Divisions
Divisions of the Old Testament
The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into 3 sections:
-The Law (Torah), or Pentateuch, 5 books:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
-The Prophets (Nebhim), 8 books:
Former Prophets - Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
Latter Prophets - Isaiah , Jeremiah , Ezekiel , The Twelve
-The Writings (Kethubim), 11 books:
Poetical Books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job
Megilloth, 5 Rolls- Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Ecclesiastes
Historical Books - Daniel , Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles.
In the Hebrew Bible:
Genesis (Bershiyt) is the first book and
Chronicles (Dibre Hayamim) is the last book.
In the Christian church the Old Testament books are divided into the following
categories:
Historical Books - Genesis to Esther
Wisdom Literature and Poetry - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, & Lamentations
Prophetic Books - Isaiah to Malachi (excluding Lamentations)
The Story of the Bible