RELC 1210 final exam

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 declares the ideology of the Inviolability of Jerusalem a lie. Jeremiah says that divine protection is conditional—based on Judah's observance of the Sinai covenant.

Qohelet/Ecclesiastes

This biblical book explores the meaning of life especially in relationship to issues of divine justice. Poetical and wisdom books. Vanity as something absurd, why bad things happen to good people, timing out of human control, your actions do not make a difference, enjoy yourself here and now

Solomon

Son of David and Bathsheba who succeeded his father as king of Israel in the mid-tenth century BCE and built the Temple in Jerusalem portrayed as wise and pious Foreign women turned his heart away from God and Yahweh said he will tear (part) the kingdom from him- north

Shechem

Place of the renewal of the covenant in the Promised Land. was a Canaanite city mentioned in the Amarna letters, and is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as an Israelite city of the tribe of Manasseh and the first capital of the Kingdom of Israel

Ephod

Priests interpreted the divine will by the use of the Urim, Thummim and the ephod. An ephod was an artifact and an object to be revered in ancient Israelite culture, and was closely connected with oracular practices and priestly ritual

Amos

Prophet of social justice. Prophet in Israel in the mid-eighth century BCE who prophesized during the reign of Jeroboam 2. Was a Sheep and cattle herder and Fig farmer, but was taken from his livelihood in response to a divine summons. Is not a professional prophet as he is not part of school and has no training. Reveals little about himself and says he is not important, but what Yahweh says is important. Prophesized to north but from the south, and preaches against the shrine of Bethel as counterfeit, sympathizes with the needy, and predicts the north is going to go in exile.

Vashti

Queen who lost her throne and was replaced by Esther

Bethel and Dan

Religious centers in the northern kingdom [Israel] established by Jeroboam. Amos confrontation at Bethel where he judges the Shrine of Micah and Migration of the tribes of Dan. Places of worship in the north with golden calves

Jonathan

Saul's son, Loyal to David, Recognized David as the next king, When David ordered all of Saul's descendants killed, he spares Jonathan's son

Rehoboam

Solomon's son and heir. His pride caused all but two of the twelve tribes to rebel against him. Last king of Israel

Second Temple Period

period between the rebuilding of the temple subsequent to the return from the exile and the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70

Song of Songs

poetry and wisdom literature

Nathan's Parable

poor man had a ewe lamb whom he loved and treated like a daughter, and a rich man took the ewe and made a meal of it. metaphor for what David did to Uriah and Bathsheba, Yahweh will continue to cause trouble in David's house

Septuagint

preserved manuscripts of the translation of the Hebrew scriptures into Greek, was "proved" to be inspired by original as independent translators produce identical translations

Shechem Assembly

rejected Reyaboam (Solomon's sons) because he oppressed, North Rebelled against South which is considered an apostasy, results bad things happen to the north, Davidic dynasty seen as the only one, abandoned centrality of Israel and the one place of worship/sacrifice (Jerusalem)

Josiah's reforms

renovate the temple and found the book of Deuteronomy, exclusive worship of Yahweh, destroyed high places, reinstituted passover

Inviolability of Jerusalem

secure from destruction, violence, infringement, or desecration

Merneptah Stele

set of tablets describing the Egyptian Pharaoh Perneptah's military victories, including over Israel. This is significant because this is the first mention of Israel in a historical text. It also provides a timeline in which Israel could have been established.

High Place

site of a sacred shrine. Solomon personally offering sacrifices, Worship at "high places", Unacceptable to Deuteronomic Historians, Violated principle of centralized worship

Jesse

son of Boaz and Ruth, father of David

Sennacherib Prism

the clay prism that recounts the siege of Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah; states that Hezekiah was locked inside of Jerusalem like a caged bird, but city not taken b/c of Hezekiah's devotion to YHWH; written in Akkadian; found in Nineveh

Endogamy

the custom of marrying within one's ethnic or religious group

End of Days

the end of time, Messianic era

Four Beasts (Daniel 7)

the main vision! each beast represents a gentile nation of idolators. the rationale for the symbolism is that middle eastern idols often took the shape of hybrid beasts. lion=babylonian bear=median leopard=persian beast with iron teeth=greek or macedonian or hellenistic or alexandrian

Levirate Marriage

the marriage of a widow to a near relative of her deceased husband; the first male child of a levirate marriage would be considered the legal son of the widow's first husband

Nathan

the prophet who corrected King David after his afair with Bathsheba and named Solomon David's successor

Theodicy

the theological question that tries to connect belief in God's divine justice with the reality that sometimes good people suffer unjustly and die

539 BCE

the year Persia conquered Babylon, allowing some Jews to return to Jerusalem

Merkavah/Divine Chariot

this means chariot. It is a movement of the Jewish mystics and they wanted to experience God's chariot throne that Ezekiel saw.

Masoretic Text

traditional Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible, meticulously assembled and codified. academies in Babylonia and Palestine, in an effort to reproduce, as far as possible, the original text of the Hebrew Old Testament. Their intention was not to interpret the meaning of the Scriptures but to transmit to future generations the authentic Word of God.

Allegorical Interpretation

understanding the Bible as a symbolic or metaphorical document as opposed to literal

Hezekiah's Tunnel

water channel that was carved beneath the City of David, located in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in eastern Jerusalem, in ancient times, expecting an attack and possibly a long siege by the Assyrians in the eighth century B.C., had a tunnel built to bring water from the spring to an open reservoir within the walled city, political independence

sage

wisdom literature Councilors to kings, diplomats, outlasts prophets, record and transmit bible, wisdom form observation, wisdom of ages past: past knowledge from past generations

Text Criticism

work of establishing the more original or correct text. Think Esther and Septuagint version

Bible as Literature

you read it like a fictional book, with all the aesthetic and critical senses that you bring to that. Robert Alter

Job

• Hero of the biblical book named for him, in which he challenges God to explain why disasters have overcome him even though he is blameless. Poetical and wisdom books. Significant because it talks about why good people are punished

Absalom

Son of David who killed his half-brother Amnon, who had raped Absalom's sister Tamar. He was forced into exile but when he came back he resented his father and he led a revolt against his father's rule but was defeated and killed by David's men.

Goliath

a large person; from the giant from the Philistine city of Gath, slain by David, when he was a shepherd boy

Assimilation

comes to resemble the places where they were exiled

Yehud

- Name for Judah while under the rule of the Persian empire - Where People of the Land lived and had conflict with the Golahs

Second Isaiah/Deutero-Isaiah

Chapters 40-55 of the book of Isaiah, dated to the mid-sixth century BCE. Assyria vs Babylon, Siege vs destruction, Cyrus Monotheism trying to deepen and keep relevant the prophecies of first Isaiah despite a new circumstance and context Comfort and deliverance, presents exiles as the second exodus, Cyrus as led by God

Psalm 137

Difficult to date because they do not reference specific historical events, Exiles of Babylonia overpowered by grief when remembering Jerusalem, Babylonians taunted them, Answer to crisis is to stress the importance of memory, Diaspora- Established synagogues, Pray facing Jerusalem, Torah studied and interpreted

Kabod

Ezekiel 10, the temple is an empty vessel being knocked down, Babylonian does not disperse the exiles, home practices, assimilation. Then the glory [kavod] of Yhwh rose up from the cherub to the threshold of the house; the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the glory of Yhwh ... Then the glory of Yhwh went out from the threshold of the house and stopped above the cherubim

Monotheism

Belief in one God. Deutero-Isaiah

Prophetic Formula

"Thus says the LORD" or "Oracle of the LORD" Prophets as a literal mouthpiece for Yahweh How prophets open and close their speeches to verify that their speech is divine

Syro-Ephraimite Crisis

-Syria (Rezin) and Ephraim (Pekah) form a coalition against Assyria. -They try to pressure Ahaz, king of Judah, to join as well. Isaiah said not to join because they cannot be defeated because of Yahweh -After almost being deposed, Ahaz calls in Assyria (Tiglath-Pileser III) for help. overthrow of Ahaz would cause the end of Davidic rule -Assyria and Judah defeat Syria and Ephraim, but Ahaz is forced to pay tribute to Assyria.

Jerusalem

Capital city of Israel and later Judah; also called Zion. Considered to be the central place of worship, restored after the return from exile

Aramaic

A Semitic language closely related to Hebrew that originated in ancient Syria and 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.

apocalyptic

A genre of literature in which details concerning the end-time are revealed by a heavenly messenger or angel, Detailed explication of the past and present, often in coded language, Pessimism about the present, optimism for the future, Restoration of divine favor after judgement

Amos' Oracles Against the Nations

A genre used by the prophets and in apocalyptic literature to describe Yahweh's judgement on the foreign nation. Oracles condemning nations surrounding and Israel itself for violation of the covenant. Punishment included the destruction of capital and other cities, exile of inhabitants, and annihilation of its ruling family (Partly do to Assyrian resuming conquest). Israel it guilty of systematic injustice toward the innocent, poor, and young women. Emphasizes the failure of its primary obligation to provide for the powerless. Yahweh no longer accepts prayers and sacrifices from Israel

Covenant Lawsuit

A genre used by the prophets in which Israel is put on trial by Yahweh for having violated the Sinai covenant with him. Seen in Hosea. Lord's Dispute against the Sinful Priesthood, judgment of Pagan Idolatry and Cultic Prostitution. Is a warning to Judah: Do Not Join in Israel's Apostasy, The Shameful Sinners Will Be Brought to Shame. In Hosea it is combined with the marriage metaphor and is like a divorce proceeding.

Canon

A list of the books considered scripture by a religious group. Considered sacred scripture and hence authoritative. Had to be written before 4th c. bce or attributed to an author who lived before then, and written in Hebrew.

Solomon's Temple

A monumental sanctuary built in Jerusalem by King Solomon in the tenth century B.C.E. to be the religious center for the Israelite god Yahweh. The Temple priesthood conducted sacrifices, received a tithe or percentage of agricultural revenues.

The Day of Yhwh/The Lord

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. The day when Yahweh would vindicate them and reestablish the nation, but actually going to punish them for not worshipping correctly (social/economic). In Amos, Think also of oracles against the nations

scribe

A professional writer wisdom literature by scribes under royal auspices

Ezekiel

A prophet among the exiles in Babylonia in the early sixth century BCE; also the book named for him. Major prophet, Exiled in Babylon along with the elite, elaborate visions, surrealist, Begins with inaugural vision and ends with the vision of restored Jerusalem, Audience is for the exiles, Scroll eating metaphor: he has internalized the divine message and the scroll cannot be destroyed, Yahweh has gone into exile with his people, The Sins and Punishment if Israel: idolatry and ritual impurity, priestly traditions. Sins of people have polluted the temple, Yahweh is movable, formulized scripture

Diaspora Novella

Esther, Daniel, Judith, Tobit. Explains how to be Jewish in a foreign land

Jeremiah

A prophet in Judah in the late seventh and early sixth centuries BCE who interpreted the destruction of Jerusalem as divine punishment. Major prophet, Deuteronomistic history and school, Poetic oracles directed against Judah, Jerusalem, its inhabitants, and rulers. Hope and comfort for the future, Personifies the sufferings of the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem during the final years of the Davidic monarchy, "prophet of the nations" before birth, be reward for repentance, Then inexorable doom, but Yahweh would not entirely abandon his people. A prophet like Moses, prophet of bad news, touch the mouth, concern for the poor, temple source of corruption

Hosea

A prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel in the mid-eighth century BCE; also the book named for him. Jeroboam 2, minor prophet, Biographical accounts of Hosea's marriage, expanded into an analogue for the relationship between Yahweh and Israel (1-2), Autobiographical account of Hosea's marriage (3), Oracles of judgment against Israel, especially the northern kingdom, Extended use of marriage metaphor and the Covenant relationship, Covenant lawsuit, Close connection with the Deuteronomic movement. Prophesized in the falling years of the northern kingdom, sinai covenant like marriage covenant

Ezra

A scribe expert in the Torah, a priest, and a leader of exiles returning to Judah from Babylon in the mid-fifth century BCE, and the book named after him. Return from Babylon to the dedication of the restored Temple of Jerusalem, Theme: reestablishment of proper worship and the reconstruction of the temple, Member of the priestly family, Scribe, P's edition of the Torah. Views true Israel as those who returned, reestablishing proper worship with the rebuilding of the temple, mission is to impose requirements of commandments (religious revival and conformity)

mashal/proverb

A short pithy saying, often in poetry. Insights about human experience and religious dimension, Absolute divine justice, Mostly depict lives of wealthy elite, Special attention to poor and needy, Rights of widows and orphans, Xenophobic, Patriarchal, The Strange Woman, Woman Wisdom

New Exodus

A theme of the prophet Second Isaiah based on the Exodus from Egypt led by Moses; Second Isaiah anticipated the release of Judean refugees from Babylonian exile in a new act of divine deliverance.

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. Used widely in the ancient Near East and is found throughout the Bible, especially in the books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, and in Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon in the Apocrypha

Synagogue

A word of Greek origin meaning "gathering together," used of religious assemblies of Jews and the buildings in which such assemblies took place diaspora

Jew/Jewish

Can you be Jewish in a foreign land? Israelites, comes from Yehudi an inhabitant of Judah, refer to exiles from Judah as well, nationality not constrained by geography

Bildad, Eliphaz, Zophar

After the Lord allowed Satan to afflict Job, three of his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came to comfort him. However, all three wrongly assumed that Job's suffering was the result of some hidden sin. Each man urged Job to repent so that God would have mercy on him. But Job insisted that he was innocent. Although it is true that some suffering is a result of sin, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar oversimplified this truth. They believed that all troubles are punishments for wrongdoing, which was not the case for Job

Ahijah the Prophet

Ahijah the Shilonite, was a Levite prophet of Shiloh in the days of Solomon, as mentioned in the Hebrew Bible's First Books of Kings. Ahijah foretold to Jeroboam that he would become king. Is significant because he told of the separation of the northern and southern kingdoms.

Call Narrative

An account found in some historical and prophetic books that record the prophet's experience of being called into prophetic ministry; the call was usually issued in the presence of God. Displays what they will preach about. They have authority because of Yahweh not upbringing

Messiah

Anointed one. used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to past and present kings and priests who had been anointed (Saul).

Sennacherib

Assyrian empire - Sennacherib is king. This is after destruction of Northern Kingdom in 722 Attacks judea, does not destroy jerusalem. King Hezekiah is king of Judah at the time. Isaiah says trust in the Lord. Jerusalem is spared, Bible presents it as miraculous protection of Jerusalem, part of ZION THEOLOGY

Uriah

Bathsheba's husband who was sent to die in battle

minimalist vs maximalist

Biblical "minimalists," who dismiss those histories as myths about a distant past (because the Biblical texts were composed too late after the fact to be true). Differ over the usefulness of the Bible for archaelogical interpretation. Finkelstein is a minimalist, think it's basically irrelevant, Mazar argues that it's very useful.

Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles

Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to Yhwh on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare ... Only when Babylon's seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.

Tamar

David's daughter, raped by her half-brother Amnon

Amnon

David's eldest son. Raped half-sister Tamar. Invited to party by Absalom and killed by servants. Parallels Bathsheba and Uriah

Succession Narrative

David's succession of the throne potential heirs of Saul and therefore killed 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."

Judah

David's tribe, comes to see themselves as the sole remnant of the original house of Israel and claim the title of Israelites. Judah was conquered by the Babylonians, and eventually became the Persian Empire, asserted that Yahweh's sole national shrine was in Jerusalem

Mesha Stele/Moabite Stone

Describes how Mesha was able to capture some people of Israel in the late 9th century. • "[Chemosh] let me be victorious over all my adversaries. Omri was king of Israel and he oppressed Moab for many days because Chemosh was angry with his land. And his son replaced him; and he also said, 'I will oppress Moab.' In my days he spoke thus. But I was victorious over him and his house. And Israel suffered everlasting destruction"

586 BCE

Destruction of the first temple

Law of the King

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 spells out the laws concerning kings. The king is to be divinely chosen. He is to be an Israelite and not a foreigner. The law of the king seems to have been written with specific kings in mind, as they are described in the books of Kings

Tel Dan Stele

Discovered in northern Israel, written in Aremenian, king it is about unnamed, debate about date and age, says house of David, first reference to David outside the bible

United Monarchy

During the tenth century BCE, the ten northern tribes of Israel and the southern tribe of Judah were united under the rule of David and his son Solomon, both of whom were 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 Temple as symbol

Eli

Eli was, according to the Books of Samuel, a High Priest of Shiloh. When Hannah came to Shiloh to pray for a son, Eli initially accused her of drunkenness, but when she protested her innocence, Eli wished her well. Hannah's eventual child, Samuel, was raised by Eli in the tabernacle

Babylonian Exile

Emphasized the Passover, circumcision, dietary laws, home/family practices as a way of worship. Without it there would not be a deep theological crisis and thus preservation of rituals in textual form. Judah was conquered by the Babylonians, and eventually became the Persian Empire. Exilic edition of the Deuteronomic history as a product of Judeans who experienced exile in Babylonia and understood the entire history of Israel as one of apostasy. They have to figure out how to worship in a foreign land without the temple.

Mordecai

Esther's uncle, uncovered a plot to assassinate the king, King appointed Haman as the second highest, but Mordecai refused to acknowledge his status by bowing in his presence, Haman plotted to kill Mordecai and all the Jews, Mordecai instructed Esther to intervene with the king to save her people

Greek Esther

Faints. Additions contains a dream of Mordecai foreshadowing destruction, and Mordecai's discovery of a plot against the king, the prayer of Mordecai and the prayer of Esther, asking for deliverance. account of Esther's appearance before the king is longer and more dramatic. gives the contents of the edict on behalf of the Jews. Religious elements, Hellenistic view where religious identity as more important than ethnic identity

597 BCE

First Babylonian deportation, beginning of Babylonian exile

Saul

First king of Israel, in the late eleventh century BCE. Father of Jonathan, Michal, and Ishbaal. After his death in battle with the Philistines, he was succeeded by David. Successful Military leader, Was originally selected by God as king but later was rejected in favor of David, Eventually viewed David as a threat, Became obsessive, Historian's view of him turns negative, Was unable to deal with the Philistines' threat decisively

Nehemiah

Governor of Judah appointed by the Persians in the mid-fifth century BCE, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and led religious reforms. ethical purity, and returned exiles impose standards on those who remained

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Greek ruler of the Syrian kingdom who reigned from 175 to 164 BC. As a ruler he was best known for his encouragement of Greek culture and institutions (Hellenization). His attempts to suppress Judaism provoked the Maccabean revolt. Took over Jerusalem after Cyrus and outlawed Judaism. In the Jews's Holy Temple, he placed a statue of Zeus — the god he believed was manifest in his own royal being — and sacrificed swine on the altar. He stripped the Temple of its sacred vessels, including the seven-branched golden menorah, and stole the silver and gold coin Book of Daniel, in chs. 7-12. Apocalyptic section

Gomer

Hosea Rejected that his wife Gomer was a prostitute, Parallel relationship between Yahweh and Israel, Covenant relationship. Symbolizes Israel and Israel is unfaithful

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. admonish the people to be obedient to the law. The former prophets are identified by scholars as the Deuteronomistic History

Latter Prophets

In Jewish tradition, the second part of the prophets, comprising the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and the Book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets). Biographical materials about the prophet, in the third person, Autobiographical materials, Oracles by the prophets. Also known as the literary prophets

First Isaiah

In modern scholarship, the parts of Isaiah 1-39 that are associated with the eighth-century BCE prophet Isaiah. oracles against Israel with autobiographical and biographical narratives and against foreign nations, "Isaiah apocalypse", postexilic additions. judgement and punishment

Royal Ideology

In modern scholarship, the term for the complex of ideas associated with the Davidic monarchy, including the Davidic covenant. • No explicit formulation, King chosen by God, Had a special relationship, Sonship, Covenant, King was essential mediator between God and his people, Religious and political centralization

Book of the Twelve/Minor Prophets

In modern scholarship, the twelve shorter prophetic books, from Hosea through Malachi. Is last book of the Nevi'im, the second main division of the Jewish Tanakh

Enkidu

In the epic of Gilgamesh, the wild man created by the gods to distract Gilgamesh from his destructive behavior. Gilgamesh and Enkidu became friends, and Enkidu's death motivated Gilgamesh to seek immortality. At one point the goddess Ishtar tried to seduce Gilgamesh but he rejected her so she decreed Enkidu must perish. Greatest regret is coming into civilization

Golden Calves

Jeroboam 1 was the First ruler of northern kingdom and Establishes two holy shrines To discourage worship in Jerusalem, God enthroned on golden calves, Deuteronomistic historians believed this action violated the principle of a central sanctuary for all Israel and interpreted it as idolatry. Were not meant to be idols as they were not worshipping them but were meant to be like a thrown for Yahweh

Ephraim

Joseph's son who was a founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Dominant tribe in the north. Metonym for north, "Israel" meaning the north is also called "Ephraim."

Esther

Judean exile and heroine of the book named after her, according to which she became queen of Persia and saved her people. (see also Purim). Part of The Writings. Was the Jewish queen of Persia. saves her people from destruction. Etiology of the festival of Purim. Being Jewish as ethnic identity rather than piety. Never mentions God too many perfected coincidences, God prefers to remain anonymous. Teach Jews how to live a productive life in diaspora. applied wisdom: how a wise man lead a successful life

Source Criticism

Julius Wellhausen. Identifies different sources within composite biblical texts, develops tools to pick them apart and think about their distinct origins and purposes. Documentary hypothesis.

Ahasuerus

King Ahasuerus replaces Queen Vashti with Esther because she refused to attend a banquet where her beauty would be paraded before the guests. Mordecai instructed Esther to intervene with the king to save her people. Never refers to primary components of Jewish tradition or mentions God. Being Jewish as ethnic identity rather than piety.

Haman the Agagite

King appointed Haman as the second highest, but Mordecai refused to acknowledge his status by bowing in his presence, Story of Esther, Haman plotted to kill Mordecai and all the Jews

Tiglath-Pileser III

King of Assyria (745-727 BCE) who extended Assyrian control over the Near East. Israel his vassal, Deported the populace of conquered territories to multiple places within the empire and resettling the conquered territories with outsiders, Diminished likelihood of nationalistic uprisings, Source of labor, Coalition created to stop, King of Judah refused to join and became a vassal, Death resulted in rebellion against Assyria, Son and successor, Shalmaneser, besieged Samaria and captured it, and made the northern kingdom an Assyrian province

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon (ruled 605-562 BCE) who captured Jerusalem in 586 and exiled many of those living there in Babylon

Josiah

King of Judah (640-609 BCE) who conducted a reform of worship inspired by a version of the book of Deuteronomy. Found the book of the law and established or compiled important Hebrew Scriptures during the "Deuteronomic reform" which probably occurred during his rule. He did what was right in the sight of Yhwh, and walked in all the way of his father David

Hezekiah

King of Judah (715-687 BCE) during whose reign the Assyrian king Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem. He was advised by the prophet Isaiah. Asserted independence, 727-687 BCE, One of the most important kings according to Deuteronomistic historians, Fidelity to the Deuteronomic Code concerning exclusive and pure worship of Yahweh, Withdrew tribute to Assyria while they were preoccupied with Babylonia and allied with Egypt and Ethiopia and probably Babylonia, Ended up being forced back, Economic and social catastrophe, Reformed worship in Jerusalem. the twelfth king of Judah after the partition of the United Monarchy, He reformed the cult in the Temple, reorganized the priests and the Levites, and eradicated idolatry throughout the country. It was during his reign, in 722 B.C.E., that Assyria conquered the kingdom of Israel and deported most of its inhabitants.

Cyrus 2

King of Persia (559-530 BCE) who captured Babylon and allowed the Judean exiles there to return Judah. Cyrus undertook to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, Allowed exiles to return, and said he was inspired by Yahweh.Unites Persian tribes, allows everyone to worship there own gods, prefers to have those dispersed go back to there homeland and worship, Judea's deliverer

Assyrian Empire

Kingdom in Northern Mesopotamia that ruled much of the Near East during the first millennium BCE. The Assyrians captured the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE and laid siege to Jerusalem in 701 BCE, marking the end of the kingdom of Israel. Judah comes to see themselves as the sole remnant of the original house of Israel and claim the title of Israelites. Used Suzerainty treaties and had Judah as a vassal. Deuteronomy was written during this time. Exile as a deserved punishment for that apostasy. Overextended themselves and were taken over by Babylon

Persian Empire

Kingdom in modern Iran that ruled the Near East from the late sixth to the late fourth centuries BCE (Cyrus)

Amarna Letters

Letters between egypt and its vassals in the14th century BCE that tells of people who are "troublemakers" who are going against Egyptian law, and is a union of people resisting oppression and come under one God called Yahweh, does not mention Israel but makes sense as they are not different archeologically

Diaspora

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. Relies on the importance of memory. In Babylon Established synagogues, Pray facing Jerusalem, Torah studied and interpreted. Many Israelites do not return and remain scattered from homeland, reconciled in living outside the homeland

Gideon/Jerubbaal

Major judge, Begins with the raids by Midianites, Divine messenger tells Gideon he will deliver Israel, Turns bad. Reestablishes Yahweh as being ruler of Israel, destroyed the alter of Baal and replaced it with an alter to God

Covenant of Grant

Makes a good warrior a king. Is eternal. Made with all descendants. Rights of a favored individual are protected. Davidic covenant is one. Yahweh bound by oath. been found in Hittite, Babylonian and Neo-Assyrian texts.

722 BCE

Northern Kingdom of Israel conquered by Assyrians

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 for the control of Canaan.

David

Son of Jesse, shepherd, kills Goliath. Saul is jealous of him. Samuel the prophet anoints him King of Israel. Not in line from previous King. Became King anyway. Best friends with Saul's son jonathan, marries michal. Has sex with Bathsheba, sends Uriah the Hittite to die on front Lines. Captures Jerusalem, makes it the capital. Did stuff he wasn't supposed to do. Apologetic literature - doing things that aren't good, but the text defends him. Deuteronomistic history. Zion is connected to the covenant of grant given to David. 2 Samuel 7. Identified in tradition as author of psalms. Remembered as the golden standard despite his bad doings

Utanapishtim

Survivor of Mesopotamian Great Flood, granted immortality by the gods. Gives Gilgamesh two chances to become immortal.

Baal

The Canaanite storm-god, who in Ugaritic myth defeats Sea and Death. In the Bible, worship of Baal is condemned. In the North it was normal to think other gods also had power and thus worshipped them. Epics concerning the founder of the royal house of Ugarit, Kirta, and Danel. Enhanced knowledge of Canaanite religion and culture.

Maccabean Revolt

The Jewish uprising against the Syrians and their king, Antiochus Epiphanes, starting in 167 B.C.E., in protest against the forced imposition of Hellenistic culture and the proscription of Jewish practices such as circumcision. After the victory, the Maccabees entered Jerusalem in triumph and ritually cleansed the Temple, reestablishing traditional Jewish worship there and installing Jonathan Maccabee as high priest. Rededication of the temple

Woman Wisdom

The depiction of the concept of wisdom as a goddess who is the companion of Yahweh. Source of order in society and success in life, Hypostasis- divinized personification of an abstract quality. • Particular role as being an intermediary between Yahweh and humanity

Second Temple

The Temple completed in 515 BCE to replace the Temple of Solomon, which has been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. Persian imperial support, not unanimously supported, problem with the second temple is that it is not the first reestablishment of proper worship

Major Prophets

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.

Deuteronomistic History

The books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 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 centurie BCE by the Deuteronomistic Historians, who were informed by the principles of the book of Deuteronomy. Product of Judeans who experienced exile in Babylonia and understood the entire history of Israel as one of apostasy, Nation's successes and failures attributed to divine power, failure of Israel to live up to its covenant with God, God ultimately chose leaders, Status of Jerusalem as the central place of worship, writing in Judah after the fall of the northern kingdom, Hope in divine forgiveness. People judged on whether following the Mosaic and Davidic covenant, want to teach you something as the beginning of new deeper relationship with Yahweh not an actual history. Desire to pass on heritage and remembering what had been. themes: The struggle against idolatry, Jerusalem as the center of worship, Monotheism, Observance of the Law, Inheritance of the Land of Israel, Reward and retribution, The divine right of David and his lineage as kings

Samaria

The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel from the ninth century to 722 BCE, when it fell to the Assyrians

Immanuel

The child whose birth and early life were signs from God to Ahaz, king of Judah, during the Syro-Ephraimite War (Isaiah 7:14). He was probably the child of the prophet Isaiah and his wife, who was also a prophet. The one who refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

Davidic Covenant

The covenant between Yahweh and David, which guaranteed the divine protection of the dynasty that David founded and of Jerusalem, its capital city. King chosen by God and was essential mediator between God and his people. unconditional

Purim

The festival commemorating the deliverance of the Judeans from the plot of the Persian official Haman by Esther and Mordecai. • Flips upside down, it becomes the day of victory and celebration. Theme of the book

Isaiah

The great prophet who guided the reforms of Hezekiah. His prophecies often refer to the coming of the Messiah. Major prophet, Connections between Isaiah and the Deuteronomists, oracles against Israel and foreign nations, Prophetic career during the reigns of Uzziah to Hezekiah, Dire pronouncements of divine judgement, Insistence on social justice, Curses taking form of Assyrian invasion, Yahweh is ultimately responsible for historical events, central figure advising Hezekiah to trust in Yahweh, rejected. Prophesized in the south (742-701), Yahweh's holiness is radically other, purifies his lips, importance of temple, Yahweh as king

Gilgamesh

The hero of the Mesopotamian epic named for him, who with Enkidu travels widely and ultimately meets Utnapishtim. Parallels with the story of David, friendship, dichotomy between nature and civilization, theme of fear of dying

Daniel

The hero of the book named after him, in which he is a courtier in the court of kings in Babylon and Persia and receives revelations concerning the history and the future of the Jews. Part of The Writings as Heroic fiction and apocalyptic literature. Linked by the character Daniel and the shared view of the ultimate supremacy of God and the progression of empires. Displays Babylonia diaspora. He was a divinely endowed interpreter of dreams. He is significant because he acts as a model of how of how Jews are to act under foreign rule

Zion

The hill on which the oldest part of Jerusalem was built. A poetic name for the city of Jerusalem. cosmic mountain of infinite and universal scope, Jerusalem as a cosmic center and navel of the world, earthly manifestation of the heavenly temple

Zion Theology

The ideology in Israel that affirmed the divine promises to the house of David and the invulnerability of the city of Jerusalem

Samuel

The last of the Judges, and the man chosen by God to anoint Saul and David kings for Israel. Deuteronomistic history. The individual who presided over the transition of Israel, Articulated the Deuteronomistic historian's view of the failure of Israel to live up to its covenant with God

Epic of Gilgamesh

The most famous extant literary work from ancient Mesopotamia, it tells the story of one man's quest for immortality.

Mount Moriah

The mount upon which took place the sacrifice of Isaac; later becomes the site of the temple. Sinai

Sinai

The mountain from which God gave Israelites his laws after their Exodus from Egypt. Its location is disputed. Revelation of the Torah, transformed destiny Unknown location so God dwells elsewhere, God is king, conditional Traditions from the past, about experience, Yahweh not attached to a certain place, describes the relationship with Yahweh, affirming the given and not based on personal experience

Israel

The name given to the patriarch Jacob in Genesis 32:28; Jacob's twelve sons then became the ancestors of the tribes of Israel. Second, it designates the people and later the geopolitical entity formed from the twelve tribes. Third, it is used as the name of the northern kingdom of Israel, as opposed to the southern kingdom of Judah. Israel is holy because it was separated by Yahweh, Survival of Israel dependent on their observance of the law of Moses

Ark of the Covenant

The religious symbol of the premonarchic 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. It is the Divine thrown, Functioned as the container for the text of the covenant, War emblem, Central sacred object in a ritual procession, Religious and political centralization, unifying symbol of Israel confederation.

Circumcision

The removal of the foreskin. According to Genesis 17:9-14, it is the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and is to be performed on all of Abraham's male descendants on the eighth day after birth.

Ketuvim (writings)

The third of three parts of the Hebrew Bible, comprising the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. Historical, Concern with the present and focused on the human condition as it is actually experienced, Lack explicit reference to main events

Babylonian Empire

Took over Assyria, became one of the centers for Jewish life and learning, overextended

Hannah

Wife of Elkanah and mother of Samuel. Samuel's mother who Unable to have children, so she Prays directly to Yahweh at the sanctuary and makes a vow, asking for a son. Has Samuel, Motif highlights the son as divinely designated for an important role, After he has been weaned, she takes him back to the sanctuary at Shiloh and dedicates him to the service of Yahweh, in accordance with her vow

Bathsheba

Wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of King David's warriors. David committed adultery with her and had her husband killed. Later she became the mother of Solomon. Showed David's Failure as military commander, politician, and servant of Yahweh. He committed adultery and murder by proxy. Punished by death of newborn son and an ominous prophecy that the sword would never depart from David's house. Solomon named successor persuaded by Bathsheba. She is like Sarah and Rebekah.

Syncretism

a blending of beliefs and practices from different religions into one faith Solomon! Worship of different deities alongside one another.

Sabbath

a day set apart to rest and honor God

the satan

advocate for the other side in Job

Cyrus Cylinder

considered the 1st human rights declaration; chronicles Cyrus' peaceful capture of Babylon. an inscription from the time of Cyrus of Persia, saying that Cyrus sent the peoples who had been exiled by the Babylonians back to their homelands and ordered them to rebuild the temples of their gods.

wisdom

expert knowledge about the practical aspects of life proverbs

The Book of Proverbs

gives advice on how to live

Esther's Prayer

greek addition

Sheol

in ancient Hebrew cosmology this was the underworld, the dwelling place of the dead

Eschatology

ingathering of the exiled diaspora, the coming of a Jewish Messiah, afterlife, end times. Doctrine concerned with end of a certain period in the history of mankind or of a nation that is followed by another, entirely different, historical period. Before destruction of second temple. daniel 12, resurrection of the dead. Also restoration of Israel and its power

The Sin of Jeroboam

installs golden calves at places of sacrifice in the north, violation of Deuteronomistic law, wanted a new religious system to establish separation of kingdoms and reestablish northern traditions, appealing to the nations, paradigm for evil: every northern king followed suit

Cultural Comparison

looking at how other cultures wrote and thought about similar problems. Gilgamesh and Genesis/David. Song of Songs and Ancient Egyptian love poetry. Enuma Elish and Genesis.

Boaz

marries Ruth as part of levrite marriage

Ancient One/Ancient of Days

name of Yahweh in Daniel. Used as a way of characterizing God as timeless. "all power and all dominion". messinic figure. Israel as a heavenly figure

Jeroboam 1

• Was Solomons head of forced labor, Yahweh came to him and said he was going to give 10 tribes to him, Solomon was going to try and kill him. First ruler of northern kingdom, Moved capital to Penuel, Establishes two holy shrines To discourage worship in Jerusalem, God enthroned on golden calves, Deuteronomistic historians believed this action violated the principle of a central sanctuary for all Israel and interpreted it as idolatry