Chapter 3 — The Historical Background Flashcards
Briefly summarize this study’s explanation of the origin and characteristics of the Samaritans.
- The name Samaritan comes form the word Samaria — the capital city of the Northern Kingdom.
- The policy of Assyrian Kings was to remove conquered people from their native land and to repopulate it with people from other lands they had conquered.
- Samaritan people served God and the gods of the people the Assyrians relocated to the Northern Kingdom.
- Orthodox Jews strictly avoided Samaritans because they were pagans.
Why were the Judeans proud, haughty, and reserved compared to the Galileans?
Because they believed they were more “pure Jewish” than the Galileans.
Although the region is not mentioned by name in the New Testament, what does the land on “the other side of Jordan” refer specifically to?
Perea
Which Herodian family statement is correct?
Jews never regarded the Herods as true Jews and made no attempt to hide their feelings of hatred toward these descendants of the Edomites.
Who was Anitpater?
A scheming Idumean who through intrigue won the control of Palestine and became the father of Herod the Great.
The intertestamental period represents the time between what?
The end of Malachi’s prophetic ministry and the dawn of New Testament events.
Why did the Greeks want to “Hellenize” their subjects?
They wanted to increase their influence in the civilized world.
What was one important occurrence during the Persian period?
Appearance of the last Old Testament prophet.
What were the Jewish exiles in Babylon permitted to do during the Persian period?
Return to their Homeland
About 100 years after the Assyrian conquest of Israel, which Empire arose as the instrument of God’s judgement to conquer first Assyria and then Judah?
The Babylonian Empire
Why did the Jews considered the Samaritans to be social outcasts even though they live in Palestine?
They were considered a mixed race — partly Jewish and partly pagan — with a pagan religious heritage from those whom the Assyrians had resettled in Samaria.
State how God used Assyria in relation to Israel.
God used Assyria to bring judgement on his people because they had forsaken His law and rejected Him.
What happened to Alexander’s empire following his death?
It was divided into four areas , two of which concern us in this study. Part of his empire was disrupted by the struggle for the control of Palestine.
In what ways did the Roman Empire influence the world in Christ’s day?
The Roman Empire established peace throughout the vast empire it controlled; incorporated Hellenism into its system and promoted it; and established a model legal and political system
Why is it important to know about the intertestamental period?
During these four hundred years between the last of the Old Testament prophets and the gospel era, the religious and cultural values of Jews developed, as well as the political boundaries of Palestine.
