The first five books of the Old Testament — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy — are collectively been known as the Pentateuch. The Jews usually call the Pentateuch the law or the Torah.
The name comes from two Greek words Penta “five” and teuchos meaning “box,” “jar,” or “scroll.” Originally the word was used as an adjective meaning “a five-scrolled (book).”
It was originally one continuous book divided into five sections. The English titles of the five separate books are taken from the early Greek translation known as the Septuagint.
Although the author is not named, a long tradition recognizes Moses as the author.
Pentateuch at a glance
Three different charts that summarize the Pentateuch.
| Genesis | Prologue |
| Exodus | Leaving Egypt; Building the Tabernacle |
| Leviticus | The Tabernacle service |
| Numbers | Dedicating the tabernacle; preparing to enter the land |
| Deuteronomy | Epilogue |
Above summary from Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord by L. Michael Morales, page 25.
| Book | Key Theme | Nation | People | God’s Character | God’s Role | God’s Command |
| Genesis | Beginnings Ruin | Chosen | Prepared | Powerful Sovereign | Creator | Let There Be |
| Exodus | Redemption | Delivered | Redeemed | Merciful | Deliverer | Let My People Go |
| Leviticus | Worship | Set Apart | Taught | Holy | Sanctifier | Be Holy |
| Numbers | Wandering | Directed | Tested | Just | Sustainer | Go In |
| Deuteronomy | Covenant | Made Ready | Retaught | Loving | Rewarded | Obey |
| Genesis | Exodus | Leviticus | Numbers | Deuteronomy | |
| Nation of Israel | ORIGINS | DELIVERANCE | LIFE | TESTING | REMINDERS |
| Theocracy | Born | Established | Established | Tested | Prepared |
| Legal | Covenant Amplified | Laws Prescribed |
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Pentateuch
- American Tract Society: Pentateuch
- Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology:
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Pentateuch
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Pentateuch
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Pentateuch
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Pentateuch
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Pentateuch
- Smith Bible Dictionary: Pentateuch
- Watson’s Theological Dictionary: Pentateuch
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Pentateuch
- Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia: Pentateuch
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Pentateuch
- David Malick (Bible.org): Introduction to the Pentateuch
Moses
- American Tract Society: Moses
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Moses
- Baker Evangelical Dictionary: Moses
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Moses
- Fausset Bible Dictionary: Moses
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Moses
- Hitchcock Bible Names: Moses
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Moses
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the NT: Moses
- Dictionary of Early Christian Biography: Moses
- Whyte’s Bible Characters: Moses
- Wilson’s Bible Types: Moses
- Watson’s Theological Dictionary: Moses
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Moses
- Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia: Moses
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Moses
Law of Moses
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Law of Moses
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Law of Moses
- Smith Bible Dictionary: Law of Moses
Resources by book
Series: Bible Study 101
Photo by Taylor Wilcox on Unsplash