PSP – Old Testament 2024-2025 1st Semester Study Guide

Know the following for the 1st Semester Exam

The exam is due via email December 16, 2024, by 11:59pm.

Please make sure the exam is returned in an easy-to-access version (prefer PDF).

INTRODUCTION

1. The Old Testament was written over a period of 1000 years and was completed about 400 BC.

2. The Old Testament represents nearly 3⁄4 of the whole Bible.

3. The Old Testament is made up of the following categories:

• Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

The Pentateuch (Greek) / Torah (Hebrew) was originally regarded as one book

The author of the first five books (Pentateuch / Torah) is Moses.

• History (Joshua – Esther)

• Wisdom

• Major Prophets

• Minor Prophets

4. Genres of the Old Testament:

• Narrative – historical

• Law

• Poetry

• Wisdom

• Prophecy

5. The centerpiece of all Scripture is Jesus Christ

6. The 6 covenants are:

• Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12)

• Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9)

• Mosaic Covenant (Exodus)

• Priestly Covenant (Leviticus)

• Davidic Covenant

• New Covenant

GENESIS

7. The title Genesis means “in the beginning” in Hebrew from the opening words.

8. Genesis is a book of origins:

• Origins of Man (Genesis 1)

• Origins of the Nations (Genesis 2-11)

• Origins of Israel (Genesis 12-50)

9. Genesis can be broken down to a Generational Structure also known as the Toledot Structure which has four

parts:

• Primeval History (Genesis 1 – 11:26) (period before Abraham)

• Patriarchal (Genesis 11:27 – 50) with 3 narratives:

i. Abraham Narrative

ii. Jacob Narrative

iii. Sons of Jacob Narrative

10. Five relationships impacted by sin:

• Humanity and God

• Humanity and Self

• Humanity and Creation

• Humanity itself (Society – men/women)

• Humanity and Life – Entry of Death

11. Abraham’s major test is in Genesis 22 to offer his son Isaac. This shows that the nature of Abraham’s faith,

obedience, and belief in God was counted to him as righteousness.

12. Birthright and Blessing is usually passed down to the firstborn, but Jacob passed this to Judah his 4th son.

• Rueben (1st born son) did not receive this due to Biblical uncleanness

• Simeon and Levi (2nd and 3rd sons) did not receive this due to excessive vengeance.

• Judah (4th son) did receive this – line of Messiah

13. Three promises of the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:

• Land

• Seed

• Blessing

EXODUS

14. The name of the book of Exodus means “And these are the names of” in Hebrew from the opening words.

In Greek this means “a way out”

15. Date of the Exodus is sometime between 1446 /1250 BC

16. The Israelites were in Egypt 430 years.

17. Abraham lived 2100- 2200 BC

18. Overview of the book of Exodus:

• Israel in Egypt

• Israel’s Journey from Egypt to Sinai

• Revelation to Israel at Sinai.

19. Order of events in the Book of Exodus:

• Birth of Moses

• Burning Bush

• Plagues and Death of the Firstborn (Egypt)

• “Red” Sea Crossing

• Wilderness Wandering starts

• Israel at Mt. Sinai (including 10 commandments given, construction of the tabernacle, Book of Leviticus

events, and first census from the book of Numbers)

20. There are 10 plagues that were judgments against the false gods of Egypt:

• Nile to Blood

• Frogs

• Gants

• Flies

• Death of Livestock

• Boils

• Hail

• Locusts

• Darkness

• Death of Firstborn

21. The meaning of Moses name is the “One who draws” and was placed in an ark on the Nile.

22. Yahweh was defined as a Divine Warrior at the “Red” Sea crossing.

23. In the Ten Commandments (also called the Decalogue), the first four commandments involve Israel’s

relationship with Yahweh and the other six with Others. (Exodus 20)

• No other gods

• No graven image

• Do not bear His name in vain

• Remember the sabbath day

• Honor your parents

• Do not murder

• Do not commit adultery

• Do not steal

• Do not testify falsely

• Do not covet

LEVITICUS

24. The title of the book of Leviticus in Hebrew is from the first words of the book “and he called”

The title of the book in Greek means “that which concerns the priests”

25. Leviticus picks up right at the end of the book of Exodus.

26. Three main concepts to understand the book of Leviticus:

• Dimensions of the Mosaic Law

Focus on Internally (Israelites to live out their worship),

Vertically (with relationship with God),

Horizontally (with others)

• Covenantal Backdrop to the Law

Includes Blessings/Cursing – Chapter 26

• Basic Idea of Holiness and Purity

God is unique, holy and absolutely pure and called His people to be holy

27. The Five offerings in Leviticus:

• Burnt Offerings (voluntary)

i. Acceptance before Yahweh for worship/service

ii. Recognition of Yahweh’s Sovereignty

iii. To maintain fellowship with Yahweh

• Grain Offerings (voluntary)

i. Recognition of Yahweh’s Bountiful provision

ii. Expression of Thanksgiving to Yahweh

• Peace / Fellowship Offerings (voluntary)

i. Celebration of Peace with Yahweh & His Covenant Faithfulness

ii. Participation in Fellowship with community - Sharing a meal with Yahweh

• Sin / Purification Offerings (mandatory)

i. Confession to Yahweh for Offenses (recognizes the effect of one’s sins especially on others)

ii. Restoration of Fellowship with Yahweh

• Guilt / Restitution Offerings (mandatory)

i. Confession to men for Offenses

ii. Willingness of Repentant one to make restitution

NUMBERS

28. Title in Hebrew means “in the desert” referring to the setting.

Title in Greek means numbers – highlighting the two censuses.

29. The date of the book of Numbers is 1400s BC

30. The book of Numbers has two census lists including the number of soldiers:

• The old generation (Ch 1) (Total men over 20 years old: 603,550)

all men counted over 20 years old died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb

• The new generation (Ch 26) (Total men over 20 years old: 601,730)

31. The book of Numbers transitions from pilgrimage of old generation (wandering in the wilderness) (Ch 1-25) →

the prospect of new generation to enter the promised land (Ch 26-36)

32. The time between the first Passover in Egypt (1447) and the second Passover in Gilgal is exactly 40 years (1407).

33. The Israelites put God to the test 10 times by worshipping the Golden Calf at Sinai, complaining and

disobedience.

34. Israel’s camp was setup in the shape of a cross if viewed from the air with the tabernacle in the center.

35. Aaron, Miriam and Moses all died before entering the promised land. Moses viewed the Promised Land from

Mt. Nebo before his death

36. Those bitten by the serpents would look to the bronze serpent so they would not die.

37. The bronze serpent was designed to be a picture of Jesus Christ – must look to Jesus to be saved.

DEUTERONOMY

38. Deuteronomy’s title in Hebrew means “these are the words of” from the first words in the book

Deuteronomy’s title in Greek means repeated or second law.

39. Deuteronomy was written in 1407-06 BC

40. Deuteronomy was considered to be an amplification of the Law and also to prepare the people for Joshua as the

new covenantal mediator and leader.

41. The second generation of the Israel is the recipient of the book of Deuteronomy

42. Deuteronomy was most likely written at the Plains of Moab.

43. Grant Covenant

• Examples: Abrahamic, Davidic, New

• Unconditional

• Elements:

i. Giver makes commitment to vassal (person who is a subject or servant)

ii. Obligation of Master to Vassal

iii. Protects Vassal rights

iv. No demands made by superior party

44. Suzerain (which means “Greater King”) / Vassal (which is the “Lesser” Ruler or Subject) Treaty

• Example: Mosaic

• Conditional

• Elements:

i. Giver imposes obligation on vassal

ii. Obligation of Vassal to Master

iii. Protects Masters rights

iv. Master promises to reward obedience and punish disobedience of the obligation

JOSHUA

45. The title of the book of Joshua comes from the name of the new leader. His name means “The Lord saves /

delivers” just like Jesus’ name!

46. The book of Joshua was written around 1400 BC

47. The author of the book of Joshua was mostly Joshua.

48. The purpose of the book of Joshua is to show the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to the patriarch to give

the land of Canaan to their descendants.

49. This book has 4 primary parts:

• Cross (Entrance to Canaan)

• Take (Conquest of Canaan)

• Divide (Division of Canaan) (There are 48 Levitical cities)

• Serve (Faithful Service in Canaan)

Extra Credit Bible Verses to Memorize (NASB):

Exodus 20:4-6 (worth 2 extra points on the exam)

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the

water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting

the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but

showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (called the Shema): (worth 4 extra points on the exam)

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might...”

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all

your soul and with all your might.

6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your

sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and

when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 You

shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Joshua 1:8-9 (worth 2 extra points on the exam)

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may

be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will

have success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord

your God is with you wherever you go.”

John 3:14 (worth 1 extra points on the exam)

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever

believes will in Him have eternal life.

Matthew 22:36-37 (worth 1 extra points on the exam)

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God

with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’