Ancient Israel Vocabulary Bayou Bridges

What is polytheism?

• The belief in a single god.

• The belief in multiple gods.

• The worship of nature spirits.

• The practice of ancestor worship.

What is an empire?

• A small community governed by local leaders.

• A large political structure that extends over a vast territory and is ruled by a single authority.

• A collection of independent states with no central governance.

• A temporary alliance of nations for trade purposes.

What is the Tanakh?

• A collection of Jewish texts that is part of the Christian Old Testament.

• A historical document from ancient Rome.

• A type of Jewish ceremonial garment.

• A collection of Jewish laws and regulations.

What is cuneiform?

• A type of ancient pottery from Mesopotamia.

• A system of writing developed by the ancient Sumerians, characterized by wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

• A musical instrument used in ancient Mesopotamian ceremonies.

• A form of ancient currency used in trade.

What is the importance of historical records?

• They provide entertainment and leisure activities.

• They help us understand past societies, their cultures, and significant events that shaped history.

• They are primarily used for legal documentation.

• They serve as a source of fictional stories and myths.

What is the significance of scribes in ancient Israel?

• Scribes were responsible for writing and maintaining records, often using cuneiform.

• Scribes were military leaders who organized battles.

• Scribes were religious leaders who performed sacrifices.

• Scribes were farmers who managed agricultural records.

What does monotheism mean?

• The belief in multiple gods.

• The belief in only one God.

• The belief in no gods at all.

• The belief in a supreme being who is not a god.

What role did priests play in ancient Mesopotamian society?

• They were the rulers of the city-states.

• They were powerful members of society who performed religious ceremonies and acted as intermediaries between the people and the gods.

• They were primarily responsible for agricultural production.

• They served as military leaders during wars.

What does the term 'society' refer to?

• A community of people living together and sharing customs, laws, and organizations.

• A group of individuals with similar interests and hobbies.

• An organization that governs a country or region.

• A collection of buildings and infrastructure in a specific area.

What is the significance of religious beliefs in ancient cultures?

• They had no impact on daily life.

• They shaped the laws, customs, and social structures of ancient cultures, influencing daily life and governance.

• They were only relevant to the elite class.

• They were primarily focused on personal spirituality.