Ancient Israel

Early Israelites

• Built a kingdom in Canaan, today this area is Lebanon, Israel and Jordan

• Belief in one god• Faith becomes the religion of Judaism – influenced

Christianity and Islam and helped shape the beliefs of European and American societies

• Spoke Hebrew and wrote down much of their history and religious beliefs- becomes the Hebrew bible.

Early Israelites

• Left Mesopotamia – followed Abraham and settled in Canaan

• Abraham’s grandson, Jacob(Israel), raised 12 sons . They divided the lands into 12 parts, becomes the 12 tribes of Israel

• Lived in Canaan about 100 years• Long drought destroys crops and the people

are forced to move to Egypt

The Story of Moses

• 1730 B.C. – Israelites are forced into slavery by the Hyksos, who ruled Egypt.

• Thutmose I -regains power but keeps the Israelites as slaves

• To prevent rebellions, he orders all male boys to be thrown into the Nile river

• Pharaoh's daughter finds baby in the bulrushes and names him Moses

Story of Moses

• Moses lives in pharaoh’s court for about 40 years, he is considered a prince and is taught Egyptian ways

• He kills an Egyptian who is beating a Hebrew slave- leaves Egypt for an extended period of time

• 1290 B.C. – Moses returns to Egypt to free the Israelites

Story of Moses

• 10 plagues sent to trouble Egypt; last all first born children die unless protected by lambs blood above the door- Passover

• Pharaoh releases Israelites, but then changes his mind , sends armies of chariots to bring them back

• Red Sea – parts and then closes and drowns the soldiers

• Moses receives the Torah and 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai

The Promised Land• Israelites travel to Canaan- the Promised Land• Upon their return discover Canaanites living on their lands• Israelites conquer Jericho and fight a series of wars under

the leadership of Joshua• Land is split into 12 regions, Joshua dies• Judges( military leaders) become the new leaders of Israel• Build walled towns• Create a new alphabet and calendar based on Phoenician

ideas