1	Introduction to Sacred Scripture The Pentateuch Adult Faith Formation St. Michael the Archangel
2	Pentateuch The Pentateuch consists of the first five books of the OT: Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy
3	Pentateuch The term "Pentateuch" comes from the Greek term hê pentateuchos biblos meaning “the book of the five scrolls” The Jews called it "Torah" (instruction or teaching) which is often rendered in English by "Law" Although each book is a unit, together they form a larger unity. These five books form a backbone for the rest of the OT and NT theologically
4	Pentateuch The five books were named by the Jews of Palestine according to the opening Hebrew words: Bereshith “In the Beginning“ Shemoth "And these are the names“ Vayikra "And he called" Bemidbar "And he spoke" Debarim "These are the words"
5	Pentateuch The names now used in the English translations are from the Greek Septuagint: I. Genesis: the beginnings of the world and of the Hebrew people II. Exodus: departure from Egypt under Moses III. Leviticus: legal rulings concerning sacrifice, purification, and so forth of concern to the priests, who came from the tribe of Levi IV. Numbers (Arithmoi): the numbering or taking census of Israelites in the desert V. Deuteronomy: meaning "second law," because many laws found in the previous books are repeated here
6	Pentateuch Literary Type: Mainly prose, with some poetry. About half is compiled from sagas and epics, both cultural and borrowed. Genesis is all narrative Exodus is half narrative, half law Leviticus is primarily law Numbers half law and half narrative Deuteronomy is primarily law
7	Stages of Pentateuch
8	Name of God El … generic name for deity in Semitic languages Elohim … grammatically, plural for of “El” Shaddai, El Shadai … the Almighty Adonai … “my lord” … spoken in where YHWH appears. YHWH, Yahweh … the Tetragammaton … from “ehyeh ‘aser ‘ehyeh” … I am that am … I am he who is Being or source of being.
9	Names of God YHWH + Adonai vowels = YaHoWaiH Jehovah … a created name for God from two Hebrew forms of God’s name.
10	Four Source Theory
11	Four Source Theory
12	Four Source Theory
13	Four Source Theory
14	Four Source Theory
15	Four Source Theory
16	Genesis Chapters 1 – 11: The primitive history of the world before Israel’s own remembered history. Created from legends, sagas, mythology and etiology. Creation, Adam & Eve, sin & punishment, Noah & the flood. Chapters 12-50: The promised and blessing of the tribal ancestors, the patriarchs … Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the beginning of what would become the Egyptian Captivity with Joseph.
17	Exodus We presume a true historical core to this event & experience. Chapters 1-18: The rescue and escape from Egyptian Captivity. Chapter 19 and continuing into Numbers: The giving of the Covenant and Laws. The story explains the worship of a single God and the God-Nation relationship. God cares about His people is sides with justice & freedom.
18	Exodus Unique ideas in Exodus: Covenant … berith, a binding relationship between God and a people An Exclusive & jealous God A God without images A God without parents or wife The Sabbath
19	Leviticus Written primarily by the Priestly writers, legislative & liturgical laws. Stresses ritual purity and external holiness as a sign of their intimate union with God. The most important theme: “You shall be holy, because I, the Lord, am holy.”
20	Leviticus Plan: Chapters 1-7: Laws of sacrifice Chapters 8-10: Priestly rules Chapters 11-15: Legal purity Chapter 16: Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur Chapters 17-27: Holiness code.
21	Numbers Mix of material from the Yahwist, Elohist and Priestly sources, it deals with the 38 year journey from Sinai to border of the Promised Land. Combines legendary history with laws.
22	Deuteronomy The Second Law: some repetition, completion and explaination of the Law given at Sinai. It stands to recall the people to the Mosaic Covenant in the 7^th Century. It teaches that the people/we should love God because he loved them/us first, but He is also a jealous and punishing God, to be approached with awe and reverence.
23	Next time …. The Histories: Joshua, Judges 1 & 2 Samuel 1 & 2 Kings (1 & 2 Chronicles) Ezra-Nehemiah 1 & 2 Maccabees The Novels: Ruth, Tobit, Judith & Esther