What Is The Old Testament And How Did The Term Originate

what Is The Old Testament And How Did The Term Originate

1. What is the Old Testament, and how did the term originate? 2. Why did the Israelites begin their story with the Exodus? 3. How did the Septuagint affect the way various Christian groups view the biblical canon today? 4. What are the three major concerns of literary and historical studies of the biblical text? 5. What are some ways in which modern technology is making a contribution to archaeology? 6. Explain the significance of the following groups of people: Sumerians, Akkadians, Amorites, Hurrians, Arameans, Habiru, and Hittites. 7. Who were the Hyksos? What role might they have played in the early history of Israel? 8. What are the four major divisions of Palestine from west to east? 9. How did the Shephelah function in biblical times to protect the area of Judah? 10. What were the two major north-south roads in ancient Palestine, and why were they so important? 11. Compare the portraits of God in 1:1-2:4a to those in 2:4b-3:25. What do they say about Israel's understanding of God? 12. What is the theological importance of the biblical Flood story? 13. How are the covenant accounts in Genesis 13:14-17, 15:17-21, and 17:1-21 alike, and how do they differ? 14. How do you account for the similarities between the stories about Sarah and the Pharaoh (Gen. 12:14-20), Sarah and Abimelech (20:1-18), and Rebekah and Abimelech (26:6-11)? 15. How do the stories about Joseph differ from other patriarchal stories?

Paper For Above instruction

The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, is a sacred collection of texts that comprise the foundational scriptures of Judaism and significantly influence Christianity. The term "Old Testament" originated in the Christian tradition to distinguish these writings from the "New Testament," which describes the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The designation emphasizes the chronological and theological progress from the earlier Hebrew scriptures to the Christian revelations that followed.

The Israelites' choice to commence their narrative with the Exodus reflects its central theological and historical significance. The Exodus symbolizes liberation from slavery in Egypt, God's covenant with Israel, and the transformation of the Israelites into a nation. This event underscores themes of divine intervention, covenant, and identity, making it a pivotal starting point for their collective story. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures produced in Alexandria, significantly influenced Christian views of the canon by broadening the available texts and shaping early Christian theology. It created a version of the Old Testament that was widely read in the Greek-speaking Christian community, which sometimes differed from the Hebrew Masoretic Text, thereby affecting canonical boundaries and interpretations.

Modern biblical scholarship grapples with three major concerns: literary analysis, historical authenticity, and theological interpretation. Literary studies focus on narrative structure, themes, and authorship, seeking to understand the texts' literary nuances. Historical studies aim to excavate the cultural, archaeological, and chronological contexts to clarify origins and development. Theological concerns explore the divine-human relationship, moral teachings, and doctrinal implications of biblical narratives. Advances in technology, like remote sensing, ground-penetrating radar, and digital databases, have revolutionized archaeology, enabling non-invasive exploration and more precise dating of artifacts and sites related to biblical history.

Understanding the ancient Near East is crucial for biblical studies. The Sumerians, Akkadians, Amorites, Hurrians, Arameans, Habiru, and Hittites played significant roles in the regional history. The Sumerians developed the earliest known civilization in southern Mesopotamia, laying cultural foundations. The Akkadians, under Sargon, established the first empire in Mesopotamia. The Amorites and Hurrians contributed to the political landscape, while the Arameans settled in Syria and influenced trade routes. The Habiru, often linked to marginalized groups or mercenaries, appear in various texts, and the Hittites, centered in Anatolia, became a major power. The Hyksos, a Semitic people who ruled parts of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period, may have interacted with early Israelites, affecting their cultural and political development.

Geographically, Palestine comprises four major regions from west to east: the coastal plain, the central hill country, the Shephelah (foothills), and the Jordan Rift Valley. The Shephelah served as a natural buffer zone, protecting Judah from northern invasions through its rugged terrain. Ancient trade routes traversed Palestine via two major north-south roads—the Via Maris along the coast and the King's Highway through the central hill country—both of which were vital for commerce, military movement, and communication.

Portraits of God in the biblical texts reveal evolving understandings. In Genesis 1:1-2:4a, God is depicted as a sovereign Creator, emphasizing order and authority. In contrast, Genesis 2:4b-3:25 presents a more personal deity involved in human affairs, highlighting relationship and moral responsibility. These portrayals reflect Israel’s developing conception of God's nature—from distant creator to a caring, engaged deity.

The Flood story holds theological importance as it underscores God's judgment and mercy, emphasizing themes of righteousness, divine justice, and covenant. It demonstrates God's willingness to restore creation and serve as a moral exemplar for humanity. The covenant accounts in Genesis—such as God's promises to Abram in 12:1-3, 15:1-21, and 17:1-21—share themes of divine promise, land, and descendants but differ in specific details and emphasis, illustrating progressive revelation and elaboration of God's covenant relationship.

Similarities in stories involving Sarah and the Pharaoh or Abimelech can be explained through common narrative motifs and cultural practices of the time, highlighting divine protection of the chosen ancestors. These stories also reflect recurring themes of divine intervention to safeguard the lineage of Israel and demonstrate God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations.

The stories about Joseph differ markedly from other patriarchal narratives because they focus on his rise to power in Egypt, his moral integrity, and divine guidance during times of crisis. Unlike other patriarchs who are primarily depicted in family and land contexts, Joseph’s story emphasizes his role in fulfilling God's promises and ensuring the survival of Israel during famine, thus illustrating divine providence and sovereignty in a broader socio-political setting.

References

• Berkowitz, H. (2010). The Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Brueggemann, W. (2003). Theology of the Old Testament. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
• Freedman, D. N., & Privitera, A. (Eds.). (2007). The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures. Princeton University Press.
• Hamilton, V. P. (2016). The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
• Mattingly, I. (2014). Archaeology and the Bible. Cambridge University Press.
• Unger, M. (2010). Archaeology of the Old Testament. Moody Publishers.
• Soggin, J. A. (2010). Introduction to the Old Testament. Westminster John Knox Press.
• Welch, J. W. (2010). The Sermon on the Mount and Its Influence on Christian Thought. Baker Academic.
• Wilson, R. (2004). The Prolegomena to the Study of the Old Testament. Eerdmans.
• Yahuda, Y. (2018). The Ancient Near East and the Bible. Routledge.