THE ANCIENT HEBREWS Lesson 1: The beginnings of the Hebrew People

2000 BC Abraham moves family to Canaan 1000 BC 1500 BC Moses Receives 10 Commandments Hammurabi rules Babylonian Empire New Kingdom Begin in Egypt Amenhotep becomes Pharaoh Assyrian Empire is largest in world

Abraham Ancient Hebrews – ancestors of Jewish people Hebrews founded Judaism 1 st monotheistic religion Torah = oldest religious writing of Jewish people part of Hebrew bible Old Testament of Christian bible contains same text Old Testament source of info about Hebrews

Abraham Story of Hebrews begins with Abraham A. born Mesopotamia about 2000 BC God told Abraham to leave Meso. and settle in Canaan A.and family reached Canaan A. and God had covenant = agreement Canaan belongs to A. and descendants, and A. would worship only God

Abraham Abraham means “father of many” in Hebrew Through A.’s son Issac, A. became known as father of Jewish people

Sacrifice of Issac by Caravaggio

The Israelites Issac had son named Jacob (known as Israel). Jacob had 12 sons Jacob loved Joseph more than other sons gave multicolored robe Joseph had dream that all brothers bowed down to him. Brothers mad, so sold J. to traders on way to Egypt let father think J. dead

The Israelites J. lived in Egypt – continued to worship God Pharoah made J. advisor (J. became powerful) Famine struck Canaan so brothers went to Egypt for food reunited with J. Entire family moved to Egypt Each brother headed a tribe of Israel Pharaoh began to fear they might gain power, so he enslaved Israelites.

Moses and Exodus Moses born in Egypt 1300BC Pharaoh worried about power of Israelites, so ordered all Israelite baby boys drowned in Nile Moses mother set him afloat in basket Pharaoh’s daughter rescued him and raised him as Egyptian Moses learned he was Israelite

Moses and Exodus Bible says God told Moses to free Israelites Pharaoh said no, so God sent 10 plagues = disasters Still, P. wouldn’t let them go Last plague (kill all firstborn sons), worked because P.’s son was killed Israelites left (Exodus) about 1225 BC Wandered 40 years along Red Sea facing water and food shortages

Moses and Exodus God spoke to I. at Mt. Sinai and presented Moses with 10 Commandments 10 Commandments different than earlier laws because no punishments listed – just rules for responsible behavior and worshipping God

How did faith shape the development of the Hebrews? Stop and Think