UFND 2000 Christian Scripture Midterm Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary and core concept flashcards for the UFND 2000 Christian Scripture Midterm Exam, covering Hebrew literary terms, biblical covenants, theological concepts, historical figures, and exam rubrics.

Metanarrative

An overarching, grand narrative or master storyline that integrates and gives theological meaning to the individual stories and history within the biblical text.

Yahweh

The personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel revealed to Moses in the Old Testament, often rendered as "LORD" in English translations.

Tetragrammaton (YHWH)

The four Hebrew consonants (YHWH) representing the sacred personal name of the biblical God, traditionally treated with deep reverence.

Elohim

A Hebrew term for God or deity, commonly used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures to designate the sovereign creator God.

Torah

A Hebrew term meaning "law," "instruction," or "teaching," used specifically to refer to the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch).

Enuma Elish

An ancient Babylonian creation myth often compared and contrasted with the biblical creation accounts in Genesis.

Toledot

A Hebrew structural heading meaning "generations," "descendants," or "account of," used in Genesis to organize its major narrative sections.

Holy

The state of being set apart, consecrated, pure, and distinct from the ordinary or profane, defining God's nature and that which belongs to Him.

Berith (Covenant)

The Hebrew term for a solemn, binding agreement or sacred relationship established between God and humanity or between people.

Created in God’s image

The theological status described in Genesis indicating that human beings are fashioned to reflect God's divine character, dignity, and purpose on Earth.

“Have dominion over”

The biblical mandate granting humanity royal stewardship, care, and responsibility over creation under the sovereignty of God.

Ḥesed

A foundational Hebrew theological concept denoting God's steadfast love, loyal kindness, covenant faithfulness, and enduring mercy.

“Chosen by God”

The concept of divine election wherein God designates particular individuals or the community of Israel for a specific mission and redemptive purpose.

Hymn of praise

A genre of Psalm focused on direct adoration and celebration of God's majestic character, attributes, and works in creation and history.

Lament Psalm

A category of Psalm voicing sorrow, grief, distress, complaint, or urgent petition to God in the midst of suffering and crisis.

Song of thanksgiving

A category of Psalm expressing gratitude and praise to God in response to a specific act of deliverance, healing, or answered prayer.

Synonymous parallelism

A poetic structure in Hebrew verse where the second line repeats, reinforces, or echoes the thought of the first line using similar words.

Antithetical parallelism

A Hebrew poetic device in which the second line contrasts with or opposes the first line to highlight a distinctive truth.

Synthetic parallelism

A Hebrew poetic structure where the second line advances, completes, develops, or explains the initial thought introduced in the first line.

Abrahamic Covenant

The divine pact found in Genesis where God promises Abraham land, numerous offspring, a great name, and universal blessing for all families of the Earth.

Mosaic / Mount Sinai Covenant

The bilateral covenant established between Yahweh and Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai, defined by the giving of the Torah and obedience to God's commandments.

Davidic Covenant

God's promise recorded in 2 Samuel 7 that David's royal line, house, and kingdom will be established before God forever.

New Covenant

The promised prophetic restoration (e.g., in Jeremiah 31) where God's law is written internally upon human hearts, bringing comprehensive forgiveness and knowledge of God.

Four Superpowers of the Old Testament

The four dominant ancient Near Eastern empires—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia—that directly impacted Israel's geopolitical and theological history.

Jeroboam

The first king of the divided northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 11–12) who established rival golden calf worship sites at Bethel and Dan.

Josiah

A righteous king of Judah (2 Kings 22–23) who led extensive religious reforms and renewed the covenant after finding the Book of the Law in the Temple.

King Cyrus

The Persian emperor who conquered Babylon and decreed that the Jewish exiles could return to Judah and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Huldah

An Old Testament prophetess in Jerusalem who verified the authenticity of the discovered Book of the Law during King Josiah's reign.

Jonah

An Old Testament prophet whose narrative uniquely centers on his resistance to God's call to preach repentance to Nineveh, highlighting the tension between divine justice and universal mercy.

Essay Grading Rubric

The 3-part criteria for the midterm essay: (1) all sub-questions must be covered; (2) answers must be coherent, thoughtful, and substantiated by textual evidence without lengthy quotes; and (3) handwriting must be clear and clean.