Ancient Israelites The First Israelites Section 1 Notes

Did You know?  The peak of Mount Sinai, where- according to the Bible- Moses received the 10 Commandments, can be reached by climbing 3,750 stone steps. The steps were created by the monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery.

The Early Israelites  The Israelites built a kingdom in Canaan, along the Mediterranean Sea in southwest Asia, in 1000 B.C.  Israelites believed in one god= monotheism.  Israelite faith became the religion of Judaism. Judaism influenced Christianity and Islam and helped shape the beliefs of European and American societies. Judaism influenced Christianity and Islam and helped shape the beliefs of European and American societies. Israelites spoke Hebrew and wrote their history and beliefs in what later became the Hebrew Bible. Israelites spoke Hebrew and wrote their history and beliefs in what later became the Hebrew Bible. Israelites believed they were descended from a man named Abraham. Israelites believed they were descended from a man named Abraham. Israelites believed God told Abraham to settle in Canaan and worship one true God.Israelites believed God told Abraham to settle in Canaan and worship one true God. Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, raised 12 sons Canaan.Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, raised 12 sons Canaan. Their families became the 12 tribes of Israel. Their families became the 12 tribes of Israel. After 100 years in Canaan, the Israelites suffered a drought. After 100 years in Canaan, the Israelites suffered a drought. To survive, they went to Egypt.To survive, they went to Egypt.

The Early Israelites continued  The Egyptian Pharaoh enslaved Israelites. To prevent Israelites from rebelling, the pharaoh ordered all baby boys thrown into the Nile River. To prevent Israelites from rebelling, the pharaoh ordered all baby boys thrown into the Nile River. Pharaoh’s daughter found a baby boy in a basket on the riverbank. Pharaoh’s daughter found a baby boy in a basket on the riverbank. Named him Moses.Named him Moses. When Moses grew up, he herded sheep in hills outside of Egypt. In hills, he saw a burning bush and heard a voice. He believed it was God telling him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When Moses grew up, he herded sheep in hills outside of Egypt. In hills, he saw a burning bush and heard a voice. He believed it was God telling him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Bible says God sent 10 plagues to trouble Egypt. Bible says God sent 10 plagues to trouble Egypt. Last plague killed all the 1st born children, except for those Israelites who marked their doors with lamb’s blood.Last plague killed all the 1st born children, except for those Israelites who marked their doors with lamb’s blood. Plague convinced pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt.Plague convinced pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt. After Israelites left, pharaoh changed his mind. After Israelites left, pharaoh changed his mind. He sent soldiers after the Israelites.He sent soldiers after the Israelites. Bible says that God parted the Red Sea, so the Israelites could pass.Bible says that God parted the Red Sea, so the Israelites could pass. Water flowed back when the soldiers tried to cross, and they drowned.Water flowed back when the soldiers tried to cross, and they drowned.

The Early Israelites continued  On the way back to Canaan, Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai and received laws from God. These laws were known as the Torah. These laws were known as the Torah. This became the 1st part of the Hebrew Bible.This became the 1st part of the Hebrew Bible. The Ten Commandments- what God believes is right and wrong- are the most important part of the Torah.The Ten Commandments- what God believes is right and wrong- are the most important part of the Torah. Then 10 Commandments helped form the basic moral laws of many nations. Then 10 Commandments helped form the basic moral laws of many nations.

Discussion Question  What promise did God make in the covenant with Israel? God promised to return the Israelites to Canaan if they followed the laws of the Torah. God promised to return the Israelites to Canaan if they followed the laws of the Torah.

The Promised Land  It took the Israelites about 40 years to reach Canaan. Along the way, Moses died, and Joshua took over. Along the way, Moses died, and Joshua took over. When the Israelites reached Canaan, they found a group of people, the Canaanites, living there. When the Israelites reached Canaan, they found a group of people, the Canaanites, living there. Israelites believed it was God’s will to conquer the Canaanites.Israelites believed it was God’s will to conquer the Canaanites. Joshua led Israelites into battle. Joshua led Israelites into battle. They marched around the walls of the city of Jericho for 6 days. They marched around the walls of the city of Jericho for 6 days. On the 7th day, Israelites let out a great shout, and the walls of Jericho crumbled. On the 7th day, Israelites let out a great shout, and the walls of Jericho crumbled. Joshua led the Israelites in 3 more wars. Joshua led the Israelites in 3 more wars. The land they seized was divided among the 12 tribes.The land they seized was divided among the 12 tribes.  After Joshua’s death, the Israelites looked to judges for leadership. Judges were usually military leaders who led one or two tribes. Judges were usually military leaders who led one or two tribes. Eventually, the Israelites won the hilly region of Canaan, and the Canaanites kept the coastal areas. Eventually, the Israelites won the hilly region of Canaan, and the Canaanites kept the coastal areas. The Israelites built walled towns to protect themselves.The Israelites built walled towns to protect themselves.  Phoenicians were a group of Canaanites who developed an alphabet. An alphabet is a group of letters that stands for sounds. An alphabet is a group of letters that stands for sounds.

Discussion Question  How did the Phoenicians affect other cultures of the world? Passed on their alphabet to the Greeks and the Romans. Passed on their alphabet to the Greeks and the Romans. This alphabet is the basis for most Western alphabets of today. This alphabet is the basis for most Western alphabets of today.