Tanakh is the Hebrew name for the Scriptures Jesus called the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings.
The word is an acronym:
Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim
—
Law, Prophets, Writings.
Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.
This is not a different Bible from what the church calls the Old Testament.
It is the same gift,
named the way Israel names it,
ordered the way the synagogue has long stacked the books.
Torah is Genesis through Deuteronomy—the five books of Moses. Nevi’im are the Prophets, former and latter: Joshua through Kings as history under the Word, then Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve. Ketuvim are the Writings: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, the five Megillot, Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah, Chronicles. Luke’s risen Lord says Law, Prophets, and Psalms—Psalms standing at the head of the third stack. Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the synagogue. Timothy knew the sacred writings from childhood, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God. The church did not invent these books. It received them. Tanakh keeps the accent on the Hebrew witness so a Gentile reader will not treat “Old” as expired. Fulfillment in Christ is not a trash bag for Moses. It is Yes to promises first written here. Read the order. Hear the roar from Zion. Let the psalms teach you to pray. The same Spirit who spoke in the prophets opened minds to see the things concerning Himself.
- Tanakh is a name and a map, not a rival canon to the Protestant Old Testament’s content.
- Law, Prophets, Psalms is Jesus’ own three-part handle.
- Torah is more than rules. It is generation, exodus, covenant, and a road toward a Prophet like Moses.
- Former Prophets are history that preaches. Latter Prophets are the Word against kings and for a remnant.
- Writings hold wisdom, worship, exile, and hope that still waits.
- Sacred writings make wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus—not apart from Him, not instead of them.
- Honor the Name Israel uses. Then read until you meet the Son those pages concern.
- Torah – Five books of Moses; instruction; covenant.
- Nevi’im – Prophets; former and latter; thus says the Lord.
- Ketuvim – Writings; Psalms first in Jesus’ third word.
- The Acronym – Ta-Na-Kh; one library, three rooms.
- Jesus’ Handle – Law, Prophets, Psalms; all concerning Himself.
- The Church’s Name – Old Testament; same Scriptures; same God.
- The Aim – Wise for salvation; fulfilled, not discarded.
- Luke 24:27, 44-45 – Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself… “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
- Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
- Matthew 7:12; 22:40 – This is the Law and the Prophets… On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.
- John 5:39, 46 – “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”… “If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.”
- Acts 13:15 – After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”
- Acts 28:23 – From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
- 2 Timothy 3:15-16 – From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God.
- Romans 1:2; 3:21 – The gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures… the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it.
- Luke 16:29, 31 – “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.”… “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”
- Romans 15:4 – Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
- 2 Peter 1:19-21 – We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed… men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.
He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
You search the Scriptures; it is they that bear witness about Me. Moses wrote of Me.
The sacred writings are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God.
They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.
Do not call Tanakh a museum. It is the library Jesus opened on the road. Learn the three rooms. Hear Moses. Hear the Prophets. Pray the Writings. The Yes is still in Him. The books were never a rival to the Son. They are how you recognize His voice.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.