Encountering the Old Testament, 3rd Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Chapter
2. Where and When Did the Events of the Old Testament Take Place?
Chapter Intro Video
Chapter Objectives
- Identify on a map the three geographical regions of the ancient Near East
- Compare the development of the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria-Palestine
- Discuss the key geographic features of the four subregions of Israel
- Trace the highlights of the history of Israel and the ancient Near East during the New Stone Age, Copper-Stone Age, Early Bronze Age, Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Iron Age I, and Iron Age II
- List the different peoples who significantly influenced the history of Israel
Chapter Summary
- Israel was part of the ancient Near East that is now called the Middle East.
- The three geographical regions of the ancient Near East—Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria-Palestine—were joined by an arch of rich soil called the Fertile Crescent.
- The four subregions of Israel are the coastal plains, the ridge or central mountain range, the Jordan Rift, and the Transjordanian highlands.
- Two of the important highways of the ancient Near East passed through Syria-Palestine: the Via Maris, or way of the sea, and the King’s Highway.
- The history of the Old Testament spans a time period of about two millennia as opposed to the New Testament, which covers a century.
- The invention of writing—cuneiform in Mesopotamia and hieroglyphics in Egypt—began during the Early Bronze Age.
- The sea peoples probably fled from Mycenaean cities in Greece in about 1250 BC to the ancient Near East. This brought political changes and new metalworking technology.
- The constant threat of military invasion from neighbors caused the Israelites to want a king.
- The period of David’s reign was a very stable time in the history of Israel.
- Under Solomon’s reign, the borders of Israel expanded northward to the Euphrates and southward to Egypt.
- Jewish exiles returned from Babylon in three separate groups led by Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
Study Questions
- How is the Old Testament “incarnational”?
- Why was the location of Israel strategic in ancient times?
- Locate on a map the geographical regions of the ancient Near East and discuss their major characteristics.
- Locate on a map the four subregions of Israel and discuss their major characteristics.
- Discuss the international social and political climate during the patriarchal age of Israel’s history.
- Discuss the international social and political climate during the times of Moses and Joshua.
- What was the political climate of the ancient Near East around 1200 BC? What effect did this have on the Israelites?
- What political changes did Iron Age II bring to the ancient Near East? What ramifications did this have for Israel?
Assets
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The Ancient Near East during the Old Testament Period (p. 15)Download
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Four Subregions of Israel (p. 19)Download
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Highways of the Ancient Near East (p. 22)Download
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Area Controlled under Saul, David, and Solomon during the United Monarchy (p. 28)Download
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The Assyrian Empire (p. 29)Download
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The Persian Empire (p. 32)Download