Essay about the Hebrew Scriptures
Introduction:
The study of the scriptures conforming the Old Testament, is a good start not only for those who believe, but also for non-believers looking forward to go further in the study of the sacred and man's relationship with the spiritual realm. The Old Testament (also known as the Hebrew Scriptures) is a true literary jewel whose influence reflects in the work of many prominent authors from different generations.
Theological perspective of the Old Testament:
From a theological point of view, for Christians and Jews, these writings represent the word of God and they are highly respected as such, not only during the worship, but in the everyday’s life of those who believe.
Historical and anthropological perspective:
From the historical point of view, the Hebrew Scriptures have been a crucial factor in establishing our origins as a civilization. Numerous archaeological findings have been made possible thanks to these texts.
Brief Summary of the books
Genesis
Genesis means “birth” or “beginning”. This book has the records of the creation, the Garden of Eden, the Flood, the tower of Babel, the dispersion of the races, and the lives of the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Genesis has been called "the book of origins," because all other books of the Bible come from it.
Exodus
Exodus means "departure" and it refers to the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt. This book has the story of the birth and early life of Moses, the Ten Plagues, the journey from Egypt to the Sinai, the giving of the law, and a description of the tabernacle. Chapter 20 contains the Ten Commandments, which are the basis of today’s code of civilization.
Lev...
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...lived at the time of Jeremiah. Habakkuk and Nahum. Just as the other prophets, he spoke against the sins of the people.
Haggai
The book of Haggai contains four prophecies, all related to the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel. God raised up to Haggai and Zechariah to encourage people to rebuild their home. To take a picture of the conditions of that period.
Zechariah
Zechariah's message is divided into two parts. The first part (chapters 1-8) is the restoration of the temple, and the last part (chapters 9-14) with the kingdom of Christ.
Malachi
Malachi was the last one of the prophets of the Old Testament. He lived the era after the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of worship. He also saw the people turning back to their old life of sin. Besides rebuke for his spiritual condition, also predicted the coming of the Messiah.
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has been hailed by people of many religious and cultural backgrounds as the greatest discovery of manuscripts to be made available to modern scholars in our time and has dramatically altered our understanding of the origins of Christianity. Perhaps the most fundamental reexamination brought about by the Scrolls is that of the Gospel of John. The Fourth Gospel originally accepted as a product of second century Hellenistic composition is now widely accepted as a later first century Jewish writing that may even contain some of the oldest traditions of the Gospels . The discovery of the scrolls has led to the discussion of undeniable and distinct parallels between the ideas of the society at Qumran and those present in the Gospel of John.
Hindson, E. E., & Yates, G. E. (2012). The Essence of the Old Testament: A survey. Nashville, Tenn: B & H Academic.
Isaiah was looked on by other Jewish prophets as a model of greatness, truth and courage to be replicated and followed. Isaiah’s writing technique meant that his message was able to be conveyed in a versatile manner that communicated to both the superior and inferior in society. His example can be seen to influence and impact both the Jews of his time and those of the contemporary faith, through his focus on politics, social justice and the future of Jerusalem.
(5) The renowned Jewish archaeologist, Nelson Glueck, wrote: "It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference." cited by McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 61.
Hindson, Edward E., and Gary Yates. The Essence of the Old Testament A Survey. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2012. Print.
There are many Christians, whether you believe or not that question why they should read the Old Testament/Hebrew bible. They feel it is unnecessary because of todays’ times and how things have changed, so they think that the Bible is far behind in what is going on in today’s world. Nevertheless, the Bible is current and is never outdated; therefore, we should never assume, especially as Christians that there is nothing new we can learn from the Bible. Reasons why Christians should read the Old Testament is because we should know that the Bible is still relevant in today’s world, to know God and his nature which in turn can transform one’s life, and to get wisdom and understanding so that they can apply to their lives.
... of Israel, 2d ed.: A Theological Survey of the Old Testament. Garden City: Baker Academic, 2002.
LaSor, W., Hubbard, D., Bush, F., & Allen, L. (1996). Old Testament survey: The message, form, and background of the Old Testament (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Around 1400 B.C. Exodus was written in Hebrew. The Exodus, which is one of the books in the Old Testament, are rules, similar to Hammurabi Code placed by God for the descendants of Abram. This literature gives insight into the structure of the Jewish community, which includes the hierarchy of their community as well as the roles important in this community. Scholars can further understand the Hebrew community by reading Genesis. Genesis consists of religious stories that talks about how farming, slavery, and the world came into being. But overall, scholars can see a society very much center on religion.
Ezekiel grew up around the temple in Jerusalem and was a young priest. When Ezekiel was in Babylon he gave hope to the exiles. When the first exiles came o Babylon he started preaching to them about God. He helped the exiles only worship he only living God with all of their hearts. He received God’s messages through visions. When he got these messages from God he realized that God would still care for his people. Through God’s spirit the people of Babylon got new life and was returned to their land. Through exile God brought the people closer to him. Each person had to share in the groups responsibility.
The book of Exodus is seen as, the “Second Book of Moses”, as well as the second book in the Pentateuch . The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Old Testament, and is also known as the Torah, or “Law” in Hebrew, which is just one section that makes up the whole Hebrew Bible or Tanak. The Torah consists of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and is the beginning sections of the Bible. The other two sections are known as Nevi’im, “Prophets”, and Ketuvim, “Writings”. Upon analysis of the book of Exodus, it is expressively important to consider the historical aspects, literary issues, and theological themes that make up such a book.
Jeremiah may be one of the most intriguing and revealing of the Old Testament prophets. With his continual return to god and the constant struggle between his heart and the voice of god. This elevates him as a human being and not just as an instrument of god (Paterson 144). He is one of the most human of prophets mentioned in the Old Testament and at the same time most Christ like in aspects of his sermons and works. His story has intrigued many for it is of human weakness and strength (Paterson 139). Let us now take a look at his life and at his works.
The writing Prophets are distinctive from Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who were called prophets but they did not write any books. The writing Prophets are called so to make a distinction between the two prophetic groups commonly referred to as the writing or oral prophets. Prophets have a long presence in Israel’s history certainly this maybe why similarities have been found in the writing of the prophetic books. The writing prophets have been studied by many scholars and they have found some common themes in the books such as God, worship and punishment (McConville, 2002). With a short critique of some general information, patterns should reveal themselves. Thus, using a chronological review that includes information about the nations in the time of the prophets that notes the King of their time along with the general message of each prophet some similarities should standout.
It is true and held by most reputable scholars and historians the New Testament is the best proven book in ancient history, both in terms of the number of manuscripts and the nearness o...
Hindson, Edward E.. The Essence of the Old Testament: a survey. Nashville, Tenn.: B & H Academic, 2012. Print.