Old Testament Redemption: Covenants and Kingship

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts regarding Old Testament themes, particularly around covenants, the law, and Israel's history.

Covenant

A solemn agreement between God and His people.

Promised Land

The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exodus

The journey of the Israelites out of Egypt, led by Moses.

Ten Plagues

Divine judgments sent by God upon Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites.

Passover

Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Sabbath

A day of religious observance and abstinence from work, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Ark of the Covenant

A sacred container that held the tablets of the Law, representing God's presence.

Mosaic Law

The laws given to Moses, foundational to Israelite society and religion.

Tabernacle

A portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert.

Holy of Holies

The innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle, where God's presence dwelled.

Levitical Priesthood

The priestly class descended from Levi, responsible for religious rituals.

Davidic Covenant

God's promise to David that his descendants would rule Israel forever.

Kingship

The position and authority of a king; in Israel, particularly the leadership of Saul, David, and Solomon.

Sin Offering

A type of sacrifice made to atone for sin according to Levitical law.

Burnt Offering

A sacrifice consumed entirely by fire as an act of submission to God.

Cereal Offering

A gift of grain offered to God as a part of worship.

Peace Offering

A sacrifice symbolizing fellowship and communion with God.

Guilt Offering

A type of sacrifice for atonement of guilt for specific sins.

Jericho

The first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the Promised Land.

Joshua

Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Theophany

A visible manifestation of God to humans.

Levites

Members of the tribe of Levi; responsible for religious duties and services.

Herem War

A total devotion of a city or people to God, often involving destruction.

Righteous War

A just conflict where the Israelites are in the right with God.

Holy War

A war fought for religious purposes, believed to be sanctioned by God.

Deuteronomic Law

Legal framework established in Deuteronomy, guiding Israelite society.

Judges

Leaders who ruled Israel before the monarchy, often delivering the people from oppression.

Cycle of Apostasy

The recurring pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance in Judges.

Idolatry

Worship of false gods, condemned throughout the Old Testament.

Prophet

A person chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people.

Pharaoh

The title of ancient Egyptian rulers, often opposed the liberation of the Israelites.

Lake of Fire

Symbolic of eternal punishment as mentioned in the New Testament.

Canaan

The land promised to the Israelites, inhabited by various peoples.

Saul

The first king of Israel, whose reign ended in failure.

David

Israel’s second king, known for his heart after God but also his grave sins.

Solomon

David's son, known for wisdom and building the First Temple.

Golden Calf

An idol made by the Israelites during Moses' absence, representing a break in covenant.

Manna

Bread from heaven provided by God to the Israelites during their desert wanderings.

Nile

Egypt's river, turned to blood during the plagues.

Promised Seed

Expectation of a descendant who will fulfill God's covenant promises.

Pentateuch

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Covenant Renewal

Ceremonial reaffirmation of Israel’s covenant with God.

Judah

The southern kingdom after the split of Israel.

Israel

The northern kingdom, characterized by a succession of unfaithful kings.

Asherah

A Canaanite goddess often worshiped alongside Yahweh by the Israelites.

Holy Convocation

An assembly or gathering for religious purposes, particularly for feasts.

Tithe

One-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to the church or a charity.

Atonement

The reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial system.

Apostasy

The abandonment of one's religious faith or principles.

Covenant Fulfillment

The realization of God's promises within Scripture.

Fellowship Meal

Communal sharing of food that symbolizes unity in worship.

Sin Nature

The inherent condition of sinfulness in all humans since the Fall.

Restoration

Return to a right relationship with God after sin.

Ritual Purity

Condition of being free from guilt or sin, often required for worship.

Blood Atonement

Sacrificial act intended to reconcile the Israelites with God.

Wilderness Wanderings

The period during which the Israelites traveled in the desert.

Divine Intervention

God’s direct action in human history.

Messiah

The expected deliverer of the Jewish nation prophesied in the Old Testament.

Sacrificial System

The collection of rituals and offerings made for atonement and worship.

Psalms

Biblical songs and hymns, often attributed to David.

Covenant Mediator

A person who represents God in the covenant with humanity.

Shechinah

The dwelling or settling presence of God.

Ritual Sacrifice

The practice of offering animals or goods to God as an act of worship.

Passover Lamb

Symbol of salvation, referring to the lamb sacrificed during the last plague in Egypt.

First Commandment

You shall have no other gods before me.

Second Commandment

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, nor bow down to them.

Third Commandment

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Fourth Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Fifth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother.

Sixth Commandment

You shall not murder.

Seventh Commandment

You shall not commit adultery.

Eighth Commandment

You shall not steal.

Ninth Commandment

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Tenth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor's possessions.

Moses

Leader of the Israelites during the Exodus, who received the Mosaic Law and led the people through the wilderness wanderings.

Abraham

A patriarch with whom God made a covenant, promising land and descendants; ancestor of Isaac and Jacob.

Isaac

Son of Abraham, integral to God's covenant promises alongside Abraham and Jacob.

Jacob

Grandson of Abraham, whose descendants became the twelve tribes of Israel; a recipient of God's covenant promises.

Pharaoh

The ruler of ancient Egypt who opposed the liberation of the Israelites and upon whom God sent the Ten Plagues.

Joshua

Moses' successor, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land and orchestrated the conquest of cities like Jericho.

Levi

Ancestor of the Levites and the Levitical Priesthood, who were responsible for religious duties and services.

David

Israel's second king, known for his heart after God, to whom the Davidic Covenant was given, and to whom many Psalms are attributed.

Saul

The first king of Israel, whose reign ended in failure due to disobedience.

Solomon

David's son, renowned for his wisdom and for building the First Temple in Jerusalem.

First Plague

Water turned to blood (Exodus 7:14-25).

Second Plague

Frogs invaded Egypt (Exodus 8:1-15).

Third Plague

Dust turned into gnats (or lice) (Exodus 8:16-19).

Fourth Plague

Swarms of flies (Exodus 8:20-32).

Fifth Plague

Pestilence on livestock (Exodus 9:1-7).

Sixth Plague

Boils on people and animals (Exodus 9:8-12).

Seventh Plague

Hail and fire (Exodus 9:13-35).

Eighth Plague

Locusts devoured crops (Exodus 10:1-20).

Ninth Plague

Three days of darkness (Exodus 10:21-29).

Tenth Plague

Death of the firstborn (Exodus 11:1-12:36).

piety

personal practice of godliness

Sanctuary

The innermost part of the Tabernacle (the Holy of Holies), symbolizing heaven, God's dwelling place, and His throne room, representing ultimate divine presence.

Menorah

The seven-branched lampstand in the Tabernacle's Holy Place, cosmically representing the earth, specifically the tree of life or the world illuminated by divine light.

Laver

The washstand (basin) in the Tabernacle's outer court, used for priestly purification, symbolizing the sea and providing cleansing before entering sacred space.

Ehud

A left-handed Judge who delivered Israel from Eglon, King of Moab, by assassinating him.