The Torah (the Books of Moses) (תורה) is made up of five books that were given to Moshe Rabbenu (Moses our Teacher) directly from G-d shortly after the Exodus from Mitzraim around 1230BCE. The Written and Oral Torahs (Mishnah) was handed down through the successive generations from the time of Moses.

*Links open in a new tab/window
Genesis (Bereishit) - "In the Beginning" written by Moses (Targum Onkelos) (Targum Yonatan)
Exodus (Shemot) - "Names" written by Moses (Targum Onkelos) (Targum Yonatan)
Leviticus (Vayikra) - "And He Called" written by Moses (Targum Onkelos) (Targum Yonatan)
Numbers (Bamidbar) - "In the Wilderness" written by Moses (Targum Onkelos) (Targum Yonatan)
Deuteronomy (Devarim) - "Words" written by Moses (Targum Onkelos) (Targum Yonatan)

The Nevi'im (נביאים) covers the time period from the death of Moshe Rabbenu through the Babylonian exile (ca.1200BCE-587BCE) and contains 19 books. The Nevi'im covers the time from the Hebrews entering Eretz Yisrael, conquest of Jericho, conquest of Eretz Yisrael and division among the tribes, judicial system, Era of Saul and David, Solomon's wisdom and the construction of the First Temple, kings of Eretz Yisrael, prophecy, messianic prophecies, and the Babylonian exile.

*Links open in a new tab/window
Nevi'im Rishonim
Joshua (Yehoshua) - "G-d is Salvation" written by Joshua and Phineas
Judges (Shoftim) - "Judges" written by Samuel
First Samuel (Shmuel Aleph) / Second Samuel (Shmuel Beit) - "His Name is G-d" written by Samuel, Gad, and Nathan
First Kings (Melachim Aleph) / Second Kings (Melachim Beit) - "Kings" written by Jeremiah

Nevi'im Aharonim
Isaiah (Yeshayahu) - "G-d is Salvation" written by the School of Hezekiah
Jeremiah (Yirmiyahu) - "G-d will Uplift" written by Jeremiah and the Men of the Great Assembly
Ezekiel (Yechezkiel) - "G-d will Strengthen" written by the Men of the Great Assembly

Trei Asar
Hosea (Hoshea) - "Salvation" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Joel (Yoel) - "G-d is Willing" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Amos ('Amos) - "To be Burdened/Troubled" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Obadiah (Ovadiah) - "Servant of G-d" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Jonah (Yonah) - "Dove" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Micah (Michah) - "Who is Like G-d" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Nahum (Nachum) - "Comfort" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Habakkuk (Chavakuk) - "To Wrestle" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Zephaniah (Tzefaniah) - "Hidden by G-d" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Haggai (Chaggai) - "Festive" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Zechariah (Zechariah) - "Memory" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Malachi (Malachi) - "My Servant" written by the Men of the Great Assembly

The Ketuvim (כתובם) covers the period after the return from the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE) and contains 12 books. The Ketuvim is made up of various writings that do not have an overall theme. This section of the Tanach includes poems and songs, the stories of Job, Ruth, and Esther, the writings and prophecies of Daniel, and the history of the kings of Eretz Yisrael.

*Links open in a new tab/window
Psalms (Tehillim) - "Praises" written by David, Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Korah
Proverbs (Mishlei) - "Proverbs/Wisdom written by Solomon
Job (Iyov) - "Hated/Oppressed" written by Moses
Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim) - "Song of Songs" written by Solomon
Ruth (Rut) - "Friendship" written by Samuel
Lamentations (Eichah) - "Alas" written by Jeremiah
Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) - "Assembly of People" written by Solomon
Esther (Ester) - "Star" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Daniel (Dani'el) - "G-d is my Judge" written by the Men of the Great Assembly
Ezra (Ezra) - "Help" written by Ezra
Nehemiah (Nechemiah) - "Comforted of the L-rd" written by Ezra
First Chronicles (Divrei Hayamim Aleph) / Second Chronicles (Divrei Hayamim Beit) - "Words of the Days" written by Ezra and Nehemiah

Home :: Contact :: About :: Site Index

© becomingjewish.org 2003-2012 -   
Page Updated: 01/08/12