Final answer:
The literature of the Old Testament includes a significant amount of Hebrew poetry, which is intricately linked with the cultural and religious history of the Hebrew people. Major biblical themes were shaped during the seventh century BCE under King Josiah and reflect the move towards strict monotheism with Yahweh as the central figure. These stories have also influenced and are shared by Christianity and Islam.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that much of the literature of the Old Testament is in the form of Hebrew poetry is true. Hebrew poetry is characterized by structures such as parallelism and various forms of chiasmus, rather than rhyme and meter like much Western poetry. This poetry can be found in books such as Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Solomon, which stand as testament to the rich poetic tradition within Hebrew scripture. This tradition is part of the broader historical and cultural context in which these texts were produced, reflecting a strong oral and written narrative culture within ancient Hebrew society.
The sacred writings compiled during these events were all in the mode of the new monotheism, where Yahweh is presented as the exclusive god of the Hebrew people. The composition of the Torah and adherence to the Covenant were pivotal during the reign of King Josiah, emphasizing monotheism and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The transformation of religious practice and canonization of these texts marks a significant historical moment for Hebrew religion.
Christianity and Islam share many of the stories from the Hebrew scriptures, highlighting the cross-cultural and interreligious impact of these texts. While the stories present in the Hebrew Bible often bear the imprint of earlier Mesopotamian legends, they have been transmitted through these texts and share themes expressed across different religious traditions.