Abstract
What follows is a survey of the formation of the Hebrew Bible in its formative stages, highlighting the continuing fluidity in the scope of the Jewish Scripture collection for centuries. This is seen from a limited selection of sacred texts in the post-exilic writing of Ezra and Nehemiah. To that time there was no formal fixed collection, though it is clear that most frequent citations or references are to the laws of Moses and likely all of the books of the Pentateuch. There are a few faint references to the Prophets (2 Kings and Ezra 5), but no clear reference to a collection of the Prophets until about 180 BCE in Ben Sira. Examples of this fluidity can be seen in several ancient Jewish texts (Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo, Josephus, and several early rabbinic texts) as well as in several early Christian references when Second Temple Judaism had a major influence on the Jewish-Christian sect, including the witness of several important Hebrew and Christian ancient manuscripts. These examples reflect the continuing fluidity in the shape of the Jewish Scriptures and the early Christian Old Testaments well into the Middle Ages.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
