The Books and Language of the Story WHO? (Who Wrote The Bible?) Many different people or God? Cf. 2 Peter 1:20 – 21 “God-breathed”: the inspiration of the HS? Dropped from a ladder? Dictation? NO! God chose the authors, God spoke through them Still, different human personalities, circumstances, writing styles & tastes affect or influence exactly how things are written.

The Books and Language of the Story WHY? (Why Was The Bible Written?) “teaching,” “rebuking,” “correcting” (what’s the difference from rebuking?) “training” = “equipped for every good work” Any other reasons you can think of…?

The Books and Language of the Story HOW? (How Was The Bible Written & Organized?) God’s story—66 books Written over a 1,600 year period. Authors include leaders, kings, prophets, shepherds and fishermen. Written on parchment or papyrus –not paper! Written in Hebrew and Greek with some Aramaic.

The Books and Language of the Story HEBREW (GGNL WRBH HT) Most of the Old Testament was written in this language. Hebrew = 22 consonants but NO written vowels! Vowel sounds = 14, based on markings Read right to left

The Books and Language of the Story

The Books and Language of the Story GREEK All of the NT was written in this language. International language of Jesus’ day was Koine Greek. Greek = 24 letters—including vowels. No spacing around words.

The Books and Language of the Story

The Books and Language of the Story ARAMAIC Aramaic = the language of most Jews in Jesus’ day. Jesus spoke in this language. So rarely is Jesus quoted in his native tongue. TRANSLATING AND TRANSLATIONS How to translate from ancient Hebrew and Greek into modern day English… Types of translations of the Bible: WORD 4 WORD = THOUGHT 4 THOUGHT = PARAPHRASE =

The Books and Language of the Story THE OLD TESTAMENT 32 Books, Written approx. 1500 – 400 BC BOOKS OF THE LAW (GENESIS – DEUTERONOMY) “PENTATEUCH,” “TORAH” HISTORICAL BOOKS (JOSHUA – ESTHER) BOOKS OF WISDOM AND POETRY (JOB – SONG OF SOLOMON) MAJOR PROPHETS (ISAIAH – DANIEL) MINOR PROPHETS (HOSEA – MALACHI)

The Books and Language of the Story THE NEW TESTAMENT 27 Books, Written approx. 45 – 100 AD GOSPELS (MARK – JOHN) HISTORICAL BOOK (ACTS) PAULINE EPISTLES (ROMANS – PHILEMON) What the heck is an “epistle?” GENERAL EPISTLES (HEBREWS TO JUDE) APOCALYPTIC BOOK (REVELATION) Not “REVELATIONS”---why?