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58 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Tanak (or Tanakh)
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The Hebrew Bible - Jewish.
Made up of three parts: Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim. Torah is the law, includes first five books. Nevi’im is called “The Prophets.” Ketuvim is called “The Writings.” Organized with Genesis (Bereshit) at the beginning and Isaiah at the end. |
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Septuagint
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Sometimes referred to in writing as “LXX.”
The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. Legend says it took 70 translators 70 days to create the document (which is where ‘LXX’ (the roman numeral for 70) and ‘Septuagint’ are derived from). The oldest extant copy of the comprehensive Hebrew Bible. The version most english texts are translated from. |
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Apocryphal Texts
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Books which were thought to be canonical by some of the editors of the Hebrew Bible, but not others.
Contains 1 & 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, Books of Solomon (Wisdom, Songs), and extra verses of Esther and Daniel. Still used in many orthodox faiths as ‘actual canon.’ Considered currently to be Deuterocanonical (that is secondarily canon). Included in Septuagint translation Not used in Jewish tradition Protestants removed it from Christian canon in an attempt to return to the ways of early Jewish tradition (taken from other study guide - did he say this?). |
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Masoretic Texts
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Translated back into Hebrew from the LXX.
Added vowel points that were not originally in the Hebrew text. Translated by the Masoretes (and distributed) in between the 7th and 10th centuries CE. Replaced the name of God with “Jehovah.” To save space, there was no punctuation, which resulted in letters running together. |
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Julius Wellhausen
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Refined Astruc’s Documentary Hypothesis (most associated with the hypothesis currently).
Published Prolegomena to the History of Ancient Israel Proposed Pentateuch was composed of four sources (J = Yahwist; E = Elohist; D = Deuteronomist; and P = Priestly writer) German biblical scholar. Argued that different texts were representative of different theological concerns. Pulled the Documentary Hypothesis together in 1885. |
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Documentary Hypothesis
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Proposed that the Pentateuch was authored/edited by four different sources.
Jahwistic (J), Priestly (P), Deuteronomistic (D), Elohist (E) Most associated with Julius Welhaussen. Originated in 1885. Priestly sources seem most concerned with the law and order - also seem to look at a more anthropomorphic view of god. |
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Tetragrammaton
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The four letters in Hebrew (Yod, He, Waw, He) which make up the name of the Lord.
Transliterated/translated as ‘The LORD’ in English texts. Considered to be too holy to be said by anyone. Means ‘four letters.’ יהוה Probably need one more?? |
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Deuteronomistic History
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Contains parts of Deuteronomy and the book of Joshua, Judges, Samuel 1 & 2, Kings 1 & 2.
Seems to have been written no earlier than the Babylonian exile. Seems to have been attempting to re-interpret the Pentateuch (Torah) for a new age of theological concerns. Concerned greatly with how Israelites behaved in relation to God. Some scholars see two layers - possibly a DTR1 and a DTR2. |
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Martin Noth
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German biblical scholar specializing early history of the Jewish people
Proposed theory that unity called Israel didn’t exist until covenant assembly at Shechem in Canaan (Joshua 24). Proposed the idea of the Deuteronomistic History. Divided it into 4 parts: Moses, Canaan, Judges, Monarchy. Proposed the DTR utilized existing traditions and attempted to place on a logical storyline. |
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Moabites
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Descendents from Lot.
Lived in Moab, east of the Dead Sea. Saul fought, but did not defeat them. Defeated by King David. Refused passage to the Israelites. |
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Annals of Mesha
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Mesha is Moabite king
Annals parallel stories from books of Kings Show practice of destroying cities and people after conquering and attribute action to god not exclusive to Israel Help to conceptualize Biblical texts Custom "cherem" ("devote to destruction") was common - Israelites doing what others at the same time are doing - kill and destroy and say god ordered us to do it |
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Etiology
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The inquiry into origins
Stories which attempt to explain the origination of things. Tower of Babel story used to depict why there are so many languages. The story of Ai - how that heap of ruin got there. The story of Jephthah’s daughter to explain how a ritual began. |
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Epic of Gilgamesh
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Similarities to the story of Adam and Eve (a desire for immortality).
Ancient creation story dating back to the bronze age. Preserved on clay tablets. Sumerian poems and legends. Wise woman to teach Enkidu how to be human. |
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Leviathan
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Sea monster which appears in various texts in the Hebrew Bible.
Psalm 104 depicts a playful Leviathan which God did not have to fight. Psalm 74 depicts a Leviathan which God did fight - and defeats. Could show attempts for biblical texts to appeal to other contemporary religions. Means twisted and coiled. |
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Enuma Elish
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Creation epic of Sumerian Babylonian mythology.
Discovered in Nineveh. Illustrates monsters associated with water. Recorded in Akkadian. Dated to 8th century BCE. |
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Suzerainty Treaties
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Occured between a more powerful king (suzerain) & less powerful (vassal).
Offered vassal to keep control and offer protection by fulfilling certain obligations. Sealed by a series of oaths and curses. Curses in Deuteronomy resembles the curses of Esarhaddon. Depicts suzerain as a shepherd taking care of a flock. Similarities between Deuteronomy and suzerainty treaties (YHWH = suzerain, Israel = vassal). |
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Eponymous Ancestors
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Biblical characters which were thought to represent a group of people.
Perhaps characters were not ‘actual’ or ‘real.’ Includes characters like Moses and Jacob (Israel). Carries the name of a group of people (or is an ancestor for a group of people). Ham, son of Noah, father of Canaan, Put, Cush, and Egypt another example. |
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Ugarit
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Ancient city on Syria’s Mediterranean coast
Discovered in 1929 Remains of this city included temples, a palace, and texts dating around 1400 BCE Texts are primary source of information on Canaanite traditions Religious texts describe the head god El |
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Aramaic
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Semitic language.
Language Jesus spoke. Parts of Daniel and Ezra (and the Dead Sea Scrolls) written in this language. Alphabet has 22 letters (consonants). Main language of the Talmud. |
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Textual Criticism
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Academic practice concerned with finding the most accurate representation of a text.
3 fundamental approaches: semantics, copy-edit, eclecticism. Not concerned with meaning, but rather what is actually said. If disagreement in texts, the oldest source takes precedent. Compares LXX, Vulgate, Masoretic Texts, Dead Sea Scrolls, et cetera. |
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Mary Douglas
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Published “Purity and Danger” in the 1960s.
Interested in cross-cultural concerns of purity and order. British anthropologist who suggested everything ‘has its place’ (order). Suggested many of the laws (esp. the dietary) in Leviticus were and attempt to create order. Concerned with borders of the body (dirt and impurity are social facts). |
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Book of Psalms
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Made up of 150 psalms (in common canon).
Usually split up into 5 different books. Gunkel proposed they could also be separated into 5 different types. Superscriptions in Psalms are largely thought to be later addition and not be ‘taken seriously.’ Mostly associated with David (as author), though no research has been able to back this up. 2nd most quoted book in the New Testament. Structured as humans speaking to God rather than the reverse. |
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Royal Psalms
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Written in relationship to kings.
Refers to kings as being ‘anointed’ by God. Associated most with the Davidic dynasty (God’s chosen dynasty). Psalm 73 implies it is the job of king to take care of the poor. Contributed to “messianic speculation.” (Emily O.’s note say ‘Messianic Expectation’) |
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Laments
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Makes up about ⅓ of the book of Psalms.
Generally in the beginning of Psalms. Can be broken up into individual and community laments. Some presuppose that God is the cause of suffering. Some presuppose that sin is the cause of suffering. Some presuppose that there is no ‘cause’ of suffering, that is just happened. Could be used in chaplaincy to give permission to offer ‘complaint’ about God. |
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Form Criticism
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Developed an attempt to study Psalms.
Attempts to look at the genre and style of writing to get and essence of the usage of the text. Originated by Hermann Gunkel’s study. Suggested a link between form and function Attempt to rediscover the possible original meaning of the text. |
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Hermann Gunkel
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Father of Form Criticism.
Wrote a book on Genesis in 1901 and one on Psalms in 1926. Proposed a five fold division of genre of the psalms. German protestant scholar of the Hebrew Bible (OT). Called attention to ‘traditioning’ as distinct from ‘history’ of texts. |
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Sigmund Mowickle
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Studied under Gunkel in Germany.
Developed the idea of 'sitz-im-leben' to look at texts. Deals with the situation in life that might use a particular text. Look for consistencies in biblical texts. Felt as though psalms had communal piety in corporate worship. |
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Balaam
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OT prophet
Rebuked by an angel Reproached by his donkey Traveling to meet enemy of Israel The son of Beor, non-Israelite Prophet the story of balaam appears in Numbers 22 summoned by King of Moab, Balak, to curse Israel but he can’t because YHWH will not let him ascribes to the J source |
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Talmud
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Similar to the New Testament for the Jewish tradition.
Refers to Mishna and Gemara. Mishnah is said to be oral law given to Moses by God. Gemara are written commentaries of the Mishna. Two versions: Babylonian and Jerusalemnic. |
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Baal
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Not a chief god (chief god was ‘El’).
Similar to YHWH - both storm gods. God found in Ugaritic literature and Hebrew Bible. Poems to Baal are similar to Psalms. Israelites are tempted to worship instead of, or along with, YHWH. |
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Astarte
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One (of two) consorts associated with Baal.
Goddess mentioned in Ugartic literature and Hebrew Bible. Connected with fertility, sexuality, and war. Associated with goddess Anat Associated with goddess Ishtar Noted in Jeremiah (44) to be the ‘Queen of Heaven.’ |
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Asherah
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A goddess worshipped with a wooden pole.
The pole ended up being known as 'Asherah.' Mentioned in Ugaritic literature and also the Hebrew Bible. Literature shows mention of worshipping her - which means that Israelite goddess worship existed. Consort (sexual partner) of ‘El.’ |
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El
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Chief God of Ugaritic deities.
Asherah is a consort of El. One of the names used to refer to God in the Hebrew Bible. Known before the Hebrew Bible. Similarities between YHWH and El - not depicted as a rival. |
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Josiah
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A theologically ‘good’ king
Institutes religious reform Killed by an Egyptian pharaoh Writer of Chronicles was troubled by fact that he was killed Great-grandson of Hezekiah, grandson of Manesseh Some scholars think book he found during temple repair was some version of what we know as Deuteronomy. |
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Hannah
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Barren woman
Most-loved wife Samuel’s mother Her story parallels Rachel’s (wife of Jacob) Considered a prophet in Jewish tradition |
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Ark of the Covenant
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Represented God in physical form (associated with God’s presence).
Too holy to touch (men have been killed by touching it - even though trying to protect it). Captured by the Philistines who eventually sent it back. The blueprints are in the book of Exodus (?). David refused to house it until he noticed that it brought good fortune. Housed in part of tent (tabernacle) that only Priests could go into (separated by curtains). |
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Deborah
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Prophet & Judge
“Woman Lappidot” Song of Deborah considered one of the oldest parts of Hebrew Bible Song of Deborah one of most difficult passages to translate in Hebrew Bible Some hostile “Afterlives” interpretations say she was arrogant, not really a judge, etc. |
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Huldah
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Prophet
Found in 2 Kings Encountered by King Josiah Huldah’s message encourages Josiah to carry out reform Text Josiah brought to Huldah could be a version of present-day Deuteronomy |
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Persians
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Captured Babylon and got Judah as a ‘perk’
Persia not very concerned about Judah Allowed existence of native cults A massive empire under Cyrus the Great Cyrus is only non-Judean to be called the “anointed one” |
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Cyrus Cylinder/Decree
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Indicts King of Babylon for failing to protect and provide for the people of Babylon. Written in 539 BCE.
Parallels between Isaiah and Ezra appear. Incites Marduk as putting Cyrus in power, whereas Hebrew Bible incites YHWH as doing it. Provides royal subsidies (reparations) to the Judahites to rebuild their cities and temples. Allows Judah to continue worship YHWH rather than “God-napping” by returning their idols. |
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Chronicler
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Author of Chronicles
Appears to know a lot about other books in Hebrew Bible Relies on Deuteronomistic Historian and authority of Torah Wrote a history of Israel’s past (prequel) leading up to events of Ezra and Nehemiah Written at End of Persian Period, beginning of Hellenistic Period Most interested in the needs of Second Temple Judaism |
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Sea Peoples
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Several groups referred to as Sea Peoples, including the Philistines
Warlike, difficult to deal with, hard to control Live along Mediterranean coastline People who migrated, not Semitic in origin Migrated from south-eastern part of Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea |
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Omri
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King of Israel
Briefly mentioned in 1 Kings A theologically ‘bad’ king Found in non-biblical books from Ancient Near East and archaeological remains Historically, a great and important king economically and politically |
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Jezebel
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Phoenician
Wife of King Ahab Remembered negatively: seductress, temptress Religious zealot for ‘wrong’ gods: Baal and Asherah Persecutes prophets of Yahweh |
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Phoenicians
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Sea- faring people, but not ‘sea peoples’.
Not necessarily bad. David has alliance with Phoenicians. Lived in what is today Lebanon. Jezebel’s marriage to Ahab helped build allegiance. |
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Manasseh
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Son of Hezekiah
King of Judah Theologically ‘bad’ king Reverses all theological reforms of his father Hezekiah Book of Kings blames Babylonian Exile (at least in part) on Menasseh |
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Marcion
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2nd Century theologian.
Struggled to reconcile the God in the Hebrew Bible (war and genocide) with the New Testament God. Believed the two gods were different. Opponent of Tertullian. Took Hebrew bible stories as a literal action. |
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Annals of Sargon I
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Legend that comes from Mesopotamian tradition
Sargon thought to have lived 1,000+ years before writing of Hebrew Bible Commonalities between births of Sargon and Moses Implication that Moses’ story was told through folk themes Implication that Moses’s story was written by people in exile/under Mesopotamian influence Written in Cuneiform |
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Hagar
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Mother of Ishmael
Maidservant of Sarah Offered to Abraham for childbearing Mistreated by Sarah upon pregnancy Non-Israelite woman with positive role in Hebrew Bible |
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Zoroastrianism
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Laying out the dead to be picked clean by vultures.
Persian religion founded in 6th Century B.C. by prophet Zoroaster. Ahura Mazda is the Zoroastrian god. No tradition of resurrection. Influenced Israeli religion. |
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Nebuchadnezzar
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605-526 BCE.
Famous for his conquests of Judah and Jerusalem. Mentioned in Daniel and Jeremiah. King of Babylonian empire. Destroyed temples in Jerusalem. Deported exiles during the Babylonian exile (responsible for the Babylonian exile). |
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Babylonian Exile
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Began when southern kingdom was destroyed by Babylon.
Mainly just upper class/political and economic elites that were deported. Deported by Nebuchadnezzar. DTR lived and wrote from this time period. Supposedly (according to biblical texts) ended by Cyrus (a persian king), who released those deported back to the Israelites. |
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Hammurabi
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First king of Babylonian empire.
Column of laws discovered in 1901. One of the first written codes of law in recorded history. Draws many similarities to the laws of Israelites, which calls into question an assertion of uniqueness about the Israelite laws. Draws parallels from Hammurabi to the story of Moses. |
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Assyrians
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Shed lights on language used in Deuteronomy.
More of an Israelite contemporary. Created important suzerainty treaties. Destroyed Northern kingdom. Eshahabdon was an Assyrian king. |
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Ai
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In Hebrew the word literally means “the ruin” or “the heap”
The name of a city that appears in the book of Joshua. In the story Joshua captures and destroys Ai under the military instruction of God Archaeological evidence supports a real city, Ai, but found that it was already deserted at the time of its destruction For this reason, it could reasoned that the story of Ai was an etiology of the ruins of Ai City in Canaan said to be destroyed by Israelites |
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Pentateuch
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First five books of the Hebrew Bible.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Bible makes no claims about authorship, though tradition associates it with Moses. Also known as Torah (Jewish tradition/Tanakh). Includes three covenants (Moses, Abraham, Noah). Ends with the death of Moses. |
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Song of Songs
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Also known as Song of Solomon
His [Solomon] name is mentioned six times in the text Love poetry First of the five scrolls of Megillot Most often read as an allegory about the love between Christ and the church |
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Festival Scrolls (Megillot[h])
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‘Megillot(h)’ means scrolls in Hebrew.
Used as part of liturgy for different events during the Jewish calendar. Song of Songs on Passover; Lamentations read on fast day (Ninth of Av). May be currently used in a manner which was different than the original intent. Specifically 5 texts which refer to 5 different festivals during the Jewish calendar. |
