English Bible - OT Flashcards
To attain to a high degree of familiarity with the content of the English Bible (Old Testament), including canonical divisions, book outlines, textual locations of key passages and characters, and historical dates.
Where in the Old Testament would you find the Ten Commandments (two references)?
Exodus 20:1-17
Deuteronomy 5:6-21
Where in the New Testament would you find the Law summarized (two references, quote one)?
Matthew 22:37-40
Mark 12:28-31
Luke 10: 27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Locate two passages about the revelation of God in nature.
Psalm 19:1-6
Romans 1:18-20
Locate two passages about the revelation of God in Scripture.
Psalm 19:1-6
Romans 1:20–21
Name the general divisions of the English (and Vulgate) Old Testament, and the books in each.
1.The Pentateuch is the term commonly applied to the first five books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
- The Historical books include Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther
- The Poetic and Wisdom writings include Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
- The Major Prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
- The Minor Prophets include Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
Give a general outline of Old Testament history, including key dates.
Primeval History (Creation, Fall, Flood, Babel) – 2500 BC
Patriarchs - (Abraham’s call) – 2100 BC
Exodus – 1440 BC
Conquest - Joshua (1400 BC)
Judges - Judges ~ 1 Sam. (1375 BC)
United Kingdom - David (1050 BC), Solomon (970 BC)
Divided Kingdom – 930 BC
Exile of Northern Kingdom – 722 BC
Exile of Judah – 586 BC
Return from Exile – 538 BC
Give a general outline of Old Testament history from the perspective of the covenant, including key passages.
Adamic Covenant: Genesis 3:15
Noahic Covenant: Genesis 9:8-17
Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis 12; 15; 17
Mosaic Covenant: Exodus 19-24
Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17
New Covenant: Jer. 31
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Jeroboam son of Nebat was at one time in the employ of Solomon, overseeing his workforce in the northern tribes. He fomented revolt and fled to Egypt (1 Kings 11). During the reign of King Rehoboam, he returned and led the rebellion of the northern tribes, becoming the first king of Israel (1 King 12) (reign: c. 931-910 B.C). He led that kingdom into idolatry, establishing golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12), complete with a non-levitical priesthood. For these God rebuked him through Ahijah (1 Kings 13-14), promising the violent end of his house.
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Elijah. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Elijah was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab (reign: c. 874-853 BC) and Queen Jezebel. He contended for the worship of Yahweh against Baal worship. He announced a drought (and was miraculously sustained through it) (1 Kings 17). Through him, God humiliated the worshipers of Baal on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18). Afterwards he fled to Horeb and was comforted by God. He confronted King Ahab regarding Naboth’s stolen vineyard (1 Kings 21). He was taken to heaven in the presence of a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2). He is frequently (almost 30 times) mentioned in the New Testament. His return was anticipated as a precursor of the Messiah (and fulfilled in John the Baptist’s ministry, Matthew 11:14). Further, he stands for the prophets at Christ’s transfiguration (as Moses does the Law).
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Elisha. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Elisha was the attendant and successor of Elijah. He was called through Elijah (1 Kings 19), from whom he inherited a “double portion of his spirit” (2 Kings 2). His long ministry was marked by numerous miracles, among them: the purifying of water (2 Kings 2), the increase of the widow’s oil (2 Kings 4), the restoration of the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4), and the healing of Naaman’s leprosy (2 Kings 5). He also foretold a number of events. The large number and variety of Elisha’s miracles, following on the career of Elijah, is suggestive of Christ’s ministry following John the Baptist (who came in the spirit of Elijah, Matthew 17:12-13).
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Hezekiah. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
King Hezekiah was the 14th king of Judah (reign: c. 716-687 BC). He reigned over Judah for 29 years and was noted for his piety (2 Kings 18). During his reign, Samaria fell and Israel was deported. He instituted religious reforms, purifying the temple (2 Chronicles 29), and reestablishing the Passover (2 Chronicles 30), and destroying high places (2 Chronicles 31). The Assyrians, through Sennacherib, tried to subdue Jerusalem but suffered a huge (miraculous) loss (2 Kings 18-19). Hezekiah is also noted for the extension of his life by 15 years(2 Kings 20); his relationship with Isaiah; and his entertaining the emissaries from Babylon.
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Josiah. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
King Josiah was the great-grandson of King Hezekiah (reign: c. 639-609 BC). He ascended to the throne at 8 years old, reigned for 31 years, and enacted many religious reforms (2 Kings 22). During his reign, the “Book of the Law” was found in the temple by Hilkiah (2 Kings 22), leading to greater reform. He fulfilled the prophecy of 1 Kings 13 regarding the destruction and defilement of the high places; and he celebrated the Passover in grand style (2 Kings 23). He was killed in battle against Pharaoh Neco (2 Chronicles 35).
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Jeremiah. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Jeremiah was a prophet in Judah from c. 626 to 587 BC. He prophesied through 40 years and five kings (Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah). He was called as a young man (Jeremiah 1). Much of his recorded prophesy deals with the nation’s unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 2) and the inevitable judgment to come (Jeremiah 3-6, 8-10). In the midst of God’s judgment, Jeremiah also holds forth hope, particularly as he speaks of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 30-34). He wrote to the exiled Jews, assuring them that God would hear them and care for them in a foreign land, highlighting the spiritual nature of worship (Jeremiah 29). He also wrote Lamentations, a series of dirges portraying the capture and destruction of Jerusalem.
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Ezekiel. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Ezekiel was likely carried to Babylon along with Jehoiachin (c. 597 BC) (2 Kings 24). Five years later, he received his call as prophet (Ezekiel 1) to the exile community. His prophecies are full of Temple/priestly imagery, and naturally deal with the disaster of his day: the destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and its meaning. He also pronounced judgments on surrounding nations. He also held forth great hope in the promise of a new heart (Ezekiel 36) and the picture of the revived dry bones and the reunited people (Ezekiel 37). The last portion of the book bearing his name takes up a detailed description of a rebuilt Temple (Ezekiel 40-48). This seems to point figuratively to kingdom of God.
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Daniel. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Daniel was a Hebrew youth of a noble family taken into Babylonian captivity by Nebuchadnezzar and trained (with others) for royal service (Daniel 1). He distinguished himself by interpreting the king’s dreams of a large statue of various metals (Daniel 2) and of a great tree cut down (Daniel 4). He endured the trials of a fiery furnace (Daniel 3) and the lion’s den (Daniel 6). Much of his apocalyptic book deals with his own visions, which portend the rise and fall of men’s kingdoms and the coming of the Son of Man whose kingdom is without limits (Daniel 7).
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Nehemiah. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Cupbearer for the Persian king Artaxerxes (reign: c. 465-424 BC). He was granted permission to return to Jerusalem, was appointed governor, and oversaw the rebuilding of the walls (Nehemiah 6). With Ezra, great efforts at reform and repopulation were made, resting on the law (Nehemiah 8) and confession (Nehemiah 9). Nehemiah’s book is noted for frequent prayers, and revival born by great faith and work amidst poverty and earthly opposition.
Discuss briefly the life and significance of Malachi. Reference relevant Scripture passages.
Malachi was a post-Exilic prophet, whose name is given to a short prophetical book that closes the English Bible. He likely lived during the time of Nehemiah. His exhortations came when the people were drifting back into syncretism, a negligent view of worship, and rampant divorce (Malachi 1-2). Against these sins, Malachi promised coming judgment (Malachi 3) and the coming vindication of the faithful on the “Day of the Lord” (Malachi 4).
Where (book and chapter) do you find the Passover?
Exodus 12
Where (book and chapter) do you find the Ten Commandments?
Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5
Where (book and chapter) do you find the Day of Atonement?
Leviticus 16
Where (book and chapter) do you find the Shema and reiteration of the Law?
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Where (book and chapter) do you find reference to the Watchman?
Ezekiel 33
Where (book and chapter) do you find the New Covenant?
Jeremiah 31
Where (book and chapter) do you find the phrase, “I will pour out my Spirit?”
Joel 2:28
Where (book and chapter) do you find the phrase, “The just shall live by faith?”
Habakkuk 2:4
Where (book and chapter) do you find the phrase, “I am going to send my messenger?”
Malachi 3:1
Where (book and chapter) do you find the Messianic Psalms?
Psalms 2, 8, 16, 22, 45, 69, 78, 97, 110, 118
Where (book and chapter) do you find the Songs of Ascents?
Psalms 120-134
Where (book and chapter) do you find the account of Creation?
Genesis 1-2
Why are the accounts of Creation in Genesis 1 and 2 different?
The account of Creation in Genesis 1 is a general statement from God’s perspective. The account of Creation in Genesis 2 is a more limited and detailed description of the same event from man’s perspective. There is a telescoping progression and recapitulation in the narrative from Genesis 1 to Genesis 2.
Genesis 2:4-14 can be described as a zoomed in account of the creation of man. The language of the text points to the creation of the garden. It indeed has providential language at use, but this does not mean exclusively ‘ordinary’ providence, neither does it rule out creational language. The claim that it is “exalted prose” and thus Genesis 1 should also be seen that way is a logical fallacy. First, even if Genesis 2 were “exalted prose” it does not require Genesis 1 to be seen the same way. Nonetheless, the language of Genesis 2 is no different from other historical accounts in Moses’ writings.
Where (book and chapter) do you find the account of the Fall?
Genesis 3:6
Where (book and chapter) do you find the account of the Flood?
Genesis 6-9
Where (book and chapter) do you find the account of the attempted construction of the Tower of Babel?
Genesis 11
