Bible Exam Quizlet with Answers
Second Temple Judaism - correct answer-A term often used to refer to the span of
Jewish history from the building of the second temple during the Persian period (515
BCE) to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 CE.
Pharisees - correct answer-One of the major Jewish groups active during the Second
Temple period; the Pharisees were largely associated with synagogues and most rabbis
and many scribes were Pharisees. The Pharisees emphasized faithfulness to Torah,
accepted as authoritative the oral tradition known as "the tradition of the elders," and
believed laypeople should follow the same purity regulations in their daily lives as the
priests serving in the temple.
Torah - correct answer-The law of Moses, as contained in the Pentateuch; or,
frequently, a synonym for "Pentateuch" (referring, then, to the first five books of the
Hebrew Bible).
Sadducees - correct answer-One of the major Jewish groups during the Second Temple
period; the Sadducees were closely associated with the Temple in Jerusalem and, so,
were concerned with maintaining the sacrificial system; most priests appear to have
been Sadducees.
Sanhedrin - correct answer-A ruling body of the Jewish people during the time of
Roman occupation; composed of the high priest, chief priests, and other powerful
Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin was granted authority for matters of legislation that did
not require direct Roman involvement.
Herodians - correct answer-A political coalition of Jews who supported the family and
dynasty of Herod, which included many Roman leaders who ruled various areas of
Palestine at different times.
Samaritans - correct answer-A group of people in Palestine, primarily in the region of
Samaria, who claimed to represent the true Israel, regarding the Jews as illegitimate
usurpers. The Samaritans had their own temple on Mount Gerizim, regarding the
Jerusalem temple as secondary; they had their own version of the Pentateuch, which
they considered the original Torah.
Pentateuch - correct answer-The first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Herod the Great - correct answer-The Roman appointed king who ruled all of Palestine
from 37 BCE to 4 BCE. He was known for his building projects as well as his paranoia
, of those wanting to usurp his throne. Herod the Great was the ruler of Palestine at the
time Jesus was born.
Herod Antipas - correct answer-The Roman appointed ruler (tetrarch) who ruled the
regions of Perea and Galilee from 4 BCE to 39 CE. This is the Herod that ruled the
entire time of Jesus' life and ministry in Galilee.
Pontius Pilate - correct answer-The Roman prefect or procurator who ruled Judea from
26 to 36 CE; he was, in essence, a governor who served as the representative of
Caesar. Pilate was the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
Hellenism - correct answer-The influence of Greek (and Roman) culture, philosophy,
and modes of thought. During the New Testament period Jewish people throughout the
world were said to be "Hellenized" because they had been influenced to greater or
lesser degree by the culture of Greece and Rome
Diaspora (or Dispersion) - correct answer-A term used to refer to Jews living outside of
the traditional homeland of Palestine.
Septuagint - correct answer-A Greek translation of the Old Testament produced during
the third century BCE; often abbreviated LXX.
Apostolic - correct answer-Having to do with the earliest followers of Jesus and/or the
apostle Paul; apostolic writings are ones produced by people who knew Jesus or Paul
(or, at least, writings that are in line with the thinking of such people).
Hermeneutics - correct answer-Philosophical reflection on the process of biblical
interpretation, including consideration of what the goal of interpretation should be, of
different ways in which biblical passages might be regarded as meaningful, and of the
ways in which authority is ascribed to biblical texts.
wisdom literature/tradition - correct answer-Biblical and other ancient materials that
focus on commonsense observations about life; examples include the books of
Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.
Nazareth - correct answer-A small village in the lower region of the province of Galilee,
which the New Testament consistently refers to as Jesus' hometown; hence, the name
Jesus of Nazareth.
John the Baptist - correct answer-A fiery preacher of repentance who appears to have
modeled his ministry after prophets such as Elijah from the Old Testament. Jesus is
baptized by John the Baptist, and according to the Gospel of Luke (ch. 1) John the
Baptist is a relative of Jesus.
kingdom of God - correct answer-The primary topic of Jesus' teaching and preaching. It
describes the sphere of God's influence and power, a phenomenon that cannot be
Second Temple Judaism - correct answer-A term often used to refer to the span of
Jewish history from the building of the second temple during the Persian period (515
BCE) to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 CE.
Pharisees - correct answer-One of the major Jewish groups active during the Second
Temple period; the Pharisees were largely associated with synagogues and most rabbis
and many scribes were Pharisees. The Pharisees emphasized faithfulness to Torah,
accepted as authoritative the oral tradition known as "the tradition of the elders," and
believed laypeople should follow the same purity regulations in their daily lives as the
priests serving in the temple.
Torah - correct answer-The law of Moses, as contained in the Pentateuch; or,
frequently, a synonym for "Pentateuch" (referring, then, to the first five books of the
Hebrew Bible).
Sadducees - correct answer-One of the major Jewish groups during the Second Temple
period; the Sadducees were closely associated with the Temple in Jerusalem and, so,
were concerned with maintaining the sacrificial system; most priests appear to have
been Sadducees.
Sanhedrin - correct answer-A ruling body of the Jewish people during the time of
Roman occupation; composed of the high priest, chief priests, and other powerful
Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin was granted authority for matters of legislation that did
not require direct Roman involvement.
Herodians - correct answer-A political coalition of Jews who supported the family and
dynasty of Herod, which included many Roman leaders who ruled various areas of
Palestine at different times.
Samaritans - correct answer-A group of people in Palestine, primarily in the region of
Samaria, who claimed to represent the true Israel, regarding the Jews as illegitimate
usurpers. The Samaritans had their own temple on Mount Gerizim, regarding the
Jerusalem temple as secondary; they had their own version of the Pentateuch, which
they considered the original Torah.
Pentateuch - correct answer-The first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Herod the Great - correct answer-The Roman appointed king who ruled all of Palestine
from 37 BCE to 4 BCE. He was known for his building projects as well as his paranoia
, of those wanting to usurp his throne. Herod the Great was the ruler of Palestine at the
time Jesus was born.
Herod Antipas - correct answer-The Roman appointed ruler (tetrarch) who ruled the
regions of Perea and Galilee from 4 BCE to 39 CE. This is the Herod that ruled the
entire time of Jesus' life and ministry in Galilee.
Pontius Pilate - correct answer-The Roman prefect or procurator who ruled Judea from
26 to 36 CE; he was, in essence, a governor who served as the representative of
Caesar. Pilate was the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
Hellenism - correct answer-The influence of Greek (and Roman) culture, philosophy,
and modes of thought. During the New Testament period Jewish people throughout the
world were said to be "Hellenized" because they had been influenced to greater or
lesser degree by the culture of Greece and Rome
Diaspora (or Dispersion) - correct answer-A term used to refer to Jews living outside of
the traditional homeland of Palestine.
Septuagint - correct answer-A Greek translation of the Old Testament produced during
the third century BCE; often abbreviated LXX.
Apostolic - correct answer-Having to do with the earliest followers of Jesus and/or the
apostle Paul; apostolic writings are ones produced by people who knew Jesus or Paul
(or, at least, writings that are in line with the thinking of such people).
Hermeneutics - correct answer-Philosophical reflection on the process of biblical
interpretation, including consideration of what the goal of interpretation should be, of
different ways in which biblical passages might be regarded as meaningful, and of the
ways in which authority is ascribed to biblical texts.
wisdom literature/tradition - correct answer-Biblical and other ancient materials that
focus on commonsense observations about life; examples include the books of
Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.
Nazareth - correct answer-A small village in the lower region of the province of Galilee,
which the New Testament consistently refers to as Jesus' hometown; hence, the name
Jesus of Nazareth.
John the Baptist - correct answer-A fiery preacher of repentance who appears to have
modeled his ministry after prophets such as Elijah from the Old Testament. Jesus is
baptized by John the Baptist, and according to the Gospel of Luke (ch. 1) John the
Baptist is a relative of Jesus.
kingdom of God - correct answer-The primary topic of Jesus' teaching and preaching. It
describes the sphere of God's influence and power, a phenomenon that cannot be
