6.2 The Hebrews

1. Hebrews - nomadic herders/merchants - religion had/has great impact - monotheistic - Judaism

2. Abraham – taught Hebrews to worship Yahweh -Yahweh did what was right and just -he did not need food or water, to marry or have children - led Hebrews from Ur to Canaan - settled in Canaan about 1800BC - farmers and shepherds

- remained for 100yrs. Until drought forced them to flee to Egypt - sons formed 12 Hebrew tribes

3. Moses - Hebrews became Egyptian slaves for 600 yrs. - Moses convinced pharaoh to allow Hebrews to leave - “Exodus” - parting of the Red Sea - led Hebrews to Mount Sinai

- made covenant w/Yahweh - obey 10 Commandments - loyal only to Yahweh - no other gods - wrong to lie, murder, steal - respect parents and others property - believed in social justice - fair treatment for all

4. Promised Land – Moses died, people feared they could not enter Canaan - Joshua - new leader - good general - brought Hebrews to Promise Land (Canaan)

- Hebrews again became farmers and shepherds - copied tools - borrowed alphabet - dry climate - rained for 2 months/yr -adapted to their environment by collecting rain in underground storage for dry season

5. Kings – Joshua died 12 tribes split - each tribe led by council of elders -times of crisis a temporary judge would settle disputes and let troops into battle -Saul - warrior/farmer - 1 st King

-David - becomes king after Saul dies - musician - wrote many psalms - reunited Hebrews - defeated Canaanites - made capital Jerusalem

-Solomon - son of David - became King after David’s death - made treaties - peace = more powerful kingdom - trade -built large temple in Jerusalem - limestone, cedar, gold - built by Phoenicians - wealthy

- wise - Hebrews disliked building projects and high taxes - after his death kingdom divided in two - north Israel - south Judah - fought each other - became weak and conquered

6. Prophets - began in Hebrew kingdoms - teachers, farmers, shepherds - criticized Hebrew lifestyles - rich mistreated poor - government officials taking bribes - reminded Hebrews of duty to God - punishment if they didn’t return to God’s ways

- God was for all - warnings did not listen to - takes over in Israelites disappeared - Judeans to Babylonia 586 BC - 70 years

7. Change in Religion - changes occurred in Babylonia - lost temple in Jerusalem - began Sabbath - wrote text on scrolls - laws, beliefs - moved back to homeland - rebuilt Jerusalem - Ezra wrote 5 books of Moses - torah

8. Contributions - monotheism - social justice