The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Scripture in the Age of Hellenism
Historical Background
336-323 BC Alexander the Great
The Seleucids and the Ptolemys
175-164 BC Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Judas Maccabeus
The Hasmonean Dynasty
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Scripture in the Age of Hellenism
Culture
Babylonian Mythology: Gilgamesh and Enkidu
Religious skepticism
Greek Philosophy: Aristotle, Plato and Socrates
Transcendant theology, dualism
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Scripture in the Age of Hellenism
Vocabulary
3 themes: covenant, creation, revelation
Hellenization
Polis
Theodicy
Abomination of desolation
Septuagint
Haggadah and Halakah
Midrash
Pesharim
Talmud
Apocalyptic
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Skeptical Wisdom: Job and Qoheleth
Job
Cycle 1
1.1-12, 2.1-8 Satan's challenges
2.9 Job's wife: curse God and die!
4.17-21 Eliphaz
6.21-25 Job replies
8.3-8 Bildad
9.1-4 Job's response
11.4-5, 14-15 Zophar
13.2-5, 10-12 Job replies
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Skeptical Wisdom: Job and Qoheleth
Job
Cycle 2
15.17-20 Eliphaz
17.9-16 Job defends himself
18.5, 17-19 Bildad
19.4-6, 25-26 Job stands firm
20.4-5 Zophar
21.7, 23-26 Job's central question
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Skeptical Wisdom: Job and Qoheleth
Job
Cycle 3
22.1-3 Eliphaz
23.8-14 Job's defense
25.4 Bildad
26.1-12 Job remains firm
28 only God knows the way to wisdom
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Skeptical Wisdom: Job and Qoheleth
Job
Final Cycle
Elihu's Discourse
32.6-9, 12-14; 34.10-15; 34.22-28; 36.22-25; 31.19-24
God Speaks
38.2-4; 40.7-8, 15, 25
Job Repents
42.2-6
Conclusion
42.7-10
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Skeptical Wisdom: Job and Qoheleth
Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes
1.2-4 all is vanity
1.16-17 the pursuit of wisdom is 'a chase after the wind'
2.1, 4, 11-12 the pursuit of wealth is vanity
2.13 wisdom is better than folly
2.17 life is worthless for all is vanity
2.24 enjoy the good life, it is a gift from God
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Skeptical Wisdom: Job and Qoheleth
Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes
3.14 what God does endures forever
3.20 all men return to the dust
4.1-16 on injustice
4.17 obedience is better than sacrifice
5.1-6 keep vows simple, fulfill them – fear God
7.13-14 God is inscrutable
7.18 he who fears God will win through
7.23-25 wisdom is unattainable but worth pursuit
8.12-13 fear the Lord
8.16 wisdom is unattainable, God is inscrutable
11.5 God gives life, God is inscrutable
The Old Testament
(Hebrew Scriptures)
Skeptical Wisdom: Job and Qoheleth
Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes
12.1 remember your Creator
12.7 dust to dust, life breath returns to God
12.13 Fear God