Lecture 3: Lecture 3: The The

Hebrews Hebrews and the and the

Emergence Emergence of of

MonotheisMonotheism m

Hebrew OriginsHebrew OriginsFirst appeared in MesopotamiaFirst appeared in MesopotamiaPatriarch Abraham, Isaac, JacobPatriarch Abraham, Isaac, Jacob1900 - 1500 BCE: migrate to 1900 - 1500 BCE: migrate to

Canaan + EgyptCanaan + EgyptDescendants of Abraham: Israelites Descendants of Abraham: Israelites Hyksos expelled - Hebrews enslaved Hyksos expelled - Hebrews enslaved

by Egyptian Kings until 1250 BCEby Egyptian Kings until 1250 BCEMoses: exodus to Sinai peninsulaMoses: exodus to Sinai peninsula

Settlement in CanaanSettlement in Canaan 1111thth century BCE: confederation of 12 tribes century BCE: confederation of 12 tribes

conquer Canaanconquer Canaan Threats from PhilistinesThreats from Philistines Tribes united under Saul, first King of Israelites Tribes united under Saul, first King of Israelites

(1020-1000 BCE)(1020-1000 BCE) Succeeded by King David, popular warrior in Succeeded by King David, popular warrior in

court of Saulcourt of Saul

Reign of King David Reign of King David (1000 – 962 BCE)(1000 – 962 BCE)

United Israel + Judah into 1 kingdom: Israel United Israel + Judah into 1 kingdom: Israel Royal court, centralized political bureaucracy Royal court, centralized political bureaucracy

of priestly leaders, professional soldiers, of priestly leaders, professional soldiers, administrators, scribesadministrators, scribes

Standing army + military strengthStanding army + military strength Economic progress: trade Economic progress: trade Semi-nomadic herders into land of villages, Semi-nomadic herders into land of villages,

farmers, artisansfarmers, artisans Ended federation of tribesEnded federation of tribes Capital city of Jerusalem, center of cult of Capital city of Jerusalem, center of cult of

YahwehYahweh

Reign of King Solomon Reign of King Solomon (962 – 922 BCE)(962 – 922 BCE)

Royal power grew, more elaborate Royal power grew, more elaborate bureaucracybureaucracy

Worship of Yahweh continuesWorship of Yahweh continuesDomestic + international trade Domestic + international trade Reduced role of military: diplomacy Reduced role of military: diplomacy Wives + concubinesWives + concubinesTaxes + forced labor: massive Taxes + forced labor: massive

building projectsbuilding projects

Temple of JerusalemTemple of Jerusalem

Success of King Solomon’s reignSuccess of King Solomon’s reignReligious center of Hebrew worshipReligious center of Hebrew worshipArk of the CovenantArk of the CovenantNot place of public worshipNot place of public worship

Destruction of Israelite Destruction of Israelite KingdomKingdom

922 BCE:922 BCE: Israel Israel split in 2 split in 2 kingdoms: Israel + kingdoms: Israel + Judah.Judah.

721 BCE721 BCE: : Assyrians destroy Assyrians destroy Israel; 30,000 Israel; 30,000 Israelites deported Israelites deported to Mesopotamia.to Mesopotamia.

Kingdom of Judah, 721 – 587 Kingdom of Judah, 721 – 587 BCEBCE

Reign of Ahaz (743-727 BCE)Reign of Ahaz (743-727 BCE) Judah’s vassaldom to AssyriaJudah’s vassaldom to AssyriaAbandoned worship of Yahweh for Abandoned worship of Yahweh for

Ba’al Ba’al

Reign of Hezekiah (727-698 BCE):Reign of Hezekiah (727-698 BCE): Submission to AssyriaSubmission to AssyriaDemographic growth Demographic growth Abolished “local sanctuaries”Abolished “local sanctuaries”Growth of Hebrew unity and identityGrowth of Hebrew unity and identity

Reign of King Josiah (640-609 Reign of King Josiah (640-609 BCE)BCE)

Religious reform + renewal of covenant Religious reform + renewal of covenant Ideal Davidic King (Ideal Davidic King (KingsKings)) ““Book of law” (Deuteronomy): religious Book of law” (Deuteronomy): religious

reform. reform.

Result:Result:1. Purged non-Israelite forms of worship1. Purged non-Israelite forms of worship2.Outlawed worship of local shrines2.Outlawed worship of local shrines

Developments in Hebrew Religion: Developments in Hebrew Religion: Prophetic Revolution (800-600 BCE)Prophetic Revolution (800-600 BCE)

Social injustice + moral decay of Social injustice + moral decay of landowners and kings: call for justice to landowners and kings: call for justice to avert divine punishmentavert divine punishment

Prophets of 8th + 7Prophets of 8th + 7ththC BCE: C BCE: reinvented/reoriented Yahweh religion - reinvented/reoriented Yahweh religion - Isaiah, Elijah, Samuel, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Elijah, Samuel, Amos, Hosea, Micah.Micah.

Innovations of the ProphetsInnovations of the Prophets

MonotheismMonotheism Yahweh as one + only god of universe. Yahweh as one + only god of universe.

Monotheistic Monotheistic religion dated no earlier than religion dated no earlier than prophetic revolution. Before this, prophetic revolution. Before this, MonolatrousMonolatrous

EthicsEthics Re-centered religion around ethics, away Re-centered religion around ethics, away

from cultic rules + ritual. from cultic rules + ritual.

Problems of Israelite KingshipProblems of Israelite Kingship

Kingship: arises with external pressuresKingship: arises with external pressures Hebrew Monarchy: conflict between Hebrew Monarchy: conflict between

Yahweh and Kings. Act of disobedience Yahweh and Kings. Act of disobedience Saul is disobedient: sets pattern for the Saul is disobedient: sets pattern for the

restrest Major channel for foreign influence to Major channel for foreign influence to

seep into Israelite life. seep into Israelite life.

What was criticized?What was criticized? Brutality of warBrutality of warEconomic oppression of poorEconomic oppression of poorSyncretism of cult of Yahweh with Syncretism of cult of Yahweh with

BaalismBaalism Involvement in international politicsInvolvement in international politics

Quotes from IsaiahQuotes from Isaiah

Example 1: Isaiah 5.8, 20, 23, 25Example 1: Isaiah 5.8, 20, 23, 25

““Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field,Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field,Until there is room for no one but you….Until there is room for no one but you….

Ah, you who call evil good and good evil….Ah, you who call evil good and good evil….Who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of Who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of

their rights!....their rights!....Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against his Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against his

people”people”

Example 2: Isaiah 1.12-17Example 2: Isaiah 1.12-17““Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile….Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile….When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from

you;you;Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen;Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen;

Cease to do evil, learn to do good;Cease to do evil, learn to do good;Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead

for the widowfor the widow

Image: Northern French Image: Northern French miniature of 1278 shows miniature of 1278 shows King Solomon reading his King Solomon reading his copy of the Torah, as laid copy of the Torah, as laid

down by Deuteronomydown by Deuteronomy

““One from among the One from among the brethren shalt thou set king brethren shalt thou set king over thee….and it shall be over thee….and it shall be when he sitteth upon the when he sitteth upon the

throne of his kingdom, that throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of he shall write him a copy of this law in a book…and he this law in a book…and he shall read therein all the shall read therein all the

days of his life: that he may days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his learn to fear the Lord his

God, to keep all the words God, to keep all the words of this law and these of this law and these

statutes, and to do them; statutes, and to do them; that his heart not be lifted that his heart not be lifted

up above his brethren” up above his brethren” (Deut 17.15)(Deut 17.15)

The Babylonian Exile of 586-538 BCEThe Babylonian Exile of 586-538 BCE::

586 BCE586 BCE: Babylonians (under King Nebuchadnezzar) : Babylonians (under King Nebuchadnezzar) destroy Judah, then conquer Jerusalem. 20,000 destroy Judah, then conquer Jerusalem. 20,000 Israelites deported to BabyloniaIsraelites deported to Babylonia

Primary challenge of exile: lack of organized public Primary challenge of exile: lack of organized public worshipworship

Psalm 137.1-4Psalm 137.1-4““By the rivers of Babylon- there we sat down By the rivers of Babylon- there we sat down

and there we wept when we remembered Zion. and there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung our harps. On the willows there we hung our harps. For there our captors asked us for songs, For there our captors asked us for songs,

and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying, and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying, ““Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”

Developments in Hebrew Developments in Hebrew Religion: Post-Exilic RevolutionReligion: Post-Exilic Revolution

Period of exile: despair + reformPeriod of exile: despair + reformTheology of Salvation:Theology of Salvation: Babylonian Babylonian

captivity as God's punishment for captivity as God's punishment for violation of divine lawsviolation of divine laws

Ezekiel Ezekiel + + Isaiah: Isaiah: Israelites will Israelites will reunite again + unified Davidic reunite again + unified Davidic kingdom will be re-established.kingdom will be re-established.

Second Temple PeriodSecond Temple Period

538 BCE: Cyrus, King of Persia - Hebrews 538 BCE: Cyrus, King of Persia - Hebrews return to Jerusalem. return to Jerusalem.

515 BCE: Second Temple built in 515 BCE: Second Temple built in Jerusalem. Jerusalem.

Religious practices organized + regulated Religious practices organized + regulated under Ezra the Scribe.under Ezra the Scribe.

Restored temple = center of religious life Restored temple = center of religious life for 500 yearsfor 500 years

The Hebrew Bible (“Old Testament” to The Hebrew Bible (“Old Testament” to Christians) began to take shapeChristians) began to take shape

Jewish LawJewish Law

10 Commandments - code of moral 10 Commandments - code of moral imperatives. Violation = broken imperatives. Violation = broken covenant + destruction of Hebrew covenant + destruction of Hebrew nation nation

Law of the Torah: directly from GodLaw of the Torah: directly from GodLaw as science of behaviorLaw as science of behaviorNew value of the individual, i.e. New value of the individual, i.e.

highest value not to property, but lifehighest value not to property, but lifeMorality over ritualMorality over ritual

The CovenantThe Covenant

Abraham's covenant: descendants will be Abraham's covenant: descendants will be given the promised land of Canaan "for given the promised land of Canaan "for an everlasting possession," in which to an everlasting possession," in which to dwell (Gen. 15:17-21 and 17:7-8). dwell (Gen. 15:17-21 and 17:7-8).

Exodus 19:5: “Now therefore, if ye will Exodus 19:5: “Now therefore, if ye will hearken unto My voice indeed, and hearken unto My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be keep My covenant, then ye shall be Mine own treasure from all peoples; for Mine own treasure from all peoples; for all the earth is Mine; and ye shall be all the earth is Mine; and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests and a unto Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." holy nation."

Innovations in Hebrew Religion Innovations in Hebrew Religion (after exile, 538 BCE)(after exile, 538 BCE)

BeforeBefore Evil: human actionsEvil: human actions No Eschatology/ No Eschatology/

ApocalypticismApocalypticism No extensive No extensive

mention of mention of “messiah”“messiah”

Afterlife: House of Afterlife: House of Dust (Sheol). Dust (Sheol).

AfterAfter DualismDualism Eschatology + Eschatology +

ApocalypticismApocalypticism Messianism: Messianism:

Deliverer "messiah," Deliverer "messiah," or "anointed one." or "anointed one."

Afterlife. Good Afterlife. Good rewarded, evil rewarded, evil punished in next lifepunished in next life

Hebrew vs. Egyptian and Hebrew vs. Egyptian and Mesopotamian ReligionsMesopotamian Religions

MonotheismMonotheismGod as fully sovereignGod as fully sovereignGod not created – eternal God not created – eternal Transcendent – above nature, Transcendent – above nature, notnot part part

of nature. of nature. No worship of idols: God No worship of idols: God

unrepresentableunrepresentableNo ultimate loyalty to kingsNo ultimate loyalty to kings Importance of individualImportance of individual

Lecture 3: Lecture 3: What do you need to know?What do you need to know?

General Characteristics of Hebrew ReligionGeneral Characteristics of Hebrew Religion Characteristics of reign of King Solomon, Characteristics of reign of King Solomon,

King David, King Hezekiah, and King JosiahKing David, King Hezekiah, and King Josiah Prophetic Revolution: What caused it? Prophetic Revolution: What caused it?

What were the central innovations?What were the central innovations? Israelite Kingship: Why did some resist and Israelite Kingship: Why did some resist and

criticize?criticize? Post-exile: Developments of Hebrew Post-exile: Developments of Hebrew

ReligionReligion