Understanding the Old Testament

What Is the Old Testament?

The Old Testament is the first and larger portion of the Bible, comprising 39 books written over approximately 1,000 years — from roughly 1400 B.C. to 400 B.C. It tells the story of God's creation of the world, His covenant relationship with the nation of Israel, and His unfolding plan of redemption that would ultimately be fulfilled in the New Testament.

These 39 books were written by more than 30 different authors — kings, shepherds, prophets, priests, and fishermen — yet they tell one unified story. That unity across centuries and cultures is one of the most remarkable features of Scripture. From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament lays the groundwork for everything that follows.

For many readers, the Old Testament can seem intimidating. It contains ancient laws, unfamiliar customs, genealogies, and poetry that feels very different from modern writing. But understanding the Old Testament is not optional for the serious Bible student — it is essential. Jesus quoted the Old Testament constantly, the apostles built their theology on it, and the New Testament cannot be fully understood without it.

The Five Major Divisions

The 39 books of the Old Testament are traditionally organized into five categories. Understanding this structure helps you navigate the Old Testament with confidence and know what to expect from each section.

The Law (Pentateuch) — The first five books, also called the Torah or Books of Moses, form the foundation of the entire Bible. Genesis establishes creation, the fall of humanity, and God's covenant with Abraham. Exodus records God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy detail the laws, wilderness wanderings, and preparation to enter the Promised Land.

The Historical Books — These twelve books narrate Israel's history from the conquest of Canaan under Joshua through the divided kingdom, the exile in Babylon, and the return under Ezra and Nehemiah. They show the repeated cycle of faithfulness, rebellion, judgment, and restoration — and God's unfailing covenant love through it all.

Poetry and Wisdom — These five books express the deepest human emotions and the highest divine wisdom. Psalms is the hymnbook of ancient Israel. Proverbs offers practical wisdom for daily life. Job wrestles with suffering. Ecclesiastes explores the meaning of life. The Song of Solomon celebrates love.

The Major and Minor Prophets — Seventeen prophetic books make up the final section. The prophets spoke God's messages to Israel and Judah — calling them to repentance, warning of judgment, and offering breathtaking visions of hope, restoration, and the coming Messiah. Isaiah alone contains some of the clearest prophecies of Christ found anywhere in Scripture.

Key Themes Running Through the Old Testament

Despite its diversity of authors, genres, and time periods, the Old Testament is united by several great themes that run from beginning to end:

Covenant is perhaps the single most important theme. God makes binding promises to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David — each covenant building on the ones before it, each pointing forward to the ultimate new covenant established by Christ. Understanding these covenants is the key to understanding the Old Testament's structure and purpose.

Redemption echoes through every section. Whether it is God clothing Adam and Eve after the fall, delivering Israel from Egypt, or promising through the prophets that a Redeemer would come, the Old Testament consistently reveals a God who rescues His people from the consequences of sin.

Messianic hope grows progressively clearer as the Old Testament unfolds. From the first hint in Genesis 3:15 — that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head — to Isaiah's stunning portrait of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53), the Old Testament points relentlessly toward the coming of Jesus Christ.

Historical Timeline of the Old Testament

The Old Testament covers vast stretches of history. While many dates are approximate and scholars debate specifics, the following timeline provides a general framework for understanding when key events occurred:

After Malachi, there is a roughly 400-year period of silence between the Testaments — during which the Greek and Roman empires rose to power — before the New Testament opens with the birth of Jesus. For more on this historical context, see our Timeline of Biblical Events.

How the Old Testament Points to Christ

Jesus Himself declared that the Old Testament Scriptures testified of Him. In Luke 24:27, after His resurrection, "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." The Old Testament is filled with prophecies, types, and patterns that find their fulfilment in Christ:

• Prophecy:Over 300 Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus — His birthplace (Micah 5:2), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), His ministry, His suffering (Isaiah 53), and His resurrection (Psalm 16:10).
• Types:Old Testament events foreshadow Christ — the Passover lamb pictures His sacrifice, the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21) pictures the cross (John 3:14), and Jonah's three days in the fish foreshadow the resurrection.
• The Sacrificial System:Every animal sacrifice in Leviticus pointed to the ultimate sacrifice that would take away sin once for all — "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
• Offices:Christ fulfils the three great Old Testament offices — Prophet (like Moses), Priest (like Melchizedek), and King (like David).

Reading the Old Testament with Christ in view transforms every page. What might seem like ancient history becomes a vibrant, purposeful revelation of God's plan that was set in motion before the foundation of the world.

Practical Tips for Reading the Old Testament

• 1.Start with the narrative books. Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, and 1-2 Kings tell the story. Read them first to get the big picture before tackling the Law and Prophets.
• 2.Read the prophets in their historical context. When you read Isaiah or Jeremiah, know where they fit in Israel's history (Kings and Chronicles provide that context).
• 3.Don't skip the hard parts. Leviticus and Numbers contain laws and details that seem irrelevant, but they reveal God's holiness and the weight of sin. Understanding them makes the gospel all the more astonishing.
• 4.Use a reading plan. A structured plan like our Bible Reading Plans helps you move steadily through the Old Testament without getting lost.
• 5.Ask "What does this reveal about God?" Every Old Testament passage reveals something about God's character — His justice, mercy, patience, love, or wisdom.