Scriptures Final Exam Terms

1. Canon

refers to a collection of sacred texts or books that are accepted as authoritative and inspired within a particular religious tradition. Think of it as the official list of books that belong in the Bible.

2. Scripture

simply means sacred writings. It's a broader term for any religious texts that are considered holy, divinely inspired, or authoritative.

3. Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (HB/OT)

the Christian term for these same books, which recount the history of God's relationship with Israel before the coming of Jesus. It includes books of law, history, prophecy, and wisdom.

4. Torah/Pentateuch

refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible

5. Former Prophets

These are historical books that tell the story of Israel from their entry into the land of Canaan up to the Babylonian exile. They include Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. They are called "prophets" because they interpret Israel's history through a prophetic lens, explaining events in light of God's covenant with Israel.

6. Latter Prophets

These are primarily collections of prophetic oracles and messages from individual prophets. They include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve (minor) Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, etc.).

7. Writings

a diverse collection of books including poetic works (Psalms, Proverbs, Job), wisdom literature (Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon), historical narratives (Ruth, Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah, 1 & 2 Chronicles), and apocalyptic literature (Daniel).

8. Deuterocanonical Books

These are books or portions of books that are part of the Old Testament in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but are not included in the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant Bibles (where they are often called the Apocrypha).

9. New Testament (NT)

focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the establishment and growth of the early Christian church, and letters of instruction and encouragement to early Christian communities.

10. Gospels

refers to the first four books of the New Testament

11. Epistles

are formal letters, primarily found in the New Testament, written by apostles (like Paul, Peter, John, and James) to various Christian communities or individuals.

12. Manuscript

any document written by hand. In biblical studies, it refers to ancient handwritten copies of biblical texts.

13. Autograph

this refers to the original writings of the biblical books (e.g., the original letter written by Paul). Unfortunately, none of the biblical autographs are known to exist today.

14. Oral Transmission

the process of passing down stories, traditions, teachings, and history verbally from one generation to the next, or from person to person, before they are written down.

15. Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS)

These are a collection of ancient Jewish manuscripts discovered in caves near the Dead Sea between 1947 and 1956.

16. Genesis

the first book of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the first book of the Torah/Pentateuch.

17. Primeval History

the period from creation up to the call of Abraham, including stories like Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. These stories address universal themes about humanity's relationship with God and the world.

18. Ancestral Narratives

They focus on the lives of the foundational ancestors of Israel

19. Genealogy

a record or table of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or ancestors.

20. Adam and Eve

the first man and woman created by God.

21. Cain and Abel

These were the first two sons of Adam and Eve, as told in Genesis 4. heir story describes the first murder, as Cain kills his brother Abel out of jealousy, illustrating themes of sin, sacrifice, and divine judgment.

22. Noah

He was chosen by God to build an ark to save his family and a pair of every animal from the flood that destroyed the corrupt world.

23. Noahic Covenant

This covenant, marked by the rainbow, is a universal promise from God never again to destroy all life on Earth with a flood. It applies to all humanity and creation.

24. Etiology

a story or myth that explains the origin or cause of a phenomenon, custom, name, or natural feature.

25. Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah

the original name of the patriarch chosen by God to become the father of a great nation. God later changed his name to Abraham ("father of many nations"). his wife, whose name God changed to Sarah ("princess"). Their story is central to the ancestral narratives, focusing on faith, obedience, and the promise of descendants.

26. Abrahamic Covenant

God promised Abraham land, numerous descendants who would become a great nation, and blessings that would extend to all the families of the earth. Circumcision became the sign of this covenant.

27. Theophany

a visible manifestation or appearance of God to human beings.

28. Isaac and Rebekah

the son of Abraham and Sarah, born in their old age as the promised heir of the Abrahamic Covenant, Rebekah was his wife. Their story continues the ancestral narratives, focusing on the continuation of the divine promises through their lineage.

29. Jacob/Israel, Leah, and Rachel

the son of Isaac and Rebekah, who famously wrestled with an angel and had his name changed to Israel ("struggles with God"). He is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Leah and Rachel were his two wives, whose stories are intertwined with the birth of Jacob's many sons, who would form the twelve tribes.

30. Joseph

one of Jacob's twelve sons, known for his coat of many colors, his ability to interpret dreams, and his rise to power in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.

31. Moses

He is the central figure of the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, known as the lawgiver who received the Torah from God on Mount Sinai.

32. Call Narrative

a literary pattern found in the Bible (and other ancient texts) describing how God calls an individual to a specific task or mission.

33. Mt. Sinai/Horeb

These are two names for the sacred mountain where, according to the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, Moses received the Ten Commandments and the Law (Torah) from God.

34. Mosaic Covenant

This is the covenant established between God and the nation of Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24). It outlined the laws and stipulations that Israel was to follow as God's chosen people, promising blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. It forms the core of the legal and ethical framework for ancient Israel.

35. Decalogue/the Ten Commandments

is the list of ten ethical and religious laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.

36. Leviticus

the third book of the Torah/Pentateuch. It primarily contains laws and instructions regarding worship, rituals, sacrifices, and purity for the Israelite priests and people, emphasizing holiness and proper conduct in their relationship with God.

37. Numbers

the fourth book of the Torah/Pentateuch. It recounts the Israelites' wilderness wanderings for forty years after their departure from Mount Sinai, including two censuses (hence "Numbers"), various laws, rebellions, and God's continued guidance and judgment.

38. Source Criticism

a method of biblical scholarship that attempts to identify the written and oral sources that biblical authors used to compose their texts.

39. Documentary Hypothesis (JEDP)

This is the most well-known theory of source criticism applied to the Pentateuch. It proposes that the Pentateuch was compiled from four main independent literary sources.

40. Priest

a religious official authorized to perform sacred rituals, offer sacrifices, and mediate between God and the people.

41. Ark of the Covenant

It was considered the most sacred object in ancient Israel, symbolizing God's presence among His people, and was housed first in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.

42. Deuteronomy

the fifth and final book of the Torah/Pentateuch. Its name means "second law." It presents Moses' farewell speeches to the Israelites before they enter the promised land, reiterating and reinterpreting the laws given at Sinai, emphasizing the importance of covenant loyalty, and reminding them of their history.

43. Former Prophets/Deuteronomistic History (DtrH)

This refers to a scholarly theory that suggests the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel (1&2), and Kings (1&2) were edited and composed as a single literary work by a group of authors or editors known as the Deuteronomist(s).

44. Joshua (book)

The sixth book of the Hebrew Bible, immediately following Deuteronomy. It narrates the Israelites' conquest of the land of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, the division of the land among the tribes, and the renewal of the covenant.

45. Joshua (character)

Moses' successor, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land and commanded their armies in the conquest of Canaan.

46. Theories of Israelite Occupation

These are scholarly models that attempt to explain how the Israelites came to settle in the land of Canaan

47. Conquest Model

Based on the book of Joshua, depicting a swift military takeover.

48. Infiltration/Settlement Model

Suggests a more gradual process of nomadic groups settling and sometimes clashing with existing Canaanite populations.

49. Peasant Revolt Model

Proposes that the Israelites were primarily Canaanite peasants who revolted against their urban overlords and formed a new society.

50. Judges (book)

The seventh book of the Hebrew Bible, following Joshua. It describes the period in Israelite history between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy, a time characterized by tribal disunity and cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance.

51. Judges (term)

In this context, these were charismatic military and political leaders (not legal judges) whom God raised up to deliver Israel from its enemies during the period described in the book of Judges.

52. The Judges Cycle

apostacy, oppression, cry out, deliverance, peace

53. Narrative Criticism

a literary approach to biblical texts that analyzes the biblical story as a coherent narrative, focusing on elements like plot, characters, setting, point of view, and literary devices.

54. Rhetorical Criticism

a method of biblical study that examines the persuasive strategies and communication techniques used by the biblical authors to achieve their intended effects on the audience.

55. 1–2 Samuel

These are two books in the Hebrew Bible (often considered a single work originally) that describe the transition of Israel from a confederacy ruled by judges to a monarchy.

56. Samuel (character)

a key prophet, priest, and judge in ancient Israel, whose story is told in 1 Samuel. He anointed both Saul and David as kings, playing a crucial role in the establishment of the monarchy.

57. Prophet

an individual chosen by God to speak on His behalf, delivering divine messages, warnings, and promises to the people.

58. Saul

the first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel as described in 1 Samuel. His reign was marked by initial success but ultimately by disobedience to God and conflict with David, leading to his eventual downfall.

59. United Monarchy

The period when all twelve Israelite tribes were united under a single king.

60. David

the second, and arguably most significant, king of Israel, whose story is primarily told in 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 Kings. Known as "a man after God's own heart," he was a shepherd who became a warrior, united the Israelite tribes, established Jerusalem as the capital, and is considered the ancestor of the Messiah in Jewish and Christian traditions.

61. Davidic Covenant

n this covenant, God promises David that his "house" (dynasty) and "kingdom" will be established forever, meaning a descendant of David will always sit on the throne. This promise became central to the messianic expectations in Israel.

62. Bathsheba

the wife of Uriah the Hittite, with whom King David had an adulterous affair, leading to Uriah's death. She later became one of David's wives and the mother of King Solomon.

63. Solomon

The third king of the United Monarchy, son of David. He was renowned for his wisdom and for building the First Temple in Jerusalem.

64. The Temple

Specifically, this refers to the First Temple in Jerusalem, built by King Solomon. It was the central place of worship for the Israelites.

65. Divided Monarchy

The period following The Schism, where ancient Israel was split into two kingdoms

66. Kingdom of Israel

The northern kingdom, formed after the schism. Its capital was eventually Samaria. It encompassed ten of the twelve tribes.

67. Ahab and Jezebel

Ahab was Omri's son and a king of Israel, heavily influenced by his Phoenician wife, Jezebel. They promoted the worship of Baal.

68. Elijah and Elisha

Two prominent prophets in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the Omride Dynasty. They challenged the worship of Baal and championed the worship of YHWH.

69. Fall of Israel (722 BCE)

722 BCE

70. Kingdom of Judah

The southern kingdom, formed after the schism. Its capital was Jerusalem and it was ruled by the Davidic dynasty.

71. Manasseh

Hezekiah's son and arguably the most wicked king of Judah. He reversed his father's reforms and promoted idolatry.

72. Josiah

A righteous king of Judah who initiated significant religious reforms after the discovery of the "Book of the Law."

73. “Book of the Law”

Early version of Deuteronomy

74. Fall of Judah/Jerusalem and Temple (587 BCE)

The conquest and destruction of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and its capital Jerusalem by the Babylonian Empire.

75. The Babylonian Exile

587 BCE

76. Postcolonial Studies

gives attention to how texts reflect on going negotiations between 1) the reality of imperial oppression and 2) the desire to maintain indigenous identity

77. Colonial Mimicry

A concept from postcolonial studies describing how colonized people may imitate the cultural practices of their colonizers.

78. Trauma Studies

gives attention to how texts portray, and are shaped by, and originate from traumatic circumstances

79. Prophet

An individual called by God to deliver divine messages to the people.

80. Prophecy

The act of a prophet speaking on behalf of God, or the message itself delivered by a prophet.

81. Latter Prophets/Prophetic Literature

A section of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible that includes the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Book of the Twelve.

82. Oracle

short poetic speeches communicating divine words

83. Retributive Justice

principle illustrated in the Former and Latter Prophets; YHWH’s response to Israel corresponds with their conduct

84. Isaiah (prophet)

A major prophet who ministered in Judah during the 8th century BCE.

85. Isaiah (book)

A significant prophetic book in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah.

86. Zion Theology

A theological concept centered on Jerusalem (Zion) as God's chosen city.

87. Jeremiah (prophet)

A major prophet who ministered in Judah during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, warning of the impending Babylonian invasion.

88. Jeremiah (book)

A major prophetic book in the Old Testament, containing Jeremiah's prophecies, laments, and biographical narratives.

89. Ezekiel (prophet)

A prophet who ministered to the Judean exiles in Babylon during the Babylonian Exile.

90. Ezekiel (book)

A major prophetic book in the Old Testament, containing Ezekiel's visions, oracles of judgment and restoration.

91. The Book of the Twelve

Also known as the Minor Prophets, this is a collection of twelve shorter prophetic books.

92. The Writings

The third major section of the Hebrew Bible (Ketuvim), following the Torah and the Nevi'im.

93. Diaspora

The scattering of a population from its original homeland, referring to Jewish communities living outside Israel after the Exile.

94. Cyrus

first imperial king of Persia; sends exiled peoples home

95. Ezra-Nehemiah

A book (or two books) that recounts the return of the exiles to Judah and the rebuilding of the Temple and city walls.

96. Ezra (character)

A priest and scribe “skilled laws of Mose”, oversees religious laws

97. Nehemiah (character)

a governor; leads reconstruction effort of Jerusalem’s walls

98. Chronicles

A book (or two books) that retells much of the history of Israel and Judah with a particular focus on the Davidic monarchy and the Temple.