1200-700 B.C.

A number of small states emerge

Phoenicians/Canaanites

Carthage, Massalia, Phoenician Colonies

Leader of Hebrews: Abraham, fl. 2000-1550 B.C.

Moses, Hebrew Leader, fl. 1300-1200 B.C.

Ruled under judges, local Hebrew Leaders

772 B.C.

Israel conquered by the Assyrians

586 B.C.

Judah conquered by the Neo-Babylonians

The Hebrew Bible

Hebrew Scriptures; "Old Testament"

1. The Torah; First five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy — “the teaching”
2. The Prophets; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Books of Kings, Samuel, Chronicles; show the unfolding of God's relationship with his people
3. The Writings; Wisdom literature, poetic material; Psalms, Canticles, Proverbs, Wisdom

Central Religious Ideas

1. The idea of a Covenant
2. The idea of a uniquely chosen people
3. The idea of Exclusive Monotheism(as opposed to Henotheism: Monolatry)
4. The idea of Ethical Monotheism