Nehemiah 1 – Study Leader's Questions
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LXX Jeremiah 25 and 36 in the Light of Jewish Literature of the Time: on the Word Usage Related to Exile and Diaspora
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies ISSN: (Online) 2072-8050, (Print) 0259-9422 Page 1 of 8 Original Research LXX Jeremiah 25 and 36 in the light of Jewish literature of the time: On the word usage related to exile and diaspora Author: This article is not meant to contribute to the debate on the textual history of the book of Jeremiah 1 Arie van der Kooij but intends to examine specific data in the Old Greek version (Septuagint [LXX] Jeremiah) in the Affiliation: light of Jewish literature at the time of the translator. The angle of approach concerns the word 1Faculty of Humanities, usage related to exile and diaspora in LXX Jeremiah 25 and 36, on the one hand, and 2 Maccabees Centre for the Study of 1–2 and Tobit 14, on the other hand. I shall argue that the latter two texts display a usage of the Religion, Leiden University, terminology involved that at the same time is related to a particular view of the post-exilic age. Leiden, The Netherlands After a brief discussion of the terminology involved from a broader perspective, LXX Jeremiah 25 Corresponding author: and 36 are looked at from a perspective obtained from the analysis of the two contemporary texts. Arie van der Kooij, [email protected] Contribution: This article fits within the scope of HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies since it contributes to research regarding historical thought (source interpretation, reception of Dates: and traditions about Jeremiah) and hermeneutics. Received: 05 Apr. 2021 Accepted: 12 May 2021 Keywords: LXX Jeremiah; exile; diaspora; 2 Maccabees; Tobit; reception of Jeremiah; traditions Published: 17 Aug. -
Ezra/Nehemiah: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Ezra/Nehemiah: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 1-3 Historical Background Author It is unknown who wrote Ezra and Nehemiah. Historically it was believed that Ezra and Nehemiah author each book that carries their names in the title. Primarily because of the memoires that exist in each book (Ezra 7-10; Neh. 8-9) and the first person pronouns that are included throughout each book. Setting ● Israel’s capital is Jerusalem which is a vassal state under the control of the Persian King. ● Most Jews were exiled to Babylon / Persia. Some were left behind and remained in the land. ● When the Jewish exiles returned to the land, they faced opposition from enemies, particularly the Samarians who lived there. ● When the exiles returned to the land, they discovered that the distinctiveness of the Jews who were not deported had been compromised. Many had intermarried with non-Jews, which was forbidden in the Law (Ezra 9-10, Nehemiah 13:23-29). ● God called Ezra (priest) to bring the community back to covenant faithfulness (Torah). ● God called Nehemiah (governor) to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, to secure the city. ● The repopulation of the Promised Land was a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy (Isa. 40:1-11, Jer. 25:11-12, 29:10) Date The events in both books take place over a span of roughly 60yrs (Ezra 539-458; Neh. -
Ezra and Nehemiah
Ezra and Nehemiah by Daniel J. Lewis ©Copyright 1998 by Diakonos Troy, Michigan USA 2 Ezra-Nehemiah...........................................................................................................3 One Book or Two ..................................................................................................3 Languages ..............................................................................................................4 The Ezra-Nehemiah Chronology...........................................................................5 Authorship .............................................................................................................6 The Exile and the Promise of Restoration.............................................................6 Purpose...................................................................................................................7 Structure.................................................................................................................7 The Book of Ezra...............................................................................................7 The Book of Nehemiah......................................................................................7 The Book of Ezra.......................................................................................................8 The Return of Exiles with Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel (1-2).............................9 The Restoration of Worship and the Building of the Second Temple (3-6)...... 12 Building the Great Altar and -
Book of Nehemiah - Thorough
Book of Nehemiah - Thorough In the earliest form of the Hebrew canon known to us the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were united in one, under the name of "The Book of Ezra." After a while, a division was made, and the two books which we now recognize were distinguished as "the First Book of Ezra" and "the Second Book of Ezra" Later still - probably not until toward the close of the fourth century - the Second Book of Ezra came to be known as "the Book of Nehemiah." The Book of Nehemiah is composed of four quite distinct sections: (1) Neh. 1-7 containing the record of the 20th year of Artaxerxes (or 445-444 B.C.), but composed by Nehemiah at least twelve years later Neh 5:14. (2) the second section of the work consists of Neh. 8-10, and contains a narrative of some events belonging to the autumn of 444 B.C. In this portion Nehemiah is spoken of in the third person; פחה he is called the Tirshatha (Neh. 8:9)," whereas in the earlier chapters his title is always pechâh ("governor") (Neh. 5:14); and Ezra holds the first and most prominent position. The style of this portion of the book is markedly different from that of the earlier and later chapters; and critics are generally agreed that it is NOT from the hand of Nehemiah. Some assign it to Ezra; others conjecture Zadok (or Zidkijah), Nehemiah's scribe or secretary Neh 13:13, to have been the author. (3) Neh. 11-12:26, which consists of six important lists. -
Mission Accomplished Bible Study: Nehemiah 1-6 Historical Context Leader Comment
Mission Accomplished Bible Study: Nehemiah 1-6 Historical Context Leader Comment. Note: This information could be gleaned from Bible survey books and other Bible study helps. After the reigns of David and Solomon, the Kingdom of Israel divided into separate kingdoms—the Northern Kingdom, consisting of ten Tribes and the Southern Kingdom consisting of two Tribes. Jerusalem was in the Tribe of Judah, which was in the Southern Kingdom. Immediately and consistently, the Northern Kingdom began to drift from God, committing spiritual adultery and growing more and more evil. After about 250 years, God had had enough and finally allowed them to be conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C. Because of the manner in which Assyria controlled its conquered territory, specifically by importing foreigners to dilute any sense of residual nationalism which might rebel, intermarriages naturally took place. This practice was strictly forbidden by God and led to the formation of a group of “half Jews” known as Samaritans, which we encounter in the New Testament during the time of Jesus. The Southern Tribes survived about a century longer. They, too, committed spiritual adultery against God and committed evil practices, but had respites of reformation when good kings rediscovered God’s word and chose to live according to its laws and guidelines. However, in 605 B.C. the Babylonians, who had replaced Assyria as the regional power, began their conquest of the Southern Kingdom. It was during this period that young Daniel, of Daniel and the Lions Den fame, was taken off as a young captive. Eventually, most of Jerusalem and Judah were taken captive back to Babylon for the 70 years of captivity predicted by God. -
Eunuchs in the Bible 1. Introduction
Acta Theologica Supplementum 7 2005 EUNUCHS IN THE BIBLE ABSTRACT In the original texts of the Bible a “eunuch” is termed saris (Hebrew, Old Testament) or eunouchos (Greek, New Testament). However, both these words could apart from meaning a castrate, also refer to an official or a commander. This study therefore exa- mines the 38 original biblical references to saris and the two references to eunouchos in order to determine their meaning in context. In addition two concepts related to eunuchdom, namely congenital eunuchs and those who voluntarily renounce marriage (celibates), are also discussed. 1. INTRODUCTION The concept of a “eunuch” (a castrate) is described in the Bible prima- rily by two words, namely saris (Hebrew, Old Testament) and eunouchos (Greek, New Testament) (Hug 1918:449-455; Horstmanshoff 2000: 101-114). In addition to “eunuch”, however, both words can also mean “official” or “commander”, while castration is sometimes indirectly referred to without using these terms. This study therefore set out to determine the true appearance of eunuchism in the Bible. The aim was to use textual context and, in particular, any circum- stantial evidence to determine which of the two meanings is applic- able in each case where the word saris (O.T.) or eunouchos (N.T.) occurs in the Bible. All instances of the words saris and eunouchos were thus identified in the original Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible and compared with the later Septuagint and Vulgate texts, as well as with Afrikaans and English Bible translations. The meanings of the words were determined with due cognisance of textual context, relevant histo- rical customs and attitudes relating to eunuchs (Hug 1918:449-455; Grey 1974:579-85; Horstmanshoff 2000:101-14). -
Nehemiah Ezra
RESTORATION & REFORM Week 26: Reestablishment of the Walls and Laws back in Jerusalem (Nehemiah; Ezra; Malachi) The books of Ezra and Nehemiah traces the story of the people of God returning to the land of Israel after the 70-year captivity in Babylon. The return under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6, covered in week 24) was the earliest return, dated 536BC. During the 60 year break between the dedication of the temple and the ministry of Ezra, the events of the book of Esther happened in far-off Persia as discussed in Week 25’s readings. Then, God called Ezra. Ezra had mastered the Scriptures of his day—the books of Moses—while in the land of captivity. With great skill as an interpreter of the old law for a new day, Ezra persuaded 2,000+ Jews to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 7-10). They arrived in 458BC. Once there, Ezra began to teach a new generation of Jews how to live according to God’s law. At this point in God’s Week Twenty-Six Reading Plan Story, Jerusalem had a temple and a prepared Ezra 7:1-10; 8:15-36 Ezra and the Second Return people but there was no Nehemiah 1:1-2:20 Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem protection for the city Nehemiah 4:1-5:19; 6:15-7:3 Nehemiah Deals with Oppression Within and Without from further attack. It Nehemiah 8:1-9:3 Ezra Reads the Law is in this situation that Nehemiah 13:1-31 Nehemiah’s Reforms Nehemiah travels to Malachi 1:1-14 The Lord’s Love Given Unworthy Sacrifices Jerusalem and uses his leadership skills to rally Malachi 3:1-4:6 Great Day of God a citywide construction crew for the rebuilding of the walls. -
Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther
A Study Workbook for Teachers and Students Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther Revised June 6, 2015 1:43 PM Copyright © 2012 Mikeal R. Hughes, D.Min., Th.D., Ph.D. All Rights Reserved www.mikealrhughes.com Reproductions may be freely made and used, provided proper credit is given to the author and no charge is ever made in association with this material without the express written consent of the author. !48 Mikeal R. Hughes Printing Instructions 1. Download the booklet and open it in Adobe Reader 2. Print only the ODD pages. 3. Now FLIP THE PILE OVER so the blank sides are ready. 4. Print ONLY the EVEN pages. 5. Fold the pages in the middle and staple twice along the spine. Copyright © 2012, Mikeal R. Hughes, All Rights Reserved All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther !47 The Table of Contents: Books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther Introduction .............................................................................................................1 Lesson 1 - Ezra 1-2 Edict of Cyrus \ Names of those who returned first with Zerrubbabel .......................................................5 Lesson 2 - Ezra 3-4:5 Altar rebuit \ Help offered and refused. ..................7 Lesson 3 - Ezra 4:6 - 5:17 Letter to Artaxerxes \ work stopped \ Haggai & Zechariah begin rebuilding Temple ..........................9 Lesson 4 - Ezra 6 Darius’ reply \ Temple completed \ Dedication \ Passover feast celebrated ......................................11 Lesson 5 - Ezra 7-8 Ezra’s genealogy \ commission from Artaxerxes \ arrival at Jerusalem ............................................13 Lesson 6 - Ezra 9-10 Ezra’s displeasure over mixed marriages \ Ezra’s prayer \ putting away strange wives .....................17 Lesson 7 - Nehemiah 1-3 Nehemiah’s sorrow \ Request to go to Jerusalem \ Nehemiah at Jerusalem \ Inspecting the walls \ Opposition of Sanballat & Tobiah \ Rebuilding the walls \workers and places they worked. -
The Chapters of Nehemiah
Scholars Crossing An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible 5-2018 The Chapters of Nehemiah Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "The Chapters of Nehemiah" (2018). An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible. 35. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible/35 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Nehemiah SECTION OUTLINE ONE (NEHEMIAH 1-3) After hearing about Jerusalem's situation, Nehemiah confesses his people's sins to God. He receives permission from King Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem to repair the wall. After Nehemiah arrives and inspects the wall, he begins the repairs. Those who worked on various portions of the gates and wall are recorded. I. THE REPORT (1:1-11) A. Learning about the wall (1:1-3): Nehemiah is told about the sad situation in Jerusalem. The wall of the city has been torn down, and the gates have been burned. B. Lamenting over the wall (1:4-11): Nehemiah is deeply saddened, and he mourns and fasts. He prays to the Lord about the following: 1. -
NEHEMIAH 1:1-11 the Words of Nehemiah the Son of Hacaliah
Today’s Scripture Reading: NEHEMIAH 1:1-11 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 1:1-11 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with t h o s e w h o l o v e h i m a n d k e e p h i s commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. 1:1-11 Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. -