Question

What were the main problems faced by the Israelites between 1800 b.c. and 700 b.c.?

Answer 1

The Israelites between 1800 b.c. and 700 b.c. faced problems such as enslavement in Egypt, continuous conflicts with invading forces like the Philistines, repetitive cycles of tribute and rebellion, the Babylonian Captivity, and the loss of cultural identity for the 'lost tribes' following the Assyrian conquest.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main problems faced by the Israelites between 1800 b.c. and 700 b.c. included the following:

• Initially, the Hebrews faced a famine that led them to Egypt where they were welcomed by the Hyksos, only to be later enslaved by the New Kingdom of Egypt.
• Post-exodus, they experienced the threat of invasion and subjugation by various regional powers, including the Philistines, which led to the formation of their kingdom for better defense.
• Political instability marked by patterns of vassalage and rebellion, particularly within Judah in response to foreign tributes demanded by powers such as Assyria and Neo-Babylonia.
• The Babylonian Captivity around 586 BCE, where significant portions of the Jewish population were exiled.
• The loss of cultural identity for many Israelites, particularly the 'lost tribes' post-Assyrian conquest.

These challenges are detailed within the accounts of the Hebrew Bible, supplemented by archaeological evidence and historical records from other civilizations.

Answer 2

There were almost countless problems faced by the Israelites between 1800 b.c. and 700 b.c. but perhaps the most significant was that they were persecuted against by their government.