Early Israelites Chapter 3:ii

Living in Canaan alongside the Phoenicians and Philistines was a tribe known as the Hebrews. CANAAN

Many of the people of Canaan were polytheistic, worshipping more than one god.

The Phoenicians worshipped Baal, or Melqart, the Canaanite god of storms,... [Image source:

an earth- mother goddess named Astarte, and... [Image source:

a young god of rebirth named Adon. [Image source:

[Image source: The Hebrews were monotheistic, believing in one all-powerful God who created everything there is.

The Hebrews believed God revealed his inscrutable will through His prophets, or holy messengers. [Image source:

[Image source: The Hebrews believed their God (Yahweh) determined right and wrong.

[Image source: Their God expected people to accept moral responsibility for their actions.

Yahweh also expected people to deal justly with each other. [Image source:

Judaism gave birth to the other two great monotheistic religions ChristianityIslam

[Image source: The Bible is one of the main sources of ancient history in the Fertile Crescent.

The Bible is a record of the early Hebrews.

Many of the early stories relate the lives of the patriarchs, or fathers, of the Hebrews.

The Israelites trace their ancestry back over 4,000 years to Father Abram (circa 1900 B.C.).

Abram was from the city of Ur in southern Mesopotamia. [Image source:

The patriarch Abram left his home in Ur and migrated to Canaan circa 1900 B.C. [Image source: Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 2000, p. 19.]

Along the way, Abram stopped in the city of Haran.

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The Israelites believe God made a covenant, or agreement, with Abram. [Image source: “I will make you a great nation.”

Canaan contained rocky hills, deserts, and fertile plains. [Image source:

The best farm land was located in the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan River Valley. [Image source:

Many people lived as nomads herding sheep and goats. [Image source:

Abram was very old before God blessed him and Sarai with a son. [Image source:

Abram’s faith was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. [Image source:

[Image source: It was after this test of faith that Abram’s name was changed to Abraham.

The Patriarch Jacob became known as Israel, or “He who strives with God.” [Image source:

Twelve Tribes of Israel Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Joseph Benjamin

His favorite son Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. [Image source:

Joseph rose to the rank of vizier, second only to pharaoh in power throughout the Land of Egypt. [Image source:

While living in Egypt, the Children of Israel became slaves.

[Image source: God heard the cries of His people for help and sent them a deliverer named Moses.

God told Moses to lead the Hebrews out of their Egyptian captivity.

On their exodus, or departure, from Egypt the Children of Israel were led and protected by God. [Image source:

During the exodus, Moses led the People of Israel through the Red Sea.

During the trek across the Sinai Peninsula, God spoke to Israel through the Prophet Moses. [Image source:

This is why Moses is sometimes known as the “Law-Giver.”

Ten Commandments 1. Have no other gods. 2. Do not worship graven images. 3. Do not use the Lord’s name in vain. 4. Honor the sabbath day and keep it holy.

Ten Commandments (continued) 5. Honor your father and mother. 6. Do not kill. 7. Do not commit adultery. 8. Do not steal. 9. Do not lie. 10. Do not covet.

Moses was ultimately credited with writing the first five books of the Bible, known as the Law of Moses.

The first five books of the Old Testament are also known as the Pentateuch Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

Aaron, the brother of Moses, served as the high priest during the sojourn in the Wilderness. [Image source:

After Moses died, the mantle of leadership fell upon his protégé Joshua. [Image source:

[Image source: Under Joshua’s leadership, the Children of Israel reduced and captured the fortress- city of Jericho.

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The Israelites quickly occupied the land. [Image source:

The Israelites settled in Canaan after defeating and expelling the Philistines.

Each of the Twelve Tribes was assigned an area to settle in by lot. [Image source:

Many of the Israelites turned to farming as a way of life. [Image source: modules/top_agrev/4-Agriculture/agriculture3.html]

Leaders known as “judges” ruled each tribe of Israel, serving as both judicial and military leaders.

God used women, such as Deborah, to vanquish the foes of Israel. [Image source:

Samson and Delilah [Image source:

During this time period, Israel was a theocracy where God was the king. [Image source:

[Image source: Ark of the Covenant

[Image source: Eventually, the Children of Israel demanded that the Prophet Samuel “appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations.”

Samuel anointed Saul of the Tribe of Benjamin to be the first king of Israel. [Image source:

[Image source: Saul would later fall in battle with the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.

It was during Sauls’ regnum that a shepherd- boy, acting as champion for the God of Israel, defeated Goliath of Gath. [Image source:

Using a sling, he stunned the giant before cutting off his head. [Image source:

This shepherd- boy would later go on to become King David of Israel. [Image source: ]

King David of the Tribe of Judah was a warrior, poet, and musician. [Image source:

David organized a central government at his new capital of Jerusalem and enlarged the kingdom’s borders. [Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 1999, p. 22.]

[Image source: Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 1999, p. 23.]

The unified Kingdom of Israel only lasted for a short time.

David’s son Solomon, who was renowned for his wisdom, succeeded him as king in 961 B.C. [Image source:

Solomon built a lavish temple in Jerusalem to honour God.

The Ark of the Covenant was housed in the new temple. [Images source:

Solomon also founded new cities as both centers of commerce and for the defense of his realm. [Image source: Biblical Archaeology Review, September/October 1997, pp ]

Solomon used his wealth to build a new palace for himself and his many wives and concubines. [Image source:

After the reign of Solomon, Israel split into a northern and a southern kingdom as a result of a dynastic struggle.

The northern kingdom retained the name of Israel.

The southern kingdom was known as Judah, after the dominant tribe.

[Image source: The two Jewish kingdoms were weakened by the constant warfare between them and between them and their many neighbors.

Both kingdoms were apostate.

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In 772 B.C. the Assyrians conquered Israel.

Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 1998, p. 50.

Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 1999, p. 37.

The ten northern tribes of Israel were scattered throughout the Assyrian empire. [Image source:

Exile to Babylon

[Image source: In 586 B.C. the Chaldeans gained control of Judah and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem.

Many of Judah’s leaders were carried off to captivity in Babylon. [Image source:

Rebuilding Jerusalem [Image source:

Diaspora [Image source:

Lasting Legacy

“Israel is laid waste, his seed not” Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, July/August 1996, p. 36.

Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 1999, p. 35. “The heights of David”

“Tribute of Jehu, son of Omri” Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, July/August 1997, p. 41.