Time Between the Testaments Intertestamental Period or “Silent Years” Approx. 430 – 2 B.C. (or 432 – 5 B.C.)

What is Happening?  Predictions of the book of Daniel move forward  Medo-Persian Empire loses land to the Greeks, who lose land (and power) to the Romans  Greeks bring a new trade language to the world (Hellenistic Greek)  Romans build roads, law and order  Time for the Messiah to Come!

History  Many different rulers –Cyrus the Great (rebuild the temple and go back to Jerusalem!) –Alex the Great –Ptolemy (Hellenization) –Seleucid rulers (very anti-Judaism; went so far as to kill temple priests and turned “the” temple in Jerusalem into a shrine for Zeus!)  Maccabean Revolt (166 – 142 B.C.)  Hasmonean Dynasty ruled, but they eventually became corrupt, too!  Civil War among Jews. Romans “took care of the situation” and gained control in 63 B.C.

Literature  Septuagint (LXX): Hebrew Scripture (OT) translated into the vernacular Greek –  enabled more to become Jewish –  valuable to early Christians  Apocrypha: Books written during this time –Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches accept them as part of the “canon”  Dead Sea Scrolls –Qumran on NW shore of Dead Sea –1/3 are copies of Hebrew Scripture, also commentaries, secular documents, etc.