1. Diaspora
October 8, 2010

2. Timeline
Persian rule 539
Greek 323
Maccabean revolt
167
Hasmonean state
142

3. The hidden years
500 years without a word
from the Lord
Fencing of the law with
more laws
Hellenism- Greek rule,
religion, language and
philosophy
Centralized rule, roads,
trade
Septuagint - Greek
translation of OT

4. Separate kingdoms
Ptolemaic - Egypt
Seleucid - Syrian
Jews attracted to
Greek thought
Thirty years of
tranquility

5. Ultra Greek
Antiochus Epiphanies IV
War against non-
Hellenized Jews
Desecrated temple and
dedicated it to Zeus
Maccabean revolt

6. Maccabees
Guerrilla movement against
Antiochus
Regained control of temple
Feast of Hanukkah celebrates it
New priesthood, not traditional
linage
Civil war
Captured by Rome in 63 BC

7. Judism
Synagogue focus - law
and education
Circumcision symbol of
being Jewish
Born of a Jewish mother
Righteousness through
law

8. Jewish Parties
Pharisees - pietism, followed law,
lower middle class, separatist,
believed in resurrection
Sadducees - rich aristocratic,
cooperated with Rome,
transformed the court of
Gentiles to exchange, no
resurrection
Herodians- followed Jewish kings
Zealots - revolutionists, wanted
to fight
Essenes- separatists, lived in the
mountains, saved the Dead Sea
scrolls