Unit 1-IT & Historical Background Flashcards
(257 cards)
1
Q
When the Jewish tribes split up from one nation, who secondly conquered the northern kingdom?
A
The Babylonians
2
Q
Who did the Babylonians conquer with the Jews when they took over the northern kingdom?
A
The Assyrians
3
Q
What nation conquered the southern kingdom of Judah?
A
The Babylonians
4
Q
After the Assyrians, what nation took over both kingdoms of Judah and EXILED the Jews?
A
The Babylonians
5
Q
What nation/people took control from the Babylonians?
A
The Persians
6
Q
Who allowed some Jews back and able to worship under their rule after the Babylonians?
A
The Persians
7
Q
What nation’s take-over marked the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the Intertestamental Period?
A
The Persians
8
Q
How long was the Intertestamental Period?
A
400 years
9
Q
What is the intertestamental period?
A
A gap of time between the Old and New Testament records from the Bible
10
Q
What ruler came to power during the intertestamental period and conquered the Middle East by defeating the Persians?
A
Alexander the Great
11
Q
What did Alexander the Great’s come to power, and thus rule of Greece-Macedonia, mean for the Jews?
A
The Greeks absorbed/took over the Jews and Alexander wanted to impose upon them (and all other conquered peoples) the Greek way of life.
12
Q
What is Hellenism?
A
Greek culture
13
Q
What is Hellenization?
A
The spread of Greek culture (both inside and outside of Palestine), including especially the Greek language, so as to mix w/other cultures
14
Q
What are 5 features of hellenization?
A
- Gymnasiums
- Guilds
- Stadiums
- Theatres
- Language
15
Q
What were features/influences of gymnasiums in culture?
A
- training center for athletes
- social center
- no dress code
16
Q
What, for the Jews, was wrong with the gymnasiums?
A
No dress code; it was a symbol of shame and undermined Jewish values (think back to Genesis)
17
Q
What were features/influences of the guilds in culture?
A
- clubs, esp. emphasizing services
- very discriminatory to certain statuses
- often invited to different pagan worships/practices
18
Q
What, for the Jews, was wrong with the guilds?
A
Created moral problems for them, esp. regarding status discrimination and pagan practices
19
Q
What were features/influences of the stadiums in culture?
A
Sports (on mass)
20
Q
What, for the Jews, was wrong with the stadiums?
A
Jewish men would (basically) skip church to go see sports
{*modern much?}
21
Q
What were features/influences of the theatres in culture?
A
- could emphasize (and expose) Greek EVERYTHING
- media’s influences {*also very modern)
22
Q
What, for the Jews, was wrong with the theatres?
A
- emphasizing Green everything included Greek religion, immoral themes, etc.
- created the danger of forming immoral themes into reality instead of just virtual reality
23
Q
What were features/influences of the language in culture?
A
-universal language = less communication issues
24
Q
What, for the Palistinian and Orthodox Jews, was wrong with the language change?
A
Hebrew was seen as sacred; Greek was not
25
What was Alexander the Great's importance to cultural blending?
He created the universal language, so by the time Christ comes Greek is the common language, which mean less communication issues for disciples and movement of Gospel.
26
When the Jewish tribes split up from one nation, who first conquered the northern kingdom?
The Assyrians
27
How many cities did Alexander found and model after Green style?
70
28
What happened/mixed to produce a Hellenistic style?
Alexander and his soldiers marrying oriental women = Greek and oriental cultures mixing to produce Hellenistic culture.
29
What were the main parts of Alexander's divided empire?
1. Macedon(ia)
2. Asia (Mid-East=modern Turkey, etc.)
3. Egypt
30
Two of Alexander's divided parts "became important for NT historical background." What were they?
The Ptolemaic Empire and The Seleucid Empire
31
Where was The Ptolemaic Empire centered and what was its capital?
Egypt; Alexandria
32
The series of rulers who governed the Ptolemaic Empire were called what?
Ptolemies (after the name of the first ruler, Ptolemy)
33
Who was the last ruler of The Ptolemaic Empire?
Cleopatra
34
Where did the Seleucid Empire center and what was its capital?
Syria; Antioch
35
What two things were rulers of the Seleucid Empire called and named after? What are they called together?
```
Some = Seleucus (after first ruler)
Others = Antiochus (after capital city)
Together = Seleucids
```
36
When/why did the Seleucid Empire come to an end?
when the Roman general Pompey made Syria a roman province
37
What nation was "sandwiched" between Egypt and Syria, thus between the Ptolemies and Seleucids?
Palestine
38
Why was Palestine wanted by both the Ptolemies and the Seleucids?
They both wanted to collect taxes from Palestinians and make it a buffer zone against attack from the other.
39
Out of the Ptolemies and Seleucids, who kept rule over Jews for about 100 years? How well did the Jews fare?
Ptolemies; well, Ptolemies were very tolerant of Jews and their practices
40
Under Ptolemaic rule (Ptolemy Philadelphus), what does tradition say 72 Jewish scholars accomplished?
beginning to translate the Hebrew OT into a Greek version
41
What was the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT called?
The Septuagint
42
Greek translation of what in the Septuagint came first?
The Pentateuch (remaining sections came later)
43
What is the Pentateuch?
The first 5 books of the Old Testament
44
Why were Jews a "mixed bag" ?
Throughout IP, Jews who returned from exile TRIED to be very conservative. Scattered Jews, those outside of Palestine, were much more open to Hellenistic influences/practices (for ex. many of them now ONLY speak Greek and not Hebrew)
45
Why did the Old Testament need to be translated?
Many scattered Jews (those outside of Palestine) forgot Hebrew and only spoke Greek after Hellenism.
46
When did the Seleucids finally succeed in gaining Palestine?
Antiochus 3rd defeated Egypt
47
During the IP, who were the Jews ruled by?
Persians at end of OT, then Greek, Egyptians, and Syrians
48
What struggle came after Syrian rule of Jews?
Maccabean
49
What ruler made a bad example of Jews w/forced hellenization and led a Jewish revolt?
Antiochus 4th
50
Antiochus 4th sought not only to undermine Jewish culture, but their what?
Religion
51
What title did Antiochus 4th give himself, and what does it mean?
Antiochus Epiphanes; it is a claim for divine status
52
What ruler shut down the Temple, and thus Jewish sacrificial practices/rights/freedoms?
Antiochus Epiphanes
53
What did the shutting down of the Temple mean for Jews?
They couldn't get to God.
54
What was set up in place of the Temple and by whom?
A pagan altar to Zeus; Antiochus Epiphanes
55
Who first makes Jews worship pagan gods during the IP, and forbids other practices such as circumcision, festivals, Sabbath keeping, etc.?
Antiochus Epiphanes
56
Who did Antiochus Epiphanes make High Priest?
Menelaus, who may not have belonged to a priestly family
57
What does "Hasidim" mean and who were they?
"Pure Ones" ; they were very pious Jews who had the idea of settling apart from the world and remaining Holy
58
Where did the catalyst for the Maccabean revolt begin?
Modein
59
What is the story of the catalyst for the Maccabean revolt?
A Jewish priest named Mattathias refused to offer a pagan sacrifice, and then killed another Jew who was going to comply. Mat also killed the soldier enforcing it, broke the altar, and fled to the mountains with his 5 sons and other sympathizers, forming a basic guerrilla force.
60
Who did the Hasidim join to revolt?
The Hasmoneans/Maccabees
61
Where did the name The Maccabees come from and what had it meant?
Mat's son Judas's nickname: "Judas the Maccabee" or Judas Maccabeus and it literally meant "Judas the Hammer"
62
What other issue did the Maccabean Revolt trigger?
a civil war between pro-Hellenistic and anti-Hellenistic Jews (the struggle cont. even after death of Antiochus Epiphanes)
63
What year did The Maccabees regain control of Jerusalem?
164 BC (war didn't end, but this battle/capturing of city was very important)
64
What was the first thing done by Judas when The Maccabees took back the Jewish temple? What did it symbolize?
1st thing done=lighting lamps and walking through Temple; symbolized the cleansing of the Temple
65
What is a commemoration of the lighting lamps and walking through the Temple?
Hanukkah
66
Who of The Maccabees was more influential in gaining Jewish freedom?
Simon (Judas' bro)
67
When did Simon begin rule as king, military leader, rep. of the people, etc.?
140 BC
68
What did Simon become the 1st ruler of in 140 BC? How long did this period of self-rule last?
Hasmonean Dynasty; 77 years
69
What did the Hasmonean Dynasty (began in 140 BC) end with?
the coming of the Romans
70
Which brothers especially succeeded Judas Maccabeus in leadership after Judas' death in battle?
Simon and Jonathon
71
Why are the Romans able to walk right in, exercise power, and gain control at the end of the HD?
Once the kingdom grew, a civil war broke out between the royal family (Hasmoneans) over land.
72
What Roman general came in and subjugated Palestine after the HD?
Pompey
73
What do all the foreign overlords of the IP mean to Jews?
Before Christ, they REALLY wanted a Deliverer
74
What "puppet ruler" did Pompey set up over Palestine?
Antipater (1/2 Jew and 1/2 Edomite)
75
Who is Antipater the father of?
Herod the Great (king when Jesus is born)
76
Who assassinated Pompey?
his rival Julius Caesar (who Antipater successfully transfers allegiance to)
77
Who assassinated Julius Caesar?
Brutus, Cassius, etc. in the Roman senate (Antipater Faisal to switch his allegiance to B and C)
78
Who is Antipater killed by, and who is established as King after him?
Brutus and Cassius; his son, Herod
79
Who killed Brutus and Cassius?
Mark Anthony and Octavian
80
Who is the first guy Herod the Great supports?
Mark Anthony
81
Who is the second guy Herod the Gret supports?
Octavian
82
Who becomes the first Roman Emperor?
Octavian
83
Who is the Roman ruler (not king over Jerusalem/local ruler) when Jesus is born?
Octavian aka Caesar Augustus
84
What did Herod the Great's need to stay on good terms with the Romans entail?
- paying huge amounts of tribute tax
| - not really being on good terms w/the Jews
85
What was the period of relative peace called for Rome during Octavian's time?
Pax Romana
86
What were the two kinds of provinces set up by Caesar Augustus (Octavian)?
Senatorial and Imperial
87
What local ruler tried to impose Hellenization again during Jesus' time?
Herod the Great
88
What are some things that Herod the Great did/changed during his rule?
```
He built a bunch of stuff: for ex.
-city of Caesarea
-rebuilt Temple (MAJOR reconstruction)
He faced a lot:
-sales
-polls
-property
```
89
What did the census and property tax mean for certain New Testament people?
It was why Mary and Joseph and to go to Bethlehem.
90
Who were the Publicani?
Publicans = tax collectors (much despised by Jews)
91
Who are some Roman emperors mentioned in the book that touched the NT story at various times?
Summary:
Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian
Info:
Augustus/Octavian- Jesus born, beginning of emperor worship
Tiberius-Jesus publicly ministered and died
Caligula- demanded worship of himself
Claudius- expelled Jewish residents from Rome
Nero- persecuted Christians, under whom Peter and Paul were martyred
Vespasian- father of Titus (who destroyed Jerusalem and Temple in 70 AD)
Titus- ^^, and may have been emperor during time Revelation was written
Domitian- some think persecuted the church and thus provided background for Revelation
92
Why was Herod the Great disliked by the Jewish people?
- extremely jealous
- high taxes (for building things and tribute to Rome)
- puppet king, great friend of Rome
- not REALLY Jewish (and NOT friend to the Christian movement)
- tries to impose Hellenization again
93
When does construction begin for Herod the Great rebuilding the Temple?
20 BC
94
When does Herod the Great die?
4 BC
95
What were the names of Herod the Great's three sons who ruled after him?
Herod Antipas, Herod Philip, and Herod Archelaus
96
What lands did Herod Antipas rule?
Galilee and Perea
97
What city did Herod Antipas build?
Tiberius (very much like his father in building and immorality)
98
Who did Herod Antipas marry, and why was it immoral?
Herodius; she was his brother's wife
99
What made John the Baptist condemn Herod the Great, and what did this lead to?
Herod marrying Herodius; lead to his death (Herod's daughter wanting John's head)
100
Why does Pilate try to send Jesus to Herod Antipas?
Jesus is from Galilee and H Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea.
101
What lands did Herod Philip rule?
He ruled lands not really mentioned in the NT.
102
What city did Herod Philip build and how does it matter to the NT?
Caesarea Philippi; Jesus' retreat with disciples
103
What lands did Herod Archelaus rule?
Judea, Samaria, Idumea
104
What are some things wrong with Herod Archelaus?
- extremely violent
- becomes seen as political liability to Rome
- Emperor removes Archelaus from power
105
What happens to Judea/H Archelaus's land after the Emperor takes him out of power?
The Emperor est. it as a Roman province (in 6 AD) to be ruled/governed by Pontius Pilate.
106
What other notable rulers governed Judea as a Roman province after Pilate?
Felix and Festus- heard Paul's case (Acts23-26)
Florus- raided the temple treasury (which ignited the Jewish Revolt of AD 66-74...which reached climax of Roman destruction of Jerusalem and Temple in AD70)
107
Where did Jewish rabbis go to study OT Law after the Romans' destruction of the Temple in AD70?
They established a school in the Mediterranean coastal town of Jamnia.
108
Who led the Jewish revolt around AD132?
Bar Kokhba, who many believed was the Messiah
109
What finally ended Jewish placement in Jerusalem?
The Romans crushed the revolt led by Bar Kokhba in AD135, rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman city, and forbade Jews to enter it
110
Which successors of Alexander, based in Egypt, treated Palestinian Jews relatively well?
The Ptolemies
111
Which successors of Alexander, based in Syria, gained control of Jews and tried to impose Greek culture and religion on them?
Seleucids
112
What do other texts/resources besides the NT show about Pontius Pilate and his relationships to Jews?
IT WAS BAD
113
What did Pilate want to build? What did he steal from Jews to do it? What did the Emperor do about it?
Aqueduct; seized $ from Temple; forced Pilate to give $ back to avoid rebellion
*stuff like this was common between Pilate and Jewish leaders*
114
How did Pilate eventually lose power?
Rome removed him because of his bad/dangerous relationship with Jews.
115
Who was Herod Agrippa the 1st?
- grandson of Herod the Great
| - arrested Peter, puts other disciples to death
116
Over 22 years after H Agrippa, how many Procurators are switched out?
7
117
What were the 2 Jewish revolutionary groups?
Zealots and Sicarii
118
Which (of main 2 after Agrippa) Jewish revolutionary group led to civil war?
Zealots
119
What does "Sicarii" mean?
Men of the Dagger
120
Who was more violent: Zealots or Sicarii?
Sicarii; they were a radicalized form of Zealots who planned ambushes and assassinations
121
When did the civil/revolutionary war from the Zealots begin and how?
AD66, Jews took over 2 Roman fortresses
122
What 2 fortresses did Jews take over to start revolutionary war?
Masada (fort that basically controlled Southern entry to Judea) and Antonia (fort in Jerusalem)
123
What does Rome do in response to the Jewish Revolutionary War and the 2 fortresses being taken back by the Jews?
Nero sends in his generals to subdue the outbreak/maintain/take back peace. Eventually Nero dies and Vespasian has subdued the Jews and is ready to siege/attack Jerusalem, but is called back to be Emperor, so his son Titus continues the war.
124
Who lays siege on Jerusalem to take it back from the Jews during the JRevWar?
Titus
125
When does Jerusalem fall to Titus/the Romans? What is left?
AD70; The Wailing Wall; the Temple was never rebuilt again
126
What did the zealots do when they were finally caught in Masada by the Romans?
They all committed suicide before the Romans came in.
127
Which emperor ordered a new city to built on top of Jerusalem? When? What was the new city supposed to be called?
Emperor Hadrian; AD130; Aelia Capitolina
128
What did the building of Hadrian's new city on top of Jerusalem cause?
another Jewish revolt began in AD132
129
Who led the Jewish revolt in AD132? What does his name mean?
Simon Bar-Cochba; "son of a star"
130
When was the Jewish revolt against Emperor Hadrian defeated? What happened to the Jews?
AD135; Jews were expelled from Judea
131
What are the 3 parts of the Old Testament/Torah?
- law/Pentateuch
- prophets
- writings
132
What is the Torah?
The Pentateuch
133
Which of the 3 parts of the OT is seen as most important?
Law/Pentateuch
134
What is included in "Prophets" in the OT?
the Prophets and the historical writings
135
What is included in "Writings" in OT?
everything else (if law = Pentateuch and Prophets = historical writings and Prophets) ... For ex. Psalms, Proverbs, etc.
136
Regarding Rabbinic literature, what does Halakah literally mean?
"walking"
137
What does the Halakah have to do with?
interpreting the Law and its practicality for life (legal side, guarding against breaking Commandments, etc.)
138
Regarding Rabbinic literature, what does Haggadah literally mean?
"to narrate" or "to explain"
139
What does Haggadah deal with?
narrative sections of the Torah, ex. story of the Exodus, etc.
140
The Halakah is primarily orally preserved; what is its written form?
Mishna
141
What does the Mishna become when it is written down as a collection?
Talmud; basically an Encyclopedia of Mishnaic stories; it is how Jews would've interpreted lit. in Jesus' time
142
What is the written down and collected form of the Haggadah?
Midrash
143
What is the name of the "Bible" of the early church and is LXX?
Septuagint ("70")
144
What IS the Septuagint?
Greek translation of Hebrew OT, also including additional books written by Jews during IP (Apocrypha); it was very influential and most often quoted by NT writers
145
Why was the Septuagint named as it was?
because of the legend of # of translators (approx. 70)
146
What is Apocrypha?
non-canonical works
147
The Septuagint includes some significant shifts in what?
switching to a Greek worldview
148
What else are the Qumran Scrolls more commonly know as?
Dead Sea Scrolls
149
When and how were the Qumran Scrolls discovered?
1947; a shepherd boy threw a rock in a cave to try and get his lost sheep out, and he broke a pottery urn which contained the scrolls (some were copies of OT books, most famous = Isaiah)
150
When were the Qumran scrolls most likely hidden away in the cave?
probably during the revolution time
151
Besides OT books, what were some of the Qumran Scrolls?
descriptions of life and community in Qumran, such as monastic Jews
152
How many Qumran scrolls were found in the cave?
About 800
153
What are monastic Jews?
men who lived off in isolation from society to study, interpret, and/or translate literature (some think John the Baptist was one of these)
154
Who was Josephus (Flavius)?
1st century Jewish writer and historian, born probably sometime around the Jewish war (AD73), was a general in JRevoWar
155
What happened to Josephus during the JRevoWar?
He was captured by Romans, then turned against his own people to help Romans; after JWar he began to write about the time
156
What is one of Josephus's most significant works?
The Jewish War
| *we don't really have any other writings/information of the time*
157
What was Josephus's MORE important/significant work?
Antiquities of the Jews
158
What does Josephus try to make "Antiquities of the Jews" into?
a complete history of Jews up to his time; for Romans, to try and make Jews look better
159
Which one of Josephus' writings was basically 'propaganda' ? Which one was 'sanitized history' ?
Prop= The Jewish War
SanHist= Antiquities of the Jews
(^^He even referenced Christ, even though he was a non-Christian)
160
Josephus had other writings such as what?
an autobiography
161
When and where was Philo from?
1st century, Alexandria, Egypt
| *would've read/needed the Sept.*
162
What was the city of Alexandria known for being like?
philosophical, educated
163
What was Philo known for?
Allegorical exposition writing (using one thing to describe/show something else)
164
What did Philo use his allegorical exposition writing for?
the OT, looked for deeper meanings (ex. Abraham's story with Isaac could be obedience focused)
165
What was Philo trying to show Jews with his writing?
deeper truths of OT to contrast the wave of Greek cultural philosophy
(He even says Greeks were copying those deeper meanings from the Bible.)
166
How did Philo's writings help Dispersed Jews?
They could stay committed even when they couldn't go to the Temple.
167
What was the significance in Philo's writings?
- this type of writing sets a precedent for NT writers
| - helps us understand how Jesus survived in a hellenistic culture
168
What did the Jerusalem Temple symbolize?
the Tabernacle that the Jews carried in the wilderness; also that God is not just present but ACCESSIBLE in this place through the sacrificial system
169
Why is a sacrificial system used in the Temple?
because God is holy and we are not, so to recognize the cost of sin
170
What was the most important job in the Temple?
Priests (was a hereditary priesthood)
171
How many courses/family groups was the priesthood divided up into?
24; there were hundreds of priests (ex. Zechariah dad of John the Baptist); priests served in rotation and were not permanently @ Temple
172
When were sacrifices served in the Temple?
@dawn and @noon
173
When would all priests be on duty at the Temple?
on certain chief festivals or 'feast days' such as Passover, Weeks, Booths, or Dedication (which each commemorate something)
174
What is the Day of Atonement?
Yom Kippur; day when only high priest can go make sacrifices
175
What does having only 1 high priest represent?
purity of descent from Aaron, the 1st high priest
176
What does Passover commemorate?
deliverance out of captivity (out of Egypt)
177
What does Weeks commemorate?
a harvest festival, similar to original Thanksgiving
178
What does Booths commemorate?
God's provision/care during time in wilderness
179
What else is Booths sometimes called?
Feast of Tabernacles
180
What does Dedication commemorate?
Hanukkah, when Judas Maccabeas took Temple back
181
If possible, what are Jews required to do for Pilgrim Feasts?
attend at least 1 in Jerusalem every year
182
What is and what makes up part of the "Priestly Aristocracy" ?
It consists of men who are descends from aristocratic/wealthy priests; includes the Chief Priests (roughly a group of 12 people) and the High Priest.
183
Who was Josephus (Flavius)?
1st century Jewish writer and historian, born probably sometime around the Jewish war (AD73), was a general in JRevoWar
184
What happened to Josephus during the JRevoWar?
He was captured by Romans, then turned against his own people to help Romans; after JWar he began to write about the time
185
What is one of Josephus's most significant works?
The Jewish War
| *we don't really have any other writings/information of the time*
186
What was Josephus's MORE important/significant work?
Antiquities of the Jews
187
What does Josephus try to make "Antiquities of the Jews" into?
a complete history of Jews up to his time; for Romans, to try and make Jews look better
188
Which one of Josephus' writings was basically 'propaganda' ? Which one was 'sanitized history' ?
Prop= The Jewish War
SanHist= Antiquities of the Jews
(^^He even referenced Christ, even though he was a non-Christian)
189
Josephus had other writings such as what?
an autobiography
190
When and where was Philo from?
1st century, Alexandria, Egypt
| *would've read/needed the Sept.*
191
What was the city of Alexandria known for being like?
philosophical, educated
192
What was Philo known for?
Allegorical exposition writing (using one thing to describe/show something else)
193
What did Philo use his allegorical exposition writing for?
the OT, looked for deeper meanings (ex. Abraham's story with Isaac could be obedience focused)
194
What was Philo trying to show Jews with his writing?
deeper truths of OT to contrast the wave of Greek cultural philosophy
(He even says Greeks were copying those deeper meanings from the Bible.)
195
How did Philo's writings help Dispersed Jews?
They could stay committed even when they couldn't go to the Temple.
196
What was the significance in Philo's writings?
- this type of writing sets a precedent for NT writers
| - helps us understand how Jesus survived in a hellenistic culture
197
What did the Jerusalem Temple symbolize?
the Tabernacle that the Jews carried in the wilderness; also that God is not just present but ACCESSIBLE in this place through the sacrificial system
198
Why is a sacrificial system used in the Temple?
because God is holy and we are not, so to recognize the cost of sin
199
What was the most important job in the Temple?
Priests (was a hereditary priesthood)
200
How many courses/family groups was the priesthood divided up into?
24; there were hundreds of priests (ex. Zechariah dad of John the Baptist); priests served in rotation and were not permanently @ Temple
201
When were sacrifices served in the Temple?
@dawn and @noon
202
When would all priests be on duty at the Temple?
on certain chief festivals or 'feast days' such as Passover, Weeks, Booths, or Dedication (which each commemorate something)
203
What is the Day of Atonement?
Yom Kippur; day when only high priest can go make sacrifices
204
What does having only 1 high priest represent?
purity of descent from Aaron, the 1st high priest
205
What does Passover commemorate?
deliverance out of captivity (out of Egypt)
206
What does Weeks commemorate?
a harvest festival, similar to original Thanksgiving
207
What does Booths commemorate?
God's provision/care during time in wilderness
208
What else is Booths sometimes called?
Feast of Tabernacles
209
What does Dedication commemorate?
Hanukkah, when Judas Maccabeas took Temple back
210
If possible, what are Jews required to do for Pilgrim Feasts?
attend at least 1 in Jerusalem every year
211
What is and what makes up part of the "Priestly Aristocracy" ?
It consists of men who are descends from aristocratic/wealthy priests; includes the Chief Priests (roughly a group of 12 people) and the High Priest.
212
What is the "Supreme Court" of the Temple?
Sanhedrin; final court of appeal; sometimes called "The Council" in NT
213
How many members does the Sanhedrin have and who are they?
71 members; 1 High Priest, approx. 12 Chief Priests, then the rest are Scribes (teachers of Law) or Elders (laymen, leading Reps. of the people)
214
Who is a NT example of a Scribe in the Sanhedrin? Of an Elder?
S=Nicodemus
| E=Joseph of Arimathea
215
What does Synagogue mean in Greek?
Assembly
216
What is Synagogue?
a group of Jewish men meeting together to practice religion/worship; can be a physical place or just a group of people (like Church)
217
What was the significance of Synagogue?
Availability; all you needed was at least 10 male Jews
218
How was Synagogue organized?
lay organized (laity...meaning non-ordained)
219
Synagogue was what in design?
educational
220
What were the 2 prominent synagogue training schools?
Shammei and Hillel (named after 2 famous rabbis/teachers/scribes of local synagogues)
221
What are some traits of Shammai?
more conservative, stricter interpretation of law
222
What are some traits of Hillel?
more liberal, humanitarian interpretation of law
| *Paul claims to be trained by Gamaliel, grandson of Hillel*
223
What is the importance of synagogue?
- Jesus uses it, and later apostles do too
- every important venue for Godpel proclamation
- Christian worship patterned after synagogue worship
224
What 3 things did synagogue worship prize?
1. Praise
2. Prayer
3. Instruction
225
What is "praise" in regards to synagogue worship?
"Call to worship"
226
What is "prayer" in regards to synagogue worship?
2 parts:
1-adoration and recollection
2-18 Benedictions ("Good word")
=formalized prayers that covered community needs, prayed weekly
227
What is "instruction" in regards to synagogue worship?
- scripture reading, then
- exposition (sermon)
* scripture readings were never from the "writings" but only from law and prophets
228
What does synagogue worship end with?
the Benediction
229
What does Pharisees literally mean?
Separated
230
Who are the people that originated as individuals who wanted to protest against religious corruption under the Hasmonean Dynasty?
Pharisees
231
Which author discussed the Pharisees?
Josephus
232
Why did Pharisees separate themselves and who from?
for their passion/zeal for God and to get away from less committed peoples;
they became aloof and saw 'common Jews' as 'people of the land'
233
What are the 3 main tenets/characteristic beliefs of the Pharisees?
1. Divine Providence
2. Human Freedom
3. Messianic Hope
234
What does Divine Providence entail within the characteristic beliefs of Pharisees?
God has a plan and is working it out through history.
235
What does Human Freedom entail within the characteristic beliefs of Pharisees?
Free will; our choices make a difference
236
What does Messianic Hope entail within the characteristic beliefs of Pharisees?
Hope/belief in a coming Messiah and belief in resurrection of the dead
237
The problem with Pharisees is not in their doctrine, but in their what?
forms of religious practices; Jesus butts heads with their Rabbinical interpretations of law
238
When did Pharisees meet together?
Friday afternoons before sunset too study the law
239
When could Pharisees not meet and why?
Friday sunset--->Saturday sunset=the Sabbath
240
What are some important necessary traits for Pharisees?
- had to be committed to the law and that interpretation and lifestyle
- sought to make a difference
- earnest and devoted to their faith
- saw themselves as GUARDIANS of the Law/Torah
241
What were some people pleasing facts of the Pharisees?
- open to everybody (as long as they agreed to law and everything)
- closest thing to a 'people party'
- helped keep Jewish faith alive
242
How did Sadducees originate?
- Leader was Zadok
- they saw themselves as counterpoint to Pharisees
- in general, a group of wealthy, property-owning elite Priests and laymen living in Jerusalem
- wanted to keep things the same
243
Who made up the Sadducees?
- many Priests (not all, but higher-ups definitely were)
| - many Elders
244
What were some characteristics and beliefs of Sadducees?
- opposed to the Messiah and the coming Kingdom
- thought things were good and didn't want anything to change
- aka conservatives
- no Messianic Hope (vsPharisees)
- rejected any oral interpretation of the Law
- believed only thing WITH authority was the Law/Torah (Pentateuch)
245
What did only deriving doctrine from the Torah mean?
-not believing in Resurrection, Messiah, etc.
246
What was the demise of the Sadducees?
- AD70=destruction of Temple
| - lost authority and basically disappeared from history
247
What is the background of the name for Essenes?
in Aramaic (common language) = Hasya; modified from Hebrew, which is reserved for religious stuff
248
What does Hasya mean? *note back to Hasidim (Maccabean period)*
"pious ones" or "holy ones"
249
What are characteristics of the Essene?
- monastic; often isolated communities
| * most likely Qumran was one*
250
What is the significance to NT study of the Essene?
- probable JtheBapt was one
- E's had particular way of interpreting scripture (OT) that mirrored the way NT was written
- both Essenes and NT writers believed they lived in OT fulfillment, characterized by Messianic hope
- believed they were "children of light" and had a destiny to prepare the way
- had great belief of guidance of Holy Spirit in their lives (very similar to what NT writers say)
251
When did Essene basically disappear?
when Romans came
252
What is the origin of Zealots?
- religious/practical group
- use of term 'zealot' dates back to early 1st cent. AD
- concept of ZEAL for God is very old
253
What are some characteristics of Zealots?
- zeal for God
- basically believe Messiah needed some help
- HOSTILE to both foreign and Temple hierarchies, Herodians, etc. = against anyone who somehow approved of the current sit.
- cry was for Yahweh and for His land and for freedom
- mostly are 'have-nots' against the 'haves'
- sought change
- basically a religiously based LIBERATION MOVEMENT
254
What language did the Sicarii refuse to use and why?
Greek; pagan associations
255
What is the ratio of Jews that lived in Palestine in 1st century? Ratio assoc. with political party?
1/7 (3.5 million Jews not in Palestine)
| 1/20 (so 5% was P, S, or E)
256
The group called "the poor" recognized what?
humbleness before God ("Anewin" ?)
257
There was a religious connection between what and what?
poverty and piety
