Jewish Bible
The Jewish Bible, also known as the Tanakh, is a collection of sacred texts originating from ancient Israel, written primarily during the first millennium BCE. It emerged as a central religious authority for early Judaism, which distinguished itself from the broader traditions of ancient Israel by designating these writings as inspired scriptures. The Tanakh is divided into three main sections: the Torah (the first five books, including Genesis and Exodus), the Prophets (eight books that include historical and prophetic writings), and the Writings (a diverse collection of narratives, poetry, and philosophical texts).
While there was some debate among groups such as the Samaritans and Sadducees, who recognized only the Torah as scripture, the Pharisaic tradition ultimately became dominant, affirming the inclusion of additional works. The Jewish Bible not only encapsulates the historical and cultural experiences of the Jewish people but also emphasizes a monotheistic belief in Yahweh and the ethical call for a life of love and obedience to God. Its themes and values have significantly influenced both Christianity and Islam, highlighting its importance beyond the Jewish tradition itself. This anthology serves as a foundation for Jewish identity and practice, offering insights into the relationship between God and humanity across various cultural eras.
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Jewish Bible
Related civilizations: Canaan, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Israel.
Date: compilation complete by end of the first century c.e.
Locale: Israel/Roman Palestine
Authorship: Compiled by rabbinic authorities
Jewish Bible
The Jewish Bible is an anthology of religious texts from ancient Israel. These books were written during the first millennium, although precise dating of individual books is difficult. By the fifth century b.c.e., early Judaism began to emerge from the religion of ancient Israel, and it regarded the religious literature of ancient Israel as holy scriptures inspired by God and, therefore, normative for belief and practice.
Among those who considered themselves heirs of the religious traditions of ancient Israel, there was some disagreement to the precise number of books that were accepted as authoritative. The Samaritans and the Sadducees accepted only the five books of Moses as Scripture, but the Pharisees accepted prophetic, poetic, and sapient works as well. Eventually, the wider collection of the Pharisaic tradition became widely accepted, as attested by the first century apocryphal work 4 Esdras (14:44-46), which gives twenty-four as the number of books in the Jewish Bible.
The Jewish Bible has a tripartite shape: Torah, Prophets, and Writings. The Torah contains the Five Books of Moses known as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Early Judaism gave these books a preeminent place as its fundamental documents. The second division of the Jewish Bible contains eight books known as the Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets (considered as one book). The purpose of this collection is to provide object lessons regarding the obligation to live according to the Torah. The final division, containing eleven books, is the most diverse, containing narratives, poetry, wisdom texts, and an apocalypse: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.
These twenty-four books reflect the customs and idioms of several cultural eras from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period. Still, this diverse anthology does have several unifying principles. The most important of these is its concept of God (Yahweh). The Jewish Bible is a monotheistic collection that reflects a continual struggle against the polytheisms of the surrounding cultures. Another such principle is its concept of people as beings called to live in a relationship of love and obedience to the one God who is the source of life and all good. The Jewish Bible provides believers in the one God with an identity and values. These values transcend the boundaries of Judaism and have given shape to both Christianity and Islam.
Bibliography
Birch, Bruce C., ed. A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon, 1999.
Levenson, Jon D. Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible. Minneapolis, Minn.: Winston, 1985.