BACKGROUNDS TO THE BIBLE

(ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN HISTORY AND LITTERATURE)

COURSE SYLLABUS
Zion Bible College
OT/NT/GE 1231-02, 2 credits
Spring 2011
Wednesdays, 3:45-4:35 & 4:45-5:35 PM
Classroom Bld. 108

Rev. Paul Conway, Associate Professor MDiv. DMin. Candidate 2013

Office: Classroom Building 110
Office phone: (978) 478-3457
E-mail: Pconway@zbc.edu
Office Hours
Tuesdays, 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
Thursdays 1:45 PM – 2:25 PM

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the context of the biblical world. Emphasis is placed on the historical,
literary and archaeological settings in which biblical history and thinking transpired. Where
relevant, the civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and Israel are examined. The
course is enhanced with a field trip to the Harvard Semitic Museum and Boston Museum of Fine
Arts.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Summarize the periods of ancient history for Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome
relevant to biblical studies.
2. Identify the key figures of history in the Ancient world relevant to biblical history.
3. Demonstrate a general knowledge of primary source material from the ancient world.
4. Interpret the context of scripture through the nuance of cultural context.
5. Develop a familiarization with tools for finding the context of scripture in the ancient world.
6. Dialog and comprehend the structure and context of law codes in the ancient near east.
7. Identify the material culture of the ancient civilizations housed in the Harvard Semitic
Museum and Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
8. To prepare undergraduate students for graduate level studies in primary source material by
giving them initial exposure.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 2 P. Conway

Arnold, Bill T & Beyer, Bryan E. Readings from the Ancient Near East Grand Rapids, MI:
Backer Academic, 2002.

KJVApocrypha, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishing, 1998.

Whiston,William The Works of Josephus Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub. Co., 1987.

RECCOMENDED TEXTS

Kaiser, Walter Jr. ad. et. The Archaeological Study Bible Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 2006.

Vermes, Geza The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English NY, NY: Penguin Classics, 2004.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (Option A)

1. Mid Term and Final: There will be a mid-term and final examination to measure the
students grasp and comprehension of the material being taught.

2. Quizzes: There will four quizzes throughout the semester.

3. Field Trip, Journal and Summary Essays: A mandatory trip to the Harvard Semitic
Museum and Boston Museum of Fine arts will take place on Wed. April 23rd. A field guide
for notes is provided and submitted for grading the following week. Two summary essays
for each museum will be typed in truabian format one week later. Handwriting in the field
guide must be legible.

4. Reading: Students should pre-read assigned reading from the two texts and student packet
as disclosed in the suggested reading schedule below. In summary the following material is
required
 Readings from the Ancient Near East:
i. Part 1:1-12
ii. Part 1:1
iii. Part 4:17
iv. Part 5:21, 23
v. Part 6:27, 30
vi. Part 8:39-44
vii. Part 9:45, 48, 49
viii. Part 10:50-54
ix. Part 11:55-57
x. Part 12:59-61

 Apocrypha
i. 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees.
 Josephus

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 3 P. Conway

i. Selected passages assigned in class and completed outside.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS (Option B)

5. Four Short Research Papers: Students shall do four short research papers one on a
historical period, One on a people group and two historical figures To grow historically the
student will pick the period of history that interests them. From there all historical figures
and literature will come from that period. Samples of selection are provided below. These
are merely suggestions. Students must pick all topics by the second week of class. This will
require you to read and cite primary source material. A sample of one historical anatomy is
attached to this syllabus. All work must be in Turabian format. Each paper shall be no less
than three pages with foot notes. Historical overview and anatomy #1 is due the week of the
mid-term and the two remaining anatomies are due the week of the final.

Historical Period Historical Figures

Hellenistic Period
Ptolemy I Soter
Antiochus III
Hellenistic Period Antiochus IV
Onias II and Simon (The guard)
Mattathias
Judas Hashmun (Maccabees)
Simon Hasmonean (Maccabee)
John Hyrcanus I
Alexander Jannaeus

Roman/Herodian Period
John Hyrcanus II (Maccabee)
Aristobulus II (Maccabee)
Aristobulus III (Maccabee)
Pompey
Augustus Caesar
Roman Period Antipater (Father of Herod)
Marc Anthoney
Cleopatra
Herod the Great
Herod’s Sons
Agrippa I
Agrippa II
Pilate

Early Church/Destruction of Temple

Josephus
Vespasian
Early Church History Emperor Nero
2nd and 3rd Century Emperor Domitian
Perpetua the Martyr
Ignatius of Loyola

6. Quizzes: There will four quizzes throughout the semester.

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 4 P. Conway

7. Field Trip, Journal and Summary Essays: A mandatory trip to the Harvard Semitic
Museum and Boston Museum of Fine arts will take place on Wed. April 23rd. A field guide
for notes is provided and submitted for grading the following week. Two summary essays
for each museum will be typed in Turabian format one week later. Handwriting in the field
guide must be legible.

8. Reading: Students should pre-read assigned reading from the two texts and student packet
as disclosed in the suggested reading schedule below. In summary the following material is
required
 Readings from the Ancient Near East:
i. Part 1:1-12
ii. Part 1:1
iii. Part 4:17
iv. Part 5:21, 23
v. Part 6:27, 30
vi. Part 8:39-44
vii. Part 9:45, 48, 49
viii. Part 10:50-54
ix. Part 11:55-57
x. Part 12:59-61

POLICIES

1. Attendance: Attendance, a “leaning towards” speaks of not merely one’s physical

presence but of an engagement of one’s mind and body in the class. Students found sleeping in
class, studying for another class, etc. will be marked absent!

Students are expected to attend all class periods. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of
each day, as well as after each break. Three "lates" equal one absence. Every hour absent from
class is one cut.

2. Plagiarism Policy
1. Any material, whether published or unpublished, copied from another writer,
must be identified by use of quotation marks, block quotations, and
documentation with specific citation of the source. Paraphrased material must
likewise be attributed to the original author. As a school, intent on training men
and women of integrity for the ministry Zion takes plagiarism seriously.
Plagiarism consists of the following categories:
2. Use of another’s ideas without giving credit;
3. Quoting material from published or unpublished works, or oral presentation,
without giving proper citation;
4. Paraphrasing material, whether published or unpublished, written or oral, without
proper citation;
5. Copying another student’s paper, without that student’s permission.

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 5 P. Conway

3. Cheating
Cheating consists of but is not necessarily limited to the following:
1. Using unauthorized notes or material when taking an examination;
2. Copying answers to examination questions, obtaining, or helping others to obtain,
unauthorized copies of examination questions;
3. Copying another person’s class work/assignments and/or homework and submitting it as
one’s own;
4. Having another student do one’s paper, or any other assignment, in whole or in part and
submitting the assignment as one’s own work;
5. Allowing another student to copy one’s paper;
6. Copying another student’s paper with that student’s permission;

Penalties for plagiarism and cheating include but are not limited to an F for the assignment
and/or an F for the course.

4. Academic Policies: Student should carefully read pages 110-113 of their Student Handbook
for precise policies concerning late work, extensions, make-up exam policy, attendance policy,
add-drop, etc.

5. Late work Policies: All work will be due on the first period of class as disclosed in the
syllabus. Any work not on the teacher’s desk at the opening of class will be considered late and
subject to a 5% penalty each day for five days. No work will be accepted after the 5th day
(weekends and breaks included). All work will after this deadline will receive a 0%. The only
exception to this will be based on extensions permitted by dean’s office according to the student
handbook.

6. Missed Tests and Quiz’s: No test or quiz will be rescheduled for make up without written
permission from the dean’s office. All students late to class more than 10 min. will not be
permitted to take the test and will be redirected to the dean’s. All notes with excuses from the
resident director are forwarded to the academic dean and followed up with a note to the teacher
from that office. Student’s who miss a test, quiz or course requirement and fail to produce
written excuse from the dean’s office shall receive a 0% and will not be allowed to make up the
missed work.

Grading Scale (Option A)

40%...............Mid-Term & Final Examination (20% each)

25%...............Quiz’s
25%...............Field Trip and Journal (Wed. April 13th)
10%...............Reading

Grading Scale (Option B)

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 Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 6 P. Conway

40%..............Historical Overview & 3 Anatomy’s of Historical Figures 10% each.

25%...............Quiz’s
25%...............Field Trip and Journal (Wed. April 13th)
10%...............Reading

DISCLAIMER:

Any aspect of this syllabus is subject to change at the professor’s discretion. However, this
syllabus offers an aim and desired goal but is by no means meant to lock the subjects or format.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Week Lecture Due

Jan. 19 Introductory Material
Jan. 25 Historical Overview
Feb. 02 The Egyptian Era Quiz 1
Feb 09 The Neo Assyrian Period
Feb. 16 The Neo Babylonian Period Quiz 2
Feb. 23 MID TERM & Option “B” Papers Due
Mar. 02 The Persian Period
Mar. 09 SPRING BREAK
Mar. 16 The Hellenistic Period Part 1
Mar. 23 The Hellenistic Period Part 2
Mar. 30 The Roman Period Part 1 Quiz 3
Apr. 06 The Roman Period Part 2
Apr. 13 FIELD TRIP
Apr. 20 The Roman Period Part 3 Quiz 4 & Filed Trip Journals Due
Apr. 27 The Early Church and Rome
May 1 FINAL EXAMS & READING VERIFICATION & Option “B” Papers Due

SUGGESTED READING SCHEDULE FOR SUBJECTS:

Week 1
Topic:
Introduction to the course and assignments
The Historical Method 1a and 1b
Literary Criticism vs. Text Criticism

Week 2
Topic: Periods of the Periods of History
Carry over lectures from previous week
Reading: (Recommended but not required) On reserve in the Library
Sasson, Jack Civilizations of the Ancient Near East Vol. I- IV; The History of
Ancient Egypt: An Overview, Vol. I & II, pg. . 807-869.

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 7 P. Conway

Topic: Egyptian Historical Overview

Reading: (Recommended but not required) On reserve in the Library
Sasson, Jack Civilizations of the Ancient Near Eas Vol. I-IV; The History of
Ancient Egypt:Vol. I & II, pg 691-717.

Week 3
Topic: Egypt and the Bible.
 Historical Overview
 Hyksos
 Sargon the Great and Moses
 Serpent Confrontation (Highlight)
 The Plagues (Highlight)
Reading:

 The Hyksos:
 Bible:
 Genesis 41:1-57
 Student Packet:
 The Hyksos and the Middle Kingdom: “Who are the Hyksos”?
Pg. 8-12
 Readings from the Ancient Near East:
 None relevant in textbook for this discussion.
 Sargon the Great
 Exodus 2:1-10
 Readings from the Ancient Near East
 Autobiography of Sargon the Great, pg. 75.
 Serpent Confrontation: Genesis 7:9-13

Topic: Egypt and the Bible Continued

 The Plagues
 The Dating of the Exodus
Reading:
 Dating of the Exodus Article
o 1 Kings 6:1

o Student Packet:
 Read “Dating of the Exodus” pg. 13-16.

 The Plagues:
o Exodus 7:14-12:31
o Article
 “Three ways of viewing the Plagues” given in class

Week 4-5
Topics: Mesopotamia and the Bible

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 8 P. Conway

 The Tower of Babel

 Creation Accounts
 Law Codes and Covenants
 Assyria and the O.T.
 Historical Analysis of Sennacherib and the siege of Jerusalem
Reading
 Tower of Babel

o Genesis 11:1-9
o Readings from the Ancient Near East
 Confusion of Tongues, pg. 71.
 Creation Accounts
o Genesis 1-2
o Readings from the Ancient Near East
 Enki and the Ordering of the World, pg. 19.
 Enki, Ninnakh and the creation of Humankind, pg. 20.
 Enuma Elish, pg. 31.
 Heilopolis Pyramid Text, pg. 62.
 Memphis Creation Story, pg. 63.
 Epic of Gilgamesh, pg. 66.
 Law Codes and Covenant’s
 From the Bible:
 Genesis 15 “The ceremony of an Ancient Near Eastern
Covenant”
 Exodus 20:1-17 “The Ten Commandments”
 Exodus 31:18; 32:19 “The tablets”
 From the student packet: Pages 1-7
 Ancient Near Eastern Covenants,
 Code of Hammurabi compared to the Law of Moses
 Old Babylonian kingdom with Hammurabi.
 Readings from the Ancient Near East:
 Covenant between Suppiluliuma and Mattiwaza, pg. 97.
 Law Codes pg. 104-113.
 Mesopotamia and the Bible
 Bible in order of the Assyrian Rulers.
o 2 Kings 16:5-9
o 2 Kings 15:28-30
o 2Kings 15:17-22
o 2 Chronicles 28:16-22
o Isaiah 20:1-6
o 2 Kings 17:6-7
o 2 Kings 18:13-19:34,
o Isaiah 36:1-37:38,
o 2 Chronicles 32:1-22
 Readings from the Ancient Near East

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 9 P. Conway

o Shalmaneser III pg. 144

o Tiglath Pileser III pg. 145
o Sargon II pg. 145
o Sennacherib pg. 146
o Lachish Ostraca pg. 168
o Siloam Tunnel Inscription
o Samaria Ostraca
 Student Packet:
o Assyria Pg. 17-23

Week 6
Topics:
The Persian Period
The Rulers of Persia
The Persians and the Bible
The rise of Greece and the fall of Persia
Reading: Ezra 1-6; Haggai 1-2; Zechariah 3-4

Week 7
Topic: Inter-Testamental History and Literature
 The Hellenistic Period and Alexander the Great
 Ptolemy Rule in Egypt
 Seleucid Rule in Babylon, Syria, and Beyond
 The Maccabees and Hasmonean’s
 Hellenism and Antiochus Epiphanies IV
Reading
Recommended but not required:
 1 Maccabees
 Josephus Jewish Wars Book 1-3

Week 8: MID TERM

Topic: Archaeology
 Archaeology and the Bible
Reading:
None required
Recommended:”Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible by Curid.

Week 9 SPRING BREAK

Week 10
Topic: Hellenistic Period Part 2
 Hellenism and Antiochus Epiphanies IV
 The Maccabees and Hasmonean’s
 Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls Part 1
 Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls Part 2

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Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 10 P. Conway

 The Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran

 Water Baptism
 Jesus, John and the Dead Sea Community
Reading
Student Packet 36-39 & 79-80
 Geza Vermes The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English Introduction and
Community Rule.
 Student Packet on Qumran and Dead Sea Community

Week 11
Topic: The Roman Period Part 1
 Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra
 Pax Romana
 Herod’s Family and legacy
 Messianism and Crucifixion
Reading: None required.
Recommended reading:
 Josephus, Jewish wars book 1

Week 12 Field Trip

Week 13
Topic: The Roman Empire Part 2
Caesars
Josephus and the First Revolt
Bar Kopta Revolt
Masada

Week 14
Topic: Topic: Rabbinic Judaism
 Samaritans and Gentiles
 Pharisees and Sadducees
 Zealots and Siccarai
Reading:
 Student Packet pg. 40-48

Topic: Rabbinic Judaism continued

 Rabbi Disciple Relationships
 Rabbinic Hermeneutics
 Parables
 Miracle Workers
Reading:
 Student Packet pg. 55-57.

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 Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 11 P. Conway

Week 15
Topic: The Early Church and Rome
 The two great persecutions
 Roman views of Christians
 Early Church Martyrs
 Early Church Fathers

FINAL EXAMINATION WEEK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Arnold, Bill T & Beyer, Bryan E. Encountering the Old Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House, 1999.
__________________________ Readings from the Ancient Near East Grand
Rapids, MI: Backer Academic, 2002.

Berk, Harlan 100 Greatest Coins Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2008.

Blaiklock E.M. and R.K. Harrison et. al. Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Pub. House, 1983.

Boring, M. Eugene; Berger, Klaus; and Colpe, Carsten, eds. Hellenistic Commentary to the New
Testament. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995.

Bowder, Diana Who was who in the Ancient Greek World 776-30 BC(Cornell Ithacha,
NY: University Press, 1982.

____________ Who was who in the Roman World 753 BC -476 AD Ithacha,
NY: Cornell University Press, 1980.

Bromiley, Geoffrey. W. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Vol. 1-4 Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1982.

Brooke, George J. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2005.

Burkert, Walter Greek Religion Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1985.

Charlesworth, James H.ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Apocalyptic Literatures and Testaments
Vol. 1 & 2 NY, NY: Doubleday Press, 1985.

Chavalas, Mark W. and Younger, K. Lawson Mesopotamia and the Bible Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Book House, 2002.

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 Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 12 P. Conway

Cook, Edward M. Solving the Mysteries of the Dead Sea Scrolls Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1994.

Cruse, C.F. Ecclesiastical History Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishing, 1998.

Currid, John D. Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1997.

_____________ Archaeology in the Land of the Bible: A Basic Guide Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House, 1999.

DeVaries, LaMoine F. Cities of the Biblical World Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.

De Vaux, Roland Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub. Co.,
1997.

Elwell, Walter A. and Yarbrough, Robert W. Readings from the First Century World Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 1998.

Eshel, Hanan, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hasmonean State Wm. B. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Co. 2008.

Evans, Craig, A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

____________ Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: A guide to the Background Literature
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub. Co., 2005.

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993.

Fritz, Volkmar An Introduction to Biblical Archaeology: Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
Scheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, 1994.

Gardiner, Sir Alan Egypt of the Pharaohs Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1961.

Green, Joel B., et al. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity 1992.

Geza Vermes The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English NY, NY: Penguin Classics, 2004.

___________ Who’s Who in the Age of Jesus Christ NY, NY: Penguin Classics, 2006.

Garrett, Duane, Rethinking Genesis Christian Grand Rapids, MI: Focus Publications, 2000.

Gowan, Donald E. Bridge Between the Testaments: A Reappraisal of Judaism from the Exile to the Birth
of Christianity Pittsburg, PA: Pickwick Publishers, 1986.

Hallo William W. and Simpson, William Kelley The Ancient Near East, A History NY, NY: Harcourt

Spring 2011
 Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 13 P. Conway

Brace Jovanivich College Publishers, 1971.

Hamilton, Victor Handbook on the Pentateuch 1st and 2nd ed Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House,
1982.

Hawthorne, Gerald F., et. al. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove, IL:
Inter-Varsity Press 1993.

Hendin, David Guide to Biblical Coins NY, NY: Amphora Books, 1986.

Herodotus The Histories NY, NY: Penguin Classics, 1996.

Hoereth, Alfred Archaeology and the Old Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998.

Howgego, Christo Ancient History from Coins: Approaching the Ancient World NY, NY: Routledge
Publishers, 1995.

Hoffmeir, James K. Israel in Egypt Oxford, London: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Isserlin, B.S.J. The Israelites Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2001.

Jeffers, J. S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity,
1999.

Kaiser, Walter Jr. ad. et. The Archaeological Study Bible Grand Rapids MI: Zondervan Publishing
House, 2006.

King, Philip J. and Stager, Lawrence E. Life in Biblical Israel Louisville, England: Westminster John
Knox Press, 2001.

Klawns, Zander H. Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins: An Official Whitman Guidebook
Eagan, MN: Western Publishing Co., 1995.

Lightfoot, John Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica Vol. I – IV. Peabody,
MA: Hendrickson Pub., 1979.

Long, A.A. and Sedley, D.N. The Hellenistic Philosophers Cambridge, England: Cambridge University
Press, 2002.

Lovette, James B. Biblical Related Coins Sherwook, AR; James B. Lovette, 2000.

Manson, Steve Josephus and the New Testament Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub. Co., 1992.

Maro, Publius Vergilius The Georgics London, England: Penguin Books, 1982.

Matthews, Victor H. and Benjamin, Don C. Old Testament Parallels Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1997.

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Matthews, Victor H Manors and Customs in the Bible Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub, Co., 1991.

Mazar, Amihai, Studies in the Archaeology of the Iron Age in Israel and Jordan Sheffield, England:
Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.

_____________ Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 10,000-586 B.C.E. NY, NY: Doubleday Press,
1990.

Mcray, John Archaeology and the New Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2001.

Melville, Ronald Lucretius: On the Nature of the Universe Oxford, England: Oxford University Press,
1997.

Metzger, Bruce M. The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha Oxford, England: Oxford University Press,
1990.

Moseley, Ron Yeshua: A guide to the real Jesus and the original church Baltimore, MD: Leader Books,
1996.

Nemet-Nejat, Karen Rhea, Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub., 2002.

Neusner, Jacob The Mishnah: A New Translation New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1991.

Nickelsburg, George W.E. Jewish Literature between the Bible and the Mishnah 2nd Ed. Minneapolis,
MN: Fortress Press, 2005.

Niehaus, Jeffrey J. God At Sinai: Covenant and Theophany in the Bible and Ancient Near East
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. Co., 1995.

______________ Ancient Near Eastern Themes in Biblical Theology Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel
Academic & Professional Pub., 2008.

Novak, Ralph Martin Christianity and the Roman Empire: Background Texts Chicago, Il: Trinity Press,
2001.

Roux, Georges Ancient Iraq London, England: Penguin Books, 1992.

Saggs, H.W.E. Civilization Before Greece and Rome Yale, CT: Yale University Press, 1989.

____________ The Greatness that was Babylon NY, NY: Hawthorne Books, 1962.

Sasson, Jack M. Civilizations of the Ancient Near East Vol. III & IV Peabody, MA: Hendrickson
Publishers, 2000.

Schurer, Emil A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ Vol. I – V Peabody, MA:

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 Backgrounds to the Bible 1231-01 15 P. Conway

Hendrickson Pub., 1996.

Sparks, Kenton L. Ancient Texts for the Study of the Hebrew Bible: A Guide to the Background
Literature Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub., Co., 2005.

Stern, Ephraim Archaeology of the Land of the Bible Vol. II NY, NY: Doubleday Press, 2001.

____________ New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Escavations in the Holy Land Vol. I-V Warsaw,
IN: Eisenbrauns Publishers, 1993.

Stern, Menahem, Greek and Latin Authors on Jews and Judaism Vol. I-III Jerusalem, Israel: Israel
Academy of Sciences, 1974.

Thompson, J.A. The Bible and Archaeology Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1982.

Vermes, Geza The Dead Sea Scrolls London, England: Penguin Books, 1986.

___________ Who’s Who in the age of Jesus Christ NY, NY: Penguin Putnam inc. 2006.

Walton, John H. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual
World of the Hebrew Bible Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006.

Waterfield, Robin The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and the Sophists Oxford, England: Oxford
University Press, 2000.

Webb, William J. Slaves, Women and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis
Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2001.

West, M.L. Hessiod Theogony Works and Days Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Whiston, William The Works of Josephus Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub. Co., 1987.

Wilson, John A. The Culture of Ancient Egypt Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1951.

Wilson, Marvin R. Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1989.

Wright, N.T. Jesus and the Victory of God Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996.

__________ The New Testament and the People of God Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1992.

Witherington III, Benjamin Conflict and Community in Corinth: A socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 &
2 Corinthians Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1996.

Yamauchi, Edwin Persia and the Bible Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1996.

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Young, Brad H. Jesus the Jewish Theologian Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub., Co., 1995.

_____________ Meet the Rabbi Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub., Co., 2008.

____________ Paul The Jewish Theologian Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub., Co., 1997.

____________ The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation Peabody, MA:
Hendrickson Pub. Co., 1998.

____________ Meet the Rabbis Peabody MA: Hendrickson Publishing, 2008.

Younge, C.D. The works of Philo Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub., 1993.

WEB SITES BIBLIOGRAPHY

TIMELINES

HISTORY TIME TABLES

HTTP://PROPHETESS.LSTC.EDU/~RKLEIN/

TIME LINES OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

HTTP://HOME.FLASH.NET/~HOSELTON/DEADSEA/TIMELINE.HTM#3200

BIBLE HISTORY TIMELINE ONLINE

HTTP://WWW.BIBLE-
HISTORY.COM/LINKS.PHP?CAT=5&SUB=225&CAT_NAME=ANCIENT+NEAR+
EAST&SUBCAT_NAME=TIMELINES+%26+CHARTS

ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN CIVILIZATION HISTORY AND STUDIES

HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST ONLINE

HTTP://WWW.CLASSICAL-
HOMESCHOOLING.ORG/HISTORY/NEAREAST.HTML

THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

HTTP://PROPHETESS.LSTC.EDU/~RKLEIN/

INTERNET HISTORY SOURCE BOOK

HTTP://WWW.FORDHAM.EDU/HALSALL/ANCIENT/ASBOOK.HTML

EGYPTOLOGY ONLINE
HTTP://WWW.NEWTON.CAM.AC.UK/EGYPT/

ABZU: A GUIDE TO STUDYING THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

HTTP://WWW.ETANA.ORG/ABZU/

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EXTRA-BIBLICAL TEXTS AND RESOURCES

ONLINE TEXTS RELATED TO BIBLICAL STUDIES

HTTP://CCAT.SAS.UPENN.EDU/~HUMM/RESOURCES/TEXTS/

*SACRED TEXTS ONLINE

WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM

JEWISH VIRTUAL LIBRARY (JEWISH TEXTS AND MORE)

HTTP://WWW.JEWISHVIRTUALLIBRARY.ORG/

JEWISH VIRTUAL LIBRARY (JEWISH TEXTS AND MORE)

HTTP://WWW.JEWISHVIRTUALLIBRARY.ORG/

GREAT ONE PAGE WONDERS FOR RESEARCH

*JAMES DARLACKS PAGE (GCTS LIBRARIANS RESEARCHER)

HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/JIMDARLACK/

ONLINE RESOURCE FOR BIBLICAL STUDIES AND ORIGINAL SOURCE

MATERIALS
HTTP://WWW.APOSTOLIC.NET/BIBLICALSTUDIES/RESOURCESONLINE.HTM

*ROY CHAIAMPA (GORDO-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

INSTITUTIONS AND CENTERS

GORDON CONWEL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

HTTP://WWW.GCTS.EDU

ORIENTAL INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

HTTP://OI.UCHICAGO.EDU/OI/DEFAULT.HTML

HARVARD SEMITIC MUSEUM

HTTP://WWW.FAS.HARVARD.EDU/~SEMITIC/

ZION BIBLE COLLEGE

HTTP://WWW.ZBC.EDU

GREAT ARTICLES AND SPECIFIC LINKS FOR THE OT AND A.N.E.

RELIGION OF BABYLON AND ASSYRIA ARTICLE

HTTP://WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM/ANE/RBAA.HTM

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ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN TEXTS: MISC.

LEGENDS OF BABYLON AND EGYPT

HTTP://WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM/ANE/BEHEB.HTM

ADAPA AND THE FLOOD OF LIFE

HTTP://WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM/ANE/ADAPA.HTM

DECENT OF THE GODESS ISHTAR INTO THE LOWER WORLD

HTTP://WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM/ANE/ISHTAR.HTM

BABYLONIAN FLOOD EPTIC AND GILGEMESH

HTTP://WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM/ANE/GILGDELU.HTM

CHALDEAN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOOD

HTTP://WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM/ANE/CHAD/CHAD.HTM

ISHTAR AND IZDUBAR: TITLE PAGE

HTTP://WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM/ANE/IAI/IAI00.HTM

ROYAL INSCRIPTIONS VIA THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

HTTP://OI.UCHICAGO.EDU/OI/PROJ/ARI/ARI.HTML

THE ELLECTRONIC TEXT CORPUS OF SUMERIAN LITTERATURE

HTTP://WWW-ETCSL.ORIENT.OX.AC.UK/

CUNEIFORM DIGITAL LIBRARY INTERACTIVE

HTTP://EARLY-CUNEIFORM.HUMNET.UCLA.EDU/

INTERTESTAMENTAL AND NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES OF LITTERATURE,

HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND MORE:

OT & NT APOCRYPHA, PSEUDOPIGRAPHA AND DEAD SEA SCROLLS

HTTP://WWW.PSEUDEPIGRAPHA.COM/

JOSEPHUS
HTTP://WWW.PSEUDEPIGRAPHA.COM/JOSEPHUS/INDEX.HTML

1 MACCABEES
HTTP://WWW.PSEUDEPIGRAPHA.COM/APOCRYPHA_OT/1MACC.HTM

ANCIENT ROME AND GREECE

HTTP://WWW.HISTORYLINK101.COM/ANCIENT_ROME.HTM

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PERCEUS DIGITAL LIBRARY @ TUFTS (Amazing for original language searches)

HTTP://WWW.PERSEUS.TUFTS.EDU/

HISTORY OF SECOND TEMPLE JUDAISM

HTTP://WWW.HUM.HUJI.AC.IL/DINUR/INTERNETRESOURCES/HISTORYRESO
URCES/SECOND_TEMPLE_AND_TALMUDIC_ERA.HTM

JAMES DARLACKS PAGE (GCTS LIBRARIANS RESEARCHER)

HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/JIMDARLACK/

HTTP://BLOG.OLDINTHENEW.ORG/

DR. ROY CIAMPAS PAGE FOR NT STUDIES (GCTS PHD. PROF)

HTTP://HOME.COMCAST.NET/~RCIAMPA/

ANCIENT LAWS IN PICTURES AND WRITTING

HTTP://WWW.NB.NO/BASER/SCHOYEN/5/5.4/

BIBLE HISTORY LINKS ON JESUS

HTTP://WWW.BIBLE-
HISTORY.COM/LINKS.PHP?CAT=19&SUB=72&CAT_NAME=JESUS&SUBCAT_
NAME=STUDIES

GNOSIS LIBRARY ONLINE (MISC TEXTS)

HTTP://WWW.GNOSIS.ORG/

EXTRA-BIBLICAL LITTERATURE FOR NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

RESOURCES FOR BIBLICAL STUDIES (JERUSALEM UNIVERSITY PROF.)

HTTP://TORREYS.ORG/BIBLE/

*SACRED TEXTS ONLINE

WWW.SACRED-TEXTS.COM

JEWISH VIRTUAL LIBRARY (JEWISH TEXTS AND MORE)

HTTP://WWW.JEWISHVIRTUALLIBRARY.ORG/

PENTECOSTAL STUDIES

SOCIETY FOR PENTECOSTAL STUDIES

HTTP://WWW.SPS-USA.ORG/

PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC THEOLOGICAL INQUIRY INTERNATIONAL

HTTP://WWW.PCTII.ORG/

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Spring 2011