Hebrew Bible Final

David

Shepard to king, defeat of goliath, king of Israel, A man of faith and flaws, Psalmist and ancestor of Jesus, he left a legacy on Israel

Bathsheba

a woman in the Hebrew Bible who became the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later King David, and the mother of King Solomon.

Uriah

a loyal soldier in King David's army, known for his honor and integrity. His story is tragic because he was the husband of Bathsheba, whom King David committed adultery with. To cover up his sin, David orchestrated his death in battle, making him the victim of a terrible betrayal.  

Tel Dan Stele

a 9th-century BCE fragmentary Aramaic inscription found in northern Israel that mentions the "House of David," providing the first extra-biblical evidence of King David's dynasty.

Solomon

a biblical king of Israel known for his great wisdom, wealth, and building projects, most notably the First Temple in Jerusalem. As the son of King David and Bathsheba, he succeeded his father and is credited with a long reign during Israel's golden age.

Solomon’s temple

a significant religious structure built in Jerusalem by King Solomon and detailed in the Bible, particularly in 1 Kings 6-7 and 2 Chronicles 3-4. It was built on Mount Moriah as a central place for Israelite worship, a dwelling for God's presence, and a location to house the Ark of the Covenant.

dueteronomic kingship laws

a collection of laws in the book of Deuteronomy that govern family and extended kinship relationships, with a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable members like widows, orphans, and the poor. Key laws include those about debt, inheritance, the Levirate marriage (a brother marrying his deceased brother's childless wife to preserve his name), and ensuring fair treatment for all family members, such as parents not being punished for their children's crimes or vice versa. 

Rehoboam

the son of Solomon and the first king of the separate kingdoms of Judah and Israel, following the division of the united monarchy. His harsh policies, including an increase in heavy taxes and labor, were a direct result of ignoring the counsel of the elders and instead listening to his young advisers. This led the ten northern tribes to revolt, creating a civil war and establishing Jeroboam as king of the northern kingdom of Israel, while Rehoboam ruled the southern kingdom of Judah. 

Jerboam I

first king of the northern Kingdom of Israel after it split from Judah following King Solomon's death. He is known for his idolatry, most notably for setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent the northern tribes from worshiping at the Jerusalem Temple. The Bible portrays him as a sinful king, and his actions are a recurring theme in later biblical texts

Jeroboam’s Golden Calf

King Jeroboam of Israel made two golden calves to be worshipped as alternative sites to Jerusalem after his kingdom split. He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan, telling the people, "Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you out of Egypt". This was considered a great sin that broke the commandments against idolatry and became a pattern for the northern kingdom. 

Northern kingdom of Israel

also known as the Kingdom of Samaria, was an Israelite kingdom that existed in the southern Levant from approximately 930 to 722 BCE. It was formed after the United Monarchy split and was conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which deported its people, leading to its fall

Southern kingdom of Judah

one of two Israelite kingdoms that formed after the death of King Solomon, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Its capital was Jerusalem, and it was known for a more consistent Davidic dynasty. The kingdom ultimately fell to the Babylonian Empire in 586 B.C., which led to the Babylonian Exile. 

Ahab

a king of Israel who reigned during the 9th century BC and is primarily known for his wicked rule in the Bible, often depicted as one of the worst kings of Israel. He was Jezebel’s husband which eventually led to him introducing and promoting the worship of Baal because she worshipped him.

Samaria

Capital of Israel, Idoltary and prophets like Ahab and jezebel, and fell to assyria

jezebel

a Phoenician princess and the queen consort of King Ahab of Israel, known in the Bible for her wickedness, idolatry, and cruelty. She promoted the worship of the god Baal over Yahweh, slaughtered the prophets of Yahweh, and orchestrated the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard. She ultimately met a violent death, thrown from a window to be devoured by dogs, just as the prophet Elijah had prophesied.

elijah

Elijah was an Old Testament prophet who defended the worship of God against the worship of Baal during the reign of King Ahab. Known for his miracles, such as calling fire from heaven and bringing a drought, his story is detailed in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. He was succeeded by Elisha and was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, a "fiery chariot," without dying.  

phrophets

acted as God's messengers, speaking to people on his behalf to warn of the consequences of sin, call people to holiness, and predict future events EX: Isaiah, Elijah, Moses, Abraham, Zechariah, Jonah, etc

Baal

the name of a Canaanite god, worshipped by the Israelites during periods of apostasy, especially during the reign of King Ahab. He was considered a storm and fertility god, associated with providing rain and crops, and his worship included rituals like ritual prostitution, and in some cases, human sacrifice.

Neo-assyrian Empire

played a significant role in the biblical narrative, primarily as a military superpower that conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and threatened Judah. Fall of Israel, Threat to Judah, Cruel Reputation, Biblical kings

Tiglath Pileser iii

an Assyrian king mentioned in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. His biblical appearances detail his conquests of northern Israelite cities, his receiving of tribute from Israelite kings like Menahem, and his intervention in the conflict between Aram and Judah, which prompted King Ahaz to become a vassal of Assyria. His actions led to the deportation of many Israelites to Assyria. 

Shalmaneser

the king of Assyria who besieged and conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the late 8th century BCE. According to the book of 2 Kings, he invaded Israel after its king, Hoshea, stopped paying tribute. Shalmaneser V besieged the capital, Samaria, for three years, and the city was ultimately captured and its inhabitants deported to Assyria. 

722 BCE

the Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, marking the end of that kingdom and leading to the deportation of many Israelites as captives. This event occurred during the reign of King Hoshea of Israel and is recorded in the Bible as a result of Israel's repeated disobedience to God's commands

two way deportations

deportations from both the northern kingdom of Israel (by the Assyrians) and the southern kingdom of Judah (by the Babylonians) occurred. The term can refer to the movement of people in both directions: first, from the Israelites' homeland to the foreign empire, and later, from that empire back to their homeland. 

Assyrian deportation

Around 722 BCE, The northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, and its population was taken captive and scattered across the Assyrian Empire. 

Babylonian deportations

Multiple deportations occurred between 597 BC and 586 BC, The southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Neo-Babylonian Empire, leading to multiple waves of deportations, 

Sennacherib

a significant Assyrian king mentioned frequently in the Bible, most famously for his invasion of Judah in 701 BC during King Hezekiah's reign. The biblical account in books like 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah describes him conquering many of Judah's fortified cities and then besieging Jerusalem.

Hezekiah

a righteous king of Judah who reversed his father's idolatry, restoring true worship by destroying pagan shrines and repairing the temple. His reign also includes being granted 15 extra years of life after he fell ill and prayed for healing. 

Hezekiah’s building projects

building new walls and towers, repairing the old walls (the "Broad Wall"), and constructing a tunnel to bring water from the Gihon Spring into the city, ensuring a water supply during a siege. 

Iconoclasm

the destruction of images, icons, and idolatrous objects. Jacob, Gideon, Hezekiah implemented this

Aniconism

the opposition to using physical representations or images to depict God. 

Cultus

refers to the formal system of worship and religious practices, such as sacrifices, rituals, and festivals, central to the relationship between God and the Israelites

Isaiah the prophet

received his call to prophecy in a vision of the Lord on His throne, after which he was assured of forgiveness for his sinfulness, He ministered to the kingdom of Judah when the northern kingdom of Israel was threatened and ultimately fell to the Assyrian empire, He ministered to the kingdom of Judah when the northern kingdom of Israel was threatened and ultimately fell to the Assyrian empire.

Lachish

a major fortified city in the biblical Kingdom of Judah, second only to Jerusalem, strategically located to guard the route from Egypt.

Sennacherib’s invasion

invasion of Judah in 701 BCE is described in the Bible as a major event where the Assyrian king conquered many of Judah's fortified cities but was ultimately unable to capture Jerusalem. After a heavy tribute payment, Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem, but the city was miraculously saved by a divine intervention that destroyed a large part of the Assyrian army, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw.

Rabshakeh

the official title of an Assyrian commander sent by King Sennacherib to deliver a message to King Hezekiah of Judah, demanding Jerusalem's surrender during a siege. He is known for his intimidating speech, filled with half-truths, threats, and blasphemies against God, which he delivered in Hebrew so the people could hear it

Zion theology

refers to the symbolic meaning of Zion, which evolved from a geographical location to represent God's presence, his covenant, and his people. It signifies Jerusalem as the holy city and the site of the temple, but more broadly, it symbolizes a spiritual place of God's rule, a people of covenant, and the hope of future redemption and eternal life in God's presence. 

Manasseh

known as one of the most wicked kings for his idolatry and corruption. He is the son of King Hezekiah and began his reign at age 12, but later engaged in pagan practices, including human sacrifice, and defiled the temple. Captured by the Assyrians and imprisoned, he repented, was restored to his kingdom, and initiated religious reforms, although the people did not fully follow his lead. 

Josiah

king of Judah who reigned for 31 years, known for his comprehensive religious reforms after finding the Book of the Law in the Temple. He was an exceptional king who destroyed idolatrous altars, restored the Passover, and is described as turning to the Lord with all his heart

Huldah

a prophet and a respected counselor, consulted by King Josiah and his officials, even when male prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah were also active. She prophesied that the nation's disobedience to the Law would bring God's judgment, but because Josiah had humbled himself, the disaster would not occur during his lifetime.

The book of the Law

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

Genesis

Covers the story of creation, the patriarchs, and the origins of the Israelite people. 

Exodus

Details the Israelites' escape from Egypt, led by Moses, and includes the Ten Commandments and instructions for the Tabernacle. 

Leviticus

Focuses on laws for worship, offerings, festivals, and the priestly duties of Aaron and his sons. 

Numbers

Recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. 

Deuteronomy

Contains Moses' final speeches, reiterating the law and preparing the people for life in the Promised Land. 

Josiah’s reform

a religious and political purge in ancient Judah, initiated after a "Book of the Law" was discovered in the Temple during renovations. King Josiah then removed all pagan idols and altars from Jerusalem and the surrounding territories

jehoiachin

king of Judah who reigned for only three months before being exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II in 597 BC. After 37 years in prison, he was unexpectedly released by Nebuchadnezzar's successor, Evil Merodach, who honored him by giving him a place at the royal table for the rest of his life. 

Zedekiah

the last king of Judah, his reign was marked by his failure to heed the prophet Jeremiah's warnings against rebelling against Babylon. He eventually broke his oath of loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar, leading to a siege of Jerusalem.

Neo babylonian empire

primarily known for its role in the conquest of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Captivity of the Judeans

Lachish letters

a collection of ancient Hebrew inscriptions on pottery shards (ostraca) that illuminate the final days of the Kingdom of Judah before the Babylonian invasion.

The exile

the Babylonian exile of the Kingdom of Judah (70 years) beginning in 597 BCE, when the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem

586 BCE

the year the Neo-Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple of Solomon, marking the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile

Nebbuchadnezzar

a powerful Babylonian king prominently featured in the Bible, known for conquering Jerusalem, destroying the Temple, and exiling the Israelites to Babylon. His story in the book of Daniel also includes his madness and later recovery, where he acknowledges God's supremacy after being humbled by arrogance.

Cognitive Dissonance

describes the mental distress of reconciling conflicting beliefs or behaviors, such as the conflict between knowing God's law and deliberately sinning. EX: King David, who struggled with the hypocrisy of his actions after his affair with Bathsheba

Israelite

Descendants of Jacob (also called Israel) and his twelve sons, who formed the ancient nation of Israel, The term was used for the entire nation before its split and later exclusively for the northern ten tribes

Judean

People from the southern Kingdom of Judah after the split of the United Kingdom of Israel, This group survived the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom and is the direct ancestor of modern Jewry

Jew

A person of Jewish faith or a descendant of the ancient Judeans and other Israelites, The term originated from "Judean" and expanded after the northern kingdom's fall to include all surviving Israelites.