BIB 123History of the Old Testament

What is the Old Testament?

• The OT is the primary collection of religious writings of the Jewish people.

• It is the only group of writings that the Jewish people accept as scripture.

• Importance for Christianity– Christianity grew out of the Jewish religion

and also recognizes the OT as scripture.

Some overriding themes of the collection of writings (OT)

• God is the source of the world and mankind.

• God makes himself known to mankind.• God seeks the kind of relationship with

mankind that will enable mankind to reach the potential for which God created him.

The OT may be studied in at least 3 different ways.

• As great literature‑‑many beautiful stories and poems, etc.

• As historical work‑‑one of the major sources for the ancient history of mankind (esp. the Jews).

• A book of religious faith‑‑written by people of faith who proclaimed God as the one and only true God.

Types of Material in OT

• Historical narratives• Law codes• Wisdom literature – reflections on life• Moral instruction - prophets

Divisions of the OT

• Torah (Law)‑‑1st 5 books – Pentateuch

• Prophets– Former: Joshua, Judges, 1‑2 Samuel, 1‑2 Kings– Later: rest of prophetic books, Amos, Hosea, etc.

• Writings– Poetry‑‑Psalms, Proverbs, Job, etc.– Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles

Languages of OT

• Hebrew – most of OT• Aramaic - Parts of Daniel and Ezra• Translation of OT into other languages began

early after exile‑– parts trans. into Aramaic‑‑Targums because many did

not know Heb.– Many Jews moved to Greek speaking Countries and

trans. into Greek - in Egypt ca. 250 B. C. – Septuagint– Septuagint‑‑LXX‑‑Bible of the early Christians

Most important thing to remember

• The Bible is an ancient book. • Written long ago

– not written from the viewpoint of modern scientific knowledge‑‑but from the understanding of the world in ancient times

– from the religious understanding of ancient man and his understanding of God and the world which God had made.

• Useful for modern times as well– Teachings about God

• Concepts of God• Character• Identity• holiness

– Teachings about relationship between deity and humanity

– Wisdom from God about life and its struggles

Overview of OT History

• Beginnings– Struggles of life

• Abraham– A people for God

• Moses– Egypt - Canaan

Geography - Topography

• Joshua– Land of Canaan– Struggles with Canaanites, Philistines

• Judges– Following other gods

• Kings– Development of monarchy– Following other gods

• Prophets – Moral reforms

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• Two Kingdoms– Northern – Israel– Southern – Judea– More gods

• Exile– Northern – Assyria– Southern – Babylon (135 yrs later)

• Return from exile – Southern– Rebuild Jerusalem, Temple– Emphasis on purity – looking for new prophet

Geography - Topography