History and Context of the Bible

HISTORY OF ISRAEL At the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, there were no great empires in the Middle East. Various tribal groups moved around, exchanged ideas and religious beliefs among tribes, but no group was dominant At the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, there were no great empires in the Middle East. Various tribal groups moved around, exchanged ideas and religious beliefs among tribes, but no group was dominant

HISTORY OF ISRAEL The nation of Israel collected under Moses came about from joining several groups of people (tribes). They entered Palestine The nation of Israel collected under Moses came about from joining several groups of people (tribes). They entered Palestine For about 200 years, the tribe was loosely knit without any form of government. When the need arose, judges would lead the people For about 200 years, the tribe was loosely knit without any form of government. When the need arose, judges would lead the people

HISTORY OF ISRAEL In the 11th century BCE, the Philistines gained power over the tribes, killed or scattered the priests and tribes. Saul was chosen as King of the remaining Israelite people to unite the tribes and lead them into battle. King David took over and defeated the Philistines. Under King David, all of the land of Canaan became Israelite territory. David created a court and a government in Jerusalem In the 11th century BCE, the Philistines gained power over the tribes, killed or scattered the priests and tribes. Saul was chosen as King of the remaining Israelite people to unite the tribes and lead them into battle. King David took over and defeated the Philistines. Under King David, all of the land of Canaan became Israelite territory. David created a court and a government in Jerusalem

History of Israel When King Solomon took over, he tried to rule the state economically, which did not work. He divided the territory into twelve states, and taxed them heavily. People were angered because all money went to Jerusalem. The empire was divided into two rival states Israel in the North and Judah in the south. This weakened the Israelites greatly. When King Solomon took over, he tried to rule the state economically, which did not work. He divided the territory into twelve states, and taxed them heavily. People were angered because all money went to Jerusalem. The empire was divided into two rival states Israel in the North and Judah in the south. This weakened the Israelites greatly.

HISTORY OF ISRAEL The Northern state was conquered by the Assyrians and were forced to practice pagan religions The Northern state was conquered by the Assyrians and were forced to practice pagan religions The South became the centre of the Israelite religion The South became the centre of the Israelite religion In the 6th Century BCE, Judah became a vassal state of Babylonia. Much of Jerusalem was destroyed, including the Temple In the 6th Century BCE, Judah became a vassal state of Babylonia. Much of Jerusalem was destroyed, including the Temple

HISTORY OF ISRAEL In 538, the Babylonians fell to the Persians, and a new King, Cyrus, ordered the restoration of the Jewish community, including the rebuilding of the Temple In 538, the Babylonians fell to the Persians, and a new King, Cyrus, ordered the restoration of the Jewish community, including the rebuilding of the Temple Conquered by Greek rule, who forced Greek culture on the Jews Conquered by Greek rule, who forced Greek culture on the Jews

Panorama of Biblical History 1. What Patriarch is the founding father of Judaism and Christianity? 2. What Patriarch lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt? 3. Who was the first King of the Israelites? 4. Who was the greatest King of the Israelites? 5. In what century was the Temple in Jerusalem destroyed? 6. What ‘country’ was dominant in Israel/Palestine during the birth of Jesus Christ?