O.T. Test

Question 1

Name and identify 3 components of the classical model of communication

Answer 1

1. Sender (originator of the message)
2. Channel (The medium through which the message is communicated)
3. Receiver (The one who receives the message)

Question 2

How does the classic communication model apply to the study of the Bible?

Answer 2

1. The Sender is the author and God
2. The Channel is the scripture
3. The Receiver is the original audience

Question 3

What is the meaning of the word “canon”

Answer 3

• A measuring stick

- An authoritative collection of documents

Question 4

What was the council of Jamnia, and when did it occur?

Answer 4

It was a council that closed the O.T. canon for the Jews and established the cut off date of 400 B.C. The Council occurred in 90 A.D.

Question 5

Is it easy to identify the authors of most O.T. texts? Why or why not?

Answer 5

It is not easy because the authors are not usually explicitly named

Question 6

What is meant by “composite artistry”?

Answer 6

It is a technique of putting parallel accounts in dynamically complementary sequences

Question 7

What is the “Documentary Hypothesis”, and to what biblical texts does it refer?

Answer 7

The Pentateuch had multiple authors and was independent narratives that were put together by redactors or editors. I.E. Genesis 1-11 and Isaiah.

Question 8

What is the meaning of “pseudepigrapha”?

Answer 8

It means false inscriptions

Question 9

Are the books of the Apocrypha found in the Hebrew Bible?

Answer 9

Yes they are

Question 10

What is meant by “literary competence” and what is its significance in biblical studies?

Answer 10

• It is the ability to recognize characteristics of different genres
• This is significant in biblical studies because by knowing the genre and characteristics we will be able to better interpret and know the author’s original meaning.

Question 11

What are three sources of ambiguity in the Hebrew language?

Answer 11

1. Ambiguity of the tense system
2. Ambiguity of the construct relationship
3. Ambiguity of subordination

Question 12

What are the main forms of Hebrew poetic parallelism?

Answer 12

1. Repetition
2. Synonymous
3. Antithetical
4. Synthetic/Climatic
5. Chiasm

Question 13

What are 3 sources of unintentional error in the transmission of the Hebrew text?

Answer 13

1. Confusion of sounds or letters
2. Incorrect vocalization
3. Omissions

Question 14

Name 2 sources of intentional error in the transmission of the text

Answer 14

1. Harmonization

2. Expansion

Question 15

What is the Peshitta?

Answer 15

The Syriac Bible also known as the Syriac Vulgate

Question 16

What is “form criticism”?

Answer 16

The method of analyzing and interpreting the literature of the Old Testament through a study of its literary types and genres.

Question 17

What are the two principal differences between biblical historiography and modern historiography?

Answer 17

1. Divine Causality- God is behind history

2. Author Omniscient- Author knows what people and God are thinking

Question 18

Is biblical history always presented in chronological sequence?

Answer 18

No, because it can go back and forth and is not always chronological with the setting of the author vs. setting of the story

Question 19

What is the significance of “point of view” in biblical narrative?

Answer 19

• It helps us see from whose eyes the action is being viewed

- The point of view may change many times in a biblical narrative

Question 20

What is the difference between “apodictic” and “casuistic” law?

Answer 20

Apodictic is straight forth laws of dos and don’ts

Casuistic has to do with cause and affect i.e. if…then…

Question 21

Briefly describe the major features of Hebrew poetry including different kinds of poetic parallelism.

Answer 21

1. Rarely use rhyme, and probably no meter
2. Lines of similar length
3. Parallelism (Repetition, synonymous, antithetical, synthetic, and chiasm)
   - 1/3 of O.T. is written in poetic form

Question 22

Describe the main differences between “prophecy” and “apocalyptic”

Answer 22

1. Prophecy is meant as being a spokesperson for God
   - Announce coming judgment
   - Announce coming salvation
   - Call sinners to repentance
2. Apocalyptic gives encouragement to the oppressed
   - Frequently reflects a time of crisis
   - Envisions a major break in world history
   - Presented not as possibility, but certainty
   2a. Employs strange imagery, angelic interpreter, and much “eschatological” content

Question 23

Describe the significance of “historical background” in biblical interpretation, including the concept of “dual nature” of historical context. Use specific examples from biblical texts.

Answer 23

The historical background is significant in interpretation as it gives immediate context as well as futuristic implications. I.E. Psalm 2

Question 24

Briefly define “genre” and summarize its importance in biblical interpretation

Answer 24

-Genre- Literary form or category
- 3 main Genres:
1. Prose (history and law)
2. Poetry
3. Prophecy
It is important to know what genre we are reading in order to understand what is being communicated and how it was intended to be understood by the author.

Question 25

Discuss the significance of progressive revelation in O.T. interpretation

Answer 25

• Revelation is truth that is revealed or uncovered
• Progressive revelation means revelation that is understood as O.T. passages understood in light of N.T. in Jesus Christ. It is interpretation based upon a greater meaning later discovered.