History and Context of the BibleHistory and Context of the Bible

HISTORY OF ISRAELHISTORY OF ISRAEL

At the time of Abraham, Isaac At the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, there were no great and Jacob, there were no great empires in the Middle East. empires in the Middle East. Various tribal groups moved Various tribal groups moved around, exchanged ideas and around, exchanged ideas and religious beliefs among tribes, religious beliefs among tribes, but no group was dominantbut no group was dominant

HISTORY OF ISRAELHISTORY OF ISRAEL

The nation of Israel The nation of Israel collected under Moses collected under Moses came about from joining came about from joining several groups of people several groups of people (tribes). They entered (tribes). They entered PalestinePalestine

For about 200 years, the For about 200 years, the tribe was loosely knit tribe was loosely knit without any form of without any form of government. When the government. When the need arose, judges would need arose, judges would lead the peoplelead the people

HISTORY OF ISRAELHISTORY OF ISRAEL

In the 11th century BCE, the In the 11th century BCE, the Philistines gained power over the Philistines gained power over the tribes, killed or scattered the tribes, killed or scattered the priests and tribes. Saul was priests and tribes. Saul was chosen as King of the remaining chosen as King of the remaining Israelite people to unite the tribes Israelite people to unite the tribes and lead them into battle. King and lead them into battle. King David took over and defeated the David took over and defeated the Philistines. Under King David, Philistines. Under King David, all of the land of Canaan became all of the land of Canaan became Israelite territory. David created Israelite territory. David created a court and a government in a court and a government in JerusalemJerusalem

History of IsraelHistory of Israel

When King Solomon took over, he tried When King Solomon took over, he tried to rule the state economically, which did to rule the state economically, which did not work. He divided the territory into not work. He divided the territory into twelve states, and taxed them heavily. twelve states, and taxed them heavily. People were angered because all money People were angered because all money went to Jerusalem. The empire was went to Jerusalem. The empire was divided into two rival states Israel in the divided into two rival states Israel in the North and Judah in the south. This North and Judah in the south. This weakened the Israelites greatly.weakened the Israelites greatly.

HISTORY OF ISRAELHISTORY OF ISRAEL The Northern state was The Northern state was

conquered by the Assyrians conquered by the Assyrians and were forced to practice and were forced to practice pagan religionspagan religions

The South became the The South became the centre of the Israelite centre of the Israelite religionreligion

In the 6th Century BCE, In the 6th Century BCE, Judah became a vassal state Judah became a vassal state of Babylonia. Much of of Babylonia. Much of Jerusalem was destroyed, Jerusalem was destroyed, including the Templeincluding the Temple

HISTORY OF ISRAELHISTORY OF ISRAEL

In 538, the Babylonians In 538, the Babylonians fell to the Persians, and fell to the Persians, and a new King, Cyrus, a new King, Cyrus, ordered the restoration ordered the restoration of the Jewish of the Jewish community, including community, including the rebuilding of the the rebuilding of the TempleTemple

Conquered by Greek Conquered by Greek rule, who forced Greek rule, who forced Greek culture on the Jewsculture on the Jews

Panorama of Biblical HistoryPanorama of Biblical History

1.1. What Patriarch is the founding What Patriarch is the founding father of Judaism and father of Judaism and Christianity? Christianity?

2.2. What Patriarch lead the What Patriarch lead the Israelites out of slavery in Israelites out of slavery in Egypt? Egypt?

3.3. Who was the first King of the Who was the first King of the Israelites? Israelites?

4.4. Who was the greatest King of Who was the greatest King of the Israelites? the Israelites?

5.5. In what century was the Temple In what century was the Temple in Jerusalem destroyed? in Jerusalem destroyed?

6.6. What ‘country’ was dominant What ‘country’ was dominant in Israel/Palestine during the in Israel/Palestine during the birth of Jesus Christ? birth of Jesus Christ?