Bi 105 overview of the pentateuch

1. Introduction to the
Pentateuch

2. What is the Pentateuch?
The term Pentateuch refers to the first
five books of the Bible.
The word comes from the Greek pente,
meaning five and teuchos meaning
scroll.

3. What is the Pentateuch?
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

4. Old Testament references
refer to the Pentateuch when it
uses phrases like
“Book of the Law of Moses”
(2 Kings 14:6)
and “The Book of the Law”
(Josh 1:8)

5. Kings 14:6 Yet he did not put the
sons of the assassins to death,
in accordance with what is
written in the Book of the Law of
Moses where the LORD
commanded …

6. Joshua 1:8 Do not let this
Book of the Law depart from
your mouth; meditate on it day
and night, so that you may be
careful to do everything written
in it. Then you will be
prosperous and successful.

7. New Testament
References
“Law” in the expression, “The
Law and the Prophets”
Luke 16:16

8. 16"The Law and the Prophets were
proclaimed until John. Since that
time, the good news of the kingdom
of God is being preached, and
everyone is forcing his way into it.
17It is easier for heaven and earth
to disappear than for the least
stroke of a pen to drop out of the
Law. Luke 16:16

9. We can view the first five
books of the Bible as one
book. Perhaps the size of the
scrolls made the books have
to be broken up into 5
divisions.

10. The Pentateuch spans
from the beginning of
historical life on earth up
to but not beyond Israel’s
conquest of the promised
land.

11. The Hebrew version of the
word referring to these five
books is “Torah.”
Torah – usually translated
Law, but it comes from the
word teach or instruction.

12. Thus the Pentateuch
contains the
instructions for a
successful life.

13. Summary of the books:
Genesis – Book of Origins
Exodus – Traces the
salvation of God’s people
who are helpless to save
themselves.

14. Leviticus – Call for
holiness as the only
natural lifestyle for Israel
and the only response to
God’s grace.

15. Numbers – A book of
wonderings in which
God’s people suffer the
consequences of their
unbelief.

16. Deuteronomy– The story’s
ending on a positive note
presenting a program for
renewal.

17. Themes of the Pentateuch
•Sovereignty of God
History
Fallen Condition of Humanity
Salvation
Holiness

18. There are two clear
references to Moses as the
author of Exodus chapters
20-23 which is known as
“Book of the Covenants.” Ex.
24:4-7
Who is the Author?

19. The text also claims Moses
wrote the Ten
Commandments under the
Lord’s direction. Ex 34:27
Who is the Author?

20. Other References to Moses:
Exodus 17:14
Numbers 33:2
Clear references to parts of
Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 31:9, 19,22,24
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying”
Lv 4:1

21. Both Jewish and Christian
tradition accepts Mosaic
authorship or his being
the originator of the
writings of the Pentateuch.