The Old TestamentChristanity: An IntroductionThe Old TestamentOld Testament: Christian term to refer to books still regarded as sacred by JudaismScripture or Writing graphe to describe these writingsOther ways of describing:Hebrew Bible stresses Hebrew peopleFirst Testament Old means invalid or outdated to someTanakh Hebrew word used: T + N + K (Torah, Neviim, Kethuvim Law, Prophets, Writings)There is no one broadly accepted name

Shape of the Old TestamentSeptuagint LXX Greek translation of Old Testament 275-100 BC in Alexandria EgyptMasoretic text Source for Greek-speaking Jews in Alexandria; different than othersUse by Christians led to Jews abandoning itCirca year 90 Jewish scholars determined official canon of Hebrew Bible in Jamnia, motivated by rise of ChristianityJerome creating the Vulgate noticed the difference between the two sets, with Apocrypha derivesDeuterocanonical no Hebrew version

Shape of the Old TestamentHebrew Canon 24 books (See p. 59)Torah, Nevi-im (prophets), Kethuvim (writings)The Twelve: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, MalachiChristian Canon 39 booksFive books of Law, Historical Books, Writings, Prophets

Shape of the Old TestamentPoints of comparison:Septuagint divided Samuel, Kings, Chronicles into two booksHebrew canon includes some prophecy as historicalBook of Daniel: prophetic in Hebrew canon; minor prophet in ChristianHebrew Canon treats 12 minor prophets as a single bookChristian canon places certain books alongside others where helpful (Ruth and Judges)Both agree in first books of Old Testament; otherwise are different; Christian ends w/ Malachi foretelling the Messiah

Shape of the Old TestamentFour Different Configurations:Judaism: canon and order of the Masoretic text, established at JamniaGreek Orthodoxy: canon and order of SeptuagintRoman Catholicism: canon and order of Septuagint, but with deuterocanonical works placed at the endProtestantism: canon of Masoretic text, order of the Septuagint, minus deuterocanonicalThe Contents of the Old TestamentThe Old Testament consists of 39 books (or 46 with Apocrypha/ deuterocanonical books):Five books of LawHistorical booksProphetsWritings

The Five Books of LawFive Books of Law/Books of Moses/Pentateuch/Torah/Five ScrollsDescribes origin of the people of Israel, and revelation of God who called those people into beingSets forth the law that would give and safeguard distinctive identity and ethos of Israel as the people of GodCollection of documents brought together around the time of the fall of Babylon in sixth century BC.

The Five Books of Law: GenesisGenesis: Greek for origins First creation account 1:1 God created heavens and earth in six daysSecond creation account creation of humanity as made in the image of GodFlood storyTower of BabelCall of Abraham

The Five Books of Law: ExodusExodus: Greek way outHow people of Israel fell into slavery in Egypt, and the way in which Moses emerged as their deliverer. PassoverPassing through the Reed SeaTen Commandments at Mt. Sinai

The Five Books of Law: LeviticusSets for the characteristic religious and cultural practices and beliefs that marked Israel off from other peoples/nationsSpecific guidelines for sacrificesRituals for the Day of AtonementDietary restrictions

The Five Books of Law: NumbersThe people are still wandering in the desertDetails of the preparations being made to invade CanaanBook ends with Israel poised on the eastern side of the River Jordan waiting to enter the promised land.

The Five Books of Law: DeuteronomyDeuteronomy: Second lawWritten later, but looks back on Moses from the perspective of the people about to enter the landOne last reminder of the law before he dies, as assimilation occurs. Moses does not make it to the new land.

The Historical BooksThe Historical books place a considerable emphasis on the importance of the acts of God in historyMajor purpose: historical narrative and theological commentaryBook of Joshua begins historical commentary. Joshua is Moses successor as leader of IsraelJoshua leads the battle of Jericho

The Historical BooksNext leaders are the Judges charismatic leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from dangerThreats from people living thereRuth concerns and issues of the periodSamuel describes kingship being establishedSaul, David, Solomon first KingsRegions: Israel to the north, Judah to the south; David united the two

The Historical Books1 Kings, 2 Kings: follow books of Samuel; The four books provide continuous account of development and history of the kingdom of Israel from establishment of the monarchy to Babylonian ExileAfter Solomons death: Split back to Israel North, Judah in the south722 B.C.: Assyrian Invasion; Israel is captureSeen as a sign of Gods disfavor; Canaanite fertility cults587 B.C.: Babylonians take the south, people scatter (Diaspora)

The Historical BooksChronicles 1 and 2: written with needs of restored community in mind.Additional material to Samuel and Kings, though many of the same periods are coveredSolomon and David are portrayed more positivelyDavids incident with BathshebaSolomons foreign wives/concubines omittedChronicles highlights the good to give hope final fulfillment may be achievedSigns point to the messiah

The Historical BooksEzra, Nehemiah document events from overthrow of the Babylonian Empire by Persian monarch Cyrus in 538 B.CIsrael allowed to return and rebuild the templeTheme: Israels religious life and the need for exiles to maintain their cultural and religious identities, through refusing to marry other local peopleEsther way in which a Jewish community in Persian empire was spared from destruction

EstherThe WritingsWritings tend to focus on Wisdom and the knowledge of GodFour major writings:JobProverbsEcclesiastesPsalmsSong of Solomon/Song of Songs also includedWisdom: Profound understanding about the mysteries of life, ultimately due to GodSolomon: Israels wisest kingTrue wisdom is a gift from God, no other source

The Writings: Book of JobJob: three major questions:Why does God allow suffering? Or, does suffering equal dis-favor with God? Is it because of sin?Story opens with Jobs understanding of the matterJob has everything: health, family, wealthSatan approaches GodJob maintains faithThree friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, Sophar: Job must have sinnedGod responds, clearing up confusion; Job maintains his faith

The Writings: Book of PsalmsThe Psalter: series 150 psalms of that reached final form in third century BC.Smaller collections: Psalms of Asaph, Psalms of the Sons of Korah, Psalms of DavidFive books:Book 1: Psalms 1-41Book 2: Psalm 42-72Book 3: Psalms 73-89Book 4: Psalms 90-106Book 5: Psalms 107-150Sung, poetic prayers

The Writings: ProverbsA collection of short proverbial sayings.Hebrew proverbs includes a broader range that has the sense of parable or oracle to suggest Gods involvement in human wisdomSolomon credited with speaking many

The Writings: EcclesiastesWisdom literature that take sthe form of a collection of proverbs and observations.Author Ekklesiastes The teacher traditionally identified as Solomon as Son of David

Well-known songfrom the book ofEcclesiastes:The Writings: Song of Solomon/ Song of SongsKnown by both Song of Solomon and Song of SongsUnderstood to have been written by Solomon; generally regarded as an outstanding love poemPlace me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

The Prophets: IsaiahFirst of four Major prophetsCalled to prophecy 740 BC; worked until 701 when Northern Israel fell.Three sections:First part (from Isaiah himself)Chapters 36-20: Judahs survival of threat of AssyriaChapters 40-55: prophesy Judahs later enslavement to Babylon and exile from the land; looks beyond immediate to a new heavens and a new earthContains many of the prophecies important to Christianity

The Prophets: JeremiahLongest book in the Bible; called to prophecy 626 B.C.Turbulent years during his prophecy. The Assyrians had taken the north; Babylonians were gaining in strength; attacked Jerusalem multiple times.Jeremiah warned people to make things rightJeremiah's prophecies call people to remain faithful to God, not military alliances

The Prophets: LamentationsAttributed to Jeremiah; laments the destruction of JerusalemGraphic portrayal of Jerusalem right after the fall of the city.Probably was not written by Jeremiah.

The Prophets: EzekielEzekiel: focuses on apostasy, sin, and exileEzekiel prophesies about the state of affairs in Jerusalem from his exile near Babylon; no evidence that he himself left Babylon.Exiles settled in Babylon along the Kebar River, an irrigation canalEzekiel was born into a priestly family, who would have served in the temple.

The Prophets: DanielMore so apocalyptic than prophetic; sometimes grouped into the writings category.Stresses need to remain faithful to God, despite difficult circumstances.Bless the Lord, all you works of the LordPraise and exalt Him above all foreverAngels of the Lord bless the Lord.You heavens, bless the LordAll you waters above the heavens, bless the LordAll you hosts of the Lord, Bless the LordSun and Moon, Bless the LordStars of heaven, bless the Lord.Every shower and dew, bless the Lord.All you winds, bless the LordFire and Heat, bless the LordCold and chill, bless the LordDew and rain, bless the LordFrost and chill, bless the LordIce and Snow, bless the LordNights and days, bless the LordLight and darkness, bless the LordLightings and clouds, bless the LordLet the earth bless the LordPraise and exalt Him above all forever.Canticle of Daniel:The Prophets: HoseaHosea is 8th century BC; written in the northern kingdom of Israel and prophesied to it during its final days before the fall to AssyriaHosea focuses on the unfaithfulness of Israel to GodMay have been written after he fled to safety in Judah.

The Prophets: JoelJoel little is known about JoelDifficult to dateDay of the Lord; a day of Darkness is at hand in which destruction will come to ZionA vast cloud of locusts is coming, seen as a sign of Gods judgmentJoel looks forward to a coming day when the Spirit of the Lord will be poured out on the people of GodChristians see this as the Holy Spirit on Pentecost

The Prophets: AmosAmos focuses on the failures of the northern kingdom of Israel.Amos was born in southern Judah, ministered primarily to the north.Prophecy takes the form of judgment against both pagan nations and Israel for their sins; Israel bears greater responsibility, since they were Gods chosen people.The prophecy sees the lack of social justice as major failure.

The Prophets: Obadiah, JonahObadiah one of the briefest and difficult to date..Shows terrible conditions in Judah during exileJonah describes the missionary journey of a prophet to the city of Nineveh at some point during 8th century B.C.Jonah and the Whale story

The Prophets: MicahMicah prophesied in southern kingdomWork is an attack on the corruption of life in the great cities of both kingdomsJudah and Israel are guilty of a series of unacceptable offenses, particularly those against the weak.Priests and prophets failed to speak out.Looks forward to the coming of a king from Bethlehem in Judah

The Prophets: Nahum, Habakkuk, ZephaniahNahum, Habbakuk little known about them, some of the shortest books of the BibleSome prophecies included in Advent readings of the Church as prophecies for JesusZephaniah important period of religius reform in Judah. rediscovery of the Book of Law led to a major religious reformation.Speaks of Baal worshipThe Prophets: Haggai and ZechariahHaggai and Zechariah dated to the period where the deported population of Jerusalem returns to rebuild the cityHaggai focuses on the need to rebuild the Temple as honor to GodZechariah wishes to encourage the people of Jerusalem to rebuild the TempleGreat messianic king, descendant of David, entering into the city of Jerusalem in triumph seated on a donkey.

The Prophets: MalachiMalachi my messenger generally thought of as final prophet of Old Testament period, at some time after the people returned to JerusalemPromise of forgiveness and restoration remains openMalachi proclaims future coming of the Day of the LordElijah will reappear to prepare his coming (John the Baptist?)