ISRAEL

Geography lies at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Egypt on the west, Syria and Jordan on the east, and Lebanon on the north

INFO Land area: 7,849 sq mi (20,329 sq km); total area: 8,019 sq mi (20,770 sq km) Population (2010 est.): 7,353,985 (growth rate: 1.6%); birth rate: 19.5/1000; infant mortality rate: 4.1/1000; life expectancy: 80.8; density per sq km: 319

CAPITAL JERUSALEM

The Hebrew Literature

Tanakh acronym of the first Hebrew letter passed on by each generation.

Mishna compiled around 200 CE, is the primary rabbinic codification of laws as derived from the Torah.

Talmud Collection of treatises which are chiefly dedicated to the laws and legends of the Jews Form is precise terminology and strict logic Regarded as an extensive commentary on the Bible Discussion is its hallmark.

Historical Development The Biblical Period Post Biblical Period Middle Ages

Biblical Period Ancient Hebrew historiography Greater part of the Bible is history. Written in rhythmic prose Prophecy is written on the parallelistic form of poetry.

Post-Biblical Period Extension of the Biblical Period Many apocryphal and apocalyptic books were patterned after the Biblical prototype. SEPTUAGINT, Greek translation of the Bible, is the cornerstone of the literature of the Jews. Most popular literature is the HALAKAH, from the Hebrew Halak, meaning to go or a rule to go by. Another is the HAGGADAH, from higgid, to tell, talks about folklore, ethics, poetry, and science.

Middle Ages Literal interpretation of the Koran Adapted from Western cultures

The Bible

Most widely read book in the word Translated into more languages and dialects than any other. Collection of sixty-six (seventy-two Catholics) books.

The Old Testament The New Testament The Apocrypha

The Old Testament 1 st part of Christian Bible Made up of thirty-nine books

History Prophetic books Lyric poetry Drama Wisdom Literature Tales

HISTORY

Books of Israel’s Beginnings These are the Books of the Law, also known as The Pentateuch. They are the first five books of the Bible and of the Old Testament popularly referred to as the Books of Moses. They are:Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

Historical Books These are the books containing a detailed History of Israel and they are the next twelve Old Testament books, namely:Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther

Poetry Books These are also known as the Books of Everyday Wisdom or The Writings. They are the next five books, namely: Job. Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Songs of Solomon

Books of the Prophets hese are sub divided into two, five Major and 12 Minor Prophets, which end the Old Testament, namely: Major Prophets Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel

Minor Prophets Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

The New Testament second part of the Christian Bible recording the life and teachings of Jesus and his earliest followers

The Gospels Consisting of four books, named after the writers who had been with Jesus. Matthew Mark Luke John

History of the Christian (New Testament) Church also known as the Acts of the Holy Spirit Acts of the Apostles

The Epistles These are Letters which are divided into two

Pauline Epistles Letters written by Paul the Apostle to specified Churches. Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians

General Epistles One written to the Jewish Christians in general, believed to be written by the Apostle Paul, but not confirmed by contemporary Bible Scholars

Hebrew Seven Letters written to Christians generally, named after the writers. James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude

THE BOOK OF THE END: This is the last book of the Bible, and of the New Testament, known as The Revelations