OT 6301  Interpretation of the Old Testament
Final Examination Study Guide
The format of the final exam will consist of three sections:
 A "Quotation Identification" Section – in which you will identify the biblical books from
which a series of important quotations come and give a two or three sentence explanation of
the context and significance of each. [Suggested time: 45 min.]
 Two "Essay" Sections – in which you will discuss a smaller and a larger topic. [Suggested
time: 2 hours]
In the "Quotation Identification Section" you will be given some choice about which items you may answer (e.g., "answer
15 out of the following 20 items"). In the "Essay Section," there will be one essay question everyone must answer and one
short essay question about which you will have a choice (e.g., "answer one (1) of the following three essay questions").
You may use a pre-prepared 3x5 note card for the "Essay Sections" but not for "Identification" section.
Examples of the types of quotations that will occur in the "Quotation Identification Section" are:




"But among those that chew the cud or have divided hoofs, you shall not eat the following: the camel, for even
though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you."
"Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe [the commandments] diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that
you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has
promised you."
"On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets."
"The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD strengthened King Eglon of Moab
against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD."
Essay Questions – None of the following essay questions will appear on the final exam. If you
prepare careful answers for these questions you should be in good shape to answer the questions that
will be given. Your preparation and answers should be based on your lecture notes as well as
assigned readings from from John Collins’ Introduction to the Hebrew Bible.






Discuss the background and significance of "covenant" in the Bible and the Ancient Near East.
Discuss the type (apodictic/casuistic), organization, and significance of the various legal
materials within the Torah, particularly:
 The Ten Commandments (both in Exodus and Deuteronomy)
 The Covenant Code
 The Holiness Code
 The Book of Deuteronomy
Discuss the worldview of Leviticus, with its system of "Holy", "Clean", and "Unclean" aspects.
Discuss the major points of Deuteronomistic Theology. Discuss the ways in which these points
are highlighted in the Book of Deuteronomy and in each of the books of the Deuteronomistic
History (Joshua through 2 Kings). (Not every point will necessarily be present in every book.)
Discuss the major points of Zion (Davidic/Jerusalemite) Theology as illustrated in 2 Samuel 7.
Compare and contrast the major tenets of Deuteronomistic Theology and Zion Theology.
Discuss the importance of the Fall of Samaria (722 BCE) and of the Babylonian Exile (586
BCE) on the history, theologies, and religious practices of Israel and Judah.