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Old Testament
The Old Testament is the first half of scriptures in the Christian Bible.
19,397 Questions
How many kingdoms did Israel defeat before conquering the promised land?
According to the Book of Joshua, the Israelites defeated 31 city kingdoms in their conquest of the Promised Land. However, Lawrence E. Stager (The Oxford History of the Biblical World, Forging an Identity: The Emergence of Ancient Israel) examines the evidenced for each of he cities mentioned in Joshua and finds that most of the cities could not have been conquered by Joshua, including that many of them were not even occupied at that time.
The strong consensus of historians is that there was no unified conquest of the Canaanite cities. The Israelites were actually descendants of rural Canaanites who left the region of the rich coastal cities to settle peacefully in the hitherto sparsely populated hinterland. In time, the Israelites needed a glorious past that they could be proud of, and this legendary conquest became that glorious past.
For more information on the Book of Joshua and early Israelite history, please visit:
http://christianity.answers.com/bible/the-book-of-joshua-explained
In the Old Testament how did God show that He is our loving Father?
No, the old testament is more wide ranging than just that, it tells of creation and the history of the Jewish people and the Jewish law. Its purpose is to foretell the coming of the God's messiah (Jesus Christ).
How many tines does the word 'patience' appear in the bible?
The word "patience" appears in the Bible approximately 23 times in the New International Version (NIV) translation. It is often used in the context of bearing difficulties or waiting for God's timing.
What scriptures show how many times God appeared to Abraham?
1) Genesis 12:2 "And the Lord said to Abram: 'Leave your country, and your birthplace, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you."
2) Genesis 12:7 "And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said: 'To your seed I will give this land'; and he built there an altar unto the Lord, who had appeared to him."
3) Genesis 13:14-15 "And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had left him: 'Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, to you I will give it, and to your seed forever.' "
4) Genesis 15:1 "After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying: 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be exceedingly great.' "
5) Genesis 15:7 "And He said unto him: 'I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chasdim, to give you this land to inherit it.' "
6) Genesis 15:13 "And He said unto Abram: 'Know surely that your seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years.' "
7) Genesis 15:18 "In that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: 'To your seed I have given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.' "
8) Genesis 17:1 "And when Abram was ninety nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, and said unto him: 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be wholehearted.' "
9) Genesis 18:1 "And the Lord appeared unto him by the terebinths of Mamre, as he sat at the tent-opening in the heat of the day."
10) Genesis 21:12 "And God said unto Abraham: 'Let it not be grievous in your eyes because of the lad, and because of your maidservant. In all that Sarah says unto you, hearken to her voice; for through Isaac shall seed be called to you.' "
11) Genesis 22:1 "And it came to pass after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said unto him: 'Abraham'; and he said: 'Here I am.' "
How did the Egyptians chase the Israelites if God killed their horses in one of the plagues?
Not all of their horses were killed, since some (perhaps many or most) of the Egyptians found indoor shelter for their animals. The plague struck down only the animals that were not indoors (Exodus 9:3 and 9:19; Rashi commentary, Exodus 14:7).
When Jacob wrestled with God what did he ask God to do before he left?
- One answer:
God sent a mysterious messenger to wrestle with Jacob one night (Genesis 32:25). Tradition states that it was an angel in human form; the guardian angel of Esau (Rashi commentary, quoting the Midrash). The angel's task was to attempt to spiritually blind Jacob (K'li Yakar commentary, ibid), but Jacob prevailed (Genesis 32:26-29), and because of that, he was renamed Israel. At first the angel conferred the new name (Genesis 32:29), and later, God also did (Genesis 35:9-12).
Note that the word Elohim, in the text, often refers to things other than God, such as judges (Exodus 21).
- Another answer:
That the 'man' was a god is amply demonstrated - Jacob asked for his blessing, he had the prerogative of changing Jacob's name, Jacob's new name was Israel (generally assumed to mean 'wrestled with God') and Jacob called the place Peniel ('the face of God') because he had seen God face to face. If the man who wrestled with Jacob was a god, then Jacob was also a god in a much earlier tradition behind this passage, as demonstrated by the fact that he was such an even match for his opponent. And if the opponent was a god, he was also a sun god - daybreak signalled the end of the contest, he had to leave Jacob before the sun could rise, then the sun rose upon Jacob. This is consistent with the ancient daily struggle in which the sun god defeats the moon god at dawn.
The name of the place Jacob wrestled with God is right there in the text. It is Peniel.
Why can the judges also be described as prophets?
According to Judaism, the only Judges who achieved prophecy were Eli and Samuel, and possibly Gideon. See also:
Two specific miracles were the parting of the Jordan River to allow the Israelites to cross on dry land and the falling of the walls of Jericho after the Israelites marched around the city for seven days. These signs were given to demonstrate God's power and reaffirm His promise to drive out the inhabitants of the land in fulfillment of His covenant with the Israelites.
What was Moses's work that took him out into the desert?
Moses found food and water in the desert by praying, and then God said: I will send down heavenly bread, but only take as much as you will need for one day at a time. Then the next day an amazing tasting bread-like substance fell from the sky and it provided food for the people. But anyone who took more then they needed for the day had their food go rotten! (Exodus ch.16). Then the next day Moses said to God : Please send us water, or we will die of thirst. And then, what do you know, God tells Moses to hit a rock and so he does and water gushes out! (Exodus ch.17).
Did Manasseh son of Hezekiah kill Zacharia?
No. According to tradition, Menashe (Manasseh) killed Isaiah (Talmud, Yevamot 49b). Zachariah, son of Yehoyadah, was killed by an earlier king named Yoash (2 Chronicles ch.24). Not to be confused with the more well-known Zachariah, who lived at the beginning of the Second Temple and authored his own prophetic book.
How are Noah and Abraham related?
Noah and Abraham are not directly related by blood. Noah is traditionally seen as a distant ancestor of Abraham, both being significant figures in the Bible. Noah preceded Abraham in time and is considered the patriarch who survived the Great Flood, while Abraham is known as the patriarch of the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths.
To which area did God tell Abraham to take Isaac?
According to tradition, the place to which God told Abraham to take Isaac in Genesis ch.22, was where Jerusalem's Temple Mount now stands.
What two things did Jacob steal from esau?
Only one; and that was Isaac's chief blessing, which he had intended for Esau. The birthright itself was not stolen, since Esau willingly sold it to Jacob. The fact that he sold it for a bowl of food shows how little he valued it (Genesis 25:31-34). Concerning Jacob's stealing the blessing:
Jacob posed as Esau in Isaac's presence (Genesis ch.27) and received the blessing that was meant for Esau. Jacob is not to blame, for the following reasons:
1) The word of God had informed their mother Rebecca that Jacob the younger son would be the favored one; the one to prevail (Genesis 25:23). Acting on this, she commanded Jacob to pose as Esau and seek Isaac's blessing (27:6-10), despite his trepidation (27:11).
2) By willingly having sold Jacob his birthright, Esau relinquished any claim to Isaac's chief blessing which would go to the firstborn. The fact that he later complained (27:36) doesn't change this; and he did receive a blessing of his own (27:39).
3) Isaac had not been informed that Esau sold Jacob the birthright. When he was later told this, he understood why God had allowed Jacob to get the chief blessing, and he continued blessing Jacob on later occasions (ch.28), never censuring him. Moreover, God Himself gives Israel (Jacob) the title of firstborn (Exodus 4:22 with Rashi commentary).
Why were Israel and Judah separate?
In the Bible, First Kings 12 records how the kingdom of Israel was split in two. King David's grandson, Rehoboam, was a king who made his people's lives difficult. He increased their taxes and forced them to work longer hours, even beating them for not working hard enough. Ten of the Israelite tribes revolted and formed a new kingdom called Israel; while the two southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the family of King David.
The two nations were eventually reunited, after both Judah and Israel had been defeated by their enemies (Babylon & Assyria) and carried away into slavery.
How much was a talent worth in 100 BCE?
In 100 BCE, the value of a talent varied depending on the region. In ancient Greece, a talent was generally equivalent to around 26 kilograms of silver. In the Roman Empire, a talent was equivalent to around 32.3 kilograms of silver.
What is the message of the 2 accounts of creation found in the book of Genesis?
The message of the two accounts of creation in the book of Genesis is that God created the world and everything in it. The first account emphasizes God's power and majesty in creating the universe in six days, while the second account focuses more on the intimacy of God's relationship with humanity and the special creation of Adam and Eve. Together, these accounts teach that God is the ultimate creator and sustainer of all life.
What does the name Goel mean in Hebrew?
The Old Testament word "goel" is often translated as "kinsman-redeemer" and refers to a close male relative whose duty it was to "redeem" a family member sold into slavery or impoverished in some way. The word is extensively used in the Old Testament book of Ruth.
What did Daniel's faith in God protect him from?
Daniel's faith in God protected him from falling into despair and compromise when faced with trials and temptations. It gave him strength and courage to stand firm in his beliefs and led to his miraculous deliverance from the lion's den.
How many tribes were the hebrews broken up in to?
The Israelites, descendants of the biblical patriarch Jacob, were divided into twelve tribes which were named after Jacob's sons and grandsons. These tribes were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.
Which of these actions is most similar to the covenant Abraham formed with god?
One nation agrees to live under the rule of another nation in exchange for protection.
Were Old Testament priests members of the tribe of Levi?
Yes, the Old Testament priests were members of the tribe of Levi. The Levites were chosen by God to serve as priests and carry out religious duties for the Israelites in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
Did the Israelites love Solomon as their king because his probverbs were so wise?
Yes, the Israelites admired and respected King Solomon not only for his wisdom in proverbs but also for his ability to govern the kingdom effectively, maintain peace, and oversee impressive building projects like the Temple in Jerusalem. His wisdom was certainly a significant factor in his popularity among the people.
What did Abraham promise god in return?
Abraham fully obeyed God (Genesis 26:5), as follows:
Abraham (18th century BCE) came from ancestry that had been God-fearing a couple of centuries earlier but had afterwards slipped into idolatry (Joshua 24:2). Nimrod, the idolatrous tyrant, had brought Abraham's father (Terah) from the Semitic ancestral seat near the conjunction of the Balikh and the Euphrates, and instated him in a position of power in his army in the royal Babylonian city of Ur, where Abraham was born. Nimrod persecuted any who would question his idolatrous cult.
The Kuzari (Rabbi Judah HaLevi, 1075-1141) states that Abraham was gifted with high intelligence; and, as Maimonides (1135-1204) describes, Abraham didn't blindly accept the ubiquitous idolatry. The whole populace had been duped, but the young Abraham contemplated the matter relentlessly, finally arriving at the conclusion that there is One God and that this should be taught to others as well. This is what is meant by his "calling out in the name of the Lord" (Genesis ch.12). As a young man, he remonstrated with passersby in public, demonstrating to them the falsehood of their idols; and Jewish tradition tells how he was threatened and endangered by Nimrod.
Subsequently, Terah relocated to Harran; and it is here that Abraham began to develop a circle of disciples (Rashi commentary, on Genesis 12:5).
Later, God told Abraham in prophecy to move to the Holy Land, which is where Abraham raised his family.
He continued his contemplations, eventually arriving at the attitudes and forms of behavior which God later incorporated into the Torah given to Moses.
Abraham, with God's help, singlehandedly trounced the supremacy of the evil Nimrod. He received God's promise of inheriting the Holy Land (Genesis 13). He strove to raise a family (Genesis ch.15, 17, and 24) which would serve God (Genesis 18:19); and God eventually blessed his efforts, granting him many children (ibid., ch.16, 21 and 25), as He had promised (Genesis ch.17). Abraham founded the Jewish people and lived to see his work live on in the persons of Isaac and Jacob; and he taught many other disciples as well (Talmud, Yoma 28b). He saved the population of the south of Canaan from invading foreign kings (Genesis 14); and he was feared by neighboring kings (ibid., ch.12 and 20). Abraham gave tithes (Genesis ch.14), entered into a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15 and 17), welcomed guests into his home (Genesis ch.18) unlike the inhospitable Sodomites (Genesis ch.19), prayed for people (Genesis ch.18), rebuked others when necessary (Genesis ch.20), eulogized and buried the deceased (Genesis ch.23), and fulfilled God's will unquestioningly (Genesis ch.22). He became renowned as a prince of God (Genesis 23:6).
All of these forms of behavior were based upon the ways of God, which Abraham comprehended through his contemplations. These, and similar personality traits, were the teachings of Abraham and his descendants (unlike idolatry, which 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).
It is therefore clear why God expresses His love for Abraham (Isaiah 41:8) and calls Himself the God of Abraham (Genesis 26:24), and says that Abraham obeyed Him fully (Genesis 26:5). And this is why, according to Jewish tradition, Abraham is credited with having begun the religion which became known as Judaism. However, Abraham and his descendants observed their traditions voluntarily, until the Giving of the Torah to Moses 3325 years ago.
What positive evidence is there that Abraham existed as a real historical person?
Answer:
Positive historical/archaeological and even scientific data point to the existence of Abraham as a real person.
Historically, Abraham is regarded as a real person by Jews, Muslims and Christians alike, in terms of their faith, based on their sacred writings, which in quite a number of cases have hard historical evidence which backs them up as being legitimately historical.
In terms of ethnicity both the Jews and the Arabs trace their descent from Abraham. The Jews through Abraham's son Isaac and the Arabs through his son Ishmael.
The historian Josephus quotes Berosus the Babylonian historian as mentioning Abraham (without actually naming him) when he stated "In the tenth generation after the Flood, there was among the Chaldeans a man righteous and great, and skilful in the celestial science." Scholar of ancient writings Bill Cooper agrees with Josephus' assessment of this as being a reference to Abraham. (Bill Cooper BA Hons: "After the Flood: The Early post-flood history of Europe traced back to Noah", New Wine Press, 1995. Appendix 2 page 180). Josephus also mentions that Hecataeus wrote a whole book about Abraham.
Further to the above, Josephus quotes from Nicolaus of Damascus, from the fourth book of his history as saying, "Abram reigned at Damascus, being a foreigner, who came with an army out of the land of Babylon, called the land of the Chaldeans. But after a long time he got him up, and removed from that country also with his people, and went into the land then called the land of Canaan, but now the land of Judea....Now the name of Abram is even still famous in the country of Damascus..." (Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, chapter 7, paragraph 2 (159, 160); William Whiston, translator.
The historical details from Josephus relate evidently to the time when Abraham (then called Abram) was en-route to Canaan (from the biblical Old Testament record in Genesis) and stayed some time in what the Old Testament refers to as Haran, before later entering Canaan. Obviously all of the above is referring to a person who actually existed, all references being from outside the bible itself.
Scientific studies in the field of the Y-chromosome pattern in males have confirmed that both Jews and Arabs have likely descended from one single man, as mentioned above.
The bible itself, from around the time of Abraham, has numerous archaeological data which back it up in terms of the customs and setting of the bible time of Abraham. These details also show that Abraham belongs in the setting in which the bible puts him and no later. The name Abraham is mentioned in the Ebla tablets, and also in a tablet from Babylon. Another Ebla tablet mentions Sarai. While some may rightly contend these are not necessarily direct references to Abraham himself, it does show the existence and use of the name in the relevant time period.
Summary: In view of all this, and in consideration of the 'ancientness' of the time there is a remarkable amount of positive evidence for the existence of Abraham as a real historical person.
Who were the authors who wrote zephaniah and zechariah?
These prophets themselves wrote their own books.
