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Why are the ancient Hebrews significant to the study of ancient civilizations and World History?
Because they were within the empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, and Rome; and because of their influence in the Western world.
Here are some examples:
1) The Jews' monotheistic religious tradition (Deuteronomy 6:4) shaped the Western beliefs about God.
2) The 7-day week (Exodus ch.20), including a day of rest for everyone. This weekly rest was a concept unique to the Israelites.
3) The concept of morality (Leviticus ch.18-19) was also the work of the Hebrews, including the dignity (Genesis 5:1) and value of a person (whereas idolatry had tended to go hand in hand with cruel, licentious and excessive behavior, since the caprices which were narrated concerning the idols were adopted as an excuse to imitate those types of behavior).
(See: Cruelties of the polytheists)
4) Women's rights were carefully maintained in Judaism. Israelite women could own property, could initiate court cases, could have their own servants, and could own fields and businesses; and the Torah specifies marital rights for women (Exodus 21:10).
5) Under Israelite law, everyone had recourse to the courts. A child, widow, wife, poor person, etc., could initiate legal action against any citizen to redress perpetrated harm. Compare this to those societies in which only mature, land-owning males had any legal status.
6) The Western diet is a reflection of much of the Judaic dietary law. With the exception of the pig, Western society does not eat species not contained in kosher law (Deuteronomy ch.14). Owls, mice, insects, rats, snakes, cats and dogs are not eaten by most Westerners and it is a direct result of Jewish culture.
7) Parents are responsible for teaching children (Deuteronomy ch.11). Illiteracy among Israelites, in every generation, was rare. Universal education in the Western world is taken for granted today, yet this is a recent development. In Judaism, however, it goes back for more than 3300 years. Judaism has always maintained that education is the highest goal of man in his pursuit of godliness. This tradition has now been passed on to Western culture.
8) Infants are to be cherished, protected and cared for, whether or not they turned out to be the gender you were hoping for. Compare this to societies in which unhealthy babies, or females, were killed.
9) Cruelty to animals is not acceptable.
10) Government is accountable to a higher authority. In other ancient societies, the monarch was all-powerful. Among the Israelites, however, the king was under the constant scrutiny of the Divinely-informed prophets, who didn't hesitate to castigate him publicly for any misstep in the sight of God. And, other than for the crime of rebellion, the king couldn't punish any citizen by his own decision. He was obligated by the Torah-procedures like everyone else (Talmud, Sanhedrin 19a).
11) A robber repays double to his victim (Exodus 22:3), or works it off. Cutting off the hands of a robber is a punishable crime. Debtors are not imprisoned or harmed. They are made to sell property and/or work to repay what they owe. Compare this to the Roman practice by which anyone could accuse a man of owing them money and the debtor could be killed (Roman "Twelve Tables of Law" code, 3:10).
12) Western jurisprudence in general is based in part upon Judaic Torah-observance. A quick look at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the laws that follow (Exodus ch.21-23) gives a summary of most modern law.
13) It is the responsibility of the community to support the poor (Deuteronomy ch.15), the widow, the orphan, and the stranger passing through (Exodus 22:20-21).
It is important to note that every one of the above was instituted among the Hebrews (a.k.a. the Israelites) thousands of years earlier than in other nations. Here's just one example:Infanticide was practiced among classical European nations until it was stopped by the influence of Judaism and its daughter-religions. Professor and former President of the American Historical Association, William L. Langer (in The History of Childhood): "Children, being physically unable to resist aggression, were the victims of forces over which they had no control, and they were abused in almost unimaginable ways."
See also:
What else can I help you with?
Where is much of the history written down about Hebrews?
The ONLY written information we have about the ancient Hebrews is in the Bible.
What are the 6 main civilizations?
The six main civilizations often referenced in historical studies are Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Indus Valley Civilization, Ancient China, the Mesoamerican civilizations (such as the Maya and Aztec), and Ancient Greece. These civilizations are characterized by their advanced social structures, technological innovations, and contributions to culture, governance, and economy. Each played a significant role in shaping human history and laid the foundations for future societies.
What has the author Abraham Mills written?
Abraham Mills has written: 'The ancient Hebrews: with an introductory essay concerning the world before the flood' -- subject(s): Accessible book, Jews, History 'The ancient Hebrews' -- subject(s): History, Jews
Did the Greeks and Romans write about the history of any Ancient Civilizations that came before them?
No
What two important civilizations bordered canaan to the north and to the south?
To the north of Canaan was the ancient civilization of Aram, known for its city-states such as Damascus. To the south, Canaan bordered Egypt, a powerful and influential civilization that played a significant role in the region's history and politics. Both civilizations had a profound impact on Canaan's culture, trade, and conflicts throughout ancient history.
What are the four civilizations on Earth?
The four earliest civilizations on Earth are Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China. These ancient civilizations emerged around major river valleys, such as the Tigris and Euphrates, the Nile, the Indus, and the Yellow River. Each of these civilizations made significant contributions to human history in areas such as writing, agriculture, architecture, and government.
Was Russian a language spoken by ancient Hebrews?
No. The Ancient Hebrews spoke Hebrew.
Did The ancient Hebrews trade gold?
Yes, the Ancient Hebrews traded gold.
Who are Armenian?
The Armenians are one of the most ancient people in history, they are indo-european and they have one of the most ancient civilizations in the world.
Where Hebrews came from the region we refer to as?
The Hebrews originated from the ancient Near East, specifically the region known as Canaan, which corresponds to modern-day Israel, Palestine, and parts of Jordan and Lebanon. This area was a crossroads of various cultures and civilizations, influencing the development of Hebrew identity and religion. Over time, the Hebrews migrated and established kingdoms, notably Israel and Judah, before facing conquests and exiles that further shaped their history.
Ancient Rome and Ancient China who was better?
That is a difficult question to answer. Ancient Rome and ancient China were two of the greatest civilizations in all of history. They were similar in many ways.
What culture did ancient Hebrews believe in?
The ancient Hebrews believed only in their own culture.AnswerThe beliefs and practices of the Torah.
