The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

WHO? (Who Wrote The Bible?)WHO? (Who Wrote The Bible?)• Many different people or God?Many different people or God?• Cf. 2 Peter 1:20 – 21Cf. 2 Peter 1:20 – 21• “ “God-breathed”: the inspiration of the HS?God-breathed”: the inspiration of the HS?• Dropped from a ladder? Dictation? NO!Dropped from a ladder? Dictation? NO!• God chose the authors, God spoke through themGod chose the authors, God spoke through them• Still, different human personalities, Still, different human personalities, circumstances, writing styles & tastes affect or circumstances, writing styles & tastes affect or influence exactly how things are written.influence exactly how things are written.

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

WHY? (Why Was The Bible Written?)WHY? (Why Was The Bible Written?)• “ “teaching,”teaching,”• “ “rebuking,”rebuking,”• “ “correcting” correcting” (what’s the difference from rebuking?)(what’s the difference from rebuking?)• “ “training” training” = “equipped for every good work”= “equipped for every good work”• Any other reasons you can think of…?Any other reasons you can think of…?

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

HOW? HOW? (How Was The Bible Written & Organized?)(How Was The Bible Written & Organized?)

• God’s story—66 books God’s story—66 books • Written over a 1,600 year period. Written over a 1,600 year period. • Authors include leaders, kings, prophets, Authors include leaders, kings, prophets, shepherds and fishermen.shepherds and fishermen.• Written on parchment or papyrus –not paper! Written on parchment or papyrus –not paper! • Written in Hebrew and Greek with some Written in Hebrew and Greek with some Aramaic.Aramaic.

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

HEBREWHEBREW(GGNL WRBH HT)(GGNL WRBH HT)

• Most of the Old Testament was written in this Most of the Old Testament was written in this language. language. •Hebrew = 22 consonants but NO written vowels!Hebrew = 22 consonants but NO written vowels!• Vowel sounds = 14, based on markingsVowel sounds = 14, based on markings

• Read right to leftRead right to left

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

GREEKGREEK• All of the NT was written in this language. All of the NT was written in this language. • International language of Jesus’ day was Koine International language of Jesus’ day was Koine Greek.Greek.• Greek = 24 letters—including vowels.Greek = 24 letters—including vowels.• No spacing around words.No spacing around words.

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the StoryARAMAICARAMAIC

• Aramaic = the language of most Jews in Jesus’ day.Aramaic = the language of most Jews in Jesus’ day.• Jesus spoke in this language.Jesus spoke in this language.• So rarely is Jesus quoted in his native tongue.So rarely is Jesus quoted in his native tongue.

TRANSLATING AND TRANSLATIONSTRANSLATING AND TRANSLATIONS• How to translate from ancient Hebrew and Greek How to translate from ancient Hebrew and Greek into modern day English…into modern day English…• Types of translations of the Bible:Types of translations of the Bible:

1.1. WORD 4 WORD = WORD 4 WORD = 2.2. THOUGHT 4 THOUGHT =THOUGHT 4 THOUGHT =3.3. PARAPHRASE = PARAPHRASE =

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

THE OLD TESTAMENTTHE OLD TESTAMENT32 Books, Written approx. 1500 – 400 BC32 Books, Written approx. 1500 – 400 BC

• BOOKS OF THE LAW BOOKS OF THE LAW (GENESIS – DEUTERONOMY)(GENESIS – DEUTERONOMY)• “ “PENTATEUCH,” “TORAH”PENTATEUCH,” “TORAH”

• HISTORICAL BOOKS HISTORICAL BOOKS (JOSHUA – ESTHER)(JOSHUA – ESTHER)• BOOKS OF WISDOM AND POETRY BOOKS OF WISDOM AND POETRY (JOB – SONG OF SOLOMON)(JOB – SONG OF SOLOMON)• MAJOR PROPHETS MAJOR PROPHETS (ISAIAH – DANIEL)(ISAIAH – DANIEL)• MINOR PROPHETS MINOR PROPHETS (HOSEA – MALACHI)(HOSEA – MALACHI)

The Books and Language of the StoryThe Books and Language of the Story

THE NEW TESTAMENTTHE NEW TESTAMENT27 Books, Written approx. 45 – 100 AD27 Books, Written approx. 45 – 100 AD

• GOSPELS GOSPELS (MARK – JOHN)(MARK – JOHN)• HISTORICAL BOOK HISTORICAL BOOK (ACTS)(ACTS)• PAULINE EPISTLES PAULINE EPISTLES (ROMANS – PHILEMON)(ROMANS – PHILEMON)• What the heck is an “epistle?”What the heck is an “epistle?”

• GENERAL EPISTLES GENERAL EPISTLES (HEBREWS TO JUDE)(HEBREWS TO JUDE)• APOCALYPTIC BOOK APOCALYPTIC BOOK (REVELATION)(REVELATION)• Not “REVELATIONS”---why?Not “REVELATIONS”---why?