Intro to Old Testament Part 2 (Chs 15- )

Mesha Stela

An inscribed monument erected by the Moabite king Mesha in the mid-ninth century BCE celebrating his victory over the Israelites.

Daniel

1-6, and 7-12, 1-6 is set in exile, and 7-12 are about miracles, mysteries, and visions. Daniel used as an example for the Jews, he stays devout to Yahweh. "A good Jew in exile" There is Daniel lit beyond 1-12, has additions in the septuagint, that protestants and Jews do not hold as cannon, Catholic book is much longer. Some Daniel stories in the dead sea scrolls but too fragmented to make sense of, so many more stories than we have, he is like a folk hero in general. Known for solving mysteries.

Syro-Ephraimite War

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.

Immanuel

The child whose birth and early life were signs from God to Ahaz, king of Judah, during the Syro-Ephraimite War. He was probably the child of the prophet Isaiah and his wife, who was also a prophet.

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. David's son becomes God's son, divine adoption?

Purim

The festival commemorating the deliverance of the Jews by Esther and Mordecai from the plot of the Persian official Haman. Usually falls in the spring, a little after Passover. Dress up, go to the Temple, theatrical reenactment, raise a ruccus when the name Haman is uttered. The dinner afterwards the goal is to get very drunk and not know the difference between God bless Mordecai and God curse Haman. All about over indulgence.

Hanukkah

The festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE, which had been profaned by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The festival of lights because the candles burnt for eight days when they shouldn't have lasted more than a day "miraculous oil"

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, God restores everything in the end though he doesn't raise the dead children, Job's confidence in God is restored

Jezebel

daughter of the king of Tyre who was the wife of King Ahab of Israel in the mid-ninth century BCE, whom the prophets Elijah and Elisha condemned

messiah

derived from the Hebrew work masiah, meaning "anointed one" this term is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to past and present kings and priests who had been anointed. In later Jewish and in Christian traditions, it is used of a future leader to be sent by God

Esther

etiology for the celebration of Purim, a historical romance, Jewish in the story but not a religious story, was a part of the Haram but queen Vashti refused the king so Esther got to be queen of Persia, cousin Mordecai

Saul

first king of Israel in the late eleventh century BCE, Father of Jonathan, Michal, and Ishbaal. Offered a sacrifice without Samuel=bad. Became paranoid about David, tried to kill David who fled the lands After his death in battle with the Philistines, he was succeeded by David. David weeps over Saul and Jonathan's deaths.

Maccabees

five brothers, sons of Mattathias, who led the revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and the four books of the Apocrypha named for them. Their name means hammer.

Ezekial

he was a priest and prophet, told us that children were not punished for the sins of their elders, he prophesized the return to Jerusalem, he had many visions and said that the Exile was not going to last that long, his theology creates more individualism in Israel

Nabonidus

he was the last king of Babylon, had bizarre religious obsessions. Disrespected Marduk, the chief god, was supposed to grasp his statues hands each year to renew kingship, he moved his court out of the city to the shrine of another god (Sin) and the priests of Marduk put out calls for another king

Hezekiah's Tunnel

A 1700-ft (500-m) long tunnel under the city of David, constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah in the late eighth century BCE. Its function was to divert the waters flowing from the Gihon Spring to a location within the city wall. during Assyrian invasion.

apocalyptic

A genre of literature in which details concerning the end-time are revealed by a heavenly messenger or angel. "to uncover to reveal" a heavenly messenger, discussion of the past and present written in coded language, talk of the end times that are near at hand, God is about to act, pessimism of the current circumstances but hope for the future, surreal fantastic quality about them

covenant lawsuit

A genre used by the prophets in which Israel is put on trial by Yahweh for having violated its covenant with him

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. Hebrew starts to die out during the Exile, was mostly a language of the northern kingdom. Fairly easy to learn for those who speak similar languages. The most literary of the Semitic languages. Makes poetry and language elegant and elevated. The current Hebrew alphabet was the Aramaic alphabet. Language of diplomacy, literature, commerce, and language of the returned exiles.

Megiddo

A major city in northern Israel that because of its strategic location was the site of many battles, choke point in the mountains. In apocalyptic literature, it can be called Armageddon and is the site of the final battle between the forces of good and evil. Near modern day Tel Aviv

Zion

A name of Jerusalem, used especially in poetic texts. The rock, the natural landform and a significant elevation. The part of that landform where the temple was built.

son of man

A phrase that in the Hebrew Bible means human being. In Daniel 7.13, it is used of someone who is given universal rule; the identity of this person is disputed. A heavenly being who appears before the divine throne, authority, glory, and a kingdom. Described as one like a son of man, someone who looks like a human being. Jewish tradition is this is the arch angel Michael. Or now there are two powers in heaven, Yahweh and now this son of man. Not clear that they are talking about Jesus..but some Christians attribute it. Proliferates after Daniel, in Enoch, Ezra, ect. An apocalyptic being who God is sending to Israel to save them from their oppressors. Has three gifts, authority, glory, and a kingdom

day of 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

Jeremiah

A prophet in Judah in the late seventh and early sixth centuries BCE who interpreted the destruction of Jerusalem as divine punishment; also has a book named for him. Was a prophet during the reign of Zedekiah and was exiled to Egypt

Absalom

A son of David who murdered his half-brother Amnon who had raped Absalom's sister Tamar. He is put on house arrest, Absalom goes to Hebron and starts a rebellion there. The rebellion is successful was defeated and gets his hair caught in tree branches killed by Joab. David weeps over his death.

acrostic

A text in which the opening letters of successive lines form a word, phrase, or pattern. The acrostics in the Bible are poems in which the first letters of successive lines or stanzas are the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order.

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. Used a lot in reference to Job, of whether he did wrong or not. Is God so powerful that he can violate His own standard of justice? Does God have to be just?

city of David

Another name for Jerusalem, especially the ancient pre-Israelite city that King David captured and made his capital in the early tenth century BCE. In later tradition, it is also used of Bethlehem, David's birthplace.Was not all of Jerusalem but the walls and outcrop that David built up on the southern portion of the city. Small fortified settlement at the south of the Temple.

monotheism

Belief in one God, but in early Jerusalem may have referred more to one God before all others, other home deities still existed

Zerubbabel

Cyrus sends him back as governor in Jerusalem, he is a descendent of Josiah, son of Shealtiel, is "the branch from Babylon", vanishes after Zachariach, something happens to him but who knows what

Michal

Daughter of Saul; wife of David. Second husband follows her weeping when David comes and takes her away.

586 BCE

Destruction of the First Temple Babylonian Exile

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 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.

Mordecai

Esther's relative who refused to bow to Haman; helped Esther save the Jews, worked for the court of the Persian king, hears about a plot to kill the king. Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman because a good Jew bows only to God. Haman tries to kill every Jew in the Persian empire.

597 BCE

First Deportation of the talented artisans and merchants, including Ezekiel

Jeroboam I

First king of the northern kingdom of Israel in the late tenth century BCE, who made golden calves for worship at Bethel and Dan. These worships permanently curse the northern kingdom.

Confessions of Jeremiah

In modern scholarship, those parts of the book of Jeremiah in which he laments to God the difficulties he experienced as a prophet. The confessions are in Jeremiah 11.18-12.6, 15.10-21, 17.14-18, 18.18-23, and 20.7-18.

Nehemiah

Governor of Judah appointed by the Persians in the mid-fifth century BCE, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and led religious reforms. Ezra and Nehemiah form one book in the Hebrew Bible. A high official in the Persian government

Susanna

Heroine of the Addition to the Book of Daniel named for her who was falsely accused of adultery and was proven innocent by Daniel. Two judges want to have sex with her and drag her in front of a group of elders, and Daniel says she is innocent and he won't take part in the stoning and the judges should be sentenced to death also the trial was not properly conducted. Read the Monday before Palm Sunday.

Isaiah Apocalypse

In modern scholarship, chapters 24-27 of the book of Isaiah, an early example of apocalyptic literature perhaps dating to the fifth century BCE.

Third Isaiah

In modern scholarship, chapters 56-66 of the book of Isaiah, dating to the late sixth or early fifth century BCE. Also called Trito-Isaiah. The second temple has been restored, first temple is gone. A work of the post exilic period. Not as hopeful...talks about salvation and deferment of salvation. Later apocalyptic literature draws on third Isaiah a lot. Ends on doom and judgement

Second Zechariah

In modern scholarship, chapters 9-14 of the book of Zechariah, probably dated to the fifth century BCE. Also called Deutero-Zechariah.

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.

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."

First Isaiah

In modern scholarship, the parts of Isaiah 1-39 that are associated with the eighth-century BCE prophet Isaiah. Includes the call to be a prophet 6, and lots of divine judgement and divine justice. Assyria is the major empire. Idolatry and the worship of foreign gods is the reason for impoverishment of individuals and bad things happening in Israel

royal ideology

In modern scholarship, the term for the complex of ideas associated with the Davidic monarchy, including the Davidic covenant.

the Chronicler

In modern scholarship, the term used for the author(s) of the books of Chronicles and, according to some scholars, of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Possibly a Levite, rewrites the story in Samuel and kings and does so in a totally Judean perspective, and tells that story up to the return from Babylon, emits everything having to do with the northern kingdom, Elijan, and Elisha. Instead packs the story with the temple, the rituals, and the personnel there (very little of this is in Sam and Kings). Sam fell out of use during Jesus' time, David's character comes mostly from chronicles. Ezra and Nehemiah are often grouped with the Chronicler

Minor Prophets

In modern scholarship, the twelve shorter prophetic books, from Hosea through Malachi.

Manasseh

King before Josiah (687-642 BCE), described as an evil king, known for his apostasy, but despite bad reputation he lived and ruled a long time and died a normal death (which is problematic with Deuteronomistic history, probably why Chronicles portrays him in a better light)

Sennacherib

King of Assyria (705-681 BCE) under whom the Assyrians laid siege to Jerusalem in 701, took back rule from Hezekiah, he has lots of records about this campaign

Tiglath-pileser III

King of Assyria (745-727 BCE) who extended Assyrian control over the Near East

Nebuchadrezzar

King of Babylon who captured Jerusalem in 586 and exiled many of those living there to Babylon, his reign is richly sourced, despised in the second temple period, (changed his name to king of the ass) his goal was to conquer Egypt and he left a trail of burned cities behind

Alexander the Great

King of Greece (336-323 BCE) who conquered the Near East and Egypt, had been groomed to rule by Aristotle, started the Hellenization era, not mentioned in the Bible, 333 conquered Persian Empire, created a huge shift culturally in the world, why the Old Testament world seems so different than the New Testament world. Relentless cultural imperialism. The end of history.

Ahaz

King of Judah (735-715 BCE) who became an Assyrian vassal despite the advice of the prophet Isaiah

Hezekiah

King of Judah 715-687 BCE during whose reign the Assyrian king Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem. He was advised by the prophet Isaiah. There was no other king like him, he had a high fidelity to the Deuteronomic Code and exclusive worship of Yahweh, a daring nationalist, disastrous consequences when he refused tribute to Assyria, lots of mention in Kings and Chronicles. First version of Deuteronomist history written during his reign. Removes Yahwistic images from the temple, takes away Yahweh worship in temples across the country, takes away worship of other gods in the temple.

Jehoiachin

King of Judah, ruled for three months in 597, was deported to Babylon by Neb

Cyrus

King of Persia, captured Babylon, let the Israelites return, God loves Cyrus " I bless you Cyrus whose right hand I grasp." Renowned for his enlightened view of kingship, he thought if he made his people happy they would serve him

Jeroboam II

King of the northern kingdom (788-747 BCE) of Israel during whose reign the prophet Amos was active

Zedekiah

Last king of Judah before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC, last king of the Davidic dynasty, ruled for 11 years, was an enemy of Jeremiah who thought he was weak and not protecting Judah, rest of the elite population was deported after he was captured

Judas Maccabeus

Principal leader of the Jewish revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the 160s BCE, was a priestly family, Levites. They make themselves king of this new independent Israel but they were not Davidic so they were never really stable on the throne. First to start this resistance to Hellenistic rule, he and his army have seemingly miraculous success. Their dynasty lasts 30/40 years before the birth of Jesus, and Herod takes advantage of the chaos and becomes king.

Ecclesiastes

Qoheleth, explores the meaning of life, the author calls himself the King of Israel in Jerusalem (focuses on Solomon, though he's not the author)

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Seleucid ruler of Syria (175-164 BCE) who prohibited the Jews in Judea from practicing their religion, which led to the revolt led by the Maccabees, made every go to the greek calendar, forced everyone to follow the names of the greek gods. Oversees a series of sacrifices in Jerusalem, even sacrificed a big on the altar. He dies very horribly. Was raised in Rome as a hostage.

Solomon

Son of David and Bathseba who succeeded his father as king of Israel in the mid-tenth century BCE, he also built the Temple in Jerusalem. Known as wise, God tells him he can ask for anything and he asks for wisdom. Helps the two mothers with their claim on the baby. Visited by the Queen of Sheba, has a child with Solomon, decendants became kings of Ethiopia. Married hundreds of foreign women, introduced many foreign religions to Israel becomes apostate.

Jonathan

Son of Saul and close friend of David, dies in battle with his father, his son is spared by David. David and him have a statement of friendship that looks like a marriage right or may have been paired warriors. A vowed union between the two of them. Ate honey unknowingly when his father made an oath to not eat.

Tobias

Son of Tobit, Raphael offers to accompany him to get Tobit's money, attacked by a fish, they save the heart and the swim bladder. The heart chases away the demon, and Azmadias the demon flees away from Sarah. Use the bladder of the fish to heal Tobit's eyes, then Raphael reveals himself.

Temple of Solomon

The Temple in Jerusalem built by King Solomon in the mid-tenth century and destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. It is also known as the First Temple.

servant songs

The name for four distinct poems accredited to Second Isaiah that deal with a specific individual, "the servant," whom God would use to usher in a glorious future. Christians looks at him as the "suffering servant", Coogan sees it as a personification of Israel, we hear these on Good Friday, a servant undergoes torment on behalf of Israel

Second Temple

The temple completed in 515 B.C.E. that was permitted by the consent of Cyrus, the Persian king. It was also built in Jerusalem. Replaced the Temple of Solomon which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586. Was built with funds given by the Persian government. Gov. was very well run. Wanted to keep the Judahites happy to sure up the border with Egypt.

northern kingdom of Israel

The territory that split from Judah after the death of Solomon in the late tenth century BCE and was an independent kingdom with its capital in Samaria until the Assyrians conquered it in 722 BCE.

Hellenization

The transformation of Near Eastern culture and society by Greek ideas, especially after the conquest of the Near East by Alexander the Great in the late fourth century BCE.

prophetic gestures

The use or interpretation by a prophet of an ordinary phenomenon as having symbolic meaning.

Ahab

The wicked king of Israel. Led by his Phoenician wife Jezebel, he established the cult of Baal and persecuted the worshipers of the True God. Constructed the royal city of Samaria.

Hannah

The wife of Elkanah and mother of Samuel; she prayed for a son at the temple; Eli sees her babbling silently after Samuel was born, she dedicated him to God's service at Shiloh

Goliath

a Philistine champion killed by David, challenged one of Saul's men to a fight, David steps up, David kills him with a slingshot and cuts off his head.

Parallelism

a feature of biblical and other ancient Near Eastern poetry in which one phrase or line is followed by another that is repetitions, synonymous, contrasting, or climactic. The major stylistic motif of Hebrew poetry. Statement of an idea, and a restatement of the same idea in a different language.

oracle against the nations

a genre used by the prophets and in apocalyptic literature to describe Yahweh's judgement on foreign nations

angel

a messenger sent by God, early angels would say "fear not", Raphael "the healing of God" going around with Tobit, everyone thinks Raphael is just some guy- angels no longer obvious supernatural beings in the second temple period, become more than just messengers, have sustained identities, God's henchmen

Obadiah

a mid sixth century BCE prophet who attacked Edom, also has a book named for him ???? very similar to the oracle against Edom in Jeremiah 49, shortest book in the Bible, minor prophet. Single oracle against the nation, Edomites, putative descendents of Esau, King Herod was an Edomite

behemoth

a name for a divine adversary in Job 40:15-24, probably a primeval monster, although often identified as a hippopotamus (large, ill tempered, dangerous), described by God who was speaking, the first beast created

Leviathan

a primeval watery "adversary" in Hebrew of God, a seven headed serpent, often depicted as a dragon, hydra, the great sea monster. Represents everything that God is not, chaos, unconstrained wrath, a lack of reason. Lies at the root of the mythical monsters in apocalyptic literature

Malachi

a prophet and the book named for him, which probably dates to the fifth century BCE. Believed to be the last book of the old testament that was written, mentions Moses and Elijah. Written around the same time as Joel, a time of instability in the southern Levant. God is going to send a messenger before the day of wrath. Mark's gospel uses this when describing John the Baptist.

Joel

a prophet and the book named for him, which probably dates to the fifth or fourth century BCE. Book divided between two parts, the plague of the locusts see in this a symbol of divine wrath and what it will be like when divine judgement comes, the second an apocalyptic description

Isaiah

a prophet in Judah in the late eighth and early seventh centuries BCE who advised Ahaz and Hezekiah; likely the author or the First portion of the book named for him 1-39, may have been a court prophet involved in coronating Hezekiah, was both a supportive and critical voice, had a wife and children who have very symbolic names

Zechariah

a prophet in Judah in the late seventh century BCE, has a book named for him. Had 7 visions, early development of apocalyptic lit. One of the returned exiles, exponent of rebuilding the Temple and rebuilding Israel. Settling back in. Among the longest of the minor prophets, lots of visions and dreams. Similar to a Babylonian seer.

Habakkuk

a prophet in Judah in the late seventh century BCE; also the book named for him (one of the Minor Prophets), beginning of the book is a conversation between the prophet and Yahweh, little is known about him but in the apocryphal addition to Daniel he is teleported from Judea bringing a bowl of soup to Daniel

Zephaniah

a prophet in Judah, late seventh century, also has a book named after him, consists of a series of divine pronouncements of judgment on Judah and Jerusalem, themes on oracles against the nations, a call to repentance, and "day of the Lord" ie doomsday

Elisha

a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel in the mid- to late ninth century BCE; successor of Elijah

Hosea

a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel in the mid-eighth century BCE also the book named for him

Micah

a prophet of Judah in the late eighth century BCE; also the book named for him

Samuel

a prophet, priest, and judge in tenth century BCE Israel. He anointed both Saul and David as Israel's first kings. The books of Samuel are named for him Was likely a local leader with political pull, his story was idealized to be similar to Joshua's. Inherits Eli's priestly position once he has an interaction with God while sleeping in the temple.

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; also the book named for him. He may be P... Definitely a priestly author. Has a ceremony with the returned exiles where he reads the entire law to the exiles and they all start crying. Ambiguous if these are tears of joy or grief.

proverb

a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice, often in poetry. Not just in Israel. Proverbs were the basis of education, memorizing them was how students began learning. "school text" function to resist cultural imperialism during Hellenistic period

wisdom literature

a type of writing whose focus is human existance and often its relationship to the divine. It employs a wide 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

Synagogue

a word of Greek origin meaning "gathering together," used of religious assemblies of Jews and the buildings in which such assemblies took place. 2nd Temple period is a hybrid worship style, a major milestone of the religion of Israel, is becoming Judaism, they read the Torah there, reciting of psalms when sacrifices and pilgrimages would have taken place at the Temple

prophet

a word of Greek origin meaning "spokesperson" the prophets were believed to be recipients of direct communications from God. Sayings of and stories about many of the prophets are found in the part of the Bible known as Prophets.

Diaspora

a word that describes the scattering of Israel first in the exile from Judah to Babylon in early 6th century, it is the beginning of the distributive nature of Judaism, most Jews did not go back after the Exile (the southern Levant was not that nice a place to live)

Ben Sira (Sirach)

also Ecclesiasticus? A scribe in Judea in the early second century BCE, also the author of the book named for him. Takes many proverbs and builds upon them. Jews and Protestants do not accept this book. Originally written in Hebrew but the best version available was written in Greek. A school text like proverbs, has paragraph pieces of learning. An advertisement for the scribes school. Addresses lots of things that Greek philosophers were interested in but Sirach brings up the Israelite approach to wisdom.

Judith

heroine, widow, goes to the general of the Syrian troops, general gets drunk and she decapitates him, brings the head back and puts it on the walls of the city, very similar to Jael. Does not appear in the Protestant or Jewish Bible, written in Greek. This scene is hugely popular for Renaissance artists. Beginning of the Babylonian conquest. Set in a fictional period. "Jewish woman"

Second Isaiah

in modern scholarship chapters 40-55 of the books of Isaiah dated to the mid sixth century BCE also called Deutero-Isaiah, 6th century, composed at the end of the exile, has explicit monotheism, no prophet mentioned, but has a concious, emphasis on a much better Exodus, imitates 1st Isaiah, the major enemy is Babylon, is all about hope. Yahweh is returning to the people and the people are returning to Jerusalem. Mentions Cyrus?

Ashurbanipal

king of Assyria who built a magnificent palace and library at Nineveh (668-627 BC) under whom the Assyrians fully conquered Egypt, but he had too many children so the kingdom broke apart

Josiah

king of Judah, ruled from 640-609 BCE, conducted a reform of worship inspired by a version of the book of Deuteronomy. Responsible for the found texts Deut 12-26. He restricted worship of Yahweh to Jerusalem and reinforced land tenure (land would go back to its ancestral family eventually)

Nahum

late 7th century Minor Prophet, an oracle concerning destruction of Ninevah, follows the general prophetic view that Yahweh is responsible for all events in history, has themes of intense nationalism and intense hatred of the enemy

the glory of Yahweh

meaning luminescent, radiance, "heavy" "weighty", Ezekial sees the divine body, made of fire but shaped in human form, God has a body and it is resonant in the Temple, saw God ride away on a chariot from the temple before the Babylonians destroyed it, God is no longer in the temple, some say he is up in the sky above the Mt of Olives

Haggai

means "my festival" A prophet in the late sixth century BCE who urged the rebuilding of the Temple; also the book named for him. Remembered for one thing.. He gives the pep talk to finish the temple. Money and energy were burning out, and Haggai says the Lord wants us to finish the temple.

Elijah

northern kingdom prophet, The great prophet who challenged the pagan rulers of Israel. He was taken up to Heaven in a fiery chariot.

Jonah

one of the 12 minor prophets, a fictional narrative, post exilic, uses satire and irony, gets on a ship and goes west instead of east to Ninevah, gets thrown overboard, Jonah gets eaten by a big fish, says a really beautiful poem while in the belly, gets thrown up, goes to Ninevah, proclaims they will be destroyed in 40 days, and Ninevah repents. God sends Jonah a plant, then a worm to attack the plant, and God asks what did you do to create this plant in the first place. Only truly funny thing in the OT. Counter balance to Nahum.

Amos

prophet in Israel in the mid 8th century

David

son of Jesse, from Bethlehem. As a young man he served in Saul's army and killed the Philistine champion Goliath. Became a bandit leader once exiled by Saul. Although he was a close friend of Saul's son Jonathan and married Saul's daughter Michal, he and Saul became enemies. When Saul died, David succeeded him as King of Israel about 1000 BCE and soon moved his capital to Jerusalem. Killed all of Saul's male descendants except Jonathan's lame son. He was succeeded by his son Solomon

Tobit

tale demonstrating how Judeans should live under foreign rule, exiles from the Northern kingdom, two plots: the hero Tobit living in Ninevah, was a favorite courteir but fell out of favor for burying the dead of the Judeans. Was blinded by sparrows dung. Forces his wife to work and she does a good job, shifts to second plot: Raphael sent to rectify the situation, Sarah praying to die, married seven times and each time on her wedding night a demon shows up and kills the man

Sophia

the Greek word for wisdom, often personified, connection to Isis the Egyptian goddess, in a Greek world wisdom is a thing you want, it gets you a job, gets you ahead

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

Ruth

the daughter in law of Naomi, Ruth pledges allegiance to Ruth after Naomi's sons die, Ruth returns to Judah with Naomi and marries Boaz one of Naomi's kinsmen, purpose is to explain David's slightly Moabite ancestry since Ruth was so holy Is strange that Naomi's fam married local women. The highest form of love in the OT is loyalty and Ruth has this.

Woman Wisdom

the depiction of the concept of wisdom as a goddess who is the companion of Yahweh, sophia, hypostasis: the personification of a concept, often compared to woman folly

Rehoboam

the first king of the southern kingdom of Judah after the death of his father Solomon. His rule was so chaotic that ten of the twelve tribes leave the kingdom. Solomon started forced labor, Rehoboam made this even more oppressive "I will beat you with scorpions"

divination

the practice of interpreting random events or natural phenomena as divine revelation

Jerusalem

the whole area on the hill is Jerusalem, population center is both the fortified town and the people outside of them. Lots of natural springs so there was a large amount of people in the area. The name for the whole complex after the refugees come down and it becomes a much larger settlement.

Bathseba

wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of King David's warriors. David committed adultery with her, and had her husband killed. She was pregnant with David's child had the baby but he later died. Later she became the mother of Solomon. Jesus is a descendant of her.

southern kingdom of Judah

• The kingdom that after the death of Solomon in the late tenth century BCE continued to be ruled by the Davidic dynasty with its capital in Jerusalem, until it was captured by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.