Hebrew lit

• Objectives

  • Identify the divisions of the Bible and the books under each division
  • Narrate one of the parables of Jesus
  • Appreciate the literary masterpiece of the Jews
• The Bible


  A collection of thirty-nine (39) Old Testament books and thirty-seven (37) New Testament books which chiefly dedicated to the ancient history of Jews from 750B.C. to c.A.D. 100
• The Bible is the most widely read book in the world
• The Bible has been translated into more languages and dialects than any other
• Divisions of the Old Testament

  • History
  • Prophetic Books
  • Lyric Poetry
  • Drama
  • Wisdom Literature
  • Tales
• History


  • Trace the history of Hebrews from the creation of the world down through the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the return from the Babylonian exile
• Books of the Hexateuch

  • Genesis
  • Exodus
  • Leviticus
  • Numbers
  • Deuteronomy
  • Joshua
• Pentateuch


  The first five of six, Hexateuch group of (G,E,L,ND,J)
• The Hexateuch dates from c.350 B.C.; parts of it were written perhaps as early as 950 B.C.
• The Hexateuch is based on four principal sources, the so-called J,E,P and D Documents
• Books of the History division

  • Genesis
  • Exodus
  • Leviticus
  • Numbers
  • Deuteronomy
  • Joshua
  • Judges
  • I Samuel
  • II Samuel
  • I Kings
  • II Kings
  • Nehemiah
• Genesis


  Chapters 1-11 contain accounts of the creation of the world and man, the fall of Adam and Eve, Cain's murder of Abel, Noah's flood, and the Tower of Babel. The remaining chapters deal with four cycles of legends, revolving, respectively, around the central figures of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
• Exodus


  Deals with Hebrew's escape from Egypt and their journey back to Palestine under the able leadership of Moses
• Leviticus


  Embodies a religious and legal system of laws, codes, rites, and sacrifices
• Numbers


  Contains an unreliable census, more religious laws and customs, and some narratives concerning Moses
• Deuteronomy


  Based on the "Book of Law" found in the Temple at Jerusalem in 621B.C. It repeats much of Leviticus, but it contains some original narrative material concerning the wandering of Hebrews in the wilderness, and it tells the death of Moses
• Joshua


  Presents a narrative of the way Israel took possession of the land of Canaan, led by Joshua, the successor of Moses
• Judges


  Depicts the life of Israel in the Promised Land from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy
• I Samuel


  A continuation of Hebrew history under the judges and under Saul, the first king
• II Samuel


  Narrates David's rise and reign as king of Israel, illustrating the Lord's generosity and kindness to those who are faithful to Him, but also recounting the sins of David and his sons Amnon and Absalom
• I Kings


  A history written for the purpose of providing that God rewarded His worshipers and punished his enemies, covering the period from the death of David to the accession of Aziah of Israel
• II Kings


  Continues the history through the fall of the kingdoms of Israel (721 B.C.) and of Judah (586 B.C.)
• Nehemiah


  A personal memoir by the political leader of the Hebrews on their return from exile in Babylon, telling of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and of the religious reforms effected by Nehemiah
• Prophetic Books


  • Amos
  • Hosea
  • Micah
  • Isaiah
  • Habakkuk
  • Jeremiah
  • Lamentation
  • Ezekiel
  • The Unknown Prophet
• Prophets


  Not primarily soothsayers, but rather religious and social reformers
• Amos


  Voices a stern and uncompromising warning to the Kingdom of Israel of utter annihilation unless social reforms are immediately effected, often considered the first to emphasize the justness of God
• Hosea


  Stresses God's mercy and forgiveness rather than His justice, and entreats instead of denouncing, emphasizing God's love and willingness to forgive
• Micah


  Combines the attitudes of Amos and Hosea, foretelling not only the punishment of the wicked but also an era of redemption and prosperity, and is probably the first author to express the hope for universal peace
• Isaiah


  Generally recognized as the greatest of the prophets, a statesman as well as religious leader who advocated collaboration with Assyria, placing his hope in a "saving remnant" from whom eventually would spring a Messiah
• Habakkuk


  Contains the earliest Hebrew discussion of the problem of evil, foreseeing that the tyranny Babylon would succeed that of Assyria and wondering whether the wicked will really be punished and the righteous rewarded
• Jeremiah


  A book of gloomy prophecy, opposing rebellion against Babylon and later carried off as a prisoner by refugees who fled to Egypt when Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C., holding no hope for the survival of his nation but placing his only reliance on personal righteousness
• Lamentations


  Erroneously attributed to Jeremiah, a prophetic only in spirit, this poem bemoans the fall of Jerusalem
• Ezekiel


  Written in Babylon by an exiled priest, helping maintain Hebrew morale by emphasizing the importance of ritualistic practices while paradoxically rejecting the doctrines of vicarious righteousness and of the visitation upon the sons of the sins of the fathers, visionary and mystic
• The Unknown Prophet


  Of Exilic authorship, this book is exuberant and rapturous, suggesting a new interpretation of Jewish history where the suffering of the people are not divine punishment for sins, but vicarious sufferings for the instruction and redemption of mankind, and suggesting a Messiah of peace
• Lyric Poetry


  • The Psalms
• The Psalms


  An anthology of 150 hymns, compiled c.150 B.C., varying widely in tone, content, and style from personal to antiphonal and liturgical to vindictive and violent to lofty and noble
• Drama


  • Job
  • The Song of Songs / Song of Solomon
• Job


  A philosophical drama, principally in poetic form, probably influenced by Greek tragedy, exploring the problem of evil as Satan persuades God to let him try the righteous and prosperous man Job by afflicting him
• The Song of Songs / Song of Solomon


  A semidramatic poem intended to be presented with songs and dances as part of a wedding ceremony, beautiful, sensous, and sometimes highly erotic
• There are two examples of dramatic writing in the Bible, although there was no theater in Palestine