Israelites Monotheism

The Ancient Israelites and Jewish Monotheism

Historical Overview

A. The Hebrews as Pastoralists

B. Exodus from Egypt to Canaan, ca. 1250 BCE

C. United Kingdom of Israel, 1025 BCE-925 BCE

D. Divided and Conquered, 800s-500s BCE

Jewish Monotheism

• Summarize core beliefs and teachings from Hebrew Scriptures: Genesis 1-3; Exodus 20; Leviticus 18-19; Psalms 23, 46, and 119

Key Terms

Key Terms Detailed

• Pastoralist: A group of people whose livelihood relies on the herding of domesticated animals. The Ancient Israelites were pastoralists before transitioning to a more settled agricultural lifestyle.

• Abraham: Considered the patriarch of the Israelites, Abraham forged a covenant with Yahweh, which laid the foundational beliefs for Judaism. His journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan symbolizes faith and obedience to God's command.

• Canaan: The land promised by Yahweh to the descendants of Abraham, it became the focal point of Hebrew settlement and the setting for many biblical events.

• Moses: A central prophetic figure in Judaism, Moses led the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. He received the Ten Commandments, which outline moral laws and principles governing human behavior and worship.

• The Exodus: This pivotal event around 1250 BCE marks the departure of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, symbolizing liberation and God's covenant with His chosen people. It signifies the transformation from henotheism to monotheism.

• Polytheism: The belief in multiple deities. Many ancient cultures, including those surrounding the Hebrew people, practiced this religious form before the Israelites firmly established their belief in a singular God.

• Henotheism: A religious practice characterized by the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods. Early Hebrews may have practiced henotheism before fully transitioning to monotheism following the Exodus.

• Monotheism: The doctrine of the existence of only one god, which the Hebrews uniquely embraced during their history. This concept became central to Judaism, setting it apart from neighboring religions.

• Yahweh: The personal name of the God of Israel, representing His unique nature and relationship with the Hebrew people. Yahweh’s characteristics include being all-powerful, merciful, and just.

• The Ten Commandments: A set of biblical laws relating to ethics and worship, which are fundamental to both Judaism and Christianity. Delivered to Moses at Mount Sinai, they emphasize the importance of worship and moral behavior.

• Kings David and Solomon: David united the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the nation’s capital. His son Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem, becoming a symbol of Jewish worship and identity.

• Kingdom of Judah: The southern kingdom that survived after the divide of Israel, which focused around Jerusalem and maintained significant religious traditions, including the temple worship.

• Kingdom of Israel: The northern kingdom formed after the death of Solomon, known for its larger population and economic power, though it fell to Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE.

• Assyrians: An ancient empire that conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, leading to the dispersal of the Israelites known as the Lost Tribes.

• Neo-Babylonians: An empire that conquered Judah in the 580s BCE, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and significant changes in Jewish life and identity through the Babylonian Captivity.

• Babylonian Captivity: A period (580s-540s BCE) when Jews were exiled in Babylon. This time was marked by reflection and consolidation of Jewish identity, leading to the solidification of monotheistic beliefs and practices.

• Torah: The central reference of the religious Judaic tradition, comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible that contain laws, teachings, and narratives foundational to Judaism.

• Covenant

  Introduction to the Covenant

  The concept of the covenant is paramount in understanding the relationship between the Hebrews and Yahweh. It is essentially a solemn agreement or promise, which outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and commitments between the divine and the people. It serves as a foundational element of Jewish theology and identity.

  Key Features of the Covenant

  • Divine Initiation: The covenant is initiated by God, showcasing His desire to engage with humanity. In the Hebrew Bible, this is exemplified in the covenants made with Noah, Abraham, and Moses.

  • Conditional Aspects: Many covenants have stipulations that require human compliance. For example, in the covenant with Moses, the Israelites must follow the laws and commandments given at Sinai in exchange for God's protection and favor.

  • Unconditional Promises: Some covenants, particularly those made with Abraham, contain unconditional promises regarding land, descendants, and blessings that are not contingent upon the behavior of the Israelites.

  Major Covenants in Hebrew Tradition

  1. Noahic Covenant: Following the flood, God made a covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17), promising never to destroy the earth by flood again and marking it with the rainbow as a symbol of His promise.

  2. Abrahamic Covenant: Central to Jewish belief is God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:7-21), wherein God promises Abraham land (Canaan), a multitude of descendants, and blessings. This covenant emphasizes faith and obedience to God's commands, establishing the very identity of the Israelites as chosen people.

  3. Mosaic Covenant: The covenant established at Sinai (Exodus 19-24) involves the giving of the Torah, including the Ten Commandments, providing a comprehensive legal and ethical framework governing the lives of the Israelites. This covenant is significant as it represents the transition of the Israelites from mere followers of God to a nation bound by divine law.

  4. Davidic Covenant: God’s promise to King David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) includes establishing an enduring dynasty and the future reign of the Messiah. This covenant further solidifies the importance of David's lineage in Jewish tradition.

  Implications of the Covenant

  • Ethical Framework: The covenant establishes moral imperatives for the community, reflecting God’s desire for justice, mercy, and ethical conduct among His people.

  • Identity and Continuity: The covenant serves as a cornerstone of Jewish identity, providing a sense of belonging and continuity throughout history, especially during times of exile and persecution.

  • Faith and Compliance: The covenant requires faithfulness from the people. Their success and prosperity are often depicted as directly linked to their fidelity to God's laws. Failure to uphold the covenant can lead to divine punishment, as illustrated in the prophetic texts.

  • Community Responsibility: The covenant emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility, urging the Israelites to support one another in observing God's commandments and fostering a society rooted in mutual care and accountability.

Introduction

• Mesopotamia: Birthplace of the world’s oldest civilizations and home to the first monotheists, the Hebrews (ancient Israelites/Jews).

• Despite being politically insignificant compared to Egyptians and Babylonians, the Hebrews influenced world history through their belief in an all-powerful god, Yahweh.

• Unique in practicing monotheism at a time when most practiced polytheism.

• The god of the Jews demanded obedience and fair treatment of others.

• Religious laws, traditions, and beliefs documented in the Hebrew Bible, revered by Jews and sacred to Christians and Muslims.

For Discussion

• Trace history of the Hebrews from Abraham (c. 1900 BCE) to Babylonian Captivity (c. 500s BCE) noting changes in government organization and religious beliefs due to crises.

• Analyze key religious beliefs and practices from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Psalms regarding their understanding of Yahweh.

• Identify Hebrew laws, customs, and beliefs with lasting historical impacts.

Chronology for Israelites

• 2000 BCE: Origins in Mesopotamia

• 1250 BCE: Exodus

• 1025 BCE: United Kingdom

• 722 BCE: Assyrian conquest of Israel

• 580s BCE: Neo-Babylonian conquest of Judah

• 580s-540s BCE: Babylonian Captivity

Historical Overview (contd.)

A. The Hebrews as Pastoralists

B. Exodus from Egypt to Canaan, ca. 1250 BCE

C. United Kingdom of Israel, 1025 BCE-925 BCE

D. Divided and Conquered, 800s-500s BCE

Hebrews as Pastoralists

• 2000s BCE: Hebrews originated as semi-nomadic pastoralists in Mesopotamia, organized in clans led by patriarchs.

Hebrew Migration

• 1900s BCE: Tribes migrated to Canaan, some went to Egypt and were enslaved by pharaohs (Ramses II, r. 1279-1213 BCE).

Exodus from Egypt

• 1250 BCE: Hebrews, led by Moses, fled Egypt to return to Canaan, the promised land.

Exodus & Monotheism

• Before the Exodus, Hebrews were probably henotheistic.

• During the Exodus, they became monotheistic through Moses’ leadership.

• Evidence found in Exodus in Hebrew Bible and the Ten Commandments.

Ten Commandments

• Received by Moses from Yahweh; the first four commandments emphasize the worship of Yahweh.

Hebrews in Canaan

• 1200-1000 BCE: Formation of a confederation of 12 tribes in Canaan, weak against neighboring threats (Philistines).

United Kingdom

• 1025-925 BCE: Jews united to form one kingdom under kings David and Solomon, expanding their territory, with Jerusalem as the religious center.

Divided Kingdom

• 800 BCE: Solomon’s policies led to the division into two kingdoms: Kingdom of Israel (North) and Kingdom of Judah (South).

Conquered

• 722 BCE: The Northern Kingdom of Israel conquered by the Assyrians, who dispersed the Hebrews, weakening communal and religious bonds.

Neo-Babylonian Conquest

• 580s BCE: Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem (Nebuchadnezzar’s reign).

Babylonian Captivity

• 580s-540s BCE: Jewish POWs in Babylon preserved their identity and formalized beliefs.

• Key beliefs developed: covenant with a loving God, ethical behavior demands, choices between good and evil, and suffering as purifying.

Babylonian Captivity (Map)

• 580-540 BCE: Overview of Neo-Babylonian Empire's influence and geographic context.

Reflection on Psalm 137

• Expresses captives’ lament for Jerusalem, showcasing deep emotional connection and loss.

Persian Conquest

• 550 BCE: Persia conquered Neo-Babylonians, allowing Jews' return and temple rebuilding under Cyrus the Great.

Jewish Monotheism Endured

• For 2500 years, Jews lived under powerful empires but maintained their faith.

• 1948: Jews established their own nation, Israel.

Review

• Changes in Hebrews' political organization and religious beliefs in response to various crises.

  • 1250 BCE: Exodus from Egypt

  • 1000 BCE: Challenges in Canaan

  • 800 BCE: Solomon’s policies

  • 722 BCE: Conquest by Assyrians

  • 580 BCE: Conquest by Neo-Babylonian Empire

II. Jewish Monotheism

• Explain using texts from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Psalms for understanding of Judaism's monotheistic aspects.

Core concepts and main beliefs of Judaism include:

1. Monotheism: The belief in a single, all-powerful God, known as Yahweh, who is unique and distinct from the deities of other cultures.

2. Covenant: The idea of a sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people, emphasizing the responsibilities and commitments of both parties. This concept is foundational to Jewish identity and theology.

3. Ethical Conduct: Emphasis on moral laws and principles, including those outlined in the Ten Commandments. Jewish law governs various aspects of life, from worship to community interactions.

4. Torah: The central reference of Judaism, including the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which contains laws, teachings, and narratives that guide Jewish life.

5. Importance of Community: There's a strong emphasis on communal responsibilities and collective adherence to God's commandments, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual care among the Jewish people.

6. Historical Continuity: The Jewish faith includes reflection on historical experiences and the endurance of their identity, notably through events like the Babylonian Captivity.

These beliefs are rooted in the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Psalms.