Time Between the Testaments Intertestamental Period or Silent

Time Between the Testaments Intertestamental Period or “Silent Years” Approx. 430 – 2 B. C. (or 432 – 5 B. C. )

What is Happening? § Predictions of the book of Daniel move forward § Medo-Persian Empire loses land to the Greeks, who lose land (and power) to the Romans § Greeks bring a new trade language to the world (Hellenistic Greek) § Romans build roads, law and order § Time for the Messiah to Come!

History § Many different rulers – Cyrus the Great (rebuild the temple and go back to Jerusalem!) – Alex the Great – Ptolemy (Hellenization) – Seleucid rulers (very anti-Judaism; went so far as to kill temple priests and turned “the” temple in Jerusalem into a shrine for Zeus!) § Maccabean Revolt (166 – 142 B. C. ) § Hasmonean Dynasty ruled, but they eventually became corrupt, too! § Civil War among Jews. Romans “took care of the situation” and gained control in 63 B. C.

Literature § Septuagint (LXX): Hebrew Scripture (OT) translated into the vernacular Greek – enabled more to become Jewish – valuable to early Christians § Apocrypha: Books written during this time – Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches accept them as part of the “canon” § Dead Sea Scrolls – Qumran on NW shore of Dead Sea – 1/3 are copies of Hebrew Scripture, also commentaries, secular documents, etc.