2.2.1 JEWISH DIVISIONS OF THE HEBREW BIBLE: There three divisions in the Jewish Hebrew Bible namely the following:
(a) The Law (Hebrew word Torah): The Pentateuch that comprises Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
(b) The Prophets (Hebrew word Nebiim): Further split in to (i) The Former Prophets and (ii) The Later Prophets as follows:
- The Former Prophets: These are historical books of Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, all of which narrate Israel's history from the time of the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian captivity (1220 - 550 BC). These books are called "Former Prophets" because these writings record the ministry of the great non-writing prophets such as Samuel (1 Sam 3:20), Elijah, and Elisha, and also reflect an interpretation of Israel's history similar to that of the great writing prophets. These historical books have a prophetic message and are designed to guide future generations.
- The Later Prophets: These books are by the great preachers of Israel namely Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who are known as the Major Prophets. The later prophets also include the works of the 12 Minor Prophets (minor not in importance but in terms of their comparatively brief writings). The Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets together are called the Writing Prophets.
(c) The Writings (Hebrew word ketubim): These include Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentation, Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth), Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1&2 Chronicles.
This Jewish division of the Hebrew Bible into The Law, The Prophets, and The Writings is recognized in the New Testament in the expression "in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the Psalms" (Lk 24:44). The Writings begins with the book of Psalms, and in Lk 24:44, the reference to Psalms points to The Writings. The whole Old Testament is at times referred to as "the law and the prophets" (Mt 5:17, 11:13). The Jews regard the five Mosaic books as the core books and the later books are viewed as commentary on the core books. The Jews call their Bible also as TANAK (TaNaK = Torah, Nebiim, Ketubim).
2.2.2 CATHOLIC VERSIONS OF THE MODERN BIBLE
- Douay-Rheims Version: The first Catholic English Bible (NT in 1582 and OT in 1609-10)
- The Jerusalem Bible: JB in 1966; The New Jerusalem Bible in 1985
- The New American Bible: NAB: 1952-70; New translation of the NT in 1987
- Christian Community Bible: CCB: Philippines, 2nd Edition, 1988
2.2.3 PROTESTANT VERSIONS OF THE MODERN BIBLE
- The King James Version (KJV): The KJV or Authorized Version (AV) of the Bible, published in 1611
- The Revised Version (RV): The British revision of the KJV, 1885
- The American Standard Version (ASV): The American revision of the KJV, 1901
- The Revised Standard Version (RSV): The ASV was again revised by a Committee of Protestant scholars and there appeared what is known as the Revised Standard Version in 1952, and the Apocryphal (Deuterocanonical) Books in 1957. Later, the entire Bible was completely revised and published in the year 1989 as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). In the RSV and the NRSV, the Hebrew term Yahweh is translated with LORD capital letters.
- A Catholic Edition of the RSV, with full ecclesiastical approval, was published in 1966.
- A Catholic Edition of the NRSV, with full ecclesiastical approval, was published in 1993.
- The New English Bible (NEB): The NEB was published in 1970; It was revised in 1989 with the title "The Revised English Bible".
- or Today's English Version (TEV): Published in 1976; Second edition in 1992
- The New International Version (NIV): Published in 1978
- The Living Bible: A paraphrased Bible published in 1972 by Tyndale House, Illinois, USA
2.2.4 SOME MORE VERSIONS OF THE MODERN BIBLE
- The New Catholic Study Bible
- The NIV Study Bible
- The Nelson Study Bible
- The MacArthur Study Bible
- The Life Application Bible
- The International Bible Commentary, Indian Ed., 2004
This ends Module-2 of the "Bible Course for the Laity - 2004".
Module-2: BIBLE TIMELINE & BIBLE VERSIONS
