Unit I

Bible Studies

Chapter 1
Inter Testament History
(between the Old and the New Testaments)

Learning Objectives: The history of Incarnation is given in the gospels. However,

we need more materials to get a total picture of the references made in the
gospels. There is a long period of history that remains in between the Old and
the New Testaments. Let us learn this history to get a comprehensive picture of
the Bible.
Verse to be Memorized: “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in
time past unto the fathers by the prophets hath in these last days spoken unto
us by his son” (Hebrews 1:1).
Learning Aids:
1. The Holy Bible containing Deutro Canonical Books or Apocryphal books.
2. The Malayalam translation of Peshitha Bible.
3. The Holy Bible, the Liturgical Book of the Holy Eucharist, The Book of
Common Prayer.

Introduction
Old Testament books like Ezra and Nehemiah as well as the last of prophetic
books like Haggai and Zechariah give a picture of the Jews who returned from
Babylonian exile. But these descriptions end with 400 BC. The Book of Daniel written
in 2nd century BC doesn’t give a true historical account. The first book of the New
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Testament was written in AD 52 and the first of the gospels after AD 65. We shall
try tohave a glimpse of the history from BC 400 to AD 60 in this chapter.

Reading Passage
In BC 538, the Parsi King Cyrus issued a decree permitting the Jews to return
to Jerusalem. We read in Books like Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah and Ezra how
the Jews restored the Temple of Jerusalem in various stages. Ezra, Nehemiah, Joshua,
the Priest and Zerubbabel gave leadership in the restoration of the Temple. This
temple is known as the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Its construction was completed
in BC 515 during the reign of king Darius (Ezra 6:15).
In ancient West Asia the great powers that succeeded Israel were Assyria,
Babylon, Parsis, Greeks and Romans. It was during the period of Parsi kings (BC
538-332) that the Jews in Babylonian exile returned to Jerusalem. We learn about
the subsequent Jewish history from the Book of Maccabees and writings of Joseephus
and Philo of Alexandria (1st Century AD).

Pause and Reflect

1. Refer to Haggai and Zechariah and find out the names of those who gave
leadership to the restoration of the Temple of Jerusalem.
2. List the major powers of ancient West Asia.
3. Who gave permission to construct the Second Temple of Jerusalem?
4. When was the construction of the Second Temple completed?

The Greek Period (BC 333-63)

In BC 333 Alexander the Great of Macedonia defeated the Parsis and founded
a vast empire. The period from Alexander’s reign is known as the Greek period.
After his death (BC 323) his empire was ruled by the military generals Ptolemy and
Seleuches. Judah and Egypt were under the Ptolemies between 305 BC – 198 BC. It
was during the period of the second Ptolemy, Philadelphes, that the Hebrew Bible
was translated by seventy two scholars into Greek (This translation is known as
Septuagint).
Following the Ptolemies, the Seluchids rose to power (BC 198 - BC 63). King
Antiochus III defeated the Ptolemies and allowed the Jews to live according to
their own scriptures. Joseephus writes that he also gave financial aid towards this.
However when his successor Antiochus IV (BC 175-164) came to power, the
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Jews were religiously persecuted. We read about this persecution in the Books of
Maccabees.

Pause and Reflect

1. Have you read about Alexander the Great in your school classes? Discuss
about him.
2. Who ruled the Greek empire after Alexander?
3. What is Septuagint? Name the ruler who inspired it.
4. Name the Seluchean king who ended the rule of Ptolemies.

Antiochus IV ascended the throne in BC 175. The high priest of Israel at that
time was a pious man, Onias III. King Antiochus wanted to capture the wealth of
the Temple of Jerusalem. But his initial attempts didn’t succeed. Jason, the brother
of Onias bribed the king and became the High priest of Jerusalem (2 Maccabees
4:7-10). He tried to spread Greek culture in Jerusalem. Later a man named Menelaus
became the High priest. He behaved like a cruel dictator (2 Maccabees 4:24-25).
Menelaus spent the money of the Temple of Jerusalem for his personal needs.
He plotted to kill Onias III. King Antiochus IV defeated Ptolemy VI in BC 170 (2
Maccabees 1:17-19). During his return from war he looted the Temple of Jerusalem
and carried away all its wealth (1 Maccabees 1:21-24). Two years later he sent troops
and destroyed the walls of the Temple. He converted the Temple into his fortress (1
Maccabees 1:33) and dedicated the Temple to the Greek God Zeus (2 Maccabees
6:12). He also defiled the temple by sacrificing the profane animal pig (1 Maccabees
1:54) and destroyed the Jewish scriptures (1:56).
The Jews under Priest Mattathias and his sons revolted against the desecration
of the Temple and Jewish religion. The sons of Mattathias (Hasmonean tribes) under
the leadership of Judas Maccabees (“the hammer”) defeated the troops of Antiochus
IV in BC 164. They reclaimed the Temple and rededicated it to God. This rededication
of the Temple was in later Jewish history celebrated as a Feast called ‘Hanukkah.’

Pause and Reflect

1. Read 1 Maccabees 1-4 and discuss the important incidents described in
them.
2. Name the persons who bribed Antiochus IV to become the high priest.
3. What is “Hanukkah?”
4. What is the meaning of the word Maccabees?

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 The Hasmonean (Hasidim) dynasty after Judas Maccabees ruled in Israel till
BC 63 surviving the threat of various foreign powers like Seluchids and Romans.
During the reign of Simon, the brother of Jude Maccabees, (BC 142-134) the
threat of foreign invasion dissipated. The first book of Maccabees end with the
death of Simon and the succession of his son John Hyrcanus. We should note
here that the Hasmonean rulers were priests, administrators and military generals
of Israel at the same time. It was during their period that social groups like
Sadducees, Pharisees etc. originated in the Jewish community. Between BC 76-67
Queen Salome Alexandra ruled in Israel. She is the second woman ruler of Israel
after Athaliah mentioned in the Holy Bible. Her son Hyrcanus II became the High
priest. However he had to compete with his brother Aristobulus II for power.
Both of them sought the help of the Roman military General Pompey. Pompey
helped Hyrcanus II, defeated Aristobulus II, and made him the high priest of
Israel. As a result Israel came under the Roman rule, which lasted for a few
centuries thereafter.

Pause and Reflect

1. What is the alternate name of Hasidim dynasty?
2. What were the posts held by Hasidim kings simultaneously?
3. Who is the only woman ruler of Hasidim dynasty?
4. Whose competition for power led to Roman intervention in Israel?
5. Name the Idumean friend of Hyrcanus II?

During the struggle for power with Aristobulus II, Hyrcanus II was helped by
his friend Antipater of Idumea. Later Antipater was made the governor of Judea.
He capitalized on his friendship with Hyrcanus II and made his sons Phasael and
Herod governors of Jerusalem and Galilee respectively (BC 47). Later Herod fell
out with the Sanhedrin Council and the Hasmonean family. He sought the help
of Roman military leaders like Octavian and Mark Antony and was proclaimed
king of Judea (BC 40). Three years later he conquered Jerusalem and killed all
members of Hasmonean family one by one including Hyrcanus II. Thus the
Hasmonean dynasty was wiped out of Israel and Israel became a client kingdom
of Rome.
The greatest contribution of King Herod is the reconstruction of the Temple
of Jerusalem. The reconstruction that began in BC 20 was completed only in AD

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62-64, several years after the death of King Herod (BC 4). King Herod’s sons vied
for power and as a result Roman emperor Augustus Caesar took over the
administration of Israel directly. The Caesars of Rome appointed non-Jewish
governors to rule over Israel. Seven governors ruled in Israel between AD 6 and
AD 41. The most important among them was Pontis Pilate who ruled from AD 26
to AD 36. The birth, Public Ministry and Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ
took place between the last period of King Herod’s reign and the period of Pontis
Pilate.

Let us Reflect
1. Inter history between the Old and the New Testaments is replete with the struggle
for the position of High priest. Elucidate.
2. Which were the major powers during this period? How did they influence the
religious life of the Jews?
3. The arguments and competitions that develop in any community during any
period of history lead to foreign interventions and invasions. Do you agree?
Explain in the light of the chapter you have the Jewish history.

Hymn
(This hymn is recited after the Evangelion on the Day of Repentance)
(Chollunnu…)
Tells righteousness O... sinner refuse evil ways ever
Your Lord is searching everywhere for you
If He finds you He will take you in-rejoicing
And will give you His hand as he - gave to Simon Peter
And will pardon you as He pardoned Zachaeus
He will take you to His Father’s Abode
O liberator of sins we
Look upon You with praise

Our Decision
We would never have God for material gains.
We would never deviate from the path of God.

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 Let us Pray
(This prayer is taken from ‘Prayer for Kings’ given in
“Prayer Book of Syrian Christians’)
O Omnipotent God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords… Kingship, authority,
strength and dominance always belong to You. You are the one who appoints
kings and officers. You help the kings and officers who fear, respect and
worship You. You punish those who forget You and tred and reign in injustice.
O God bless all officers and men of authority who rule over us. Enable us to
receive mercy from them. Enable us to pray for them for the helps and
goodness they do to us because of your mercy. Enable us exalt You incessantly
for this, Amen
(Recite this prayer completely referring to the Book of Common Prayer).

Further Reading
Begin from this week onwards the readings from the
Holy Bible as scheduled by His Holiness The Catholicos.

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