02 Sep Biblical And Religious Studies
In this homework assignment, we will look at texts related to second-temple Judaism. The second-temple period spanned roughly 536 BCE to 70 CE, which is the time when thesecond temple was standing in Jerusalem. However, scholars refer to the second-temple literary period as the period of Jewish literature between 200 BCE and 200 CE (we will talk about the reasons for this in class). The below texts are Jewish (rather than Christian) writings that come from this literary period, and reflect Jewish thought from that time. This is relevant to our course because Christianity and the texts of the New Testament emerged during the second-temple literary period, and reflect this historical-cultural context. So if we learn about the second-temple Jewish period, it will help us better understand Christianity and the New Testament.
1. 2 Maccabees is a Jewish text written in the late 2nd or 1st century BCE, which describes events that occurred in Palestine in the 2nd century BCE. Read 2 Maccabees 7 (NOAB, pp. 1613-16), which pertains to Jewish persecution under the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Disclaimer: This passage describes torture in some detail.
a. Summarize this passage in a brief paragraph.
b. What values do you see reflected in this story?
c. Look at the quotations from the seven brothers and their mother. What hopes do these statements express?
2. 4 Ezra (contained within 2 Esdras) is a Jewish text written around the end of the 1stcentury CE, and is thus later than most or all of the New Testament books. It is written from the perspective of Ezra, who was a noted Jewish figure from many centuries earlier. Read 2 Esdras 7:1-44 (NOAB, pp. 1690-92), which is located within a lengthy dialogue between Ezra and an angel named Uriel.
a. Summarize this passage in a brief paragraph.
b. What sort of future hope(s) does this passage express?
c. What problem(s) does this future hope appear to solve?
d. What function does “the Messiah” serve in this passage?
Our website has a team of professional writers who can help you write any of your homework. They will write your papers from scratch. We also have a team of editors just to make sure all papers are of HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE. To make an Order you only need to click Ask A Question and we will direct you to our Order Page at WriteDemy. Then fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Fill in all the assignment paper details that are required in the order form with the standard information being the page count, deadline, academic level and type of paper. It is advisable to have this information at hand so that you can quickly fill in the necessary information needed in the form for the essay writer to be immediately assigned to your writing project. Make payment for the custom essay order to enable us to assign a suitable writer to your order. Payments are made through Paypal on a secured billing page. Finally, sit back and relax.
About Writedemy
We are a professional paper writing website. If you have searched a question and bumped into our website just know you are in the right place to get help in your coursework. We offer HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE Papers.
How It Works
To make an Order you only need to click on “Order Now” and we will direct you to our Order Page. Fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Are there Discounts?
All new clients are eligible for 20% off in their first Order. Our payment method is safe and secure.