Final Exam Terms Flashcards
Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III
– A limestone neo-assyrian relief over 6 feet tall inscribed on all four sides with the campaigns of Shalmaneser III located in Nimrod
Significance: Displays the earliest depiction of a biblical figure, Jehu, and shows him paying tribute to the Assyrian King. This reveals the nature of the relationship between Israel and Assyria during Jehu’s reign.
Edict of Cyrus
– The command of Cyrus, as referenced in Ezra 1:2-4, 6:1-5, 2 Chron 36:23 which allowed the Jews to return from exile.
Significance: Fulfillment of the promise God made to the Israelite to return to the land.Cyrus is portrayed as commissioned by Yahweh and depicts an imperial power outside the Israelites ordained by Yahweh. Also similar to a depiction in the Cyrus Cylinder. This command began the change in identity for the people of Israel as they returned and rebuilt the temple in a foreign land.
Manasseh
– Son of King Hezekiah and a king of Judah who committed idolatry including: rebuilding the altars for Baal, making a sacred pole, and rebuilding the high places that his father had destroyed.
Significance: Depicted in the DtrH as the worst king of Judah, but Chronicler tells of repentance in prison in Babylon. Manasseh depicted as the reason that Judah went into exile. He is the benchmark for all other bad kings.
Ezra
– A scribe of the law, commisioned by the Persian king’s court, who returned from the exile. artexerxes the persina king to imposing the requirements of the commandments on the judites
Significance: Ezra forbade the people to intermarry in order to distinguish boundaries between the people of Israel and foreigners. Intermarriage conflict - forbids the people to intermarry, p.428 Coogan
Jeroboam
– The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who rebelled against Solomon’s son Rehoboam , established places of worship outside Jerusalem with two golden calves in Bethel and Dan
Significance: He erected high places in Bethel and Dan in order to prevent the Israelites from going to Jerusalem to worship, therefore setting the precedent of kings who had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord in the northern kingdom.
Shishak
- 1st Egyptian King mentioned in the Bible (1st Kings 14:25). Launched major invasion of Judah and Israel
Significance: earliest direct connection between biblical and non-biblical sources and allows for absolute dating for kings in the scripture based on the year of Shishak’s death.
His conquest of Jeruselum, shortly after solomon’s death, can be found on the stela at Megiddo marking a victory of the house of David.
Jachin and Boaz
– the name of the two bronze pillars for the temple that symbolizes strength, power and might. Jachin (He establishes) and Boaz (with strength)
Significance: propose the confusing theological question of who establishes the power of the templewith strength? Solomon or God?
Abishag
- she was the last of David’s concubines (although David was unable to consummate the relationship) and the concubine whom Adonijah attempted to marry after his attempt to usurp the throne
Significance: Represents the unheroic end of David’s reign
Ark Narrative
– The history of the Ark of the Covenant, found in 1 Sam 4-6 and 2 Sam 6, when it is captured by the Philistines and returned after reeking havoc. David returns it to Jerusalem
Significance: This narrative represents the centrality of worship that is characteristic of the DtrH
Succession Narrative
– Also known as the “court history of David” found in 2 Sam 9-20 1 Kings 1-2, the narrative seeks to answer who will succeed David in the kingdom.
Significance: Although Solomon was not the oldest son, the succession narrative legitimizes his ascension to the throne.
Absalom
– The son of David, Absalom is the focus of a portion of the 2 Samuel narrative, revenging the rape of his sister and attempts to usurp the Davidic throne
Significance:Figure who fails to achieve kingship because of the immoral actions of their own. Further, Absalom represents the deteriorating character of David’s family under his failing leadership after committing adultery with Bathsheba.
Michal
–-Saul’s daughter whom he gave to David in marriage. She loved David but also “despised” him as he danced in front of the Ark.
Significance: Michal is a prominent women in the texts of Samuel. She is an example of one of many figures who ought to love Saul, but in fact loves David. She illustrates the favor of David as opposed to Saul and the relationship furthers the idea that David was not a usurper but rather beloved and chosen to rule.
Bathsheba
– Originally the wife of Uriah, she is the object of David’s adultery and her pregnancy is the reason for the murder of Uriah. After marrying David she uses her power at the end of his life to place her son, Solomon, on the throne.
Significance: One of the many women in the Davidic story who play a significant role, Bathsheba represents a turning point in the Davidic story in which he fails as a leader and father. Bathsheba’s actions eventually place Solomon, rather than the rightful heir on the throne.
Extispicy
– the practice of using animal’s organs to predict the outcome of a future event, common in Mesopotamia. Can also refer to entrails and the liver in particular.
Signficance: Divination practiced throughout the ANE but forbidden in Israel and shows how prophesy was an inspired revelation from God, not a deductive sign from nature.
Zerubbabel
– Grandson of Jehoachin, governor of the Persian Province, and led the first group of exiles home
Significance: Laid the foundation of the second temple
