Intertestamental Paper
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PAPER
A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. CHARLES E. POWELL
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE COURSE NBST 525
LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
BY
RICHARD ASOMANING
AUGUST 12TH 2012
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………….3
Grecian Period………………………………………………………………………………….4
Ptolemaic Period………………………………………………………………………………..5
Seleucid Period………………………………………………………………………………….7
Maccabean Period………………………………………………………………………………8
Hasmonean Period………………………………………………………………………………9
Roman Period……………….………………………………………………………………….10
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………12
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………….13
Introduction
For a better understanding of the Gospels, one must know more than just an understanding of the Old Testament record alone. In addition, there needs to be some understanding of the four hundred years that elapsed from the writings of the prophet Malachi to the coming of Jesus Christ, this period is known as the “Intertestamental Period.”[1] Because there was no prophetic word from God during this period, some refer to it as the “400 silent years.” During this period, was the occurrence of some major historical events and a significant amount of extra-biblical literature was printed. This had an effect on the world and accordingly influenced the religious reasoning, lifestyle, custom, government of those living in the first century era. Much of what transpired was foretold by the prophet Daniel (Daniel chp. 2, 7, 8, and 11). The Intertestamental Period is normally considered to begin when the Persians took over Babylon in B.C 537, in B.C. 536 they allowed Jews to go back to construct their temple[2] (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). Prior to this time and even for a short while afterwards, the majority of Israel was in exile in Babylon. While
THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PAPER
A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. CHARLES E. POWELL
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE COURSE NBST 525
LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
BY
RICHARD ASOMANING
AUGUST 12TH 2012
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………….3
Grecian Period………………………………………………………………………………….4
Ptolemaic Period………………………………………………………………………………..5
Seleucid Period………………………………………………………………………………….7
Maccabean Period………………………………………………………………………………8
Hasmonean Period………………………………………………………………………………9
Roman Period……………….………………………………………………………………….10
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………12
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………….13
Introduction
For a better understanding of the Gospels, one must know more than just an understanding of the Old Testament record alone. In addition, there needs to be some understanding of the four hundred years that elapsed from the writings of the prophet Malachi to the coming of Jesus Christ, this period is known as the “Intertestamental Period.”[1] Because there was no prophetic word from God during this period, some refer to it as the “400 silent years.” During this period, was the occurrence of some major historical events and a significant amount of extra-biblical literature was printed. This had an effect on the world and accordingly influenced the religious reasoning, lifestyle, custom, government of those living in the first century era. Much of what transpired was foretold by the prophet Daniel (Daniel chp. 2, 7, 8, and 11). The Intertestamental Period is normally considered to begin when the Persians took over Babylon in B.C 537, in B.C. 536 they allowed Jews to go back to construct their temple[2] (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). Prior to this time and even for a short while afterwards, the majority of Israel was in exile in Babylon. While
Bibliography: Carson, D. A. An Introduction to the New Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Gromacki, Robert G. New Testament Survey. Michigan: Baker Book House, 1974. McDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary. Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995. [6]Schmitt, R. 1989. Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. 3. Routledge & Kegan Paul. [8]Donald E. Gowan, Bridge between the Testaments: A Reappraisal of Judaism from the Exile to the Birth of Christianity, 3rd Rev. ed. (Allison Park, Pennsylvania: Pickwick Publications, 1986), 61-62. [18]McDonald, 1188. [20]McDonald, 1189.