1. “Land Between the Rivers”
Mesopotamia
“Land Between the Rivers”

2. Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews
Preserved historical experiences in sacred writings
Group
Distinction
Hebrews
Spoke Hebrew language
Israelites
Hebrews who settled in Palestine (1200 BCE)
Jews
Descendants from southern Israel who settled in Judah

3. Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews
Abraham from Sumerian city of Ur-> moved to northern Mesopotamia (1850 BCE)
Early Hebrews
Nature spirits inhabit trees, rocks, mountains
Deities as patrons and protectors of the clans
Recognize deities, values, and customs of Mesopotamia- lex talionis
Flood story common to other peoples in Mesopotamia
Suggests they participated in Mesopotamian society

4. Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews
Monotheism- belief in one god
Hebrews inhabit land from Mesopotamia to Egypt-> migrate to Egypt and are enslaved

5. Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews
Moses
Believes in Yahweh- supremely powerful deity, creator, sustainer of the world
Yahweh is personal god, followers worship him and observe high moral standards
Mesopotamian gods seen as imposters/false idols
Ten Commandments- religious and ethical principals that Moses announced to Israelites
Hebrews establish elaborate law code after Moses’ death
Protect widows, orphans, slaves, poor
Torah- holy scriptures in a compilation of teachings and laws
Reward and punishment to individuals and community

6. Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews
1300 BCE- Led out of Egypt to Palestine-> form 12 tribes (Israelites)
Live in hills of Palestine after 1200 BCE
Fought with other inhabitants of Palestine
Abandoned 12 tribes for monarchy

7. Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews
Form several small kingdoms after 1000 BCE
King David ( BCE)
King Solomon ( BCE)
Built temple instead of ziggurat to honor Yahweh
Dominated from Syria to Sinai Peninsula
Interact, fight, and intermarry with neighboring peoples
Capital city of Jerusalem-> diplomatic and commercial relationship with Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Arabia
Create iron tools and weapons
Sometimes worship other gods

8. Assyrian and Babylonian Conquests
After King Solomon, tribal tensions lead to community division
Large kingdom of Israel in north
Small kingdom of Judah in Judea in the south
Assyrian rulers conquer Israel (722 BCE)
New Babylonian Empire defeats Assyrians
conquer Judah
Destroy Jerusalem (586 BCE)
Israelites in north and Judeans in south exiled
Judeans maintain identity and return to Judea as Jews

9. Assyrian and Babylonian Conquests
In turmoil, Israelites increase devotion to Yahweh
Prophets ( BCE) encourage and criticize Israelites
Materialism
Neglect needy
Worship fertility gods and nature deities
Israelites saw conquests and proof of Yahweh’s punishment

10. Early Jewish Community
Returning Judeans organize small Jewish states within great empires (600 BCE)
Develop distinctive religious community
Special relationship with Yahweh
Devotion to Torah’s teachings
Concerns for justice and righteousness