1. Justice and Monotheism: New ideas in Civilization
Hebrew Culture
Justice and Monotheism:
New ideas in Civilization

2. Look in Notes for the Semitic Tribes

3. Early Semites
5,000 BC the Semite Tribes (from desert of Arabia) begin to socialize with the Sumers
Many were incorporated into Semite culture
Majority moved north to create societies similar to the Sumerians

4. Blend of History and Story
Early patriarchs- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
Jacob > changes name to Israel
First 5 books of Scriptures- Pentateuch= Torah (law code)
1208 B.C.E.- Marneptah (son of Ramses II)
Erected “victory stone”- gives historical credence to concept of a strong Israelite Kingdom in Palestine
B.C.E.- Shift in Hebrew leadership paradigm
Tribal leaders > Judges > Kings
Samuel- last of the Judges- anoints Saul as King
David, son of Saul

5. David and Solomon
David B.C.E.- encouraged tribal consolidation in Jersusalem
Solomon B.C.E.- used Phoenician craftsmen to build the Great Temple of Jerusalem
Increased taxes- Growth of Administrative bureaucracy
Solomon-polygamous- used marriages to forge political connections
After Solomon’s death- Northern and Southern tribes split into 2 kingdoms

6. Describe the Polytheistic Religion we have seen so far in Mesopotamia

7. Ethical Monotheism Single God of Justice
God transcends nature- change from nature-based religious cults and myths
Individuals follow conscience to create a more ethical world
Religion of people’s hearts and minds
Ethics= moral codes

8. Israel and Judah Northern tribes angry over taxes- Kingdom of Israel
Southern tribes- Kingdom of Judah
Judah- capital in Jerusalem- more strict towards old laws
Both kingdoms: “Intimate relationship between obedience to God’s laws and the unfolding history of the Jewish people”
God will care for His Chosen People only if they faithfully practice his laws
10 Commandments, Torah, circumcision, etc.- many laws
Prophets- social conscience of Hebrew culture

9. Influence of Mesopotamian Culture
The Great Flood
Story of the Garden
Tower of Babel- symbol of their perception of corrupt Mesopotamian society

10. The Story of the Flood Read Induvidually
Essay Question- How did the flood in the story of Gilgamesh influence the flood story of Genesis?
Create Outline
Write Introduction Paragraph

11. Babylonian Captivity 721 B.C.E.- Assyrians conquer Israel
587 B.C.E.- Babylonians capture Jerusalem- brutal repression of Hebrews- destroy Great Temple of Solomon
Dispersed tribes- created the Diaspora
Forced scriptures to be written and coordinated
Began emphasis on study of scripture
538 B.C.E.- Persian King Cyrus- allows Hebrews to return to Jerusalem- “Second Temple” era begins
Many Hebrew tribes do not return to Palestine