Jewish Lists

Abstract

In this chapter we provide texts, translations, and analysis of the two earliest Jewish canon lists: Josephus and the Babylonian Talmud. Josephus provides the earliest definitive ‘list’ of the biblical books. In actuality, he says there are only twenty-two books and then groups them according to five books of Moses, thirteen by prophets, and four remaining books. He does not specifically tell the reader the contents of the Jewish canon. The Babylonian Talmud provides evidence from as early as 200 CE or as late as the sixth century CE for what books the Jews considered to be canonical. The list implies a number of twenty-four books. Though these lists are not Christian, every history of the development of the canon requires analysis and synthesis of these sources.