Category: Books of the Bible

The books of the Bible

First and Second Samuel

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The books of First and Second Samuel are two of the historical books in the Old Testament. Originally they were a single book (and still are in the Hebrew Bible).

Named after the prophet Samuel, these two books cover his life, as well as the first two kings of Israel: Saul in First Samuel and David in Second Samuel.

Chronologically, First Samuel follows Judges, while Second Samuel precedes First Kings.

Prior to King Saul, the people of Israel did not have a king (God was their king), and they were ruled by judges. They rebelled against this system and demanded a king, like the surrounding nations (I Samuel 10:17-19).

Although God was against this, he did agree to it, authorizing Samuel to anoint Saul as king. When Saul proved himself unsuitable, Samuel was directed to anoint the shepherd boy David as king.

A parallel account of Second Samuel (about King David) is found in First Chronicles.

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.

Tags historical-books, Samuel

Books of the Bible

Sirach

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with Ecclesiastes), is another piece of wisdom literature. It is a compilation of sayings similar in style and content to Proverbs. As such, it’s a valuable collection of practical advice and wise sayings.

It’s concluding chapters (44 through 50) pay tribute to some of the notable figures in Jewish history, providing additional insight into each one.

The author is a sage named Jesus (not to be confused with Jesus the Christ). This Jesus is the son (or perhaps grandson) of Sirach (Sira), hence the name of the book. The alternate title, Ecclesiasticus, means Church Book.

The book of Sirach was probably familiar to the early Christian church, being read in church gatherings. The original version was assumedly lost, with this being a translation made by the author’s grandson; the book opens with his notes and comments.

Sirach is an Apocrypha book and not included in all versions of the Bible.

The New Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version (RSV), New American Bible (NABRE), Wycliffe Bible (WYC), Common English Bible (CEB), Good News Translation (GNT), and Douay-Rheims (DRA) all include Sirach.

Interestingly, the original Authorized King James Version (KJV) contains Sirach, but the text was removed almost two centuries later. The Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Jewish scriptures, which was widely used in Jesus’s day, also includes the book of Sirach.

For more information, see why “Christians Should Consider the Entire Bible.”

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Tags Apocrypha, Sirach, wisdom-literature

Books of the Bible

Song of Solomon

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The Song of Solomon, also called the “Song of Songs,” was written about King Solomon. Its content is perhaps a bit too explicit for some people’s sense of appropriateness and certainly not what many would expect to find in the Bible.

On the surface, it is a frank poem exalting courtship, sexual desire, and marriage. On a deeper level it becomes a metaphor for the love and yearning that Jesus has for his followers and his desire and longing to connect with them on an intimate spiritual level.

In the gospels, Jesus sometimes metaphorically calls himself the bridegroom. His followers are implied to be his bride.

[John 3:29, Mark 2:19-20, and Luke 5:34-35]

Tags Solomon, wisdom-literature

Books of the Bible

First Thessalonians

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of First Thessalonians was written by the Apostle Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament). It’s his first letter, or epistle, to the church in the city of Thessalonica.

This is perhaps Paul’s most affectionate letter. He writes as a loving, gentle, and caring father, who is seeking to support and nurture the young church in Thessalonica.

The central theme of Paul’s letter is to encourage this church (and by extension, all followers of Jesus) to stand firm in their faith in the midst of opposition and to continue to grow towards spiritual maturity, that is to pursue a deeper understanding of God and one’s relationship to him.

Tags books by Paul, Thessalonians

Books of the Bible

Second Thessalonians

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of Second Thessalonians was written by the Apostle Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament). It’s his second letter, or epistle, to the church in the city of Thessalonica.

In contrast to Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica, which was warm and affectionate, this letter takes a more formal, authoritative tone. It is more theological in nature; it also contains teaching about the return, or “second coming” of Jesus.

Not only does Paul encourage the Thessalonian church in this letter, but he also scolds them for not living and acting befitting of followers of Jesus, including the need to guard against false teaching or heresy.

Tags books by Paul, Thessalonians

Books of the Bible

First Timothy

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of First Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament). It’s a letter, or epistle, to the young pastor Timothy. It, along with Second Timothy and Titus are often called Paul’s pastoral letters, because their focus is on instructing young ministers.

As such, they are often considered to be church manuals, more than personal letters. However, since all followers of Jesus are called to minister to others, these three books are applicable to church members everywhere

First Timothy, along with Titus, appear more as manuals for church administration, nevertheless it provides instruction that is both practical and unifying.

Tags books by Paul, Timothy

Books of the Bible

Second Timothy

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of Second Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament). It’s a letter, or epistle, to the young pastor Timothy. It, along with Second Timothy and Titus are often called Paul’s pastoral letters, because their focus is on instructing young ministers.

They are often considered to be church manuals, more than personal letters. However, since all followers of Jesus are called to minister to others, these three books are applicable to church members everywhere

Whereas Paul’s first letter to Timothy is essentially a manual for church administration, his second letter reads more like a last will and testament.

It gives final instructions to Timothy, encouraging him to persevere after Paul’s death, as well as how to deal with false teaching (heresy).

Tags books by Paul, Timothy

Books of the Bible

Titus

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of Titus was written by the Apostle Paul (who wrote about half of the New Testament). It’s a letter, or epistle, to the pastor Titus. It, along with First Timothy and Second Timothy are often called Paul’s pastoral letters, because their focus is on instructing young ministers.

Paul’s letter to Titus, while partly a manual for church administration, is a charming and affectionate letter. In it, Paul provides guidance and instruction for effective living as a follower of Jesus.

Tags books by Paul, Titus

Books of the Bible

Wisdom

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of Wisdom, sometimes called “The Wisdom of Solomon” is patterned after the other wisdom literature in the Bible.

Wisdom is an Apocrypha book and not included in all versions of the Bible.

Interestingly, the original Authorized King James Version (KJV) contains Wisdom, but the text was removed almost two centuries later. The Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Jewish scriptures, which was widely used in Jesus’s day, also includes the book of Wisdom.

For more information, see why “Christians Should Consider the Entire Bible.”

Tags Apocrypha, wisdom, wisdom-literature

Books of the Bible

Zechariah

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 23, 2014

The book of Zechariah is a record of the messages of the prophet Zechariah. As with most prophets, Zechariah’s message focuses on current events for the people of Israel, but also has a secondary meaning, anticipating the life of Jesus.

Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai. The messages of both prophets concern the importance of rebuilding the temple.

Zechariah is sometimes called a minor prophet. This doesn’t mean he wasn’t important, but merely that the book named after him is shorter. (Compare this to the major prophets, whose books are much longer.)

Dig into the intriguing lives and ministries of the Bible’s twelve minor prophets in Peter DeHaan’s book Dear Theophilus, Minor Prophets: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope.

Tags minor prophet, Zechariah