OT SURVEY-LaSor Summary

1) The Pentateuch (Torah) p3

(i) The first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy)
b) Unity p3
i) United historical narrative
(1) Gen 1-11 universal narrative for mankind.
(2) Gen 12 Deut 34 is particular to Abraham and his descendants
ii) NT writers rely on divine narrative from Abraham through David i.e. Paul at Antioch of
Pisidia in Acts 13
iii)Gods saving acts Promise, Election, Deliverance, Covenant, Law, Land
(1) God chose Abraham and descendants and promised land of Canaan.
(2) Israel went down into Egypt, fell into slavery and the Lord delivered them
(3) God brought Israel into Canaan as promised
iv)Gods promise
(1) Central to the story
(2) Threefold promise
(a)
Land
(b)
Nationhood
(c)
Blessing partially fulfilled in OT
(d)
Repeated with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
(3) Brings universal salvation (all nations) through a particular people
c) Complexity p6
i) Theories of origins
(1) Extreme textual critics propose many centuries after Moses
(a)
J Welhausen rooted in exilic and post-exilic periods. Starting point of
Judaism only , not ancient Israel.
(b)
Martin Noth erroneous to view Moses as founder of a religion
(2) Literary evidence for Complexity p7
(a)
Dual nature of historical narrative and legislative emphasis
(b)
Other complexities
(i) Both narrative and legal division have lack of continuituy and order in subject
matter
(ii)
Diversity of material point to significant differences in vocabulary, syntax
and style as well as composition (differences in Lev and Deut).
(iii)
Variable use of YHWH (Lord) and Elohim (God) several chapters use
one or the other exclusively, correlating theological import of passages
(iv)
Duplications and triplications of materials.
(3) Positive Evidence for Authorship and Origin p8
(a)
Indications of contributions by Moses
(i) Described as writing histories, laws and a poem
(ii)
Exilic and postexilic references
1. Postexilix support in Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, etc referring to
book of Moses
2. Middle books preexilic histories in Joshua, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings reference
Deuteronomy
3. Earlier books (pre-exilic prophets) have no references to Moses
(4) Implications
(a)
Let the Bible speak - Theories are theories
(b)
Two facts
1

(i) Biblical source concur Mosaic authorship of parts

(ii)
Complexities of text and evidences for Mosaic origins must be taken into
account
1. Patriarchal narratives preserved orally in Egypt, probably written during
Mosaic period. Exodus wanderings possibly early in Davidic period
(iii)
Potential consolidation by Ezra?
ii) Documentary Theory p 10: Hypothesis which seeks to separate out various sources
behind present Pentateuch
(1) J Yahwist narrative running from Gen 2 Num 22-24
(2) E narrative of Israel (northern kingdom) begins in Gen 20 (750-700 BC)
(3) JE when the two cant be distinguished. Brought together a century after E
(4) D Core of Deuteronomy: early 7th century BC
(5) P historical narrative concerned with origin and regulation of institutions in
Israel. Dated middle Exile ~550BC
(6) Traditions criticism p12: von Rad and Rendtorff
d) Paramount Importance of Structural Unity p13
i) The sum of the component parts presents a powerful unity
ii) Danger of literary criticism is that it becomes too reductionist and loses the larger
picture
iii)Need to spend more time on interpretation of text than origins
iv)Canonical criticism a study of the form and function of the text in the shape which
the faith community gave it. Argues for post-critical alternative view which
determines role of canon in light of history.
2) Genesis: Primeval Prologue p15
a) Name p15
i) Transliteration of Greek word for source or origin
b) Structure p15
i) Ch 1-11: primeval history
ii) Ch 12-50: patriarchal history, establishes the promises
iii)10 sections, based on the toledoth formula these are the descendants of
c) Contents p16
d) Literary Genre p18
i) Literary Nature
(1) 2 types interspersed
(a)
Schematic
(b)
Story form
(2) Names used as literary devices
ii) Ancient Near Eastern Background
(1) Ch 1 parallels Mesompotamian creation accounts in three areas
(a)
Primeval watery chaos
(b)
Basic order of creation
(c)
Divine rest at end of creation
(d)
The Flood
(e)
Tower of Babel
(f) HOWEVER, no sin in Meso creation
iii)Implications for Gen 1-11
(1) Fundamental truths
(a)
Creation by God
(b)
Divine intervention in origins
(c)
Unity of human race
(d)
Pristine goodness of created world
(e)
Entrance of sin through disobedience
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(f) Spread of sin

(2) Distinctiveness from other ancient lit
(a)
Meso gods are natural forces.
(b)
No moral agency
(c)
Humans have no dignity, to be used by the gods
(d)
Bible presents God as true, holy and omnipotent, independent of creation
e) Theology p22: Four major themes
i) God is Creator
(1) Anthropomorphisms of the creation in pagan religions
(2) Greek philosophy elevated rationalism, replacing the gods with nature
(3) Gen 1 demythologizes the cosmos, taking away the power of the natural world
and establishing it as being sustained by God
(4) Man is the pinnacle of Gods creation p23
(a)
Meant for community p25
(b)
Highest level in spousal community
ii) Sin radically alters the original creation
(1) Willful disobedience brought corruption
(2) Originally everything was supplied, everything in harmony
(3) The community of the couple was divided
(4) Sin escalates, cascades p26
(5) Primary theme Gen 1-11 is the corrupting power of sin.
iii)Gods judgment meets human sin at every point
(1) Adam and Eve were judged, but not cursed.
(2) Sin separates us from God
(3) God ultimately judged the world because of mans sin in the Flood
iv)God sustains both creation and humans by preserving grace
(1) At every point, God preserves mankind or a remnant
3) Genesis Patriarchal History p32
a) Contents 11:27 50:26 p32
i) 5 toledoths
(1) Major
(a)
Abraham
(b)
Jacob
(c)
Joseph
(2) Minor
(a)
Ishmael
(b)
Esau
(3) Isaacs is secondary(?)
b) Historical Background p33
i) Prehistoric Period p 33
(1) Prior to 3000BC
(2) Sophisticated cultures in Mesopotamia and Egypt
(3) Trade and cultural interchange were well established
ii) Ancient Near East, third Millenium p34
(1) Mesopotamia
(a)
Sumerian independent city-states
(b)
Life organized around the temples
(c)
Semites in lower Mesopotamia
(i) Akkadians after city-state of Akkad
(d)
Sumerian civilization gone by Abram
(2) Egypt p35
(a)
Golden age of 3rd and 4th Dynasties (~2700-2500)
(3) Syria-Palestine p35
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(a)
Vast empire shrouded in mystery
(b)
Small well-fortified cities destroyed in third millennium
iii)Patriarchal Age (2000-1500) p36
(1) Mesopotamia
(a)
Babylkon under Hammurabi (1728-1686)
(2) Egypt p 37
(a)
Middle Kingdom
(3) Syria - Palestine
c) Date and Historicity of the Patriarchal Narratives p40
i) Prior to Exodus
ii) Middle Bonze I ending 1700 at latest
iii)Second millennium support through names common in Amorite populations
iv)Abrahams journey falls within second millennium given conditions at that time
v) Nomadic lifestyle fits cultural milieu at that time
vi)Social and legal custom support
vii)
Religious support during that time
d) Literary Genre of the Patriarchal Narratives p43
i) Family history handed down through oral tradition
ii) Primary purpose is to show Abrahams call
e) Religion of the Patriarchs p45
i) Abram was a polytheist, called to put off his heritage (Gen 12)
ii) Gods covenant with Abraham was unique He placed Himself under the covenant.
f) Theology of the Narratives p46
i) Election and Promises of God p 47
ii) Faith and Righteousness p49
(1) Abrahams radical response to the call of God
(2) His faitfulness with Isaac
(3) Relationship is the key
iii)Covenant p50
(1) God places himself symbolically under a curse in order to affirm the certainty of
His promises
4) Exodus: Historical Background p52
a) Historical Background of the Period p52
i) Height of Egyptian empire
(1) Late Bronze Age (1550-1200)
(2) Hurrian
(3) Hyksos
(a)
Defeated by Pharoah Ahmosis
(4) Thutmosis I empire reached Euphrates
ii) Egypto-Hittite War p54
(1) Suppiluliuma Hittite
(2) Rameses II
iii)Peoples of the Sea
(1) Aegeo-Cretan Tribes
(2) Became the Philistines
(3) Canaanites developed alphabet with fewr than 30 symbols (proto-Sinaitic)
b) Evidence for the Exodus p58
i) Story of Joseph reflects Egyptian culture
ii) Egyptian court employed large numbers of Semites
c) Date of the Exodus p59
i) Liberty places Exodus in mid 15th century (1446) to alighn with building of Solomons
Temple 480 years later
ii) LaSor places Exodus later in first half of 13 th century (1260)
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d) Route of the Exodus p60

i) Not totally certain
ii) Name for Red Sea literally Sea of Reeds further south
iii)Two places for crossing
(1) South near Bitter Lakes
(2) North near Tell Defneh
iv)Most likely Way fo the Wilderness
(1) Less likely to be interdicted by Egyptian forts
v) Sinai most likely where it is traditionally located, south of Kadesh-Barnea
5) Exodus: Message p63
a) Name and Contents p63
i) Greek exodus meaning departure
ii) 2 divine acts
(1) God delivers His people from slavery
(2) Covenant at Sinai
iii)Outline
(1) Deliverance (1-18)
(2) Covenant at Sinai (19-24)
(3) Instructions for tabernacle (25-31)
(4) Breach and renewal of covenant (32-34)
(5) Building of tabernacle (35-40)
b) Role of Moses p64
i) Historicity critical for Judaism and Israel itself
(1) Name, Parentage, Early Life p65
(2) Moses in Midian p65
(3) Call of Moses p 66
(a)
Revelation of divine name YHWH
(b)
Moses, the prophet
c) Plagues and Passover p68
i) First nine a continuous series
ii) Supernatural judgement using Naturalistic causes p69
iii)Tenth plague clearly supernatural
(1) Supported by history of Pharoahs coming to power through unusual
circumstances
iv)Passover p70
d) Deliverance at the Sea of Reeds p71
e) Covenant and Law at Sinai p72
i) Journey from the sea takes two months
ii) Points to Jehovah Jireh as he sustains His people throughout the entire journey
iii)Covenant p73
(1) Suzerain-Vassal (Overlord Subject)
(a)
Preamble
(b)
Historical prologue
(c)
Stipulations of treaty
(d)
Provisions
(e)
Curses and blessings
(2) 3 phases
(a)
A special possession among all peoples
(b)
A kingdom of priests
(c)
A holy nation
f) The Tabernacle p76
g) The Golden Calf p76
i) Patterns Israels history p79
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ii) Establishes Gods identity and His love p 78 (Ex 34:6-7)

6) Leviticus p80
a) Name and Contents p81
i) Details of worship
ii) From the Vulgate book pertaining to the Levites.
b) Purpose p 81
i) Designed for oral instruction
ii) Set limits on the priests that the people would understand
c) Contents p 82
i) 6 divisions
(1) Regulations for sacrifice p83
(2) Description of Aarons ordination and first sacrifices p 86
(3) Laws regulating ritual purity p86
(4) Liturgy and calendar for Day of Atonement p88
(5) Holiness code p89
(6) Laws on tithes and offerings
d) Message of Leviticus p91
i) God is Holy
ii) Sin and Sacrifice p95
e) Lev and New Testament p97
Provides understanding for Christ as sacrifice
i) Law and Grace p97
ii) Connection to Hebrews p98
7) Numbers p99
Covers 38 yrs, 9 months. Records the period from Sinai to preparations in Moab to enter
Canaan.
a) Contents p100
i) Sinai 1-12
ii) Kadesh 13-21
iii)Moab 22-36
iv)Critical Problem authorship p101
v) Numbers in Numbers p103
b) Theology p106
i) Presence
ii) Providence of Yahweh p106
iii)Patience p108
iv)Intercession p108
v) Yahweh and the Nations p109
vi)Star and Scepter Prophecy p110
8) Deuteronomy p111
Moses gives three long speeches to prepare the Israelites for entry into Canaan, transferring
leadership to Aaron and death
a) Outline and Contents p112
b) Composition and Interpretation
i) Classical Documentary Hypothesis p114
ii) Deuteronomic historian p114
iii)Present Status- p 116
c) Horizons of Interpretation p117
i) Period of original setting
ii) Period of late monarchy (Josiah 621 BC)
iii)Post-exilic return to Palestine p118
d) Theology p118
Basic ideas credited to Moses
6

i) Creed Shema
ii) God who Acts p119
iii)Election of Israel p120
iv)Covenant Relationship p122
v) Concept of Sin p123
vi)God in History - - 124
Heilsgeschichte History of Salvation
e) Influence of Deuteronomy
9) Former Prophets p131
Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
a) Classification p132
i) Prophets of History
ii) Historical Significance p132
iii)Former and Latter Prophets p133
(1) Former - period of settlement in Canaan to ealy Monarchy
(2) Latter closing centuries of two kingdoms, latter history of Judah
b) Date and Composition p 134
i) Source Theories
ii) Evidence of Kings
iii)Deuteronomic History p135
c) Message p136
10)
Joshua p138
a) Contents- p139: conquest and division of land among tribes
i) How complete was the victory p142
b) The Man Joshua p142
i) Composition and Authenticity p143
(1) Authenticity p144
c) Historical Scene p146
i) Date of Joshuas invasion
ii) International Scene p146
iii)Amarna Letters and the Habiru p146
iv)Herem or killing in the name of Yahweh p147
v) Did Joshua make the sun stand still? p149
d) Theological Insights in Joshua
i) The Promise Keeping God p151
ii) The Covenental Idea p151
iii)The Achievement of Rest p152
11)
Judges p153
a) Critical Concept p154
i) Yahweh tests Israel
ii) What is a Judge?
b) Outline p155
i) Summary of Conquest of Canaan (1:1-2:5)
ii) Israel in the period of the Judges, to the death of Gideon (3:7-7:11)
iii)Brief reign of Abimelech (8:33-9:6)
iv)Israel in the period of the Judges: close of the period (10:1-12:15)
v) Philistine oppression and the exploits of Samson (13:1-16:31)
vi)Other events of the period (17:1-21:25)
c) Historical Background p156
i) Migration of Peoples
(1) End of Minoan, Mycenean, Peloponnesus
(2) Sea People
(a)
Brought Hittite and Ugaritic empires to a close
7

(b)
Established the Philistine Pentapolis - Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath,
Ekron
ii) Introduction of the Iron Age 1200 BC
iii)Canaan and its Peoples
(1) Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites.
iv)Centrifugal Situation in Israel-p159
v) Chronology of Judges p160
d) Authorship and Composition p161
i) Author attributed to Samuel
ii) Composition
e) Religious Questions-p161
i) Deceit and Treachery
ii) Jephthah and His Daughters-p162
iii)Samsons Exploits p163
f) Theological Contributions-p163
i) View of History
ii) Monarchy
12)
Birth of the Monarchy (1 Samuel 1:1-2 Samuel 5:10) p165
a) Introduction
b) Samuel Priest, Prophet, Judge (1 Sam 1-7) p168
i) Samuels Chrildhood
ii) The Philistines and the Ark (4:1-7:17)-p170
c) Samuel and Saul Time of Transition (1 Sam 8:1-15:35) p172
i) Quest for a King
ii) Sauls Military Exploits p174
iii)Sauls Fatal Choice-p175
d) David Shepherd, Warrior, King-Elect (1 Sam 16:1-2 Sam 5:10)-p176
i) Saul and David Struggle for Power
e) Davids Double Anointing (2Sam1;1-5:10) p179
i) King of Judah at Hebron p180
ii) King over All Israel at Jerusalem p181
13)
Israels Golden Age: David and Solomon (2 Sam 5:11-1 Kings 11:43)-p182
a) Introduction
b) Davids Exercise of Kingship (2 Sam 5:11-24:25)-p183
i) Davids Consolidation of his gains
(1) Buildings and Battles
(2) Religious Reforms p1845
(3) Unparalleled Military Success p184
(4) Political Centralization p 185
ii) Davids compassion and cruelty (9:1-12:31) p185
(1) Display of Mercy p187
(2) Abuse of Power p187
iii)Turmoil in the court p188
iv)Restoration to power p189
(1) More Displays of Mercy p189
(2) Another Instance of Revolt
(3) Closing Stories and Prayers
_____________________________________________________________________
c) Davids Transfer of Kingship (1 Kings 1:1 2:46) - p191
d) Solomon in all his glory (3:1-11:43) p193
i) Authorship and Composition of Kings-p193
ii) Solomon The Master Sage p194
iii)Solomon Merchant and Statesmen
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14)
Divided Monarchy (1 Kings 12:1-2 2 Kings 18:12) p197
a) Rehoboam and Jeroboam The Kingdom Torn in Two (1 Kings 12:1-14:31)
i) Rehoboams Drastic Policy p198
ii) Jeroboams Rival Religion
iii)Struggles Inside and Outside
b) House of Omri Building the Northern capital (16:1-34) p199
c) Elijah versus Ahab and Jezebel Israel at Crossroads (17:1 22:53) p201
i) Canaanite religion p202
ii) The Showdown (1 Kings 17-19)
iii)The End of Ahab (1 Kings 20-22) p 204
d) Exploits of Elisha (2 Kings 1:1 8:29) p 204
i) Elisha Succeeds Elijah p205
ii) Elisha and Jehoram
iii)Elisha and the Syrians p206
e) Jehu and His House Trouble in Israel (9:1 14:29) p207
i) Athaliah and Joash p208
ii) Jeroboam II p209
f) Last Days of Israel (15:1 18:12) p209
i) Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz p210
ii) The End of Israel p210
15)
Judah Alone (2 Kings 18:1 20:21)
a) Hezekiahs Reforms (2 Kings 18:1 20:21) p212
i) Rebellion Against Assyria
ii) Intrigue with Egypt p213
iii)Overtures from Babylon p213
iv)Invasion by Sennacherib p214
v) Theological Themes p215
b) Manassehs Rebellion (21:1-16)
i) Compromise with Assyria p216
ii) Conflicts with the Prophets
iii)Theological Themes
c) Josiahs Revivial (22:1 23:30) p217
i) Book of the Law
ii) Battle with Neco
d) Jerusalems Fall (23:31 25:30) p218
i) Babylons Conquest
ii) Zedekiahs Rebellions p219
iii)Jehoiachins Release
iv)Theological Themes
16)
17)
The Scoll of Esther, Chapter 40 p 532
a) The Story and Its Background
i) Plot
ii) Historicity and Genre p533
b) Religious Significance p539
i) To Authenticate Purim?
ii) Which Came First Purim or Esther?
iii)Doctrine of Providence
iv)Anti-Semitism p541
18)
The Chronological Puzzle, Chapter 49 p632
a) The Year and its Divisions p633
i) Day
ii) Month
9

iii)Year
iv)Intercalation p634
v) Civil Year and Sacred Year
vi)Calendar
vii)
Accession Years and Nonaccession Years p635
b) The Chronological Puzzle in Kings and Chronicles p636
i) Basis of the Puzzle
(1) Thiele p637
ii) From Division of the Kingdom to the Accession of Pekah p637
iii)Accession of Pekah to Death of Ahaz p639
iv)Conclusion p 640
19)
Ruth, Chapter 38 p520
a) Name and Contents
b) Date and Authorship p521
c) Social Features
d) Literary Nature and Theology p523
e) Message p525
20)
Chapter 48 Geography p 619
a) The Bible World p619
i) The Fertile Crescent
b) Palestine p620
i) Gets name from tribe Pelishtim of the Sea Peoples
ii) Primary residents are Canannites
iii)North-South divisions
(1) Coastal plain is narrow
(2) Central mountain range forms backbone
(a)
Galilee
(b)
Samaria
(c)
Judah
(d)
The Negeb
(e)
Sinai
(3) The Jordan rift is part of the Great Rift from Turkey to Victoria Falls
(a)
Upper Jordan
(b)
Sea of Galilee
(c)
Jordan River
(d)
Dead Sea
(e)
Arabah
(f) Gulf of Aqaba
(g)
Transjordan
(i) Bashan
(ii)
Gilead
(iii)
Ammon
(iv)
Moab
(v)
Edom
c) Climate p629
i) Mediterranean
ii) Wet winter, dry summer
d) Significance of Geography p631
i) Strategic location
ii) Crossroads between Africa, Asia Minor and Europe
21)
Chapter 50 - Archaeology p641
a) The Biblical Beginnings p641
i) Flinders Petrie and William F Albright
10

b) Traditional Case for Biblical Archaeology p642

i) G. Ernest Wright
c) Contemporary Debate About the role of Archaeology p644
d) Advent of Syro-Palestinian Archaeology p644
i) William G Dever
ii) New Archaeology patterned on American disciplines
e) The Outlook of the New Archaeology p644
i) Theory
ii) A Multidisciplinary Practice p645
iii)Environmentalism, Ecosystems, Archaeology p646
f) The Underlying Assumptions of Archaeology p647
i) Information and its Recovery p647
ii) Kinds of Data to be Gathered
iii)Publishing the Work
g) Archaeological Field Methods p648
i) Surveying on the tell
ii) Use of a magnetometer
iii)Ground penetrating radar
iv)Field Drawing p649
v) Stratigraphy
vi)Wheeler Kenyon Stratigraphic Methods
vii)
Pottery Typology p651
viii)
Burials p652
h) Israeli Refinements in Method p652
i) Digging Techniques
ii) Architectural Method p653
iii)Regional Approach- p654
i) Modern Techniques of Dating p654
i) Radiochronometry
ii) Potassium Argon Dating
iii)Thermoluminescence p655
j) Uses of Archaeology p655
i) Limitations
ii) Contributions p656
k) Ashkelon p658
l) Gezer p660
m) Hazor p664
n) Heshbon p667
o) Jericho p670
p) Jerusalem p672
q) Lachish p677
r) Megiddo p680
s) Samaria p683
t) Shechem p685
22)

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