Second Temple Judaism

First Century Judaism : 

1st Century Judaism 1 First Century Judaism Introduction to the New Testament New Brunswick Theological Seminary Virginia Wiles

Quick Overview : 

1st Century Judaism 2 Quick Overview The Jewish People Jewish Insitutions Jewish Expectations

The Jewish People : 

1st Century Judaism 3 The Jewish People A Common Heritage Diverse Expressions

A Common Heritage : 

1st Century Judaism 4 A Common Heritage Common History Common Scriptures Common Rituals

Sharing a History : 

1st Century Judaism 5 Sharing a History Exodus ca. 1300 B.C.E. Moses & Torah Monarchy ca. 1000 B.C.E. David Divided Kingdom Prophets Exile ca. 587 B.C.E. Monotheism Return ca. 540-440 B.C.E. Apocalypticism

Judaism after the Return : 

1st Century Judaism 6 Judaism after the Return Alexander’s Death -- 323 B.C.E. The Maccabean Revolt -- 168-167 B.C.E. The Hasmonean Dynasty -- 164-63 B.C.E. Rome Takes Over -- 63 B.C.E. Governance of Palestine in the 1st Century The Destruction of the Temple -- 70 C.E.

The Maccabean Revolt : 

1st Century Judaism 7 The Maccabean Revolt 175 Antiochus IV “Epiphanes” eccentric despot sought to enforce Hellenization co-opted the High Priest Office (Jason & Menalaus) 167 “Abomination of Desolation” see 1 Macc. 1:54; Dan. 11:31; 12:11 Judas Maccabeus “The Hammer” see 2 Macc. 9ff. 164 Rededication of the Temple Hannakah

Roman Palestine : 

1st Century Judaism 8 Roman Palestine Herod Antipas Galilee and Peraea “that fox” Archelaus Judea, Samaria, and Idumea Removed by Romans in 6 C.E. Thereafter ruled by Procurators (=Pilate) Philip extreme N and NE built Caesarea Philippi

The Temple Destroyed : 

1st Century Judaism 9 The Temple Destroyed Ruling Procurator expropriated Temple treasury (66 C.E.) Jewish rebellion ensued Titus marched on Jerusalem in 70 C.E. and Destroyed the Temple Masada, the last Judean fortress, fell in 73 Other rebellions 115-117 C.E. 132 C.E.

Common Scriptures : 

1st Century Judaism 10 Common Scriptures Torah Tanak Torah -- LAW Nebi’im -- PROPHETS Kethubim -- WRITINGS The Scriptures in Translation The Septuagint The Targums

Other Jewish Writings : 

1st Century Judaism 11 Other Jewish Writings The Apocrypha Greek “additions” to the Septuagint Key texts for study of Second Temple Judaism The Pseudepigrapha Many apocalypses Jewish Midrash A form of “story telling” among Jewish thinkers. See, for example, 2 Cor 4

Common Rituals : 

1st Century Judaism 12 Common Rituals

Diverse Expressions : 

1st Century Judaism 13 Diverse Expressions Pharisees Sadducees Zealots and Sicarii Essenes The Samaritans The Therapeutae Diaspora Judaism Diversity in Literature

The Pharisees : 

1st Century Judaism 14 The Pharisees Social Characteristics pietist movement composed mostly of laity mostly tradesmen, craftsmen, merchants, farmers Views: Focused on the necessity of adapting Jewish piety to the changed conditions of life in the “modern” world. Written and Oral Torah

The Sadducees : 

1st Century Judaism 15 The Sadducees Unclear origins (= Zadokites) included great majority of chief priests great power in Jerusalem during Hasmonean and Herodian periods ?rejected oral law ?collaborated with Rome

Chief Priests : 

1st Century Judaism 16 Chief Priests Included: captains of the temple, temple treasurers and overseers, directors of weekly courses of priests High Priest: president and convener of Sanhedrin Factors limiting power and influence no longer inherited (from Herod the Great on) held office at pleasure of Romans

Zealots and Sicarii : 

1st Century Judaism 17 Zealots and Sicarii Origins unclear Applies (broadly) to anyone who participated in revolutionary struggle against Rome

The Essenes : 

1st Century Judaism 18 The Essenes Mentioned by Josephus (&Philo?) ?Perhaps related to Qumran community? Origins: Group of priests & levites left temple in Jerusalem to protest abuses under Hasmonean high priests

Qumran : 

1st Century Judaism 19 Qumran “Teacher of Righteousness” Highly structured community with emphasis on purity Monastic Apocalyptic -- Good vs. Evil

Qumran Discipline : 

1st Century Judaism 20 Qumran Discipline If any man has uttered the Venerable Name even though frivolously, or as a result of shock, or for any other reason whatever, while reading the Book or praying, he shall be dismissed and shall return to the Council of the Community no more. If he has spoken in anger against one of the Priests…, he shall do penance for one year and shall be excluded for his soul’s sake from the pure Meal of the Congregation….

Other Jewish Groups : 

1st Century Judaism 21 Other Jewish Groups The Samaritans Claimed to be authentic survivors of exiled Israelite nation Mt. Gerazim Samaritan Pentateuch The Therapeutae mentioned by Philo 1st c. Egyptian Jewish Female monastics Diaspora Judaism Philo and Paul Little information

Diversity in Jewish Literature : 

1st Century Judaism 22 Diversity in Jewish Literature The Writings of Rabbinic Judaism Jewish Mysticism Jewish Apocalyptic Texts

The Talmud : 

1st Century Judaism 23 The Talmud Oral Law = Mishnah Gemara (commentary on Mishnah) Talmud = Mishnah + Gemara Palestinian Bablylonian

Jewish Mysticism : 

1st Century Judaism 24 Jewish Mysticism

Jewish Apocalyptic Texts : 

1st Century Judaism 25 Jewish Apocalyptic Texts

Jewish Institutions : 

1st Century Judaism 26 Jewish Institutions The Temple The Synagogue The Sanhedrin

The Second Temple : 

1st Century Judaism 27 The Second Temple Built upon the return from the Exile Herod the Great began expansion in 20 BCE Served as the “Center” of Judaism Stunning work of architecture Social Arrangement of the Temple

Model of the Second Temple : 

1st Century Judaism 28 Model of the Second Temple

Social Arrangement of Temple : 

1st Century Judaism 29 Social Arrangement of Temple Holy of Holies Holy Place Court of Israel Women’s Court Court of the Gentiles

Jewish Synagogues : 

1st Century Judaism 30 Jewish Synagogues Origins uncertain: Egypt? Babylon? Judea? Council house and place of assembly Place of prayer -- proseuche Central Purpose: The Proclamation and Exposition of the Law Oriented toward the laity Rectangular building facing toward Jerusalem Board of Directors (3); Archisynagogus; 10 minimum Service: Shema, prayer, and Torah Meeting on Monday and Thursday as well as Sabbath

Synagogue at Capernaum : 

1st Century Judaism 31 Synagogue at Capernaum

Synagogue at Gamla : 

1st Century Judaism 32 Synagogue at Gamla

The Sanhedrin : 

1st Century Judaism 33 The Sanhedrin “sunedrion” = “seated together” first mentioned ca. 55 BCE; lasts until 70 CE Chief priests, elders, and scribes 71 Jewish elders, presided over by high priest (=72) Both legislative and judicial authority = “city council” In Palestine, both civil and religious authority; in Diaspora, only religious

Jewish Eschatology : 

1st Century Judaism 34 Jewish Eschatology Simple Eschatology Prophetic Eschatology F P F P “Repent”

Apocalyptic Eschatology : 

1st Century Judaism 35 Apocalyptic Eschatology F P Crisis “This evil age” “The Age to Come”

The Language of Apocalyptic : 

1st Century Judaism 36 The Language of Apocalyptic The Kingdom of God The Messiah (The Son of God) The Son of Man This World -- The World to Come “Life of the Ages” (=Eternal Life) The Messianic Banquet Resurrection and the People of God

Summary : 

1st Century Judaism 37 Summary Jewish People: Common Heritage -- Diverse Expressions Jewish Insitutions:Temple -- Synagogue -- Home Jewish Expectation: Apocalyptic