The Ancient Hebrews and the Development of Monotheism

These flashcards are designed to help students solidify their understanding of key terms and concepts related to the Ancient Hebrews and the evolution of monotheism as discussed in the lecture.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful deity.

The Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally credited to Moses.

Abraham

The patriarch of the Hebrew people, known for entering into a covenant with Yahweh.

Covenant

A sacred agreement between God and the Hebrew people outlining expectations and blessings.

Yahweh

The name for God in the Hebrew tradition, meaning 'I am that I am'.

Circumcision

A physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, requiring Hebrew men to be circumcised.

The Promised Land

The land of Israel promised to Abraham and his descendants by God.

Ten Commandments

A set of moral laws given to the Hebrew people, part of the covenant.

Filistines

A rival group to the Hebrews who inhabited the coastal region of Canaan.

Saul

The first king of the unified Hebrew people, appointed to lead against the Philistines.

David

The second king of Israel who succeeded Saul and expanded the kingdom significantly.

Jerusalem

The capital city established by David, central to Hebrew religious life.

Solomon

David's son, known for wealth, building the First Temple, and heavy taxation.

First Temple

Constructed in Jerusalem by Solomon, dedicated to Yahweh.

Judah

The southern kingdom after the division of the Hebrew states, ruled by the House of David.

Israel

The northern kingdom formed after the split, consisting of ten tribes.

Neo-Assyrians

A powerful empire that conquered Israel and threatened Judah.

Ten Lost Tribes

The Hebrew elite of Israel who were relocated and assimilated after the Assyrian conquest.

Henothism

The belief in one primary deity while acknowledging the existence of other gods.

The Prophets

Religious leaders who criticized the people and guided them towards the worship of Yahweh.

Covenantal Ethics

The moral obligations laid out in the Ten Commandments that the Hebrews are expected to follow.

Babylonian Captivity

The period of exile for the Hebrews in Babylon following the destruction of Judah.

Cyrus the Great

The Persian king who allowed the Hebrews to return to their homeland after the Babylonian Captivity.

Diaspora

The dispersion of Hebrew people outside of their homeland, retaining their identity and culture.

Rabbinic Judaism

A new form of Judaism that emerged post-Temple, centered on rabbis and synagogues.

Social Justice

The emphasis on ethical behavior and care for the less fortunate, a key theme in Hebrew teachings.

Epic of Gilgamesh

An ancient Mesopotamian poem that shares similarities with biblical stories, such as the flood.

Commandments

Rules ordained by God for the Hebrews, seen as essential for their identity and relationship with Yahweh.

Joshua

Moses's successor who led the Hebrews into the Promised Land.

Pentapolis

A group of five fortified towns that formed the base of Philistine power.

Corvée Labor

Uncompensated labor required from the Hebrew people as part of the Palace Economic System.

Jeremiah

A prophet who warned the Hebrews of divine retribution if they did not return to monotheism.

Ezekiel

A prophet whose messages of hope during Babylonian exile reinforced Hebrew faith in Yahweh.

Universal God

The understanding that Yahweh is the singular God of all humanity rather than just the Hebrew people.

Judaism

The monotheistic religion of the Hebrews, evolving over millennia, significantly influencing Christianity and Islam.

Idol Worship

The practice criticized by the Prophets, seen as a betrayal of exclusive devotion to Yahweh.

Kingdom of David

Refers to the united kingdom during the height of David's reign, marked by military success and territorial expansion.

Shema

A central declaration in Judaism affirming the oneness of God, reflective of developing monotheistic beliefs.