Judaism & Ancient Israel Part 1 (Judaism Lecture & Ch 4) Vocab Set #2

Israel

An ancient kingdom in the eastern Mediterranean where the Israelites developed one of the first monotheistic religions.

- unified under Saul, David, and Solomon: later split into Israel (north) and Judah (south)

- birthplace of Judaism and moral codes influencing Christianity and Islam

Hebrew Bible

Sacred text of the Israelites, written between 1000-400 B.C.E., later called the Old Testament.

- compiled by Temple priests; records Israel's laws, history, and covenant with Yahweh

- foundation of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions

First Temple

The central shrine of Yahweh, built by King Solomon in Jerusalem around 960 B.C.E.

- symbolized the unity of religion and state

- destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.E., marking the start of the Jewish exile

Monotheism

Belief in one all-powerful god, first fully developed by the Israelites through worship of Yahweh.

- replaced polytheism with a moral and ethical religion, shaping Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Diaspora

Greek for "dispersion." Refers to Jews living outside their homeland after the Babylonian exile.

- led to the creation of synagogues and preservation of Jewish identity through faith and community rather than territory

Judea/Galilee

Regions of ancient Israel during the late Hellenistic and Roman periods.

- Judea: Southern area around Jerusalem, center of Jewish religion and politics.

- Galilee: Northern, more rural region — mixed population, seen as less "pure" by Judean elites.

Significance: Where much of Jesus's ministry occurred; tension between urban Judea and rural Galilee shaped Jewish society under Roman rule.

Temple

The central place of Jewish worship in Jerusalem, believed to house God's presence.

- First Temple: built by Solomon, destroyed by the Babylonians (587 BCE).

- Second Temple rebuilt under Persian rule (late 6th century BCE) and later expanded by Herod the Great.

Destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, marking the end of Temple-centered worship and the rise of Rabbinic Judaism.

Sortilege (Cleromancy)

Ancient divination practice using lots, dice, or objects to determine God's will.

- used in both Greek and Jewish traditions for decision-making (e.g., priestly selection or prophecy)

Significance: Reflects belief in divine control over fate; contrasts with prophetic revelation later favored in Judaism and Christianity.

Antiochus IV "the Mad"

Seleucid Greek king, infamous for persecuting Jews. Banned Jewish worship, desecrated the Temple by dedicating it to Zeus. His tyranny reinforced Jewish resistance and commitment to religious purity.

- his actions sparked the Maccabean Revolt (167 BCE)

Hasmonean Dynasty

The Jewish ruling family descended from the Maccabees, who revolted against Antiochus IV.

- ruled Judea as independent kings and high priests

- restored and purified the Temple, a symbol of Jewish independence before Roman domination

- internal conflicts and corruption weakened the dynasty before Roman intervention

Herodian Dynasty

The period of Roman political control and social unrest that set the stage for Jesus's life and the Jewish Revolt. The client kings of Rome ruling Judea. Founded by Herod the Great, who rebuilt the Second Temple magnificently but ruled harshly.

- after his death, the territory was divided among his sons under Roman oversight

Sanhedrin

The Jewish governing and judicial council during the Second Temple period. Composed of priests (Sadducees) and scribes (Pharisees), presided over by the high priest.

- handled legal, religious, and political matters — including trials like Jesus's

- symbolized Jewish self-governance under foreign rule

Sadducees

The aristocratic priestly class controlling the Temple and rituals.

- rejected oral traditions and resurrection; accepted only the Torah (written law)

- collaborated with Romans to preserve influence

- lost power after the Temple's destruction in 70 CE

Pharisees

A group of lay scholars and teachers (scribes) focused on the Torah and oral law.

- emphasized personal piety, purity, and interpretation of law in daily life

- believed in resurrection and divine judgment

- survived after 70 CE and evolved into Rabbinic Judaism

Rabbi

Teacher or scholar of Jewish law and scripture.

- emerged from Pharisaic tradition after the destruction of the Second Temple

- replaced priests as religious leaders, guiding Jewish life through teaching and interpretation

- central to Rabbinic Judaism, focusing on the synagogue and study of the Torah

Synagogue

Local house of worship, learning, and community for Jews.

- originated during the Babylonian Exile when Temple worship was impossible

- became the heart of Jewish communal and religious life after 70 CE

- focus on prayer, Torah reading, and teaching rather than sacrifice

Essenes

An ascetic Jewish sect active from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE.

- lived communally, practiced ritual purity, and awaited divine intervention to destroy evil

- rejected Temple corruption; possibly connected to the Dead Sea Scrolls community

- represented apocalyptic and purist tendencies within Judaism

Qumran

An archaeological site near the Dead Sea where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

- likely inhabited by Essenes, who stored sacred texts there

- scrolls include biblical manuscripts and sectarian writings revealing diversity in Judaism before 70 CE

Apocalyptic

Belief that the current world is corrupt and will soon be replaced by God's divine kingdom.

- characterized by visions, angels, and end-time prophecies

- common among Jews under foreign rule — reflected in texts like Daniel and Revelation

- deeply influenced early Christianity and Jesus's teachings

Messiah

Hebrew for "Anointed One" — expected savior or king sent by God to restore Israel.

- initially understood as a Davidic military leader, later reinterpreted spiritually

- many Jews in the Roman era hoped for a Messiah to overthrow Rome

- Christians identified Jesus of Nazareth as this prophesied figure "the messiah"

Zealot

Radical Jewish nationalist movement opposing Roman rule.

- advocated violent resistance and viewed submission as a betrayal of God

- played a key role in the First Jewish Revolt, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem

Sicarii

An extremist faction of the Zealots ("dagger-men"). Used assassinations and terror tactics against Romans and Jewish collaborators.

- operated in Jerusalem before and during the revolt

- symbolized desperate resistance and political fragmentation

Nazarenes

Early followers of Jesus of Nazareth within Judaism.

- called "Nazarenes" because Jesus was from Nazareth in Galilee

- saw him as the Messiah, blending Jewish belief with new teachings of salvation and love

- eventually evolved into Christianity after separation from mainstream Judaism

Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus Christ)

Jewish preacher and healer from Galilee.

- taught love, forgiveness, humility, and the coming Kingdom of God

- viewed as the Messiah by followers; executed by crucifixion under Roman authority

- his life and resurrection became the foundation of Christianity

Apostles

Jesus's closest followers and messengers; twelve chosen to spread his teachings.

- after his death, they traveled throughout the Mediterranean spreading Christianity

- represented the transition from Jewish sect to global religion

Peter

Originally "Simon", a fisherman and one of Jesus's chief disciples.

- became the leader of the early church after Jesus's death

- considered the first Pope by Roman Catholic tradition

- martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero

James

One of Jesus's Apostles, often called James the Just. Leader of the Jerusalem Christian community after Jesus's death.

- advocated for adherence to Jewish law among followers of Jesus

- executed around 62 CE, representing early tensions between Jews and Christians