Old Testament - Chapter 9
Warrior Kings
They always rode horses
Romans
They defeated the Greeks in 63 B.C.
Greek Empire
They dominated Judea for more than two centuries
Common Folk
They had to pawn their fields, vineyards, homes, and even some sons and daughters in order to buy grain
Sanballat and Tobiah
They resent Nehemiah's power and try to ambush him, smear him, and lure him to be arrested
Book of Ezra
This Book opens with the decree of Cyrus - suggest that the Jews staying in Babylon contribute supplies to those returning - was not written by the man who it is named after
Second Maccabees
This book details the cruel persecution of the Jews. It confirms: belief in the resurrection of the dead, intercession of the saints, offering of prayers for the dead (purgatory)
First Maccabees
This book is a history of revolt of the Jews under the domination of Greek rulers
Second Zechariah
This book said that the expected messiah is a peaceful messiah of the poor. It spoke of a true shepherd
First Zechariah
This book sees Zerubbabel, the heir to David's throne, as the Messianic figure
Book of Nehemiah
This book was taken from the governor's private journals written in 445 B.C.
Chronicles
This book was written about 400 B.C. it retells history how it should have been not how it happened - emphasizes David and Solomon as good kings
The Festival of Lights
This is a legend - not found in the Bible. One jar of oil lasted 8 days. This is celebrated by Jews every year.
Apocalyptic Literature
This is characterized by strange symbolic images that represent events, places, and even people of the time it was written.
Temple
This refocuses the Jews on God's presence among them and renews their commitment to God's call. It calls them to focus on the sacredness of what happens within them
Citadel
This was built to house more military troops who will occupy Jerusalem. It was also a haven for apostate Jews
Apostates
Those who have renounced their faith
True Fasting
Working for the release of the unjustly imprisoned, freeing the oppressed, sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked
Remnant
those Jews, few in number and strong in faith, that returned to Judah to rebuild the city
Book of Daniel
An apocalyptic book that points to life after death. Setting is Babylon in the exile, but in reality it is addressing the Greek persecution. Tells the story of a young man and his friends who refuse to give into the ruler's demands and also contains visions
Judah
Impoverished land spanning 25 miles from north to south
Son of Man
Jesus used this term 82 times in the Gospel. Christians see Jesus as this
False Hope
Judah putting it's hope in a building, the Temple, to ensure God's favor
Fratricide
Killing one's brother
Cyrus
King of Persia, liberated Jews and allowed them to return to their homeland
Epiphanes
Means "God made visible"
Epimanes
Means "madman"
Malachi
Means "my messenger"
Keeping the Sabbath - closing the gate before the Sabbath
Nehemiah's first reform
Keeping the purity of marriage
Nehemiah's second reform
Samaritans
Originally try to help the returning Exiles, but are resented. They report the projects of the Jews' projects to the rulers as rebellion.
Shallow Faith
People who admire the successful as the blessed and approve of prosperous evildoers who hold God in contempt
Ezra
Priest and scribe who came from Babylon about 100 years after the Exile
Book of Ruth
Probably written after the exile, tells how the great-grandmother of King David was a Moabite. God can work in mysterious ways
Malachi
Prophecy: God will send a messenger to prepare for the coming of judgement. He will be like a refiner's fire that burns impurities out of gold
Antiochus IV
Seleucid King in first Maccabees, comes to the throne in 175 B.C. He called himself Epiphanes
Book of Obadiah
Shortest book in the Bible, tells the story of Edom
Titus
Son of a Roman Emperor, crushed the Jewish revolt in 70 A.D. and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple
White Donkey
Symbol of peace - ridden by the Messianic king
Norwegian Eleazar
Teacher refused to promote fascism and were arrested and sent to a concentration camp
Restoration
The Exiles return to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple
Universalism
The dream that God's love for Israel will make it a light to the nations, ultimately bringing together all nations and peoples of the earth under God's Reign
Zechariah
The prophet whose message is that "the Messiah will come." He spoke shortly after Haggai
Greek Seleucid Dynasty
The reigning Greek dynasty that persecuted the Jews
Nehemiah
A governor who was a model public servant. He served on the Persian court and traveled to Jerusalem, instituting many reforms - building the walls, keeping the sabbath, and leaving foreign wives.
Haggai
A prophet who complains that there is no house for God. He speaks on the poverty in Jerusalem and the injustice of the rich. He motivates Zerubabbel and Joshua to take action.
Joel
A prophet who tells of a great catastrophe. He bids the people to don sackcloth, proclaim a fast, and beg God to spare them
Book of Jonah
A satirical story of a prophet (fictitious) who resents it when the Assyrians repent of their sins and receive God's mercy. The author is showing how God's love is universal
Menorah
A seven-branched candelabra
Edom
A small state - now called Jordan - the descendants of Esau
Mother and Her Seven Sons
A story of martyrdom that confirms the belief in resurrection.
Jew
A term that comes from the word Judah
Ezra's Greatest Gift
Ezra's preaching of the Law, or Torah, to the Jews - provided a code for the Jews
Gymnasium
Built by pro-Greek Jews, led by a corrupt high priest. Young men participated in athletic evens naked here - a practice condemned by Jews
How to Repent
Donate a tenth of their income to God
Feast of the Booths
For seven days Jews live outside in booths made of tree branches. This is to recall the years in the wilderness when God provided for them. Also called Sukkoth
Tithing
Giving the first 10% of our income to charity and to our church, trusting that God will take care of our needs - should happen before we buy anything or pay bills - not leftover money
Resurrection
God will raise the just to new life with God and one another after death
Nehemiah
Governor - model public servant, in the court of the Persian king, he comes to Jerusalem and institutes many reforms (rebuilding walls)
Zerubabbel
Governor and grandson of King Jehoiachin and a descendant of David
Athens
Greek city state that led the other city states to victory over the Persians
Judas Maccabeus
He and his brothers fight and free the Jews from Greek control
Alexander the Great
He conquered the Persian Empire in 330 B.C.
Malachi
He is a prophet who describes faith at its lowest. He says the priests' sacrifices are sacrilegious and the people are just as bad
Tobiah
He lived in the Temple and stole the tithes of grain, wine, and oil. Nehemiah threw him out of the Temple and restored the Levites
Third Isaiah
He spoke after the Exiles returned to Jerusalem. He recorded the arrivals' shock at the ruin of Temple. Condemns laxness and religious apathy. Speaks about true fasting
Eleazar
He was arrested by the Greeks for his refusal to eat pork. He refused to eat meat that just looks like pork as well. He dies and serves as an example of nobility and courage to they young and the nation
Joshua
High priest, offers sacrifice and lays foundation for a new temple