Kings, priests, and the books

The Books of the Old Testament

Blackwood’s Comprehensive Aids to the Study of the Bible · Vol. I, pp. 46–47

With the Authorship and Date When Written.

§The Five Books of Moses; Called the Pentateuch.

Written B.C. 1491 to 1451

Besides the history of the Creation and of the world to the call of Abram, and of the Israelites from that time to the death of Moses, a period of 2552½ years, these Books contain the Divine Law, as given by GOD, through Moses, directly for the government of the chosen people; hence they are called by the Jews, Toros, or "The Law." The Pentateuch (πεντε, "five," and τευχος, "a volume," i. e., the "five-fold book") was written by the great Law-Giver, at different times between B. C. 1491 and 1451—the last eight verses being added by Joshua, or by Ezra. In the Jewish MSS. these Books appear as one, divided into fifty-four sections for Sabbath reading in the Synagogue; the division into five Books was made by the translators of the Septuagint, who gave them severally the names they still preserve, except that "Numbers" is the English translation of Ἀριθμοι of the Septuagint.

Genesis.—The First Book of Moses takes its name from the fact that it narrates the particulars of the Genesis or "creation" of the world and of Adam and Eve (i., ii.); then follows the history of mankind in general till the call of Abram; the scope of the history here narrows, and we have the history of Abraham and his descendants to the death of Joseph, B. C. 1635. The period covered by Genesis is 2369 years.

Exodus.—The Second Book embraces 145 years, to the erection of the Tabernacle in the desert, B. C. 1491, and comprises the history of the bondage in Egypt; the miraculous plagues resulting in the Deliverance of Israel and their going out from Egypt (hence the name Exodus); their entrance into the Wilderness of Sinai; the promulgation of the Law; and the building of the Tabernacle. The centre and crowning jewel of this Book is the DECALOGUE—that wonderful God-given Code that has ever formed and ever will form the basis of all proper laws.

Leviticus.—This Book covers but one month; its contents are the duties assigned to the Priests and Levites, and a minute description of the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispensation.

Numbers.—The Book of Numbers gives the history of thirty-eight years, though most of the events belong to the first and last of those years. Its contents are, the numbering (hence the name) or marshaling of the people for their journey to the Promised Land; a statement of their conduct during their wanderings; an account of the consecration of the Tabernacle; a repetition of some of the principal laws and some additional precepts; directions for the division of Canaan; and the numbering at the close of their journey.

Deuteronomy.—The Fifth Book of Moses is called Deuteronomy (δευτερος, "second," and νομος, "law," i. e., "the second law," or the "Repeated Law") because it contains a repetition of the Mosaic Law, civil and moral; it also embraces a recapitulation of some of the events of their wanderings; the solemn confirmation of the Law by blessings and cursings on Ebal and Gerizim; predictions relative to their future, including a very striking one of the MESSIAH; the selection of Joshua as Moses' successor; and finally the death and burial of the great leader.

§The Historical Books, from Joshua to Esther.

The Historical Books narrate the civil and religious history of the Jews from their first settlement in Canaan to their return thither from Babylon—a period of 1018 years. The object being to set forth GOD'S glory, not that of his people or their rulers, these Books do not give a full history, but rather selections therefrom: such facts are dwelt upon as best show the development of the objects and purposes of the Divine government.

Written B.C. 1426

The Book of Joshua was undoubtedly written by Joshua himself, the account of his death and burial being added probably by Ezra. It contains the history of the conquest and partition of Canaan; the renewal of GOD'S covenant with Israel; and the farewell, death and burial of Joshua, comprising a period of thirty years.

Written B.C. 1049

The Book of Judges.—This book covers about 309 years, to the death of Samson, B. C. 1120, and comprises the history of the murmurings, adversities, disorder and general anarchy of the Israelites during the period of transition from the Theocratic to the monarchic form of government. The portion from chapter xvii. to the end is a digression. The authorship of this Book has been disputed, but it is imputed to Samuel by Jewish authorities.

Written B.C. 1049

The Book of Ruth.—The author of this sweet little pastoral, as well as its date, is very uncertain, though, as it was part of the preceding Book in the early Hebrew canon, it may safely be ascribed to the same writer. Ruth, though a Moabitess, and hence a Gentile, was an ancestress of King David.

Written B.C. 1049 to 1016

The Books of Samuel.—The division into two Books is not found in the early MSS. It has been decided by the best authorities that Samuel wrote the first twenty-four chapters, and Nathan and Gad the remainder. They contain the history of the Israelites for about 120 years—B. C. 1135 to 1016. The exceedingly romantic story of David, the shepherd-boy, the soldier, the king, the sweet psalmist—his rise from obscurity to the throne of all Israel—makes the Books of Samuel one of the most delightfully interesting of narratives, and the sweet sincere friendship of David and Jonathan lends an additional charm.

Written B.C. 721 to 458

The Books of the Kings (like the former, but one Book in the Jewish MSS.) take up the history of the Nation of Israel at the time of its highest glory, and carry us step by step down to the subversion of both Judah and Israel. The First Book covers 126 years, to the death of Jehoshaphat, B. C. 889, and the Second Book 300 years, to the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, B. C. 588. The Jewish authorities ascribe the authorship to Jeremiah.

Written B.C. 458

The Books of Chronicles, like those of Samuel and of the Kings, were but one Book in the Hebrew canon, which was called the Book of Diaries; in the Septuagint they were called παραλειπομενα, "things omitted;" St. Jerome first called them by the name they now bear. The period they embrace is from Adam to the Restoration under Cyrus, 3468 years. They form a full Epitome of Jewish History to the year 536 B. C. They were without doubt compiled by Ezra.

Written B.C. 456

The Book of Ezra was written mainly by him, and may be regarded as a supplement to Chronicles; it gives a period of 80 years to the end of Ezra's administration as governor, B. C. 456. Part of this Book (iv.-vii.) was written in Chaldaic, which language the Israelites had learned during their captivity. Between chapters vi. and vii. there occurs a hiatus of 58 years.

Written B.C. 433

The Book of Nehemiah was in the ancient canon called the Second Book of Ezra, though the major part of it was certainly written by Nehemiah himself. He was a man of great firmness, cool judgment, and an earnest servant of GOD—in short, just the man needed by the Jews at the time. He was appointed governor about B. C. 446, and went to work promptly and vigorously to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, and shortly completed it in spite of fierce opposition from Sanballat and other enemies of the Jews. His entire administration is supposed to have extended over 36 years. Besides rebuilding the wall, he effected great reforms among the people. This Book closes the Old Testament History—B. C. 433.

Written B.C. 490

The Book of Esther has been ascribed to various authors, but it seems most probable was written by Mordecai, one of its principal subjects. It tells how Esther, a pious Jewish captive, became Queen of Persia, and saved the Jews residing in that realm from the plots of Haman; it also tells how Mordecai arose from a very humble position to be second only to the king. The Ahasuerus of this Book has been shown by excellent authorities to have been Xerxes II. The whole story forms a beautiful illustration of GOD'S providential care of His people.

(Concluded from preceding page.)

§The Poetical Books.

Written B.C. 1520

The Book of Job takes rank not only as the first written of the Books of Inspired Scripture, but has been shown by Archbishop Usher and others to be the most ancient literary production in the world, having been written not later than 1520 B. C.—that is, ten centuries before Confucius and Solon, more than five centuries before Homer, and earlier than the earliest date claimed for the Vedas. The best authorities favor the opinion that it was written by Job himself. It sets forth the sufferings of Job and his unfaltering submission to the Divine will.

Written B.C. 1046 to 160

The Book of Psalms.—This is a collection of Sacred Songs composed at various times and mostly by David. They are models of acceptable devotion: the Christian Church adopts them as her own language, or the language of her Lord. As mere literary productions they have been called the national ballads of the Hebrew people: many of them are perfect gems of Oriental poetry. Not a few of the Psalms are prophetic, containing predictions of the life, character and sufferings of our Saviour. For Date and Origin, and Arrangement for Devotional Purposes, see pages 14 and 15.

Written B.C. 1000

The Proverbs.—This collection of pithy, wise, practical sayings was undoubtedly written by King Solomon. The Book assumed its present form some two hundred and fifty years after Solomon, during the reign of Hezekiah. Its characteristics are those of a poetical moral philosophy.

Written B.C. 976

Ecclesiastes.—The most generally received opinion is that this Book was written by Solomon in his old age, after he had repented of his self-indulgences and sins, by way of teaching a solemn lesson from his own melancholy experience.

Written B.C. 1016

Song of Solomon.—The Hebrew name of this beautiful poem is "The Song of Songs." The tradition of the Jews is that this Song was written by Solomon in his youth; the same tradition ascribes the Book of Proverbs to his prime and Ecclesiastes to his old age. It takes rank as one of the finest gems of Oriental poetry. Many Christian writers regard it as a beautiful allegory,—the Bride as the Church of CHRIST and the Bridegroom as her Divine Lord; taking this view, the last ten verses beautifully depict the entire separation of the Church from the world and her perfect consecration to the love and service of her Lord.

§The Prophetical Books, in Their Chronological Order.

Written B.C. 856

Jonah.—With the exception of the prayer in chapter iii., this Book is a simple narrative of Jonah's call as a messenger to Nineveh, his attempt to escape the duty, the punishment that overtook him, his subsequent obedience and the result. He lived during the reign of Jeroboam II., or even earlier; he may indeed have been, as some think, a disciple of Elisha.

Written B.C. 800

Joel.—Joel prophesied to Judah not later than the reign of Uzziah, warning the people of their overthrow unless they should repent of their idolatry and turn to GOD.

Written B.C. 790

Amos denounces the idolatry of the king and people, and foretells the captivity of Israel, which was fulfilled sixty years later by Shalmaneser; but beyond this he promises them deliverance and a return to more than their pristine glory under Messiah.

Written B.C. 790 to 725

Hosea.—Hosea prophesied to Israel during the turbulent reigns of the last seven kings—in all sixty years. The idolatry everywhere prevalent and its inevitable punishment are his themes; he also tells them of their ultimate restoration under the Messiah.

Written B.C. 760 to 698

Isaiah.—Jewish tradition says Isaiah was nephew to King Amaziah, and father-in-law to Manasseh, by whom he was murdered. His prophetic labors extended at least over a period of forty-seven years, possibly sixty-two years. Isaiah has been aptly termed the evangelical prophet. His great theme is the humiliation, the work, the glory of the Messiah, and the blessed results of His salvation. It pervades the entire Book, and gives it a charm for the Christian student that no other Book of the Old Testament can rival. Our Lord and His Apostles quote Isaiah more frequently than all the other prophets. While the writings of Isaiah are distinguished throughout for peculiar elevation and grandeur of style, those passages, running all through the Book, that tell of the "coming Saviour," his sufferings, patience and glory, are positively sublime. In fact, Isaiah had as clear a conception of the God-man JESUS as had any of the Apostles. He was so full of Christ that, no matter what his primary topic, it always led him to his one loved theme.

Written B.C. 750

Micah wrote during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His subject is the same as that of Amos, Hosea and Joel.

Written B.C. 720

Nahum.—This prophecy of Nahum was chiefly uttered as a warning to Nineveh, foretelling the overthrow of the Assyrian empire.

Written B.C. 630

Zephaniah prophesied to both Judah and Israel, foretelling their downfall as a punishment for their idolatry and utter profligacy.

Written B.C. 628 to 586

Jeremiah.—Jeremiah was called to the prophetic office about seventy years after Isaiah's death, in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign, while quite young. During the pious Josiah's reign his influence and advice had great weight, but soon after Jehoiakim ascended the throne Jeremiah's work was interrupted, though not stopped. During Zedekiah's reign he was arrested and cast into prison, where he was confined till the fall of Jerusalem. He and Baruch were subsequently compelled to accompany some of his people in their flight to Egypt, where tradition says he was stoned to death by some of the Jews incensed at his fearless reproaches of their crimes. His writings are remarkable for pathos. The burden of his complaint was the universal wickedness of the princes and people. He predicted the punishments that overtook them, and also foretold the Restoration, mentioning Cyrus by name more than a hundred years before that monarch's birth. His prophecy is full of allusions and direct predictions of the Messiah.

The Lamentations of Jeremiah, some maintain, were written on the death of Josiah, but the general opinion among commentators is that they are directly applicable to the wretchedness of the Jews during the captivity, and have prophetic allusion to their future miseries after their dispersion.

Written B.C. 626

Habakkuk.—This prophet is supposed to have ministered during the reigns of Manasseh and Amon, or in that of Jehoiachin. His subject is mainly the judgments that were to overtake the Chaldeans.

Written B.C. 534

Daniel.—This great prophet was of noble, if not of royal, blood. He was, with other Hebrew youth, carried captive to Babylon, and educated for service at Nebuchadnezzar's court, where he afterward rose to high positions of great trust. He was ninety years of age at the time of the Restoration under Cyrus, and contributed largely to the consummation by opening Cyrus' eyes to the prophetic passages that had appointed to him the work. His Book contains both narrative and prophecy. In the latter are wonderful predictions as to the Four Great Empires of the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. He also foretells with great distinctness the time of Messiah's appearing, the rise and fall of Antichrist and the consummation of all things here below.

Written B.C. 585

Obadiah.—This Book consists of but one chapter, directed against the Edomites, telling them that "Edom shall be as though it had never been."

Written B.C. 595 to 572

Ezekiel.—Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel was of the Sacerdotal family. He commenced his ministry about the fifth year of the Captivity. His messages were delivered partly before and partly after the destruction of Jerusalem. The former consist chiefly of reproofs, condemnation and exhortation, while the latter are consolatory, promising the distressed people deliverance and future prosperity. The last nine chapters contain a remarkable Vision clearly referring to the glory of the Church of Christ.

Written B.C. 520

Haggai.—It was this prophet who predicted that the glory of the Second Temple should exceed that of the First. He flourished about B. C. 520.

Written B.C. 520

Zechariah was contemporary with Haggai. He prophesied very clearly of the advent and glory of the Messiah.

Written B.C. 520

Malachi, the last prophet before Christ, prophesied during the governorship of Nehemiah. He foretells the preaching of St. John Baptist and the Advent of the Great Deliverer.