OT-Chapters+21,22,23,24

Important Terms:

Manasseh: Manasseh was King of Judah for nearly half a century, longer than any other ruler in the Davidic Dynasty. The Deuteronomists portrayed him as the worst of the Kings of Judah due to his religious apostasy according to Coogan. Chronicles portrays him in a better light including and serve as the source for the prayer of lament known as "The prayer of Manassseh". The period he reigned was relatively calm even though his power was limited.

Babylonian Captivity:

Nebuchadnezzar: Babylonian king. Reigned for 4 decades (602-562 BCE). Restored the city of Babylon. Built one of the 7 wonders of the world for his wife, Amytis. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It also means a 15 liter bottle of wine - the largest

acrostic: A text in which the opening letters of successive lines form a word, phrase or pattern. In the Bible, they are letters in succession of the Hebrew alphabet. 4 of the 5 poems in Lamentations are acrostics. Psalm 119 is the longest acrostic in the Bibl

diaspora: Began as the exiles from Judah during Babylonian captivity but then came to mean any Jew living outside Israel. (Root is 'dispersion.')

servant songs: a group of 4 poems in second Isaiah that speak of a servant of YHWH.

1. Name and describe 3 of Israel and Judah's most significant kings (not necessarily morally superior).

David-

Hezekiah-

Josiah-

2. What are some of Jeremiah's symbolic gestures (Coogan calls them prophetic gestures)? Eating the scroll, first one Speechlessness Lying on his side for lengthy periods Shaving his head (very unusual for a priest) Eating while trembling Packing a bag and pretending to go into exile Not mourning for his deceased wife

3. Compare and contrast Jeremiah and Ezekiel. They were contemporaries. Both were from Priestly families (Jeremiah probably from a lesser priestly family than Ez)

Jeremiah was Judean, living in Jerusalem, and witnessed the 'catastrophe' personally. Jeremiah was kidnapped to Egypt

Coogan says that it is reasonable to assume that they had knowledge of each others prophecies because of the mail that went back and forth between Jerusalem and Babylon (p.388) His book reflects a complex literary history with more than one author.

Ezekiel was taken from Jerusalem in the 1st deportation from 597 BCE and learned of the destruction second hand while in exile. His entire prophetic career was in Babylon. It is presumed he had been a priest at the Temple in Jerusalem (p. 385) 1st prophet to receive a call outside of the Promised Land His book for the most part is the work of a single individual It represents knowledge about an amazing amount of material. Ez writes some of the most troubling material in the Bible. Especially Ch 16 & 23

Similarities in their books: Both had a word from Yahweh put into their mouth. The both used the image of a prophet as a sentinel Both used metaphor of northern and southern kingdoms as sisters Both agree that Jerusalem was doomed and deserved because of its sins Both write, "The parents have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge" BUT they also see punishment for the present generation's sins, not just parents. They are refuting this old belief about 'collective family guilt.' Both attack false prophets who predicted peace Restoration and renewed covenant w/God "Yahweh will say again, 'You shall be my people, and I shall be your God'." Both are instructed to eat a scroll with bitter words but a sweet taste. Both use the image of Jerusalem/Israel as an unfaithful wife to YHWH (Hosea does, too) Both say YHWH will remove the corrupt shepherds of his flock and shepherd them himself Both books allow for the restoration of the Davidic dynasty Both seem to have been cross-fertilized by P (p. 390) Both saw those who had NOT been exiled as "Bad Figs."

Jeremiah: This covenant will be written on your hearts, not stone tablets. Ezekiel: Remove their stony hearts and replace them with flesh ones.

4. Describe differences between the Persian Empire and Babylonian Empire concerning their colonies. Cyrus/Persia respected or at least co-opted when convenient the local god, as he did with Yahweh and Marduk, to gain favor/power. Cyrus was seen as an anointed one while the Babylonian rulers were just the opposite. Cyrus elicited "silver and gold offerings" and freewill donations to restore the Temple although this might be redaction! The Persians rebuilt houses of worship in Babylon, Jerusalem, & Egypt. It garnered them local support and maintained their imperial authority Babylonians were vindictive and cruel. Not the Persians