Ancient IsraelitesAncient Israelites

The First IsraelitesThe First Israelites

Section 1Section 1

NotesNotes

Did You know?Did You know?

The peak of Mount Sinai, where- The peak of Mount Sinai, where- according to the Bible- Moses received the according to the Bible- Moses received the 10 Commandments, can be reached by 10 Commandments, can be reached by climbing 3,750 stone steps. The steps climbing 3,750 stone steps. The steps were created by the monks of St. were created by the monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery. Catherine’s Monastery.

The Early IsraelitesThe Early Israelites The Israelites built a kingdom in The Israelites built a kingdom in CanaanCanaan, along the , along the

Mediterranean Sea in southwest Asia, in 1000 B.C.Mediterranean Sea in southwest Asia, in 1000 B.C. Israelites believed in Israelites believed in one godone god= = monotheism. monotheism. Israelite faith became the religion of Judaism.Israelite faith became the religion of Judaism.

Judaism influenced Christianity and Islam and helped shape the beliefs Judaism influenced Christianity and Islam and helped shape the beliefs of European and American societies.of European and American societies.

Israelites spoke Hebrew and wrote their history and beliefs in what Israelites spoke Hebrew and wrote their history and beliefs in what later became the later became the Hebrew Bible. Hebrew Bible.

Israelites believed they were descended from a man named Israelites believed they were descended from a man named AbrahamAbraham. . • Israelites believed God told Abraham to settle in Canaan and worship one Israelites believed God told Abraham to settle in Canaan and worship one

true God.true God.• Abraham’s grandson, Abraham’s grandson, JacobJacob, raised , raised 12 sons12 sons Canaan. Canaan.

Their families became the Their families became the 12 tribes of Israel.12 tribes of Israel. After 100 years in Canaan, the Israelites suffered a drought. After 100 years in Canaan, the Israelites suffered a drought.

• To survive, they went to To survive, they went to Egypt.Egypt.

The Early Israelites The Early Israelites continuedcontinued The Egyptian Pharaoh enslaved Israelites.The Egyptian Pharaoh enslaved Israelites.

To prevent Israelites from rebelling, the pharaoh ordered all baby To prevent Israelites from rebelling, the pharaoh ordered all baby boys thrown into the Nile River. boys thrown into the Nile River.

Pharaoh’s daughter found a baby boy in a basket on the riverbank.Pharaoh’s daughter found a baby boy in a basket on the riverbank.• Named him Named him Moses.Moses.

When Moses grew up, he herded sheep in hills outside of Egypt. In hills, he When Moses grew up, he herded sheep in hills outside of Egypt. In hills, he saw a burning bush and heard a voice. He believed it was God telling him to saw a burning bush and heard a voice. He believed it was God telling him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Bible says God sent Bible says God sent 10 plagues10 plagues to trouble Egypt. to trouble Egypt.• Last plague killed all the 1st born children, except for those Israelites who Last plague killed all the 1st born children, except for those Israelites who

marked their doors with lamb’s blood.marked their doors with lamb’s blood.• Plague convinced pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt.Plague convinced pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt.

After Israelites left, pharaoh changed his mind.After Israelites left, pharaoh changed his mind.• He sent soldiers after the Israelites.He sent soldiers after the Israelites.• Bible says that God parted the Red Sea, so the Israelites could pass.Bible says that God parted the Red Sea, so the Israelites could pass.• Water flowed back when the soldiers tried to cross, and they drowned.Water flowed back when the soldiers tried to cross, and they drowned.

The Early Israelites The Early Israelites continuedcontinued

On the way back to Canaan, Moses went On the way back to Canaan, Moses went to the top of to the top of Mount SinaiMount Sinai and received and received laws from God.laws from God. These laws were known as the These laws were known as the TorahTorah..

• This became the 1st part of the Hebrew Bible.This became the 1st part of the Hebrew Bible.• The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments- what God believes is - what God believes is

right and wrong- are the most important part of the right and wrong- are the most important part of the TorahTorah..

Then 10 Commandments helped form the basic moral Then 10 Commandments helped form the basic moral laws of many nations. laws of many nations.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

What promise did God make in the What promise did God make in the covenantcovenant with Israel? with Israel? God promised to return the Israelites to God promised to return the Israelites to

Canaan if they followed the laws of the Torah. Canaan if they followed the laws of the Torah.

The Promised LandThe Promised Land It took the Israelites about 40 years to reach Canaan.It took the Israelites about 40 years to reach Canaan.

Along the way, Moses died, and Joshua took over. Along the way, Moses died, and Joshua took over. When the Israelites reached Canaan, they found a group of people, the When the Israelites reached Canaan, they found a group of people, the

Canaanites, living there.Canaanites, living there.• Israelites believed it was God’s will to conquer the Canaanites.Israelites believed it was God’s will to conquer the Canaanites.

Joshua led Israelites into battle.Joshua led Israelites into battle. They marched around the walls of the city of Jericho for 6 days.They marched around the walls of the city of Jericho for 6 days. On the 7th day, Israelites let out a great shout, and the walls of Jericho crumbled.On the 7th day, Israelites let out a great shout, and the walls of Jericho crumbled. Joshua led the Israelites in 3 more wars.Joshua led the Israelites in 3 more wars.

• The land they seized was divided among the 12 tribes.The land they seized was divided among the 12 tribes.

After Joshua’s death, the Israelites looked to After Joshua’s death, the Israelites looked to judgesjudges for leadership. for leadership. Judges were usually military leaders who led one or two tribes.Judges were usually military leaders who led one or two tribes. Eventually, the Israelites won the hilly region of Canaan, and the Eventually, the Israelites won the hilly region of Canaan, and the

Canaanites kept the coastal areas.Canaanites kept the coastal areas.• The Israelites built walled towns to protect themselves.The Israelites built walled towns to protect themselves.

Phoenicians were a group of Canaanites who developed an Phoenicians were a group of Canaanites who developed an alphabetalphabet.. An alphabet is a group of letters that stands for sounds.An alphabet is a group of letters that stands for sounds.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

How did the Phoenicians affect other How did the Phoenicians affect other cultures of the world?cultures of the world? Passed on their alphabet to the Greeks and Passed on their alphabet to the Greeks and

the Romans. the Romans. This alphabet is the basis for most Western This alphabet is the basis for most Western

alphabets of today. alphabets of today.