Old Testament Introduction - Week 1

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the introduction to the Old Testament, including its canonical structure, historical timelines, linguistic details, and major theological names and covenants.

Canon

Derived from a Hebrew word for a reed noted for its long straight edge, it refers to the accepted books that make up the Old Testament.

Ha TaNaK

An acrostic for the three sections of the Hebrew canon: Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Kethuvim (Writings).

Torah

Derived from the Hebrew word meaning "to cast forth" or "instruct," it is also known as the Law or Pentateuch (Greek for "five books"), consisting of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Nevi’im Rishonim

The "Former Prophets," consisting of the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.

Nevi’im Aharonim

The "Latter Prophets," consisting of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets).

Kethuvim

The "Writings," also known in Greek as the Hagiographa (meaning "holy" or "sacred" writings), which includes wisdom, historical, prophetic, and poetic books.

Megilloth

A subgroup of the Kethuvim meaning "Scrolls," consisting of Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations.

Masoretic Text (MT)

The Hebrew text of the Old Testament containing $304,123$ words and $23,213$ verses, making up approximately $72\%$ of the Bible.

Nestle-Aland (NA)

The Greek text of the New Testament containing $138,019$ words and $7,941$ verses, comprising approximately $28\%$ of the Bible.

Patriarchs

The historical period of the Old Testament spanning from $2000-1600\,BC$.

Exodus (Historical Event)

Considered the single greatest historical event of the Old Testament, dated between $1440-1400\,BC$ (early) or $1290-1250\,BC$ (late).

United Monarchy

The period of Old Testament history dated from $1050-922\,BC$.

Dual Kingdoms

The historical period from $922-722\,BC$ during which the kingdom was divided.

Exile/Babylonian Captivity

The historical period occurring from $586-539\,BC$.

World Powers Acrostic

The phrase "Eventually All Bible Professors Get Rich" used to remember the sequence of empires: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon (Chaldeans), Persia (Medes), Greece (Macedon), and Rome.

Aramaic Portions of the OT

Specific sections of the Hebrew Bible written in Aramaic: Ezra $4:8-6:18$, $7:11-26$; Daniel $2:4-7:28$; Genesis $31:47$; and Jeremiah $10:11$.

Protevangelium

The "dawning of the light in the darkness" period covering redemptive history from the Creation to the Flood (Genesis $1-11$).

Elohim

A designation for God that can refer to the singular "GOD" or the plural "gods/celestial beings" such as angels or false gods.

YHWH

The "Sacred Tetragrammaton" usually translated as LORD; over time, its vocalization was replaced by the word Adonai.

Jehovah

A name for God created by Christians by combining the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai.

Ha Shem

A Hebrew term meaning "the Name," used by some Jewish people to refer to God.

El Roi

A name for God meaning "The God who sees me," first used by Hagar.

Barah

The Hebrew word for Creation; in the Old Testament, only God is the subject of this action.

Berith

The Hebrew word for Covenant, defined as redemptive promises given and accomplished by God through people.

Zedekah

The Hebrew word for Righteousness, meaning conformity to the revealed will and character of God.

Chesed

A theological term referring to covenant love and loyalty.

Noahic Covenant

A covenant of "Life" established in Genesis $6$ and renewed in Genesis $9$; God promised never to destroy the world by flood again.

Abrahamic Covenant

A covenant of "Mission" or "Blessing" wherein God promised Abraham a family and land to bless all families of the Earth.

Davidic Covenant

A covenant of "Kingdom" or "Dominion" where God promised a descendant would rule on the throne of Israel forever, finding fulfillment in Jesus.

New Covenant

Promised in the book of Jeremiah, this covenant involves God's Spirit dwelling within His people and the eternal forgiveness of sins.