century, the term began to be applied to those who did not necessarily have an ethnic or geographic connection to Judah but who believed in the God of the Judeans, Yahweh (2 Macc. 9:13; Ant. 20.2.38–39). This definition developed into the one used today. This textbook is designed to assist students to more effectively read the Bible with the social world of ancient Israel in mind. In that way not only will the text come alive with the everyday activities of the characters but