Ancient Israel

The ancient Israelites trace their roots back to a man named Abraham from the region of Mesopotamia. The Bible says that God told Abraham and his followers that he would give them the land of Canaan if in return they would worship only one true God. This belief in one God is called monotheism. The decendents of Abraham traveled into Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula and throughout Caanan before establishing the Kingdom of Israel which lasted from 1020 B.C. until 586 B.C.

Click here for ancient Israel Power Point Notes

Useful Links

1) Learn about the land, daily life, economy and religion of the ancient Israelites!

http://www.museum.upenn.edu/Canaan/index.html

2) This is a great site to learn about the Exodus, beliefs and important people of ancient Israel.

http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/ancient_hebrews/

3. Another great simple to read site about the Israelites!

http://home.cfl.rr.com/crossland/AncientCivilizations/Middle_East_Civilizations/Hebrews/hebrews.html

Vocabulary

covenant - agreement

Diaspora - refers to the scattering of communities of Jews outside their homeland after the Babylonian captivity

empire - group of territories or nations under a single ruler or government

exile - period of forced absence from one's country or home

messiah - in Judaism, a deliverer sent by God

monotheism - the belief in one god

prophet - person who claims to be instructed by God to share God's words

proverb - wise saying

rabbi - Jewish leader and teacher of the Torah

Sabbath - weekly day of worshop and rest for Jews

synagogue - Jewish house of worship

Torah - the laws that, according to the Bible, Moses received from God on Mount Sinai; these laws later became the first part of the Hebrew Bible

tribe - group of related familes

tribute - payment made by one group or nation to another to show obedience or to obtain peace or protection