The Pentateuch

According to researches, the word Pentateuch comes from a Greek term meaning "the five
books." The Pentateuch includes the first five books of the Bible, namely the
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books are often called the Law, but in
addition to legal materials these books include poems, songs, and epic narratives about the people of God.
The Hebrew term used for these books is Torah, which means instruction. These books have often
been called the five books of Moses, although most modern scholars think that the Pentateuch includes
materials that were written down by various people over a period of centuries.

The Pentateuch is the oldest part of the Bible, but scholars do not know exactly when these books
were written. The earliest parts may have been written more than 1,000 years before the final parts.
Modern archaeological discoveries suggest that some of the oldest stories in Genesis may date back three
thousand years.

Summary & Main Points

The first part (Genesis 1-11) is about the Creation and the beginning of human beings on earth.

The second part (Genesis 12-50) are the stories of the ancestors of the Israelites,
mainly Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

The third part, beginning with the book of Exodus, describes how the Israelites left Egypt and the
early history of the people of Israel as a nation. It also has many laws about how the Israelites
must build their society. Deuteronomy is mostly Moses's final speech to his people and a
summary of the Pentateuch.
 THE BOOK OF GENESIS

Summary

The book of Genesis tells us a story on how God created the universe and everything in it in six
days. God rested on the seventh day and declared it a holy day of rest (sabath day). God created the
Garden of Eden to the first man, named Adam, and the first woman, named Eve. God told them not to
eat from the tree of knowledge, which would make them aware of good and evil. A snake tricked Eve, and
she ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge. God made them leave the garden because of their
disobedience. Then, Eve gave birth to Cain and Abel. Abel was a shepherd and Cain was a farmer. Cain
became jealous of Abel and so angry that he killed him, making them the first murderer and the first
person to die. (Genesis 4:116)
Later, when the world was full of sinners, God decided to kill them and save only the animals
and the most morally right persons alive. He told a man, named Noah, to build a huge boat and gather two
of every animal (mammals and reptiles) onto it. Noah built and filled the boat as he was told by God, and
a flood covered the whole world. After 150 days, the boat landed on a mountain. God promised never to
send another such flood, and he used the rainbow as a sign of that promise.
After a few years, people built a high tower to show the power of mankind. God felt insulted and
gave people different languages to prevent the tower from ever being finished. God chose Abram to be
"the father of many nations." Abram changed his name to Abraham, and God promised him the land
of Canaan (Israel) forever. As a sign of this promise, the sons of Abraham are circumcised. God tested
Abraham's loyalty by asking him to kill his only son Isaac. Abraham was ready to do it, but God sent an
angel to stop him. God told him there would be no more human sacrifice.
God destroyed the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, saving only Abraham's nephew Lot and
his daughters. Isaac and his wife Rebekah had two twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob traded food to Esau
for Esau's right to carry the family name. Rebekah helped trick Isaac, who was old and blind, into giving
his final blessing to Jacob by dressing him in fur (Isaac felt Jacob's furs and thought he was his hairy twin,
Esau). Esau later got a blessing of his own. Jacob left to find a wife. He found Rachel and worked for her
father, Lavan, for seven years to marry her, but was tricked into marrying her sister Leah. He worked for
another seven years to marry Rachel. He went back to his home, then moved to Bethel, where God told
him to change his name to Israel. Jacob later also marries the servants of Leah and Rachel, whose names
are Bilah and Zilpah. Jacob had twelve sons named Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issaschar, Zebulun,
Gad, Dan, Asher, Naftali, Joseph, and Benjamin. His wife Rachel died after she gave birth to Benjamin.
Jacob gave his son Joseph a coat of many colors. Joseph's brothers were jealous, so they sold him
into slavery in Egypt. They covered his coat in blood and told their father he had died. Joseph became a
great leader in Egypt by predicting a long famine by explaining the pharaoh's dreams. During the famine,
his brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They did not know that Joseph was the leader. Joseph first tricks
the brothers, but then gives them food and lets them stay in Goshen in Egypt. Jacob blesses his sons and
then dies.
Main Points

I. The Beginnings of History (1-11)

1) The creation of the universe (1:1-2:3).

2) Description of the Garden of Eden (2:4-17).
3) The creation of woman (2:18-25 ).
4) The Fall of man (ch. 3).
5) Cain and Abel (ch. 4).
6) The generations from Adam to Noah (ch. 5). This section is characterized by the extreme longevity of
the persons noted.
7) A description of the wickedness which moved God to commission Noah to build and enter the ark,
together with the details concerning the ark, the flood, and the post-deluvian events of Noah's life (6-9).
8 ) The ancient families of mankind, as they descended from Noah (ch. 10).

II. The Story of Abraham (12-25)

1 ) God's call of Abram and the covenant with him in which he was promised that his descendants should
inherit the land of Canaan, that they should become a great nation and that through them all nations of the
earth would be blessed (12-17). Abram's name is changed to Abraham and Ishmael is born to Abraham
and Hagar, Sarah's handmaid.
2 ) The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, with an account of Lot's deliverance (18-19).
3 ) Abraham deceives Abimelech concerning Sarah (ch. 20).
4 ) The early years of Isaac (21-25:18). This section contains the birth of Isaac (21:1-8); the departure of
Hagar and Ishmael (21:9-21) ; Abraham's faith, as demonstrated by his willingness to sacrifice Isaac (ch.
22); the death of Sarah and the purchase of the family burial ground from the Hittites (ch. 23); and the
betrothal of Isaac and Rebekah (ch. 24). At the end of this section, Abraham's death is recorded (25:1-11)
and the generations of Ishmael are given (25:12-18).

III. The Story of Isaac ( 25: 19-26; 35)

The main events in connection with Isaac's life are the birth of his twin sons, Jacob and Esau ( 25 : 19-34)
and his sojourn among the Philistines (ch. 26).

IV. The Story of Jacob and Esau (27:1-37:1)

1) Jacob leaves home, after receiving his father's blessing by deceit ( 27:1-28:9 ). It was on this journey
that he experienced the vision of the
ladder at Bethel (28:10-15).
2 ) Jacob's family and his return from Haran to Canaan ( 29-33 ). This section gives an account of Jacob's
marriages, the birth of most of his children, the shrewd dealings between Laban and Jacob and the
departure of Jacob from Haran. After leaving Haran and wrestling with the angel, Jacob came into contact
with Esau, but without the conflict which had been feared.
3 ) The last years of Jacob's life (34-36).

V. The Story of Joseph ( 37-50 )

1 ) Joseph, because of the jealousy of his brothers, is sold into Egypt
where, after a series of events, he becomes a ruler of Egypt, ranking
just under Pharaoh ( 37-41 ).
2 ) Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy food during a time of great
famine. After a time, Joseph reveals his identity to his brethren (42-
45).
3 ) At the insistence of Joseph, Jacob and his family settle in Egypt (46-
47).
4 ) Jacob's blessing of Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and
his prophecy concerning the twelve tribes (48-49).
5 ) The death of Jacob and Joseph (ch. 50).
 THE BOOK OF EXODUS

Summary

In search for food the Hebrews went to Egypt, unfortunately the Pharaoh made every Hebrew a
slave. The Pharaoh made the Hebrews work for them very hard, and told them to throw their babies into
the Nile River. Moses (who just a baby) was put into a reed basket and later rescued by an Egyptian
princess. Moses was raised by the family of the Egyptian Princess. Then, he escaped from Egypt and
lived away from his people in Midian for Jethro (his father-in-law). One day, while Moses was tending
his flocks, God appeared in a burning bush to Moses and instructs him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
Moses did not believe that he can do such task thats why God gives him his brother Aaron to help him.
Aaron was a speaker and he helped Moses to talk to the Pharaoh. When he returned to Egypt, Moses
asked the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, but the Pharaoh refused. Through God's power, Moses causes
ten plagues to come on Egypt. The last plague was the death of all the firstborns in Egypt. Only the
Israelites' firstborns were spared, as they have the blood of a young lamb on their doors when this
happened. The Pharaoh finally decided to let the Israelites go. While the Israelites were crossing the Red
Sea, the Pharaoh changed his mind and decided to pursue them with his troops. The Israelites passed
safely as Moses parted the Sea with his staff by God's power but once they all passed the sea closed,
leaving all the Pharaoh's troops to drown. Later, at Mount Sinai, Moses receives the law and the Ten
Commandments from God. The Israelites, however, sinned against God by worshiping an idol (a golden
calf). Moses breaks the first two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments in anger. God later gives him
another two. He also instructs Moses how to build the Ark of the Covenant.

Main Points

1) The sufferings of Israel (1:8-7:7). This section includes the birth, education and flight of Moses; his
call to be deliverer of his people and his consequent return from Midian to Egypt; and his first ineffectual
attempts to prevail upon Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, which resulted only in an increase in their
burdens.

2) A manifestation of God's providential guidance of Israel, illustrated by the ten plagues (7:8-13:16).
This section also includes the account of the observance of the first Passover (ch. 12).

3) The guiding of the people of Sinai (13:17-18:27), which tells of the departure and the miraculous
crossing of the Red Sea. This section also contains a narrative of the principal events on the journey from
the Red Sea to Sinai, including the coming of the manna, the observance of the Sabbath, the supply of
water from the rock at Rephidim and the advice of Jethro concerning the civil government of the great
mass of people.

4) The making of the covenant at Sinai, together with the reception of the Ten Commandments (19:1-
24:18). The laws recorded in this section regulated the religious, civil, and social life of the Israelites.

5) Directions for the building of the tabernacle (24:18-31:18).

6) The renewing of the covenant after the sinful actions of the Israelites in connection with the making of
the golden calf (32:1-35:3).
7) The actual building and dedication of the tabernacle of the Lord (35:4-40:38), under the supervision of
the two master craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab.

Exodus is a book of redemption in which God delivers His people out of bondage and brings them into a
special relationship with Himself.

THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS

Summary

The book of Leviticus tells us a story on how the Levites became the tribe from which the priests and
others prominent in the worship services were chosen, in lieu of the firstborn sons of all the tribes (Num.
3:45). The laws were instructed to Moses by God, and in turn Moses gave to the priests to teach to all of
Israel. Inside its contents God is specific regarding Sabbath's, clean and uncleanliness regarding food,
animals, childbirth and illness. God is very vivid in the laws for the people as well as the priests who are
held highly accountable for the enforcements. Leviticus other than being narrative historical book of laws
is as well known to have the word "Holy" mentioned more times than any other book throughout the
Bible. Moses again is credited to be the Author of Leviticus, written between 1440 and 1400 B.C. In the
book of Leviticus, there are two main topics for the reader. These are Holiness and atonement.
Holiness, in relation to God's nature and His requirement of man, and the atonement which is made with
regard to the imperfection of man through his sins.
Main Points

1 ) Laws concerning Sacrifice (1-7). In this section five types of offerings are discussed: burnt offerings,
meal offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings. This is filled out by a discussion of the
sin offering as it is to be observed by various classes of individuals.
2 ) An historical section featuring the consecration of the priests (8-9) and the sin of Nadab and Abihu
(ch. 10).

3 ) A section on laws of purification from ceremonial uncleanness (11-15). These furnish instructions as to
the appropriate sacrifices and ordinances for ridding oneself of impurity.

4) The Day of Atonement (ch. 16).

5 ) Laws dealing with the conduct of God's people (17-20). These

include various religious and ethical laws designed to accent the
separation between Israel and the heathen nations.

6) Laws concerning the holiness of the priests (21-22).

7 ) A discussion of holy days and feasts (23-24). Included in this

section are the Sabbath, Passover, the feasts of first fruits and
harvest, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement and the feast of
Tabernacles.

8 ) The Sabbatical and Jubilee Years (ch. 25).

9 ) Promises and threats connected with obedience to the laws

(ch. 26).

10) An appendix containing the laws concerning vows (ch. 27).

THE BOOK OF NUMBERS

Summary

This book takes its name from the fact that it contains the account of the two census enumerations of the
congregation of Israel provided in chapters: 1-4 and chapter 26. The book of Numbers follows naturally
after Leviticus in the sequence of the books of the Pentateuch. It tells us that after receiving the laws at
Sinai, the journey to which was described in Exodus, the Israelites were ready to continue their march to
Canaan. This book tells of their preparations, their sin in failing to trust in God and the resultant thirty-
seven years of wanderings through the rough wilderness. At the end of the book, they are once again at
the edge of Canaan, where they receive instructions for the conquest and division of the land.

Main Points

1) The preparation for the departure from Sinai (1:1-10:10). The events described here took place in
nineteen days. In this time a census was taken of all men who were over twenty and who could serve in
military efforts (1-4). The total obtained was 603,550 (1:46). This would indicate that the total population
of the group was probably near three million. The census was followed by the cleansing and blessing of
the congregation (5-6), the offering of gifts from the various tribes (7), the consecration of the Levites (8)
and the observance of the Passover at Sinai (9:1-14).
2 ) The journey from Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (10:11-14:45). This
section includes the account of the coming of the quail (11), the
rebellion against Moses by Miriam and Aaron (12), and the
fateful mission of the spies (13, 14).

3) The wanderings of the desert wilderness (15-19). As noted

above, this covered a period of thirty-seven years, from the end
of the second to the beginning of the fortieth year in the
wilderness. Ch. 15 includes various laws and a record of capital
punishment for Sabbath breaking. The rebellion of Korah (ch. 16)
and the budding of Aaron's rod (ch. 17) are also mentioned here.

4 ) The history of the last year, from the second arrival of the Israelites at Kadesh till they reach "the
plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho" (20-36: 13). Notable sections of this are the story of Balaam
(22:2-24:25), the zeal of Phinehas (ch. 25), the second census (26:1-51) , instructions for dividing the land
(26:52-27: 11), the appointment of Joshua as Moses' successor (27: 12-23), various laws concerning
offerings and vows ( 28-30 ), the war with Midian (ch. 31), the settlement of the tribes east of the Jordan
(ch. 32), a review of the locations at which Israel had camped during their wanderings (33: 1-49), more
instructions concerning the conquest and division of Canaan (33:50-34:29 ), the appointment of the cities
of refuge (ch. 35) and instructions concerning the marriage of land-owning Israelite women (ch. 36).

THE BOOK OF DEUTRONOMY

Summary

The word "Deuteronomy" is taken from the Greek word for "the second law" or "the law repeated." The
book is written in the form of discourses which Moses delivered to the people in the plains of Moab on
the eve of their entrance into the promised land of Canaan. In the first speech (1:1-4:43), Moses strives
briefly, but earnestly, to warn the people against the sins which had kept their fathers from entering the
Promised Land. The second discourse (4:44-26:19) is all about the legal matters, consisting of a review of
Israel's moral and civil statutes, testimonies and judgments. The third discourse (27:1-31:30) deals
primarily with the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. Moses now speaks in
conjunction with the elders of the people and with the priests and the Levites, whose office it would be to
carry out the ceremony which Moses describes in this discourse. As soon as they passed over the Jordan,
the people were commanded to set up great stones on Mt. Ebal. These were to be covered with plaster and
inscribed with the law of God. They were also to build an altar, which seems to have been distinct from
the stones, although it is difficult to be certain about this. Then the twelve tribes were to be divided
between the two hills. Across on Mt. Ebal, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali were to speak the
curses with which the Lord had threatened disobedience. After completing these discourses, Moses
encouraged the people to follow their new leader, Joshua, and to go across and take the land which had
been promised to Abraham. He wrote down the Law in a book and turned it over to the priests, who were
to keep it as a perpetual reminder for all the people (31:9-13). At the command of the Lord, Moses and
Joshua appeared before God at the tent of meeting. There God told them of the future infidelity of Israel
and instructed Moses to leave the people a song which they were to learn and which was to serve as a
witness for God against them. This song of Moses is recorded in ch. 32; it recounts the blessings which
God has bestowed on his people and the corrupt manner in which they have responded to his
beneficence. Ch. 33 contains Moses' blessing on the people and ch. 34 records the brief account of the
death of this great leader of Israel.

Main Points
Deuteronomy stresses the uniqueness of God, the need for drastic centralization of worship, and a concern
for the position of the poor and disadvantaged. Its many themes can be organized around the three poles
of Israel, Israel's God, and the covenant which binds them together.
Israel
The themes of Deuteronomy in relation to Israel are election,
faithfulness, obedience, and God's promise of blessings, all
expressed through the covenant: "obedience is not primarily a
duty imposed by one party on another, but an expression of
covenantal relationship." Yahweh has chosen ("elected") Israel
as his special property (Deuteronomy 7:6 and elsewhere), and
Moses stresses to the Israelites the need for obedience to God
and covenant, and the consequences of unfaithfulness and
disobedience. Yet the first several chapters of Deuteronomy
are a long retelling of Israel's past disobedience - but also
God's gracious care, leading to a long call to Israel to choose
life over death and blessing over curse (chapters 7-11).
God
Deuteronomy's concept of God changed over time: the earliest 7th century layer is monolatrous, not
denying the reality of other gods but enforcing the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem alone; in the later,
Exilic layers from the mid-6th century, especially chapter 4, this becomes monotheism, the idea that only
one god exists. God is simultaneously present in the Temple and in heaven - an important and innovative
concept called "name theology."
Covenant
The core of Deuteronomy is the Biblical covenant which binds Yahweh and Israel by oaths of fidelity
(Yahweh and Israel each faithful to the other) and obedience (Israel obedient to Yahweh). God will give
Israel blessings of the land, fertility, and prosperity so long as Israel is faithful to God's teaching;
disobedience will lead to curses and punishment. But, according to the Deuteronomists, Israel's prime sin
is lack of faith, apostasy :contrary to the first and fundamental commandment ("Thou shall have no other
gods before me") the people have entered into relations with other gods.