Hebrew Scripture Exam Study Notes

Yahweh (YHWH): A name for God in the Hebrew Bible, often associated with Jesus in Christian theology.
Adonai: Another name for God used in Jewish prayer and scripture, meaning "My Lord."

Pentateuch: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. These books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Hebrew Bible: The collection of sacred scriptures in Judaism, also known as the Tanakh, consisting of the Torah (Teaching), Neviim (Prophets), and Ktuvim (Writings).
Pseudepigrapha: Ancient texts that are attributed to biblical figures but are not included in the canonical Bible. They provide additional insights into religious thoughts and beliefs.
Deuterocanonical: Books considered canonical by some Christian traditions but are excluded from the Hebrew Bible. These include texts found in the Septuagint but not in the Jewish Tanakh.
TaNak: An acronym representing the three main divisions of the Hebrew Bible: Torah (Teaching), Neviim (Prophets), and Ktuvim (Writings).

Dead Sea Scrolls: Ancient manuscripts discovered near the Dead Sea, offering valuable insights into early Judaism and the context of early Christian writings.
Rosetta Stone: A granodiorite stele inscribed with a decree in three scripts; it was crucial for the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Merneptah Stele: An Egyptian inscription that mentions Israel, providing evidence of its existence in the late 13th century BCE.
Mesha Inscription: A historic inscription from the Moabite king Mesha, detailing his victories and providing insights into ancient Israelite history.

Hieroglyphics: A writing system used in ancient Egypt involving pictures and symbols to convey meaning.
Pictograms: Picture symbols that represent ideas or words; often used in ancient writing systems to convey messages visually.

Ktuvim: The Writings section of the Hebrew Bible, which includes poetic and philosophical texts, such as Psalms and Proverbs.
Neviim: The Prophets section of the Hebrew Bible, focusing on the messages from prophets sent by God.

Archaeology: The study of human history through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts.
Anthropology: The study of humans, their societies, cultures, and their development over time.
Prehistoric: Referring to the time period before written records were kept, which historians study through archaeological finds.
Artifacts: Objects made by humans, often recovered from archaeological sites, that provide insights into past cultures.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious and cultural beliefs into a new system, common in ancient Near Eastern religions.
Diaspora: The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel, especially after the Babylonian Exile, and its impacts on culture and identity.

Coastal Plains (of the Near East): Low-lying areas that were crucial for settlement and agriculture in ancient Israel.
Hill Country: The elevated regions in ancient Israel, characterized by rugged terrain and settlements.
Jordan River Valley: A significant geographical feature that served as a historical boundary and agricultural area in ancient Israel.
Transjordanian Plateau: Elevated land east of the Jordan River, which was home to various ancient civilizations.

Historical Books: Sections of the Hebrew Bible that recount the history of the Israelites, including books like Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.
Wisdom Books: Literature within the Hebrew Bible that focuses on philosophical and moral teachings, such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Original Justice: The state of grace and harmony in which Adam and Eve were created, before the Fall.
Natural Law: The ethical principles that humans can discern through reason, reflecting God's grand design.

Terms of the Covenant with Abraham: Promises made by God to Abraham, including land, descendants, and blessings (Genesis 12:1-3).
Signs of the Covenant with Abraham: The physical sign of the covenant was circumcision, as described in Genesis 17.
Passover: A Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt; a significant event in Jewish tradition and theology.
Sinai Covenant: The covenant established between God and the Israelites at Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments.
Murmurings: Instances of the Israelites expressing dissatisfaction during their journey in the wilderness, often leading to conflict with God.
Laws of Jubilee: Instructions in Leviticus on land redemption and the resetting of debts every fifty years to ensure social justice.

Punitive Justice: A legal philosophy focused on punishment of offenders as a deterrent for crime.
Restorative Justice: A legal approach aimed at rehabilitating offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community.

Abraham: The first patriarch of the Israelites, known for his covenant with God.
Sarah: Abraham's wife who bore Isaac.
Hagar: Sarah's handmaid, who bore Ishmael, often seen as a significant figure in discussions of lineage.
Ishmael: The son of Abraham and Hagar, often distinguished as the ancestor of many Arab peoples.
Isaac: The son of Abraham and Sarah, known for his own covenant with God.
Rebekah: Isaac's wife who played a key role in subsequent family narratives.
Jacob: Isaac's son who became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Esau: Jacob's brother, known for losing his birthright to Jacob.
Laban: The brother of Rebekah; a key figure in Jacob's story.
Rachel: Jacob's favored wife and mother of Joseph.
Leah: Jacob's first wife and sister to Rachel, mothering several of Jacob's children.
Joseph (OT): The favored son of Jacob who became a prominent figure in Egypt.
Noah: The patriarch known for the Ark and the covenant God established with him post-flood.