SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Contents and history of the Holiness Code. St. O.T., IV, 36-42; McFadyen, Introd. to O.T., 31-4. 2. The last decade of Babylonian history. Goodspeed, Hist. of Babs. and Assyrs., 367-76; Kent, Hist. J.P., 66-77. 3. Character and reign of Cyrus. Herodotus, I, 95, 108-30, 177-214; Hastings, D.B., I, 541-2; Rawlinson, Anc. Monarchies, IV, VII; Duncker, Hist. of Antiq., V.
Section XCIV. The Rebuilding of the Temple. GENERAL QUESTIONS: Describe the contents and literary history of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. 2. Their authorship. 3. The Chronicler's peculiar ideas regarding the restoration. 4. Revolutions in the Persian Empire that aroused the Jews to action. 5. Haggai's appeal to the Judean community. 6. Measures taken to stop the rebuilding of the temple. 7. Meaning of the rebuilding of the temple to the Jewish race.
SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The historical value of Ezra and Nehemiah. Torrey, Composition and Historical Value of Ezra and Nehemiah, or Ezra Studies, 62-251. 2. The first two decades of Persian history. Goodspeed, Hist. of Ancient World, 60-2; Ragozin, The Story of Media, II; Meyer, Anc. Hist., 88-93. 3. Evidence that there was no general return of the Jews in 536 B.C. Kent, Hist. J.P., 126-36; Torrey, Ezra Studies, 297-307.
Section XCV. Zechariah's Visions and Encouraging Addresses. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the evidence that Zechariah wrote from the point of view of a priest. 2. The structure and contents of his book. 3. The problems of the Judean community. 4. Their hopes of a national revival. 5. Zechariah's assurances. 6. The steps that were taken to make Zerubbabel king. 7. Evidence that the popular kingly hopes were disappointed. 8. The content of Zechariah's later sermons. 9. The hopes which he inspired in his fellow-countrymen.
SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Origin of the apocalyptic type of prophecy. Jewish Encyc., I, 669-73; St. O.T., Ill, 42-3; Hastings, D. B., I, 109-10. 2. The popular messianic hopes of the period. St. O.T., III, 44-5, 472-86. 3. The establishment of Darius' authority. Herodotus, II, 67-86; Ragozin, Media, XIII; Hastings, D. B., I, 558.
Section XCVI. Israel's Training and Destiny. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the conditions in the Judean community during the seventy years following the rebuilding of the temple. 2. The forces that kept alive the spiritual life of the Jews. 3. The indications that Isaiah 40-66 were written in Palestine. 4. The probable date of these chapters. 5. Their distinctive literary characteristics. 6. The purpose for which they were written.
SUBJECTS FOE SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The organization of the Persian Empire under Darius. Goodspeed, Hist, of Anc. World, 62-3; Ragozin, Media, 384-91; Sayce, Anc. Empires, 247-50; En. Bib., I, 1016-7. 2. The Persian invasions of Europe. Goodspeed, Anc. Hist., 122-8; Herodotus, IV, 1-142; Ragozin, Media, 412-29; Bury, Hist. of Greece, 265-96; Botsford, Hist. of Greece, 127-36. 3. Contents and literary characteristics of Isaiah 40-48. St. O. T., Ill, 27-30; Cobb, in Jour, of Bib. Lit., XXVII, 48-64; Box, Isaiah, 179-237.
Section XCVII. Conditions and Problems in the Jewish Community. GENERAL QUESTIONS: I. What is the probable date of the book of Malachi? 2. Describe its teachings regarding the temple service. 3. The need of a great moral awakening. 4. The doubts expressed by the faithful in the community. 5. The encouraging promises held out to them. 6. Presentation of the problem of the faithful in the psalms of the period.
SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Contemporary Greek history and literature. Goodspeed, Anc. Hist., 159-96; Bury, Hist. of Greece, 507-90; Jebb, Greek Lit., 109-20. 2. The earliest psalms. Briggs, Psalms, I, LXXXIX-XCII; Cobb, Bk. of Pss., XI-XIV; Driver, Lit. of the O.T., 371-2; McFadyen, Introd. to O.T., 238-50. 3. Psalm literature among contemporary peoples. Breasted, Hist. of Anc. Egyptians, 273-7; Jastrow, Relig. of Bab. and Assyr., 294-327.