Old Testament Studies: The Exodus, Mosaic Law, and Deuteronomistic History

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Old Testament lecture notes on the Exodus, the Mosaic Law codes, the Book of Numbers, the Book of Deuteronomy, and the Deuteronomistic History.

Former Prophets

The biblical corpus consisting of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings.

Scroll Length Rationale

The historical and physical reason 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings were split into separate books rather than read as single continuous works.

Deuteronomistic History

The overarching narrative sequence spanning the Book of Deuteronomy through 2 Kings.

Martin Noth

The Old Testament scholar who asserted in 1943 that Deuteronomy through 2 Kings formed a unified history composed by a single exilic author.

The Deuteronomist

The single exilic author and redactor identified by Martin Noth who assembled older historical sources around Deuteronomic theology.

Martin Noth's Core Dilemma

The exilic question resolved by the Deuteronomistic History: 'Why are we in exile?'

Gerhard von Rad's Scholarly Perspective

The view proposing that the Deuteronomistic History answers 'What about the future?' with the assurance that hope lies in covenant fidelity.

Hans Walter Wolff's Scholarly Perspective

The view proposing that the Deuteronomistic History answers 'How do we get from where we are?' through repentance.

Shub

The Hebrew term meaning to return, turn back, or repent, identified by Hans Walter Wolff as the restorative pathway out of exile.

Exilic Consensus on Redaction

The scholarly agreement that Genesis through 2 Kings reached its final editorial form during the Babylonian exile or early post-exilic period ($550\text{--}520\text{ B.C.}$).

Interpreted History (Historiography)

The theological framing of Genesis through 2 Kings as a sermon and saga addressing past failures and future hope for Babylonian exiles.

Exodus Chronological Window in Deuteronomy Outline

The dating span of $1200\text{--}1160\text{ B.C.}$ referenced in the course outline for Israel's departure from Egypt.

Conquest Start Date in Joshua Outline

The approximate historical year of $1160\text{ B.C.}$ marking the start of Israel's campaign into Canaan.

Period of the Judges

The chronological era spanning $1110\text{--}1020\text{ B.C.}$ when tribal leaders governed regions of Israel up to, but not through, Samuel.

Samuel's Fourfold Role

The titles attributed to Samuel in 1 Samuel 1–16: last judge, king maker, prophet, and priest.

Reign of Saul

The rule of Israel's first monarch recorded in 1 Samuel 8–30, lasting from approximately $1020\text{ to }1000\text{ B.C.}$

Reign of David

The monarchy spanning 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2, ruling over Israel from approximately $1000\text{ to }960\text{ B.C.}$

Reign of Solomon

The monarchy recorded in 1 Kings 1–11, governing a united Israel from approximately $960\text{ to }922\text{ B.C.}$

Division of the Kingdom

The national rupture occurring in $922\text{ B.C.}$ following Solomon's death, dividing the tribes into Northern Israel and Southern Judah.

Demise of the Northern Kingdom

The fall and destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in $722\text{ B.C.}$ at the hands of the Assyrian Empire.

Fall of the Southern Kingdom

The collapse and exile of Judah and Jerusalem in $587\text{ B.C.}$ carried out by the Babylonian Empire.

Exodus (Etymology)

A Greek-derived term literally meaning 'exit,' designating Israel's departure from Egyptian enslavement.

Median Empire

The ancient realm overthrown and annexed by Cyrus and the Persians prior to their campaign against Babylonia.

Persian Isolation of Babylon

The military operation in $547\text{ B.C.}$ wherein Cyrus conquered Asia Minor and severed Babylonia from Egyptian assistance.

Fall of Babylon

The military conquest in $539\text{ B.C.}$ in which Persian forces led by Cyrus took Babylon, ending Neo-Babylonian hegemony.

Edict of Cyrus

The imperial decree issued in $538\text{ B.C.}$ allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and reconstruct the temple.

Cyrus's Imperial Policy

The Persian imperial practice of permitting displaced and deported nations to return to their native territories and restore local sanctuaries.

Resumption of Second Temple Construction

The restart of Jerusalem temple building in $521\text{ B.C.}$ under a second wave of Jewish returnees.

Second Temple Completion

The final consecration of the rebuilt Jerusalem sanctuary occurring in $515\text{ B.C.}$

Cyrus as 'Messiah'

The title applied to the Persian ruler in Isaiah 45:1 designating him as Yahweh's 'anointed one' for releasing the Jewish captives.

Three Theological Significances of the Exodus

1) The central historical act of Yahweh's salvation; 2) the primary source of Hebrew understanding of God; 3) the historical formation of the nation and early Judaism.

Typology of the Two Captivities

The theological parallel drawn between Israel's Egyptian bondage and deliverance (past) and their Babylonian exile and return (present/future).

Nation Formation vs. Judaism Formation

The concept that the first exodus created the ancient Hebrew nation, whereas the Babylonian exile and second exodus created early Judaism.

13th-Century Dating Hypothesis

The chronological theory placing the Exodus during the reign of Pharaoh Rameses II ($1290\text{--}1224\text{ B.C.}$).

Pithom and Rameses

The two Egyptian store cities built by Hebrew forced labor (Exodus 1:11), providing textual backing for a 13th-century Exodus date.

Rameses II

The 19th-Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh ruling from $1290\text{ to }1224\text{ B.C.}$ commonly associated with the 13th-century Exodus model.

Archaeological Problem with 13th-Century Dating

Excavation evidence demonstrating that Jericho and Ai suffered destruction prior to the 13th century B.C.

15th-Century Dating Hypothesis

The chronological theory dating the Exodus to approximately $1440\text{ B.C.}$ using the timeline in 1 Kings 6:1.

1 Kings 6:1 Calculation Formula

The biblical formula adding $480\text{ years}$ to the fourth year of Solomon's reign ($960\text{ B.C.}$) to derive an Exodus date of $1440\text{ B.C.}$ ($960 + 480 = 1440$).

Theological Concept of Grace

Unmerited divine favor and deliverance granted to an unworthy people, demonstrated in God delivering Israel and offering His Son.

Pharaoh's Fear in Exodus 1

The Egyptian king's concern that the rapidly multiplying Israelites would ally with foreign invaders during war.

Paradox of Israelite Oppression

The historical outcome in Exodus 1 where the more the Egyptians afflicted the Hebrews, the more the Hebrews multiplied and spread.

Shiphrah and Puah

The two Hebrew midwives who feared God and defied Pharaoh's royal command to murder newborn Hebrew male infants.

Midwives' Excuse to Pharaoh

The claim by Shiphrah and Puah that vigorous Hebrew women gave birth before the midwife could arrive.

Divine Reward for Midwives

God's blessing on Shiphrah and Puah for sparing the infants, providing them with families and households of their own.

Pharaoh's Infanticide Decree

The royal command ordering all Egyptian subjects to cast newborn Hebrew boys into the Nile River while sparing the girls.

Papyrus Basket

The small reed ark waterproofed with bitumen and pitch in which Moses was placed among the river reeds.

Miriam's Role at the Nile

Moses' sister watching his basket from a distance and arranging for Pharaoh's daughter to hire his biological mother as a nurse.

Moses (Etymology)

The name given to the child by Pharaoh's daughter because she drew him out of the water.

Moses' Flight to Midian

Moses fleeing Egypt after killing an abusive Egyptian taskmaster and discovering Pharaoh planned to execute him.

Reuel / Jethro

The priest of Midian whose seven daughters Moses defended at a well, who subsequently became Moses' father-in-law.

Zipporah

The daughter of Reuel/Jethro given in marriage to Moses during his stay in Midian.

Gershom

The firstborn son of Moses and Zipporah, whose name signifies being an alien residing in a foreign land.

The Burning Bush Theophany

God's manifestation on Mount Horeb/Sinai within a blazing thorn bush that was not consumed by the flame.

Moses' First Objection ('Who am I?')

Moses' expression of personal inadequacy in Exodus 3:11, answered by God's promise: 'I will be with you.'

Moses' Second Objection ('Who are you?')

Moses' inquiry regarding God's name in Exodus 3:13, prompting the revelation of the covenant name YHWH.

Tetragrammaton

The sacred four-letter divine name ($\text{YHWH}$), translated as 'I AM WHO I AM' and rendered as LORD in capital letters.

Sign of the Staff

The sign where Moses' shepherd rod turned into a serpent upon hitting the ground and returned to wood when grasped by the tail.

Sign of the Leprous Hand

The sign where Moses placed his hand into his cloak and withdrew it leprous as snow, then inserted it again to be restored.

Sign of Nile Water to Blood

The third miraculous sign where water drawn from the Nile turned into blood when poured onto dry ground.

Moses' Speech Objection (Exodus 4:10)

Moses' complaint of being slow of speech and tongue, met by God's promise to teach him what to say.

Moses' Fifth Objection (Exodus 4:13)

Moses pleading for God to send someone else, which provoked divine anger and the appointment of Aaron as spokesperson.

Aaron's Role as Spokesman

The appointment of Moses' Levite brother to act as his official prophet and mouthpiece before Pharaoh and the people.

Pharaoh's Challenge (Exodus 5:2)

The Egyptian monarch's defiant reply: 'Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go?'

Bricks Without Straw Decree

Pharaoh's retaliatory policy requiring Hebrew laborers to gather their own straw while meeting the exact same daily brick quota.

Three Purposes of the Signs and Wonders

1) Demonstrating God's power to Egypt; 2) demonstrating God's power to Israel; 3) authenticating Moses as God's servant.

Tenth Plague (Passover)

The judgment striking down all firstborn Egyptian males and animals while sparing Hebrew houses marked with lamb's blood.

Pillars of Cloud and Fire

The manifestations of divine guidance leading Israel through the wilderness: cloud by day and fire by night.

Crossing of the Red Sea

The deliverance where Yahweh parted the sea for Israel's escape and brought the waters back upon Pharaoh's pursuing army.

Bitter Water at Marah

The station in Exodus 15 where undrinkable water was made sweet after Moses threw a piece of wood into it.

Elim Oasis

The wilderness campsite featuring twelve water springs and seventy palm trees where Israel was refreshed.

Manna and Quail

The bread from heaven that spoiled with worms if saved overnight (except on the Sabbath eve) and evening meat provided by God.

Testing at Rephidim

The wilderness location where the people quarreled over water and Moses struck the rock at Horeb to produce a stream.

Battle with Amalek

The conflict in Exodus 17 where Israel prevailed as long as Aaron and Hur supported Moses' raised hands.

Jethro's Administrative Advice

The counsel to teach divine statutes and delegate minor judicial disputes to capable leaders over tens, fifties, hundreds, and thousands.

Covenant Identity at Sinai (Exodus 19:6)

God's designation of Israel as His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation set apart from the world.

Four Parts of the Mosaic Law

1) The Ten Commandments, 2) The Covenant Code, 3) The Priestly Code, and 4) Deuteronomic Law.

The Decalogue

The foundational moral commands given in Exodus 20, derived from Greek meaning 'Ten Words.'

Apodictic Law

Absolute, unconditional legal commands declaring direct moral imperatives without exceptions (e.g., 'You shall not murder').

Casuistic Law

Conditional case law structured around specific situations using 'if/then' formulas and defined legal penalties.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Commandments

The Decalogue's two parts: Commandments 1–4 govern relations with God; Commandments 5–10 govern relations with fellow humans.

First Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The command declaring: 'I am the LORD your God… You shall have no other gods before me.'

Second Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The prohibition forbidding the manufacture, bow, or worship of any graven images, idols, or likenesses.

Third Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The prohibition against misusing, taking in vain, or swearing falsely by the name of the LORD.

Fourth Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The command instructing Israel to remember the Sabbath day, keep it holy, and rest from all regular labor.

Fifth Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The first social commandment directing individuals to honor their father and mother.

Sixth Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The absolute moral prohibition against committing murder.

Seventh Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The moral prohibition against committing adultery to protect the sanctity of marriage.

Eighth Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The ethical prohibition against stealing another individual's property.

Ninth Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The judicial prohibition against bearing false witness or perjury against a neighbor.

Tenth Commandment (Hebrew Tradition)

The inward moral prohibition forbidding coveting a neighbor's house, spouse, servants, or possessions.

Catholic/Lutheran Decalogue Arrangement

The numbering tradition combining 'no other gods' and 'no graven images' into Commandment 1, and splitting coveting into 9 and 10.

The Covenant Code

The collection of casuistic civil, judicial, and social statutes spanning Exodus 20:22 through 23:33.

Exodus 21:22–25 (Case Law Example)

The casuistic statute outlining compensation and establishing the principle of 'life for life, eye for eye' when a pregnant woman is injured in a fight.

Blood of the Covenant (Exodus 24:8)

The sacrificial blood dashed by Moses on the altar and on the people to seal Israel's pledge to obey Yahweh's laws.

The Priestly Code

The extensive legal body spanning Exodus 25 to Numbers 10:10 that regulates sacred architecture, priesthood, and communal holiness.

Three Preparatory Goals of the Priestly Code

1) Tabernacle and accessories; 2) priestly ordination and duties; 3) lay responsibilities to maintain holiness and occupy the land.

Golden Calf Incident (Exodus 32)

The idolatry committed at the base of Sinai where Israelites coerced Aaron to forge an idol while Moses was on the mountain.

Aaron's Defense (Exodus 32:24)

Aaron's excuse claiming that he simply cast the people's gold jewelry into the fire and the calf came out on its own.

Levitical Purge in Exodus 32

The execution of approximately $3{,}000$ idolatrous Israelites by the Levites, consecrating the tribe for dedicated holy service.