Hebrew Literature

Hebrew LiteratureHebrew Literature

History, Themes, InfluenceHistory, Themes, Influence

Hebrew literatureHebrew literature

Most important example: Most important example:

- Jewish Bible, or - Jewish Bible, or - Christian Old TestamentChristian Old Testament

Preserved by the HebrewsPreserved by the Hebrews

- Semitic nomads- Semitic nomads

- Theocentric view of life- Theocentric view of life

What is the Bible? What is the Bible?

From Greek word “biblia”From Greek word “biblia”

meaning “collection of writings” meaning “collection of writings”

3 main sections3 main sections

include every genre of literatureinclude every genre of literature

except dramaexcept drama


1)1) Torah – first 5 books – name them? Torah – first 5 books – name them?

Genesis (Greek word)Genesis (Greek word)

Exodus (Greek word)Exodus (Greek word)

LeviticusLeviticus

NumbersNumbers

Deuteronomy Deuteronomy (Grk)(Grk)


2) Historical accounts2) Historical accounts

Book of SamuelBook of Samuel

which includes “David & Goliath”which includes “David & Goliath”

Writings of the prophetsWritings of the prophets


3) Variety of works, including: 3) Variety of works, including:

Poetry (Psalms)Poetry (Psalms)

Short stories (Book of Ruth) Short stories (Book of Ruth)

Religious dialogues (Book of Job) Religious dialogues (Book of Job)

Themes in the Bible? Themes in the Bible?

Constant themes: Constant themes:

1) One God 1) One God

& his power, goodness, & mercy & his power, goodness, & mercy

2) Covenant2) Covenant

or solemn agreementor solemn agreement

between God & Hebrewsbetween God & Hebrews

Themes in the Bible? Themes in the Bible?

3) Humans tend to stray 3) Humans tend to stray

from the right path from the right path

4) God forgives them4) God forgives them

every timeevery time

Influence of the Bible? Influence of the Bible?

Major importance Major importance

to Jews, Muslims, & Christiansto Jews, Muslims, & Christians

Has inspired writers & artistsHas inspired writers & artists

for 2000 yearsfor 2000 years

Influence of the Bible? Influence of the Bible?

Written in Hebrew & AramaicWritten in Hebrew & Aramaic

11stst & most important translation: & most important translation:

Greek Greek

Translated into 200 major languages Translated into 200 major languages

including Latin & other Western langs.including Latin & other Western langs.

Influence of the Bible?Influence of the Bible?

Translated into > 1000 other tonguesTranslated into > 1000 other tongues

Famous translation:Famous translation:

1611 King James translation1611 King James translation

Has influenced our prose & poetryHas influenced our prose & poetry

for 400 yearsfor 400 years

Story of the FloodStory of the Flood

Theme: Theme:

Covenant or solemn agreement Covenant or solemn agreement

between God & humansbetween God & humans

Essence of covenant: Essence of covenant:

mutual loyaltymutual loyalty

i.e. If humans are just & faithful, i.e. If humans are just & faithful,

God will protect them. God will protect them.


God interacts with HebrewsGod interacts with Hebrews

through mediators or chosen men: through mediators or chosen men:

1) Noah, a virtuous man1) Noah, a virtuous man

2) Moses, who receives 10 Commands2) Moses, who receives 10 Commands

3) Prophets later3) Prophets later


Covenant = Covenant =

warm & lovingwarm & loving

divine/ human relationshipdivine/ human relationship

almost like marriage bond almost like marriage bond

Theme of covenant: Theme of covenant:

first appears in Flood storyfirst appears in Flood story

Story of the FloodStory of the FloodChosen mediator? Chosen mediator?

NoahNoah

Issue at stake? Issue at stake?

viability of creation itselfviability of creation itself

Sign of agreement? Sign of agreement?

rainbowrainbow

Flood StoriesFlood Stories

Now: Now:

Compare/ contrast Compare/ contrast

the Sumerian flood story the Sumerian flood story

with the Hebrew flood story. with the Hebrew flood story.

Hebrew Literature

Documents

Transcript of Hebrew Literature