Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh, is the canonical collection of Hebrew scriptures that forms the textual foundation of Judaism and has significantly influenced other major religions, including Christianity and Islam. In Hebrew, it is sometimes referred to as the Miqra. The Hebrew Bible comprises three major sections: the Torah, the Nevi'im, and the Ketuvim.
Structure of the Hebrew Bible
Torah
The Torah, often called the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses, consists of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It outlines the religious laws and narratives that are central to Jewish theology and ethics.
Nevi'im
The Nevi'im, or the Prophets, includes historical accounts and prophetic messages. This section is divided into the Former Prophets—Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings—and the Latter Prophets, which include Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, along with the Twelve Minor Prophets, such as Hosea and Amos.
Ketuvim
The Ketuvim, or the Writings, includes a diverse collection of poetry, proverbs, and narratives. Notable books in this section are Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, and Daniel.
Textual Variants and Translations
Different branches of Judaism and religious traditions have preserved various versions of the Hebrew Bible. Among these are the Septuagint, the Syriac Peshitta, the Samaritan Pentateuch, and the Masoretic Text compiled by the Masoretes in the medieval period. The Masoretic Text is the authoritative text in Rabbinic Judaism today.
Language and Textual Features
The Hebrew Bible is primarily written in Biblical Hebrew, with select portions in Aramaic. It includes various literary genres, such as law, history, prophecy, and wisdom literature. The Tetragrammaton, represented by the four Hebrew letters יְהֹוָה (YHWH), is the sacred name of God used throughout the text.
Influence and Cultural Impact
The Hebrew Bible has had profound cultural and theological implications throughout history. It has influenced the development of Western law, ethics, and morality. The stories and characters from the Hebrew Bible—such as Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David—continue to resonate in literature, art, and philosophy.