Hebrew Civilization

Early History to 1250 B.C.E.

Hebrew civilization traces its rootsback to c. 2000 B.C.E. when theHebrews were one among manynomadic tribes of Semitic peoplesin the northern Arabian peninsula.According to tradition, theHebrew tribes were loosely unitedunder the leadership of Abraham,from the Mesopotamian city of Ur.Around 1600 B.C.E., the Hebrewssettled in northern Egypt whereby 1400 B.C.E., according totradition, they were enslaved.

Moses the Egyptian

Berlin’s leading archeologist, JanAssmann, suggested in his work, Mosesthe Egyptian, that Moses may well havebeen a real figure from the ranks of theEgyptian royal family leading a revolt. Assuch, this would explain both his clearlyEgyptian name as well as need forsomeone, i.e., Aaron, to interpret hiswords for “his” people. As such, he wouldhave been viewed in the Egyptian traditionas the Gods representative of the people and as a holy person himself. In addition,it would also lend some explanation to theHebrews reversion back to Egyptianpractices in the activities associated withthe so-called “golden calf.”

The Advance into Palestine, 1250 BC to 538 BC

Under the leadership of Moses c. 1250 B.C.E., someof the Hebrew tribes left Egypt for Palestine. Mosesunited them through God's revelation on Mt. Sinai of Hiscovenant with them, namely through the tencommandments (Exodus 19:3 - 20:22). According tocertain Jewish traditions, Mosses composed the entireTorah (or Pentateuch) during his stay on Mt. Sinai –whose actual location eludes us even to this day.

Until the formation of the kingdom of Israel by Saulin 1010 B.C.E., these tribes were held together by theLeague of 12 Tribes. Founded on the common originsand religious beliefs of the tribes, the Judges (triballeaders) adhered to the principles passed down to themby Moses. By the 10th century B.C.E., the tribes splitinto a northern (the ten tribes of Israel) and a southern(the 2 tribes of Judah) region.

The kingdom of Israel had it ups and downs. ThePhilistines and the Ammonites (eastern Jordan)pressured the Israelite tribes from all sides. AlthoughSaul defeated the Ammorites and established himself asthe first monarch, the Philistines, in turn, defeated Sauland the kingdom disintegrated.

A Focus on JerusalemPrior to Jerusalem, Hebron had been the traditional capital of thesouthern regions. David,originally from Bethlehem, usingmercenaries, conducted a seriesof successful military campaignsagainst immediate threats, unitedJudah and Israel (northernkingdom), and capturedJerusalem, a Canaanite city ofJesubites, which became the newreligious (by bringing in the Ark ofthe Covenant) and politicalcapitol.

King David: A Myth?King David: A Myth?In addition to the religious narrative, historians

andarcheologists debated in the 1990's whether theoriginal city of “King David” existed at all. While clearevidence exists for the existence of a smaller city on thesite prior to the 10th century BCE as out outpost of theEgyptian empire, evidence for the city of David appearsless prominent in recent discoveries. While the vastmajority of scholars still hold to the accepted view of theorigins and development of the city.

In addition to the religious narrative, historians andarcheologists debated in the 1990's whether the originalcity of “King David” existed at all. While clear evidenceexists for the existence of a smaller city on the site priorto the 10th century BCE as out outpost of the Egyptianempire, evidence for the city of David appears lessprominent in recent discoveries. While the vast majorityof scholars still hold to the accepted view of the originsand development of the city. For those interested inthese competing points of view, the magazine BiblicalArcheological Review offers a number of provocativearticles.

The Retreat into Mythology: God as Distant and Judge (ca. 850-720 B.C.E.)

Within this time period, a new theological narrative emerges. Within this context, the historicalforces at play left the early Jews subject to the forces moving within the region, which made themthe object of large-power politics. Assyria and Egypt, in particular, begin to reassert them influencethroughout the region. Regarding the contemporary understanding of “Jewish chosen-ness,” thisappears to be more the product of rabbinic Judaism rather than a product of this early history.

Within Judah itself, Solomon's death initiated a long period of military rulers, the introduction ofPhoenician deities, the cult of Baal, and finally defeat by the Assyrians. As refugees fled into thesouthern regions, efforts were made to reconstruct history and understand God's plan for theHebrews. This new history could be characterized as a law giver-mystery mountain model (850-

720B.C.E.) wherein Moses -- a mythic religious figure – is reemphasized as the Law-Giver, Mount Sinai

isthen rendered as an unknown location, and God's covenant includes conditions for God's favor. During these times, the books of Exodus and Amos are composed.

Over the course of the next century, these two models blended as groups from the North andSouth both settle into the city and region around Jerusalem. King Josiah (r. c. 621) reforms and

pullsexisting traditions together in order to provide unity to his kingdom. For example, he forbad futurereferences to northern cities where God had been worshiped and, henceforth, only Jerusalem wouldbe the focus for worship -- centralization of worship in Jerusalem. He placed restrictions on theactions of the king while separating the influence of the priests from the palace by discoveringDeuteronomy. However, he also made himself subject to the law. Within forty years, however, theBabylonian's would destroy Jerusalem along with the temple (587 B.C.E.).

Babylonian Captivity (c. 587-538 B.C.E.)

The "Babylonian Captivity" determined the course of the religious and physical history of the Jews for almost 50 years (until 538 B.C.E.). Two aspect of the religious history narrative emerge which focus both on why the Jews had “failed” God and punished but also the time when their previous history is glorified. While in captivity, Jewish chroniclers embellished their past with greater glory to maintain unity among the tribes, for example, now creation story includes references to seven days and the basic concept of creation as good. Babylonian influences appear also to include taking ideas from the Epic of Gilgamesh (e.g., the great flood) and the Babylonian God Tiamat (whose name referred to a sacred wind/spirit).

Second Temple Period, 538 B.C.E. to 133 C.E.

Persia's rise brought Babylon's fall and theend of the Babylonian Captivity for the Jews.The agrarian population settled in andJerusalem was rebuilt. By the mid-sixth centuryB.C.E., the Torah emerges as the “book” fromwhich the old stories were read. Until thearrival of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.E., apolitical and religious revival in Jerusalem led tothe rebuilding of the Temple. It also led to theprohibition of marriage between inhabitants ofJudah and alien peoples. In 458 B.C.E., “King”Ezra -- with a Persian governor -- gave the forceof royal sanction to recognition of thePentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) asthe basis of he religion of Law (the Law was thegift of God). Another interesting change comesin the realm of sacrifice where animal sacrificehad been conducted virtually anywhere and

moved thefocal point to the Temple. As far back as 586

B.C.E.,some had still sacrificed children in the Kidron

Valley tothe God Moloch.