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How did the name Tanakh originate from the Hebrew Bible's three divisions?

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The name Tanakh is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters of the three distinct divisions of the Hebrew Bible:1

  • Torah: Meaning "Instruction" or "Law," this division is also known as the Pentateuch.12
  • Nevi'im: Meaning "Prophets," this section includes both historical works and oracular discourses.1
  • Ketuvim: Meaning "Writings," this collection consists of religious poetry, wisdom literature, and other historical books.1

By combining the first letters of these three terms—Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim—the acronym "Tanakh" serves as a collective title for the Jewish scriptures.13