Old Testament
The Old Testament contains 39 books, with the same material as the Jewish scriptures although Jews combine some of the books (eg 1 and 2 Samuel), for a total of 24. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church also include extra books, known as the Apocrypha. These books were not in the Hebrew Bible and so were removed from the Old Testament following the Reformation.
Pentateuch
The word ‘pentateuch’ means 5 books and is used to refer to the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah to Jews and sometimes referred to as the books of the law. These books are believed to have been written by Moses with an editor adding the details about Moses’ death.
Genesis
The word Genesis means ‘origin’ and the book of Genesis describes the origin of the universe through God’s creation, the origin of human sin through Adam and Eve’s fall, and the origin of the nation of Israel through the choosing of Abraham. The main themes of the book are God’s work as author of creation and his choice of Abraham to make into a great nation, revealing himself to the world.
Exodus
Exodus picks up where Genesis left off, covering the historical period from the death of Joseph (approximately 1600 BC) to Israel’s camp at Sinai (1400 BC). The first 20 chapters recount the experience of the Israelites as slaves in Egypt, the calling of Moses and God’s miraculous rescue of the people from their slavery. The second section of the book describes God’s law given to the people through Moses at Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments and detailed descriptions for the building of the tabernacle – a tent where God’s presence would dwell among his people.
Leviticus
Leviticus can be viewed as a continuation of Exodus, outlining God’s law in great detail. These laws cover relationships, civil organisation and ritual purity. The sacrificial system is introduced, emphasising the holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind. The tabernacle worship and priestly duties communicate God’s love for his people and his desire to forgive their sin.
Numbers
The book of numbers describes the 40 year journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. A repeated theme is the grumbling and dissatisfaction of the Israelites. God continues to protect and provide for them as they fail, repent and fail again.
Deuteronomy
The word Deuteronomy means ‘second law’ and the book contains Moses’ preaching of God’s law to the people before his death and their entry to the promised land. Central to this covenant are the blessings and curses that are dependant on the obedience of the people, setting the stage for the historical books
Historical Books
The historical books describe the history of the Israelites from their entry into the promised land through to their exile and eventual return. God’s faithfulness to a rebellious people is a central thread throughout these books. Many of these books do not mention a specific author.
Joshua
This book is named after its principal character, Joshua, who leads the people into the promised land after the death of Moses. The accounts of military campaigns show that God fights for his people against enemies that are often stronger, more numerous and better prepared.
Judges
The book of Judges is a tragic tale of the downward spiral of God’s people. A pattern emerges that the Israelites ‘forget’ God and are oppressed by other nations. God then raises up a judge (such as Gideon and Samson) who leads the people to victory and a renewed commitment to God. The pattern then repeats in the following generations. The book ends with the haunting statement that ‘everyone did what was right in their own eyes’.
Ruth
This book is a touching, personal story that takes place in the time period of Judges. Ruth is a Moabite woman who shows great faithfulness to her Israelite mother-in-law and becomes part of the genealogical line of Jesus.
1 & 2 Samuel
The books of 1 and 2 Samuel covers the life of the prophet Samuel, Saul, the first King of Israel and David, the second and greatest King in Jewish history. Samuel may have written sections of this book but a lot of the content takes place after his death and no comments are made about who recorded those events.
1 & 2 Kings
These books begin at the end of David’s reign in 970 BC, explaining the separation of the kingdom, and ending with the exile of the people from the promised land (586 BC). The descriptions of faithful and unfaithful kings, and the resulting consequences, are examples of the covenant promises and curses from Deuteronomy.
1 & 2 Chronicles
There is no attributed author to these books, although Jewish historians ascribed the book to Ezra. The Chronicles cover much of the same history as Samuel and Kings, but with additional material that draws attention to worship in the temple. The chronicles were written after the people had been taken into exile.
Ezra
Ezra continues the history of Chronicles up to the first wave of the return from exile in and the rebuilding of the temple in 538–516 BC. Ezra is an expert in God’s law who returns to Jerusalem in 458 BC to instruct the people. Chapters 7-10 are written by Ezra as a first-person account. The first 6 chapters contain much earlier material and the author is unknown.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah returns to Israel in 445 BC and oversees the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Some sections of the book appear to have been written by Nehemiah himself, with other sections thought to be written by the same author as the book of Ezra.
Esther
The story of Esther takes place during the reign of the Persian King Xerxes (486-465 BC). A plot is hatched to exterminate all the Jews but God rescues his people through the brave actions of Queen Esther.
The writings / wisdom literature
The next section of the Old Testament, known as ‘the writings’ or wisdom literature, contains books which are all unique in their focus and style, both from the rest of the Old Testament, and from each other.
Job
Very little is known about the authorship or the time period for the book of Job, but it is a story that has resonated with God’s people for centuries. Job is a righteous man who endures great tragedy, wrestling with suffering, justice and the sovereignty of God.
Psalms
The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 songs that were used in the public worship of God. The psalms are rich with diversity, including themes of praise, lament, encouragement and sorrow. The psalms are written by a variety of authors, some unnamed, with King David as the author of 75.
Proverbs
Solomon is named as the author of Proverbs, although sections are attributed to other sources. Proverbs clearly states its theme is wisdom. This wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is applied to every aspect of everyday life.
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes contains the thoughts of ‘the Preacher’ (Qoheleth), traditionally thought to be Solomon. Different in tone to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes reflects on the transient nature of life and the frustrations of living in a fallen world. The repeated refrain that ‘everything under the sun is meaningless’ encourages the reader to look for meaning beyond the sun.
Song of Songs
The Song of Songs or Song of Solomon, is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon. It takes the form of a dialogue between lovers and explores the beauty of marriage as God’s gift.
Major Prophets
The major prophets are the first five books in the prophetic section of the Old Testament. These books record the lives and oracles of prophets throughout Israel’s history as they declared God’s word to the people. They are known as ‘major’ simply because of their greater length.
Isaiah
The prophet Isaiah was active between about 740 and 687 BC. Major themes of his prophecies are the holiness and righteousness of God and His plans for the future of his people. Isaiah’s words also include wonderful descriptions of a suffering servant who would come to redeem his people.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah brought God’s word to Judah between 627 and 585 BC. He warned the people that their unfaithfulness to God would result in judgement. Even in the midst of these unpopular words, Jeremiah speaks of God’s mercy that would restore his people after their exile.
Lamentations
Lamentations does not identify its author, but it is often linked to Jeremiah as he was present for the destruction of Jerusalem and lamented for the city. This book describes the pain of experiencing God’s judgement.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel prophesied between 593 and 571 BC. He was a priest who was taken captive from Jerusalem during the first exile. His words warn against judgement for unfaithfulness and a future hope that is dependent on God’s mercy.
Daniel
Daniel was one of the early exiles to Babylon who, along with his friends, served in the Babylonian administration. The first half of the book describes the experiences of Daniel as he lives faithfully before God in a hostile land. The second half contains apocalyptic visions about God’s kingdom.
Minor Prophets
The twelve minor prophets are shorter in length than their ‘major’ counterparts but are no less significant. Often neglected, these books offer valuable insight into God’s character and work.
Hosea
The prophet Hosea enacts God’s unfailing love for an unfaithful people by marrying an unfaithful wife and continually extending mercy to her.
Joel
Joel uses a locust plague as a picture of God’s impending judgement and calls the people to put their trust in God who will pour out his Spirit on them.
Amos
The shepherd Amos spoke to the people of Israel during a time of prosperity. God’s desire for justice is a major theme of the book as the religious practices of the people are criticised due to their lack of care for the vulnerable.
Obadiah
The shortest book in the Old Testament is Obadiah’s prophecy against the neighboring nation of Edom (descendants of Esau) for their disobedience and pride.
Jonah
The well-known story of Jonah tells of the reluctant prophet who tries to run away from God’s call to preach the gospel in Nineveh. After a miraculous escape from death in the belly of a fish, Jonah preaches and Nineveh repents. The surprising end to the book is Jonah’s dissatisfaction with God’s mercy towards the Ninevites!
Micah
Micah was active sometime between 740 and 686 BC and, again, warns the people that God will judge their unfaithfulness and injustice. Micah also promises the restoration of Jerusalem through a king in the line of David.
Nahum
Nahum prophesied judgement against the city of Nineveh in Assyria, because of their idolatry, cruelty and oppression.
Habakuk
Habakuk questions God over perceived injustice – why are evil people and nations getting away with it? Why doesn’t God intervene. As the book progresses, confidence and assurance increase that God is just, and will ultimately deal with all evil.
Zephaniah
Zephaniah declared God’s word during the reign of Josiah between 640 and 609 BC. He speaks of God’s judgement and salvation for a remnant of Israel.
Haggai
Haggai was a contemporary of Ezra who speaks to encourage God’s people to rebuild the temple after their return from exile.
Zechariah
Zechariah prophesies at the same time as Haggai, encouraging the people that God is with them in their weakness. These prophecies also look ahead to a King who will suffer but reign in triumph.
Malachi
The name Malachi means ‘messenger’ and this is believed to be the latest material of the Old Testament. Through Malachi, God warns the people of future judgement and promises redemption. Following Malachi’s prophecies, there are 400 years of silence from God before the events of the New Testament.