Short Answer Questions – First Lesson: Study of the Holy Bible
1. Introduction to the Pentateuch
1. What does the word Pentateuch mean?
2. Name the first five books of the Bible.
3. What other name is given to the first five books of the Bible?
4. Does calling them “Books of Moses” mean that Moses wrote them?
5. Give one example of the same event repeated in the Pentateuch.
6. Give one example of the same event described in two ways.
7. Give one example where the same event changes as history develops.
8. Give one example where one story copies from another in the Pentateuch.
9. What differences exist in the laws of the Torah?
10. How many traditions make up the Pentateuch according to the JEDP theory?
2. The Four Traditions of the Pentateuch
11. In what period was the Yahwist tradition (J) written?
12. Why is it called “J” instead of “Y”?
13. Which creation story does the Yahwist tradition begin with?
14. Which book does not contain the Yahwist “P” section?
15. Which city is central in the Yahwist tradition?
16. Which tribes are often mentioned in the Yahwist tradition?
17. Give one example of a lively plot in the Yahwist tradition.
18. Name two foreign cultures whose stories influenced the Yahwist tradition.
19. How is God presented in the Yahwist tradition?
20. According to the Yahwist tradition, what has sin done to mankind?
21. When was the Elohist tradition (E) written?
22. What Hebrew word for God is used in the Elohist tradition?
23. Which kingdom’s prophets influenced the Elohist tradition?
24. Which two patriarchs have a special place in the Elohist tradition?
25. Which famous event is an example of the Elohist high literary style?
26. How is God presented in the Elohist tradition?
27. Name one way God communicates with man in the Elohist tradition.
28. What is the main doctrinal focus of the Elohist tradition?
29. In the Elohist tradition, how does man approach God at Sinai?
30. What moral values are emphasized in the Elohist covenant?
31. In which book is the Deuteronomist tradition mainly found?
32. During whose reign was the D tradition compiled?
33. Which event is strongly emphasized in the D tradition?
34. According to the D tradition, what is the only legitimate place of worship?
35. How does the D tradition invite the people to keep the covenant?
36. What is the Ark of the Covenant according to the D tradition?
37. How is God different from other gods in the D tradition?
38. What was the main law emphasis in the D tradition?
39. Which people were especially encouraged to protect the race in the D tradition?
40. How is Moses portrayed in the D tradition?
41. When was the Priestly tradition (P) written?
42. Which tradition includes the first chapter of Genesis?
43. Which entire book belongs to the P tradition?
44. What kind of content is emphasized in the P tradition?
45. Name one type of repetition in the P tradition’s language.
46. How does the P tradition portray God?
47. What was the Sabbath a sign of according to the P tradition?
48. How is God revealed to man in the P tradition?
49. Who served as mediators between God and the people in the P tradition?
50. According to the P tradition, what happens if one lives in favour with God?
3. From Oral to Written Tradition
51. When did the written form of the Bible begin to appear?
52. Name two examples of early written texts before the Pentateuch was compiled.
53. What was the main way history was preserved before writing?
54. Why was oral tradition important in preserving faith?
55. During whose reign were oral traditions first written down officially?
56. What other type of history, besides Israel’s, was included when traditions were
written down?
57. What role did the building of the Temple play in writing traditions?
58. What was the main purpose of putting traditions into writing?
59. Name one factor to remember when studying Scripture regarding its sources.
4. How the Traditions Were Combined
60. Which tradition came from the Southern Kingdom?
61. Which tradition came from the Northern Kingdom?
62. When did the J and E traditions merge?
63. When was the D tradition added to J and E?
64. Which new ideas were added when J, E, and D merged?
65. After which event was the P tradition added?
66. What is the comparison used to describe merging of traditions?
67. How long did the process of forming the Pentateuch take?
68. Why does the merging of traditions not cause a problem for faith?
5. The Influence of Moses
69. Why is Moses often named as the author of the Pentateuch?
70. Was it common in ancient Judean culture to give a book’s authorship to someone
else?
71. In what spirit was authorship given to a leader or ancestor?
72. Give one New Testament example where authorship is given to an earlier person.
73. Why might Moses be seen as the “authority” behind the Pentateuch?
74. Name one type of content in the Pentateuch that dates back to Moses’ time.
75. How is Moses described in relation to the Exodus?
76. Even if Moses did not write the Pentateuch, what role did he play in its content?