Intertestamental Period: History and Significance

Inter-Testamental History

• The New Testament period stands apart from the Old Testament period, featuring elements absent in the OT such as Synagogues, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, Sanhedrin, and Diaspora.
• The emergence of these new elements raises a question on how they came to exist.
• The period between the Old and New Testaments spans approximately 400 years.
• The 400 years are often called the "silent years" due to a noticeable lack of biblical prophetic activity.
• Understanding this era is crucial in understanding the cultural and religious backdrop against which the New Testament was written, including the environment of its authors and intended audience.
• Despite the return of many Jews to Judea/Palestine, they remained under Persian rule, and continued under foreign powers until the end of the NT period.
• The Jews were under foreign powers during the Inter-Testamental period, a reality that significantly shaped Jewish self identity during the New Testament era.

The Dispersion

• "Diaspora" is derived from Greek, meaning "dispersion" or "scattered," describing Jewish communities outside of Jerusalem and Babylon.
• Many Jews prospered in Babylon and chose not to return to Jerusalem.
• Other Jews migrated to Egypt before the Babylonians arrived, forming thriving communities there.
• Jews participated in widespread migration with other groups throughout the known world from that time on.
• The rise in the number of Jews living in "dispersion" led to various religious and cultural adaptations of Judaism.
• To maintain their faith outside the Promised Land, Synagogues developed as places for worship and teaching in the Diaspora.

Key Political Developments

• The Intertestamental Period can be segmented into four key political periods:
  • Persian Period (538-332 BC)
  • Greek Period (332-142)
  • Hasmonean Period
  • Roman Period

Persian Period (538-332 B.C.)

• The Babylonian captivity concluded with the Persian conquest.
• King Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to their homeland.
• Not all Jews opted to return, many remained to continue their lives and businesses, like Nehemiah and Esther.
• This period marked the end of the Davidic dynasty as the ruling monarchy.
• Jews strived to maintain their way of life, but lacked a king and independence.
• Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah were key leaders during this time.
• The "scribes," who were skilled in studying the law, emerged during this period.
• The highest-ranking Jewish official during this period was the High Priest.

Greek Period (332-142)

• The Greeks disseminated their culture broadly, leading to "Hellenism," that means the fusion of Greek culture with other cultures it encountered.
• The Hellenistic period is defined as the historical era between Alexander and the Roman Empire, during which Judaism became "Hellenistic".
• Despite Jewish opposition, Hellenism affected all aspects of Judaism.
• Alexander the Great's vast empire transformed the ancient Near East.
• Greek language remained common throughout areas Alexander conquered until Islam's spread 1000 years later.
• With the spread of the widespread language, Hellenistic culture was also spread, leading to adaptations and absorption of ideas.
• Rural Egyptians expressed hopes and prayers in Greek, and Greek rulers adopted ancient Egyptian Pharaonic ideologies to strengthen their rule.
• Hellenism established a common language and educational process across the Eastern Mediterranean which was facilitated by the common culture.
• Paul utilized this in the New Testament, by writing to Christians in Asia Minor and Rome in Greek.
• Christians could travel easily and communicate in Greek.
• The Greek system maintained stability for a considerably long amount of time over a diverse region, supporting Christian discipleship and Gospel authorship.
• Many cultures disappeared due to the prevalence of Hellenism as a whole.
• The Jews who spread out and struggled to uphold their identity against Greek culture, their struggle became the basis for what followed throughout the NT era.
• The Jews had to respond to the attack on Mosaic law, so they developed different expressions of Judaism.
• When Alexander the Great died, Seleucus took over Syria while Ptolemy took over Egypt.

Egyptian Era (320-63 BC)

• Palestine was under the control of the Ptolemies, who were Egyptian/Greek rulers of Egypt.
• Many migrated to Alexandria, where the Septuagint was produced and where the Jews prospered
• Jewish local government was administered by High Priests at this time.
• The Ptolemaic period was typically more agreeable, compared to the Seleucid period.

Syrian Era (200-142 BC)

• The Seleucids were the rulers of Syria.
• Antiochus I conquered of Palestine and the defeat of Egyptians.
• Antiochus IV known as “the glorious”, eliminated Jewish opposition by enforcing Hellenism.
• Antiochus Epiphanes forbade circumcision, Sabbath observance, and eating pork resulting in revolts.

Syrian Era - 164 BC

• King Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig on the altar in the Temple and he dedicated it to Jupiter.
• He sent 22,000 soldiers who burned down Jerusalem.
• He was against circumcision, Sabbath observance, festivals, and possession of the Torah scriptures.
• The revolt was led by Mattathias, with Judas Maccabeus being one of his 5 loyal sons.
• Judas led the Maccabean revolt and killed a priest who tried to make a pagan sacrifice and the royal agent.

Maccabean Period (167-63)

• Judas Maccabeus succeeded his father and continued the war.
• He took Jerusalem, cleansed the Temple, and this led to the new "Feast of Dedication” (Hanukah).
• After the events above, the Jews gained their independence, nevertheless, the Seleucid threat remained.
• Religious freedom was restored. The Temple was rededicated, therefore removing the Syrian troops from Jerusalem.
• The importance of The Maccabean revolt established the factors in Jewish identity and how it shapes NT factors such as what makes people part of God: Laws, tradition, circumcision, etc.

The Hasmonean

• The Hasmonean Dynasty began with Judad Maccabeus.
• The Jews were able to regain some of theirs independence during this time, but still compromised with the "Hellenistic" Seleucids.
• They were divided over power, made deals, and adopted customs.
• The Jews reacted in different ways to the post exile confusion.

The Roman Period

• A dispute arose between two Hasmonean kings.
• Pompey took advantage of the instability, entered Jerusalem, and went into the Holy of Holies.
• Pompey's conquest concluded the Jewish independence.
• The Roman rule raised questions regarding the belief that simply could conquer.
• Many revolts followed, because the Jews hoped for a new Judas
• The Romans gained the hatred that Babylon, the Persians, Greeks, and Seleucids had faced before.
• The romans appointed Hered the Great as king, but the Jews did not fully accept a half Jew.

Cultural World of the New Testament

• Despite being composed of regions, states, territories , the Roman Empire was subject to central control.
• Some were taken over by alliance or conquest.
• Government was an evolving provincial system based on provincial general empirical.
• Peaceful provinces like Achaia were governed by proconsuls, while turbulent regions like Palestine were governed by Pilate and military forces.

Social World

• Slavery was an intitution.
• Slavery was different than history.
• Artisans and professionals comprised of many skilled workers.
• People were enslaved during by birth, war, and debt.
• The NT does not state if it neither attacks nor approves of slavery.
• Arenas with gladiators and men vs beasts contests were also for for believers.

Languages in NT times and their usage

• Latin was for court and literature in the Western Empire.
• Greek was cultural language of the Roman Empire to educate.
• Aramic was used in the Near East in the local tongue, such as Paul in this native language.
• Hebrew was dead but the Rabbis made it common closely related to Armaic.
• Jesus spoke Hebrew, Greek, Armaic, and Latin.

Religious world – 4 features

• There wads Roman Gods equivalent to greek counterparts.
• The emperorw was worhsipped as a deity.
• Philosophies that were common were platonism, gnostisim, epicurianism, etc.
• The people had different facets, those that were hebraists or hellenists.

FEASTS – MAJOR ONES

• Passover: The deliverance from Egypt required all males to go to Jerusalem.
• Pentecost: 7 weeks after Passover to the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai.
• Trumpets: Beginning of the New Year.
• Atonement: Holiest day to forgive sins.
• Lights: Concentration of temples by Maccabaeus.
• Purim: Victory from Esther and Mordecai.

Sects - Most Common

• Pharisees: They obeyed everything from the law.
• Sadducees: Had political power, did not believe in resurrection, ended when the temple was destroyed in 70 AD.
• Essenes: Practiced monasticism / abstinence.
• Zealots: Advocates for violence.

Explore the historical significance of the Intertestamental Period and its impact on the New Testament. Learn about the Diaspora, the role of Persian kings, and the development of Jewish communities outside Judea. Understand Hellenism and the function of scribes during this period.