Course Description

This course delves into the history, traditions, customs and religion of Israel and the surrounding nations during the period of the Tanakh (Old Testament). It will give the student a historical framework for the period of the Tanakh, and look at various aspects of government, society, economics and cult in the Ancient Near East, with a focus on shared and unique elements found in Israelite society.

Course Structure

The lessons will be held through a Zoom format, consisting of lectures and interactive discussions between all participants. There will be 10 three hour (with breaks) Live zoom lectures. Recordings will be available to registered students to watch multiple times during the time of the course and for six weeks after it ends. It won’t be possible to download video lectures to personal PC.

We cannot ensure the quality of zoom recordings should technical failures occur. We also cannot gurantee that all parts will be recorded. Therefore, it is NOT possible to register for recordings only. Students need to participate in all live lectures.

Course Goals

1. To learn about the world into which Israel was birthed: its history, cultures, customs and religions.

2. To deepen our understanding and appreciation of the Hebrew Scriptures, by comparison and contrast with other societies in the ancient Near East.

3. To provide tools for the student to interpret Old Testament events and descriptions in their cultural and geopolitical context.

Course Dates and Topics :

Oct 11

- Geographical Setting, Chronology and Sources

- History and Culture of Mesopotamia: an overview

Oct 18

- Mesopotamian Mythology

- Patriarchal Narratives in their Near Eastern context

Oct 25

- History and Culture of Egypt until the end of the Middle Kingdom

- Joseph and the Exodus in its ancient Egyptian context.

Nov 1

- Elections Day / No Class

Nov 8

- Mittani, Neo-Hittites and Ugarit: Covenant and Religion in the Late Bronze Age

- The Settlement Period: Nomadic Society / Agricultural Society

Nov 15

- Guest Lecturer: Dr. John Relf

- Death, Afterlife and Resurrection in the Old Testament and in the Ancient Near East

Nov 22

- Guest Lecturer: Dr. John Relf

- Sacrifice and Sacrificial Offerings in the Old Testament and in the Ancient Near East

Nov 29

- Dynastic State: David and Solomon: Legendary or Historical?

- Divided Kingdom in its Geopolitical Context: Part 1 Aram — 9th Century BCE

Dec 6

- Divided Kingdom in its Geopolitical Context: Part 2 The Assyrian Empire – 8th Century

Dec 13

- Divided Kingdom in its Geopolitical Context: Part 3

- The Babylonian Empire: 7th /6th Centuries BCE

- Life in exile

Dec 20

- Return to Jerusalem and Rebuilding the Temple

- The Persian Empire: 6th-5th Centuries BCE

- Life in exile

- Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem

Required Textbooks

Main Texts

A variety of texts and readings will be utilized, including:

Arnold, Bill and Richard S. Hess. Ancient Israel’s History: An Introduction to Issues and Sources.Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.

Freedman, D. N. (ed.). Anchor Bible Dictionary, 6 Vols. New York, 1992.

Hays, Christopher B. Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East. Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.

Notley, Steven R. and Anson F. Rainey. The Sacred Bridge:  Carta’s Atlas of the Biblical World.

Jerusalem: Carta, 2006.

Provan, I., P. Long, and T. Longman. A Biblical History of Israel. (Westminster John Knox, 2003)

Vos, Howard F. Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands. Revised Ed.  Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2003

Yamauchi, Edwin M. Persia and the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Books, 1990.

*Most of the required readings will be posted or sent to students by email