Old Testament Survey: Test 1 Study Guide

A complete set of study flashcards covering biblical theology, canonical structure, covenant history, and key themes from Genesis through 2 Kings.

What are the four key movements in the overarching storyline of the Bible?

Creation (God creates the world and humanity to rule and relate to Him), Fall (Adam and Eve sin, introducing corruption and separation), Redemption (God's plan to rescue humanity through covenants, fulfilled in Jesus Christ), and New Creation (God removes sin and death, completely restoring creation).

What is a biblical manuscript, and in what language were the Old Testament manuscripts originally written?

A manuscript is a copy of an original document, written in Hebrew.

What is the Masoretic Text?

The Hebrew text of the Old Testament transmitted by Jewish scribes known as the Masoretes.

What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Ancient Hebrew biblical manuscripts discovered near the Dead Sea.

What is a biblical "version," and in what language was the Septuagint (LXX) written?

A version is a translation of the Hebrew scriptures into another language; the Septuagint (LXX) is an ancient translation in Greek.

In what languages were the Targums and the Vulgate written?

The Targums were ancient translations and paraphrases in Aramaic, while the Vulgate was translated into Latin.

Why do Protestants exclude the books of the Apocrypha from the biblical canon?

They believe these books were not part of the original Hebrew canon and lack the same level of prophetic authority as canonical scripture.

What are the three traditional divisions of the Hebrew Bible?

Law (Torah), Prophets (Nevi'im), and Writings (Ketuvim).

How is the theological term "inspiration" defined, and which New Testament passages explicitly discuss it?

Inspiration is defined as an action of God's Spirit, referenced in 2 Peter 1:19-21 and 2 Timothy 3:16.

What are the four Protestant attributes of Scripture and their definitions?

1. Authority: Scripture is God's Word with the right to command belief and conduct. 2. Clarity: Scripture's core message, especially concerning salvation, can be understood. 3. Necessity: Scripture is essential for knowing God's redemptive plan and living faithfully. 4. Sufficiency: Scripture provides everything needed for knowing God and living godly lives.

What are the five books of the Law and the four books of the Former Prophets in order?

Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings.

What two major themes run throughout the entirety of the Old Testament?

Descendants and Land.

What are the two primary divisions of the book of Genesis?

Primeval History (chapters 1-11) and Patriarchal History (chapters 12-50).

Which recurring phrase in Genesis indicates the beginning of a new literary section?

"These are the generations of…"

What did God create on each of the six days of creation, and what is the significance of His rest on the seventh day?

Day $1$: Light and darkness; Day $2$: Sky and waters; Day $3$: Land; Day $4$: Sun, moon, and stars; Day $5$: Birds and sea creatures; Day $6$: Land animals and humanity. Resting on Day $7$ signifies the completion of creation and sets a pattern for Sabbath rest.

What are the scriptural location, parties, stipulations, sign, and purpose of the covenant of works?

Location: Genesis 1-2. Parties: God and Adam/humanity. Stipulations: Perfect obedience leading to life (disobedience brings death). Sign: None. Purpose: Establishing humans as priest-kings who dwell with God and rule creation as His representatives.

What does the term "protoevangelium" mean, and where is it found in Scripture?

It means the "first gospel" and is found in Genesis 3:15.

What are the scriptural location, parties, promises, sign, and purpose of the Noahic Covenant?

Location: Genesis 9. Parties: God and all living things. Stipulations/promises: Preservation of the order of creation. Sign: The rainbow. Purpose: Preserving creation and humanity so God's redemption through the Seed of the woman can unfold.

What are the two levels of fulfillment for the Abrahamic promises in Genesis 12:1-3, and what is the key word?

Physical fulfillment (Abraham becomes a great, blessed nation) and universal fulfillment (all nations of the earth are blessed). The key word is "bless," indicating Israel is God's instrument to reach the nations.

What specific development does each chapter—Genesis 15, 17, and 22—bring to the Abrahamic Covenant?

Genesis 15 establishes the covenant and promises offspring and land; Genesis 17 introduces circumcision and fatherhood of many nations; Genesis 22 tests Abraham's faith via Isaac, reinforcing the oath of descendants and blessing.

What are the scriptural location, parties, promises, sign, and purpose of the Abrahamic Covenant?

Location: Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22. Parties: God and Abraham. Promises: Land, descendants, and blessing. Sign: Circumcision. Purpose: Redeeming humanity and creation by sending a Redeemer to remove God's curse.

Which son of Jacob is elevated in Genesis 49, and what does his blessing foretell?

Judah; his blessing foretells a future royal ruler arising from his lineage.

Which annual ritual was established following the tenth plague of Egypt, and what principle does it illustrate?

The Passover; it illustrates substitution, as an animal dies in place of the firstborn son.

What are the main subjects of Exodus chapters 19 through 24?

Chapter 19: Prologue; Chapter 20: Ten Words; Chapters 21-23: The Judgements; Chapter 24: Covenant Ratification.

What sin did Israel commit at Mount Sinai, how did Moses respond, and what event showed Moses was effective?

Israel committed idolatry with the golden calf; Moses confronted them and broke the stone tablets; Moses's intercession was proven effective when the completed tabernacle was filled with God's glory.

Why did Israel need a priesthood and sacrificial system?

Because they were a sinful people residing directly in the presence of a holy God.

What five actions took place on the Day of Atonement, and what did they signify?

The high priest entered the Most Holy Place, offered sin sacrifices, sprinkled blood, placed sins onto the scapegoat, and sent it into the wilderness. This symbolized sin being atoned for, covered, and removed.

What is the theological significance of the censuses and numbers in the book of Numbers?

They demonstrate that God remained faithful in fulfilling His promise of multiplying Abraham's descendants.

How did Israel fail during the wilderness wandering, and what was the penalty?

Israel repeatedly complained and rebelled; consequently, that unbelieving generation was sentenced to wander and die in the wilderness.

What do Balaam's involuntary blessings over Israel reveal about God's covenant promises?

They echo God's ancient promises to the patriarchs, showing that human schemes cannot overturn God's sovereign covenant commitments.

Why was Deuteronomy given as a "second law" to Israel?

It was a covenant renewal and pedagogical preparation for the new generation about to cross into the Promised Land.

What rule does Deuteronomy 17 impose on future monarchs in Israel?

The king must submit himself under God's Law rather than exalting himself above it.

How does Deuteronomy indicate God will communicate with Israel after Moses's death?

God will reveal His will by raising up prophets from among the people.

How does Deuteronomy anticipate the need for a New Covenant?

It diagnoses Israel's fundamental issue as a hard heart, pointing ahead to a covenant where God internally transforms hearts to enable obedience.

What are the scriptural location, parties, stipulations, sign, and purpose of the Mosaic Covenant?

Location: Exodus 19-24, Leviticus, Deuteronomy. Parties: God and Israel. Stipulations: Obedience yields blessing in the land; disobedience yields curses and exile. Sign: The Sabbath. Purpose: The prosecution of Israel and humanity, showing that human sinfulness inevitably brings failure and exile.

What is the central theological theme of the book of Joshua?

God's faithfulness in delivering the Promised Land to Israel in response to covenant obedience.

What do the exhaustive boundary allocations in Joshua 13-21 signify?

They provide concrete proof that God's ancient promise of the land had reached fulfillment.

What five stages comprise the recurring cycle throughout the book of Judges?

1. Idolatry (Israel serves false gods); 2. Oppression (God sends an enemy); 3. Distress (Israel cries out); 4. Deliverer (God raises a judge); 5. Rest (the land enjoys peace for a period of years).

What diagnostic conclusion does the author reach at the close of Judges regarding Israel's relationship to authority?

Israel had completely rejected God's sovereign kingship, lacked righteous leadership, and refused to follow God's Law.

Why was Israel's demand for an earthly monarch in 1 Samuel viewed as sinful?

They asked for a king to assimilate with pagan nations, which rejected God's direct kingship and showed a lack of trust in Him.

What decisive shift occurs in 1 Samuel 15, and what narrative direction does it establish?

Saul disobeys God regarding the Amalekites and is rejected as king, initiating the transition toward the rise of David.

What wordplay on "house" occurs between David and God in 2 Samuel 7?

David intended to build a temple ("house") for God, but God countered by promising to establish David's royal lineage ("house" or dynasty) forever.

What are the scriptural location, parties, promises, sign, and purpose of the Davidic Covenant?

Location: 2 Samuel 7. Parties: God and David. Promises: A perpetual dynasty, sons treated as God's sons, discipline without abandonment. Sign: None. Purpose: Establishing the house of David as the vehicle to fulfill the Genesis 3:15 promise of a redemptive seed.

How did God respond to David's adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah?

God sent discipline through intense family violence and political unrest, yet remained faithful by preserving His covenant promises with David's house.

In what manner does Solomon function as an Adam-like figure in 1 Kings?

Solomon was granted broad authority to govern God's realm, but fell from favor through covenant disobedience.

Which sin caused divine judgment to fall upon Solomon's united kingdom?

Solomon married numerous foreign wives who led him into idolatry and turned his heart away from the Lord.

Who was the inaugural ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and what infamous sin did he establish?

Jeroboam I; he erected golden calves for worship at the border shrines of Bethel and Dan.

Who is identified as the worst king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and why?

Ahab, because he aggressively fostered state-sponsored idolatry and Baal worship.

Why are the prophetic ministries of Elijah and Elisha situated at the literary core of 1-2 Kings?

They testify that Yahweh remains the true sovereign King of Israel, superseding all earthly monarchs.

Which Judahite king instituted sweeping covenant reforms after discovering the book of the Law in the temple?

King Josiah.

In what years did the Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom fall, and to which invading empires?

The Northern Kingdom (Israel) fell to Assyria in $722\,\text{BC}$, and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) fell to Babylon in $586\,\text{BC}$.

What concluding note of hope is recorded at the end of 2 Kings?

King Jehoiachin is released from Babylonian imprisonment and elevated to eat regularly at the royal table.

What does the historical narrative from Sinai to the exile demonstrate about the Law and human nature?

The Law is inherently holy and righteous, but fallen people are unable to keep it apart from divine grace and inward heart transformation.