Introduction to the Old Testament

Why study the Old Testament? It’s the Scriptures that Jesus used.

The New is concealed in the Old, the Old is revealed in the New” – St. Augustine

Language

The Old Testament is written in Hebrew.
Hebrew is written from right to left.
The earliest Hebrew did not use vowels. For example, Genesis 1:1 would be: N TH BGNNG GD CRTD
Jewish scholars in the 9-10th centuries AD added vowel “points” to the biblical text based on the traditional pronunciations. We call this the Masoretic Text.
The language is dominated by verbs, not nouns (especially by concrete images, not abstractions).
Some of the Old Testament is written in Aramaic (which was the lingua franca of the day when those books were written): Daniel 2:4-7:28; Ezra 4:8-6:18; Ezra 7:12-26; Jer 10:11
The Hebrew Alphabet & Transliteration

“First stage” (approximately 1200 BC-100 BC): The formation of separate literary units based on oral and written tradition. The writings had no vowels, no spaces, no chapter divisions and no verse divisions.
“Second Stage” (approximately 400-90 AD): The formal formation of the Hebrew Bible as an authoritative collection of writings in three parts (Law, Prophets and Writings). This was finished by 90 AD.
See How the Old Testament is organized
“Third stage”: Preservation and transmission of the text; Masoretic text created; chapters and verse numbers added.

Chart: Bible History at a glance
Biblehub: Old Testament Timeline
Primeval History (creation; Genesis 1:1)
Patriarchael history (Abram called c. 2000-1900 BC)
Slavery in Egypt (c. 1720-1280 BC)
Exodus from Egypt (c 1280 BC)
Wilderness wanderings (c. 1280-1240 BC)
Conquest & settlement (Crossing the Jordan River c 1240)
Period of the Judges (c 1240-1050 BC)
Establishment of the united monarchy (Saul anointed c. 1050 BC)
Divided Monarchy – Northern Kingdom Israel (920-722 BC); Southern Kingdom Judah (930-586 BC)
Babylonian captivity (586-538 BC)
Return from exile (639 BC) & restoration (Temple restored c 515 BC)

Basics of Bible Interpretation by Bob Smith (Entire book): Page 104 – Helpful Hints on Hebrew; Page 106 – What Every Bible Student Needs to know about Hebrew.
Old Testament Exegesis: A Primer for Students and Pastors, Douglas Stuart (1984)