1. Survey of the Old Testament
Chapter 26
Formation of the Old Testament Scriptures

2. Text and Transmission Writing in the Ancient Near East
Writing Materials
Old Testament Text and Versions
Textual Criticism
Photo: This Sumerian contract (ca BC) from Shuruppak for the selling of a field and a house shows an example of Sumerian cuneiform, the oldest form of writing known.

3. Canon Definition and Formation
Canon Formation
Canon Selection Criteria
Photo: This Hebrew inscription from the 8th century BC recounts the last stages of the digging of the water tunnel in the days of Hezekiah. It shows the form of Hebrew script during the monarchial period.

4. Old Testament Canon History and Order
Canon Order
Canon Confirmation 
Photo: Egyptian hieroglyphics were one of the earliest forms of writing. As artistic as it is, it was extremely difficult to learn and kept literacy limited.

5. Old Testament Apocrypha
14-15 books written by Jewish authors during intertestamental period
Not included in Protestant canon
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha
18 books composed by pious Jewish writers between 200 BC and AD 200
Photo: Aleppo Codex is one of the earliest major copies of the Hebrew Bible. It dates to around AD 900 and is the product of the Masoretes.