Articles and Notes
Books of the Bible
The Old Testament (also known as the Jewish Tanakh) is the first 39 books in most Christian Bibles. The name stands for the original promise with God (to the descendants of Abraham in particular) prior to the coming of Jesus Christ in the New Testament (or the new promise). The Old Testament contains the creation of the universe, the history of the patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, the formation of Israel as a nation, the subsequent decline and fall of the nation, the Prophets (who spoke for God), and the Wisdom Books.
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Genesis
Describes the creation; gives the history of the old world, and of the steps taken by God toward the formation of theocracy.
Genesis speaks of beginnings and is foundational to the understanding of the rest of the Bible. It is supremely a book that speaks about relationships, highlighting those between God and his creation, between God and humankind, and between human beings.
Written by Moses - 1400 B.C. -
Exodus
The history of Israel's departure from Egypt; the giving of the law; the tabernacle.
Exodus describes the history of the Israelites leaving Egypt after slavery. The book lays a foundational theology in which God reveals his name, his attributes, his redemption, his law and how he is to be worshiped.
Written by Moses - 1400 B.C. -
Leviticus
The ceremonial law.
Leviticus receives its name from the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament) and means "concerning the Levites" (the priests of Israel). It serves as a manual of regulations enabling the holy King to set up his earthly throne among the people of his kingdom. It explains how they are to be his holy people and to worship him in a holy manner.
Written by Moses - 1400 B.C. -
Numbers
The census of the people; the story of the wanderings in the wilderness.
Numbers relates the story of Israel's journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab on the border of Canaan. The book tells of the murmuring and rebellion of God's people and of their subsequent judgment.
Written by Moses - 1400 B.C. -
Deuteronomy
The law rehearsed; the death of Moses.
Deuteronomy ("repetition of the Law") serves as a reminder to God's people about His covenant. The book is a "pause" before Joshua's conquest begins and a reminder of what God required.
Written by Moses - 1400 B.C. -
Joshua
The story of the conquest and partition of Canaan.
Joshua is a story of conquest and fulfillment for the people of God. After many years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years in the desert, the Israelites were finally allowed to enter the land promised to their fathers.
Written by Joshua - 1350 B.C. -
Judges
The history of the nation from Joshua to Samson.
The book of Judges depicts the life of Israel in the Promised Land - from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy. It tells of urgent appeals to God in times of crisis and apostasy, moving the Lord to raise up leaders (judges) through whom He throws off foreign oppressors and restores the land to peace.
Samuel/Nathan/Gad - 1000 - 900 B.C. -
Ruth
The story of the ancestors of the royal family of Judah.
The book of Ruth has been called one of the best examples of short narrative ever written. It presents an account of the remnant of true faith and piety in the period of the judges through the fall and restoration of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth (an ancestor of King David and Jesus).
Samuel/Nathan/Gad - 1000 - 900 B.C. -
1 Samuel
The story of the nation during the judgeship of Samuel and the reign of Saul.
Samuel relates God's establishment of a political system in Israel headed by a human king. Through Samuel's life, we see the rise of the monarchy and the tragedy of its first king, Saul.
Samuel/Nathan/Gad - 1000 - 900 B.C. -
2 Samuel
Story of the reign of David.
After the failure of King Saul, 2 Samuel depicts David as a true (though imperfect) representative of the ideal theocratic king. Under David's rule the Lord caused the nation to prosper, to defeat its enemies, and to realize the fulfillment of His promises.
Samuel/Nathan/Gad - 1000 - 900 B.C. -
1 Kings
The books of Kings form only one book in the Hebrew MSS. They contain the history of the nation from David's death and Solomon's accession to the destruction of the kingdom of Judah and the desolation of Jerusalem, with a supplemental notice of the liberation of Jehoiachin from his prison at Babylon, twenty-six years later; they comprehend the whole time of the Israelitish monarchy, exclusive of the reigns of Saul and David.
The book of 1 Kings tells the stories of 14 different kings and the power at play throughout the monarchies of ancient Israel and Judah.
1 Kings continues the account of the monarchy in Israel and God's involvement through the prophets. After David, his son Solomon ascends the throne of a united kingdom, but this unity only lasts during his reign. The book explores how each subsequent king in Israel and Judah answers God's call—or, as often happens, fails to listen.
Written by Jeremiah - 600 B.C. -
2 Kings
2 Kings carries the historical account of Judah and Israel forward. The kings of each nation are judged in light of their obedience to the covenant with God. Ultimately, the people of both nations are exiled for disobedience.
Written by Jeremiah - 600 B.C. -
1 Chronicles
are so called as being the record made by the appointed historiographers of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel; they are the official histories of those kingdoms.
Just as the author of Kings had organized and interpreted Israel's history to address the needs of the exiled community, so the writer of 1 Chronicles wrote for the restored community another history.
Written by: Ezra - 450 B.C. -
2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles continues the account of Israel's history with an eye for restoration of those who had returned from exile.
Written by: Ezra - 450 B.C. -
Ezra
The story of the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, and of the rebuilding of the temple.
The book of Ezra relates how God's covenant people were restored from Babylonian exile to the covenant land as a theocratic (kingdom of God) community even while continuing under foreign rule.
Written by: Ezra - 450 B.C. -
Nehemiah
A further account of the rebuilding of the temple and city, and of the obstacles encountered and overcome.
Closely related to the book of Ezra, Nehemiah chronicles the return of this "cupbearer to the king" and the challenges he and the other Israelites face in their restored homeland.
Written by: Ezra - 450 B.C. -
Esther
The story of a Jewess who becomes queen of Persia and saves the Jewish people from destruction.
Esther records the institution of the annual festival of Purim through the historical account of Esther, a Jewish girl who becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction.
Written by: Mordecai - 400 B.C. -
Job
The story of the trials and patience of a holy man of Edom.
Through a series of monologues, the book of Job relates the account of a righteous man who suffers under terrible circumstances. The book's profound insights, its literary structures, and the quality of its rhetoric display the author's genius.
Written by: Moses - 1400 B.C. -
Psalms
A collection of sacred poems intended for use in the worship of Jehovah. Chiefly the productions of David.
The Psalms are collected songs and poems that represent centuries worth of praises and prayers to God on a number of themes and circumstances. The Psalms are impassioned, vivid and concrete; they are rich in images, in simile and metaphor.
Written by: several different authors, mostly David - 1000 - 400 B.C. -
Proverbs
The wise sayings of Solomon.
Proverbs was written to give "prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young," and to make the wise even wiser. The frequent references to "my son(s)" emphasize instructing the young and guiding them in a way of life that yields rewarding results.
Written by: Solomon - 900 B.C. -
Ecclesiastes
A poem respecting the vanity of earthly things.
The author of Ecclesiastes puts his powers of wisdom to work to examine the human experience and assess the human situation. His perspective is limited to what happens "under the sun" (as is that of all human teachers).
Written by: Solomon - 945 B.C. -
Song of Songs
An allegory relating to the church.
In ancient Israel everything human came to expression in words: reverence, gratitude, anger, sorrow, suffering, trust, friendship, commitment. In the Song of Solomon, it is love that finds words–inspired words that disclose its exquisite charm and beauty as one of God's choicest gifts.
Written by: Solomon - 900 B.C. -
Isaiah
Prophecies respecting Christ and his kingdom.
Isaiah son of Amoz is often thought of as the greatest of the writing prophets. His name means "The Lord saves." Isaiah is a book that unveils the full dimensions of God's judgment and salvation.
Written by: Isaiah - 700 B.C. -
Jeremiah
Prophecies announcing the captivity of Judah, its sufferings, and the final overthrow of its enemies.
This book preserves an account of the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah, whose personal life and struggles are shown to us in greater depth and detail than those of any other Old Testament prophet.
Written by: Jeremiah - 600 B.C. -
Lamentations
The utterance of Jeremiah's sorrow upon the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.
Lamentations consists of a series of poetic and powerful laments over the destruction of Jerusalem (the royal city of the Lord's kingdom) in 586 B.C.
Written by: Jeremiah - 600 B.C. -
Ezekiel
Messages of warning and comfort to the Jews in their captivity.
The Old Testament in general and the prophets in particular presuppose and teach God's sovereignty over all creation and the course of history. And nowhere in the Bible are God's initiative and control expressed more clearly and pervasively than in the book of the prophet Ezekiel.
Written by: Ezekiel - 550 B.C. -
Daniel
A narrative of some of the occurrences of the captivity, and a series of prophecies concerning Christ.
Daniel captures the major events in the life of the prophet Daniel during Israel's exile. His life and visions point to God's plans of redemption and sovereign control of history.
Written by: Daniel - 550 B.C. -
Hosea
Prophecies relating to Christ and the latter days.
The prophet Hosea son of Beeri lived in the tragic final days of the northern kingdom. His life served as a parable of God's faithfulness to an unfaithful Israel.
Written by: Hosea - 750 B.C. -
Joel
Prediction of woes upon Judah, and of the favor with which God will receive the penitent people.
The prophet Joel warned the people of Judah about God's coming judgment - and the coming restoration and blessing that will come through repentance.
Written by: Joel - 850 B.C. -
Amos
Prediction that Israel and other neighboring nations will be punished by conquerors from the north, and of the fulfillment of the Messiah's kingdom.
Amos prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah over Judah (792-740 B.C.) and Jeroboam II over Israel (793-753).
Written by: Amos - 750 B.C. -
Obadiah
Prediction of the desolation of Edom.
The prophet Obadiah warned the proud people of Edom about the impending judgment coming upon them.
Written by: Obadiah - 600 B.C. -
Jonah
Prophecies relating to Nineveh.
Jonah is unusual as a prophetic book in that it is a narrative account of Jonah's mission to the city of Nineveh, his resistance, his imprisonment in a great fish, his visit to the city, and the subsequent outcome.
Written by: Jonah - 700 B.C. -
Micah
Predictions relating to the invasions of Shalmaneser and Sennacherib, the Babylonish captivity, the establishment of a theocratic kingdom in Jerusalem, and the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem.
Micah prophesied sometime between 750 and 686 B.C. during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Israel was in an apostate condition. Micah predicted the fall of her capital, Samaria, and also foretold the inevitable desolation of Judah.
Written by: Micah - 700 B.C. -
Nahum
Prediction of the downfall of Assyria.
The book contains the "vision of Nahum," whose name means "comfort." The focal point of the entire book is the Lord's judgment on Nineveh for her oppression, cruelty, idolatry, and wickedness.
Written by: Nahum - 650 B.C. -
Habakkuk
A prediction of the doom of the Chaldeans.
Little is known about Habakkuk except that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah and a man of vigorous faith. The book bearing his name contains a dialogue between the prophet and God concerning injustice and suffering.
Written by: Habakkuk - 600 B.C. -
Zephaniah
A prediction of the overthrow of Judah for its idolatry and wickedness.
The prophet Zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in Judah and was probably related to the royal line. The intent of the author was to announce to Judah God's approaching judgment.
Written by: Zephaniah - 650 B.C. -
Haggai
Prophecies concerning the rebuilding of the temple.
Haggai was a prophet who, along with Zechariah, encouraged the returned exiles to rebuild the temple. His prophecies clearly show the consequences of disobedience. When the people give priority to God and his house, they are blessed.
Written by: Haggai - 520 B.C. -
Zechariah
Prophecies relating to the rebuilding of the temple and the Messiah.
Like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Zechariah was not only a prophet, but also a member of a priestly family. The chief purpose of Zechariah (and Haggai) was to rebuke the people of Judah and to encourage and motivate them to complete the rebuilding of the temple.
Written by: Zechariah - 500 B.C. -
Malachi
Prophecies relating to the calling of the Gentiles and the coming of Christ.
Malachi, whose name means "my messenger," spoke to the Israelites after their return from exile. The theological message of the book can be summed up in one sentence: The Great King will come not only to judge his people, but also to bless and restore them.
Written by: Malachi - 430 B.C.