Old Testament Survey Exam 1 Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes for Old Testament Survey Exam 1, covering definitions, bible facts, key figures, covenants, and book summaries.

Biblical Faith

Trust and belief in God, as revealed through the Bible, often encompassing adherence to its teachings and covenant relationships.

Original Sin

The theological doctrine that humanity inherits a sinful nature as a result of Adam and Eve's first disobedience.

Plato's Definition of Propositional Knowledge

Justified true belief (JTB), meaning knowledge is a true belief that is supported by good reasons or evidence.

Objective Truth

A truth that is independent of personal feelings, opinions, or interpretations; verifiable by everyone.

Subjective Truth

A truth that is dependent on personal feelings, opinions, or interpretations; true for the individual.

Modernism

A philosophical movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and scientific progress, often viewing truth as discoverable and universal.

Post-Modernism

A philosophical movement questioning grand narratives, objective truth, and universal reason, often emphasizing subjective experience and cultural relativity.

Revelation

The act by which God makes Himself and His will known to humanity.

General Revelation

God's self-disclosure through nature, human conscience, and history, accessible to all people.

Special Revelation

God's specific self-disclosure through supernatural means, such as miracles, prophetic messages, and supremely, in the Bible and Jesus Christ.

Inspiration of Scripture

The doctrine that the Bible's human authors were supernaturally guided by God in their writing so that their words are the very words of God.

Sola Scriptura

A Reformation principle meaning "Scripture alone," asserting that the Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith and practice.

Verbal Plenary Inerrancy of Scripture

The belief that the original manuscripts of the Bible are completely without error in all they affirm, down to every word.

Autograph

The original handwritten manuscript of a biblical book, authored by the inspired writer.

Canon of Scripture

The accepted list of books recognized as inspired by God and authoritative for faith and life.

Transmission of the Bible

The process by which biblical texts were copied and passed down through generations, primarily by scribes.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Ancient Jewish manuscripts discovered near the Dead Sea, containing biblical texts and other writings, providing early evidence for the accuracy of Old Testament transmission.

Total Depravity

A theological doctrine asserting that sin has corrupted every aspect of human nature, rendering people incapable of saving themselves.

Holy/Holiness

The quality of being sacred, set apart, and morally perfect; often referring to God's inherent purity and transcendence.

Yahweh

The personal name of God in the Old Testament, revealed to Moses, often translated as "LORD."

Passover

An annual Jewish festival commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, marked by the blood of the lamb.

Chiasm

A literary device where a sequence of ideas is presented and then repeated in reverse order (A, B, C… C', B', A').

Tabernacle

A portable tent of worship used by the Israelites in the wilderness, serving as God's dwelling place among His people.

Mercy Seat

The golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence was said to dwell and where atonement was made.

Day of Atonement

An annual Jewish holy day (Yom Kippur) for national cleansing from sins, involving sacrifice by the High Priest.

Substitution

The theological concept where one person or thing takes the place of another, often referring to Christ's death for sinners.

Propitiation

The act of appeasing wrath, particularly God's wrath, through a sacrifice (e.g., Christ's sacrifice).

Expiation

The act of removing or covering sin through a sacrifice, thus cleansing guilt.

Sovereignty of God

The doctrine that God is supreme ruler of the universe, having ultimate power and authority over all things.

Shema

A central Jewish prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, beginning "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."

Septuagint

The Greek translation of the Old Testament, produced in the centuries before Christ.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), also known as the Pentateuch, containing God's law.

Pentateuch

The first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), traditionally attributed to Moses.

Covenant

A binding agreement between two parties, often used in the Bible to describe God's relationship with His people.

Documentary Hypothesis

A theory proposing that the Pentateuch was compiled from several earlier independent documents (J, E, D, P).

Proto Evangelium

The "first gospel," found in Genesis 3:15, seen as the first messianic prophecy.

Creatio Ex Nihilo

The theological doctrine that God created the universe "out of nothing."

Imago Dei

The Latin term for "image of God," referring to humanity's unique creation in the likeness of God.

Aseity

The theological doctrine that God is self-existent and dependent on nothing outside of Himself.

The Fall

Humanity's disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, resulting in sin, death, and separation from God.

Number of books in the Bible

66 total books.

Number of books in Old Testament

39 books in the Old Testament.

Bible Writing Period

Approximately 1450 BCE to 90 CE.

Continents of Bible Writing

Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Original Bible Languages

Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

Old Testament Primary Language

Hebrew.

Four Major Acts of the Bible

Creation, The Fall, Redemption, Consummation.

Adam and Eve

The first man and woman created by God, whose disobedience led to the Fall of humanity.

Noah

A righteous man commanded by God to build an ark to preserve life during the great Flood.

The Flood

A cataclysmic event sent by God to cleanse the earth due to rampant human wickedness.

Abraham

The patriarch chosen by God to be the father of a great nation, through whom all the earth would be blessed.

Isaac

The son of Abraham and Sarah, born through divine promise, and an ancestor of Jesus.

Jacob

The son of Isaac, whose name was changed to Israel, and from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.

Joseph

Son of Jacob, sold into slavery by his brothers, who rose to power in Egypt and saved his family from famine.

Moses

The prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and deliver the Ten Commandments.

Aaron

Moses's brother, who served as the first High Priest of Israel.

Pharaoh

The title for the ruler of ancient Egypt, who enslaved the Israelites before their exodus.

Joshua and Caleb

Two of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, who alone brought a positive report and believed God's promise to give them the land.

Adamic Covenant

God's covenant with Adam, establishing humanity's role as stewards of creation and outlining consequences for disobedience.

Noahic Covenant

God's covenant with Noah and all living creatures after the Flood, promising never again to destroy the earth by flood.

Abrahamic Covenant

God's unconditional promise to Abraham of land, descendants, and a blessing to all nations through him.

Mosaic Covenant

God's conditional covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, providing the Law and establishing them as His special people, dependent on their obedience.

Three Key Areas of the Tabernacle

The Outer Court, The Holy Place, and The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies).

10 Commandments

A set of divine laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, forming the moral and ethical foundation for Israel.

Jesus's Sacrifice and Levitical Law

Jesus's sacrifice fulfilled the requirements of the Levitical Law, rendering its ritual aspects (like animal sacrifices) obsolete, and providing direct access to God.

Genesis

The book of "beginnings," narrating creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the origins of Israel through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exodus

The book of "departure," detailing Israel's liberation from Egyptian slavery, the giving of the Law at Sinai, and the construction of the Tabernacle.

Leviticus

The book emphasizing "holiness," providing laws for worship, sacrifice, and priestly duties, teaching Israel how to live as God's holy people.

Numbers

The book of "counting" or "in the wilderness," recounting Israel's forty years of wandering, census taking, and ongoing rebellions in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy

The book of "second law," serving as Moses's farewell speeches, where he reiterates and interprets the Law before Israel enters the Promised Land.