Historical Study Worksheet AY2223- Pieterse
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BIBL 350
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by JusticeMask29879
Name: Etienne Pieterse
Date: 15 October 2023
HISTORICAL STUDY WORKSHEET
THE AUTHOR:
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It is a short narrative that tells the story of a prophet named Jonah who can also be seen in II Kings and
is classified as a minor prophet.
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Jonah's background is not extensively detailed in the book. He is described as the son of Amittai, but
there is limited information about his origin. However, he is a prophet and he comes from Joppa and is
of Jewish descent making him part of the people of God.
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The exact date of the book's writing is uncertain, but it is generally believed to have been composed in
the 4th century BCE.
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Jonah was a prophet, and he is described as having been instructed by God to deliver a message to the
city of Nineveh. Which he refused at first and tried to flee from God, he is also seen in the book of II
Kings delivering a prophecy to King Jeroboam II that he would extend the borders from the dead sea to
the entrance to Hamath.
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Jonah was reluctant to fulfill his prophetic duty and tried to flee from God's command. It is possible to
infer that his relationship with the Ninevites as a Jew was bad because they were part of the Assyrian
empire who openly disliked the Jews and persecuted them on occasion. So he most likely (actually very
likely wanted them destroyed by God).
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Purpose of the book: The Book of Jonah is written as a narrative that teaches several lessons, including
the idea of God's compassion, mercy, and the universality of His message. It also illustrates the
consequences of disobedience and the importance of repentance. Story of Jonah and the large fish is one
of the most well-known parts of the book, but the overall theme is about God's willingness to forgive
those who turn to Him with earnest and repentant hearts.
THE AUDIENCE:
The Book of Jonah was a religious scripture for the ancient Israelites, providing moral and spiritual guidance.
The narrative of Jonah emphasized the significance of obeying God and the repercussions of disobedience. The
Israelites may learn from Jonah's experiences about their own covenant with God and the need of faithful
adherence. The book stressed fundamental God characteristics such as mercy and forgiveness. The mission of
Jonah to Nineveh and God's response to the Ninevites' repentance proved God's compassion, which was
important for the Israelites as they sought proof of God's grace in their lives. The Israelites frequently struggled
with their national identity and their place in God's plan. The story of Jonah, in which he is summoned to carry
a message to a foreign city, demonstrated that God's message was not limited to Israel alone. This would have
caused the Israelites to consider their place in the larger international context, as well as their responsibility to
spread God's word. The concept of repentance and redemption was emphasized throughout the text. The
Ninevites' repentance and Jonah's reluctant obedience proved the possibility of reconciliation with God even
after disobedience. For the Israelites, this would have been a message of hope and encouragement, reminding
them that God was always ready to forgive and restore. The story of Jonah served as an effective narrative tool
for conveying these concepts. The story of Jonah was a powerful narrative tool to convey these lessons. It
engaged the audience through a captivating tale of a prophet, a great fish, and a foreign city. The narrative
format made it easier for the Israelites to remember and discuss the lessons contained within the book.
THE DATE:
Dating ancient materials, particularly biblical texts, frequently requires a combination of historical, linguistic,
and textual examination, and it can be fairly speculative. In the instance of the Book of Jonah, academics have
estimated that it was written in the fourth century BCE. The Book of Jonah's Hebrew language and literary style
are compatible with the post-exilic period. Following the Babylonian exile, Hebrew suffered considerable
grammatical modifications, which are reflected in the language used in the book. The book contains references
to events and locations that occurred following the Babylonian exile. The book references Nineveh, a destroyed
city in 612 BCE, and the historical background appears to correspond to the post-exilic era. Theological topics
in the work, such as God's worldwide compassion for all countries and the concept of divine mercy, correspond
to post-exilic Jewish thinking. This indicates that the book was produced in a time when these beliefs were
growing increasingly prevalent. The Book of Jonah contains connections to other biblical writings, such as the
Psalms, which correspond to post-exilic Jewish philosophy. While the 4th century BCE is a widely recognized
date, it is crucial to remember that experts may disagree on the exact date. The dating of biblical writings can be
difficult, and the 4th century BCE is a rough estimate based on the evidence.
HISTORICAL LANDMARKS:
King Philip II of Macedon rose to prominence in the later half of the fourth century BCE, and his son,
Alexander the Great, became one of history's most known military leaders. Beginning in the late 4th century
BCE, Alexander's conquests enlarged the Macedonian Empire and introduced Greek culture to a vast realm. The
Hellenistic period began after Alexander the Great's conquests. The spread of Greek civilization over Asia, the
Middle East, and parts of Africa defined this age. During this period, major Hellenistic towns such as
Alexandria in Egypt were founded. Two of Western philosophy's most significant philosophers died in the
fourth century BCE. Plato, Socrates' student and Aristotle's instructor, died approximately 348/347 BCE.
Aristotle, another philosophical and scientific great, was Plato's student and later tutored Alexander the Great.
He died in the year 322 BCE. Various Chinese rulers began constructing early versions of the Great Wall of
China in the 4th century BCE to protect against attacks from northern nomadic tribes. This building proceeded
for ages, eventually leading to the construction of the massive wall we know today. The roots for Alexander's
conquests were built by Philip II, who governed from 359 to 336 BCE. He was a skilled military and political
commander who elevated Macedon to the status of a powerful kingdom. Plato founded the Academy in Athens,
which became a prominent school of thought throughout the 4th century BCE. It was important in the
development of philosophical thought and drew students and experts from all across the ancient world. This
elite military force of 300 troops comprised of male lovers was founded in the 4th century BCE in the city of
Thebes. The Sacred Band was important in multiple wars and is recognized for its bravery and dedication.
These are only a handful of the historical sites and events that occurred during the fourth century BCE. It was a
period of immense cultural interaction, military conquests, and profound philosophical and scientific advances
that had a lasting impact on the ancient world.
CULTURAL ARTIFACTS:
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Clothing differed by place, but draped garments, such as chitons and himations in ancient Greece, were worn by both men
and women in the Mediterranean. Sandals and leather boots were commonly worn as footwear. Wool and linen were often
used fabrics.
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Musicians in 4th century BCE Greece used a variety of instruments, including the lyre and aulos (an ancient double-reeded
instrument). Music, in various styles and scales, was a vital part of religious and social ceremonies.
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The Classical style was popular in Greece during this time period, and it was distinguished by columns (Doric, Ionic, and
Corinthian), symmetry, and harmony in design. The Parthenon in Athens is a notable example of a building from this era.
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