ABSTRACT
The body of writings most commonly known as the Old Testament is perhaps unique in that it is revered as Scripture by two of the world’s great religions: Judaism and Christianity. (It is also of vital importance for Islam, whose own sacred writings incorporate many Old Testament traditions, but that is beyond our immediate concern.) It is necessary to realise at the very outset that the term ‘Old Testament’ is in a sense a polemical one, part of the long-standing hostility between Christianity and Judaism, since it implies a sequel, which for the Christian Church is, of course, to be found in the New Testament. We shall use the term ‘Old Testament’ here, because it has come into general use, sometimes even among Jews themselves, but it is important to remember that it is a Christian title. For the Jew the same writings may be called Tenak (a made-up word which incorporates the initial letters of Torah, Nevi’im and Ketubim, Law, Prophets and Writings, the three component parts of the Old Testament), or Miqra, meaning that which is read (in the solemn assembly of the synagogue).
