REL 101: Understanding the Bible
FYI: All the chromosomes of your body arranged from end to end would form a line long enough to go up to the moon and come
back eight times. Every person has a unique tongue print.
REL 101 overview
(aka: final exam review)
may be tweaked for the current semester
In preparation you should review & master the following (also check out the R-drive [“Profnote” &
“NaFiles” folders] for all the files that may be of help in preparation):
previous quizzes (on the R-drive)
all the terms highlighted in the terms list (on the R-drive)
general content (including groups of books, e.g., Wisdom literature) & theology & approximate dates of
the Bible books we covered in class (see intros in the Study Bible & Harris)
basic chronology of main people & events (see Harris for more info; see helpful review in NOAB: 526–33
ES [NB: these pages appear after the NT]):
1280
1000
922
722
587
332
167–164
164
142–63
30–14
4 B.C.
A.D. 26–36
47–56
64–65
66–73
70
90
132–135
exodus
David’s United Monarchy
division of the kingdom
fall of Samaria (Israel) to Assyria
fall of Jerusalem to Babylon
Alexander the Great includes Palestine in his empire
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Maccabean revolt
independent kingdom under Hasmonean dynasty
Augustus Caesar
Herod the Great dies (Jesus’ birth prior to this)
Pontius Pilate procurator of Judea (Jesus’ crucifixion)
Paul’s missionary activity
Christians persecuted under Nero after Rome burns
Jewish revolt against Rome; Christians flee Jerusalem
Romans, under Vespasian, capture Jerusalem & destroy the Temple
Jamnia council (Jewish canon)
Jewish revolt against Rome (last time)
significant characters in the Bible covered in class or in Harris (e.g., Adam & Eve, Abraham & Sarah,
significant kings [e.g., Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Ahab, Manasseh], Elizabeth,
Mary, Jesus, Peter, Paul)
Bible passages assigned in the “Project/text” column of the course schedule
other significant Bible passages or verses (esp. those covered in class or in Harris)
e.g.: “Now if you are unwilling to serve YHWH, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the
gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River of the gods of the Amorites in whose
land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve YHWH.”
development of the Tetrateuch & Pentateuch (see ‘JEPD’ on R-drive; view it in “Print Layout” mode)
NB: YHWH & Elohim distinction is generally not as significant outside the Pentateuch
It was the Priestly writer (P) who contributed the basic structure of the Tetrateuch in the exilic or early
post-exilic period. Available to him was the Old Epic tradition, which existed in 2 versions:
Final exam review — 2
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
J (Yahwist; Judean)
E (Elohist; Ephraimitic)
composed in the south under the United Monarchy
(c. 950)
Sinai
Reuel (Moses’ father, Ex 2.18)
Canaanites
YHWH (Yahweh; Jahweh): anthropomorphic
imagery
Jerusalem (Zion: e.g., Ps 78.67–72)
southern heroes (e.g., Judah)
composed in the north after the split of the kingdom
(c. 850)
Horeb
Jethro (Moses’ father, Ex 3.1; 18.1)
Amorites
’Elohim (in stories about pre-Mosaic period):
reveals himself in dreams
interest in northern shrines (e.g., Bethel, Shechem)
presence of northern heroes (e.g., Joseph, Rachel,
Ephraim)
D (Deuteronomic /
Deuteronomistic)
c. 650 & later
tradition best represented in Deut, reflecting literary style & theology prevalent at
the time of Josiah’s reform (621)
Horeb
emphasis on prophecy (Dt 13.1–5; 18.15–22)
P (Priestly)
c. 550 & later
literary corpus marked by style & cultic interests of the priestly circle of Jerusalem,
which became prominent in the period after the fall of Jerusalem (587)
blessing as fruitfulness & multiplying
covenants with God that mark important moments
genealogies that establish connections between people and events
social & religious roles of priests
another look at the sources (from http://www.cs.umd.edu/~mvz/bible/doc-hyp.pdf)
J
Yahwist
stress on Judah
stresses leaders
E
Elohist
stress on northern Israel
stresses the prophetic
P
Priestly
stress on Judah
stresses the cultic
anthropomorphic
speech about God
God walks and talks
with us
God is YHWH
uses “Sinai”
refined speech about
God
God speaks in dreams
majestic speech about
God
cultic approach to God
God is Elohim (till Ex 3)
Sinai is “Horeb”
God is Elohim (till Ex 3)
has genealogies and
lists
D
Deuteronomist
stress on central shrine
stresses fidelity to
Jerusalem
speech recalling God's
work
moralistic approach
God is YHWH
has long sermons
Final exam review — 3
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
Israel in Canaan (distinction & syncretism [from time of Judges])
Israel
Canaan
sole allegiance to YHWH
transcends nature (beyond sexuality)
El &Asherah; Baal & Asherah/Anath/Astarte
participation in nature
not sexual (no consort)
sexual rites; fertility
divine power disclosed in history
(nonrecurring, linear)
Exodus from Egypt = fundamental
divine power disclosed in nature (recurring,
circular)
agricultural prosperity = fundamental
obedience to covenant (emphasis on ethics)
maintenance of natural order & harmony
magical control of gods for human welfare
desire for security in precarious environment
liberation from bondage
egalitarian ethos (prophetic condemnation
of social injustice)
aristocratic maintenance of status quo
Dominant traditions
Mosaic Tradition
Davidic Tradition
theocratic; egalitarian
monarchic
exodus  Tribal Confederacy est. in
Shechem (Josh 24)
United Kingdom
Sinaitic covenant
royal theology (2Sam 7; 1Sam 16.13)
multiple shrines (e.g., Bethel, Shechem)
Zion theology (Jerusalem is inviolable)
charisma
dynasty
people (conditional covenant with Israel)
nation (unconditional covenant with David)
General contents of all the biblical books we covered so far
sources: Harris; introductions in the study Bible; R-drive files “prophets & psalms”:
below are some sample content summaries (highlighted material is especially important)
Gen 1-11
1.1-2.4a
2.4b-25
primeval history (Elohim)
P account of creation (from exilic time)
J account of creation (from 10th cent.)
Was this ever meant to be an historical account?
Does P’s version function as a statement of faith? How so?
Compare J’s claim that all people came from one human couple with the Judean imperial program of
the United Kingdom.
Gen 12-50
12.1-25.18
25.19-36.43
37-50
patriarchal history (El Shaddai)
Abraham cycle
Jacob cycle
Joseph Cycle
Are the patriarchs historical persons or eponyms?
Could the story of Simeon & Levi be the story about what the tribes of Simeon & Levi experienced?
Ex 1.1-15.21
exodus (YHWH)
Who went through the exodus? Who went down to Egypt? Who came out of Egypt?
What function does the event of exodus have as a root metaphor for all people under oppression?
(NB: the book of Exodus combines the exodus tradition & the Sinai covenant tradition)
Role of YHWH?
Final exam review — 4
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
Yahwism as an egalitarian ideology?
Ex 15.22–18.27
wilderness experience
Ex 19.1--Num 10.10
Sinai/Horeb
Ex 19.1–24.11
Ex 24.12–31.17
Ex 31.18–34.35
Ex 35.1–40.38
Lev 1–7
Lev 8–10
Lev 11–15
Lev 16
Lev 17–26
Lev 27
Num 1.1–10.10
covenant
cultic instructions
golden calf & covenant renewal
execution of Ex 25–31
sacrifices
priests
clean & unclean
Day of Atonement
Holiness Code
vows
prepare to depart
How can we explain that the historical credo in Dt 6 & 26 (= “Hexateuch in miniature”) does not
mention Sinai?
How do the Ancient Near Eastern treaties (suzerainty treaty) help us understand the covenant of God
with Israel (NB: components of the treaty)? (See Harris)
Num 10.11–36.12
wilderness
Dt–2Kgs
Deuteronomistic History
Deuteronomistic theology (summary in Judg 2.6-3.6; 2Kgs 17.7–41)
all historical events governed by divine providence
Dt 31.1-34.12
from Moses to Joshua
Josh & Judg
settlement
Which model do you think best explains the shape of the people of Israel in the Bible: conquest,
infiltration or revolt?
Josh 24
Tribal Confederacy in Shechem
Who joins the Tribal Confederacy?
What is the basis of the covenant in this chapter?
1Sam 9.1-10.16; 11
1Sam 7.3-8.22; 10.17-27; 12
pro-monarchic (“Saul tradition”)
anti-monarchic (“Samuel tradition”)
What are the issues in this debate over establishing a kingship (see also Judg 8)?
2Sam 2
2Sam 5
2Sam 6
2Sam 7
David anointed king of Judah
David anointed king of all Israel; Jerusalem conquered
Ark of the Covenant brought to Jerusalem
Nathan’s oracle (Judean royal theology)
Yahwist (J)
1) Israel as the source of blessing (Gen 12.1-3)
2) cosmopolitan outlook
3) hidden social critique (Gen 2.4b-25)?
Zion tradition
1) YHWH = suzerain
2) YHWH gave an unconditional promise to David (royal theology in 2Sam 7)
3) YHWH chose Zion as his dwelling place
4) YHWH keeps Zion from enemies’ attack
Ps 82 as an imperial program?
Final exam review — 5
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
2Sam 9-20; 1Kgs 1-2
Court History (Succession Narrative)
1Kgs 11
reason for split of united monarchy
1Kgs 12
secession of northern tribes (922)
2Kgs 17
fall of Samaria (722-21)
Prophecy
inseparably linked to the period of Israel’s nationhood (after the end of the tribal confederacy through
the exile)
The so-called minor prophets: summary of their message
The following are major emphases of the individual prophetic books of the Twelve, given in the hope that
we can begin to recognize the distinctive voice of each prophet.
1. Amos powerfully expressed the need for social justice, and announced the coming Day of Yahweh.
(eighth century)
2. Hosea was the only native northern prophet; he had an unfaithful wife who was a living parable of
Israel's unfaithfulness to God. (eighth century)
3. Micah was the Judean prophet who championed the cause of the rural underclasses over against the
aristocracy of Jerusalem. (eighth century)
4. Zephaniah preached the coming Day of Yahweh. (seventh century)
5. Nahum condemned Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire. (seventh century)
6. Habakkuk asked how Babylonia, an evil nation, could be used by God to punish his own people?
(seventh century)
7. Obadiah condemned the Edomites for taking advantage of the plight of the Judeans. (sixth century)
8. Haggai urged the recently returned refugees to rebuild the Jerusalem temple. (sixth century)
9. Zechariah provided spiritual and moral support to the returned refugees in Jerusalem through
visions. (sixth century)
10. Malachi used the disputation style to probe the spiritual commitment of the postexilic community.
(fifth century)
11. Joel had a vision of a locust plague, which served as a sign of the coming Day of Yahweh. (fifth
century)
12. Jonah tried to avoid his commission to preach repentance to the Assyrians, was swallowed by a fish,
and ultimately but unhappily convinced Nineveh to repent. (fifth century?)
K i n g s
&
p r o p h e t s
o f
t h e
A s s y r i a n
Kings of Judah
Kings of Israel
Amaziah 800–783
Uzziah 783–742
Jotham 742–735
Joash 802–786
Jeroboam II 786–746
Zechariah 746–745
Shallum 745
Menahem 745–737
Pekahiah 737–736
Pekah 736–732
Hoshea 732–724
Ahaz 735–715
Hezekiah 715–687
K i n g s
&
p r o p h e t s
o f
t h e
P e r i o d
Hebrew Prophets
Amos c. 760–750
Hosea c. 750–725
Isaiah of Jerusalem c. 740–700
Micah c. 730
B a b y l o n i a n
P e r i o d
Kings of Judah
Kings of Babylon
Hebrew Prophets
Manasseh 687–642
Amon 642–640
Josiah 640–609
Nabopolassar 626–605
Zephaniah c. 640–622
Jeremiah c. 627–562
Nahum c. 620
Final exam review — 6
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
Jehoahaz 609
Jehoiakim 609–598
Jehoiachin 598
Zedekiah 597–587
Gedaliah
I
s
a
i
Nebuchadnezzar 605–562
Habakkuk c. 608–598
Ezekiel c. 593–571
Obadiah c. 587
Amel–Marduk 562–560
Neriglissar 560–556
Nabonidus 556–539
a
Second Isaiah c. 546–538
h
Chapters
Book
Title
Period
Date
1–39
40–55
56–66
First Isaiah
Deutero-Isaiah
Trito-Isaiah
Isaiah of Jerusalem
Isaiah of the Exile
Isaiah of the Restoration
Assyrian
Babylonian Exile
Restoration of Judah
742–701
546–538
538–520
Jewish Leaders
Persian Kings
Sheshbazzar 538
Zerubbabel c. 520
Cyrus 550–530
Cambyses 530–522
Darius I 522–486
Xerxes 486–465
Artaxerxes I 465–424
Hebrew Prophets
Third Isaiah 537–520
Haggai 520
Zechariah c. 520–518
Malachi c. 500–450
Joel c. 400–350
Ezra c. 450
Jonah c. 400 (?)
Nehemiah c. 445
Second Zechariah c. 400
NB: the 3 great crises (Harris) & their relationship with prophecy
Know the basic characteristics of the following & their message (see Harris):
Amos
Hosea
Isaiah of Jerusalem
Deutero-Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Psalms
categories of psalms (Harris)
see also R-drive file “biblical poetry” & “prophets & psalms”
Wisdom literature
practical & skeptical/speculative/reflective
universalism & individualism
challenge to traditional Israelite faith & worldview
human experience (cf divine revelation)
Chronicler’s history
contrast with Deuteronomistic history
historical significance of Ezra & Nehemiah & the stage of Israelite faith they reflect (Judaism)
Apocalyptic thought & literature
Dan & Rev
characteristics of apocalyptic writing (Harris)
Final exam review — 7
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
Apocrypha
1Macc, Tobit, Bel
Alexander the Great & Hellenization; Seleucids & Ptolomies; Antiochus IV
Gospels: Synoptic Problem & Jn
Mk, Mt & Lk v Jn (see R-drive file & Harris)
two-source hypothesis (Mk & Qs as independent sources for Mt & Lk, written independently)
advantage: easier to imagine/claim; disadvantage: hypothetical source Q(uelle = source)
Griesbach hypothesis (Mt as source for Lk; both as sources for Mk)
advantage: no hypothetical source; disadvantage: harder to imagine/claim
Acts & Paul etc.
7 authentic (undisputed) letters
disputed/pseudonymous letters (how do we judge?)
issues in the Pauline churches (e.g., Jew-Gentile relations, faith & works, delay of parousia, “false”
teachings)
Pastorals & catholic epistles & Revelation
How do all these reflect the early stages of the Christian religion? What developments can we see?
Examples?
issues in the early church (e.g., institutionalization & organization of the church, role of women, delay
of parousia, “false” teachings, persecution)
Geography: It would help to know the significant places listed below.
Water
Aegean Sea
Black Sea
Caspian
Dead Sea
Euphrates River
Jordan River
Mediterranean Sea
Nile River
Persian Gulf
Red Sea
Sea of Galilee
Tigris River
Regions & natural features
Ammon
Anatolia (Asia Minor)
Arabia
Bashan
Canaan/Israel/Palestine
Edom
Egypt
Galilee
Gilead
Greece
Macedonia
Mesopotamia
Moab
Mt. Carmel
Mt. Gerizim
Negeb
Philistia
Phoenicia
Samaria
Sinai
Sumeria
Syria
Cities & Kingdoms/empires
Assyria
Assyrian Empire
Babylonia
Babylonian Empire
Beersheba
Damascus
Dan
Davidic/Solomonic Empire
Egyptian Empire
Hebron
Israel
Jericho
Jerusalem
Judah
Megiddo
Shechem
Sidon
Tyre
All the tribes of Israel
NB: there's a catch with Levi (Levites)!
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
Final exam review — 8
Questions you should be able to answer (Be as detailed as possible, using biblical examples to
illustrate your points whenever possible.):
► Provide the historical-critical explanation of the process through which the books of the Torah
(Pentateuch) were composed and brought together. In your answer show your understanding of
the source hypothesis and the major characteristics of the various sources.
► Compare the distinctive features of the two accounts of creation recorded in Gen 1.1–2.25,
commenting on the sources they represent. Also discuss themes or convictions common to both.
► What is the most significant event, or root experience, in the memory of the Israelites? Why? How
does this experience influence the various economical, historical, literary, political, religious,
theological developments or issues in the Hebrew Bible?
► Discuss the developments from the Tribal Confederacy to the divided kingdom, describing the
main stages of development, as well as identifying the main figures in the biblical narrative and the
theological and historical issues or themes that we may discern within the developments.
► What are the three models/theories proposed for understanding the settlement of the Israelites in
Canaan? Describe each theory and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each view.
► Compare the perspectives embodied in the Deuteronomistic History and the Chronicler’s History.
Which books does each include? List as many characteristic features of each as you can. What
historical periods are covered in the literature? What historical situation(s) does the composition of
each reflect? Why were they written?
► Discuss the rise of monarchy in ancient Israel.
► Describe and compare the two major theological traditions in ancient Israel. What are the features
of each? How are they similar? How are they different? What sorts of problems arose as a result
of the differences?
► What is the nature and function of Hebrew prophecy? In answering this, refer to prophets from the
Bible to show what you mean and provide specific biblical passages (references).
► What are some general characteristics of the Psalms. Describe three types or categories of
psalms.
► What are some significant features of wisdom literature in general? What types of wisdom
literature are there, what distinguishes them, and which books of the Hebrew Bible belong to
them?
► In what ways does the theme of egalitarian ethos emerge in the Hebrew Bible?
► Compare Daniel and Revelation. What kind of literature are they? What common elements do they
share? What kind of worldview does each espouse, especially with respect to their respective
historical context?
► Show your understanding of the contrast between the Synoptics and John.
► In the historical understanding of the Bible, what is meant by the claim that the time of the
literature is not the time of the tradition?
Final tips
REL 101: Understanding the Bible
For more review, see the reading guides & the review Qs in Harris.
Final exam review — 9