I will select eight questions from the following list, from which you will select four on which to write thoughtful essays. Allow about 30 minutes per question. You may use an unmarked, non-study Bible during the exam. Several questions refer to excerpts which shall be included as attachments.

1. Second Temple Judaism: Discuss three of the most important events in the history of the Jewish people between the dedication of the Second Temple and the second Jewish revolt. Explain why you think each one is significant, and how they changed the fabric and nature of early Judaism. You may wish to consider their impact (social, political, religious, economic, etc.) on the ministry of Jesus and the emergence of Christianity.

2. Josephus as Biblical Interpreter: discuss, with examples, Josephus' manner of interpreting the OT. As part of your response, discuss the excerpt from Antiquities included in the attachments.

3. Josephus as Jewish Historian: evaluate Josephus' reliability as a historian of the Jewish War. As part of your response, discuss the excerpt from the Jewish War included in the attachments.

4. Ancient Biblical Interpretation: what is "rewritten Bible"? With reference to one or more representatives, show how this type of literature interprets the ancient biblical text for a new generation. As part of your response, compare and contrast the excerpts from Philo and Pseudo-Philo included in the attachments.

5. Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls: describe the collection known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, explaining their relationship to the Qumran ruins, and their relevance for understanding early Jewish thought and theology around the time of Jesus.

6. Apocrypha: discuss the nature and significance of the collection known as the Old Testament Apocrypha. As part of your response, comment on the excerpt from Judith included in the attachments, and explain the significance of the book in terms of early Jewish practice and belief (the theology and piety of at least one strand of early Judaism) and/or Biblical interpretation (how at least one strand of early Judaism interpreted Scripture).

7. Pseudepigrapha: what should we make of Second Temple documents claiming authorship by long-dead heroes and OT patriarchs? Describe and discuss the phenomenon of pseudonymityin early Jewish literature. What is it? What factors contributed to its popularity? Can there be pseudonymous works in the Biblical canon (OT or NT)? Why or why not?. As part of your response, discuss the excerpt from the Testament of Joseph included in the attachments.

8. Apocalyptic Literature: describe the genre apocalyptic, with examples from Biblical and non-biblical texts. As part of your response, discuss the excerpt from 4 Ezra included in the attachments.

9. Imperial Cult: explain the rise and importance of emperor worship, and the challenge it posed to the early Christians.

10. Greco-Roman religions and philosophies: compare and contrast two first century religious or philosophical traditions excluding Christianity and Judaism. (That is, don't choose one of each.)

11. Slavery in the Roman empire: describe the ambiguous institution of slavery in the Roman empire, in terms of rights, status, daily life, and means of emancipation. Does any of this help us interpret the NT? How so?

12. Ancient Greek Novels: describe the genre of Greek novel, in terms of themes, plot structure, and value for illuminating the Roman social world. As part of your response, discuss the excerpt included in the attachments.