Did the Jews Introduce Morality to the Ancient World?

[timf]

If one considers ethics to an an agreed upon set of rules for conduct such as the code of Hammurabi and other ancient laws, one might consider "morality" as going beyond conduct to motives for behavior such as the danger of "coveting". One might even ask if philosophies such as Stoicism were influenced by Jewish law.

There are elements of ethics in Jewish law as well as proscriptions for activities to remind them of the God they were supposed to remember. However, one can find elements of morality beyond don't steal because you might be punished to don't steal because it is wrong to hurt someone else.

One might even say that God used Israel to introduce morality such that people would start doing less harm to others. One might then see in Christianity and advance in that the idea of even doing good for others is introduced.

Interesting possibilities.

 

[Hans Blaster]

No.

 

[partinobodycular]

If one considers ethics to an an agreed upon set of rules for conduct such as the code of Hammurabi and other ancient laws, one might consider "morality" as going beyond conduct to motives for behavior such as the danger of "coveting". One might even ask if philosophies such as Stoicism were influenced by Jewish law.

There are elements of ethics in Jewish law as well as proscriptions for activities to remind them of the God they were supposed to remember. However, one can find elements of morality beyond don't steal because you might be punished to don't steal because it is wrong to hurt someone else.

One might even say that God used Israel to introduce morality such that people would start doing less harm to others. One might then see in Christianity and advance in that the idea of even doing good for others is introduced.

Interesting possibilities.

At best, you could argue that the Jews elevated morality from an offense adjudicated by men, to one adjudicated by God.

 

[timf]

At best, you could argue that the Jews elevated morality from an offense adjudicated by men, to one adjudicated by God.

Particularly well said partinobodycular. We don't have any information about the scope or even content of the ministry of Melchizedek. I suspect that the time of Judges may have overlapped with the time of Troy. However after the Babylonian captivity, one sees a marked increase in Jewish expats in various trading centers in the Mid East and Mediterranean.

I understand much is speculation, however, it would nice if someone could share anything they might have run across that bears on historical interaction, particularly pre-Socratic.

 

[eleos1954]

If one considers ethics to an an agreed upon set of rules for conduct such as the code of Hammurabi and other ancient laws, one might consider "morality" as going beyond conduct to motives for behavior such as the danger of "coveting". One might even ask if philosophies such as Stoicism were influenced by Jewish law.

There are elements of ethics in Jewish law as well as proscriptions for activities to remind them of the God they were supposed to remember. However, one can find elements of morality beyond don't steal because you might be punished to don't steal because it is wrong to hurt someone else.

One might even say that God used Israel to introduce morality such that people would start doing less harm to others. One might then see in Christianity and advance in that the idea of even doing good for others is introduced.

Interesting possibilities.

God's laws, including the Ten Commandments, were/are a reflection of His own character, love, justice, and holiness. By living according to these principles, Israel was meant to demonstrate God's way of life to surrounding nations.

A "Light to the Nations": Israel was chosen to be a "light to the Gentiles" and a "kingdom of priests," standing in contrast to other nations. Their obedience was intended to make them a "marvel of prosperity" before the world, showcasing the blessings of a life lived in cooperation with God's principles.

Objective Morality: is rooted in God's word and unchanging principles. The law given to Israel at Sinai was a clear, written expression of this eternal moral code.

A Conditional Covenant: The promises and blessings offered to Israel were conditional upon their faithfulness and obedience. When they failed to live by the law and disobeyed, they experienced curses instead of blessings, serving as an example of the consequences of forsaking God's moral standards.