NT Ch.2
Word
In John 1:1-14 and Revelation 19:13 Jesus is referred to as the Word (Greek logos). Hence, Christians often speak of Jesus as the Logos or the Word of God. Just as human words express the innermost depths of one's heart and mind, so Jesus is the perfect expression of what God is really like. The Scriptures are also referred to as the Word of God because they too infallibly make known the mind and heart of God.
Diadochi
The rivals who fought over control of Alexander's empire, successors of Alexander the Great
Gemara
The second major part of the Jewish Talmud, consisting primarily of extensive commentary on the Mishnah. See Mishnah; Talmud.
Herod Philip
appointed tetrarch of the districts north and east of Galilee; governed justly; was well liked
Alexander Jannaeus
became king when John died
Apocrypha
biblical or related writings not forming part of the accepted canon of Scripture
lectionaries
books containing brief selections of New Testament Scriptures for use in worship services or private devotions organized in accordance with the church year
5 Palestinian Regions
coastal plain, the foothills, a central mountain range, the wilderness and the Jordan Valley, and the eastern mountain range
Septuagint
Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible
Feast of Dedication
Hanukkah, it marks the time when the Temple was rededicated
Apocrypha
Specifically, a collection of fourteen Jewish books written mainly between 200 BC and AD 100, not found in the Hebrew Old Testament but included in the Roman Catholic Bible.
Antiochus Epiphanes
Syrian Ruler who desecrated the temple by slaughtering a pig there and setting up statues of false gods.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Syrian overlord of Jerusalem from 175 to 163 BC who attempted to destroy Jewish religion, triggered the Maccabean revolt, and polluted the temple
Vulgate
Term derived from the Latin vulgatus, meaning "common" or "popular." It refers to the Latin translation of the Bible made by Jerome near the end of the fourth century AD that became the authorized Roman Catholic version.
apocalyptic
Term describing both a theological movement and its literature. It postulates the increase of evil in the world, the near end of the age, and the decisive intervention of God to inaugurate the age to come.
praeparatio evangelium
Term used by many church fathers and contemporary theologians; it means "preparation for the gospel" and is used to convey the idea that all prior history was a prelude leading up to the coming of Christ.
Second Temple Judaism
Term used to describe the society and culture of the Jews after they returned from exile in Babylon and built the second temple. This era ended with the temple's destruction in AD 70.
Law
Term with several meanings in the New Testament. It can refer to the legal and moral teachings of the Old Testament (John 7:19) or to the first five books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch (Matt. 7:12). It can denote a general principle or standard at work within people (Rom. 7:23, 25; James 2:12) or Jewish rules generally (Acts 25:8).
Diaspora
Terms designating those Jews who were living outside Palestine, scattered or dispersed among the gentiles.
Intertestamental Period
The 400 years between Malachi and the birth of Jesus "Silent Years"
Pseudapigrapha
"false writings". Letters that have been written under a false name.
Philip
(4 BC-AD 34) -universally praised -limited personal ambition -kept extravagant building to a minimum
John the Baptist
(New Testament) a preacher and hermit and forerunner of Jesus (whom he baptized)
Torah
A Hebrew word meaning "law," referring to the first five books of the Old Testament written by Moses.
Zealots
A Jewish party of extreme nationalism in Jesus's day that advocated armed rebellion to usher in the kingdom of God. Their actions precipitated the Jewish War of AD 66-70, which culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, the Roman general and future emperor. One of Jesus's disciples, Simon, was a former Zealot (Mark 3:18; Acts 1:13).
Aramaic
A Semitic language related to Hebrew commonly spoken in Palestine during Jesus's day and used by him in ordinary discourse. It dates back to ancient Syria (biblical Aram). Part of the Old Testament is written in Aramaic.
Mishnah
A collection of Jewish legal teachings dating from the second century BC to the second century ADdesigned to draw out the full meaning of the law (Torah). Together with the Gemara (commentary on it), it constitutes the Talmud.
Tosefta
A collection of Jewish legal writings that parallel the Mishnah. This material was written roughly the same time as the Mishnah, but it was not deemed as authoritative, so it was excluded from the Mishnaic canon. The word "Tosefta" means "supplement." See also Mishnah.
Enlightenment Policy
Allowed conquered peoples who had been sent into exile to return to their native lands and reestablish themselves as semiautonomous units under his benevolent leadership
Feast of Dedication
An eight-day Jewish festival, beginning on the twenty-fifth of Kislev (November/December), commemorating the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 164 BC and the relighting of the temple candles (1 Macc. 4:52-59). It was also called the Feast of Lights and today is known as Hanukkah. Jesus attended this feast (John 10:22-39).
sacrifice
An offering of value made to God in recognition of his glory and of our dependence on him. In the Old Testament an elaborate system of animal sacrifices was established. This was fulfilled by the death of Jesus, who offered himself as the final sacrifice, once for all (Heb. 9:11-14; 10:10). Believers are to offer themselves as living sacrifices to be used by God in his service (Rom. 12:1, 2).
Talmud
Collection of Jewish traditions that forms the basis of Judaism's life and thought. It developed over several centuries and was codified in two collections, the Palestinian and the Babylonian
polytheistic syncretism
Combining the beliefs of different religions. This combination results in a new religion that includes the worship of many gods. See also religious syncretism.
midrash
Commentary on the Hebrew text of the Old Testament by the rabbis. Such commentary began as early as 50 BC. Midrash falls into two major categories: halakic, dealing with legal matters, and haggadic, moral homilies on the text. See also haggadah; halakah.
John Hyrcanus
Different groups formed within the Hasidim during the rule of ______.
mezuzah
Doorpost of a city gate, sanctuary, or private home. In Judaism the term eventually denoted the container affixed to a doorpost in which scriptural passages were placed.
Time of Restoration
Exiled peoples brought back to Palestine for a new start
Justin Martyr
First apologist, one who defends the faith, was martyred for refusing to sacrifice to idols.
rabbis
Found in the writings of the rabbis (Jewish religious teachers and leaders) active before and during New Testament times.
Septuagint
The Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It appeared between approximately 250 BC and AD 50. It was used by diaspora Jews who no longer spoke Hebrew as their native language. It is sometimes called "The Seventy" (hence LXX) because, according to tradition, seventy (or seventy-two) scholars translated it in seventy-two days. See also Apocrypha; Diaspora, dispersion; Jamnia.
Seleucid Empire
The Hellenistic empire in Syria, Persia, and Bactria after Alexander's death; founded by Seleucus.
Judas Maccabeus
The Jewish General who led the revolt against Antiochus IV.
Targumim
Free translation of the Hebrew Old Testament into Aramaic at the time when Hebrew was no longer fully understood by all Jews. Aramaic, a language related to Hebrew, had become the common language of the Middle East. Targumim arose during the intertestamental period. Many are still extant.
Judaism
General term denoting the religious system upheld by the Jews: their theological, ethical, and social beliefs and practices based on their authoritative writings, which currently includes the Old Testament and above all the Talmud. Judaism began during the captivity in Babylon/Persia (586-539 BC). There were many divergent forms of Judaism during New Testament times. See also Jamnia.
Cyrus the Great
king of Persia and founder of the Persian empire (circa 600-529 BC)
miniscules
term used by text critics to define a large group of Greek biblical manuscripts written in a running script of smaller letters
unicials
term used by text critics to define a large group of Greek biblical manuscripts written in large, carefully formed letters similar to our capital letters
Aristobulus
the Jewish high priest who declared himself king in Jerusalem
concursus
the complementary interworking of God and human writers in the composition of the Bible
Diaspora
the dispersion of the Jews outside Israel
Byzantium
the eastern portion of the Roman empire; lasted 1000 years after the fall of Western Rome
AD
time deriving from the Latin "Anno Domini" (Year of our Lord), using the birth of Christ as the point of reference
scribe
writer of scripture
Jerusalem destroyed
AD 66 to 70, by Romans
Israelites or Jews
ancient people with whom God chose to deal with in a unique way
books of the Apocrypha
-Additions to Esther -Baruch -Bel and the Dragon -1&2 Esdras -1&2 Maccabees -Prayer of Manasseh -Wisdom of Solomon -Psalm 151
Ruling Periods
-Maccabean/Hasmonean Period: 166-63 BC -The Domination of Rome: 63 BC- AD 70 -The rule of Herod the Great: 37-4 BC -The rule of Herod's Descendants: 4 BC - AD 66 -The Jewish War and the Destruction of Jerusalem: AD 66-70
Pharisees
-The best known religious group in Jesus's day. -had two major schools of thought: the followers of Hillel and the followers of Shammai -The Pharisees accepted both Scripture and tradition as authoritative; affirmed the traditional theological doctrines of God's providence, angels, resurrection, and the afterlife; held to a strict observance of Jewish legal rules (their name means "separated"); and opposed Jesus and early Christianity, for, among other reasons, the Christians' apparent disregard of key Jewish rules.
Factors that unified the Jews
-idea that God had placed them in Palestine forever -the messianic fervor of the time -the synagogue -the Torah and tradition, which included Sabbath keeping and circumcision -the temple -the priesthood -the festivals
Sadducees
A group of Jews in Jesus's day comprised primarily of the priestly aristocracy, who relied only on the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch). They rejected the idea of angels, life after death, providence, and the resurrection. They were willing to cooperate with the Romans to preserve the nation.
Rabbi
A highly respected teacher of Jewish law or theology
tractates
A literary subdivision of the Mishnah, like a book or chapter of the Bible.
Essenes
A sect of Judaism at the time of Jesus that emphasized apocalyptic, asceticism, and strict obedience to the law. The Qumran community by the Dead Sea was probably Essene. See apocalyptic; Dead Sea Scrolls; Qumran.
tephillin
A small leather box containing Scripture. It was to be worn by Jewish men when they prayed.
ethnarch
A subordinate ruler. The term's precise meaning varied throughout the Greco-Roman era during which it was used.
Herod the Great
A wickedly ambitious king who took over the government of Palestine with the support of the Romans, expanded the temple
Am ha-Aretz
Hebrew term meaning "people of the land" and referring to the common, uneducated masses, who were looked down on by the upper levels of society
Hasidim
Hebrew term used to designate those pious Jews who would not abandon their faith, even if it meant their death, during the persecutions of Antiochus IV, Epiphanes, in the second century BC (1 Macc. 2:42).
Archileus, Philip, and Antipus
Herod's three sons who inherited divided kingdom
Hyrcanus
High Priest, Levite
gentiles
In Jewish thought, one who is racially a non-Jew and who, theologically speaking, is not in covenant relationship with God. Typically, gentiles were considered "unclean" by the Jews of Jesus's day.
Logos
In John 1:1-14 and Revelation 19:13 Jesus is referred to as the Word (Greek logos). Hence, Christians often speak of Jesus as the Logos or the Word of God. Just as human words express the innermost depths of one's heart and mind, so Jesus is the perfect expression of what God is really like. The Scriptures are also referred to as the Word of God because they too infallibly make known the mind and heart of God.
pseudepigrapha
Often fanciful religious books written between 200 BC and AD 200 falsely ascribed to well-known figures of the past, such as Elijah, Moses, or Enoch. Such books sometimes have points of contact with the Old or the New Testament but were never accepted as part of the Bible.
Herodians
Jewish party of Jesus's day that sought to keep Herod's dynasty in power. Their theological views were similar to the Sadducees. Some actually wished to kill Jesus after a miracle in Galilee.
Alexander the Great
King of Macedonia who conquered Greece, Egypt, and Persia
incarnation
Latin word meaning "having become flesh." Theologically, it is the doctrine that the Second Person of the eternal Trinity became a human being by taking on human flesh in being born of the virgin Mary (John 1:14; Phil. 2:6-8; 1 Tim. 3:16).
Dead Sea Scrolls
Old Testament manuscripts discovered in 1947 in a cave near the Dead Sea along with other writings
synagogue
Local place of worship and teaching in Judaism. Synagogues developed during the intertestamental period, beginning after the destruction of the temple in 587 BC, as places where Jews could study the law, meet together, worship God, and administer justice according to the law. When the temple was rebuilt during Herod's reign, synagogues continued to exist because many people could not travel to the Jerusalem temple to worship. There were numerous synagogues throughout the Roman Empire, with many in Palestine itself. Early Christian worship paralleled the synagogue service in many respects.
Dead Sea
Lowest point on earth
Machaerus
Major fortress city of Perea, where John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed
Diadochi
Military successors to Alexander the Great who fought among themselves as they carved up his empire following his death. Antigonus Cyclops seized Asia Minor; Ptolemy took Egypt and North Africa; Seleucus Nicator took the territory stretching from Mesopotamia east to India; others took less significant portions.
Persia
Modern day Iran
Greek
Most common Language
Maccabees
Nickname meaning "the Hammer" that was applied to Judas, son of Mattathias, who led his brothers and others in a successful war against their Syrian oppressors in about 167 BC.
Coastal plain and foothills
Noted for their crops and pasturage
Cyrus
Persian king who created a huge empire in 559 BC, and brought about the Enlightenment Policy
priest
Person authorized to offer ritual sacrifices and make intercession before God in a specially designated place of worship.
traditions
Religious teachings that run parallel to the canonical Scriptures, in some instances considered equally authoritative with those canonical Scriptures. The Pharisees in Jesus's day honored their traditions along with the Old Testament Scriptures; the Sadducees did not. Today's Roman Catholics base their doctrine on Scripture and tradition, while Protestants seek to base their doctrine on sola scriptura, or Scripture alone.
Samaritans
Resident of a region roughly equivalent to Israel in the Old Testament, lying west of the Jordan River between Galilee to the north and Judea to the south. The Samaritans separated from the other Jews in about 400 BC and had their own Bible (Torah), temple on Mount Gerizim, sacrifices, and worship. They were bitterly resented by the Jews as apostates. Most Jews would have nothing to do with them (John 4:9).
monotheistic
The belief that there is only one God.
tithe
The contribution of a tenth of one's income, in money or in possessions, to the Lord for use in supporting the nation's religious activities
Seleucid Empire
The dynasty founded by Alexander the Great's general Seleucus after Alexander's death in 323 BC. It ruled Syria from approximately 312 BC until Roman times. The Seleucids' capital city was Antioch. They controlled Palestine in the second century BC until they were driven out by the Maccabees after the defeat of Antiochus IV.
Hasmoneans
The family name of those Jews (the Maccabees) and their descendants who instigated the revolt against the Syrians in 167 BC (1 Macc. 14:25-45; Josephus, Ant. 20.8.11). See also Maccabee(s).
Sabbath
The seventh day (Saturday) of the Jewish week, set apart by God for rest and as a sign of the covenant made with Israel (Exod. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15). Jesus said the Sabbath was made for the benefit of the human race (Mark 2:23-28). The book of Hebrews sees in the Sabbath a foreshadowing of our rest in heaven (Heb. 4:9-11). Christians worship on the first day of the week (Sunday) in honor of Jesus's resurrection from the dead.
Hellenization
The spread of Greek culture, begun during the time of Alexander the Great
Shema
The supreme Jewish confession of belief as found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Numbers 15:37-41, expressing Judaism's monotheistic faith. It was recited at home and in the synagogue in Jesus's day. Jesus referred to it when formulating the two great commandments (Mark 12:28-31). "Shema" is the first word of Deuteronomy 6:4 in Hebrew, "Hear . . ."
Sanhedrin
The supreme judicial council of Judaism. It began in about the fourth century BC and in Jesus's day consisted of seventy-one members, divided into three categories: the high priests, the elders, and the scribes. The council arbitrated matters of Jewish law, and its decision was final. Jesus (Matt. 26:59), Stephen (Acts 6:12-15), Peter and John (Acts 4:5-21), and Paul (Acts 22:30-23:10) were all tried, in one way or another, by the Sanhedrin.
Decapolis
This area was large and included 10 large cities collectively called by what name.
oral traditions
Traditions of a group that are passed from person to person or from generation to generation in oral form before they are written down. In the New Testament period, the time when tradition was passed on by word of mouth was very short. Eyewitnesses were still alive during the process (see Luke 1:1-4).
saint
Word derived from the Latin sanctus meaning "holy." In the New Testament Christians are called to be saints (holy) because they serve a holy God, should live holy lives, and are filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 1:7). Because of this believers are sometimes called simply "saints" (Col. 1:4; 1 Tim. 5:10 NRSV).
2 Maccabees
a Jewish writing of the history of the Maccabean revolt, and focuses on the insult to the temple and its cult, blaming the Jewish Hellenizers
Antigonus
a general of Alexander the Great and king of Macedonia
prophet
a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God.
synagogue (n)
a place for meeting together for worship and religious instruction in the Jewish faith
Mattathias
a priest who touched off the Jewish revolt against Antiochus and the Greeks
Ptolemies
a regional dynasty after the death of Alexander; ruled in Egypt.
BC
abbreviation meaning Before Christ
canon
an established set of principles; a basis or standard for judgment; Scriptures received by the church as authoritative for its life and thought
papyrus
ancient paper made from stem or reed of papyrus plant
apocalyptic
prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse
the Prophets
second section of the OT consisting of historical writings, Psalms, Proverbs, and other works
