What is the Bible?
What does the term "testament" mean in the context of the Bible?
Covenant
What literary device is characterized by the practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals? (e.g., "Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.")
Personification
Who is traditionally credited with being the author of the Torah (first five books of the Bible)?
Moses
What empire controlled Palestine during the time of Jesus?
Roman Empire (Rome)
Although the primary language spoken by Palestinian Jews in the time of Jesus was Aramaic, the writings of the New Testament were written in _______________.
Greek
What does "Bible" mean?
the Books (or Book)
What literary device draws parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts-- marked by the use of the words ‘as’ or ‘such as’ or ‘like’.” (e.g., "All we like sheep have gone astray').
Simile
In Jewish tradition, which section of the Tanakh is considered most important?
Which group of Jews had the reputation of being the most-precise interpreters of the law, advocated strict observance of the Torah, and believed in the resurrection of the dead?
Pharisees
While referring to the same period of history as "AD" (meaning anno Domini, 'year of our Lord'), many scholars now prefer to use the initials "CE," which stands for __________________.
Common Era
What term, originally meaning "measuring rod" in Greek, describes the collection of books that are accepted as authoritative and a part of the Bible?
Canon
Asking about the time, place, and larger storyline of a biblical passage highlights which essential factor in interpretation?
Context
This book is considered the most important text in the "Ketuvim," and is a collection of Hebrew poems / songs that have been used by Jews and Christians in worship since ancient times.
Psalms
During the "Roman Era," this leader became king of the Jews around 40 BC, and was responsible for expanding the Second Temple?
Herod the Great
Sometimes known as the "400 years of Silence," what is a term that Protestant Christians use to describe the period between the final book of the Old Testament (Malachi) and the events of the New Testament?
The Intertestamental Period
This is the name of an ancient manuscript text collected in book form, rather than the traditional form of scriptures kept in individual scrolls.
Codex
What literary device is used when the author refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or another literary work by way of a passing reference, leaving it is up to the reader to make a connection to the subject being mentioned?
Allusion
Based on a story in the Book of Exodus, this Jewish feast commemorates God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, when the Angel of Death spared the homes of the Israelites who had marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb.
During Jesus' public career, who was the Roman prefect sent by the emperor Augustus to help govern the province that included Judea and Samaria?
Pontius Pilate
What was the name of the process by which Greek language and culture spread across the empire?
Hellenization (Hellenism)
What is the Hebrew name for the Jewish scriptures, which is derived from an acronym of the three parts into which Jews divide the Bible?
Tanakh
Meaning “to draw out or to explain," this is the act or practice of interpreting or explaining the meanings of verses / passages of scripture.
Exegesis
As part of the "Nevi'im," Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and all considered ____________________.
Prophets
Which Jewish party in the first century, composed of influential priests and nobles, controlled the Temple and the Sanhedrin (high court). They were traditionalist (e.g. denying the resurrection, angels, and the afterlife).
Sadducees
On a day-to-day basis Jerusalem was governed by the High Priest, who had the the task of mediating between the Roman prefect and the local population. What was the name of the High Priest of Israel during Jesus’ adulthood, who held the office from about 18 to 36 CE?
Caiaphas