The Books of the Old Testament, as we use them today, differ from the Hebrew Canon in number, names, order and division–not so much content. The first change came with the first translation of the Hebrew Bible, into Greek, viz., the Septuagint, also known by, LXX.
The precise date of this first translation is not known, however the consensus leans to about 280—285 B.C. The Septuagint divisions and arrangement of the Books have been followed in most translations since. This later order divides the O.T. into four classes: (1) The Law, (2) The Historical Books, (3) The Poetical Books, and (4) The Prophetical Books. This is the order we traditionally teach and learn in our Sunday Schools, Bible colleges, seminaries, etc.. It is different from the order Jesus referred to and without knowing any other order it is easy to miss it, when Jesus did refer to the Scriptures in a specified order. Is it important? If it is important, how important is it?
The Order of The O.T. Books – The Law The Prophets The Psalms
How important is it that every time Jesus referred to the body of Scripture He refereed to it in an order different from another order that was very much in use at the time of His human birth and ministry? The Septuagint divisions and arrangement of the books of the Old Covenant have been followed in just about every translation in every language since. about 280—285 B.C. However, every time Jesus referred to the body of Scripture He referred to the sequential divisions of The Hebrew Canon. Moses Mk.7:10 Jn.5:39, or The Law Lk.16:16, or The Law and the Prophets Mt.22:40.
It is notable that Jesus never referred to the four divisions of the Septuagint. Jesus alwys referred to the divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures. On one occasion The Lord Jesus referred to the whole body of Scripture in the three divisions of the Hebrew Canon order Lk.24: 44: The Law, (II) The Prophets, and (III) The Psalms. What wonderful fruit would come of following His example?
Inasmuch as God requires us to rightly divide The Word of Truth we are assured He has put everything in His Word for the task, the discovery and the application, is the division of the books important? Is there an advantage in the order of the books as the Jew has had it…as Jesus, being a Jew, referred to it? What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God Rom.3:1-2
What would we understand better with the order rendered as The Law, The Prophets and The Psalms?
What is inherent in Jewish understanding that escapes us because of rendering a different order? Is it simply Bible trivia?
- Not simply Old Testament trivia: Jesus never referred to the four divisions of the Septuagint: Jesus referenced the three divisions of Hebrew Canon Lk. 24: 44
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- Jesus noted the three divisions in Hebrew Canon–The Law, The Prophets & The Psalms Lk.24: 44
Jesus Said – The Law The Prophets The Psalms
How important is it that when Jesus referred to Scripture He refereed to The Law and the Prophets, or Moses and the Prophets? The Septuagint divisions and arrangement of the books of the Old Covenant have been followed in just about every translation of Scripture. Nevertheless, every time Jesus referred to the body of Scripture He referred to the sequential divisions of The Hebrew Canon. Moses Mk.7:10 Jn.5:39, or The Law Lk.16:16, or The Law and the Prophets Mt.22:40. It is also notable that Jesus never referred to the four divisions of the Septuagint, however on one occasion The Lord Jesus referred to the whole body of Scripture in the three divisions of the Hebrew Canon order Lk.24: 44: The Law, (II) The Prophets, and (III) The Psalms. What wonderful fruit would come of following His example?
What is the difference between the Greek order of the Septuagint and the Hebrew canon order?
Is there value in the order? Does it make a difference? Inasmuch as God requires us to rightly divide The Word of Truth we are assured He has put everything in His Word for the task, the discovery and the application. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth usually considers the context, as well it should. And the fact that Jesus referred to the Hebrew canon categories often gives great importance to how the books are categorized, i.e., divided. That there is another division yet Jesus repeatedly refers to one way of dividing gives every indication that rightly dividing the Word of Truth is important to how the books are divided and categorized. The Hebrew order is what Jesus repeatedly referred to when speaking of the Scriptures.