1
Q
“murmurings”
A
stories in the Book of Exodus about the complaints against Moses and against God
2
Q
ethics
A
a set of principles of right conduct
3
Q
elders
A
mature, usually male, members of the Israelite community who met regularly to rule on specific disputes within the community
4
Q
doctrine
A
the revealed teachings of Christ that are proclaimed by the Church’s Magisterium and Catholics are obligated to believe
5
Q
Tetragrammaton
A
Greek for “four letters”; refers to the sacred term YHWH as it appeared in the sacred writing of the Jews
6
Q
civil laws
A
laws dealing with the day-to-day issues that arise between people living, in the case of the Israelites, in an agrarian community, such as the consequences when one person’s animal injures another person, or when borders between properties are disputed
7
Q
religious laws
A
For the Israelites, laws that govern the actions of the priests, the regulations for sacrifice, and the building and maintenance of the Temple
8
Q
punitive justice
A
laws which rely on punishment as a deterrent to criminal activity
9
Q
restorative justice
A
laws which are concerned primarily with restoring community after an offense has occured; the goal is to keep the community together, as the survival of the society depended on everyone fulling his or her role
10
Q
idolatry
A
worshipping something or someone other than the true God; it is a sin against the 1st commandment
11
Q
Hyksos
A
A group of non-Egyptians who came to power in Egypt between 1650 and 1500 BC
12
Q
The Church’s Magisterium
A
The official teaching office of the Church; the Lord bestowed the right and the power to teach in his name to Peter, the other Apostles, and their successors. The Magisterium is the bishops in communion with the sucessor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome (the Pope)
13
Q
Patriarchs
A
male rulers, elders, or leaders; the patriarchs of the faith of Israel are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
14
Q
Circumcision
A
the surgical removal of the male foreskin; it was the physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham
15
Q
anthropomorphic
A
the attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena
16
Q
Deuterocanonical
A
A term meaning “second canon.” Books included in the Catholic Old Testament but not in Hebrew scriptures. These additions are 1 and 2 Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, Baruch, Sirach, Wisdom, and parts of Esther and Daniel.
17
Q
Yahwist
Date/Where, Style, Characteristic, Name for God, Examples, Themes…
A
- Date/Where: Origin in the southern kingdom (Judah) prior to 922 BC, during King Solomon’s monarchy
- Style: Uses YHWH for God; vivid, earthy style; anthropomorphic (God “walks and talks with us”); refers to Mount Sinai
- Key Characteristic: Human-like view of God; focus on Israel as a people
- Name for God: YHWH (Yahweh)
- Examples: Second creation account (Gensis 2:4-25); Egyptian plagues (Exodus 7:14-10:29)
- Themes: God’s promises to the patriarchs–Israel as a people and the Promised Land
J abbreviation
18
Q
Deuteronomist
Date/Where, Style, Characteristic, Name for God, Examples, Themes…
A
- Date/Where: Possibly composed/edited after 640 BC by a priest in the northern kingdom (Shiloh)
- Style: Speeches of Moses; emphasis on law and moral behavior; sermon-like tone
- Key Characteristic: Israel’s fidelity to God brings blessings; disobedience brings adversity
- Name for God: YHWH (Yahweh)
- Examples: Speeches of Moses
- Themes: Covenant renewal; importance of the Law; moral responsibility
19
Q
Elohist
Date/Where, Style, Characteristic, Name for God, Examples, Themes…
A
- Date/Where: Origin in the northern kingdom (Ephraim) between 922 and 722 BC
- Style: Uses Elohim for God; more abstract; emphasizes moral and prophetic aspects
- Key Characteristic: Covenant is central; focus on God’s relationship with Israel through covenant promises
- Name for God: Elohim
- Examples: Abraham and Sarah
- Themes: Faithfulness to God; covenant relationship; moral obedience
20
Q
Priestly
Date/Where, Style, Characteristic, Name for God, Examples, Themes…
A
- Date/Where: Written/edited during or after the Babylonian exile (587-538 BC); completed ~400 BC
- Style: Formal and orderly; focus on rituals, genealogy, worship, dates, laws, and temple ceremonies
- Key Characteristic: Concern for ritual purity and order; portrays God as distant and majestic
- Name for God: Elohim
- Examples: First creation account; laws in Leviticus
- Themes: Worship, ritual, and God’s holiness; the Law as liturgy
21
Q
The theory of four strands coming together to form the Pentateuch suggests what?
A
that the Pentateuch was formed by the combination of four distinct sources or “strands” of writing
22
Q
The Yahwist author describes God in what way?
A
a more humanlike way
For example, God might walk in a garden, speak directly to people in a relatable manner, or even get angry.
23
Q
The Pentateuch includes which books of the Bible?
A
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
24
Q
How many creation stories are there in the Book of Genesis? How are they different?
A
- There are two creation stories (dublets) in the Book of Genesis
- The first story describes creation in a structured, orderly fashion over six days, with God resting on the seventh. The setting for this creation is water, and the order of creation is plants, then animals, and finally humans.
- The second creation story has a barren land setting, and the order of creation is different: humans are created first, followed by plants and then animals. God is presented as a craftsman who forms man from the mud and breathes life into him, Adam and Eve are introduced, and Original Sin and its effects are described.
25
What is a covenant?
Binding and solemn agreements between human beings or between God and people, holding each to a particular course of action
26
When Catholic biblical scholars interpret the Book of Genesis, do they primarily interpret it literally or figuratively?
Catholics traditionally interpret Scripture through the **literal sense** and the **spiritual sense**; the **literal sense** refers to the **direct meaning** of the text, while the **spiritual sense** goes beyond the literal to find **deeper meanings**
27
Explain the connections between Original Sin and a fundamental brokenness in the human character inherited from our first ancestors.
* Original Sin represents a break in humanity’s relationship with God. This initial sin fundamentally weakened human nature, passing on a tendency towards sin to all their descendants
* As a result, we are all born with a “brokenness” that inclines us away from God’s will. This inherited flaw leads to a **loss of original holiness and justice**, making us susceptible to sin. Our **spiritual control over our bodies is diminished, and a general disharmony enters human relationships and the natural world**. Death itself became a consequence of this original act.
28
Who were Abraham’s sons?
Ishmael and Isaac
29
What is the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham?
Circumcision
30
What is the “name” of God that means “I am who am?”
Yahweh
31
The tenth plague that Jews recall during the Passover is?
the death of the firstborn male and the firstborn of livestock
32
Is the Law of the Old Testament mainly concerned with punitive or restorative justice?
Restorative Justice
33
The laws of Jubilee call for what types of action?
actions that **promote social justice and economic equality**, through the **redistribution of land and the release of debts**
##Footnote
Every seven years (the Jubilee Year), all the tribal land that had been leased, lost to debt, or bought up by unscrupulous landlords, was to be returned to the original tribes families.
34
Do Protestant and Catholic Bibles contain the same number of books?
No.
* Protestant Bibles have 66 books
* Catholic Bibles have 73
##Footnote
The difference lies in the Old Testament—Catholic Bibles include the Deuterocanonical books, which are not found in Protestant Bibles due to their Greek translation.
35
According to Catholic biblical scholarship, do the creation stories in the Book of Genesis tell us that the Big Bang could not have happened?
No
* Catholic scholarship views the Genesis creation as theological rather than a scientific, chronological step-by-step event book. They are made to convey truths about God’s relationship with the world, the nature of humanity, and the purpose of creation
36
Does Abraham kill his son at God's command?
* God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac
* **Abraham was willing to obey**
* God stopped Abraham before he could sacrifice Isaac and provided an alternative sacrifice
37
Did Joseph live out the end of his life in Egypt?
Yes
38
What does the story of Jacob and Esau teach about reconciliation?
If Jacob and Esau can reconcile, then peace between nations is possible too.
## Footnote
Originally, it was made to give hope to Israel so that they can live peacefully with its neighbors, especially the Edomites.
39
In God's covenant with Abraham, what must Abraham do?
Abraham is told to "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you."
40
In God's covenant with Abraham, what did God promise to do?
* Make of a him a great nation
* Bless him
* Make his name great
* Make him a blessing
* Bless those who bless him and curse those who cursed him
* All the communities in the world shall find blessing in him
41
What is the basic root of sin?
man's rejection of God and opposition to his will
42
What are the consequences of Original Sin?
the loss of **original holiness and justice**, which leads to weakened human nature, inclination to sin, loss of spiritual control over bodies, tensions between men and women, a hostile creation, and the entrance of death into human history
43
In what language was the Old Testament originally composed?
Hebrew
44
The Old Testament is arranged in the Catholic Bible under what classification?
* Pentateuch (In Greek, "five books")
* Historical Books
* Prophetic Books
* Wisdom Books
45
Jews divide the books of the Hebrew Scriptures into how many sections?
3
## Footnote
1. Law
2. Prophets
3. Writings
46
Why is the Old Testament important for Catholics?
it contains God's revelation
## Footnote
This means it's a vital part of Sacred Scripture that reveals God's plan and promises to humanity, laying the groundwork for the New Testament and Jesus Christ's coming.
47
Why is it more likely that several authors composed the Pentateuch?
there is distinct literary styles, vocabulary (specifically the names used for God), and theological themes that appear in different sections of the text
## Footnote
These differences show different origins and periods of composition.
48
Are all Bibles translated in the same manner and translated into the same language?
No
* Different translations and source texts lead to variations in interpretation and linguistic representation.
49
Did the Church preceded the formation of Sacred Scripture?
Yes, the church **preceded** the final compilation and canonization of Sacred Scripture
50
What is the real sin of Adam and Eve?
## Footnote
Their thoughts rather than their actions
* **Distrust and pride** - Before they ate the fruit, Adam and Eve *knew* God personally and trusted Him to define what was good and evil. When the serpent told them, *"You will be liuke God, knowing good and evil,"* something shifted inside them. They began to **doubt God's goodness**, and this led to **pride**, the desire to be their own source of truth and wisdom rather than depend on Him.
* **Desire for independence** - Their thoughts went something like: "Why should God decide what's best for us? We can decide for ourselves." This attitude wasn't about hunger or curiosity, it was about **wanting autonomy**, to be equal to God in judgment. In that moment, they stopped living in loving relationship and started thinking in terms of **control and self-determination**.
51
What grave sin does Cain commit? What did God recommend to the others regarding Cain and his sin?
Cain's Sin
* The **real sin** is not only the act of murder but also what's happening in **Cain's heart**.
* Cain becomes **envious** because God accepts Abel's offering but not his own.
* Instead of mastering his journey and anger, Cain **lets sin control him**, leading him to kill Abel in the field.
* This shows a **refusal to take responsibility, resentment toward God's justice, and pride**--the desire to control his own fate and be seen as favored.
God's Response
* God **banishes Cain** to wander the earth as a consequence of his sin.
* However, God also **puts a mark on Cain** so that **no one will kill him**--He says, "Whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold."
* God **forbids others from taking revenge**, showing that even though Cain's sin is grave, **God still shows mercy** and **protects him from further violence**.
52
What does God promise Noah in the covenant they make? What is the sign of this covenant with Noah?
God's Promise to Noah
* **He will never again destroy all life on earth by a flood.**
* The earth will continue in its natural order, and God also renews His blessing.
The Sign of this Covenant
* The **sign** of this covenant is the **rainbow**.
* The rainbow reminds both God and humanity of His **mercy and faithfulness**--that He will **never again flood the whole earth** to destroy life.
53
In the Tower of Babel story, the Lord suggests that they stop the people from building a tower because nothing then will be "impossible for them." From what we know about God, do you think God feared those people? Why did God stop them? Explain your answer.
No, God didn't fear the people at Babel. He stopped them **not out of fear but out of wisdom**. The people were building the tower out of **pride**--trying to make a name for themselves and act independent from God. God confused their language to **humble them** and **stop their pride from leading to greater sin**. It was meant to **protect humanity**, not punish their progress.
54
In the covenant that God makes with Abraham, what will God do for them exactly? What is the sign of this covenant? What do Abraham and his people have to do besides the sign of the covenant?
God will
* Make of a him a great nation
* Bless him
* Make his name great
* Make him a blessing
* Bless those who bless him and curse those who cursed him
* All the communities in the world shall find blessing in him
Sign of the covenant
* Circumcision
Abraham and his people's role
* To go forth to a new land like God promised them
* Stay faithful to God
* Live righteously
55
There are two creation stories in Genesis. How do they differ? How does the Yahwist author describe God? How does the Eloist author describe God?
How they differ
* The first creation story describes God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, with the order of creation being plants, then animals, and finally humans. The second creation story portrays God as a crafter who makes man out of mud and breathes life into him, with the order of creation being humans, then plants, and finally animals.
Yahwist author description vs. Elohist
* Yahwist author describes God as more personal, he "walks and talks with us", breathing life into humans in the second creation story. The Priestly author describes God as more abstract and transcendent, who creates the world by divine command.
56
How do both Abraham and Sarah react to the news that she will become pregnant? Why exactly do they react this way?
They laugh to themselves, thinking, "How could they possibly bear a child at a hundred years old?" They are surprised that something so impossible could happen.
57
In the Abraham and Isaac "sacrifice" story, what was God testing? What does this story say about God and human sacrifice?
* God was testing Abraham's faith, trust, and loyalty.
* God does not want human sacrifice
58
What did Jacob do that gave Esau the right to come and destroy Jacob's camp? Explain.
Jacob tricked Esau twice
* He took Esau's birthright
* More importantly, he stole Esau's blessing, deceving Isaac into giving him the blessing meant for Esau
59
Based on the discussion between wrestlers, who did Jacob actually wrestle? How did the tactics of the other “wrestler” affect what Jews ate?
Who Jacob Wrestled
* Jacob wrestled with a **divine being**, interpreted as **God Himself in human form** or one of His **angels.**
* After the fight, God renames him “**Israel,**” meaning “one who struggles with God.”
Jewish Food Law Relation
* During the struggle, the **divine being touched Jacob’s hip, dislocating it**.
* Because of this, Jews **do not eat the sinew (tendon) of the hip socket** of animals.
##Footnote
“That is why the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip.” (Genesis 32:32)
60
What traumatic event happened to Dinah? What actions did her brothers take in response to this?
Traumatic Event
* Dinah was **sexually assaulted** by Shechem (prince of Shechem), who said that he loved Dinah and wanted to marry her.
* This was deeply shameful and dishonoring in their culture since it violated Jacob's family and Dinah's dignity.
Brothers' Response
* Dinah's brothers, especially **Simeon and Levi**, were **furious**.
* They **deceptively agreed** to let Shechem marry Dinah, but only if **all the men in Shechem's city were circumcised**.
* When the men were weakened from the procedure, Simeon and Levi **attacked the city, killed all the males, and rescued Dinah**.
* The other brothers then looted the city.
61
Joseph interprets the Pharoh's dream. What is going to happen in Egypt in the following fourteen years after the dream?
## Footnote
Explain the cows in the Pharoah's dreams.
The Fourteen Years
* **_First 7 years_**: There will be **great abundance** of food and crops throughout Egypt.
* **_Next 7 years_**: There will be **severe famine** and the crops will fail. The abundance from the first seven years will be forgotten.
Meaning of the Cows
* Pharaoh dreamed of **seven fat, healthy cows** being eaten by **seven thin, ugly cows**.
* The **thin cows** represent the **seven years of famine** that come afterward and **consume** the abundance of the good years.
62
Joseph's brothers did a terrible thing in selling Joseph. Yet Joseph says that God sent him to Egypt? Did God want Joseph to be thrown in a pit and sold for a slave? Write two sentences explaining your answer.
What Joseph Means
* When Joseph says "*God sent me ahead of you*", he means that **God used their wrong actions for a greater purpose**, to save lives during the famine.
* God didn't cause the cruelty. He **did not want Joseph to be thrown into a pit or sold as a slave.** Those were sinful choices made by Joseph's brothers out of **jealousy and hatred**. However, God **worked through it** to bring about good.
The Bigger Message
* This shows that **God can turn human evil into good**, and that **His plan isn't defeated by sin**.
63
How does God appear to Moses the first time? What two questions does Moses ask God at this time?
How God Appears
* Moses sees a **bush that is on fire but not burning up**.
* When he approaches, **God speaks to him** from the bush, calling "Moses, Moses!"
The Two Questions
* "**Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?**"
* "**What if I go to the Israelites and they ask, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?**"
64
What do the first three commandments have in common? What do the last seven commandments have in common?
First Three Commandments
* These focus on a person's **relationship with God**.
* They teach **love, honor, and respect for God** above all else.
The Last Seven Commandments
* These focus on a person's **relationship with other people**.
* They teach how to **love and respect others** in daily life.
65
# Fill in the chart
66
# Write down each of the ten commandments.
1. You shall have no other gods beside Me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain
3. Remember to keep holy the sabbath
4. Honor your father and mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor
9. You shall not covet thy neighbor's wife
10. You shall not covet thy neighbor's house/goods
67
What is the eighth commandment?
You shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor
68
What is the third commandment?
Remember to keep holy the sabbath
69
What is the sixth commandment?
You shall not commit adultery
70
What is the second commandment?
you shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain
71
What is the seventh commandment?
You shall not steal
72
What is the ninth commandment?
you shall not covet thy neighbor's wife
73
In what year was King David the king?
~1000 BC
74
In what year did Abraham live approximately?
~1900 BC
75
In what year did Moses live?
~1250 BC
76
In what year did the Babylonian Captivity happen?
| or Babylonian Exile
~587 BC
77
What was the first plague of Egypt?
The Nile River and all other water in Egypt turned to blood
78
What was the second plague of Egypt?
Frogs
79
What was the third plague of Egypt?
Lice / Gnats
80
What was the fourth plague of Egypt?
Flies
81
What was the fifth plague of Egypt?
Livestock pestilience
82
What was the sixth plague of Egypt?
Boils
83
What was the seventh plague of Egypt?
Hail
84
What was the eighth plague of Egypt?
Locusts
85
What was the ninth plague of Egypt?
Darkness
86
What was the tenth plague of Egypt?
Death of the firstborn
## Footnote
And firstborn of livestock was killed
Scripture 9 - STA
flashcards
Decks in class (4)
# Cards
