Between the Testaments

Question 1

Zedekiah

Answer 1

Jewish Puppet King (597-588 BCE) put in place by the Babylonians

Question 2

Cyrus the Great

Answer 2

(539-530 BCE). The docile and flexible Persian King who allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem; some return, some stay.

Question 3

Alexander The Great

Answer 3

Gained control of the regions of Judea and Samaria in 332 BCE by defeating the Persians
Began the process of Hellenization (spread of Greek culture and ideas). dies in 323

Question 4

Ptolemies Kingdom

Answer 4

One of Alexander The Great’s generals who was kind to the Jews. Greek control (323-198)
Controlled Egypt - South Judea (He was the first to rule Judea, out of the other generals).
Under his successor, Ptolemy Philadelphus (285-265) the Septuagint was formed in Egypt by Hellenistic Jews.

Question 5

Seleucids Kingdom

Answer 5

One of Alexander The Great’s generals
Acquired Syrian region to the north of Judea
Gained control of Judea and Samaria between (223-198 BCE)

Question 6

Antiochus Epiphanes

Answer 6

Seleucid King in 175 BCE
Hoped that non-Greeks would eventually assimilate into the “superior” Hellenistic culture.
Desecrated the Temple in 167 BCE, banned Jewish cultures and Slaughtered numerous Jews who went against him.
Against circumcision, food laws, and the sabbath

Question 7

Maccabean Revolt

Answer 7

167 BCE. Rejection of Hellenism. Led by the priest, Mattathias. The linked with Hasideans (pious ones: separation from Hellenism pollution and strictly adhere to Mosaic law) took control of Jerusalem in 164 BCE

Question 8

Festival of Lights

Answer 8

Hanukkah commences the purification and rededication of the temple in 164 BCE

Question 9

Hasmonean Dynasty

Answer 9

String of leaders who reigned over Judea between 142-63 BCE

Question 10

Pompey

Answer 10

Roman General take control of Judah after being asked by Alexander Jannaeus’s sons. Took control in 63 BCE
Rome appointed Herod the Great as king of Judah (Not pure Jew due to Idumean descent) in 37 - 4BCE.

Question 11

Roman Reign

Answer 11

7-4 BCE - Jesus is born prior to the death of Herod the Great
30 CE - Jesus crucified
66-73 CE - Jewish War (resistance)
70 CE - Romans destroy the temple (no more animal sacrifices and synagogues became more important for Tanakh talk)
132-35 CE - The Bark Kokhba Revolt- eviction of Jews from Jerusalem( Diaspora: Greek word for living outside of Palestine- diversity in Judaism)

Question 12

Pharisees

Answer 12

• Embody Mosiac Laws
• Ritual Purity
• Reward in afterlife so be skilled interpreters and faithful
• Oral traditions
• They came from Hasideans -> Rabbinic Judaism after 70 CE

Question 13

Sadducees

Answer 13

-No resurrection of dead afterlife
-no afterlife treats, so be upper class and have socio-political power NOW
-No oral traditions, Scriptures ONLY. They associated with the Temple
they guys were around during the Maccabeans (2nd century BCE)

Question 14

Essenes

Answer 14

denial of human pleasures; hated the temple due to its impurity. Preferred to live in communal settings separated; sacrifices, the routine of prayers, Sabbath! etc Severe Punishment for sinners and no marriages to avoid conflict
-the same afterlife beliefs as Pharisees.

Question 15

Revolutionaries

Answer 15

1st century BCE.

• Jewish Independence
• No taxes
• suffered to serve God and participated in Jewish Wars

Question 16

Samaritans

Answer 16

branch of Judaism after the Babylonian exile (587 BCE).
Temple in Mount Gerizim in the hill country between Galilee and Judea. Pentateuch is canon, and Moses is revered. Clashed with jews from Galilee and Judea

Question 17

Rabbinic Judaism

Answer 17

a sect of Pharisees remained after the Jewish war (66-73 CE). Gathered in synagogues and revered Hebrew Scriptures. Mishnah 200 Oral teachings of Moses handed down along with Scriptures

Question 18

Old Testament Apocrypha

Answer 18

“hidden texts” Jewish authors prior to Jesus’ time and are edited by Christians. Christians once regraded them as canon.

Question 19

Old Testament Pseudepigraphs

Answer 19

“false writings” or writings under the assured name of a deceased hero of the past.

Question 20

Hierarchy of Greek and Roman gods

Answer 20

one God - The Great Gods- local gods - Divine beings (demigods, heroes) - Humans (role is to worship and satisfy these Gods) ( more sacrifice and less ethical)