Intro Old Testament Midterm Study Guide
Dr. Theodore. W. Burgh
Midterm Exam
Geography
1) What are the geographical zones of Israel? How would you describe each of them?
2) Name the three primary geographic areas of the ancient Near East. Explain where they
are located. Do they have any relationships with each other? If so, what are they?
3) Name three groups of peoples found in the ancient Near East and give some of their
defining cultural characteristics.
4) Name and briefly explain the man-made hills found throughout Israel and other portions of
the ancient Near East that archaeologists excavate to study the past.
Methods in Studying the Bible, Terminology, Significant People, Etc.
1) Briefly define the Documentary Hypothesis a.k.a. Source Criticism (e.g., Whose work is
the Documentary Hypothesis work based on? In what century did it begin? Why did this
hypothesis/criticism come about?), and describe the characteristics of the sources JEP and
D.
2) Define and explain the term TaNak
3) Define the term covenant. Name two kinds and give examples from the biblical text.
4) Define the term canon
5) How would you briefly explain the difference between Hebrew Bible and Old
Testament?
6) What is an eclectic text?
7) What does the term Pentateuch mean?
8) Name the books of the Pentateuch and give the overall themes of two of them.
9) What is universalism? Give an example from the biblical text.
1
10) What is xenophobia and how did it play a part in the world of ancient Israel or other
cultures of the ancient Near East?
11) Explain the term Torah. What purpose do you think it served?
12) Define the term Decalogue.
13)
What is a theodicy?
14) What is the Nihilits’ view of the Exodus? What is the traditionalist’s view?
-Be able to define and explain the following:
-Wife-Sister motif. Give an example of this from the biblical text.
-Barren motif. Give an example of this from the biblical text.
-What is a trickster story? Give an example from the biblical text.
-What is an etiology?
-What is a theophany?
-What are polytheism and monotheism? Define each.
Be able to explain who the following people were and discuss their significant
stories/accounts in the biblical text.
-Noah; Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah; Isaac and Rebekah; Hagar; Jacob; Joseph;
Moses; Aaron; Zipporah; Joshua; Rahab
-Name the women involved in saving the life of Moses
-What is a judge? Be able to discuss the characteristics and duties of one in this position.
Name three judges from the biblical text and be able to summarize their stories.
2
-Explain the two perspectives regarding the relationship of the tribes, judges, and their
stories in the book of Judges. Be able to explain which of these do you think may be
correct/plausible and why.
HB/OT and the Premonarchic Period and Extra-biblical Texts
Potential Essay Questions:
1) What are three of the theories that attempt to explain how Israel eventually emerged into
the land of Canaan? Be able to explain each. Do you think any of them are plausible? If so,
which one(s) and why? Think critically. Be objective, thorough, and clear in your discussion.
2) How would you explain the differences and similarities between the Hebrew Bible/Old
Testament P and J Creation Accounts? Think critically about the following:
-What do you think the writers were attempting to say about how the world came to be, who
created it, relationships, etc. Be sure to include discussion from the Fishbane articles. Also,
make sure you express your thoughts and ideas clearly.
3) How do the Genesis Accounts of Creation (P and J) and the account of Creation in
Enuma Elish (“Epic of Creation”/”When on High”) compare? Think about the following:
How are they alike? How are they different? Do the accounts reflect characteristics of the
cultures from which they come?
-Think about how the heavens, humans, etc. were created. What purpose did humankind
serve?
-In your answer be sure to discuss about the following individuals:
-Marduk; Tiamat; Apsu; Ea; Qingu/Kingu
4) What do you think are some significant factors the author(s) conveys about the life and
culture of ancient Israel in the Genesis Flood Account(s)?
-What is the name of the other ancient Near Eastern text that contains a very similar flood
account? Who is the Noah-like character in this epic? (Be sure to include this info in your
discussion!)
5) What do you think is the purpose of the people of Israel receiving the Decalogue and
Covenant Code while in the wilderness? What might these things do for the people of Israel?
3
6) How would you compare and contrast Moses and Joshua? (e.g., How were they similar?
How were they different? (You must discuss both.) What role(s) do you think they played in
the culture of Israel? (development, shaping, etc.)
4