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I have learned that the three part structure of the Hebrew bible(Torah,prophets,writings) shaped the theological message of the readers then differently than the christian re ordering.
In the three part structure, it changes the narrative of the text. I found out that in the three part stucture arrangement more emphasis was given on the on going study of the children of Israel in exile and also the covenant obedience.
It outlines the relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Lastly i found that in Hebrew bible it is a three structure system while in the christian reordering it is a four stucture (the law,history,poetry and prophets).
Odwa and Brain Mbuli4 Comments-
Your work shows a good understanding of how the structure of the Tanakh differs from the Christian Old Testament. More Grace!
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Greetings in Jesus name
I’ve heard of the Torah and Tanakh spoken of as two different books, but your reflection clearly outlines that it is one book – The old testament.
I have so many questions running through my mind right now. I guess structure can indeed change a narrative as you have mentioned.
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@sifisomdluli blessings, Brother Sifiso.
Could you please ask your questions here so that we discuss and seek answers? This is why we’re here.
The Old Testament or Hebrew Bible has a 3-part structure namely; The LAW, the PROPHETS and the WRITINGS. The Hebrews referred to these three parts as the TaNakh (Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim respectively). This means that the Torah is part of the TaNaKh, not a separate book from it. It is the combination of these three that make the Old Testament Hebrew canon complete, hence, the short TaNaKh acronym as a reference to the Hebrew Bible.
This means that when we talk about the Torah, we’re referring to one of three parts of the Hebrew Bible, but when we talk about the TaNaKh, we’re making reference to all of the OT, the Torah included.
I hope this helps answer some of your questions.
Blessings!
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Amen and greetings in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
Thank you for the clarity provided concerning the Hebrew bible. I have not studied the Hebrew bible. It has been through different conversations i have heard that led me to understand that the Torah and the Tanakh are separate books rather than separate of the old Testament. The questions I have are:
1. Why the Torah is spoken of as a book or section that is superior to the rest of the Tanakh if it is just the entire old Testament?
2. Is there a reason the Tanakh has a different order? given the extent of a change in narrative because of that.
3. How does the re-ordering of the old testament change the narrative if it the same text?
4. I have also come to understand that some readers of the Torah are satisfied with just the Torah alone, in the sense that there is no need for the new testament or even the other books of the old testament, and that makes me wonder, is it the same as our old testament or have the nuances of the Hebrew language perhaps caused it to be interpreted in a different way?
Amen
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