Hebrew Bible 1-4 Flashcards
What are the primary languages of the Hebrew Bible? 1.1
The Hebrew Bible is primarily written in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic, reflecting the historical and linguistic contexts of its composition.
What are the three main divisions of the Hebrew Bible?
The Hebrew Bible is divided into Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings), collectively known as the Tanach or Tanakh.
How does the sequence of books in the Hebrew Bible differ in various contexts?
In the Jewish canon, the Hebrew Bible has a tripartite division and 24 books. The Christian Old Testament includes the same texts but with a different order and additional books in some traditions.
What is the Septuagint (LXX)?
The Septuagint (LXX) is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, created in the 3rd century BCE for the Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt.
How does the Septuagint differ from the Hebrew Bible in terms of content?
The Septuagint includes additional books not found in the Hebrew Bible, known as the Deuterocanonical books in Christian traditions.
What are some textual differences between the Septuagint and the Hebrew Bible?
The Septuagint has notable textual variants, such as a shorter version of the book of Jeremiah compared to the Masoretic Text (MT).
Why are the Dead Sea Scrolls significant for biblical studies?
The Dead Sea Scrolls include the oldest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible, predating the Masoretic Text by about a thousand years.
How do the Dead Sea Scrolls contribute to our understanding of textual variants?
The Scrolls reveal significant textual variants compared to the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and the Samaritan Pentateuch, showing the diversity of biblical texts.
What insights do the Dead Sea Scrolls provide into Second Temple Judaism?
The Dead Sea Scrolls offer valuable insights into the diversity of beliefs and practices during Second Temple Judaism, including apocalyptic expectations and messianic beliefs.
How do modern scholars view the authorship of the Hebrew Bible?
Modern scholarship generally views the Hebrew Bible as the product of multiple authors and redactors over extended periods, rather than single authors.
Why is understanding the historical context of the authors important?
Knowing the historical context of the authors helps situate the texts within the broader socio-political and religious dynamics of the Ancient Near East.
How does understanding the authorship influence theological interpretation?
Understanding the multiple voices and redactions in the texts can highlight evolving theological themes and inform how we interpret the Hebrew Bible today.
