Tanakh

Introduction This verse is found in the book of Genesis, which was written by Moses. This is the first of the five books that make up the ‘Pentateuch’. It is believed that Moses compiled the Pentateuch while in the Wilderness of Sinai in approximately 15th Century BC. The book of Genesis is written as a narrative, and is a compilation of testimonies of ancient Israel about their origins. The law had not yet been established at this point, however, God had established a covenant with Abraham…

This is a comparison of Mary Herbert's rendering of Psalm 52 with the King James Version (KJV) and New Living Translation (NLT). Unless comparing the words of the translations, Herbert's words will be used. The passage begins to chide someone. Herbert calls him a "tyrant", the KJV calls him a "mighty man" and the NLT calls them a "great warrior". Herbert's "tyrant" more aptly depicts the subject of the psalm. It asks him why he "swell'st [thou thus,] Of mischief vaunting? Since help from God to…

Psalm 23 and the Sermon on the Mount are familiar biblical messages to millions of Christians around the world. Written thousands of years ago, today they still provide practical and wise guidance to how we can live our lives. In the paragraphs to follow I am going to compare some of the similar messages shared by each work, but also point out the differences in the messages as well. I will show how we do well to listen and apply the information of both messages to our lives today. King David…

The author of Ezra is most likely himself, an educated scribe who came out of Babylonia to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia, also wrote most of the book called by his name. He came to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. The events in Ezra happened from 538 to 457 B.C., with about a sixty year gap in the middle (during which Esther takes place). From 444 to 425 B.C., Nehemiah worked to rebuild the walls and realign the hearts of the people of…

The author begins this chapter by writing about the usage of the book of Esther. How it it is read at the Feast of Purim in the twelfth month. It is interesting how Ruth is mentioned in the New Testament but there is no further mention of Esther neither are there any quotation from Esther used in the N.T. The author immediately highlights that the early church struggled to find value in the book of Esther. Quoting Martin Luther, the author writes, I am so hostile to the book [2 Maccabees] and to…

The book of Psalms, like the other “wisdom books” of the Bible, contains “songs,” that are attributed to King David. King David was likely not the author of these ancient hymns, but the Psalms still retain a thematic connection between David and his god, regardless of authorship. Psalm 11 is not only a clear reflection of the spiritual connection between monarch and deity, but also serves as a condemnation of the wicked. The author describes how he refutes those that may dare to gainsay his…

The differences between the Tanakh and the Qur’an, on the story of Noah, start at the beginning and don’t end there. At the beginning of the account of Noah in the Qur’an, Noah is instructed to warn the people of a great chastisement from Allah, while in the beginning of the Tanakh the reason for God’s anger is explained in detail. The first major difference between the Qur’an and the Tanakh is who Noah is. In the Qur’an Noah is a prophet of a sort. In the Tanakh, Noah is just a man who has…

From Adam to Abraham to Isaac and Jacob, the Tanakh is full of male’s who have played key roles within not only the primary formation of Judaism but within the very history of the Jewish people. These individuals while being flawed are mostly are written as being brave, loyal, God fearing, wise and chosen by God himself. However, where does that leave the woman within the Holy Scriptures? How are they portrayed and characterized within these stories? I focus on three women (Eve, Sarah and…

Do you think that the events described in the Torah/Tanakh really happened? Why/why not? I think that the events in the Torah truly did happen. One can look at the Torah with a religious point of view; others may view the Torah with a rather historical and more scientific point of view. I do not view the Torah in a religious point of view, rather scientifically and historically. Today there is a lot of evidence proving some of the stories in the Torah to be true. For example, we have potential…

Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, or the Judeo-Christian Old Testament, and how they are meant to be viewed not just as individual works, but as a whole. Each…