Hebrew Bible Flashcards
What is the Septuagint (LXX), and how does it differ from the Hebrew Bible?
The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, initiated in the 3rd century BCE for the Jewish community in Alexandria. It differs in language, structure, and content, including additional books not found in the Hebrew Bible and textual variations such as a shorter version of Jeremiah.
What is the Masoretic Text (MT)?
The Masoretic Text is the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible, established by the Masoretes between the 6th and 10th centuries CE, known for its precise preservation of the biblical text, including vowel signs, accents, and cantillation marks.
What are the Dead Sea Scrolls, and why are they significant?
The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient manuscripts discovered near the Dead Sea, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. They include the oldest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible and offer critical insights into the textual history and diversity of Second Temple Judaism.
What languages are used in the Hebrew Bible, and why is this important?
The Hebrew Bible is primarily written in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic (e.g., parts of Daniel and Ezra). Understanding these languages is crucial for interpreting the original texts and their historical context.
What are the three main sections of the Hebrew Bible, and what do they contain?
The Hebrew Bible is divided into three sections:
Torah (Law): Includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Nevi’im (Prophets): Includes Former Prophets (e.g., Joshua, Kings) and Latter Prophets (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah).
Ketuvim (Writings): Includes diverse books like Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Chronicles.
Why is the study of textual variants important in Hebrew Bible studies?
Textual variants, such as those found between the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and Dead Sea Scrolls, are crucial for understanding the development, transmission, and interpretation of biblical texts over time.
What does canonization refer to in the context of the Hebrew Bible?
Canonization refers to the process by which the Jewish community determined which books were divinely inspired and authoritative, forming the Hebrew Bible. This process involved debates and decisions over centuries, especially after the destruction of the Second Temple.
What is the significance of understanding the authorship of the Hebrew Bible?
Knowing about the authors and their historical contexts helps in interpreting the texts more accurately, revealing the socio-political and theological influences that shaped them. Modern scholarship often attributes the books to multiple authors and redactors rather than single individuals.
What are some of the literary forms found in the Hebrew Bible?
The Hebrew Bible contains various literary forms, including:
Narrative: Historical accounts, ancestral stories.
Law: Legal codes such as the Covenant Code and Deuteronomic Code.
Poetry: Psalms, wisdom literature like Proverbs and Job.
Prophecy: Oracles and visions found in books like Isaiah and Ezekiel.
How does the historical context of Second Temple Judaism influence the Hebrew Bible?
The historical context of Second Temple Judaism, including the diverse sects and beliefs of the time, significantly influenced the composition, interpretation, and canonization of the Hebrew Bible. This period also saw the development of significant texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls, which offer insights into the religious life of the era.
