8 Questions
What was the primary cultural influence in Paul's day?
Greek culture
What was the language of the ruling empire in which the Hebrew Bible was translated?
Greek
What was the desire of the Jews who fled to the Dead Sea and established a community at Qumran?
To escape the bad influence of the secular world
What was the primary center of worship in Palestinian Judaism?
The Temple in Jerusalem
What was the result of the dispersion of Jews throughout the world after the destruction of Jerusalem?
Many Jews lost command of their native Aramaic and Hebrew languages
What was the name of the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible?
The Septuagint
What was the primary reason for the Jews' adaptation to their new surroundings?
To preserve their faith
What was the influence of the Septuagint on the Jews in the diaspora?
It enabled them to preserve, but also to adapt, their faith
Study Notes
Palestinian Judaism
- Worship centered around the Temple in Jerusalem and its priesthood
- Various cultic rituals were part of the daily routine
- Not uniform, with some seeking to preserve authentic faith by fleeing to the Dead Sea and establishing an ascetical community at Qumran
Hellenistic Judaism
- Greek-influenced world, Paul's primary background
- Greek culture was the primary cultural influence in Paul's day, dating back to Alexander the Great (333 BC)
- Jews adapted to new surroundings after dispersion, losing command of Aramaic and Hebrew languages
- Translated holy writings into Greek, creating the Septuagint, enabling Jews to preserve and adapt their faith
- Paul likely used the Septuagint, as his letters show familiarity with it when quoting or alluding to the Old Testament
Explore the dominant trends that shaped Paul in the first century, including Palestinian Judaism and its characteristics.
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