Old Testament

views updated

Old Tes·ta·ment • n. the first part of the Christian Bible, comprising thirty-nine books and corresponding approximately to the Hebrew Bible. Most of the books were originally written in Hebrew, some in Aramaic, between about 1200 and 100 bc. They comprise the chief texts of the law, history, prophecy, and wisdom literature of the ancient people of Israel.

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

Old Testament

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

Related Content