Ancient Israel

Ten Commandments

This is a set of laws based on the Hebrew religion, which they believed was given to Moses by God. They are found in Exodus in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Polytheism

This is the belief in many gods who created and ruled over the earth, which was in conflict with monotheism.

Monotheism

This is the belief in one god, which was the practice of the Hebrew people. This was different from the other civilizations around them. They believed they could talk to God through prayer.

Torah

This means "God's Teaching" and consists of the first five books of the Jewish Bible, which Christians call the Old Testament.

Exodus

This means "to leave" and is referred to as the escape of the Hebrews (Israelites) out of Egypt, led by Moses.

Moses

A man of Hebrew descent but was raised an an Egyptian. He led the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt and eventually into Canaan.

Hebrews

A nomadic group of people who originally came from Mesopotamia about 2000 BC and settled close to the Mediterranean Sea. They are ancestors of today's Jewish people and are the founders of Judaism.

Abraham

He is called the father of the Hebrew people. He was born in Ur in Mesopotamia and came to believe that there was only one true god. He proved his faithfulness to God with a sacrifice, and was promised that he would have many descendants and be "father of many".

King David

He was the King of Israel who lived about 1000 BC and is known for his bravery. He defeated the Philistines and other enemies and created a strong central government. He brought the Hebrew's most sacred object, The Ark of the Covenant, to Jerusalem, the capital.

Judaism

Jewish religion founded by the Hebrews, one of the world's major religions.