Subject: INTERSTMENTAL PERIODE |
Bible Note: "BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS This article was adapted from From Malachi to Matthew by Charles F. Pfeiffer. Copyright © 1962 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Political Developments The term, “silent years,’’ frequently employed to describe the period between the Old Testament and the New Testament writings, is a misnomer. Although no inspired prophet arose in Israel during these centuries, and the Old Testament was regarded as complete, events took place that gave to later Judaism its distinctive ideology and providentially prepared the way for the coming of Christ and the proclamation of His gospel. PERSIAN SUPREMACY For about a century after Nehemiah’s time, the Persian Empire exercised control over Judea. The period was relatively uneventful, for the Jews were permitted to observe their religious institutions without molestation. Judea was ruled by high priests, who were responsible to the Persian government, a fact that both insured the Jews a large measure of autonomy and degraded the priesthood into a political office. Jealousy, intrigue, and even murder played their part in the contests for the distinction of being high priest. Johanan, son of Joiada (Neh. 12:22), is reported to have slain his brother Joshua in the Temple itself. Persia and Egypt were engaged in constant struggles during this period, and Judea, situated between the two nations, could not escape involvement. During the reign of Artaxerxes III (Ochus) many Jews were implicated in a revolt against Persia. They were deported to Babylonia and the shores of the Caspian Sea. ALEXANDER THE GREAT Following the defeat of Persian armies in Asia Minor (333 B.C.), Alexander marched into Syria and Palestine. After stubborn resistance, Tyre was taken, and Alexander moved southward toward Egypt. Legend states that as Alexander neared Jerusalem he was met by Jaddua, the Jewish high priest, who told him of Daniel’s prophecies that the Greek army would be victorious (Dan. 8). The story is not taken seriously by historians, but it is true that Alexander dealt kindly with the Jews. He permitted them to observe their laws; he granted them exemption from tribute during Sabbatical years; and when he built Alexandria in Egypt (331 B.C.), he encouraged the Jews to settle there and gave them privileges comparable to those of his Greek subjects. JUDEA UNDER THE PTOLEMIES After the death of Alexander (323 B.C.), Judea was first subject for a time to Antigonus, one of Alexander’s generals who controlled part of Asia Minor. It subsequently fell to another general, Ptolemy I (by now master of Egypt), surnamed Soter, or Deliverer, who seized Jerusalem on a Sabbath day in 320 B.C. Ptolemy dealt kindly with the Jews. Many of them settled in Alexandria, which continued as an important center of Jewish thinking for many centuries. Under Ptolemy II (Philadelphus), the Jews of Alexandria translated their law, i.e., the Pentateuch, into Greek. This translation was subsequently known as the Septuagint, from the legend that its seventy (more correctly seventy-two—six from each of the twelve tribes) translators were supernaturally inspired to produce an infallible translation. In later years the entire Old Testament was included in the Septuagint. JUDEA UNDER THE SELEUCIDS After about a century, during which time the Jews were subjected to the Ptolemies, Antiochus III (the Great) of Syria wrested Syria and Palestine from Egyptian control (198 B.C.). The Syrian rulers are known as Seleucids because of the fact that their kingdom, built on the ruins of Alexander’s empire, was founded by Seleucus I (Nicator). During the early years of Syrian rule, the Seleucids allowed the high priest to continue to govern the Jews in accord with their law. Strife broke out, however, between the Hellenistic party and the orthodox Jews. Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) allied himself with the Hellenizing group and appointed to the priesthood a man who changed his name from Joshua to Jason and who encouraged the worship of the Tyrian Hercules. Jason was displaced in two years, however, by another Hellenist, a rebel named Menahem (Gk., ). When the partisans of Jason contended with those of Menelaus, Antiochus marched on Jerusalem, plundered the Temple, and killed many of the Jews (170 B.C.). Civil and religious liberties were suspended, the daily sacrifices prohibited, and an altar to Jupiter was erected on the old altar of burnt offering. Copies of the Scriptures were burned, and the Jews were forced to eat swine’s flesh contrary to their law. A sow was offered on the altar of burnt offering in contempt for the Jewish religious conscience. Taken from The Ryrie Expanded Edition NASB Study Bible |
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prayon | ||
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sishimu | ||
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prayon |