1 Old Testament History

2 The BIBLE BOOK of BOOKS An Overview of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures

3 OUTLINE: Two Major Points I.The Bible as a Book II.The Origin of the Bible

4 Outline n Divisions Divisions n Languages Languages n Literature n Purpose Purpose n Order/Categories Order/Categories Order/Categories I.The Bible as a Book

5 n Self-claims n Authors n Period of Time n History of Transmission II.The Origins of the Bible

6 The Bible as a Book: Introduction n “Biblos” (Gk), papyrus reed used by Egyptians as writing material. n By the second century A.D., Christians were using the word “biblia” to describe their writings. n Greek to Latin to Old French to English

7 I. Bible as a Book n Covenant Divisions n Book Divisions n Verse Divisions A.Divisions of the Bible

8 Covenant Divisions n Two Covenants or Testaments: Exodus 19:4-6; 24:8 n Two Covenants or Testaments: Exodus 19:4-6; 24:8 (19:4) You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself (5) Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, (6) you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.... (24:8) Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

9 n Two Covenants or Testaments: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (31) “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. (33) “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (34) No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

10 n Two Covenants or Testaments: Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:6-12 (28) This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (6) But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. (7) For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. (8) But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (9) It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. (10) This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (11) No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. (12) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

11 Book Divisions n Protestant Bible: –39 documents or “books” in the Old Testament –27 documents or “books” in the New Testament n Catholic & Orthodox Bible –O.T. contains 46 documents.

12 Verse Divisions n Space Stops THENWHATBECOMESOFOURBOASTI NGITISEXCLUDEDONWHATPRINCIPL EONTHEPRINCIPLEOFWORKSNOBUT ONTHEPRINCIPLEOFFAITHFORWEH OLDTHATAMANISJUSTIFIEDBYFAIT HAPARTFROMTHELAW – Romans 3:27,28

13 Verse Divisions n Space Stops THEN WHAT BECOMES OF OUR BOASTING? IT IS EXCLUDED ON WHAT PRINCIPLE? ON THE PRINCIPLE OF WORKS? NO. BUT ON THE PRINCIPLE OF FAITH, FOR WE HOLD THAT A MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH APART FROM THE LAW – Romans 3:27,28

14 Verse Divisions  Space Stops  Punctuation  Vowel Points (c. 10th century A.D.)  Paragraphing (c. 325 A.D.)  Chapters (by 1227 A.D.)  Verses ( A.D.)

15 Outline n Divisions n Languages I.The Bible as a Book

16 B.Languages of the Bible n n Hebrew n n Aramaic n n Greek Bible as a Book

17 Languages of the Bible n Hebrew

18 Biblical Languages n Greek

19 Outline n Divisions n Languages n Literature I.The Bible as a Book

20 The Bible as a Book l l Poetry l l Prose l l History l l Prophecy l Philosophy l Apocalyptic l Narrative l Dialogue C.The Bible as Literature: Wide variety literary style (genre)

21 D.Purpose of the Bible The Bible as a Book n n OT: “salvation” (or cognate, over 200 occurances) n n NT: to give the message of divine salvation (2 Timothy 3:14, 15) n n Reconciliation

22 The Bible as a Book English Bible: topical Hebrew Bible: chronological Order & Categories of Bible Books E. Order & Categories of Bible Books l Law l Poetry l History l Prophets l Torah: Law l Nebhiim: Prophets l Kethubhim: Writings

23 Outline n Self-claims n Authors n Period n Period of Time n History n History of Transmission II.The Origin of the Bible

24 A.Self-claims Claims to be inspired = product of joint activity between God and men. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21) Three Elements: Origin of the Bible  Cause  Human Agency  Product

25 B.Authors Origin of the Bible  Exact number unknown  Approximately 40  Names linked by tradition  Possible redaction

26 C.Period of Time Origin of the Bible Written over a period of years

27 Origin of the Bible  Early forms & sources  Autographs & manuscripts  Canonization  Translation (versions)  Interpretation (hermeneutics) D.History of Transmission