One of the following questions will be on the final exam
(20 points):
- Briefly describe the historical context leading up the destruction
of Jerusalem in 587/6 BCE and the historical context leading
up to the destruction of Babylon and the restoration of the Israelites
to Jerusalem in 520 BCE.
- Briefly describe the reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah. Although
these reforms were "theological," they have political
economic results. Why is this the case, and how do these reforms
allow Hezekiah and Josiah to build stronger kingdoms (see pp.
232-233 as well lecture notes for this question).
- Briefly describe what is meant by the term "Deuteronomistic
History." In your answer, include an explanation of how
the book of Deuteronomy functions as an introduction to the Deuteronomic
History, and why the books following Deuteronomy are viewed to
be part of one literary unit. Also include an explanation of
why scholars of identified two redactions or editions of the
Deuteronomistic History.
- How are the covenants with David and Abraham similar, and
how does David fulfill the promises to Abraham?
- How are the ancient Near Eastern parallel stories and the
concepts of myth and mythopoeism helpful in reading
the Genesis narratives? Cite at least two specific examples and
define myth and mythopoeism. (hint: think about
"polemic" as we discussed in class, the definitions
covered in class, and the quote about the use of myth in Genesis
on p. 51 in the Cambridge Companion). In your answer you
may want to include examples from or references to the following
stories that we read for class: The Enuma Elish stories;
The Hymn to Ptah; The Stories of Adapa; The Stories of Gilgamesh;
The Stories of Atrahasis; the Nuzi Archives.
- Describe the theme of "God alone establishing life"
in Genesis. Use specific examples from both the primeval history
and the ancestral narratives. Give 1 example from the Primeval
History of how humans act counter God's plan and then give 1
example from the ancestral narrative where humans' attempt to
aid God actually brings about complications that God has to work
through.