Terms & Concepts 2 Flashcards
Symbolism of Mountains
Natural meeting places between heaven and earth
Sites of divine revelation (Sinai, Moriah, Zion)
Represent transcendence, permanence, and divine dwelling
Jacob’s numinous experience
Dream at Bethel of ladder/stairway with angels
Direct encounter with God who renewed covenant promises
Resulted in naming the site “House of God” and setting up a pillar
Temples and their symbolism
Earthly dwelling places for deities
Microcosms representing the ordered universe
Centers for sacrifice, purification, and divine-human interaction
Holy Place & Most Holy Place
Two main chambers of Israelite temple/tabernacle
Holy Place: contained altar of incense, lampstand, table of showbread
Most Holy Place: contained ark of covenant, accessible only to high priest once yearly
Ark of the Covenant (Construction & Symbolism)
Gold-covered wooden chest containing stone tablets, Aaron’s rod, manna
Topped by cherubim figures flanking the mercy seat (God’s throne)
Represented divine presence, covenant relationship, and divine law
Moses’ numinous experience
Burning bush encounter on Mount Horeb
Revelation of divine name (YHWH) and commission to free Israel
Direct communication with God on Mount Sinai
Theophany
Visible manifestation or appearance of God to humans
Often associated with natural phenomena (fire, cloud, storm)
Accompanied by fear, awe, and transformation in the recipient
Covenant experiences
Formalized relationships between God and humans
Included promises, obligations, ratification ceremonies
Structured like ancient Near Eastern treaties
Suzerain
Dominant party in ancient treaty relationships
The greater king who establishes covenant terms
God functions as suzerain in biblical covenants
Vassal
Subordinate party in covenant relationship
Subject king/people bound by loyalty to suzerain
Israel as vassal to God in biblical covenants
Noachic covenant (scope, content, sign, and nature)
Scope: Universal, including all living creatures
Content: Promise never again to destroy earth by flood
Sign: Rainbow as reminder of divine promise
Nature: Unconditional divine commitment
Abrahamic covenant (scope, content, sign, ratification, & nature)
Scope: Abraham’s descendants as chosen people
Content: Promises of land, descendants, and blessing
Sign: Circumcision marking male descendants
Ratification: Animal sacrifice ceremony in Genesis 15
Nature: Largely unconditional, based on divine promise
theophany in Israel’s numinous experience
Mount Sinai: fire, cloud, thunder, and smoke
Tabernacle/Temple: glory cloud filling sanctuary
Established Israel’s unique identity and calling
Mosaic covenant (content, sign, nature)
Content: Ten Commandments and Torah law
Sign: Sabbath observance
Nature: Conditional, requiring obedience for blessings
Annunciation Experiences
Divine announcements of significant births (Isaac, John the Baptist, Jesus)
Often through angelic messengers
Recipients respond with mixture of fear, doubt, and acceptance
