1. Broader Influence of Mesopotamian Society
The Early Hebrews
Broader Influence of Mesopotamian Society

2. The Early Hebrews (1)
Patriarchs & Matriarchs from Babylon, ~1850 BCE (gradual invasion of Semitic-speaking Hebrews from Arabian Desert settle in Palestine)
Parallels b/t early biblical texts, Code of Hammurabi
Early settlement of Canaan (Israel), c BCE
Biblical text: slavery in Egypt, divine redemption

3. Early Hebrews (2)
Pastoral nomads b/t Mesopotamia & Egypt (2nd millennium B.C.E..)
Settle in some cities
Abraham leads group to Palestine ~1850B.C.E.
Descendants borrow law of retribution & flood story from Mesopotamia

4. Early Hebrews (3)
Some migrate to Egypt in 18th century B.C.E.. then back to Palestine w/ Moses
12 tribes become Israelites
Mesopotamian-style monarchs w/ Jerusalem as capital
On-going conflict w/ indigenous populations under King David ( BCE) & Solomon ( BCE)

5. Moses & Monotheism
Hebrews shared polytheistic beliefs of other Mesopotamian civilizations
Moses introduces monotheism, belief in single god
Denies existence of competing parallel deities
Personal god: reward & punishment for conformity w/ revealed law
Ten Commandments moral & ethical standards for followers
Compilation of teachings into Torah ( B.C.E..)

6. Assyrians Conquer
Conquer Israel in north & Judah in south & destroy Jerusalem
Deportees return to Judea; become known as Jews (586 B.C.E.)
Prophets in this period increase devotion of people
Build distinct Jewish community in Judea with strong group identity

7. Other Claims To Ownership
First the Assyrians (722BCE)
Next came Chaldeans (586BCE)
539BCE Persians take over in Babylon
In 2nd century BCE, Greeks rule over it for a time
Even the Romans will get in on it (~70AD)

8. Foreign Conquests of Israel
Civil war
Northern tribes: Israel
Southern: Judah
Assyrian Conquest, 722 BCE
Exiles Israel: ten lost tribes
Babylonian Conquest, 586 BCE
Additional exile of many residents of Judah
Returned later that century

9. Hebrew Contributions to Civilization

10. Monotheism First people to accept the belief in a single, ethical GOD
GOD was the Creator and Supreme Ruler of the Universe

11. Old Testament
Recorded their history, moral principles, & religious beliefs in Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible
Old Testament considered as a great literary masterpiece
Makes up 1st part of the Christian Bible

12. High Moral Principles
Judaism embodies precepts of ethical behavior that were far more advanced for the ancient world
Some are applicable to our own times
Set moral standards for relationships among people

13. The Mosaic Law Found in Torah (1st 5 books of Old Testament)
The Law of Moses teaches “love thy neighbor as thyself”
Includes Ten Commandments “remember Sabbath to keep it holy”; thou shalt not kill”; thou shalt not steal”; “thou shalt not bear false witness”; honor thy father & thy mother

14. The Hebrew Prophets
Advocates for social righteousness & a better world
Denounced evil & oppression
Demanded justice for poor & weak
Essence of Judaism
“What is hateful into thee do not do unto others”

15. Other Influences
B/c of its monotheism & high moral principles, influenced Christianity very heavily
Part of Judeo-Christian heritage

16. Famous Hebrews
Moses led his people out of servitude in Egypt & gave them 10 Commandments
Saul united the 12 Hebrew tribes, led them against the Philistines, became first Hebrew king
David slew Goliath
Wrote poems/ sacred ( 23rd psalm)
Solomon, son of David, was a very wise king
Built the Jewish temple in Jerusalem

17. The Phoenicians
1st settlers about 3000 B.C.E.; develop into kingdoms of independent city-states
Little agriculture; live on trade and communications networks
Overland trade to Mesopotamia; influence on culture
Sea trade most important; get raw materials, trade for manufactured goods
Have early alphabetical script (1500 B.C.E.)

18. The Phoenicians City-states along Mediterranean coast after 3000 BCE
Extensive maritime trade
Dominated Mediterranean trade, BCE
Development of alphabet symbols
Simpler alternative to cuneiform
Spread of literacy