1) *Torah/Pentateuch
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
2) Prophets
3) Miscellaneous Writings
History, poetry, and philosophy
3 traditions in Torah
[See study questions below to think about different opinions on date of the written Hebrew Bible.]
Faith
God
Legend/Faith
Early Prophets/Miracles
Abraham
Moses
At what point does the Hebrew Bible become a reliable historical source?
Herders
*Semitic language
Canaan
12 Tribes, ca. 1200 BCE
Interpretations of arrival
Conquest of “Promised land”
Migration
"Age of Kings" (1020- ca. 920 BCE)
Saul, David, and Solomon
"Age of Prophets" (ca. 900-ca. 500 BCE)
Divided kingdoms
*Israel (north)
*Judah (south)
King Josiah r. 639-609 BCE
*Hebrew Diaspora
*Assyrian conquest of Israel, 721 BCE
*Neo-Babylonian conquest of Judah, 587 BCE
Deportation to Babylon
*(YHWH) Yahweh, literally "Being"
*Ethical monotheism
*Covenant
1. How was the Hebrew Bible composed orally and finally put in wriitng?
2. What problems are involved in using it as a historical source about the Hebrews? What elements of the biblical narrative can be classified as legend lacking archaeological or historical documentation?
3. What was the "traditional" narrative of Hebrew history given in class lecture. Compare the "traditional" narrative of Hebrew history with the versions of Hebrew history described in Crossroads and Cultures. What are the differences?
1. Describe the rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire from 900 to 612 B.C.E. How did relations between the Assyrian government and the Hebrew kingdoms of Judah and Israel change over time?
2. What different types of opinions do historians have about the historical value of the Hebrew Bible? When do the authors of Crossroads and Cultures think that the Hebrew Bible was written? How do the authors use the Hebrew Bible to explain Hebrew history and Hebrew religious ideas? Give examples to illustrate your answers.
1. What is the nature of the Hebrew covenant with their god? What does God promise and demand in return? What are his rewards and punishments?
2. How do these selections from the Bible explain and justify political events, such as the Hebrews' settlement in the land of Canaan and defeats at the hands of their enemies?
3. What are the similarities and differences between the Ten Commandments and the "Judgments of Hammurabi" from earlier in time (see the previous reading on Mesopotamia)? What are the reasons for similarities?