Background Study: Rabbi’s Flashcards
What did a man have to do before he could ever be recognized as a Rabbi?
He’d have to prove himself a superior student
Where did Jewish boys learn?
In the local synagogue
What would you learn at a Jewish synagogue?
How to read, learn, and memorize potions of scripture
What is the Torah?
The first five books of the Bible
What could the Torah also be called?
The Pentateuch
As a student progressed in their learning what would they go on to learn?
The oral interpretations, the prophets, and other writings
Why was memorizing so important for learning the Bible?
Because the only scrolls of scripture were at the synagogue
Where did the exceptional students go to study?
Under a Rabbi
Who decided what students would study under which Rabbi?
The Rabbis
Why was studying under a Rabbi so intense?
Because you not only wanted to learn what your Rabbi knew, you wanted to become like him. Sometimes you would have to travel away from home.
What was not uncommon for a rabbi to have his student do?
Travel with him as he taught at other synagogues
What would rabbi’s often use for teaching?
Parables and illustrations
What type of government ruled over Israel during the time that Jesus was born?
A Roman Tetrarchy
What is the definition of Tetrarchy?
Government by four persons ruling jointly
When did the Romans dissolve the Tetrarchy?
6 AD
What does the Bible also call Herod Antipas?
Herod the Tetrarch
Even thought the tetrarchy was destroyed in 6 AD who continued to rule over Galilee and Perea during Jesus’ lifetime?
Herod Antipas
On what side of the Jordan river is Perea?
East side
What city on the Sea of Galilee did Herod make his capital city?
Tiberias
What region is it interesting to note that Herod did not rule?
Decapolis
Who was King Herod’s first wife?
Phasaelis, the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea
Who was Herod’s half brother?
Philip
Why was Herod’s relationship with John the Baptist turbulent?
Because John rebuked him for divorcing his wife and marrying his half brother’s wife and many other evils
What Jewish historian says that the events of Matthew 14:3-10 (having John the Baptist in-prisoned and then beheaded) happened in the fortress of Machaerus?
Josephus
Where in Perea is Machaerus located?
Southern Perea
What two locations does John refer to in John 1:28-29 and John 3:23 that John the Baptist baptized?
Bethany/Bethabara and Aenon near Salim
In what region is Bethany/Bethabara located?
Perea
Where is Aenon near Salim located?
In the finger of Decapolis
What direction did the “finger” of Decapolis reach?
Westward, across the Jordan river into the area of Samaria
What country did Herod’s x-father-in-law rule?
Nabatea
