HEBREWS

CANAAN

CANAAN

Ancient Home of the Hebrews/Jews

BACKGROUND

Settled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River Valley

The Hebrew Bible refers to Canaan as the land God promised to the Israelites

MONOTHEISM

The belief in one god This was practiced by the Hebrews

the first to be monotheistic

ORIGINS OF JUDAISM

The monotheism of Abraham became the foundation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

TORAH

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible Contains the written records and the

beliefs of the Jews

ABRAHAM

The father of the Jewish people Lived in Mesopotamia Move his family to Canaan Around 1650 BC, his decedents moved

to Egypt

ABRAHAM

HEBREW GOD

One God No Physical Being First Covenant-Oral Contract

Abraham to obey/God Protect

MOSES

In Egypt, the Hebrews were forced to be slaves

Between 1300 and 1200, the Hebrews fled Egypt This is known as the “Exodus”

EXODUS

Moses led the people out of Egypt according to the Torah

He did this because he was commanded by God

TEN COMMANDMENTS

New Covenant This became the basis for the Hebrew

law code With this code they believed that by

following the commandments God would protect them

ARRIVAL IN CANAAN

Wandered desert for 40 years Settled in Canaan Divided into 12 tribes led by judges-self

governing

WOMEN

Were not religious officials Expected to raise children Deborah (exception)

A judge

LAW

Religious Code Ten Commandments Rules that regulate social and religious

behavior

GEOGRAPHY OF CANAAN

Rocky, arid desert Central Feature- Jordan River

KINGDOM OF ISRAEL

From 1020 to 922 BC, the Hebrews united under three kings

Golden Age of Israel

SAUL

Drove Philistines out of Canaan-reason chosen as leader

DAVID

United the Tribes Founded a Dynasty Establish Jerusalem as Capital Extremely popular leader

SOLOMON

Son of David Most powerful Israelite King Established Trade Rebuilt Jerusalem Built Great Temple

SOLOMON’S TEMPLE

KINGDOM DIVIDES

Harsh Conditions Heavy Taxes Forced Labor Israel splits after Solomon’s death Israel North/Judah South

KINGDOM TAKEN OVER

In 738 BC the Israelites began to pay tribute to the Assyrians took over the northern Kingdom of Israel

BABYLONIANS

Took over Judah The Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s

temple and exiled the surviving Hebrews to Babylon

EXILE

Banished or deported from a land The Hebrews kept studying their Bible About 50 years later they were allowed

to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple

DIASPORA The scattering of Jewish Communities After the exile, Hebrews spread across

the land They spread the teachings of Judaism