The 24 Books of the Hebrew Bible

In their simplest form, the twenty-four books of the Jewish Bible - the Tanach - present a history of the first 3500 years from creation until the building of the second Temple in Jerusalem. The books also relate the history of the Jewish nation from its earliest stage, through the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and until the end of the first commonwealth.

But the Tanach is much more than just history. In it one can learn about G-d's plan for the world and of His relationship with mankind, specifically, His chosen nation - the Jews.

Here is where G-d tells us what He wants us to do!

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your G-d want of you? Only to fear the Lord your G-d, to go in all His ways and to love Him and to serve the Lord your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul. To guard the commandments of G-d and His statutes..." (Deuteronomy 10 12-13)

Presented here is a very short overview of each of the books of Tanach, divided into three main categories: the Chumash, the Prophets and the Writings.

The Five Books of Moses (Chumash)

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

The Eight Books of the Prophets (Neviim)

Joshua
Judges
Samuel
Kings
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekial
The Twelve (minor prophets) Trei-Assar

The Eleven Books of the Writings (Kesuvim)

Psalms - Tehilim
Proverbs - Mishlei
Job - Iyov
Song of Songs - Shir HaShirim
Ruth - Rus
Lamentations - Eicha
Ecclesiastes - Koheles
Esther
Daniel - Doniel
Ezra/Nehemia
Chronicles - Divrei Hayamim

Rabbi Boruch Clinton teaches at the Ottawa Torah Institute yeshiva high school and Machon Sarah high school for girls (both in Ottawa, Canada). You may reach him with comments and questions at dbclinton@cyberus.ca