Old Testament: Advanced Background and Context Studies Study Bundle

by Mark W. Chavalas; David W. Baker; Logos Mobile Education; Michael S. Heiser

and

2 more

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2014–2022

Overview

In the Old Testament: Advanced Background and Context Studies Study Bundle you’ll study cultural background of the ancient Near East. You will learn about ancient law codes that parallel the Mosaic Law and creation accounts that shed light on the how Israel would have understood the biblical account of creation. You’ll explore the social world of the ancient Near East discovering more about its economics, government, and family life. These courses provide important insight into the culture of the Old Testament world.

Product Details

• Title: Old Testament: Advanced Background and Context Studies Study Bundle
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Product Type: Logos Mobile Education
• Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources
• Courses: 6
• Video Hours: 34

OT203 The Literary World of the Old Testament

• Instructor: David W. Baker
• Publication Date: 2016
• Video Hours: 6

Join David W. Baker on a whirlwind tour, looking at the Old Testament from many different angles and at how it relates to ancient Near Eastern literature. From creation accounts and stories of destruction to Wisdom literature, discover different biblical literary genres that have parallels in ancient Near Eastern literature. Explore extrabiblical historical texts that mention key events and figures from the Old Testament. Understand how Israel fits into and is impacted by its ancient Near Eastern environment, but also how it is separate and unique, mainly on a theological level, but also by its distinct worldview.

Contents:

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: Context of the Ancient Near East

• Peoples and Places in the Old Testament
• Influences of Multiculturalism
• Ancient Near Eastern Literacy
• Writing and Authorship
• Ancient Writing Materials and Extant Biblical Texts
• Ancient Writing and Copying Practices
• Value of Ancient Near Eastern Texts

Unit 2: Genesis and Ancient Near East Parallels

• Biblical Views of Creation
• The Enuma Elish Creation Epic
• Comparing Creation Accounts in Genesis and Enuma Elish
• Comparing Humanity’s Role in Creation
• Creation in Egypt and Canaan
• Creative Order
• Sibling Rivalry, Eternal Life
• Mesopotamian Flood Stories
• Comparing the Genesis and Mesopotamian Floods
• Considering Parallel Flood Accounts
• An Egyptian Account of the Destruction of Humankind
• Confusion of Languages, Parallel Customs
• Nuzi Legal Documents
• Shepherding Laws
• Egyptian Elements in Joseph’s Story

Unit 3: Ancient Near East Parallels during Moses’ Leadership

• Moses and the Legend of Sargon
• The Exodus and Ancient Migrations
• Ancient Near Eastern Treaties
• The Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Treaties
• Ancient Law Codes
• Israel’s Laws and Ancient Near Eastern Laws
• Legal Penalties in the Ancient Near East
• Ancient Near Eastern Rituals
• Israel and the Stele of Merneptah
• Balaam and the Fragment at Deir Alla

Unit 4: Reconstructing Ancient Near East History

• Ancient Near East Temple History
• Ancient Near East Cyclical Views of History
• Shaping Historical Events
• Determining Historical Accuracy
• Resources for Reconstructing History

Unit 5: Ancient Near East Parallels during Israel’s Occupation, Monarchy, and Exile

• The El-Amarna Letters
• The Sea Peoples
• Dating Ancient Near East Events
• Inscriptions of Shishak and Shalmaneser III
• Inscriptions of Hazael and Mesha
• Inscriptions of Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II
• Sennacherib’s Third Campaign
• Inscription at Hezekiah’s Tunnel
• Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach, and Cyrus
• Hebrew Seal Inscriptions

Unit 6: Prophecy and Ancient Near East Parallels

• Divine Communication in the Ancient Near East
• Prophecy and Omens in the Ancient Near East
• Comparing Diviners and Prophets

Unit 7: Hebrew Wisdom Literature and Ancient Near East Parallels

• Poetry and Songs in the Ancient Near East
• Personal Hymns and Prayers in the Ancient Near East
• The Book of Job and Ancient Near Eastern Parallels
• Job and the Song of Solomon and Ancient Near Eastern Parallels
• Proverbs and Ancient Near East Parallels

Conclusion

• Course Summary

David W. Baker is a professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio, where he’s taught since 1986, following teaching assignments at the University of Durban-Westville and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He’s also lectured in Argentina, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Baker has a particular interest in pedagogy, constantly exploring new means and media to enhance the learning and teaching experience for both the instructor and the student. He has contributed to, edited, or written over 40 books, including Isaiah in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, The NIV Application Commentary: Joel, Obadiah, Malachi, and Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Forthcoming books include Genesis 37–50: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text in the Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible Series, 1 & 2 Kings in the Teach the Text Commentary Series, Genesis in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series, and 1 & 2 Samuel in the Believers Church Bible Commentary Series.

He’s blessed with a wife, Morven, who immigrated to Canada from Scotland—a start that prepared her to support Dr. Baker in his geographical wanderings. Morven is a counselor specializing in women’s issues, specifically sexual abuse and domestic violence. Together, they have two children and three granddaughters.

OT204 The Social World of the Old Testament

• Instructor: David W. Baker
• Publication Date: 2016
• Video Hours: 4

In an age of international travel and migration, we’re familiar with people who look, sound, eat, and believe differently than we do. In order to become friends, it’s helpful to understand where they come from and how they do things differently, or the same, as we do. In the same way it is necessary to understand someone who comes from a different place than we do, how much more necessary is it to understand someone who is from not only a different geographical place, but also a different time than we are? The Old Testament starts at the beginning of the world. This course will undertake the task of crossing the bridges of geography, climate, time, and a landscape unknown to us: ancient Israel. Throughout the course, David W. Baker will address aspects of life from our own culture and time, as well as family structure and societal systems from ancient Israelite life. As we learn more about the social world of the Old Testament, we will be struck not only by our differences, but also by our common humanity, sharing the same dreams, hopes, and fears as they did.

Contents:

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: The Land of Ancient Israel

• Differences between Ancient Israel and the World Today
• The Geographical Location of Israel
• The Topography of Israel
• Resources for Studying Ancient Israel

Unit 2: Families and Home Life in Ancient Israel

• What Is a Family?
• Biblical Patterns of Marriage
• Aspects of Israelite Families
• Financial Transactions in Marriages
• Stages of a Marriage
• Childbearing and Childbirth in Israel
• Barrenness in the Ancient Near East
• Miscarriages in the Ancient Near East
• Nursing and Naming a Child in the Ancient Near East

Unit 3: Occupations and Economics in the Ancient Near East

• Economic Realities of Family Life
• Childhood in the Ancient Near East
• Occupations Outside of the Home
• Occupations for Women in the Ancient Near East
• Using People as Pledges in Business Transactions
• Legal Rights of Women in the Ancient Near East
• Literacy of Women in the Ancient Near East
• Introduction to Economics
• Genesis and Economics
• The Created Order
• Human Cooperation in Creation
• Ownership of Personal Property in Israel
• The Destructiveness of the Fall
• The Socioeconomics of Land Ownership
• Supporting the Poor in Israel

Unit 4: Government in Ancient Israel

• Leadership Development in Israel
• Moses’ and Joshua’s Leadership
• The Judges and the Monarchy
• The King’s Rule in Israel
• David’s Ascension as King
• Bureaucratic Appointments of David and Solomon

Unit 5: Religious Activities in the Ancient Near East

• Personal and National Altars
• The Sections of the Tabernacle
• Symbolism in the Tabernacle
• Shrines in Israel, Women and Prayer
• Women and Worship in the Ancient Near East
• Religious Practices of Women in the Ancient Near East
• Purposes of the Priests in Israel
• Practical Tasks of the Priests in Israel

Conclusion

• Course Summary

OT291 The Jewish Trinity: How the Old Testament Reveals the Christian Godhead

• Instructor: Michael S. Heiser
• Publication Date: 2014
• Video Hours: 4

In this revealing course, Dr. Michael Heiser illuminates the Old Testament basis for the Christian Godhead. Dr. Heiser, academic editor at Logos Bible Software, reveals how God was cast as more than one person in the Old Testament, and how New Testament writers applied those descriptions to Jesus. Dive into Old Testament theology and powerful descriptions of God, and discover foundational truths for apologetics and Jewish evangelism. Dr. Heiser holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and Semitic languages, making him an excellent Old Testament guide.

Contents:

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and Coruse

Unit 1: How Do I Respond to a Jewish Objection to the Christian Trinity?

• The Core Beliefs of Judaism
• Accessing and Using Hebrew Dictionaries
• The First Problem with Understanding Monotheism
• Comparing English Translations with the Text Comparison Tool
• The Second Problem with Understanding Monotheism
• Searching English Bibles for the Words of Christ
• Understanding Elohimand the Implications for the Godhead

Unit 2: What Is Yahweh’s Council?

• The Divine Council in Psalm 82
• The Role of the Divine Council
• Using the NET Bible Notes to Find Manuscript Differences

Unit 3: Doesn’t the Old Testament Deny the Existence of Other Gods?

• No God Besides Yahweh
• Searching for Different Forms of a Phrase from Isaiah 47:8
• The Logic of Idolatry in the Ancient World
• Idols in Psalm 115
• Idols in 1 Corinthians 8
• “Elemental Spirits” in Galatians 4
• Using the BDAG Greek Lexicon to Determine a Word’s Meaning

Unit 4: Aren’t the Host of Heaven Just Celestial Objects Rather Than Actual Beings?

• The “Host of Heaven” in the Old Testament
• Summary of Divine Plurality in the Old Testament

Unit 5: What Other Being Was Identified with Yahweh?

• The Godhead in Ancient Judaism
• The Biblical Evidence for Two Powers in Heaven
• The Second Yahweh of the Old Testament
• Yahweh and the Angel of Yahweh
• Yahweh and “The Word”
• Yahweh and the “Cloud Rider”

Unit 6: Did Jews Really Believe in Two Powers?

• The Jewish Belief in a Second Yahweh Figure
• Jewish Interpretations of the Second Power: Exalted Humans
• Jewish Interpretations of the Second Power: Important Angels
• Finding and Understanding Early Jewish Writings
• Jewish Interpretations of the Second Power: The Logos

Unit 7: How Did the New Testament Writers Understand the Second Yahweh Figure?

• The Second Yahweh and “The Word”
• The Second Yahweh and “The Angel”
• The Second Yahweh and “The Name”
• Finding where “The Name” Refers to God
• The Second Yahweh and the “Rider on the Clouds”
• Jesus as the Second Yahweh

Unit 8: How Does the Language of Divine Plurality Relate to Jesus as God’s “Only Begotten” Son?

• Jesus as God’s “Only Begotten” Son
• Understanding the Greek Term Monogenēs
• Using the Bible Word Study to Explore the Meaning of Monogenēs

Unit 9: How Did New Testament Writers Express Belief that Jesus Was Unique among the Sons of God?

• Review of Divine Plurality in Psalm 82
• Jesus’ Quotation of Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34
• Interpreting Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34 (Part One)
• Interpreting Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34 (Part Two)
• Creating Collections of Commentaries to Study Psalm 82
• Understanding Jesus’ Use of Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34

Unit 10: Can Seeds of a Christian Trinity Be Found in the Old Testament?

• Seeds of a Christian Trinity in Isaiah 63 and Psalm 78
• Seeds of a Christian Trinity in Ezekiel 8
• New Testament Use of Old Testament Godhead Language
• Summary of Old Testament Godhead Language

Unit 11: How Does an Old Testament Godhead Address the Claims of other Religions?

• The Old Testament Godhead and Jehovah’s Witnesses
• The Old Testament Godhead and Mormonism
• The Old Testament Godhead and Academic Skepticism
• The Old Testament Godhead and Jewish Evangelism

Conclusion

• Summary of the Course

Dr. Michael S. Heiser is the academic editor for Logos Bible Software, Bible Study Magazine, and the Faithlife Study Bible. His varied academic background enables him to operate in the realm of critical scholarship and the wider Christian community. His experience in teaching at the undergraduate level and writing for the layperson both directly contribute to Logos’ goal of adapting scholarly tools for nonspecialists.

Dr. Heiser earned his PhD in Hebrew Bible and Semitic languages and holds and MA in ancient history and Hebrew studies. He is the coeditor of Old Testament Greek Pseudepigrapha with Morphology and Semitic Inscriptions: Analyzed Texts and English Translations, and can do translation work in roughly a dozen ancient languages, including Biblical Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Ugaritic cuneiform. He also specializes in Israelite religion (especially Israel’s divine council), contextualizing biblical theology with Israelite and ancient Near Eastern religion, Jewish binitarianism, biblical languages, ancient Semitic languages, textual criticism, comparative philology, and Second Temple period Jewish literature. In addition, he was named the 2007 Pacific Northwest Regional Scholar by the Society of Biblical Literature.

OT301 Origins of Genesis 1–3

• Instructor: Dr. John H. Walton
• Publication Date: 2014
• Video hours: 4

Origins of Genesis 1–3 studies the claims of the biblical text in these first chapters of Genesis. Focusing closely on the ancient Near Eastern context of the text, professor Walton helps students see how Genesis 1–3 would have been understood by its original audience and leads students to examine the function of the creation story and the issues between science and the Bible.

Contents:

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: What Are the Gospels?

• The Meaning of “Gospel”
• “Gospel” in the Gospels
• Gospels as Bios: Genre Options
• Gospels as Bios: Adapting a Graeco-Roman Genre
• Gospels as Bios: Particular Aspects in the Gospels
• Gospels as Bios: Implications
• Gospels: A Fuller Definition

Unit 2: Why Do We Need the Gospels?

• The Gospels: Benign Neglect
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 1
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 2
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 3
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 4
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 5
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 6
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 7
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 8
• Why We Need the Gospels: Reason 9

Unit 3: How Do We Deal with Having Four Gospels?

• Introduction: To Harmonize or Not
• Four Gospel Accounts: The Angst
• Four Gospel Accounts: Harmonizing Solutions
• Four Gospel Accounts: The Joy

Unit 4: How Do We Read the Gospels?

• Cultural Hermeneutics: The Prodigal Son Goes to Russia
• Cultural Hermeneutics: The Crescent through the Eyes of the Cross
• Narrative Analysis: Introduction
• Narrative Analysis: A Model for the Gospels
• Narrative Analysis: Method
• Narrative Analysis: Payoff and Limitations
• Narrative Analysis: Circles of Context
• Narrative Analysis: Application (Luke 7:1–10)

Unit 5: What Is Our Goal in Reading the Gospels?

• Introduction: Why We Ask the Question
• Centrality of the Gospels: Historical Arguments
• Centrality of the Gospels: Canonical and Theological Arguments
• Centrality of the Gospels: Implications

Appendix: Screencasts

• Using the Bible Word Study to Discover Usages of the Word “Gospel”
• Customizing the Passage Guide to Look at Genre Coding
• Using the Context Menu to Research “Abba”
• Finding Allusions to Exodus in the Gospel of Matthew
• Discovering Narrative Preaching Illustrations with the Sermon Starter Guide
• Using Different Synopses to Analyze the Gospels
• Studying Background Information with the Faithlife Study Bible and Factbook
• Doing Narrative Analysis with the Explorer and Sentence Diagramming Tools
• Searching for Early Church Uses of “Gospel" with the Bible Word Study Guide
• Using the Topic Guide to Find a Gospel’s Themes in the Rest of Scripture

John H. Walton is a professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School. Before teaching at Wheaton, Walton taught at Moody Bible Institute for 20 years.

His primary focus is in areas of comparison between the Old Testament and the Ancient Near East, particularly Genesis. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament, IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, and A Survey of the Old Testament.

OT391 The Shema

• Instructor: Mark D. Futato
• Publication Date: 2015
• Video Hours: 3

Explore the depths of the Shema (Deut 6:4–9) and learn why this text is sacred not only to Jews but to Christians as well. Discover why Jesus quoted the Shema when asked what the greatest commandment is. Gain insight into the covenantal, volitional, and emotional aspects of love and what it means to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Dr. Mark Futato guides you through the text, shedding light on the Hebrew language and its various interpretations. He then identifies the Shema’s relevance today and how these commands can point us toward Jesus each and every day.

Contents:

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: Introductory Matters

• The Shema: Foundational for Jews and Christians
• Finding Old Testament Quotes Spoken by Jesus
• What Is the Shema?
• Scope and Sequence

Unit 2: The Command before the Command

• The Semantic Range of Shema
• Discovering the Range of Meanings for the Lemma Shema
• The Meaning of Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4
• What’s in a Name?
• The Christian as Israel
• “Hear, O Israel” as an Indicator of Place
• Summary: Deuteronomy 6:4a
• Translating Deuteronomy 6:4b
• God’s Name in the Shema
• Using Hebrew Lexicons to Define Important Terms
• The Meaning of God
• Compound Nature, Compound Name
• An Ambiguous Expression
• “The Lord Is One”: Exclusivity of Relationship
• Comparing English Versions of Deuteronomy 6:4
• “The Lord Is One”: Integrity of Character

Unit 3: The Command

• Review and Introduction
• Ancient Near Eastern Covenants
• The Motivation for Covenantal Love
• The Volitional Nature of Loving God
• The Emotional Nature of Loving God
• Discovering Ancient Near Eastern Treaties Related to the Shema
• The Quality of Love for God

Unit 4: The Commands after the Command: Internalization

• Review of the Shema’s Structure
• “These Words”: Which Words?
• God’s Commandments: Still Relevant
• Internal Medicine: Words on the Heart
• The New Power of the New Covenant

Unit 5: The Commands after the Command: Externalization

• The Command in the Community
• The Meaning of Shinnen
• Keeping the Faith Alive through Children
• Everywhere and All the Time
• Bound to God’s Commandments
• Doorposts and Gates

Conclusion

• The Shema on Our Hearts

Dr. Mark D. Futato is the Robert L. Maclellan Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Futato received his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. He served on the translation team for the Book of Psalms in The New Living Translation (NLT), contributed study notes for the ESV Study Bible and The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, and contributed to the New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (5 vols.).

BI304 Women in the Biblical World: Old Testament

• Instructor: Mark Chavalas
• Publication Date: 2016
• Video Hours: 13

In Women in the Biblical World: Old Testament, Dr. Mark Chavalas provides a historical and archaeological survey of the status of women in the biblical world, considering Old Testament views on women alongside those of the larger ancient Near Eastern context. Beginning from the advent of the nation of Israel, he covers various cultures from the time period, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Hittite Anatolia, and Iran, exploring primary texts that inform our understanding of the roles of women in the ancient Near East and the Old Testament.

Contents:

Introduction

• Introducing the Course and the Speaker
• Reasons for the Course

Unit 1: Prehistoric Women, Ur-Nammu and Old Babylonian Laws

• Prehistoric Figurines and Herodotus’ Writings
• Women and the Agricultural Revolution
• Israelite Connections with Mesopotamia
• Overview of Mesopotamian Law Codes
• Cuneiform Tablets and Nature of Ancient Law Codes
• Introduction to Ur-Nammu Code
• Ur-Nammu Code: Slavery and Marriage
• Ur-Nammu Code: Slavery and the Bible
• Ur-Nammu Code: Betrothal and Marriage
• Ur-Nammu Code: Sexuality
• Ur-Nammu Code: Divorce
• Old Babylonian Code: Marriage Contracts
• Old Babylonian Code: Dissolution of Marriage
• Old Babylonian Code: Polygamous Marriage; Care of Mother
• Old Babylonian Code: Caught in Adultery
• Ur-Nammu Code: River Ordeal, Part 1
• Ur-Nammu Code: River Ordeal, Part 2
• Ur-Nammu Code: Defrauding a Marriage Agreement
• Unit 1 Quiz

Unit 2: Lipit-Eshtar and Eshnunna Codes

• Lipit-Eshtar Law B and Numbers 27
• Inheritance Protection
• Lipit-Eshtar Code: Inheritance and Marriage Arrangement
• Lipit-Eshtar Code: Inheritance and Multiple Wives
• Lipit-Eshtar Code: Marriage and Virginity
• Eshnunna Code and Employed Women
• Eshnunna Code: Penalties for Causing Death
• Eshnunna Code: Marriage
• Eshnunna Code: Childrearing
• Unit 2 Quiz

Unit 3: Hammurabi Code

• The Universe and Magic
• Display of a Criminal and Matthew 27:37
• Taverns, Harboring Criminals, and Rahab
• Debt Repayment; False Accusation
• Adultery and Rape
• Adultery Trial by Ordeal in Numbers 5:11–31: Husband’s Accusation
• Adultery Trial by Ordeal in Numbers 5:11–31: Wife’s Ordeal
• Miscellaneous Laws
• Miscellaneous Laws (Continued)
• Killing a Spouse
• Family Sexual Taboos and Naditu Inheritance
• Naditu Mari Letters
• Nin-shata-pada’s Letter to King Rim-Sin: Beginning with Flattery
• Nin-shata-pada’s Letter to King Rim-Sin: Ending with Suffering
• Punishment According to the Social Class of the Victim
• Unit 3 Quiz

Unit 4: Middle Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, and Hittite Codes

• Middle Assyrian Code; Temple Theft
• Disgraceful Speech and Bodily Harm
• Rape, Adultery, and False Accusations
• Homosexuality and Leviticus
• Restricting Women’s Activities
• Middle Assyrian Palace Decrees
• Neo-Babylonian Law Decrees
• Hittite Code: Consequences for Injuring Individuals
• Hittite Code: Disposition of Property and Children after Divorce
• Unit 4 Quiz

Midterm Exam

Unit 5: Women in Ancient Letters

• Old Assyrian Letters: Lamassī
• Old Assyrian Letters: Tarām-Kūbi
• Old Assyrian Letters: Tarīš-mātum and Others
• Old Assyrian Letters: Ištar-nādā
• Old Babylonian Letters from Tell al-Rimah: Ris-Adad; Amat-Samas
• Old Babylonian Letters from Tell al-Rimah: Queen Iltani
• Mari Letter to Zimri-Lim: Kiru Complains
• Mari Letters to Zimri-Lim: Kiru Complains, Cautions from and about Simatum
• Mari Letter Warning Zimri-Lim from His Sister, Inib-sina
• Mari Letters Warning Zimri-Lim from His Wife Shibtu and an Official
• Letters from Sippar
• Neo-Assyrian Letters: Importance of the Queen Mother
• Neo-Assyrian Letters: Importance of Rituals
• Neo-Assyrian Letters: The King Must Confirm Orders from the Gods
• Unit 5 Quiz

Unit 6: Women in Ancient Mesopotamian Medicine

• Introduction to Ancient Mesopotamian Medicine
• Ardat Lili Demoness: Cause of Disease
• Ardat Lili Demoness: Dealing with Demons and Disease
• Incantation to Drive Away Ardat Lili
• Lamashtu Demoness: A Ritual to Drive Her Away
• Lamashtu Demoness: Another Ritual to Drive Her Away
• Seduction Charms
• Postpartum Issues
• Pregnancy and Miscarriages
• Difficult Births
• Unit 6 Quiz

Unit 7: Eve and Adam

• Introduction to Women in the Old Testament
• Introduction to Genesis 1:1
• Human Creation Story: Image and Likeness of God
• Human Creation Story: Humanity’s Purpose
• Creation of the Male
• Creation of the Female
• Adam’s Helper and Rib
• Trouble in Paradise: Genesis 3
• Adam and Eve’s Response
• The Plight of the Woman
• The Plight of the Man
• Unit 7 Quiz

Unit 8: Sarah and Abraham

• Introduction to Abraham
• Abraham Loses a Wife and Gains a Sister
• Abraham’s Ignorance of God’s Plan
• Sarah and Hagar
• Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre
• Lot’s Visitors
• Anti-Hospitality and the Daughters of Lot
• Unit 8 Quiz

Unit 9: Leah, Rachel, Dinah and Tamar

• Leah and Rachel, Daughters of Laban
• Blended Family Tensions
• Dinah and the Massacre at Shechem
• Judah and Tamar
• Refusal of Levirate Marriage
• Genesis 38 in Light of Deuteronomy 25
• Reflections on Tamar and Matthew 1 Genealogy
• Unit 9 Quiz

Unit 10: Hebrew Law

• Introduction to Hebrew Law; Exodus 21
• Impurity and Menstrual Discharge
• Uncovering Nakedness of Relatives
• Homoerotic Behavior and Bestiality
• Divorce for Indecency
• Fraud through Remarriage; Early Marriage Conscription Deferment
• Unit 10 Quiz

Unit 11: Women in Judges

• Introduction to Women in Judges
• Deborah Prophesies to Barak
• Deborah: Jael and Sisera
• The Song of Deborah and Barak
• Abimelech Killed by a Noncombatant Woman
• Jephthah and His Daughter: A Rash Vow
• Jephthah and His Daughter: The Unnamed Hero
• Jephthah and His Daughter: The Purpose of the Story
• A Levite and His Concubine: Her Departure and Retrieval
• A Levite and His Concubine: Journey to Gibeah
• A Levite and His Concubine: A Grisly End
• A Levite and His Concubine: The Purpose of the Story
• Unit 11 Quiz

Conclusion

• Opening up the Old Testament World

Final Exam

Dr. Mark Chavalas is Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he has taught since 1989. He earned his BA at California State University-Northridge and his MA and PhD, both in History, at UCLA.

Dr. Chevalas is author or coauthor of publications including Mesopotamia and the Bible (Baker, 2002) and the IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (InterVarsity Press, 2000) and coeditor of The Ancient Near East and Women in the Ancient Near East. Dr. Chavalas has had fellowships at Yale, Harvard, Cornell, and other universities. He has nine seasons of excavation experience at various Bronze Age sites in Syria, and he is currently President of the American Oriental Society Middle West region and a member of the editorial board of the Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research.

His research over the past decade has focused on interconnections between ancient Mesopotamia and outlying areas such as Anatolia, Iran, Egypt, and Syro-Palestine. Other recent research has investigated gender constructs in the ancient Near East and Mesopotamian historiography. Dr. Chavalas’ current research is focused on writing a history of Bronze Age Syria from the advent of writing in the third millennium BC to the Iron Age. His courses cover a wide area, including ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Syria, and Turkey; Iran before Islam; women in the ancient world; and the Akkadian and Sumerian languages.