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Many Christians who love the Bible are knowledgeable of New Testament books but may not have much knowledge of the Old Testament books. These Old Testament books are also inspired scriptures of God and also have been preserved for our use today.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
There are many good long technical references on the market today, but a simple, brief, concise manner of presenting the Old Testament books is difficult to find.
These summary discussions cover (1) Origin and meaning of book title, (2) Author, (3) Date, and (4) Theme(s)/Purpose(s) of each book in a handy, brief, one-page reference for each Old Testament book.
Some information is necessarily lost in summary and brevity. The dates supplied are based on the more commonly accepted dates from numerous sources. These dates are not exact and the typical great debates regarding the dating of many of the Old Testament books are not covered. The wise reader will think of the dates for writings of the books as being “in pencil” and realize the controversy surrounding many of them.
Some readers may not be familiar with a few words used in the summary of some books. Therefore, here is a brief explanation of some of those words, along with other words to help understand the Old Testament in a more general way.
• CANON or CANICAL BOOKS: Canon literally means “cane”, “measuring rod.” It is the name used for the listing and order of the Old Testament books.
• GOEL: Kinsman-redeemer. During the period the judges, the Goel was the “near-kinsman” or kinsman-redeemer. The Goel’s responsibility was to buy back the land and possessions of the near-kinsman who died. This included taking on the responsibility of being husband to the widow of the deceased if he died childless. Boaz married Ruth under these conditions.
• GREAT SYNAGOGUE: An institution set up during the period between the end of the Old Testament writing and the New Testament writing. It was established for the purpose of administration of the Law. Although probably organized by Nehemiah, Ezra is considered to have been the chief administrator its beginning. The last three of the minor prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, are also thought to have been members. This group may have been used to gather, select, and group the books we now have as found in the Old Testament. It was used to Canonize the Old Testament. It is probably the forerunner of the Sanhedrin.
• INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD: Time (@ 400 years) between the end of writing of the Old
Testament and New Testament books.
• JOSEPHUS: A Jewish historian during the time of about 30-100 AD. He wrote The Antiquities of the Jews, and The Wars of the Jews. He was an active historian during the ministry of Jesus Christ.
• MASORETIC TEXT: The word Masoretic comes from the Hebrew, Masorah, meaning “transmission” or “traditions.” It is the traditional Hebrew text of the Bible containing detailed notes. It was completed about 700 AD.
• MEGILLOT: The plural form of Megillah, the Hebrew term for the five scrolls read during the Festival times of Israel. The five scrolls (books) are Canticles (Song of Songs), read during the time of Passover; Ruth, read at Pentecost; Lamentations, read on the ninth of Ab (anniversary of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem); Ecclesiastes, read at the Feast of Sukkor (Tabernacles or Booths); and Esther, read at the Feast of Purim.
• MIDRASH: From the Hebrew, meaning “to search, inquire, and interpret.” The Midrash is the Rabbinic interpretation of scriptures. It gives detailed attention to individual words and grammatical forms, generally done by comparing verses.
• PENTATEUCH: A Greek word for the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). It is also referred to as the Book of the Law.
• SANHEDRIN: The religious leaders of the Jewish people during the life of Jesus Christ. It was composed of 70 members, mainly an organization of priests, nobles of the Sadducees, some Pharisees, scribes, Elders (family heads), and the High Priest as head.
• SEPTUAGINT: Hebrew Old Testament translation into the Greek. This translation was made in Alexandria, the home of many Jews who spoke Greek. The word, Septuagint, is a Greek word meaning Seventy. Its name comes from the tradition that 70 Jewish linguists (original translators) were sent from Jerusalem to Egypt at the request of Ptolemy Philadelphus. They first translated the Pentateuch from Hebrew into Greek. The rest of the books of the Old Testament were translated later into Greek. Septuagint is also written as LXX (Latin or Roman numbers for 70).
• SONCINO: A Jewish commentary of the Hebrew Scriptures. It records the Bible text, both Hebrew and English, and presents a commentary on the verses.
• TALMUD: The traditions and oral expressions used to form the basis of Jewish law. It was compiled into writing by Jewish Rabbis in the second century AD. The Talmud consists of the Rabbinic codes.
• TORAH: Normally it refers to the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch). However, in a broader sense, Torah refers to Jewish learning and culture. This would include both Biblical and Rabbinic teaching.
• VULGATE: Name of Jerome’s translation of the Bible, about 400 AD. The name was given by the Council of Trent in 1545 AD. This translation was written to give unity and reliability of the text in Latin, common language of the people. It is also sometimes referred to as the Catholic Bible.
We hope you will find these short references useful and informative. Our purpose is to promote a deeper love for the entire Word of God.
