ANCIENT HEBREWS
I.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF HEBREWS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
HEBREWS NEVER EVEN HAD UNTIL QUITE LATE IN THEIR HISTORY AN
ORGANIZED STATE OR ORGANIZED CHURCH
2.
INFLUENCE COMES FROM HEBREW SCRIPTURES WHICH FORM OLD TESTAMENT
OF CHRISTIAN BIBLE
3.
OLD TESTAMENT ONE OF MOST INFLUENTIAL DOCUMENTS IN HISTORY
4.
JEWS' BELIEF IN 1 GOD
a.
WHO DEMANDS RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR FROM HIS HUMAN CREATIONS
b.
BASIS OF BOTH CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM IN LATER CENTURIES
5.
THEIR IDEAS OF LAW & MORALITY AS RELATED IN O.T. OR TORAH STILL
VERY MUCH PART OF OUR CULTURE
a.
THOU SHALL NOT KILL
b.
THOU SHALL NOT STEAL
c.
THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
6.
YET HEBREW BELIEFS & POLITICAL STRUCTURE DID NOT SPRING
SPONTANEOUSLY, BUT EVOLVED OVER MANY CENTURIES
B.
HEBREW SCRIPTURES OR OLD TESTAMENT
1.
MAJOR SOURCE OF LEARNING ABOUT HEBREWS
2.
ESPECIALLY 1ST FIVE BOOKS = TORAH
3.
& CHRISTIANS' OLD TESTAMENT
4.
AS MENTIONED ONLY RARELY IN RECORDS OF THEIR NEIGHBORING TRIBES
5.
OLD TESTAMENT 39 BOOKS
6.
NOT INTENDED AS HISTORY IN OUR SENSE BUT COMPLEX COLLECTION OF
a.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
b.
WISDOM LITERATURE
c.
POETRY
d.
LAW
e.
RELIGIOUS WITNESS
7.
SCHOLARS OF 19TH C TENDED TO DISCARD IT AS SOURCE FOR HISTORY
a.
DOUBTED HISTORICAL EXISTENCE OF ABRAHAM, JACOB, MOSES
b.
CONCLUDED OLD TESTAMENT NOT GOOD HX
8.
BUT MOST RECENT TREND AFTER MORE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES
9.
IS TO TAKE HISTORICAL INFORMATION SERIOUSLY
10.
BUT SCHOLARS NOW GIVE A MORE NATURAL EXPLANATION FOR SOME OF
MANIFESTATIONS
11.
BIBLE NOT AS OLD AS COMMONLY SUPPOSED
12.
NOW SCHOLARS SAY OLDEST PART 840 B.C.
13.
& LATEST C 2ND CENTURY B.C.
14.
MOST OF IT WRITTEN DOWN IN 7TH C. DURING BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY
15.
ORIGINALLY THOUGHT MUCH WRITTEN IN MOSES' DAY
a.
CIRCA 13TH C. B.C.
16.
MOST OF PSALMS ASCRIBED TO DAVID
a.
HIS RULE BEGAN 1000 B.C.
17.
BUT GOOD MANY PSALMS REFER TO EVENTS OF BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY
(EVENT OF LATE 6TH C. B.C.
a.
SOME 400 YRS LATER
18.
THIS MEANS BIBLICAL ACCOUNTS OF EARLY HEBREW HISTORY
a.
IN MANY CASES CENTURIES REMOVED FROM EVENTS THEY NARRATE
19.
BUT WE KNOW THESE LATER AUTHORS OFTEN USED EARLIER WRITTEN &
ORAL SOURCES NOW LOST TO US
20.
1ST CANON OR ACCEPTED FORM OF OLD TESTAMENT NOT UNTIL 1ST C.
B.C.
21.
DEAD SEA SCROLLS
a.
SCROLLS FOUND 1940'S & 50'S IN CAVES 20 MILES E OF
JERUSALEM
b.
800 ANCIENT JEWISH MANUSCRIPTS & BITS OF DOCUMENTS HIDDEN
FROM WORLD FOR 19 CENTURIES
2
22.
23.
II.
c.
WRITTEN IN HEBREW AND ARAMAIC
d.
EARLIEST VERSIONS OF BOOKS OF BIBLE
OLD TESTMENT FOUNTAINHEAD OF JUDAISM, ISLAM & X
BELIEVED BY BOTH JEWS & CHRISTIANS TO BE DIVINELY INSPIRED
REVELATION
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HEBREWS
A.
EARLY HISTORY UNDER ABRAHAM
1.
HEBREWS BETWEEN 1800-1500 B.C. MIGRATED FROM MESOPOTAMIA TO S.
SYRIA (PALESTINE)
2.
THEIR PATRIARCH - ABRAHAM FROM CITY-STATE OF UR
a.
AND TERAH TOOK ABRAM HIS SON...AND THEY WENT FORTH...FROM
UR GENESIS 11:31
3.
ABRAHAM ENTERED INTO AGREEMENT OR COVENANT
a.
W/SPECIFIC DEITY ="GOD OF ABRAHAM"
b.
& I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME & THEE & THY
SEED AFTER THEE IN THEIR GENERA- TIONS FOR AN EVERLASTING
COVENANT - GEN.17:7
4.
ABRAHAM PROMISED NOT TO RECOGNIZE OR WORSHIP ANY OTHER GOD
5.
& AGREED THAT HE & ALL HIS MALE DESCENDANTS WOULD BE
CIRCUMCISED
a.
EVERY MAN-CHILD AMONG YOU SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED GENESIS
17:11
6.
IN RETURN HE & HIS FAMILY TAKEN UNDER SPECIAL PROTECTION OF GOD
OF ABRAHAM
7.
COVENANT RENEWED BY ALL SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS OF ABRAHAM'S
CLAN
8.
COVENANT BECAME BASIC INGREDIENT OF JEWISH RELIGIOUS THOUGHT
9.
COVENANTS PART OF CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS IN ANCIENT NEAR
EASTERN CULTURE
B.
SOJOURN IN EGYPT
1.
UNDER JACOB, ABRAHAM'S GRANDSON, CLAN DRIVEN BY FAMINE EX
PALESTINE TO EGYPT
a.
C 1600 B.C.
2.
BEGAN TO CALL THEMSELVES ISRAELITES
a.
JACOB'S ALTERNATIVE NAME
3.
WHILE IN EGYPT HEBREWS EVENTUALLY ENSLAVED BY PHARAOH
a.
CREATING EGYPTIAN EMPIRE & BUILDING PROGRAM
C.
MOSES - MOSAIC HISTORY = EXODUS
1.
1500-1200 B.C. HEBREW
2.
TRAINED IN EGYPTIAN BUREAUCRACY W/EGYPTIAN NAME OF MOSES
3.
MOST SCHOLARS NOW SETTLE ON ABOUT 1300 B.C.
4.
LED BAND OF HIS OWN & OTHER ENSLAVED PEOPLES OUT OF EGYPT
a.
EXODUS
5.
UNDER MOSES' LEADERSHIP FORGED INTO UNIFIED PEOPLE
6.
GOD OF ABRAHAM GIVEN NAME YAHWEH
a.
TRADITIONALLY TRANSLATED JEHOVAH
7.
RESOLVED TO MOVE BACK TO RICHER LAND OF CANAAN
D.
QUEST FOR CANAAN OR PALESTINE (MODERN ISRAEL)
1.
IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE IN & SETTLE DOWN AS CANAAN OCCUPIED BY
CANAANITES
2.
AS WATER SOURCE NOT PREDICTABLE AS IN MESOPOTAMIA & EGYPT
3.
NB TO HONOR FERTILITY RITES ASSOCIATED WITH WORSHIP OF BAAL &
ASTARTE
a.
STORM GOD & FERTILITY MOTHER GODDESS
4.
SUCH RITES TEMPTED HEBREWS
5.
SO HEBREWS HAD TO FIGHT WAY IN
a.
200 YEAR PROCESS
6.
AS PASTORAL ISRAELITES NOT WELL EQUIPPED TO REDUCE WELL-
E.
1ST
2ND
F.
G.
3
FORTIFIED CANAANITE CITIES BY SIEGE WARFARE
7.
TIGHTER, NATIONAL FORM OF GOVT NECESSARY TO MEET PHILISTINE
CHALLENGE
a.
BEFORE WISE MAN OR JUDGE
8.
AROUND 1025 B.C. SELECTED A KING TO MAKE THEM UNITED PEOPLE
a.
SAUL
UNIFICATION PROCESS OF HEBREW NATION
1.
SAUL'S REIGN MARKED BEGINNING NATIONAL UNITY
2.
KING DAVID 1000-961 B.C. RULE (40 YRS)
a.
AT SAUL'S DEATH DAVID KING
b.
CONTINUED PROCESS OF UNIFICATION
c.
INITIATED FOR JEWS 1 OF MOST GLORIOUS PERIOD IN HEBREW
HISTORY
d.
SUBDUED BOTH PHILISTINES & CANAANITES COMPLETELY
3.
AT THIS TIME HEBREWS PUT ASIDE PASTORALISM & TOOK UP EITHER
FARMING OR URBAN OCCUPATIONS
a.
GOAL TO BUILD SPLENDID CAPITAL & RELIGIOUS CENTER AT
JERUSALEM
4.
SOLOMON'S RULE
a.
WHEN DAVID DIED HIS SON SOLOMON RULED
b.
973-933 B.C.
c.
DETERMINED TO FINISH FATHER'S WORK IN BUILDING JERUSALEM
5.
WHY WAS IT NECESSARY TO BUILD JERUSALEM
a.
IF ISRAELITES TO TAKE THEIR PLACE AMONG GREAT NATIONS OF
WESTERN ASIA
b.
MAGNIFICENT CAPITAL AS VISUAL MANIFESTATION OF THEIR
GREATNESS NECESSARY
c.
NEEDED SPLENDID TEMPLE TO REAFFIRM THEIR NATIONAL
RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT
(1)
CF W/ZIGGURATS & PYRAMIDS
6.
SOLOMON SPARED NO EXPENSE TO BUILD JERUSALEM & ITS TEMPLE
a.
TO HOUSE STONE TABLETS GIVEN TO MOSES
b.
IN MIDDLE LOCATED ARK OF COVENANT
7.
BUT UNABLE TO PAY CONSTRUCTION DEBTS
a.
CEDED LAND TO MAIN SUPPLIER
(1)
PHOENICIANS
8.
THEN SOLOMON DRAFTED & DEPORTED HEBREWS TO WORK FOR PHOENICIANS
a.
PROVOKED BITTER ANTAGONISM ESP IN NORTHERN AREA
DIVISION OF HEBREW STATE
1.
AFTER DEATH OF SOLOMON
a.
NORTH REBELLED & REFUSED TO PAY TAXES
b.
TO SUPPORT LIFE STYLE ENJOYED BY RICH & BUILDING OF
TEMPLE IN SOUTH
c.
NORTHERNERS SECEDED FROM UNITED HEBREW STATE
d.
SET UP OWN KINGDOM
(1)
KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
(a)
CAPITAL SAMARIA
e.
SOUTH - KINGDOM OF JUDAH
(1)
CAPITAL JERUSALEM
DOWNFALL OF KINGDOMS OF ISRAEL & JUDAH
1.
ISRAEL MANAGED TO SURVIVE BY PAYING TRIBUTE FOR 2 CENTURIES
a.
UNDER ASSYRIAN DOMINATION
2.
BY 722 BC. ASSYRIANS CONQUERED ISRAEL & FORCED THEIR FLIGHT
INTO EXILE
3.
ESTABLISHMENT OF 10 LOST TRIBES OF ISRAEL
4.
ONLY SOUTHERN HALF OF HEBREW STATE - JUDAH LEFT
5.
SENNACHERIB, KING OF ASSYRIA NOW SET HIS SIGHTS FOR JUDAH
6.
JERUSALEM HELD OUT FOR ANOTHER 100 YRS
7.
ASSYRIANS & THEN JERUSALEM CAPTURED BY BABYLONIANS UNDER
H.
III.
1ST
2ND
4
NEBUCHADNEZZAR 612 B.C.
8.
LEADING JEWISH CITIZENS TAKEN TO BABYLON
9.
50 YRS PERIOD KNOWN AS BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY
10.
TIME WHEN MUCH OF O.T. WRITTEN DOWN SO WOULD NOT BE LOST
JEWS UNDER PERSIAN & GREEK & ROMAN RULE
1.
CYRUS THE PERSIAN CONQUERED BABYLON 539 B.C.
a.
ALLOWED JEWS TO RETURN TO PALESTINE
b.
ALTHOUGH MANY STAYED IN BABYLON
c.
EST THEIR RULE SEMI-INDEPENDENTLY UNDER PERSIAN
OVERLORDSHIP
d.
REBUILT TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM
2.
GREEKS UNDER ALEXANDER THE GREAT CONQUERED PALESTINE 332 B.C.
3.
AT HIS DEATH JEWS PASSED UNDER RULE OF SUCCESSIVE GREEK
SPEAKING OVERLORDS
4.
168 B.C. 1 OF THEM ATTEMPTED TO DESTROY JEWISH FAITH BY
DESECRATING TEMPLE & PROHIBITING ALL WORSHIP IN IT
5.
JUDAS MACCABEUS LED SUCCESSFUL JEWISH REVOLT
6.
MACCABEAN DYNASTY LASTED UNTIL 63 B.C.
7.
WHEN ROMAN GENERAL POMPEY TURNED PALESTINE INTO ROMAN
PROTECTORATE
8.
66 A.D. DISCONTENTED UNDER ROMAN RULE, JEWS REVOLTED
9.
MASADA - ANCIENT JEWISH FORTRESS IN ISRAEL, NEAR DEAD SEA
10.
& SITE OF PROLONGED ROMAN SIEGE (A.D. 72-3)
11.
RESULTING IN MASS SUICIDE BY JEWS TO AVOID CAPTURE
12.
70 A.D. ROMAN EMPEROR TITUS PUT DOWN JEWISH UPRISING & RAZED
TEMPLE
13.
HAS NEVER BEEN REBUILT
14.
PALESTINE THEN ANNEXED BY ROMANS OUTRIGHT
15.
JEWS GRADUALLY LEFT FOR OTHER PARTS OF VAST ROMAN EMPIRE
a.
DIASPORA OR MIGRATION OF JEWS AWAY FROM PALESTINE
b.
CONTINUED UNTIL FORMATION OF MODERN ISRAEL FOLLOWING WWII
HEBREW RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
EVOLVED THROUGH HISTORY & EXPERIENCE OF JEWISH PEOPLE
2.
HEBREW VIEW OF GOD DIFFERED MARKEDLY FROM NEAR EASTERN IDEAS
ABOUT GODS & WORLD
3.
FOR HEBREWS THEIR GOD YAHWEH ONLY GOD
4.
JEWISH RELIGION DID NOT SPRING SUDDENLY INTO PLACE BUT PRODUCT
OF LONG EVOLUTION
a.
CHANGES TRANSPIRING FROM MOSES TO MACCABEES
(1)
1250 B.C. TO ABOUT 150 B.C.
(a)
1100 YEARS
5.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY EVOLVED IN 4 BASIC STAGES
B.
ORIGINALLY HEBREWS POLYTHEISTS
1.
WORSHIPERS MANY GODS
2.
KNOWN TO SCHOLARS BY INFERENCE & SOME OT REMARKS
C.
NATIONAL MONOLATRY 1250-750 B.C.
1.
SPECIAL TYPE OF MONOTHEISM
2.
MEANS EXCLUSIVE WORSHIP OF 1 GOD YAHWEH
a.
BUT W/O DENYING OTHER GODS EXIST
3.
INITIATED BY MOSES AROUND 1250 B.C.
4.
LASTED UNTIL 750 B.C.
5.
STATE OF ISRAEL PRACTICED THIS MORE SO THAN JUDAH
a.
WHICH PRACTICED MONOTHEISM EXCLUSIVELY
6.
HEBREWS AGREED TO WORSHIP NO OTHER GODS
7.
GOD HAD CHOSEN HEBREWS TO SET AN EXAMPLE OF RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR
FOR OTHER NATIONS
8.
COMBINATION OF MORAL PRECEPTS, RITUALS & TABOOS CAME FROM THIS
3RD
D.
4TH
E.
5
PERIOD
9.
INCLUDING FAMOUS 10 COMMANDMENTS
a.
FORM FOUND IN EXODUS 20:3-17
10.
PLUS COVENANT W/GOD
PROPHETIC REVOLUTION
1.
SO-CALLED AS PROPHETS LED THIS REVOLUTION
2.
PROPHETS LIVED FROM 750-550 B.C.
a.
TIME OF ASSYRIANS RULE OVER JEWS
3.
IDEAS ADVANCED DURING THIS STAGE DEEMED REVOLUTIONARY
4.
WHILE PROPHET TODAY MEANS SOMEONE WHO PREDICTS FUTURE
5.
ITS ORIGINAL MEANING & MEANING DURING REV WAS CLOSER TO
PREACHER
a.
SOMEONE WHO HAD URGENT MESSAGE DERIVING FROM DIVINE
INSPIRATION TO PROCLAIM
6.
FOREMOST PROPHETS
a.
AMOS
b.
HOSEA
c.
ISAIAH
d.
JEREMIAH
e.
EZEKIEL
f.
2ND ISAIAH
7.
3 BASIC DOCTRINES MADE UP CORE OF PROPHETS' TEACHINGS:
a.
COMPLETE MONOTHEISM
(1)
YAHWEH IS RULER OF UNIVERSE
(2)
GODS OF OTHERS ARE FALSE GODS
b.
YAHWEH IS A GOD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS & GOODNESS
(1)
HE WANTS ONLY GOOD
(2)
HE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR EVIL
(a)
HUMANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVIL NOT GOD
c.
HE DEMANDS ETHICAL BEHAVIOR FROM HIS ISRAELITE CHILDREN
(1)
CARES LESS FOR RITUAL & SACRIFICE
(2)
CARES FOR JUSTICE, RELIEVE OPPRESSED, PROTECT
ORPHANS & WIDOWS
POST-EXILE PERIOD 6TH - 2ND C. B.C.
1.
TOOK PLACE DURING 4 CENTURIES AFTER RETURN OF JEWS FROM BABYLON
2.
& SCHOLARS SAY SHOWS SOME INFLUENCE OF PERSIANS
3.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTION THIS STAGE - ESCHATOLOGICAL DOCTRINES
a.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT END OF TIME
b.
PREDICTIONS FOR FUTURE
4.
UNDER INFLUENCE OF PERSIANS & GREEKS & YRS OF MACCABEAN REVOLT
a.
JEWISH THINKERS WONDERED WHAT ROLE THEIR SMALL &
POLITICALLY WEAK NATION WOULD PLAY IN DIVINE PLAN FOR
WORLD
b.
FIXED ON MESSIANIC & MILLENARIAN EXPECTATIONS
5.
OTHER WORDS - GOD WOULD SOON SEND THEM A NATIONAL SAVIOR OR
MESSIAH (ANOINTED ONE)
6.
HE WOULD NOT ONLY LIFT UP JEWS TO GREATNESS
7.
BUT WOULD SPREAD WORSHIP OF YAHWEH TO ENTIRE WORLD DURING A
MILLENNIUM OF PEACE & JUSTICE BEFORE END OF TIME
8.
AT FIRST ASSUMED MILLENNIAL KINGDOM OF PEACE WOULD BE THIS
WORLD
a.
ISAIAH 61:11
9.
AS THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN LOOKED TO ALTERNATIVE OF
OTHERWORLDLY TRIUMPH
10.
INTEGRAL TO THIS OTHERWORLDLY VIEW BELIEF MESSIAH WOULD PRESIDE
OVER LAST JUDGEMENT
a.
BY SUPERNATURAL MEANS ALL HUMAN DEAD WOULD BE RESURRECTED
TO STAND JUDGEMENT
(1)
EVIL PEOPLE CONDEMNED TO ETERNAL SUFFERING
6
(2)
IV.
OTHERS TO SERVE IN HEAVEN
ANCIENT HEBREW SOCIETY
A.
TRANSITION FROM NOMADIC TO URBAN LIFE CIRCA 1000 B.C.
1.
ORIGINAL NOMADIC PASTORAL PEOPLE W/FLOCKS OF GOATS & SHEEP
a.
NOT UNLIKE BEDOUINS IN ARABIA TODAY
2.
EVEN THOUGH HEBREWS LEFT THEIR TENTS FOR THE SETTLED CITY &
AGRICULTURAL LIFE
3.
A LONG-ESTABLISHED LAW STATES THAT ONCE A YEAR FOR FEAST OF
TABERNACLES,
4.
JEW SHOULD LIVE FOR A WEEK IN ARBORS OR TENTS MADE FROM LEAFY
BOUGHS
5.
NOMADIC LIFE REMAINED AN IDEAL
6.
EVEN AFTER URBANIZED, HEBREWS CONTINUED TO IDENTIFY CITY W/SIN
& CORRUPTION
a.
CITIES OF SODOM & GOMORRAH ABRAHAM ENCOUNTERED SINFUL
ESSENTIALLY BECAUSE CITIES
7.
LONG AFTER HEBREWS SETTLED CITY-DWELLERS W/ KING RENEWAL STILL
CAME IN FORM OF DAVID, A SHEPHERD
B.
LIFE REGULATED BY TORAH
1.
YOUR PRIMARY SOURCE READINGS COVER THIS
2.
1ST 5 BOOKS OF BIBLE
3.
OVER 600 LAWS OF MOSES CONTAINED IN THEM
4.
LAWS INCLUDED EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE,
5.
FROM HOW TO WEAR ONE'S HAIR TO DIETARY REGULATIONS
a.
JEWS ORDERED TO EAT MEAT ONLY FROM ANIMALS THAT HAD
DIVIDED HOOF & CHEWED THEIR CUD
(1)
CATTLE, SHEEP & GOATS, DEER
b.
PIGS EXPLICITLY EXCLUDED
c.
AS NOMADIC HERDSMEN SUCH AS HEBREWS ASSOCIATED PIG
W/INFERIOR SETTLED WAY OF LIFE
d.
& PIG WAS MAJOR SOURCE OF MEAT FOR CANAANITES WHO WERE
SETTLED FARMERS
e.
& CANAANITE RELIGIOUS RITES HAD GROWN UP AROUND IT
f.
MOSES REJECTED CANAANITE SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS
g.
SO INCORPORATED PIG MEAT TABOO IN HIS DECREES IN NAME OF
YAHWEH
h.
& MUHAMMAD REPEATED IT FOR MUSLIMS
C.
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
1.
MARRIAGE ARRANGED BY PARENTS
a.
STILL DONE BY MANY JEWS
b.
MOVIE W/BARBARA STREISAND AS MATCHMAKER SHOWS THIS
2.
BOYS 18 AND GIRLS 12 1/2
a.
MARY PROBABLY NO MORE THAN 14 WHEN BORE JESUS
3.
EARLY BETROTHALS ARRANGED WHEN MERE CHILDREN
4.
1ST COUSINS MARRIED LIKE IN EGYPT & MESOPOTAMIAN CULTURES
5.
MARRIAGE CEREMONY - CIVIL CONTRACT CEREMONY NOT A RELIGIOUS
SERVICE WE HAVE TODAY
6.
CHILDREN WELCOME IN JEWISH MARRIAGES
7.
BROTHERS LEGALLY BOUND TO MARRY THEIR BROTHER'S WIDOW
8.
IF A BROTHER NOT AVAILABLE THEN A KIN
9.
CALLED A LEVIRATE MARRIAGE
10.
FIRST-BORN SON HEIR OF FIRST HUSBAND SO THAT
11.
"HIS NAME BE NOT PUT OUT OF ISRAEL" DEUTERONOMY 25:6
12.
WHILE HEBREWS STILL NOMADS 1 LAWFUL WIFE W/ AS MANY CONCUBINES
AS COULD AFFORD
13.
SETTLED LIFE LEGALIZED POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES
14.
BECAUSE MOTHERS OFTEN DIED GIVING BIRTH
15.
HAVING MORE THAN ONE WIFE WOULD ENSURE HEIR
7
DEFINITE STIGMA IN JEWISH SOCIETY IF WOMAN COULD NOT CONCEIVE A
CHILD
17.
WIFE PILLAR OF FAMILY
a.
HER WORK & WISDOM RESPECTED & TREASURED
18.
VIRTUOUS WIFE REVERED & HONORED
a.
PROVERBS IN O.T.
(1)
WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN/ FOR HER PRICE IS FAR
ABOVE RUBIES...
19.
THY COMMANDMENT HONOR THY FATHER & MOTHER WAS FUNDAMENTAL TO
MOSAIC LAW
DIVORCE
1.
WHILE DIVORCE AVAILABLE ONLY TO HUSBAND
a.
FOR ANY REASON
2.
DIVORCE NOT COMMON
3.
& WIFE FREE TO REMARRY IF DIVORCED
4.
ADULTERY PUNISHED BY DEATH FOR WIFE BUT NOT FOR HUSBAND
a.
DUAL STANDARD
16.
EG
D.
V.
HEBREW RELIGIOUS & MORAL LEGACIES
A.
MONOTHEISM
1.
MOST UNUSUAL DIFFERENCE W/OTHER RELIGIONS
2.
HEBREWS ALWAYS BELIEVED IN 1 GOD
B.
HEBREW BELIEF IN WORTH & DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL
1.
HEBREW CONCEPTION OF GOD LED TO REVOLUTIONARY VIEW OF
INDIVIDUAL
2.
GOD HAD GIVEN MEN & WOMEN MORAL AUTONOMY
a.
CAPACITY TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GOOD & EVIL
3.
MEN & WOMEN THEN HAD TO MEASURE THEIR ACTIONS BY GOD'S LAWS
4.
& RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN BEHAVIOR
5.
LED PEOPLE TO BECOME AWARE OF THEMSELVES
a.
THEIR MORAL POTENTIAL & PERSONAL WORTH
6.
CONTRASTED W/OTHER LAW CODES OF NEAR EAST,
7.
HEBREW LAWS MORE CONCERNED W/PEOPLE THAN W/PROPERTY
8.
EXPRESSED HUMANE ATTITUDE TOWARDS SLAVES
9.
REJECTED IDEA OF ONE LAW FOR NOBLES
10.
& ANOTHER FOR COMMONERS & SLAVES FOUND IN CODE OF HAMMURABI
11.
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF 12.
INFINITE WORTH OF HUMAN LIFE IS REFLECTED IN PENALTY FOR MURDER
a.
HAMMURABI CODE OK TO PAY FINE
b.
HITTITE MURDER COULD BE PARDONED BY KING OR RESTITUTION
c.
JEWISH PENALTY WAS DEATH
C.
INFLUENCE OF OLD TESTAMENT ON SUBSEQUENT CIVILIZATIONS
1.
IMMENSE NOT ONLY IN MORALITY
2.
BUT ART & ARCHITECTURE OF MIDDLE AGES & RENAISSANCE IMBUED WITH
FIGURES FROM OLD TESTAMENT