Elements of Jewish Religious History Through the Lens of Modern Scholarship

Abstract

When drawing a cursory picture of Jewish religious history from 458 B.C.E. through the early Roman era, men like Ezra, Nehamiah, Zerubbabel, Judah Maccabee, and Herod the Great, have quite an interesting appeal. This paper will not uncover or add any new perspective to their perennial portraits, but rather provide a brief overview foregrounding an interpretation, which has been rarely highlighted by authors who have sought to do the same. Upon the close of this inquiry, this paper will consider lessons found in Daniel chapter 1-6, the significance of Cyrus the Great in Jewish history; and the role and impact of Jewish groups as their record cannot be ignored in a broad account of this important historic period. Finally, this study will touch upon two biblical books, often used to support Jewish history, Judges and Kings, and underscore some of the problems with achieving this task.