiel 11:5; Luke 5:21-22). He knows everything that is going to happen. He even knows everything that could happen, under any set of circumstances (see, for example, 1 Samuel 23:10-12; 2 Kings 8:10). God cannot devise a bad plan or fail to bring His purposes and promises to their conclusion because He knows everything. His omniscience undergirds His wisdom.
Former Prophets
[In Jewish tradition, the first division of the Prophets, comprising the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings.]
Golden Calves
[The golden calf that the Israelites worshiped at Mount Sinai according to Exodus 32, and also similar statues at the shrines of BEthel and Dan in the northern kingdom of Israel.]
Circumcision
[ceremonial removal of the foreskin. According to Gen 17.9-14, it is the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and is to be performed on all Abraham's male descendents 8 days after birth.]
Behemoth and Leviathan
[see Cgn 394, Job 40] - possibly "forms of the chaos deity destroyed by the storm-god in the battle that preceded creation...composite mythical creatures with enormous strength, which humans like Job could not hope to control, but both are reduced to the status of divine pets, with rings through their noses and Leviathan on a leash."
Merkevah/Divine Chariot
a 4 wheeled chariot of God driven by 4 heavenly beings (part lion, man, ox, eagle) -- part of Ezekiel's vision.
Shechem
a Canaanite city mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as an Israelite city of the tribe of Manasseh and the first capital of the Kingdom of Israel. City where Dinah, daughter of Jacob and Leah was raped by the prince Shechem. Her brothers Simeon and Levi tricked the city's men into getting circumcised and then killed all the males in revenge.
mashal/proverb
a Hebrew proverb -- many were borrowed from other countries (esp. Egypt). *Designed to teach the young how to get ahead in life: optimism of acquisition of wisdom. (along the lines of Wisdom Literature; hand of the diligent makes rich; invokes morals)
Gideon/Jerubbaal
a judge in the book of Judges. Chosen by God, he freed the Israelites from the Midianites and Amalekites and condemned their worship of idols. He and his only 300 men defeated the Midianites by scaring them in the middle of the night with lamps hidden under clay pots and trumpets. The Israelites wanted Gideon to be their king, but he refused, saying Yahweh was king.
Nathan
a prophet in the time of King David. He delivered to David the covenant that God made with him, the Davidic Covenant. (2 Sam. 7). the covenant included establishing a dynasty, or a house that will last forever, and the promise that a descendent will build YHWH a house.
Epic of Gilgamesh
an epic poem from Mesopotamia, is amongst the earliest surviving works of literature. The story centers on a friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Enkidu is a wild man created by the gods as Gilgamesh's equal to distract him from oppressing the people of Uruk. Together, they journey to the Cedar Mountain to defeat Humbaba, its monstrous guardian. Later they kill the Bull of Heaven, which the goddess Ishtar sends to punish Gilgamesh for spurning her advances. As a punishment for these actions, the gods sentence Enkidu to death.
Chaldeans
another term for the Babylonians of the neo-Babylonian empire that exiled Jerusalem in the 6th c BC.
(The Book of) Proverbs
belonging to the group of "Ḥokmah," or "Wisdom" books. The following divisions of the book are indicated in the text: (1) A group of discourses on the conduct of life (i.-ix.), comprising the praise of wisdom as the guide of life (i.-iv.); warnings against unchaste women (v.-vii.; with three misplaced paragraphs, vi. 1-19, against certain social faults); the description of wisdom as the controller of life and as Yhwh's companion in the creation of the world (viii.); and a contrast between wisdom and folly (ix.; with a misplaced collection of aphorisms, ix. 7-12). (2) A collection, or book, of aphoristic couplets (x. 1-xxii. 16). (3) Two small groups of aphoristic quatrains (xxii. 17-xxiv. 22 and xxiv. 23-34). (4) A second collection of couplets (xxv.-xxix). (5) A miscellaneous group of discourses and numerical aphorisms (xxx.-xxxi.), mostly in tetrads: reverent agnosticism (xxx. 1-4); certainty of God's word (5-6); a prayer (7-9); against slandering a servant (10); against certain vices and errors (11-33); a code for a king (xxxi. 1-9); a picture of a model housewife (10-31). These divisions, various in form and content, suggest that the book was formed by the combination of a number of booklets.
Esther/Hadassah
born Hadassah, is the eponymous heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther. According to the Bible, she was a Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus. Esther told the king of Haman's plan to massacre all Jews in the Persian Empire, and acknowledged her own Jewish ethnicity.
Nehemiah
governor over Judah, who helps with the rebuilding of Judah after the exile and rebuilds the walls in Jerusalem. The Israelites are having a sort of an 'identity crises' after their return from exile so he tries to tighten rules such as no foreign wives, and forces foreigners to leave Jerusalem. He also focuses on keeping the Sabbath and maintaining Jewish festivals.
Gilgamesh
he and Enkidu travel together and kill the Bull of Heaven, who was sent by Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh for refusing her advances. So Ishtar sentences Enkidu to death as a punishment for Gilgamesh. Then Gilgamesh travels to find the flood hero and lean the meaning of life. There are many parallels with the bible, especially the creation story and some psalms. [The hero of the Mesopotamian epic named for him, who with Enkidu travels widely and ultimately meets Utnapishtim]
Goliath
is a giant Philistine warrior defeated by the young David, the future king of Israel, in bible's Books of Samuel (1 Samuel 17). The original purpose of the story was to show David's identity as the true king of Israel. Post-Classical Jewish traditions stressed Goliath's status as the representative of paganism, in contrast to David, the champion of the God of Israel.
Hannah
is the wife of Elkanah mentioned in the Books of Samuel. According to the Hebrew Bible she was the mother of Samuel.
Bethel and Dan
locations of illicit shrines set up by Jeroboam in the Northern Kingdom, "to discourage worship by his subjects in Jerusalem, the capital of the rival kingdom" (Cgn 241). This violated YHWH's command that Israel have one shrine in Jerusalem (and is one of the "Sins of Jeroboam" to which Bible attributes the fall of the North in 722).
Nebuchadnezzar/Nebuchadrezzar
made king of Babylon in 604 BCE. Besieged Jerusalem in 597 BCE and deported the king and some from the ruling class. In 586 he returned and had Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed. The attack brought an end to the dynasty of David and much of the population was exiled to Babylon.
Allegorical interpretation
most likely relating to the song of songs; allegorical vs love poem as in the Now Comment assignment.
Scribe
professionals who could exercise functions a modern-day lawyer, minister, judge, or financier would do today. Some scribes copied documents, but this was not necessarily part of their job. Scribes often had political influence because they were close to the king.
Samuel
prophet that god used to anoint Saul, and then later David after Saul fell from God's graces. His mother Hannah was barren and pledged to god if He have her a child, she would dedicate him to God. So Samuel was raised in Eli's care.Call narrative, Eli tells him to respond "Speak lord for your servant is listening."
"The House of David"
refers to 2 Samuel 7 where YHWH promises David to "build a house for my name." This is not a place but a lineage, the perpetual dynasty of David is promised through the Davidic Covenant that is a gift from YHWH (not modeled after Suzerainty treaties, but rather a covenant of grant) This establishment of the Davidic dynasty is a way to deal with the ongoing legacy of Saul and Saul's death. Example of a Covenant of Grant, this is different than the covenant at Sinai. At Sinai, it is a covenant of history and morals, blessings and curses. In this Davidic covenant, the weight is off David and is all on God: God makes a commitment outside of time and space. This covenant not only establishes a kingship and legacy, it is an eternal throne. There is an element of the everlasting very prevalent here.
Ezra
returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile; a scribe; he led a large amount of exiles back to Jerusalem; he then learned the people had been marrying foreigners, so he tore his clothes and confessed the sins of israel to God; once Nehemiah rebuilt the walls, Ezra and Nehemiah read the book of Moses to the people. (Book of Ezra = three main themes 1) rebuilding the temple 2) purifying the Jewish people 3) Sealing the community behind the walls - in the book of Nehemiah.)
Ezekiel
son of a priest; one of 3000 Jews exiled from Judah by the Babylonians; called by God, who rode upon a chariot; he prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple; later, he had visions of a new temple.
Book of the Twelve
the 12 short prophetic books from Hosea to Malachi, which follow the major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel).
Babylonian Exile
the Babylonian Empire destroyed Judah's capital city, Jerusalem in 586 BCE including the Temple of Solomon, a large portion of the Judean population was deported to Babylon. There is speculation that the religion of the Israelites was influenced by the religion of the Babylonians during their time of exile in the region of Babylon (6th century), additional speculation that the book of Genesis which is dated to the 6th c. BCE is inspired (influenced) by the Babylonian epic of creation, the Enuma Elish, also refer to Ps. 137 which illustrates the Israelites struggle to be true to their religion and God while in exile
Endogamy
the custom of marrying within one's ethnic or religious group
Royal Ideology
the practice of believing that the king is considered to be at the same level of power as Yahweh, and vice versa. One of the clearest themes to emerge when dealing with royal ideology in Ancient Israel is the acknowledgment of the king as Yahweh's anointed one and the function of the king as one whom Yahweh willed to deliver Israel.
Call Narrative
the story of a prophet's divine calling to the vocation of prophecy, which lends legitimacy to the prophet's words. Often involves reluctance/humility on the part of the prophet
Boaz
the wealthy relative of Naomi whom Ruth, a Moabite and foreign woman, pursues and marries, and by whom Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of King David.
Rehoboam
was initially king of the United Monarchy of Israel but after the ten northern tribes of Israel rebelled in 932/931 BC to form the independent Kingdom of Israel he was king of the Kingdom of Judah, or southern kingdom. He was a son of Solomon and a grandson of David.
