Old Testament Narrative: Exodus, Covenant, Monarchy, and the Prophets

Vocabulary flashcards covering the biblical history and theological concepts of the Exodus, Sinai covenant, Levitical holiness, Deuteronomic ethics, the monarchy, and prophetic literature.

Alternative Community

The distinct social vision for Israel, established in contrast to Egypt's oppressive hierarchical system, characterized by fraternity, a wide distribution of power and resources, and protection for the vulnerable.

Sinai Covenant

The covenant established at Mount Sinai with two fundamental requirements: that Israel remain entirely devoted to the worship of the LORD, its God, and that Israel function as an alternative community.

Golden Calf

An idol constructed by the Israelites in Exodus 32–34 to represent the presence of the LORD or serve as an alternative god, placing the newly formed covenant in immediate jeopardy.

Holiness

A divine characteristic defined in the biblical text as being different, distinct, unique, a moral quality, and a dangerous force (as seen in 2 Samuel 6:1–11).

"Cleanness"

The essential ritual and moral requirement enabling an unholy people to live in the presence of a holy God.

Book of Leviticus

The biblical book that addresses how a holy God can dwell among an unholy people by prescribing the sacrifices and observances necessary for Israel to reside in the LORD's presence.

Book of Deuteronomy

A series of addresses delivered by Moses to Israel on the border of Canaan that embeds the vision of an alternative community, warns against the perils of affluence, and sets policies preserving resource distribution.

Judges

A succession of leaders who ruled over Israel during the initial settlement period (ca. 1200–1000 BCE) when the nation functioned as a loose federation of independent tribes united by worship of YHWH and a shared story.

Samuel

The last of the Israelite judges, during whose leadership Israel requested a king to centralize government and lead the army against the technologically advanced Philistines.

Davidic Covenant

The divine promise recorded in 2 Samuel 7 assuring King David that a descendant of his line would always rule upon the throne in Jerusalem.

Solomon

Son of David and king of Israel (reigning during ca. 1000–922 BCE) remembered principally for building the Temple in Jerusalem and presiding over the centralized wealth and resources of the united monarchy.

Fall of the Northern Kingdom

The destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 BCE by an eastern empire, interpreted biblically as the consequence of breaking the covenant relationship.

Fall of the Southern Kingdom

The conquest and destruction of the southern kingdom of Judah in 586 BCE, understood as the disastrous culmination of social oppression and covenant failure.

Sabbatical Remission (Deuteronomy 15)

The Deuteronomic law stipulating that all debts among Israelites must be cancelled every seven years, paired with instructions to release enslaved Hebrew brothers.

Deuteronomic Kingship (Deuteronomy 17:14–20)

The legal standard requiring an Israelite monarch to be a fellow brother who does not amass excessive wealth or power, and who constantly reads and remains subject to the Torah.

Triennial Tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28–29)

The legal ordinance requiring the entire agricultural tithe of every third year to be set aside specifically to sustain widows, orphans, resident aliens, and Levites.

Widows, Orphans, and Aliens

The three most legally and economically vulnerable groups in ancient Israel who possessed no land rights and received special social and legal protection under the covenant law.

Prophet

An intermediary between Israel and God who delivered divine messages—preserved primarily as poetry—critiquing royal injustice, threatening judgment, and envisioning an ideal future.

Book of the Twelve

The single collection of shorter prophetic books comprising Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Marriage Metaphor

A prophetic literary figure (found in Jeremiah and Hosea) portraying Israel's covenant relationship with YHWH as a marriage, and Israel's veneration of other gods as marital infidelity.

"Justice and Righteousness"

A central prophetic theme (exemplified in Amos 5:21–24) demanding equitable treatment for the poor and marginalized above hollow religious ritualism.

Messiah

A future royal figure envisioned by prophets like Isaiah (e.g., Isaiah 9, 11) as an ideal king like David who would serve as God's agent to institute divine rule, justice, righteousness, and peace.

YHWH

The sacred divine name of Israel's God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3 and 6, identifying God as a liberator who hears the cries of enslaved people and opposes oppressors.

Passover

A central festival in the Jewish calendar instituted in response to the tenth plague—the death of the Egyptian firstborn—which directly led to Pharaoh releasing the Hebrew slaves.

Song of Moses (Exodus 15)

The celebratory victory song recorded immediately after Israel's miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, commemorating YHWH's triumph over Pharaoh's army.