Intertestamental is the period of time between the Old and New Testaments. It has also been called the 400 “silent years” where a large portion of Daniel 2:32-33 was fulfilled as predicted. See also Daniel ch. 7-12.

Quiz Notes:
Week 1, A Theological History of Modern Israel

The most common interpretation of the statue: (for background read http://historytour/apwh/essays/comp/cw05daniel.htm or http://historytour/apwh/essays/comp/cw04danstatue.htm)
This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
Babylonian rule
Persian rule : The Persian overthrew the Babylonians and in 540 B.C. Cyrus came to the throne and allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.
Greek rule :Antiochus IV took over the temple in 167 B.C.
Roman rule(the Rock, Christ is born)

Malachi 4:6 ends with the threat of a "curse" if the Jews did not turn their hearts toward God. During the series of outside rulers over Judea, the Jews were always on watch for the Messiah who would rescue them from their oppressors.

Israel was under the control of the Persian Empire from about 532-332 B.C. After the events of Esther, the Persians allowed the Jews to practice their religion with little interference. The state encouraged them to rebuild their temple. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4).

Alexander the Great defeated Darius of Persia and promoted Greek culture. Although Greek culture of Hellenism was humanistic and ungodly, Alexander allowed the Jews religious freedom. In Alexandria, the Hebrew Old Testament was translated into the Greek Septuagint. (St. Jerome relied on the Septuagint to translate the Latin Vulgate in the 4th century.)

After Alexander died, his reign was split between four generals. "Alexander had reigned twelve years when he died. His servants succeeded him, each in his own domain. After his death they all put on crowns, as did their sons after them. for many years, and they did much evil on the earth." (1 Maccabees 1:7-9).

Antiochus Epiphanes brutally denied religious freedom and overthrew the line of the priesthood . He demanded Jews to sacrifice pigs on the alter to pagan gods, and put to death mothers and the children for the act of circumcision.

"So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet…
And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation." (Daniel 11:31)

Jewish resistance to Antiochus, lead by the Maccabee family (Hasmoneans), restored the priests and rescued the temple. The Maccabean Revolt allowed for Jews to defend themselves on the Sabbath. Rededicate the temple (festival of Hanukkah). Jews rebelled and took control of the temple and rededicated it.

Around 63 BC, Pompey of Rome put all of Judea under control of the Caesars. Eventually, Herod was made King of Judea by the Roman emperor. Herod had the temple so greatly improved that it became known as Herod's temple. Rome taxed and controlled the Jews, having the sole authority over life and death. At the demand of the Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilate had Rabbi Yeshua killed.

Roman, Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew cultures were mixed together in Judea, with all four languages spoken. Jews were divided into several doctrinal camps: Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Essenes

The Sadducees were priestly families in charge of the temples and its activities. They accepted the Torah but reject belief in demons and life after death.

The Pharisees wanted to preserve tradition and primarily focused on keeping the law and emphasized daily religious practice. They accepted more of the books as canonical and they valued the oral tradition of Moses

The Zealots opposed foreign rule and sometimes used violence to fight off foreign influence. Refuse to pay taxes or bow to Rome. Wanted political independance.

The Essenes were a communal group of a few thousand who lived as celibates in the desert above the Dead Sea. The rejected animal sacrifice and avoided meat and wine. The Qumran scrolls reveal their beliefs and practices.

Helpful Timeline:
http://www.abu.nb.ca/ecm/photo/timel/time4.gif

Helpful Powerpoints:
www.dhcc.faithofreason.com/InterTestament.ppt

personal.stthomas.edu/plgavrilyuk/PLGAVRILYUK/101/101%20L06%20Second%20Temple%20Judaism.ppt

Helpful Articles:
http://www.zianet.com/maxey/Inter2.htm