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How is the Hebrew Bible organized into the Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim?
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Hebrew Bible
Portion of the Aleppo Codex, a manuscript of the Hebrew Bible written in the Hebrew language in the 10th century ce; in the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
The Hebrew Bible, known as the Tanakh, is organized into three distinct divisions:
The Torah
Also called the Pentateuch or Instruction, the Torah consists of five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.1
The Nevi'im (Prophets)
The Nevi'im are divided into two groups:
* Former Prophets: Four historical works including Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.1
* Latter Prophets: The oracular discourses of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve (Minor) Prophets.12
The Ketuvim (Writings)
The Ketuvim comprise a diverse collection of literature:
* Poetical and Wisdom Books: Psalms, Proverbs, and Job.13
* Five Megillot: Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther.13
* Other Works: Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah, and Chronicles.13