Old Testament Study Guide

Front

What is the Old Testament?

Back

The Hebrew Bible—the covenant story between God and Israel, Israel’s history, law, prophecy, poetry, and wisdom. It’s not random myth, a science textbook, or just moral fables—it’s theological narrative in a real historical context.

Front

What languages was the Old Testament written in?

Back

Mostly in Hebrew, with small parts in Aramaic (e.g., Daniel, Ezra).

Front

What is the time span of the Old Testament?

Back

Roughly 1400–400 BCE, from patriarchal stories to post-exilic writings.

Front

What are the literary genres of the Old Testament?

Back

Law/Torah, narrative history, poetry/psalms, wisdom literature, prophecy, and apocalyptic elements.

Front

Who were the Masoretes?

Back

Jewish scribes (6th–10th CE) who standardized the Hebrew text—added vowel points and notes to preserve accurate transmission.

Front

What is the Masoretic Text?

Back

The standard Hebrew version of the Old Testament.

Front

What is the Septuagint?

Back

A Greek translation of the Old Testament (3rd–2nd BCE).

Front

What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Back

The earliest Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament (c. 250 BCE–70 CE).

Front

What is the Samaritan Pentateuch?

Back

The Samaritan community’s version of the Torah.

Front

What is textual criticism?

Back

The process of comparing manuscripts to reconstruct the original wording of the text.