Formation of the Old Testament

The old testament is the first part of the Bible and centers on:

• The prophecies of the New Testament.
• The poetry and songs of the Israelites.
• The covenant that God made with his people.

• The teachings of Jesus Christ.

The “Old” Testament has its name for two reasons. What are they? (choose 2)

• It is called 'Old' to signify its historical context only.
• It is called 'Old' because it is the longest part of the Bible.
• It is called 'Old' because it was written in ancient languages.
• It reveals God’s revelation prior to Jesus’ coming. 

• It distinguishes the covenant that God made with the Jewish people from the new one made by Jesus.

Define the term Pentateuch.

• The Pentateuch refers to the teachings of the prophets.
• The Pentateuch is a collection of ancient artifacts.
• The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
• The Pentateuch is a historical account of the Roman Empire.

What are the five books that form the Pentateuch?

• Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel
• Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
• Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

The Chosen People told stories orally. What were the stories about and why did they tell them?

• They told stories to entertain and distract from daily hardships.
• The stories focused on their enemies and battles for land.
• The stories were primarily about farming techniques and weather patterns.
• The stories were about their history, culture, and moral lessons, and they told them to preserve their identity and educate future generations.

When do historians believe The Chosen People of the Old Testament began writing down their stories?

• After the Roman conquest in the 1st century CE.
• In the time of King David in the 10th century BCE.
• During the reign of King Solomon.

• During the Exodus in the 13th century BCE.