The Intertestamental Period is the time period between the writings of the Old Testament and the New Testament, which spans about 400 years. Because of the great duration of time between the two Testaments, it is helpful to study the history of the Intertestamental Period, which has been reconstructed with the help of a large number of sources. The study of this period will aid in the understanding of both Testaments, but especially the New Testament. There are people that are mentioned in the New Testament that will be understood more clearly, having studied them from the Intertestamental Period. Additionally, there are cultures and governments involved in the New Testament that have a history in the Intertestamental Period. The study of this period helps to identify many of the people and places that have shaped the time period of the New Testament. For the purpose of this response, I will consult Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament, by J. Julius Scott Jr. The Old Testament and New Testament are, of course, utilized in reconstructing the Intertestamental Period. Some of the most important major sources are included below. The Apocrypha of the Old Testament is one of the most important sources used in reconstructing the Intertestamental Period. The Apocrypha includes books that were found in the Septuagint (Greek Translation of the Old Testament), but were not included in the Hebrew Old Testament. These texts are important as they recall many of the historical events of the Intertestamental Period and are original content not found elsewhere in Scripture. The Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament is a collection of works by authors representing a wide variety of viewpoints. These writings took place from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. include stories, prayers, legends, history, testaments, and etc. These documents have not been preserved as well as some other sources, and some pages have been lost. The titles of these books include: Jubilees, the Life of Adam and Eve, Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah, the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, the Testament of Moses, Psalms of Solomon and Odes of Solomon. This set of writings is important as they took place during the period directly leading up to the New Testament. Additionally, they help to give increased insight to the lives of the some of the Old Testament’s most prominent characters. The Dead Sea Scrolls are the most important of the Jewish sectarians during the Intertestamental Period. These scrolls include writings from the Old Testament, the Apocrypha, the Pseudigrapha, and other miscellaneous writings. The Dead Sea Scrolls are significant because they are the considered the earliest manuscripts containing the Old Testament Scriptures as well as other writings. Other sources include first-century writers such as Philo and Josephus, the rabbinic writers, Christian collections, and Gerco-Roman writers. There were also inscriptions, mystical documents, and other early first century A.D. literary works. All of these sources are instrumental in forming not only the reconstruction of the Intertestamental Period, but also in further understanding of the Old and New Testaments. These studies help to shape the ideas, cultures, and persons involved in both testaments, especially in looking at the New Testament with a world view that is appropriate for the time period. Work Consulted Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995. -Pastor Tyler
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 21:24:10 +0000
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