The Compilation and The Compilation and Canonicity of the Old Canonicity of the Old

TestamentTestament

Introduction to CanonicityIntroduction to Canonicity

Introduction to Canonicity: Introduction to Canonicity: DefiningDefining

Hebrew: Hebrew: hn#q*hn#q* (kaneh) (kaneh) Used 62 times in 38 verses in the OTUsed 62 times in 38 verses in the OT

Greek: Greek: kanwvnkanwvn (kanon) (kanon) Used four times in four versesUsed four times in four verses

Introduction to Canonicity: Introduction to Canonicity: DefiningDefining

““But for the sake of greater accuracy I must needs, as I But for the sake of greater accuracy I must needs, as I write, add this: there are other books outside these, write, add this: there are other books outside these, which are not indeed included in the canon, but have which are not indeed included in the canon, but have been appointed from the time of the fathers to be read been appointed from the time of the fathers to be read to those who are recent converts to our company and to those who are recent converts to our company and wish to be instructed in the word of true religion. These wish to be instructed in the word of true religion. These are …. But while the former are included in the canon are …. But while the former are included in the canon and the latter are read [in church], no mention is to be and the latter are read [in church], no mention is to be made of the apocryphal works. They are the invention made of the apocryphal works. They are the invention of heretics, who write according to their own will, and of heretics, who write according to their own will, and gratuitously assign and add to them dates so that, gratuitously assign and add to them dates so that, offering them as ancient writings, they may have an offering them as ancient writings, they may have an excuse for leading the simple astray” excuse for leading the simple astray”

Athanasius (Bruce, 79).Athanasius (Bruce, 79).

The History of the The History of the Old Testament CanonOld Testament Canon

The Nature of the Bible: The Nature of the Bible: TimelineTimeline

Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible, Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible, p. 216-217p. 216-217

The Nature of the Bible: The Nature of the Bible: TimelineTimeline

Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible, Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible, p. 216-217p. 216-217

The Nature of the Bible: The Nature of the Bible: TimelineTimeline

Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible, Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible, p. 216-217p. 216-217

History of the Old Testament History of the Old Testament Canon: Compiling the BooksCanon: Compiling the Books

From God to Us, From God to Us, p. 11p. 11

The Hebrew Old Testament

The Law The Prophets The Writings

1. Genesis2. Exodus3. Leviticus4. Numbers5. Deuteronomy

Former Prophets1. Joshua2. Judges3. Samuel4. Kings

Latter Prophets1. Isaiah2. Jeremiah3. Ezekiel4. The Twelve

Poetical Books1. Psalms2. Proverbs3. Job

Five Rolls1. Song of Songs2. Ruth3. Lamentations4. Esther5. Ecclesiastes

Historical Books1. Daniel2. Ezra-Nehemiah3. Chronicles

The Extent of the The Extent of the Old Testament CanonOld Testament Canon

Extent of the OT Canon: Extent of the OT Canon: ApocryphaApocrypha

Reasons for InclusionReasons for Inclusion Writers in the NT refer to its contentsWriters in the NT refer to its contents SeptuagintSeptuagint Earliest complete manuscripts of Earliest complete manuscripts of

Bible include itBible include it Early Christian artEarly Christian art

Extent of the OT Canon: Extent of the OT Canon: ApocryphaApocrypha

Reasons for InclusionReasons for Inclusion Early Church FathersEarly Church Fathers St. AugustineSt. Augustine Council of TrentCouncil of Trent Non-catholic usageNon-catholic usage Dead Sea communityDead Sea community

Extent of the OT Canon: Extent of the OT Canon: ApocryphaApocrypha

Reasons for ExclusionReasons for Exclusion Writers in the NT refer to its contentsWriters in the NT refer to its contents

Never cite as authoritativeNever cite as authoritative SeptuagintSeptuagint

Compiled in Alexandria, Egypt in 4Compiled in Alexandria, Egypt in 4thth centurycentury

Earliest complete manuscripts Earliest complete manuscripts Follow LXX, does not mean canonicalFollow LXX, does not mean canonical

Early Christian artEarly Christian art Not canonical, historicalNot canonical, historical

Extent of the OT Canon: Extent of the OT Canon: ApocryphaApocrypha

Reasons for ExclusionReasons for Exclusion Early Church FathersEarly Church Fathers

Early church fathers react Early church fathers react against against itit St. AugustineSt. Augustine

Not determiner of canonNot determiner of canon Council of TrentCouncil of Trent

Reaction against ReformationReaction against Reformation Non-catholic usageNon-catholic usage

Not placed on same level as ScriptureNot placed on same level as Scripture Dead Sea communityDead Sea community

Library, not determiner of canonicity.Library, not determiner of canonicity.