Hebrews

Hebrews	another name for the Jews, an ethnic group originally from Israel/Palestine. This term is mostly used when talking about ancient Jewish tribes.
Kingdom of Israel	an ancient kingdom on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, located in present-day Israel/Palestine.
Mediterranean Sea	the large sea between Europe and Africa.
Judaism	the religion followed by people who call themselves Jews; a religion based on the teachings of Abraham and Moses.
monotheism	belief in one god.

Hebrews

The Hebrews were an ancient people of the Middle East who established the Kingdom of Israel at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea about 1000 BC. There they founded the religion of Judaism. Judaism was unusual because it worshiped only one God (monotheism). It was also a universal religion that could be worshiped anywhere; it was not tied to a particular place like the gods of Sumer.

Babylonian Captivity

The Israelites were conquered by the Babylonians in the 500s BC and taken to Babylon in chains. During the exile in Babylon, Jewish scribes began to write the Bible in an effort to preserve Hebrew culture and religion. Laws contained in the Bible such as “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” have a basis in the Code of Hammurabi. (The Jewish Bible is what Christians call the Old Testament). Over the centuries since then, Jews have settled in many parts of the world, but they have maintained their identity as a people.

Arab-Israeli Conflict

In an effort to regain their ancient homeland in the Middle East, Jews took over Arab lands in Palestine following World War II, which resulted in years of conflict between Jews and Arabs that still continues.

Instructions for the Quiz

Answer the questions.

Quiz