*The Birth of the Old Testament

1. Introduction The concept of Scripture did not emerge fully formed in ancient Israel. Rather, it developed gradually as certain spoken and written words were recognised as carrying divine authority. This article explores the early Israelite understanding of “Scripture,” considering terminology, functions, and the cultural-religious significance of authoritative texts before the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) was…

1. Introduction The formation of the Old Testament involved a remarkable process by which divine revelation was preserved through human writing. Far from being a single literary event, the writing of the Hebrew Scriptures was a gradual, multi-stage development involving oral transmission, scribal activity, editorial arrangement, and canonical recognition. This article traces how divine words—spoken…

1. Introduction The Torah—also known as the Pentateuch, comprising Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—is the foundational unit of the Old Testament. It was regarded as the heart of Israel’s Scriptures, shaping its covenant identity, legal structures, and narrative memory. This article explores the historical, literary, and theological formation of the Torah and examines how…

1. Introduction The Prophets constitute the second major division of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), following the Torah. These books preserve the words, visions, and historical accounts of individuals called by God to confront, console, and direct the covenant people. This article explores the formation, theological significance, and canonical recognition of the Former and Latter Prophets…

1. Introduction The Writings (Ketuvim) constitute the third and most diverse division of the Hebrew Bible. Encompassing poetry, wisdom literature, historical reflection, and apocalyptic vision, the Writings stand apart in structure, genre, and theological tone from the Torah and the Prophets. This article examines the literary breadth, historical development, and canonical recognition of the Ketuvim,…

1. Introduction The question of how the Old Testament canon was formed has long been central to biblical scholarship and theological discourse. Unlike modern assumptions about a fixed “Bible,” ancient Israel’s sacred writings developed and gained recognition over centuries, culminating in the formation of a defined canon. This article traces the historical process by which…

1. Introduction The question of what makes a text Scripture is fundamentally tied to the concept of inspiration—the belief that God communicates through human words. In Jewish tradition, the Hebrew Scriptures were regarded not merely as historical records or cultural literature, but as the divinely inspired Word of God, authoritative in matters of doctrine, ethics,…

1. Introduction While the canon of the Hebrew Bible was formed over centuries, it was through daily usage, worship, and communal instruction that Scripture truly became the soul of Jewish life. This article explores how the Old Testament was integrated into Jewish religious practice, education, and social rhythms, particularly during the Second Temple period and…

1. Introduction The Septuagint (LXX) represents the earliest and most influential translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, rendered into Greek between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. Originally intended for Greek-speaking Jews of the diaspora, particularly in Alexandria, the Septuagint became a foundational text for both Hellenistic Judaism and the early Christian Church. This article explores…

1. Introduction The Hebrew Bible’s survival through millennia is a testimony to the meticulous care, religious reverence, and technological adaptation of its transmitters. While the text’s divine inspiration underpinned its authority, its physical preservation depended on human hands and evolving media—from ancient scrolls to the codex form. This article explores the historical development of biblical…

1. Introduction The Hebrew Bible was not merely a historical backdrop to the life of Jesus and the birth of the Church; it was the very Scriptural foundation upon which their identity, mission, theology, and ethics were built. Every dimension of Jesus’ ministry and the apostolic proclamation presupposed familiarity with the Law, the Prophets, and…

1. Introduction The transition from the Hebrew Bible to the New Testament does not represent a rupture in divine revelation but rather a continuation and fulfilment. The earliest Christians were not attempting to create a new religion but to proclaim that the promises of the Old Testament had reached their fulfilment in Jesus the Messiah.…