Inter-Testimental & Jewish Backgrounds

Transcription

1 Inter-Testimental & Jewish Backgrounds

2 Persian Period ( BCE) Lays foundations of postbiblical Judaism But scarce extra-biblical evidence Persians allow Jews to return Two major accomplishments: Rebuilding of Temple Collection and study of Torah Scribes replace priests/prophets as interpreters of law

3 Greek Period ( BCE) Alexander the Great takes Palestine in 332 Brings Hellenization with him, language and culture When Alexander dies, kingdom divided Ptolemies (Egypt) control Palestine, Jews thrive, LXX translated Seleucids (Syria) control Palestine, Jews not treated so well, revolt

4 Precursors to Maccabean Revolt BCE Antiochus IV Epiphanes reigns Not good for Jews 175 BCE 172 BCE Jason outbids Onias III for HP Menelaus outbids Jason for HP Begins making Jerusalem Greek polis Pro-Greek vs. Hasidim (pious ones) BCE Ant. IV s Egyptian campaigns Robs temple, slaughters Jews Acra 167 BCE Ant. IV persecutes Jews Sacrifices pig in temple 25 Chislev, 167

5 Hasmonean Period ( BCE) 167 BCE 164 BCE Hasmonean family revolts Cleanse and rededicate temple Judas Maccabeus leads Antiochus IV dies in East Hashmonay 161 BCE Judas makes treaty with Rome = 1 Macc BCE Judas killed Brothers and their sons rule 142 BCE Hasmoneans gain full independence Rule and priesthood

6

7 Roman Period (63 BCE on) 63 BCE 48 BCE 44 BCE 42 BCE 40 BCE 37-4 BCE Pompey captures Jerusalem, ends Hasmonean rule Gives HP to Hyrcanus II (eventually) Caesar defeats Pompey, Antipater rescues Caesar in Alexandria Makes Antipater gov. of Judea, Phasael/Herod gov. of Jerusalem/Galilee Caesar assassinated, conspirator Cassius flees east Antipater and Herod side with him for time being Cassius defeated, Marc Antony now in control Herod + Phasael side with Marc Antony, he names them tetrarchs Antigonus, son of Aristobulus II successfully retakes control Kills Phasael, holds title of king and HP for 3 yrs (last Hasmonean) Herod escapes to Rome, declared King of Judea by Senate (40 BCE) Retakes Jerusalem, kills Antigonus, now sole client king of Judea

8

9 Jewish Revolts First Jewish Revolt, CE, begun under Nero Quelled by Vespasian and Titus (both later emperors) Temple destroyed Further rebellions of Jews in Cyrene, Egypt, Cyprus CE, under Trajan Bar Kochba Revolt, CE, under Hadrian Son of a Star = declared messiah Jerusalem and temple destroyed for good Reestablished as Aelia Capitolina, with temple for Zeus

10 Septuagint Greek translation of Torah, later whole OT Books Called LXX = 70 (or 72), for rabbis who translated it Likely originated in Alexandria Story told in Letter of Aristeas Not one LXX, but many Scriptures of early church Differs from Hebrew text

11 Apocrypha = hidden, in LXX, but not in Hebrew Bible Coined by Jerome, included in his Latin Vulgate Genres: narrative, history, liturgical, wisdom, etc. Books like: 1-2 Maccabees Tobit Judith Sirach Wisdom of Solomon

12 Pseudepigrapha = false writings, but not all are written under false name Genres: Rewritten Scripture, apocalyptic, wisdom, testaments, psalms, etc. Books like: 1 Enoch Jubilees Testament of Moses Sibylline Oracles Letter of Aristeas

13 Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered in caves near Qumran, 1947 Thousand years older than next oldest OT manuscript Probably works of Essene sect Two categories: Biblical documents incl. Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha Sectarian documents

14 Other Writings Philo of Alexandria, c. 20 BCE c. 50 CE Jewish philosopher, well-educated, rich Many exegetical and philosophical treatises Allegorized Scripture Flavius Josephus, 37 c. 100 CE Priest, Pharisee, fought in Jewish War Defected to Romans, favored with Vespasian Wrote: Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities Life, Against Apion

15 Rabbinic Literature Two major schools: Shammai, stricter view of law, dominated pre-70 Hillel, lenient view of law, dominated post-70 Mishnah, 200 CE = codification of Halakah (= conduct under law) Midrash = interpretation of Scriptures, rabbinic commentary Talmud, 5-6 th c. = ( study ) commentary on Mishnah Targum(im) = Aramaic paraphrase (+ interp) of Hebrew Scriptures Very hard to know what dates back to pre-christian period

16 1. Pharisees Name perhaps comes from separate ones Concerned with ritual purity Full observance of both written and oral tradition Tithing, Sabbath, fasting, oaths, ritual purity even outside temple Become dominant group after fall of temple (along with Christians) Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai teaches that atonement comes from acts of loving kindness, re-convenes survivors at Jamnia Codify oral tradition (Mishnah, Talmud) Evolves into Rabbinic Judaism, defines future of Judaism

17 2. Sadducees Perhaps descended from priestly Zadokites Apparently wealthy but not popular; ruling elite Associated with Sanhedrin and priesthood But did not have sole control Denied resurrection, angels, fate, Pharisaic traditions Accepted Torah alone After fall of temple they disappeared with base of power

18 3. Essenes Flourished from mid-2 nd cent. BCE to First Jewish Revolt Described by Josephus, Philo, Pliny, some later Christians Splinter group that split off in protest of corrupt temple Qumran likely Essene settlement, but had other communities Special admission procedures, communal property, ritual washings, sometimes celibacy, strict adherence to Torah, special calendar, purity focus Qumran destroyed by Romans in 68 CE

19 4. Zealots Part of complex of resistance movements opposing Roman rule and Hellenistic influence Includes: bandits, sicarii, even some priests Major Zealot goal: political independence from Romans no lord but God Debate whether group existed before First Jewish Revolt So Simon the Zealot was probably just zealous Not responsible for war but become major part of it But create internal civil war, weakens Jerusalem Most Zealots destroyed along with Jerusalem in 70

20 Two Paths at the End Rabbinic Judaism Early Judaism Early Christianity

21 Beliefs and Practices Religion defined in terms of action, not belief Three outward actions: Circumcision, food laws, Sabbath Three big festivals: big three: Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles Major beliefs/practices One God (monotheism) Chosen people (exclusivism) Torah (law central) Godfearers = Gentile converts

22 Organization Jerusalem temple Jewish worship center Portal to cosmos Sanhedrin Ruling elite Judicial/Political function Synagogue Local worship gathering And community center Roots for Christian meetings