INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD

Intertestamental period: the time between the book of Malachi (500 B.C.) and the Birth of John the Baptist (5 B.C.)

Between when the OT ends and the NT begins, is a span of 400-500 years. This era is referred to as the intertestamental period. God rarely spoke to man during this period. Not unusual. Between time of Flood and Abraham – there was centuries of seeming silence. The Israelites lived in slavery in Egypt for centuries before God spoke to them through Moses. God’s rare revelation to man was very similar to the era before Samuel was born. The author of I Samuel in chapter 3 verse 1 wrote – The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

What was going on in Jerusalem and the surrounding region where the Jews lived during this time period?

515 B.C. – The Second Temple was completed

A. Alexander the Great and invasion of Greek culture

332 B.C. – Jerusalem and surrounding region conquered by Alexander the Great. He would go on to conquer the whole Persian empire. Judah falls under Greek rule. Greek culture (language, dress, architecture, economy, entertainment, religion) moves into the region like a tsunami.

B. Division of Alexander’s empire

323 B.C. – Alexander dies at age 30. His empire is divided by his generals. The Ptolemies of Egypt and the Seleucids of Syria battle for control of Judah for next two centuries.

C. Ptolemies and Seleucids

302-200 B.C. – The Ptolemies of Egypt control Judah.

200-152 B.C. – The Seleucids of Syria control Judah.

D. Antiochus IV and the Maccabean revolt

174-163 B.C. – The Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (“manifest”) attempted to impose by force Greek culture upon all his subjects which included the Jews. In 167 B.C., Antiochus IV sent an army against Jerusalem. He attacked the city on the Sabbath, killing most of the male population and enslaving women and children. All Jewish religious practices were banned – no observing the Sabbath, circumcision, or sacrifices to God. The people could not even call themselves Jews. Anyone who refused to comply was executed. Antiochus IV erected in the Temple an altar to the Greek god Zeus whom the Jews were to worship and make sacrifices to. On December 25, 167 B.C., a pig was sacrificed in the Temple to Zeus. According to the Law, God regarded swine as unclean. They were not to be eaten by the Jews. Antiochus IV’s desecration of the Temple (known in Jewish history as the Abomination of Desolation) sparked a Jewish rebellion against his rule led by the Maccabean family. After three years, the Jews under the leadership of the Maccabeans defeat Antiochus IV. The Temple was cleansed and rededicated (celebrated as the holiday Hanukkah) and the Jews were allowed to rule themselves.

E. The Maccabean period

163 B.C.-63 B.C. –Judah was ruled by priest-kings who were members of the Maccabean family. It was a politically unstable period. Jews became divided into pro-Greek culture and anti-Greek culture camps. Filtered into the religion. During this period you have the emergence of Jewish religious sects: Sadducees – pro-Greek culture; Pharisees – anti-Greek culture; and Essenes who did not agree with the religious practices/beliefs of the latter two. Sadducees and Pharisees exerted tremendous religious and political influence during the latter years of the Maccabean period. The Apocryphal books were written during this era in an effort to preserve Jewish heritage from being swallowed up by Greek culture. Much of the history of the Jewish struggle against Antiochus IV and the Maccabean period is found in the Apocryphal books I and II Maccabees. The memory of Jewish self-rule under the Maccabeans will have impact on next era.
F. Roman rule

63 B.C.-5 B.C. - The Maccabean period comes to an end in 63 B.C. The Jews come under the dominion of the Roman empire. The region where the Jews live becomes a Roman province called Palestine. In 37 B.C., the Roman empire names Herod Idumaean (Herod the Great) “King of the Jews” despite the fact he was not technically a Jew. Herod was a descendant of the Edomites. His ancestors were forced to convert to Judaism by the Maccabees. Herod sought to win the support of the Jews by rebuilding the Temple. Herod’s Temple was larger and more magnificent looking than the previous temple built during the post-exile period. It was an architectural marvel and a source of pride among the Jews. However, it failed to endear Herod to the Jews. They continued to view him as an outsider and not a true Jew and a puppet of Rome. His violent, murderous streak did not help either. During his last years, Herod fell prey to paranoia seeing enemies everywhere including members of his own family. He had many people put to death. Zealots and Messianic sects emerged during Herod the Great’s reign. Zealots and Messianic sects were an outlet for Jews who wanted to return to the days of the Maccabeans (which was not that long ago) when the Jews ruled themselves and were not defiled by the presence of Gentiles. Zealots – radical Jews who sought the violent overthrow of Roman rule under the rallying cry “No king but God!” The Romans perceived them as terrorists. Messianic sects – Hatred of being ruled by a foreign Gentile power fueled growing interest in Messianic prophecy among the Jews. People were expecting God to send someone who would fulfill the promises God had made in the Prophetic books to restore Israel and exact vengeance upon her enemies. The heightened expectations for a Messiah led to the rise of false messiahs who led insurrections against Rome. Several false messiahs led rebellions against Roman authority in the years shortly before and after the birth of Jesus.