Old and New - Chapter 12

What is the original Hebrew word for "vanity" in Ecclesiastes? What is a better translation?

"Hebel;" better translated as "vapor"

Qoheleth

"One who brings together an assembly;" alternate title for Ecclesiastes

How many Psalms are there?

150

When was Sirach written?

2nd century BC

How many Psalms did King David write?

73

What are the Psalms of Lament? What are their main parts?

A cry to help from God; description of suffering, confession / sorrow for sins, declaration of innocence, and an appeal to God, praise to God for solving the problem

Sirach

A summary of the wisdom tradition of Israel; offers advice on various aspects of life

What are Psalms of Thanksgiving? What are their main parts?

An expression of gratitude to God; description of suffering, conclude with an invitation to others to praise God

What was the last book of the Old Testament to be written? When?

Book of Wisdom (50-200 years before Jesus's birth)

Song of Songs

Collection of love poems and songs from a lover (thought to be Solomon) to his beloved

When it is believed that the Book of Job was written?

During the time of the Hebrew Patriarchs

Where was Job from? What did that make him?

Edom; a Gentile

Ecclesiastes

Examines deep questions of life (like philosophy)

Books of wisdom

Genre of writing in the Bible that contain instruction for a holy life through poetry, fables, songs, or short pithy statements

Historical literature

Genre that recounts the history of God's people in a straightforward manner

What did God and Satan decide to do in the Book of Job?

God allowed Satan to test Job's faith

How did Job get all of his possessions returned?

God spoke to him; he chose to accept that his suffering was beyond his understanding and to trust God

How did Job respond to the suffering inflicted by Satan?

He committed himself to God and did not curse Him

In summary, what is the story of Solomon's wisdom in the Old Testament?

He gains wisdom; he despairs over the pointlessness of life; he learns of love; he falls in love with wisdom

Why did Satan believe Job was faithful?

He had been abundantly blessed; he had never suffered

Yeshua

Hebrew name for Jesus

What language was Sirach originally written in? Who wrote it?

Hebrew; Yeshua Ben Eleazar Ben Sira

What did Satan take from Job?

His possessions, wealth, servants, children, and his own health

What are the two types of Wisdom Psalms?

Historical and Torah (instructional)

Was the Book of Job a parable or real?

It is debated (modern scholars believe it is a parable)

Who wrote the Book of Job?

It is unknown

What is Mt. Zion another name for?

Jerusalem

What about the Christian faith provides an answer to the problem of evil?

Jesus's suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension

How is Job at the beginning of the Book of Job?

Job is a wealthy and powerful man; faithful to God

What are the 8 wisdom books?

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Ben Sira

In whose court did David become a favored musician?

King Saul's

What are Hymns?

Less about praising God for specific things; more about praising God for his general goodness

Is suffering always punishment for sins?

No; they may be works of Satan and his demons

Parallelism

Pairs two lines together that parallel one another in some way

What is the main literary device used in Hebrew poetry?

Parallelism

Staircase Parallelism

Parallelism in which ensuing lines build upon thoughts of the previous ones

Synthetic Parallelism

Parallelism in which the second line completes or expands upon the first

Emblematic Parallelism

Parallelism in which the second line uses a symbol or metaphor to communicate an idea expressed in the first

Antithetical Parallelism

Parallelism in which two lines contrast one another (second inverts or states the opposite of the first)

Synonymous Parallelism

Parallelism in which two lines repeat the same thought in different ways

What are the books of wisdom also known as?

Poetic books

Psalms

Poetic hymns and prayers found in the Old Testament

How do we ask God for protection from suffering?

Prayer (The Lord's Prayer)

What is the most quoted book of the Old Testament in the New Testament?

Psalms

What are Psalms of Mt. Zion?

Psalms about the qualities of Mt. Zion and the importance of Jerusalem

What are the 6 main types of Psalms?

Psalms of Lament Psalms of Thanksgiving Hymns Royal Psalms Psalms of Mt. Zion Wisdom Psalms

What are Wisdom Psalms?

Psalms of reflection and commentary on everyday life and the human condition

What are Royal Psalms?

Psalms written about a currently-reigning king; may be Psalms of Lament, Psalms of Thanksgiving, or Hymns

What instrument did David play?

Psalter (harp-like instrument)

What was David's initial occupation?

Shepherd

Proverbs

Short sayings of quotable wisdoms or truths

What are Torah Psalms?

Sing glory of God's law and instruct in the way of righteousness

What are Historical Psalms?

Sing the history of Israel

From whose perspective is the Book of Wisdom written?

Solomon

Who wrote the Proverbs?

Solomon

What other two names is the Song of Songs known as?

Song of Solomon; Canticle of Canticles

What does Solomon's wisdom in the Book of Wisdom represent?

The Holy Spirit

What does the autobiography in Ecclesiastes show?

The author's lament and sense of pointlessness in the world

What Psalm did the Jesus pray on the cross?

The first line of Psalm 22

What does the Song of Songs show?

The glories of marriage; the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church; the relationship of God with every person

What do the wisdom books offer commentary on?

The human condition

What question does the Book of Job answer?

The question of why God allows suffering

Problem of Evil

The question of why God, an all-good and all-powerful being, allows for suffering and evil in his world

What does the conclusion of Ecclesiastes reveal?

The things of the world do not matter; one should keep the Commandments and be righteous in God's eyes

How are the books of wisdom different from previous books?

They are not historical literature

Who provided a possible solution to Job? How did Job react?

Three old friends believed that Job was suffering as punishment for sin and told him to repent; Job knew that he was a good man and had nothing to admit

What are Psalms of Thanksgiving also called? Why?

Todah Psalms; they were likely sung during the Todah (Thanksgiving) sacrifice in the Temple of Jerusalem

Who wrote Ecclesiastes?

Unknown (may have been Solomon)

Why would God allow people to inflict suffering on others?

We do not know; we must trust that God will do good

What is the Book of Wisdom also known as?

Wisdom of Solomon

Who translated Sirach into what language?

Yeshua Ben Eleazar Ben Sira's grandson; Greek