The Content of the Old Testament
The Jewish community refers to their Bible as the Tanakh. The name consists of the first letters of the names for the three major divisions of the Hebrew Bible (our “Old Testament”):
- T > Torah (the Law)
- N > Neviʾim (the Prophets)
- K > Ketuvim (the Writings)
The following table displays the Hebrew order of the Old Testament books.
| Book | Theme |
|---|---|
| Torah / Law | |
| Genesis | Creation & Blessing: Covenant |
| Exodus | Slavery & Redemption: Divine Presence |
| Leviticus | Sacrifice & Sanctification: Being Holy |
| Numbers | Wilderness Wandering: Unfaithfulness |
| Deuteronomy | Exposition of the Law: Covenant Renewal |
| Neviʾim / Prophets | |
| Joshua | Conquest of Canaan: Covenant Loyalty |
| Judges | Cycles of Disobedience: Covenant Disloyalty |
| 1 Samuel | Davidic History |
| 2 Samuel | Davidic Covenant |
| 1 Kings | Royal National History: David to Ahab |
| 2 Kings | Royal National History: Ahaziah to Gedaliah |
| Isaiah | The Salvation of God |
| Jeremiah | The Word of God |
| Ezekiel | The Glory of God |
| Hosea | An Example of Forgiveness: Call to Covenant |
| Joel | The Day of the LORD: Call to Repentance |
| Amos | The Divine Lawsuit: Promise of a Remnant |
| Obadiah | Judgment on Israel’s Enemies |
| Jonah | God’s Compassion & Grace |
| Micah | The Divine Lawsuit: Covenant Fulfillment |
| Nahum | Divine Judgment & Goodness |
| Habakkuk | God’s Justice with Nations |
| Zephaniah | The Day of the LORD: Justice & Mercy |
| Haggai | Restoration & Encouragement |
| Zechariah | God’s Imminent Presence & the Messianic King |
| Malachi | Covenant Love & Loyalty |
| Ketuvim / Writings | |
| Psalms | Prayer & Praise to the King of Kings |
| Job | God’s Justice with an Individual |
| Proverbs | God’s Wisdom |
| Ruth | An Example of Faithfulness |
| Song of Solomon | A Celebration of Marital Love |
| Ecclesiastes | The Goodness of God & the Meaning of Life |
| Lamentations | Unfaithfulness & Repentance |
| Esther | The Sovereignty of God over Israel |
| Daniel | The Sovereignty of God over Nations |
| Ezra | Restoration of Temple & Community |
| Nehemiah | Restoration of Jerusalem & Covenant |
| 1 Chronicles | History of Covenant: Adam to Solomon |
| 2 Chronicles | History of Covenant: Solomon to Cyrus |
Note: Books with the double-line boxes around them indicate collections that the Hebrew Bible treats as a single book (e.g., the Hebrews considered 1 & 2 Samuel as one book, the twelve minor prophets as one book, etc.).
What is the overall theme[1] for the Old Testament?
God calls His people to display His moral character in obedience to His covenant.
Concerning the Gospel in the Old Testament:
The Gospel in the Old Testament requires the advent of the Messiah.
See Luke 24:25–27.
Old Testament saints believed the same Gospel, except in prospect.
See John 1:43–45. Cf. Acts 26:22–23; 1 Peter 1:10–12.
Footnotes
[1] Some Bible scholars refer to the theme by terms like storyline, plot, or metanarrative.