BIBL 101 Background of the OT and Torah Review

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core concepts, dates, text traditions, creation stories, covenants, and law traditions from Old Testament background studies.

The World behind the text

The historical context of the Old Testament, including the history of Israel and surrounding nations and the study of archaeological evidence.

The World of the text

The study of the text itself, including how the text functions as a religious document and how the stories can be read as stories.

The World in front of the text

The study of how the experiences and perspectives of the reader shape the meaning of the text.

722 BCE

The date of the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel by Assyria.

586 BCE

The date of the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon.

Masoretic Text

The standard Hebrew text produced by a group of Jewish scholars called Masoretes in the 10th century CE.

Dead Sea Scrolls

The oldest known Hebrew texts from the 3rd century BCE, discovered in caves in the region of Qumran.

Septuagint

An ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew text that began in 250 BCE.

Word for Word translation

A translation approach that attempts to translate the Hebrew as literally as possible, which can feel awkward due to structural differences between Hebrew and English.

Thought for Thought translation

A translation approach that attempts to capture the idea of the Hebrew, which sometimes involves moving words or phrases for better English readability.

Paraphrase translation

A translation approach that builds on the thought-for-thought philosophy and allows new language and imagery to communicate the text's message.

First Creation Account (Genesis 1)

A highly structured creation poem structured into 7 days, highlighting equality between men and women, humanity made in the image of God, and creation as YHWH's temple.

Second Creation Account (Genesis 2–4)

A creation narrative set in and around a garden, featuring God, the man, the woman, Cain, Abel, and the serpent, detailing the introduction of sin and its immediate fallout.

Enuma Elish

A Babylonian creation account from ca. 12th century BCE where Marduk defeats Tiamat, creates the world from her corpse, and forms humanity from Qingu's blood to serve the gods.

Covenant

A commitment made between two parties, consisting of three essential elements: parties, terms, and a sign.

Noahide Covenant

A covenant between YHWH and all of creation promising never to destroy creation with a flood again, marked by YHWH's bow in the sky.

Abrahamic Covenant

A covenant between YHWH and Abraham/his descendants promising land, descendants, and blessing, marked by circumcision.

Sinai Covenant

A covenant between YHWH and Israel promising YHWH's presence and land deliverance in exchange for obedience to His laws, marked by the Sabbath and the Ark of the Covenant.

Davidic Covenant

A covenant between YHWH and David establishing the Davidic line of kings, which features no specific sign.

Salvation (Old Testament)

A primary concept imaged by the Exodus, defined as deliverance from bondage (Egypt, sin, oppression) and deliverance to being the people of God.

The Shema

A passage from Deut 6:4–9 that summarizes the core idea of the Law, calling Israel to love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, and might.

Levites

Members of the tribe of Levi who function as priests for the nation of Israel and do not receive territorial land allotments.

Sabbath Year

An observance every 7th year where the land rests without cultivation, and people eat only what grows naturally.

Year of Jubilee

An observance every 50th year where land is left uncultivated, ancestral lands are returned to original families, and Israelite slaves are freed.