Life in the Old Testament

What religion did the Israelites practice, and what does that term mean?

They were monotheists — they worshipped only one God.

What was the tabernacle, and what was kept inside it?

A giant tent used for worship while travelling from Egypt to Canaan. Inside was the Ark of the Covenant.

What was the Ark of the Covenant made of?

A box made of acacia wood covered in gold.

Who built the Temple at Jerusalem, and what happened to it?

King Solomon built it. It was destroyed by the Babylonians but later rebuilt.

Which tribe served as priests, and how were they supported?

The Levites. They received one tenth of other tribes' crops and animals, plus 48 towns set aside for them.

Name the chief gods of the Philistines, Moabites, and Canaanites.

Dagon (Philistines), Chemosh (Moabites), Baal (Canaanites).

Who was Asherah, and how was she worshipped?

The wife of Baal and a fertility goddess, worshipped through wooden poles dedicated to her.

How did most people in Israel make a living?

Farming, mostly in small villages.

Under what conditions could an Israelite be sold into slavery, and for how long?

If they were too poor to survive. Only for 6 years — they had to be freed after that.

At what ages could boys and girls legally marry?

Boys at 13, girls at 12.

How was a father's property divided among his children when he died?

Sons inherited it; the oldest son received a double share. Daughters only inherited if there were no sons.

What harvesting rules protected the poor from starvation?

You couldn't reap to the field edges or collect leftover grain, olives, or grapes — those had to be left for the poor. You could also eat from a neighbour's vineyard or field as long as you didn't take any away.

What were the two main building materials for Old Testament houses?

Stone or mud bricks.

How did poor, middle-class, and wealthy homes differ?

Poor: one room, dirt floor, shared with animals in winter. Middle: sometimes had an upper storey, used roof for drying food/sleeping. Wealthy: multiple rooms around a courtyard.

What did ordinary people eat most, and why was meat rare?

Bread was the staple food. Meat was a luxury only the rich could afford regularly.

What foods were the Israelites forbidden to eat?

Pork.

What was the agricultural cycle throughout the year?

Autumn: pick olives. Oct-Nov: early rains. Nov-Jan: plough and sow flax, wheat, barley. Jan-Mar: plant vegetables. Mar-Apr: later rains, harvest flax. May-Jun: harvest barley and wheat. Jun-Aug: prune vines. Aug-Sep: harvest grapes, pomegranates, figs.

What craftsmen worked in Old Testament Israel?

Potters, blacksmiths, bronze smiths, goldsmiths, silversmiths, stonemasons, and carpenters.

What was the most common form of transport, and why were horses rare?

Donkeys were most common. Horses were expensive to keep so were reserved mainly for war.

How did most Israelite soldiers fight, and what weapons did they use?

On foot. They used bows and arrows, slings, axes, clubs, spears, and javelins. Chariots were impractical in the hilly terrain where Israelites usually fought.

How were children educated in Ancient Israel, and what did boys and girls learn differently?

Children did not go to school — parents were responsible for teaching them God's laws. Girls learned skills like spinning, weaving and baking from their mothers, while boys learned their father's trade.

What role did women play in Ancient Israelite society beyond the home?

Some women were businesswomen. The ideal wife described in Proverbs was not only a homemaker but also considered fields to buy, made clothes for her family, and sold clothes to merchants.