Persian Empire: (539-331 B.C.) The Persian Empire conquered the Babylonian Empire. Soon after, King _______________ allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

Greek Empire: (331-143 B.C.) another word for Greek culture is _________.

Greek Empire: (331-143 B.C.) ______________ conquered Persia and brought Greek culture and Greek language to all the conquered lands including Palestine. The empire divided into 4 parts after this leader’s early death.

Ptolemaic Kingdom: (321-198 B.C.) The Jews lived generally peaceful and quiet lives under the Ptolemaic Kingdom.

Ptolemaic Kingdom: The name given to the Hebrew Old Testament translated into Greek during this time was _______________.

Seleucid Kingdom: (198-143 B.C.) Antiochus IV or Epiphanies forced Hellenism on the Jews. His desecration (spiritually polluted) of the Temple with a sacrifice of a pig on the temple altar brought about a Jewish _____________.

Hasmonean Period (Maccabees): (143-63 B.C.) The Hashmon family under Judas (Maccabeus) successfully led a revolt against the Antiochus IV regaining the city of ____________ and establishing worship at the temple. Palestine was independent of foreign rule for over 80 years.

Roman Empire: (63 B.C.-New Testament) Rome took over Palestine and placed ____________ as ruler in AD 37.

pp. 28-30 Describe the influence of the Jewish religion:

What religious group was especially passionate about the Law, obeying it and creating more rules to help define and obey it? They separated themselves from Gentile activities and contact.

The Pharisees enjoyed a high level of respect by the average Jewish people

They were the people’s party. They opposed religious and political authorities yet were models of religious devotion to God.

What religious group was rich, mostly priests, did not follow the stricter oral laws was willing to compromise with the authorities?

Jewish “supreme court, called the ________________ , had great power and ruled on both civil and religious matters. Rome limited its power.

After the destruction of the 1^st temple, the _____________ soon came into existence as a center to read and study the Law and worship God. During the New Testament times they these study and worship centers were scattered all over the Roman Empire.

The temple in Jerusalem was where they performed daily s____________ and place to celebrate the 9 annual festivals (feast days). It was the focal point of worship for the Jewish people. The temple with the synagogue complemented one another. The synagogue was where the people attended weekly and learned about the law and the temple was where they celebrated the major feasts in large gatherings.

Solomon’s temple had been destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar. A second temple was built under Zerubbabel after the captivity about 520 B.C. The Temple of Jesus day had been rebuilt by _______________ beginning in 19BC and finishing around 64 A.D.