1.     How is the Bible Different from other books you might have read?

The Bible is God's inspired word. It must be read and interpreted in the sacred spirit in which it was written.

2.     How did the Hebrew people of the Old Testament understand God?

The Hebrews had many names for God and viewed him as the absolute, incomparable to anything.

3.     What does the name YHWH mean?

The ancient Hebrews summed up what they knew of God with the name YHWH, usually translated as “I am,” “I am the God who is,” or “I am and will be.”

4.     What are the differences between the Hebrew Bible, the Catholic Old Testament, and most Protestant Old Testaments?

YHEW is a primary verb from Hebrew.  It means I am the God who is to be

5.     What is the ideal relationship between archaeological and biblical study?

Archeological study gives us context to biblical texts.

6.     How does the Jewish classification of the books of Hebrew Scriptures differ from the way Catholics classify the books of the Old Testament in the New American Bible, revised edition?

The relationship between biblical study and archeology is that they use archeology and artifacts to prove the existence of God, such as the Dead Sea Scriptures. 

7.     What are some struggles the Hebrew people experienced throughout their history?

Some struggles the Hebrews faced throughout history included their slavery in Egypt to the pharaoh and not being able to worship their God.

8.     Name the first 5 books of the Bible.

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy.

9.     How is understanding the geographical, historical, and cultural context of the Old Testament like a map for your study of the Old Testament?

Enslavement, Religious persecution, and extreme climates

10.  What is the importance of the Rosetta Stone?

The Rosetta stone is important because it allows us to translate ancient writing into languages we have fully interpreted and understood, and we can now translate the Bible. 

11.  What range of years is considered the Old Testament era?

The rosetta stone helped historians decipher Egyptian texts.

12.  What was and advantage for Israel in forming a nation in the heart of the Fertile Crescent?

Forming a nation in the Heart of the Fertile Crescent is great soil; they could farm many crops and have a food surplus.

13.  What was a disadvantage?

A disadvantage of this is that of other hostile nations surrounding the Israelites. 

14.  Describe the geography of Palestine (Canaan) including the five north- south strips that divide the region.

Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. In the stripes lie the coastal plains, hill country, Jordan rift valley, and Transjordan plateau.

15.  What does the Old Testament say about the worship of Baal?

The Jewish people avoid the worship of Baal.

16.  How were the Canaanite and Israelite styles of worship similar?

Both believed in divine beings and worshiped in temples with priests

17.  How was the Israelites’ focus on justice and care for the poor different from the Canaanite religion’s focus?

The Canaanites focused on supporting the rich and famous over the poor.

18.  Name four historical periods of Jewish history.

Primeval History, Israelite Monarchy, Assyrian and Babylonian Exiles, Post-exilic Judean Society.

19.  Name three basic features of the faith of the early Israelites.

Three essential features would be the study of the Torah, recognition of the Jewish people as chosen by God, and the requirement that Israelites live according to the law of the Torah

20.  Give an example of the blending of Canaanite and Israelite religions.

The two beliefs blended in the fact that they both believed in divine figures. An example would be the findings of prayers inscribed on clay in a shrine near the desert that addresses YAHWEH and Asherah.

21.  List 5 major types of literature in the Old Testament. Cite at least one example of each type.

Pentateuch, History, Wisdom literature, Prophetic books, and Apocalyptic literature are the core of the Old Testament. The first Israel collection includes the Book of Job. The largest collection of books of the Old Testament includes various types of writings.

22.  What is the main focus of the five books in the Pentateuch?

This book contains ancient Israel's religious laws, civil laws, and moral principles.

23.  Describe the three main activities of the prophets.

The three activities were to be messengers of God, God's prosecutors, judges of sinful acts that violate God's law, and tireless advocates for the less fortunate in Israelite society.