The Old Testament: Religion Chapters 1-8 Vocab

Questions and Answers

Who was Cyrus?

The leader of the Israelite community

A significant prophet

The Persian king who allowed some Jews to return to Jerusalem (correct)

A Babylonian king

What is the Vineyard Song?

An important passage of the Book of Isaiah depicting the Chosen People as the vine of God.

What is Lamentations?

The Book of Hebrew poetry written in response to the devastation in Jerusalem.

Who is Marduk?

The main state god of the Babylonians during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. Signup and view all the answers

What does Natural Law refer to?

The participation of man in God's eternal law. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Murmurings'?

The stories in the Book of Exodus about the complaints of the Israelites. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the Elders in the Israelite community?

Mature, usually male, members who ruled on disputes. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Hyksos?

A group of non-Egyptians who rose to power in Egypt between 1650 BC and 1500 BC. Signup and view all the answers

What are Civil Laws?

Laws dealing with daily issues in an agrarian community. Signup and view all the answers

What do Religious Laws govern?

Actions of priests, regulations for sacrifice, and the maintenance of the Temple. Signup and view all the answers

What defines Punitive Justice?

Laws that rely on punishment as a deterrent to crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is Restorative Justice concerned with?

Restoring community after an offense has occurred. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during a Jubilee year?

All debts are forgiven and land returns to original families. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'context' refer to?

The historical, cultural, social, or political circumstances surrounding an event. Signup and view all the answers

What are Pictograms?

The earliest forms of writing where pictures represented words or ideas. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Scribes?

People trained to write using early forms of writing. Signup and view all the answers

What is Hieroglyphic Writing?

An ancient form of Egyptian writing more stylized than pictograms. Signup and view all the answers

What does Prehistoric refer to?

Events or objects that date to a time before writing developed. Signup and view all the answers

What is Primeval History?

Stories or myths about the origins of the earth and humankind. Signup and view all the answers

What is Syncretism?

A blending of two or more religious traditions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term Diaspora mean?

A group migration or flight away from the homeland. Signup and view all the answers

What are Myths?

Symbolic stories that express spiritual truths. Signup and view all the answers

What is Evolution?

The scientific theory that current life forms developed from earlier ones. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Covenant?

A binding agreement between God and His people or among humans. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Figures and Events

Cyrus: Persian king who permitted some Jews to return to Jerusalem after conquering Babylonians in 539 BC, marking the end of the Exile.
Marduk: Principal deity of the Babylonians, his temple in Babylon housed furnishings from Solomon's Temple after Jerusalem's destruction in 587 BC.
Hyksos: A group of non-Egyptians that controlled Egypt from 1650 BC to 1500 BC.

Literary Works

Vineyard Song: Imagery in Isaiah portraying the Chosen People as God's vine; echoes in New Testament teachings of Jesus.
Lamentations: Hebrew poetry reflecting on the devastation of Jerusalem following the 587 conquest.

Laws and Governance

Civil Laws: Address daily conflicts in agrarian society, including property disputes and personal injury caused by animals.
Religious Laws: Regulations for priests, sacrifices, and Temple upkeep.
Punitive Justice: Legal framework focused on punishment to deter crime.
Restorative Justice: Seeks to restore community after offenses, emphasizing the importance of collective societal survival.

Societal Practices

Jubilee: Occurring every 49 years, it mandated debt forgiveness and land restoration to original owners, redistributing wealth to mitigate poverty and inequality.
Elders: Respected community leaders who resolved local disputes among the Israelite community.

Cultural Context

Context: Refers to circumstances influencing events, including historical, cultural, social, and political factors.
Syncretism: The merging of multiple religious traditions.

Historical Concepts

Diaspora: Migration away from a homeland, where communities maintain their identity in new countries, often of a religious or cultural nature.
Primeval History: Myths regarding the beginnings of Earth, humanity, and societal constructs.
Myths: Symbolic narratives expressing spiritual truths or foundational beliefs about the divine.
Prehistoric: Pertains to periods before documented writing or records.

Writing Systems

Pictograms: Early writing forms using images to convey concepts.
Scribes: Trained individuals who wrote before widespread literacy.
Hieroglyphic Writing: Ancient Egyptian script, more complex than pictograms, not reliant on an alphabet.

Philosophical Concepts

Natural Law: Human participation in God's eternal law indicating moral obligations.
Covenant: A solemn commitment between God and humanity or between individuals for specific actions.
Evolution: Scientific theory suggesting that current life forms evolved gradually from earlier ones.

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Description

This quiz focuses on key vocabulary related to Chapters 1 through 8 of 'The Old Testament: Our Call to Faith and Justice.' It summarizes important terms, definitions, and concepts to aid in your understanding and preparation for the midterm. Test your knowledge on central figures and events that shaped the Jewish experience.