World Civ I (Joel Webb): “Ancient Israel and the Origins of Monotheism: The Patriarchs to Persia”

Three Patriarchs: Abraham, Issac, Jacob

Founders of the Israelite nation. Abraham made a covenant with God, Isaac was his son, and Jacob had twelve sons.

Ur

Ancient Sumerian city in Mesopotamia, known for its ziggurat and as the birthplace of Abraham. Flourished around 2100-2000 BC.

Canaan

Ancient region in the Near East, located along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, encompassing parts of present-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.

Yahweh

The personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible and one of the seven names of God in Judaism. It is considered the holiest and most powerful name of God.

Joseph

Son of Isaac

Moses

A central figure in the Abrahamic religions, known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.

The Exodus

Biblical event where Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt to escape slavery and journey to the Promised Land.

Twelve Tribes

Were the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, forming the ancient kingdom of Israel.

Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

Ancient Israel split into two kingdoms after the reign of King Solomon. The northern kingdom was Israel, with its capital in Samaria, while the southern kingdom was Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Babylonian Captivity

Period in ancient Jewish history when Babylonian Empire exiled Jews from Judah to Babylon in the 6th century BCE, following the fall of Jerusalem.

Old Testament

The first section of the Christian Bible, containing the sacred scriptures of the Jewish faith and comprising books written before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Philistines

Group of people who lived in the southern coast of Canaan and were known for their conflict with the Israelites during the Iron Age.

Backsliding

Regression in one's religious faith or moral values.

Monolatry

The belief in and worship of one god without denying the existence of other deities.

King Hezekiah

• King of Judah in the 8th century BC

• Known for religious reforms and resisting Assyrian invasion

• Extended water supply with the Siloam Tunnel

King Manasseh

Was an ancient Judean monarch known for his lengthy reign and his idolatrous practices, leading to religious reforms by his grandson, King Josiah.

Zoroastrianism

A monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster in ancient Persia, emphasizing the dualistic battle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu).