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Hebrews: "The Children of Israel" (Origins (Semitic People,…
Hebrews: "The Children of Israel"
Origins
Semitic People
Nomadic organized into clans
Descendants of the patriarch Abraham
Many lived peacefully in Egypt until they were enslaved by the pharaohs as laborers
Freed by Moses in the "Exodus"
The Divided Kingdom
Israel
Capital of Samaria
Joined with Syrian states to prevent war
Declined in power after King Ahab
Merged with neighboring peoples and lost their identity
Judah
Capital of Jerusalem
Forced to pay tribute to Assyria but maintained individuality
Chaldeans conquered it eventually
When Persians conquered Jerusalem the Judans returned
Spiritual Dimensions of Israel
Early Israelites probably worshipped many gods
Yahweh was the chief god
Among Babylonian exiles Yahweh became the only God
It means "he who causes to be"
Slow to anger, a benevolent god but would punish wrongdoers
Each person could have a personal relationship with God
The Jewish people would be protected by Yahweh if they followed his laws
The laws were not bound by class lines and emphasized good moral character
Prophets spoke for God
Jews religion separated them from their neighbors
They refused to adopt any other gods because they believed it would anger their god
The United Kingdom
Conquered Jerusalem and made it the capital
Centralized Israel's political organization
Integrated Israelites into farming and urban communities
Solomon
Expanded political and military establishments
Extended trade
Best known for building projects
Most famous is the Temple in Jerusalem
Houses sacred materials
Center of religion
Efforts to extend power were not popular with subjects
Social Structures of Hebrews
Originally in clans, but people settled into villages once a monarchy was established
No specific social classes but still divisions in the population
Men of power and influence were officials, military officers, civil officials, and governors
Everyone else were "people of the land"
Had basic civil rights
No real merchants-sellers sold directly to consumers
Slaves
Slaves were offered basic protection
Most slaves were like family and treated accordingly
Slaves were allowed but Hebrews could only be slaves for 6 years before they could go free
Family
People connected by common blood
Patriarchal
Originally all lived in one house, but as people became stationary, sons moved out of their father's house
Kings were limited to 18 wives and citizens to 4
Most citizens only had more than one wife if they wanted more children
Women were valued but they did a lot of work in an ordinary household
Women were mostly dependents but some were not
Divorces were possible if men initiated it but not if only the woman wanted it
Wives had to be faithful but husbands did not
Established Israel