Introduction to the Bible Scripture Studies Rev. Bruce Janiga SHP

Introduction to the Bible ta biblia (Gk) “the book” Old Testament –Primarily in Hebrew, some Greek and Aramaic –Creation to 100s BC 1000s of years –Mesopotamia, Israel, Egypt –Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, Elijah, Isaiah, etc New Testament –Exclusively in Greek –Jesus and the early church Less than a century –Israel, Asia Minor and Rome –Jesus, Paul and the apostles

The Old Testament Many stories transmitted orally for centuries Why they were written: –Influence of Monarchy –The Prophetic Circles –Learning from History

The Old Testament Torah –The Law (Instruction) Nebi’im –The Prophets (nabi) Kethubim –The Writings Tanakh (Torah, Nebi’im, Ketubim)

The Torah Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy –Hexateuch (Joshua) –Tetrateuch

Nebi’im Former Prophets –Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Latter Prophets –Major Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel –Minor: The Twelve

Ketubim Psalms Proverbs Wisdom

Apocryphal (Deuterocanonical) Catholic vs. Protestant Canon –Palestinian Canon –Alexandrian Canon –Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, Sirach

New Testament Gospels –Synoptic (Matthew, Mark, Luke) –John Acts Letters Revelation