Hebrew Scriptures - Unit 3

What covenant did God make with Noah after the flood, and what sign did God give as a sign of this promise?

God promised never to destroy the earth by flood again; the sign of the covenant was the rainbow.

Why do some story elements of the flood contradict each other and some elements repeat?

The biblical text combines the Yahwist and the Priestly sources into one story.

What is an example of a story detail that contracts itself in the story of the flood?

The number of animals, the length of the flood, or how the water floods the earth

Why did God confuse the language of the people building the Tower of Babel?

Because humans were trying to make a name for themselves and build a tower to heaven, showing pride and disobedience.

Abraham is the patriarch of which three world religions?

Judaism, Christianity, Islam

About how many years ago did the stories of the patriarchs and matriarchs take place?

About 4000 years ago (2000 to 1700 BC)

When Abram hears God’s call, what does God promise?

• God calls Abram to go to a new land (1) that He will show him and promises to make him the father of a great nation (2).

• God also promises to bless Abram and make him a blessing to others (3).

God leads Abram to which land?

God leads Abram to Canaan. 

God compares the number of Abram’s offspring to what natural occurrence?

The number of stars in the sky

What plan does Sarai create after she fails to conceive

he tells Abraham to have a child with Hagar. 

 How do Sarai and Abram view Hagar and how does the biblical text show us this?

Sarai and Abram view Hagar as only a servant and they disrespect her. The biblical text shows us this by saying how Abram and Sarai only call Hagar a servant and never by her name. The biblical text also shows us this by showing how Sarai mistreats Hagar.

What is a covenant?

A promise and a binding agreement between God and humans

What is the ritual physical sign of the covenant for males in Judaism?

The sign was a circumcision. 

What is another indicator of a covenant relationship between God and Abram/Sarai in Genesis?

The name changes: Abram to Abraham and and Sarai to Sarah

What are the names of Abraham’s sons and provide the name of each boy’s mother.

Issac and his mother was Sarah, Ishmael and his mother was Hagar.

What does Hagar call God when she speaks to the LORD’s angel in the desert?

“El Roi” meaning “God who sees me”

What do we learn about God as the result of Hagar’s encounter with the LORD’s angel in the desert?

• God cares for those who are suffering and marginalized

• God is personal and sees each of us

  What do we learn about the people whom God works through as evidenced through the story of Abraham and Sarah

God works through imperfect people

What is the theological point of the story of Abraham’s sacrifice?

it shows that God provides and to place trust in God’s plan and God’s timing.

• Fear of the Lord: reverence and awe for God

 Why do some individuals in biblical stories have a very unbelievably great age?

People who are old of age are considered to be wise and blessed

What name does Jacob receive in the desert and what does it mean?

Israel and it means “one who has contended with divine and human beings”

Who descends from Jacob’s sons?

• The Israelites (the twelve tribes of Israel) descended from Jacob’s sons.

• Rachel - Joseph and Benjamin (Note mother)