Topical Encyclopedia The Pentateuch, also known as the Torah, comprises the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books are foundational to both Judaism and Christianity, serving as the core of the Old Testament and providing the historical and theological framework for the rest of Scripture. Traditionally attributed to Moses, the Pentateuch is considered divinely inspired and authoritative.Genesis Genesis, the first book of the Pentateuch, begins with the creation narrative, establishing God as the sovereign Creator of the universe. It details the origins of humanity, the fall into sin, and the subsequent promise of redemption. Key figures include Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," setting the stage for God's unfolding plan of salvation. Exodus Exodus recounts the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, highlighting God's power and faithfulness. Central to this narrative is the figure of Moses, whom God calls to lead His people to freedom. The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments, is a pivotal moment, establishing the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Exodus 20:2-3 declares, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me." Leviticus Leviticus focuses on the holiness of God and the requirements for His people to live in a manner that reflects His character. It provides detailed instructions for worship, sacrifices, and the priesthood, emphasizing the need for atonement and purity. Leviticus 19:2 commands, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" Numbers Numbers chronicles the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, highlighting their struggles with faith and obedience. Despite their repeated failures, God's patience and provision are evident as He guides them toward the Promised Land. The book underscores the importance of trust in God's promises and the consequences of rebellion. Numbers 14:8-9 encourages, "If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD." Deuteronomy Deuteronomy serves as a restatement of the Law for a new generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land. Moses delivers a series of speeches, urging the people to remain faithful to God and His commandments. The book emphasizes covenant renewal and the blessings of obedience. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 exhorts, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Theological Themes The Pentateuch introduces several key theological themes, including creation, sin, covenant, law, and redemption. It reveals God's character as just, merciful, and sovereign, and sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of salvation history. The covenant relationship between God and His people is central, highlighting His desire for a holy and obedient community. Historical and Cultural Context The Pentateuch reflects the historical and cultural context of the ancient Near East, with its narratives and laws addressing the realities of life in that era. The books provide insight into the social, religious, and legal practices of the time, while also transcending their context to convey timeless truths about God and humanity. Significance in Christian Theology For Christians, the Pentateuch is foundational for understanding the nature of God, the problem of sin, and the need for a Savior. It foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the Law and the Prophets. The themes of sacrifice, atonement, and covenant find their ultimate expression in the New Testament, where Christ's redemptive work is seen as the fulfillment of the promises and patterns established in the Pentateuch. Smith's Bible Dictionary The Pentateuchis the Greek name given to the five books commonly called the "five books of Moses." This title is derived from "pente",five, and "teucos") which, meaning originally "vessel" "instrument," etc., came In Alexandrine Greek to mean "book" hence the fivefold book. In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah it was called "the law of Moses," (Ezra 7:6) or "the book of the law of Moses," (Nehemiah 8:1) or simply "the book of Moses." (2 Chronicles 25:4; 35:12; Ezra 6:13; Nehemiah 13:1) This was beyond all reasonable doubt our existing Pentateuch. The book which was discovered the temple in the reign of Josiah, and which is entitled, (2 Chronicles 34:14) "a book of the law of Jehovah by the hand of Moses," was substantially, it would seem the same volume, though it may afterward have undergone some revision by Ezra. The present Jews usually called the whole by the name of Torah , i.e. "the Law," or Torath Mosheh "the Law of Moses." The division of the whole work into five parts was probably made by the Greek translators; for the titles of the several books are not of Hebrew but of Greek origin. The Hebrew names are merely taken from the first words of each book, and in the first instance only designated particular sections and not whole books. The MSS. of the Pentateuch form a single roll or volume, and are divided not into books but into the larger and smaller sections called Parshiyoth and Sedarim . The five books of the Pentateuch form a consecutive whole. The work, beginning with the record of creation end the history of the primitive world, passes on to deal more especially with the early history of the Jewish family, and finally concludes with Moses' last discourses and his death. Till the middle of the last century it was the general opinion of both Jews and Christians that the whole of the Pentateuch was written by Moses, with the exception of a few manifestly later additions,--such as the, 34th chapter of Deuteronomy, which gives the account of Moses death. The attempt to call in question the popular belief was made by Astruc, doctor and professor of medicine in the Royal College at Paris, and court physician to Louis XIV. He had observed that throughout the book of Genesis, and as far as the 6th chapter of Exodus, traces were to be found of two original documents, each characterized by a distinct use of the names of God; the one by the name Elohim, and the other by the name Jehovah. [GOD] Besides these two principal documents, he supposed Moses to have made use of ten others in the composition of the earlier part of his work. The path traced by Astruc has been followed by numerous German writers; but the various hypotheses which have been formed upon the subject cannot be presented in this work. It is sufficient here to state that there is evidence satisfactory that the main bulk of the Pentateuch, at any rate, was written by Moses, though the probably availed himself of existing documents in the composition of the earlier part of the work. Some detached portions would appear to be of later origin; and when we remember how entirely, during some periods of Jewish history, the law seems to have been forgotten, and again how necessary it would be after the seventy years of exile to explain some of its archaisms, and to add here and there short notes to make it more intelligible to the people, nothing can be more natural than to suppose that such later additions were made by Ezra and Nehemiah. To briefly sum up the results of our inquiry --
Greek 3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law ... plur: of divine laws; of a force or influence impelling to action; of the Mosaic law; meton: of the books which contain the law, the Pentateuch, the Old ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3551.htm - 7k 3475. Mouses -- Moses, a leader of Isr. Strong's Hebrew 1931. hu -- he, she, it... Of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic ... /hebrew/1931.htm - 6k 8451. torah -- direction, instruction, law Library The Gospel of the Pentateuch The Messianic Prophecies in the Pentateuch. The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua. The Pentateuch. Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch. Authorship of the Pentateuch. Authenticity and Credibility of the Pentateuch. Sources of the Pentateuch. The Gospel of the Pentateuch Preface to the First Edition of the Gospel of the Pentateuch to ... Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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