Hebrew Bible IDs

Canon

The authoritative collection of sacred texts recognized by a religious community, formalized at different times in Judaism and Christianity to define scripture

Canonization

• The process of selecting and fixing certain texts as scripture, occurring gradually between the 5th century BCE and 2nd century CE for the Hebrew Bible, shaping communal identity.

Apocrypha

Greek-written Jewish texts from the Hellenistic/Roman period excluded from the Jewish canon but preserved in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, showing diversity of belief.

Deutero-canonical

Books included in Catholic and Orthodox canons but not in the Jewish or Protestant canons, reflecting different traditions of authority.

Septuagint

A Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible made in Alexandria (3rd–2nd century BCE) for the Jewish diaspora, later adopted by Christians.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis–Deuteronomy), completed around the 5th century BCE, central to Jewish law and tradition.

Textual Criticism

A scholarly method comparing manuscripts to reconstruct the earliest possible text, using internal and external evidence.

Redaction Criticism

A method examining how editors shaped sources into final form, showing theology and perspective of compilers.

Pentateuch

Another name for the Torah, meaning “five scrolls,” combining narrative, law, and theology to form Israel’s origin story.

Book of Genesis

The first book of the Bible, written in composite sources, recounting creation, patriarchal stories, and Israel’s beginnings.

Documentary Hypothesis

A theory by Julius Wellhausen (1878) that the Torah is a composite text from J, E, D, and P sources edited together.

The J-source

The Yahwist source (10th–9th c. BCE, Judah), portraying God personally as YHWH and writing vivid narratives.

The E-source

The Elohist source (9th–8th c. BCE, Israel), using “Elohim” for God until Sinai and emphasizing prophecy and dreams.

The P-source

The Priestly source (6th–5th c. BCE, Exile), focusing on laws, rituals, genealogies, and order.

The D-source

The Deuteronomist (7th c. BCE, Josiah’s reforms), stressing covenant, obedience, and centralization in Jerusalem.

Genealogies

Structured family line records in biblical texts (e.g., Genesis 5, Numbers), used to trace identity and legitimacy.

Etiology

A story explaining the origin of a practice, name, or custom, like Passover in Exodus 12.

Babylonia

Mesopotamian empire that conquered Judah in 587 BCE, destroyed the First Temple, and began the Exile.

Assyria

Empire that destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE and deported many Israelites

Canaan

The ancient land of city-states in the Levant (Bronze Age–Iron Age) where Israelite identity first emerged

Source Criticism

A method of identifying and analyzing the written sources behind the biblical text (e.g., J, E, D, P).

Endogamy

Marriage within one’s group, a biblical concern to preserve Israelite identity and covenant loyalty

Joseph

Son of Jacob sold into Egypt, whose rise to power explains Israel’s migration to Egypt and prefaces Exodus

Patriarch

Founding fathers of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), whose stories define covenant and land identity.

Book of Exodus

The second book of the Bible, narrating liberation from Egypt, covenant at Sinai, and Israel’s formation as God’s people.

Covenant

A binding agreement between God and Israel, modeled after ancient treaties, marking Israel as God’s chosen nation

Mount Sinai

The mountain in the wilderness where Moses received the covenant and Ten Commandments, central to Israelite religion

Moses

Prophet and leader who delivered Israel from Egypt, mediated the Sinai covenant, and authored laws in tradition

The Wilderness

The desert period after Exodus where Israel wandered, tested, and formed its identity before entering Canaan

The 10 Commandments

Ethical and ritual laws given at Sinai, foundational for Israel’s covenant and comparable to other ancient law codes.

Tetragrammaton

The four-letter name of God (YHWH), revealed to Moses and used over 5,000 times in the Bible.

Tabernacle

The portable sanctuary housing the Ark, symbolizing God’s presence with Israel during their wanderings

Ark of the Covenant

The sacred chest containing the commandments, representing God’s throne and covenant presence

Ritual Decalogue

A version of the Ten Commandments emphasizing worship, festivals, and religious obligations (Exodus 34)

The Golden Calf

The idol made by Israelites in Exodus 32, symbolizing covenant failure and disobedience.

Book of Leviticus

The third book of the Bible, emphasizing holiness, sacrifices, purity, and priestly law

Sacrificial System

The ritual offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin) in Leviticus used to worship, atone, and build community

Ritual Purity

The state of being clean for worship, regulated by laws of food, body, and contact in Leviticus

Book of Numbers

The fourth book of the Bible, recounting censuses, wilderness rebellions, and preparations to enter Canaan

Holiness Code

A section of Leviticus (17–24) stressing moral behavior, social justice, and “be holy as God is holy.”

Book of Deuteronomy

The fifth book of the Bible, presented as Moses’ farewell speeches, emphasizing covenant loyalty

Deuteronomic Code

Deuteronomy 12–26, requiring central worship, justice, festivals, and care for the poor.

The Levites

Israelite tribe set apart for temple service, priestly functions, and teaching law, without land inheritance.

Jericho

The Canaanite city conquered in Joshua, symbolizing divine aid in Israel’s conquest

Joshua

Moses’ successor who led Israel into Canaan, dividing the land and renewing the covenant.

Deuteronomic History

Narrative from Deuteronomy through Kings, explaining Israel’s history in terms of covenant faithfulness

Judge

Charismatic leaders in Israel before kingship who delivered from enemies and symbolized covenant cycles

Moab

Neighboring nation east of the Dead Sea, often hostile, associated with the Moabite king Balak and Ruth’s ancestry

Ammon

Nation descended from Lot, located northeast of Moab, frequently in conflict with Israel

Edom

Nation descended from Esau, south of Judah, often portrayed as rival kin to Israel.

Deborah

A prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory over Canaanites in Judges 4–5.

Gideon

• Judge who defeated Midianites with a small army, symbolizing reliance on God.

Samson

Judge with supernatural strength whose downfall came through Delilah, representing Israel’s weakness and need for God.

The Philistines

Sea Peoples who settled in coastal Canaan, enemies of Israel during the Judges and early monarchy.