The Tanakh

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The Jewish Tanakh is the authoritative collection of sacred Scriptures in Judaism—roughly what Christians call the “Old Testament,” but organized differently, named differently, and interpreted within a Jewish theological framework.

What does “Tanakh” mean?

Tanakh (תַּנָ״ךְ) is an acronym formed from the first letters of its three parts:

1. T — Torah (תּוֹרָה)

“Instruction” or “Law”

The Five Books of Moses:

• • Genesis (Bereshit)
  • Exodus (Shemot)
  • Leviticus (Vayikra)
  • Numbers (Bamidbar)
  • Deuteronomy (Devarim)

2. N — Nevi’im (נְבִיאִים)

“Prophets”

Divided into:

• • Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
  • Latter Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve (Minor Prophets)

3. K — Ketuvim (כְּתוּבִים)

“Writings”

A diverse collection including:

• • Psalms, Proverbs, Job
  • Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther
  • Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah, Chronicles

How is it different from the Christian Old Testament?

• Same books, different order (and sometimes different grouping)
• The Tanakh ends with Chronicles, not Malachi
• Jewish tradition does not include the New Testament
• Interpretation is shaped by rabbinic tradition, especially the Oral Torah (Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash)

Language

• Written primarily in Biblical Hebrew, with small portions in Aramaic (notably Daniel and Ezra)

Authority and use

• The Torah is the most central and sacred section
• Public synagogue readings follow a weekly Torah cycle
• Study emphasizes interpretation, debate, and commentary, not just the plain text