UTB: Old Testament

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture has God’s truth and can be used as a base for the night path so that you can be equipped for good work.

inerrancy

Incapable of being wrong

Infallibility

Incapable of making mistakes

Abithar

high priest in the NIV version

Ahimelech

high priest in the Hebrew Translation

Letter of Aristeas

Hebrew Laws aka (LXX) translated into Greek emphasizing divinely guided translators

Septuagint (LXX)

Greek Translation of the Hebrew scripture made in Alexandria. Mostly quoted in the New Testament

Tanakh

Hebrew Bible split into three sections

Torah

The Law section of the Tanakh

Nevi’im

The prophets section of the Tanakh

Ketuvim

The writings section of the Tanakh

Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha

Books that are included in the Septuagint but that are not in the Hebrew Bible

Masoretic Text

The authoritative Hebrew text standardized by Jewish scribes. Preserved vowels and pronunciation which served as the basis for most modern Hebrew Bibles.

Documentary Hypothesis

Theory that the Pentateuch derives from four main sources.Explains contradictions and divine names across Genesis-Deuteronomy

Plot of Genesis

Creation of the World, the fall, the flood, and the patriarchal stories (abraham, isaac, jacob, joseph). Establishes God’s relationship with Israel and humanity.

Days forming vs Filling

Genesis 1-3 create “forms” (light, sky, land) and days 4-6 “fill” them (sun, birds, humans) highlights divine purpose. 

Enuma Elish

Babylonian creation epic in which the god Marduk defeats Tiamat and forms the world. Genesis shows Israel’s monotheistic reinterpretation of creation

Epic of Gilgamesh

A tale containing a flood narrative similar to Noah’s story. Reflects Eastern themes, morality and divine-human relationships

etiology

a story explaining the origin of a name or natural phenomenon. shows how israelites understood their world theologically

Ziggurat

a mesopotamian temple tower, possibly the inspo for the Tower of Babel story. represents human pride

Circumcision

physical sign of the Abrahamic covenant (genesis 17) symbolizes God’s chosen people and marks identity with the covenant community.

Type scene

a recurring narrative pattern ( finding your true love at the well, a barren woman conceiving) signals readers to expect divine intervention

tetragrammaton (YHWH)

four letter name for God revealed to Moses. Signifies god’s eternal presence (i am who i am)

Plot of Exodus

Narrates Israel’s liberation from egypt, the covenant at Sinai and divine guidance through the wilderness. est. God as a deliverer and law giver.

Plagues as attacks on Egyptian Gods

Each plague demonstrates God’s superiority over Egypt’s deities. Reveals monotheistic theology through divine power.

Yam Suph

The “Sea of Reeds” through which israel crossed. Symbolizes God’s saving power and control over nature. 

Apodictic Law

Absolute commands like the Ten Commandments. Expresses general moral imperatives rather than case specific rulings.

Casuistic Law

Case based law (If/then) about social or ritual conduct. Reflects practical applications of divine justice. 

Lex Talionis

Law of retaliation (eye for an eye). Limits vengeance and ensures justice.

Chiastic structure

Literary pattern that mirrors elements (ABCBA). emphasizes central theme in biblical narrative

Day of Atonement

Annual ritual that cleanses the community’s sins through sacrifice. central to theme of Leviticus: Holiness and reconciliation.

Year of Jubilee

occurs every 50 years, debts were forgiven and land was returned. It reinforced God’s justice and economic quality among Israelites. 

Love Neighbor Command of Leviticus

Found in Leviticus 19:18, it commands compassion towards others. cited by jesus as central to the law 

Narratives in Numbers

Recounts Israel’s journey and rebellions in the wilderness. They highlight themes of faith, leadership, and divine patience

The Shema

A central confession of Israel’s faith, emphasizes loyalty and love for god

Suzerain Treaty

Ancient Near Eastern covenant model between a ruler and subordinate. is a framework for understanding God’s covenant with Israel

Deuteronomistic Theology

Belief that obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curse. Main idea of Deuteronomy and the following books

Deuteronomistic history

books from Joshua to kings shaped by deuteronomic editors, they interpreted israels history through covenant faithfulness

Narratives in Joshua

Joshua tells how Israel conquers Canaan under God’s command showing success comes through faith and obedience whereas disobediences brings defeat.

Narratives in Judges

Israel repeats a cycle, important leaders like samson shows escalating chaos and the need for faithful leadership 

Cycle of Judges

A patters where Israel sins, suffers oppression, cries out, and delivered by judge. represents human failure and divine mercy.

Judges and Kingship

Transition from tribal rule to a monarchy. raises theological debates about human kings vs divine rule

Syncretism

Blending of YHWH worship w/ foreign gods. condemned throughout deuteronomistic history as the cause of israel’s downfall. 

Baal

a storm and fertility god worshipped by Canaanites. represented agricultural power which directly opposed YHWH’s exclusive worship in Israelite religion

Asherah

A mother and fertility goddess linked to Baal. her worship through sacred poles or trees symbolized syncretism and faithfulness.

El

cheif god in Canaanite’s religion, considered the father and creator of god. eventually became of the titles for a true god, later identified as YHWH.

Samuel

A prophet who anointed israel’s first two kings (saul and david), served as a bridge period of judges (tribal rule) and the monarchy. emphasising obedience to god over ritual or power

Saul

Israel’s first king, chosen for strength and leadership, rejected by god for disobedience. his downfall highlights the theme that israel’s monarchy depends on faithfulness to a divine command.  

David

Second king of Israel, celebrated for uniting the tribes, defeating goliath, and est. jerusalem as the capitol. Despite personal failings, he is remembered as the “man after God’s own heart. 

Absolom

David’s son who rebelled against him trying to seize the throne, his revolt ends in failure and death showing the consequences of pride and family conflict. 

Solomon

David’s son, wisest king who built a temple in Jerusalem. his worship of something else led to the kingdom’s division after his death.

Rehoboam

Solomon’s son whose harsh rule triggered the split of the kingdom, 10 tribes left with Jeroboam (israel) which left Rehoboam with 2 (judah and ‘benjamin”)

Jeroboam

first king of the northern kingdom (Israel) set up golden calves

Ahaz

king of Judah who refused to trust god during the syro-ephraimite crisis and instead turned to assyria (viewed as faithlessness condemned by isaiah)

Ahab

King of Israel who married Jezebel and promoted Baal worship, clashing with the prophet Elijah. remembered as a symbol of morla corruption