Tag: books of Moses

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Books of Moses

books of moses

The authorship of the first five books of the Bible is attributed to Moses.

He recorded the oral accounts passed on from prior generations to write Genesis, while he is the central figure (aside from God) for the events in the other four books. These five books, sometimes called the Pentateuch or Torah (the law), are:

  • Genesis, which covers the beginning of the world (creation) and the formation of the nation of Israel.
  • Exodus is about the nation of Israel escaping their captivity in Egypt and fleeing; it is their exodus from Egypt.
  • Leviticus is a record of rules and regulations for the right living of God’s chosen people.
  • Numbers is an account of Israel’s wanderings in the desert and contains two censuses (that is, numberings) of the people.
  • Deuteronomy is the book of laws, not in a narrow sense, but in a narrative form as presented by Moses.

Key verse about the Books of Moses: “After the usual readings from the books of Moses and the prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: ‘Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it’.” (Acts 13:15, NLT).

Also see the Law of Moses.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Books of the Bible

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is the book of laws, but not laws in a narrow, legal sense, but rather in a narrative format as presented by Moses at God‘s direction.

The book of Deuteronomy is comprised of three speeches of Moses that cover these laws (chapters 1 to 4), regulations (chapters 4 to 28), and expectations (chapters 29 to 30).

The book ends with a change in leadership from Moses to Joshua.

Deuteronomy is one of the four most quoted books in the New Testament (the others being Isaiah, Psalms, and Genesis).

The authorship of Deuteronomy is attributed to Moses, since he was the orator of the three messages (or sermons) contained in the book.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Books of the Bible

Exodus

Exodus

The word “exodus” means “going out.” It refers to a time when the enslaved descendants of Abraham are released from their bondage and “go out” from Egypt, returning to the land promised by God to Abraham.

Exodus is basically in two parts: a narrative and a set of regulations.

The narrative details their enslavement and emancipation, along with Moses’ work – as directed by God – to win their freedom. This is found in chapters 1 through 19 and in 32 through 34.

The second part, chapters 20 through 31 and 35 through 40, is a meticulous, and at times, tedious account of the instructions God gave his people, through Moses, on how to live and worship God.

This includes regulations highlighting God’s holiness and conditions through which his sin-prone people can approach him.

The authorship of Exodus is attributed to Moses, who, as the central human figure in this book, stood up to the pharaoh and led the people out of Egypt to the promised land.

A succinct and effective overview of Exodus is found in Acts 7:17-44 as part of Stephen’s defense before the council.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Categories
Books of the Bible

Genesis

Genesis

Genesis starts with the familiar phrase, “At the beginning God…” This is a fitting introduction to Genesis and for the entire Bible, as God is the reason and purpose that the Bible exists.

Genesis contains stories of some of God’s followers and other notable characters whose actions are sometimes hard to understand and occasionally, shocking. Yet this is life: raw, perplexing, and occasionally appalling. Through it all, God is there – and at work.

Genesis begins with creation and it’s corruption (chapters 1 through 11) and then settles down on the life and family of Abraham, patriarch of the nation of Israel (chapters 12 through 50).

A succinct and effective overview of Genesis chapters 12 through 50 is found in Acts 7:2-16 as part of Stephen’s defense before the council.

The authorship of Genesis is attributed to Moses, who recorded the oral accounts passed on from prior generations. Genesis is one of the four most quoted books in the New Testament (the others are Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and Psalms.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Categories
Books of the Bible

Leviticus

Leviticus

The book of Leviticus is a record with little narrative, containing the rules and regulations given by God, through Moses, to his chosen people.

The prevailing theme and sentiment of Leviticus are succinctly summed up in Leviticus 19:2, “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

The authorship of Leviticus is attributed to Moses.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Categories
Books of the Bible

Numbers

Numbers

Numbers is an account of Israel‘s wanderings in the desert and contains two censuses (“numberings”) of the people. However, a more aptly descriptive title would be “In the Wilderness.”

Much of the book of Chronicles is about the growing pains of this fledgling nation. Now away from the control and domination of their Egyptian masters, they are free.

Free to make mistakes, to oppose Moses, and to disobey God – the God who incredibly delivered them from Egypt and miraculously saved them from defeat by the pursuing army.

Even Moses was not immune to this disobedience.

The authorship of Numbers is attributed to Moses, who led the people, as directed by God and recorded in this book.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.