Introduction to the Introduction to the Hebrew ScriptureHebrew Scripture

Why Read the Bible?Why Read the Bible?

The canon known as the Bible The canon known as the Bible literally means “the books”literally means “the books”

What does the canon mean?

It is the ecclesiastical rule (law) approved by the Church

What is Your Idea of the Bible?What is Your Idea of the Bible?

What does it mean to say the Bible is What does it mean to say the Bible is the “Word of God”?the “Word of God”?

How did the Bible come about?How did the Bible come about? How was it passed down from How was it passed down from

generation to generation?generation to generation? What is its message and meaning for What is its message and meaning for

us today?us today?

What is the Bible?What is the Bible?

The Bible is a sharing of a peoples The Bible is a sharing of a peoples faith– a record of a nation’s belief in faith– a record of a nation’s belief in God. It is the historical reality of God. It is the historical reality of God’s relationship with his people.God’s relationship with his people.

These people believed God really did These people believed God really did intervene in human history and that intervene in human history and that he really does care about creation.he really does care about creation.

And the roots of our Christian faith And the roots of our Christian faith are found in the Hebrew Scriptures.are found in the Hebrew Scriptures.

The Bible then, was written as a book The Bible then, was written as a book of of “Religious Truth.”“Religious Truth.” That is, it was That is, it was not that other truths were not not that other truths were not important, they were simply not AS important, they were simply not AS important.important.

The ancient Hebrews understood God The ancient Hebrews understood God only as a God who was involved in his only as a God who was involved in his creation– and the very cause of creation– and the very cause of everything that happened. everything that happened.

We are the first in human history to see our planet We are the first in human history to see our planet in this light. We look for a more scientific “cause in this light. We look for a more scientific “cause and effect. They saw only God as the cause of and effect. They saw only God as the cause of

what happened and the effect of outcomewhat happened and the effect of outcome

Their view of the Their view of the world around them world around them was much different was much different from ours in that it from ours in that it was much simpler.was much simpler.

How is our world How is our world different today different today than in the time of than in the time of the ancient the ancient Hebrews?Hebrews?

The Bible Must be Read in its The Bible Must be Read in its Proper ContextProper Context

The culture, politics, and religion were The culture, politics, and religion were much different from our own.much different from our own.

The historical context was far different The historical context was far different from that of today. from that of today.

The authors of the Bible were writing to The authors of the Bible were writing to the people of their own time—its quite the people of their own time—its quite unlikely that they ever had us in mind. unlikely that they ever had us in mind.

So the better we understand their culture So the better we understand their culture and their world, the more likely we are to and their world, the more likely we are to understand what they were trying to say.understand what they were trying to say.

Have you ever tried to read the Have you ever tried to read the Hebrew Scripture?Hebrew Scripture?

All at once or small bits at a time?All at once or small bits at a time? Did you fine it difficult? If so, what Did you fine it difficult? If so, what

were some of the problems were some of the problems experienced?experienced?

The Bible is not an ordinary book. It The Bible is not an ordinary book. It must be read must be read slowly, prayerfully, slowly, prayerfully, studiously, and reflectively.studiously, and reflectively.

The Hebrew ScriptureThe Hebrew Scripture

The Bible you own today came to you in its complete form. But there was much involved in its history and its formation.

How Did The Bible Get Here?How Did The Bible Get Here? Remember the Hebrews believed that they had

experienced God and his saving presence in their lives-and they wanted their descendents to understand and appreciate this.

How was this information learned and passed down from one generation to the next in this ancient culture?

By word of mouth. –i.e. ORAL TRADITION As time passed, certain details in stories

changed., added, or even lost, but the basic message of the story was still there. Eventually, these fragments were written down on sheets of goat/sheep skin called parchment as a collection of stories.

Home Work AssignmentHome Work Assignment

Write a story of a tradition of your Write a story of a tradition of your family passed down but not written family passed down but not written down. Ask your parents and down. Ask your parents and grandparents about your family grandparents about your family history. How far back can you trace history. How far back can you trace your family story on the basis of the your family story on the basis of the spoken word (oral tradition). What spoken word (oral tradition). What can you conclude about oral tradition can you conclude about oral tradition in our society?in our society?

Oral TraditionOral Tradition

Oral tradition is still used today in some Oral tradition is still used today in some societies. Many people in the Central societies. Many people in the Central Pacific (Caroline Islands and the Gilberts) Pacific (Caroline Islands and the Gilberts) navigate the open seas using techniques navigate the open seas using techniques passed down from generations by word of passed down from generations by word of mouth.mouth.

Songs were composed using the elements Songs were composed using the elements of their navigation system. By chanting of their navigation system. By chanting these songs as they voyaged, they would these songs as they voyaged, they would know which stars to observe and follow.know which stars to observe and follow.

Recently, ancient routes were Recently, ancient routes were retraced using only the ancient oral retraced using only the ancient oral tradition of navigation. The results?tradition of navigation. The results?

They were amazingly accurate-even They were amazingly accurate-even by today's standards.by today's standards.

This experiment suggests the This experiment suggests the likelihood that much of the oral likelihood that much of the oral tradition behind the stories in the tradition behind the stories in the Bible are accurate as well.Bible are accurate as well.

What Are the Benefits / Risks of What Are the Benefits / Risks of Oral TraditionOral Tradition

Benefits:Benefits: Commit to memory-it’s not forgottenCommit to memory-it’s not forgotten Will have the knowledge even if Will have the knowledge even if

illiterateilliterate Risks:Risks: Knowledge can get changed / Knowledge can get changed /

distorted over timedistorted over time It’s lost if not passed downIt’s lost if not passed down

Writing Down the Oral TraditionsWriting Down the Oral Traditions

It was about the time if king David that the first It was about the time if king David that the first written documents were produced. Later the written documents were produced. Later the PROPHETSPROPHETS and and SAGESSAGES wrote down their works. wrote down their works.

Gradually, the various written accounts (stories) Gradually, the various written accounts (stories) were collected and put into a chronology over the were collected and put into a chronology over the years and edited. And the Bible as we know it was years and edited. And the Bible as we know it was born. “Editing” is the putting order into the born. “Editing” is the putting order into the accounts.accounts.

These three stages of development – These three stages of development – Oral, Oral, Written, and EditedWritten, and Edited – have no definitive times – have no definitive times lines between them. At times, all three were lines between them. At times, all three were going on simultaneously throughout the ancient going on simultaneously throughout the ancient world. world.

Will the Real Bible Please Stand Will the Real Bible Please Stand Up!Up!

Are the Catholic, Protestant, and Are the Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish Bible the same?Jewish Bible the same?

What are the differences?What are the differences? The Catholic Bible contains the The Catholic Bible contains the

deuterocanonical booksdeuterocanonical books Why is there a difference?Why is there a difference?

Home Work assignmentHome Work assignment

Compare the Hebrew Scripture of the Compare the Hebrew Scripture of the Protestant Bible and Catholic Bible. Protestant Bible and Catholic Bible. List the differences in the two. What List the differences in the two. What type of Bible do you have at home? type of Bible do you have at home? At school?At school?

Why the Difference?Why the Difference?

The Bible was first written in the The Bible was first written in the language of the people who believed language of the people who believed that they had experienced God; that that they had experienced God; that is, Hebrew.is, Hebrew.

Translations soon followed into Translations soon followed into Greek Greek (Septuagint)(Septuagint) and and Latin (Vulgate)Latin (Vulgate)

The translation used during the time The translation used during the time of Jesus Christ was the Septuagint.of Jesus Christ was the Septuagint.

What What happens happens between between C.E.67C.E.67

and 70?and 70?

In C.E.90 Jewish leaders meet in Jamnia Israel to In C.E.90 Jewish leaders meet in Jamnia Israel to decide their fate after the fall of Jerusalem. They decide their fate after the fall of Jerusalem. They begin to consider which books to accept into their begin to consider which books to accept into their cannon of Scripture.cannon of Scripture.

The Jews decide over a period of time to include The Jews decide over a period of time to include the lesser # of books.the lesser # of books.

The Christians had already begun to form their The Christians had already begun to form their own cannon by this time-based primarily upon own cannon by this time-based primarily upon the traditional acceptance of the Septuagint - the traditional acceptance of the Septuagint - which was the accepted cannon during the which was the accepted cannon during the historical period of Jesus’ life.historical period of Jesus’ life.

The Deuterocanonical BooksThe Deuterocanonical Books

The additional books included in the The additional books included in the Catholic Bible are called Catholic Bible are called deutero-deutero-cannonical books.cannonical books.

Does the Protestant Bible have the Does the Protestant Bible have the same # of books as the Catholic same # of books as the Catholic Bible or the Jewish Scripture?Bible or the Jewish Scripture?

Why do you think that is?Why do you think that is?

The Protestant BibleThe Protestant Bible

After the Protestant Reformation the After the Protestant Reformation the Protestant groups went back to the Protestant groups went back to the decision made by the Jews at Jamnia with decision made by the Jews at Jamnia with regard to which books would be in the regard to which books would be in the Hebrew Scripture and which would not. Hebrew Scripture and which would not. The Protestants followed the Jewish Canon. The Protestants followed the Jewish Canon. (39 Books)(39 Books)

The Catholic Church retained the longer The Catholic Church retained the longer canon which predated the decisions at canon which predated the decisions at Jamnia. Jamnia. (46 Books)(46 Books)

Imagine all the texts and versions of Imagine all the texts and versions of the Bible available in all the the Bible available in all the languages of the worldlanguages of the world

Does this demonstrate the generally Does this demonstrate the generally accepted importance of the Bible as accepted importance of the Bible as the word of God?the word of God?

The Bible and FaithThe Bible and Faith

The Bible is a book of faith. Faith is not The Bible is a book of faith. Faith is not quite the same as knowledge.quite the same as knowledge.

What’s the difference between faith and What’s the difference between faith and knowledge?knowledge?

Knowledge is what we learn, either by Knowledge is what we learn, either by ourselves or from others. It comes from ourselves or from others. It comes from our senses-sight, hear, touch, taste, smell. our senses-sight, hear, touch, taste, smell. We know b/c we experience it.We know b/c we experience it.

Experience is important.Experience is important.

How do we know ice is cold?How do we know ice is cold? How do we know the sky is blue?How do we know the sky is blue? We know b/c we can perceiveWe know b/c we can perceive How do we go about finding out How do we go about finding out

information that cannot be information that cannot be experienced by observation? Or experienced by observation? Or questions that cannot be answered questions that cannot be answered by using only the data gathered by by using only the data gathered by our senses b/c no physical data is to our senses b/c no physical data is to be had in the areas?be had in the areas?

What are Some of the Questions?What are Some of the Questions?

Why am I here?Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?What is my purpose in life? Where do I go when I leave here?Where do I go when I leave here? What happens to me when I die?What happens to me when I die? It is here that faith entersIt is here that faith enters If knowledge is based upon information If knowledge is based upon information

gathered from the senses, faith is belief in gathered from the senses, faith is belief in something based upon the word of something based upon the word of someone else.someone else.

Put simply, we believe b/c someone of trust Put simply, we believe b/c someone of trust told us so.told us so.

Much of life is based on some type of trust Much of life is based on some type of trust (belief) (belief)

We trust others –even unconscious trust- in We trust others –even unconscious trust- in many ways. Give some examples of how we many ways. Give some examples of how we do this daily.do this daily.

Crossing a busy street, or driving through Crossing a busy street, or driving through an intersection.an intersection.

Architects and contractors ability to make Architects and contractors ability to make sturdy structuressturdy structures

Doctors,- the medical field in generalDoctors,- the medical field in general

Belief = AcceptanceBelief = Acceptance

Belief does not always imply total Belief does not always imply total acceptance of a statement. Often it acceptance of a statement. Often it is the idea itself which is believed is the idea itself which is believed rather than the specific language rather than the specific language used to express it.used to express it.

When reading the Bible we must get When reading the Bible we must get behind the language to the idea it behind the language to the idea it conveys.conveys.

Conscious exaggerationConscious exaggeration

Many of us make “conscious Many of us make “conscious exaggeration” statements in our exaggeration” statements in our daily speechdaily speech

What are some you hear every day?What are some you hear every day? I I ALWAYSALWAYS have homework have homework I I NEVERNEVER get to go. get to go. EVERYBODYEVERYBODY has one. has one. He’s as He’s as BIGBIG as a house as a house He’s as He’s as STRONGSTRONG as an ox as an ox

Always Look for the MessageAlways Look for the Message

These type of statements aren’t concerned These type of statements aren’t concerned so much about the words- the interest is in so much about the words- the interest is in getting the message across. The getting the message across. The exaggeration is used to make a point.exaggeration is used to make a point.

So when reading, we shouldn’t get so So when reading, we shouldn’t get so distracted by unusual descriptions or distracted by unusual descriptions or details in the text that we forget the details in the text that we forget the religious message the writer meant to religious message the writer meant to convey.convey.

We have to remember that we’re We have to remember that we’re not reading the Bible as a not reading the Bible as a historical narrative of ancient historical narrative of ancient times. Rather we are looking for times. Rather we are looking for the religious message that it the religious message that it contains.contains. The message that is often The message that is often hidden in the prose (text/style)hidden in the prose (text/style)

Biblical Inspiration and InerrancyBiblical Inspiration and Inerrancy

We believe the claim that the Bible is We believe the claim that the Bible is the word of God.the word of God.

But what exactly does that mean???But what exactly does that mean??? There are two generally accepted There are two generally accepted

characteristics the Scriptures characteristics the Scriptures contain: contain: INSPIRATIONINSPIRATION and and INERRANCYINERRANCY..

Biblical InspirationBiblical Inspiration

Did God have an angel whisper Did God have an angel whisper words into the ear of the writers and words into the ear of the writers and tell them what they should write tell them what they should write down?down?

NO! That would be note takingNO! That would be note taking Inspiration in its proper sense is a Inspiration in its proper sense is a

“religious mystery.”“religious mystery.” It’s something It’s something we believe, even though it cannot be we believe, even though it cannot be fully explained.fully explained.

Faith would be impossible without Faith would be impossible without religious mystery. If every element of religious mystery. If every element of faith could be explained, we would faith could be explained, we would “know” everything. Religion would “know” everything. Religion would simply be reduced to an intellectual simply be reduced to an intellectual exercise.exercise.

God utilized the author to get the God utilized the author to get the religious message across to the religious message across to the people, and the message probably people, and the message probably had far more important meaning than had far more important meaning than the one the author wrote consciously.the one the author wrote consciously.

Biblical inspirationBiblical inspiration is basically a is basically a matter of matter of God getting a message God getting a message across to people in terms they can across to people in terms they can understand.understand.

One of the proofs of God’s love for us One of the proofs of God’s love for us is that he communicates with us in a is that he communicates with us in a way that is intelligible to us. way that is intelligible to us.

Biblical InerrancyBiblical Inerrancy

All the books of the Bible are inspired, but All the books of the Bible are inspired, but that doesn’t mean that the Bible contains that doesn’t mean that the Bible contains no mistakes. no mistakes.

We can search the Scriptures and find We can search the Scriptures and find statements that are historically inaccurate statements that are historically inaccurate - or that modern science would contradict. - or that modern science would contradict. As long as we are dealing with humans, As long as we are dealing with humans, we’re dealing with the possibility of we’re dealing with the possibility of mistakes. mistakes.

When we say the Bible has no mistakes, When we say the Bible has no mistakes, we are talking about inerrancy.we are talking about inerrancy.

InerrancyInerrancy refers to the fact that there refers to the fact that there are are no mistakes in religious truthno mistakes in religious truth that God wants to reveal to us.that God wants to reveal to us.

The Bible is a book of religious belief, The Bible is a book of religious belief, and it must be taken as such. In that and it must be taken as such. In that sense, it contains no mistakes.sense, it contains no mistakes.

Approaches to the BibleApproaches to the Bible The way that we approach the Bible The way that we approach the Bible

will very much determine the way we will very much determine the way we will read it – and thus, the degree to will read it – and thus, the degree to which we understand it.which we understand it.

There are three approaches to the There are three approaches to the Bible we are going to discuss:Bible we are going to discuss:

1. The Fundamental Approach1. The Fundamental Approach 2. The Scientific Approach2. The Scientific Approach 2. The Critical Approach2. The Critical Approach Do you know which approach you Do you know which approach you

use?use?

Fundamental ApproachFundamental Approach

The The fundamental approach is a literal fundamental approach is a literal interpretation of the Bible text.interpretation of the Bible text.

Those who adhere to this view insist on Those who adhere to this view insist on taking every phrase, description, and text taking every phrase, description, and text of the Bible literally; that is word for word of the Bible literally; that is word for word as they appear in the text.as they appear in the text.

Can you see any dilemmas that might Can you see any dilemmas that might arise using this approach?arise using this approach?

The historical and cultural context is The historical and cultural context is different.different.

The changes in language is also very The changes in language is also very important. Language in ancient times was important. Language in ancient times was not as developed. Words had multiple not as developed. Words had multiple meanings and the meaning of certain meanings and the meaning of certain words have developed and changed over words have developed and changed over time; languages change.time; languages change.

Remember, the Remember, the IDEAIDEA to be communicated to be communicated is more important than the words chosen is more important than the words chosen to express it to express it

Scientific ApproachScientific Approach

This isn’t really an approach to study This isn’t really an approach to study scripture at all; it’s scripture at all; it’s an approach to an approach to one’s view of life and environment.one’s view of life and environment.

The scientific approach would say – The scientific approach would say – whenever science and the Bible whenever science and the Bible contradict one another, preference is contradict one another, preference is to be given to the scientific to be given to the scientific explanationexplanation

Do you see any problems with this Do you see any problems with this approach?approach?

The problem here is that an investigation The problem here is that an investigation of the meaning of the scriptural passage in of the meaning of the scriptural passage in question is completely ignored.question is completely ignored.

Besides, discarding the biblical view in Besides, discarding the biblical view in favor of the scientific approach may favor of the scientific approach may eliminate some of the biblical problems, eliminate some of the biblical problems, but it does nothing to solve them.but it does nothing to solve them.

Critical ApproachCritical Approach

This approach attempts to take the This approach attempts to take the Bible on its own terms instead of Bible on its own terms instead of ours.ours. This approach tries to get This approach tries to get behindbehind the written wordthe written word

This method takes into account the This method takes into account the importance of the policies, culture, and importance of the policies, culture, and circumstances surrounding the biblical circumstances surrounding the biblical account. account.

Those using this approach try to discern Those using this approach try to discern the many oral traditions that predate the the many oral traditions that predate the written account, and how various traditions written account, and how various traditions were woven together and edited into the were woven together and edited into the biblical story.biblical story.

This approach tries to determine what the This approach tries to determine what the biblical authors were saying to the people biblical authors were saying to the people of their own time.of their own time.

If we find out what that message was, If we find out what that message was, we will have a better chance of we will have a better chance of understanding how that message understanding how that message applies to our own situation today.applies to our own situation today.

Which one of these three methods Which one of these three methods does the Catholic Church endorse?does the Catholic Church endorse?

The Critical ApproachThe Critical Approach Do you have a better idea of your Do you have a better idea of your

approach to the Bible now?approach to the Bible now?

A Historical Sketch of Ancient IsraelA Historical Sketch of Ancient Israel The history The history

and religion of and religion of the Israelites the Israelites begin with begin with AbrahamAbraham. He . He was a was a nomadnomad, , (wandering (wandering herdsman) herdsman) living in the living in the region of Iraq region of Iraq around 1850 around 1850 B.C.E.B.C.E.

God makes a God makes a covenantcovenant with with Abraham to give his Abraham to give his descendents the land descendents the land of Canaan. This of Canaan. This covenant is inherited covenant is inherited through his son through his son IsaacIsaac and grandson and grandson JacobJacob and their wives. and their wives. These are the These are the patriarchspatriarchs (head/father of a (head/father of a tribe) and tribe) and matriarchs matriarchs of the Jewish faith of the Jewish faith (The fathers and (The fathers and mothers - founders)mothers - founders)

What is a What is a CovenantCovenant??

Is a covenant and a contract the Is a covenant and a contract the same thing?same thing?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! A contract is based on a legal A contract is based on a legal

obligation. A covenant is based on obligation. A covenant is based on love. It has two sides: if it was love. It has two sides: if it was offered in love, it was to be offered in love, it was to be responded to with love.responded to with love.

The The firstfirst part of the covenant specified that part of the covenant specified that Abraham would be the father of a nation.Abraham would be the father of a nation.

The The secondsecond part promised to give the land of part promised to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham.Canaan to the descendants of Abraham.

What was the promise that Abraham and his What was the promise that Abraham and his descendents were to keep to God?descendents were to keep to God?

The descendents of Abraham would reveal the one The descendents of Abraham would reveal the one God to the world.God to the world.

Who or what did people worship if it wasn’t the God Who or what did people worship if it wasn’t the God we know today?we know today?

The The thirdthird part of God’s promise is the story of the part of God’s promise is the story of the New TestamentNew Testament

Three Parts to God’s CovenantThree Parts to God’s Covenant

The The descendents of descendents of Abraham travel Abraham travel to Egypt to to Egypt to avoid famine avoid famine and are and are eventually eventually enslaved by the enslaved by the Egyptians for Egyptians for 400+ years 400+ years 1700-1250 1700-1250 B.C.E. B.C.E.

Moses in ExodusMoses in Exodus

About 1250 B.C.E. God reveals to About 1250 B.C.E. God reveals to MosesMoses his name: his name: YahwehYahweh – “I am the – “I am the one who is always present.”one who is always present.”

Moses then leads the Israelites out of Moses then leads the Israelites out of the bondage of the Egyptiansthe bondage of the Egyptians

Moses then encounters God on Moses then encounters God on Mount SinaiMount Sinai

What happens there?What happens there?

Moses is given the Moses is given the 10 Commandments.10 Commandments.

The covenant made The covenant made was: God would was: God would make the Israelites make the Israelites the “people of the “people of God.” God would be God.” God would be with them as long with them as long as they kept the as they kept the covenant. The covenant. The Israelites part of the Israelites part of the covenant was to covenant was to keep God’s keep God’s commandmentscommandments

David Becomes KingDavid Becomes King They wander in the They wander in the

desert 40 years. desert 40 years. Led by Joshua, the Led by Joshua, the Israelites enter Israelites enter Canaan and for the Canaan and for the next 2 centuries next 2 centuries fight against the fight against the people living in the people living in the region. They region. They abandon their abandon their nomadic ways.nomadic ways.

Around 1000B.C.E. Around 1000B.C.E. DavidDavid becomes becomes kingking

The First TempleThe First Temple SolomonSolomon, the , the

son of David, son of David, builds the builds the Temple in Temple in Jerusalem. It Jerusalem. It becomes the becomes the principal place of principal place of worship for the worship for the Jewish nation. It Jewish nation. It becomes both a becomes both a political and political and religious capitalreligious capital

Two NationsTwo Nations Solomon dies - Solomon dies -

the nation is the nation is divided into two divided into two kingdoms: kingdoms: IsraelIsrael in the north and in the north and JudahJudah in the in the south.south.

The Assyrians The Assyrians take over Israel take over Israel in 722 B.C.E. in 722 B.C.E. and the and the Babylonians Babylonians destroy Judah in destroy Judah in 587 B.C.E.587 B.C.E.

Not Holding up Their End Of the Not Holding up Their End Of the BargainBargain

The Israelite people were forced into The Israelite people were forced into service and forced to pay heavy taxes. service and forced to pay heavy taxes. Kings often practiced idolatryKings often practiced idolatry

Prophets spoke against both kingdom’s Prophets spoke against both kingdom’s injustices but most of the time to no avail. injustices but most of the time to no avail.

The Assyrians crush the northern kingdom The Assyrians crush the northern kingdom in 721 B.C.E. and took its people into exilein 721 B.C.E. and took its people into exile

In 521 B.C.E. the Babylonians destroy In 521 B.C.E. the Babylonians destroy Judah (and Jerusalem) and take its people Judah (and Jerusalem) and take its people to Babylonia as captives.to Babylonia as captives.

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DiasporaDiaspora The Israelites are exiled to Babylon for 50 The Israelites are exiled to Babylon for 50

years and then allowed to return to the years and then allowed to return to the land of Judah which had now become a land of Judah which had now become a district within the Persian Empire. district within the Persian Empire.

Upon their return, they were to become Upon their return, they were to become known as known as JewsJews – taken from the word – taken from the word JudahJudah

The Temple and the city of Jerusalem was The Temple and the city of Jerusalem was rebuilt and once again became the rebuilt and once again became the religious capital of the Jews.religious capital of the Jews.

The The DiasporaDiaspora refers to the dispersion refers to the dispersion (exile) of the Jewish people after they (exile) of the Jewish people after they were conquered.were conquered.

The Jewish leaders begin collecting The Jewish leaders begin collecting and reflecting on their ancestral and reflecting on their ancestral writings in Hebrew and by about 400 writings in Hebrew and by about 400 B.C.E. the major books of what would B.C.E. the major books of what would become the Hebrew Scriptures were become the Hebrew Scriptures were completed. completed.

400 B.C.E. to Christ400 B.C.E. to Christ The Persian empire is conquered by the The Persian empire is conquered by the

Greeks in 330 B.C.E. and the Greeks seize Greeks in 330 B.C.E. and the Greeks seize control of Jerusalem.control of Jerusalem.

The Romans capture Jerusalem from the The Romans capture Jerusalem from the Greeks in 63 B.C.E. The Romans were Greeks in 63 B.C.E. The Romans were tolerant of other cultures and religions but tolerant of other cultures and religions but severely punished its subjects for revolts.severely punished its subjects for revolts.

It was a dark time for the Jewish people. It was a dark time for the Jewish people. They longed to be released from They longed to be released from oppression. Many Jews looked for the oppression. Many Jews looked for the coming of the messiah, one sent by God to coming of the messiah, one sent by God to save them. Many expected this messiah to save them. Many expected this messiah to be from the family line of David.be from the family line of David.

Jesus the SaviorJesus the Savior

During a time of darkness and defeat During a time of darkness and defeat for the people of Israel, Jesus is born; for the people of Israel, Jesus is born; one of the house of David. one of the house of David.

Christians see Jesus as the fulfillment Christians see Jesus as the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to Israel and of all of God’s promises to Israel and the savior of the world.the savior of the world.

The Romans destroy the Temple for good The Romans destroy the Temple for good during the Jewish revolt in 70 C.E.during the Jewish revolt in 70 C.E.

The surviving Jews were once again forced The surviving Jews were once again forced to leave their land and dispersed to Africa, to leave their land and dispersed to Africa, Asia, and Europe.Asia, and Europe.

The The DiasporaDiaspora stressed the need for an stressed the need for an official set of scriptures to guide Jewish official set of scriptures to guide Jewish religious life.religious life.

Why would this be so important to the Why would this be so important to the Jews?Jews?

To maintain a sense of identity as a To maintain a sense of identity as a people set apart and bound by the people set apart and bound by the

covenant with Godcovenant with God

A sense of connectedness to A sense of connectedness to their ancestors who had been their ancestors who had been dispersed from Babylon dispersed from Babylon generations earliergenerations earlier

The Types of writings in the The Types of writings in the Hebrew ScripturesHebrew Scriptures

There are stories, legends, letters, There are stories, legends, letters, biographies, poems speeches, laws, biographies, poems speeches, laws, prayers, and proverbs in the prayers, and proverbs in the scriptures. All of these writings have scriptures. All of these writings have been assembled into the following been assembled into the following sections:sections:

PentateuchPentateuch Historical BooksHistorical Books Wisdom BooksWisdom Books Prophetic BooksProphetic Books

PentateuchPentateuch

These five books are the primary These five books are the primary scriptural authority in the Jewish faithscriptural authority in the Jewish faith

Historical BooksHistorical Books These books tell of Israel’s conquest These books tell of Israel’s conquest

in the land of Canaan and the break in the land of Canaan and the break up of the nation of Israel.up of the nation of Israel.

Wisdom BooksWisdom Books

These books consist of Job, Psalms, These books consist of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom, Sirach, Song of SongsSirach, Song of Songs

Prophetic BooksProphetic Books This book tells about the men who This book tells about the men who

loved Israel and warned it that to loved Israel and warned it that to depart from fidelity to God would depart from fidelity to God would lead to moral blindness and lead to moral blindness and destruction as a nation.destruction as a nation.