Old Testament: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 3, 2026

News •

Uriel Simon, Old Testament scholar who saw peace between Israel and Palestine as a biblical imperative • Nov. 2, 2026, 10:00 AM ET (The Telegraph)

Photos and Videos

Title page of Martin Luther's 1534 German translation of the Old Testament, featuring ornate black-and-white illustrations of angels, cherubs, columns, and religious figures around Gothic script.

Did the Israelites really capture Jericho?

Consider the Bible's Old Testament as a literary masterpiece dramatized by paintings, music, and sculpture

Examine the Old Testament's The Book of Proverbs and other books through a literary lens

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Qurʾān Bible Bhagavad Gita Mahabharata Torah Revelation to John New Testament Dead Sea Scrolls Genesis Book of Mormon

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

biblical literature: Old Testament canon, texts, and versions