THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament is a collection of thirty-nine books about the history and religion of the people of Israel. The authors of these books are unknown, and each book possesses a unique tone, style, and message. Individually, they include stories, laws, and sayings that are intended to function as models of religious and ethical conduct. Together—through hundreds of characters and detailed events—they represent a unified narrative about God and his attempt to relate to humankind by relating to a specific group of people.
There are 39 books in the Old Testament, generally separated into 4 divisions:
1. The Pentateuch, traditionally designated as the 5 books of Moses.
2. Historical Books, number 12, from Joshua to Esther.
3. Poetical Books, number 5, from Job to Song of Solomon.
4. Prophetical Books, including the writings of the 5 Major Prophets, from Isaiah to Daniel, and the 12 Minor Prophets from Hosea to Malachi.
