1. The Israelites became a people of the covenant
-At the very foundation of this new people lay the LORD’S act of liberation from slavery in Egypt, the LORD became the heart of this new people.
-The Lord would dwell in their midst. The Lord became their life.

2. The Israelites received a code of the covenant
-The Israelites’ whole life was based on the covenant with the Lord.
-The covenant was an agreement between the Lord and the people.
-The agreement was to be lived out by keeping a code; this code is called the Law or Torah. The Torah was rather an instruction or a teaching of the Lord. If they kept this, they would be a free people.

3. The Israelites had prophets as part of their leadership.
-Moses was a prophet and a lawgiver.
-The people’s covenant with the Lord was the most important aspect of their life as a nation.
-Israelites needed leaders who could mediate between the Lord and the people.
-Spokespersons for God are known as prophets.

4. The Israelites celebrated the actions and events of the Lord
-The central celebration of the Chosen People was the Passover; was celebrated on the Sabbath after the Spring full moon.
-The celebration was centered on a meal. The people ate lamb and unleavened bread and different herbs to remember the night the Lord freed them.

  • Pharisees: well educated, influential, respected.
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-defenders and teachers of the Torah
-refused to compromise beliefs
-Israel was guided by God thus no need for political rulers

  • Sadducees: wealthy upper class, chief priests, keepers of the temple

-Roman rule was accepted and adjusted
-rivals of the Pharisees in politics and religion

  • Essenes: believed they were the true Israel and heirs to the covenant
  • Herodians: these were the people who followed Herod the Great who continued to rule the Hebrew nation under the protection of the Roman Empire.

-Jews were allowed to carry on their own culture and commerce and collect taxes.

  • Romans: allowed people to continue their laws and culture even when they were defeated.

-extracted taxes and commerce when scheduled

  • Scribes: were professional writers and readers which were highly regarded skills.
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-responsible for teaching the laws of Moses

  • Zealots: militaristic movement of Jews who looked for a military leader or Messiah to put them as the first nation in the world.
  • Samaritans: descendants or a part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel/Palestine

-seen as traitors and outcasts and were rejected and hated by other Jews, were evil and dirty

  • Apostles: the men who were members of Jesus’ closest followers, those 12 chosen by Jesus.
  • Disciples: were other followers or pupils of Christ who tried to learn from him.
  • Baptists: followers of John the Baptist.
  • Labourers: people who worked for others by farming, fishing and herding animals.
author avatar
William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)
William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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