Ancient IsraelAncient Israel

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview► Ancient Israel is the Ancient Israel is the

birthplace of the 3 great birthplace of the 3 great monotheisticmonotheistic religions of the religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity world: Judaism, Christianity and Islamand Islam

► Ancient Israel dates back Ancient Israel dates back approximately 4000 years approximately 4000 years to the books of the to the books of the Old Old TestamentTestament

► Great Great patriarchs patriarchs of Judaism: of Judaism: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, JoshuaJoshua

What is in a name?What is in a name?►Hebrew Hebrew means “From across”- means “From across”-

name given to Abraham and name given to Abraham and his followers his followers

► IsraelitesIsraelites: Abraham’s : Abraham’s grandson Jacob renamed grandson Jacob renamed Israel which means “he who Israel which means “he who has wrestled with God”. His has wrestled with God”. His descendants were called descendants were called “Israelites”“Israelites”

► JewsJews: named after Jacob’s son : named after Jacob’s son Judah, ancient father of tribe Judah, ancient father of tribe of King David’s dynastyof King David’s dynasty

Tracing Roots of Israel’s Tracing Roots of Israel’s HistoryHistory► Nomadic tribes wandered Nomadic tribes wandered

into Palestine from east in into Palestine from east in approximately 1900 BCEapproximately 1900 BCE

► Mesopotamian society Mesopotamian society dominated by polytheismdominated by polytheism

► God (God (YahwehYahweh) appeared ) appeared before Patriarch Abraham before Patriarch Abraham and told Abraham “and told Abraham “to go to go and raise a great nationand raise a great nation””

► This began the This began the monotheistic tradition of monotheistic tradition of the Hebrew faith with the the Hebrew faith with the establishment of the establishment of the ““CovenantCovenant”, “”, “Chosen Chosen PeoplePeople” and “” and “Promised Promised LandLand””

► Abraham settled in Abraham settled in CanaanCanaan

Jacob (grandson of Jacob (grandson of Abraham)Abraham)

► Abraham’s Abraham’s grandson Jacobgrandson Jacob took name took name ““IsraelIsrael” which ” which means “means “God God ruledruled” and ” and organized organized Israelites into Israelites into 12 12 tribestribes

► Some tribes Some tribes settled in settled in EgyptEgypt (due to drought (due to drought and famine) and and famine) and were subjected were subjected to Pharaoh rule to Pharaoh rule and slaveryand slavery

MosesMoses

►An illustrated story of An illustrated story of MosesMoses

Moses & Exodus: Moses & Exodus: “Let My People “Let My People

Go!”Go!”► Moses received Moses received revelationsrevelations from from

God.God.► End of 13End of 13thth century BCE- Moses century BCE- Moses

led the Israelites out of bondage led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt during Rames II reign in Egypt during Rames II reign called the called the EXODUSEXODUS

► Moses led the 12 Tribes of Israel Moses led the 12 Tribes of Israel to Mount Sinai where Yahweh to Mount Sinai where Yahweh gave him the gave him the 10 10 CommandmentsCommandments, uniting the , uniting the Hebrews under one God Hebrews under one God

► Moses and Hebrews searched Moses and Hebrews searched for the “for the “Promised LandPromised Land;” ;” however, they however, they wandered in the wandered in the desertdesert for 40 years for 40 years

Kings of IsraelKings of Israel► 1230 BCE, Israelites guided by 1230 BCE, Israelites guided by JoshuaJoshua, ,

invaded Canaan (Promised Land)invaded Canaan (Promised Land)► 1020 BCE: first king of Israelites was 1020 BCE: first king of Israelites was SaulSaul, ,

then then DavidDavid, then , then SolomonSolomon► Under King David the Israelites captured Under King David the Israelites captured

city of Jerusalemcity of Jerusalem

Lost Tribes of IsraelLost Tribes of Israel► After the death of After the death of

Solomon, Kingdom of Solomon, Kingdom of Israel split into two Israel split into two (north= (north= IsraelIsrael; ; south= south= JudahJudah) )

► Israel was conquered Israel was conquered by Assyrians in 722 by Assyrians in 722 BCE and the BCE and the scattered people scattered people were known as the were known as the ‘Lost Tribes of Israel’‘Lost Tribes of Israel’

► Judah was eventually Judah was eventually destroyed by Babylon destroyed by Babylon in 586 BCE and in 586 BCE and inhabitants were held inhabitants were held in captivity (called in captivity (called the the ExileExile or or Babylonian CaptivityBabylonian Captivity))

Impact of Ancient IsraelImpact of Ancient Israel

► Covenant Covenant = formal agreement = formal agreement between Hebrews and God between Hebrews and God (Yahweh); Hebrews worshipped God (Yahweh); Hebrews worshipped God and only God, and in return, they and only God, and in return, they would be God’s Chosen People and would be God’s Chosen People and given Canaan as the Promised Landgiven Canaan as the Promised Land

► Spiritual ideasSpiritual ideas profoundly profoundly influenced Western culture, influenced Western culture, morality, ethics and conductmorality, ethics and conduct

► Three of the world’s most dominant Three of the world’s most dominant religionsreligions: Judaism, Christianity and : Judaism, Christianity and Islam all derive their roots from the Islam all derive their roots from the spiritual beliefs of the Ancient spiritual beliefs of the Ancient IsraelitesIsraelites

LinksLinks

► Judaism Religion and EthicsJudaism Religion and Ethics►Ancient History Sourcebook- IsraelAncient History Sourcebook- Israel►Ancient IsraelAncient Israel