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Old Testament HistoryOld Testament History

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The BIBLEThe BIBLE BOOK of BOOKSBOOK of BOOKS

An Overview An Overview

of the of the

Hebrew and Christian ScripturesHebrew and Christian Scriptures

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OUTLINE: Two Major Points OUTLINE: Two Major Points

I.I. The Bible as a BookThe Bible as a Book

II.II. The Origin of the BibleThe Origin of the Bible

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OutlineOutline

Divisions Divisions Languages Languages Literature Literature Purpose Purpose Order/Categories Order/Categories

I.I. The Bible as a BookThe Bible as a Book

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Self-claimsSelf-claims AuthorsAuthors Period of TimePeriod of Time History of TransmissionHistory of Transmission

II.II. The Origins of the BibleThe Origins of the Bible

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The Bible as a Book: The Bible as a Book: Introduction Introduction

““Biblos” (Gk), papyrus Biblos” (Gk), papyrus reed used by Egyptians reed used by Egyptians

as writing material.as writing material. By the second century By the second century

A.D., Christians were A.D., Christians were using the word “biblia” to using the word “biblia” to

describe their writings.describe their writings. Greek to Latin to Old Greek to Latin to Old

French to EnglishFrench to English

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I. Bible as a BookI. Bible as a Book

Covenant DivisionsCovenant Divisions Book DivisionsBook Divisions Verse DivisionsVerse Divisions

A.A. Divisions of the BibleDivisions of the Bible

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Covenant DivisionsCovenant Divisions

Two Covenants or Testaments:Two Covenants or Testaments: Exodus 19:4-6; 24:8 Exodus 19:4-6; 24:8(19:4) You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself (5) Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, (6) you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. . . . (24:8) Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

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Two Covenants or Testaments:Two Covenants or Testaments: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Jeremiah 31:31-34

(31) “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a (31) “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. (33) “This is the covenant I will make with the house of the LORD. (33) “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (34) No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a be my people. (34) No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”more.”

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Two Covenants or Testaments:Two Covenants or Testaments: Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:6-12 Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:6-12

(28) This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness (28) This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.of sins.

(6) But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he (6) But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. (7) For if there is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. (7) For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. (8) But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares another. (8) But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (9) It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them Judah. (9) It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. (10) This is the covenant I covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. (10) This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (11) No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, people. (11) No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. `Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. (12) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (12) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

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Book DivisionsBook Divisions

Protestant Bible:Protestant Bible:– 39 documents or “books”39 documents or “books”

in the Old Testamentin the Old Testament

– 27 documents or “books” 27 documents or “books” in the New Testamentin the New Testament

Catholic & Orthodox BibleCatholic & Orthodox Bible– O.T. contains 46 documents.O.T. contains 46 documents.

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Verse DivisionsVerse Divisions

Space StopsSpace Stops

THENWHATBECOMESOFOURBOASTINTHENWHATBECOMESOFOURBOASTINGITISEXCLUDEDONWHATPRINCIPLEOGITISEXCLUDEDONWHATPRINCIPLEONTHEPRINCIPLEOFWORKSNOBUTONTNTHEPRINCIPLEOFWORKSNOBUTONTHEPRINCIPLEOFFAITHFORWEHOLDTHHEPRINCIPLEOFFAITHFORWEHOLDTHATAMANISJUSTIFIEDBYFAITHAPARTATAMANISJUSTIFIEDBYFAITHAPARTFROMTHELAWFROMTHELAW – Romans 3:27,28– Romans 3:27,28

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Verse DivisionsVerse Divisions

Space StopsSpace Stops THEN WHAT BECOMES OF OUR THEN WHAT BECOMES OF OUR BOASTING? IT IS EXCLUDED ON WHAT BOASTING? IT IS EXCLUDED ON WHAT PRINCIPLE? ON THE PRINCIPLE OF PRINCIPLE? ON THE PRINCIPLE OF WORKS? NO. BUT ON THE PRINCIPLE OF WORKS? NO. BUT ON THE PRINCIPLE OF FAITH, FOR WE HOLD THAT A MAN IS FAITH, FOR WE HOLD THAT A MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH APART FROM THE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH APART FROM THE LAWLAW – Romans 3:27,28– Romans 3:27,28

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Verse DivisionsVerse Divisions

Space StopsSpace Stops PunctuationPunctuation Vowel Points (c. 10th century A.D.)Vowel Points (c. 10th century A.D.) Paragraphing (c. 325 A.D.)Paragraphing (c. 325 A.D.) Chapters (by 1227 A.D.)Chapters (by 1227 A.D.) Verses (1551-1555 A.D.)Verses (1551-1555 A.D.)

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OutlineOutline

Divisions Divisions LanguagesLanguages

I.I. The Bible as a BookThe Bible as a Book

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B.B. Languages of the BibleLanguages of the Bible

Hebrew Aramaic Greek

Bible as a BookBible as a Book

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Languages of the BibleLanguages of the Bible HebrewHebrew

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Biblical LanguagesBiblical Languages GreekGreek

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OutlineOutline

Divisions Divisions Languages Languages Literature Literature

I.I. The Bible as a BookThe Bible as a Book

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The Bible as a BookThe Bible as a Book

PoetryProseHistoryProphecy

PhilosophyPhilosophy ApocalypticApocalyptic NarrativeNarrative DialogueDialogue

C.C. The Bible as Literature: The Bible as Literature:

Wide variety literary style (genre)Wide variety literary style (genre)

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D.D. Purpose of the BiblePurpose of the Bible

The Bible as a BookThe Bible as a Book

OT: “salvation” (or cognate, over 200 occurances)

NT: to give the message of divine salvation (2 Timothy 3:14, 15)

Reconciliation

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The Bible as a BookThe Bible as a Book

English Bible: English Bible: topicaltopical Hebrew Bible: Hebrew Bible: chronologicalchronological

E. Order & Categories of Bible BooksOrder & Categories of Bible Books

LawLaw PoetryPoetry HistoryHistory ProphetsProphets

Torah: LawTorah: Law Nebhiim: Nebhiim:

ProphetsProphets Kethubhim: Kethubhim:

WritingsWritings

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OutlineOutline

Self-claimsSelf-claims AuthorsAuthors Period of TimePeriod of Time History of TransmissionHistory of Transmission

II.II. The Origin of the BibleThe Origin of the Bible

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A. Self-claimsClaims to be inspired = product of joint activity between God and men.

(2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)

Three Elements:

Origin of the BibleOrigin of the Bible

CauseCause Human AgencyHuman Agency ProductProduct

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B.B. AuthorsAuthors

Origin of the BibleOrigin of the Bible

Exact number unknownExact number unknown Approximately 40Approximately 40 Names linked by traditionNames linked by tradition Possible redactionPossible redaction

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C.C. Period of TimePeriod of Time

Origin of the BibleOrigin of the Bible

Written over a period of Written over a period of

1100- 1600 years 1100- 1600 years

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Origin of the BibleOrigin of the Bible

Early forms & sourcesEarly forms & sources Autographs & manuscriptsAutographs & manuscripts CanonizationCanonization Translation (versions)Translation (versions) Interpretation (hermeneutics)Interpretation (hermeneutics)

D. History of Transmission