- FOCUS ON THE FIRST CENTURY
- HISTORY, SOCIETY, RELIGION
- OVERVIEW
- External Influences from History
- Persians and Greeks and Romans, Oh No!
- Ptolomeans, Seleucids, and Idumaeans, Too!
- Maccabean Revolt
- Hasmonean Dynasty
- High Priesthood and the Temple(s)
- Herodian Dynasty
- FIRST CENTURY FOCUS
- Jewish Society
- Politics
- Religious Sects, Beliefs, and Worship
- Views of the Messiah
- Role of Women
- The Diaspora
- Some Examples of Cultural Understanding
- Samaritans
- Tax Collectors
- Women
- Gentiles
- Religious Sects
- Many Etceteras
- WHY?
- Appreciation
- Understanding
- Impact
- EXTERNAL INFLUENCES FROM HISTORY
- Main External Influences
- Persian Influence
- Greek Influence
- Roman Influence
- Timeline From Captivity to Greek Conquest
- Main External Influences
- A NOTE ABOUT ZOROASTRIANISM
- Nature of Zoroastrianism
- Dating Zarathustra
- Authenticating Zarathustra
- Chicken or Egg Problem for Anthropologists
- Swings on Dates
- Similarities Die with Most “Ancient” Manuscripts
- Manuscripts Differ Widely and According to Tradition
- Conclusion
- Dating Zarathustra
- PERSIAN STRENGTH
- Cyrus Defeats Babylon – 539 BC
- Sends Jews to Rebuild Temple – 538 BC
- More Return With Ezra – 457 BC
- Judea Enjoys Peace Under Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes
- Artaxerxes III Heavy Handedness
- FINAL PROPHETIC WRITINGS ABOUT 415 BC
- Malachi is Last Written Prophet
- Greek Culture and Influence on the Rise
- SPARTA AND PERSIA (386 BC)
- Peace Between Sparta and Persia
- Sparta Forces Other Greek States to Follow
- Sparta and the Athenian League
- Make Peace Among the Greek City States (371 BC)
- Now Free to Spread Stronger Influence
- PHILLIP OF MACEDONIA
- Takes the Throne (359-336 BC)
- Makes War Against the Greek City States
- ALEXANDER THE GREAT
- Phillip’s Son Takes the Throne (336-323 BC)
- Continues His Father’s Quest
- Conquers as Far as India
- Conquered Persia (Incl Palestine) 331 BC
- ALEXANDER AND JUDEA
- Josephus Antiquities, XI
- Daniel 8:20-22
- Friendliness to Jews as Result
- DEATH OF ALEXANDER 323 BC
- Kingdom Splits
- Period of Peace
- THE INHERITANTS RULE
- Four Horns of Daniel 8:20-22
- Ptolemy Soter, Lysimachus, Cassander, and Selenus
- PTOLEMEAN RULE – 323 to 204 BC
- Empire Centered in Egypt
- Soter Goes Harsh to Kind
- Philadelphus Follows Suit
- Extensive Public Works
- Many Jews Work in his Administrative Offices and Armies
- OT Translated into Greek - Septuagint
- Philopater’s Approach to the Temple
- Persecution of the Jews
- Succession of Epiphanes, subsequent defeat
- NEXT WEEK
- Rule of the Seleucids
- Maccabean Revolt
- Effect on Priesthood
- Effect on Governance
- Hasmonean Dynasty
- Roman Annexation
- Herodian Dynasty
- Homework - Edom
- Genesis 32-33
- Numbers 20:14-21
- Deuteronomy 2
- 1 Samuel 14:47
- 2 Samuel 8:1-14
- 1 Kings 9:26
- 2 Kings 14:1-7
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-23; 25:14-28
- Isaiah 34:5-8; 63:1-6
- Jeremiah 49:7-22
- External Influences from History
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