The first 5 books of the Holy Bible are also called The Pentateuch. These 5 books are also known as The Torah (from a Hebrew
word which translates ‘holy writings’), or the Books of the Law (the scripture) or the Books of Moses (the scribe). These five books tell the story of the origin of the Hebrew
people, the covenant of redemption and faith between God and mankind, and the fulfillment of God’s promise of deliverance made to the children of Israel.
Genesis is the story of the origin of Mankind. It is the earliest history of the human race. Exodus tells the story of the oppression of the Hebrew people in Egypt and their eventual deliverance from bondage. It also introduces the 10 commandments. Leviticus expands upon the law and provides a code of conduct for the chosen priests. Numbers is the story of the journey of the Hebrew people through the wilderness from the desert of Mount Sinai to the borders of Canaan, the promised
land. Deuteronomy takes place just before the Hebrews cross over into the promised land. It reiterates the 10 commandments and contains many orations and songs written by Moses.
Genesis is the book of beginnings. It tells the creation of the universe, the birth of the human race, the introduction of sin, the advent of nations, the origin of faith, the beginning of religions and the start of the Jewish Nation. Genesis starts at the beginning of the world and ends with the story of 12 brothers, the sons of a man named Israel. These 12 brothers were the founders of the 12 tribes of the Jewish nation and they settled in the land of Egypt around the year 1700 B.C.
Exodus means ‘exit’ or ‘way out’. It tells the story of Moses, who led the 12 tribes out of bondage in Egypt through the desert region of Mt. Sinai to the land of Canaan. The Egyptians enslaved the Hebrews out of fear. Moses was chosen to deliver the children of Israel. Pharoah released the slaves after God brought ten plagues to the Egyptian people. God gave the ten commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The people rejected God’s law and were punished by wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
Leviticus means ‘priest’s law’. It is also known as the book of atonements. Moses was a member of the tribe of Levi. The Levites were the priests or keepers of the law. Atonement has 3 parts: recognition of the law, acceptance of the law and celebration of the law. One must recognise what is right before one can accept the law. Offerings are ceremonial apologies for choosing to do wrong. Feasts are celebrations of what is right.
Numbers, also called the book of the March and the Roll Call, tells the story of the children of Israel after their escape from Egypt before they arrived in the promised land. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness from Mount Sinai to the border of Canaan for 40 years.
Deuteronomy means ‘second law’. The name applies partly because it stresses the duality of the law. Blessings come from obedience; curses occur when one is disobedient. Also the 10 commandments are repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. It contains a collection of orations and songs some of which were written by Moses. It was the first worship manual used by the Jewish people after they settled in Canaan, the promised land.