Intro To The Old Testament

Welcome to the Old Testament — also called the Hebrew Bible, or the Tanakh. If you’ve made it through the New Testament, you’re already off to an incredible start. But this is a different world, and reading it well means understanding where you’ve just landed.

The Tanakh is made up of three sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). This is the structure Jesus knew (Luke 24:44), and it’s why the Hebrew Bible doesn’t end with Malachi, but with 2 Chronicles. That detail might seem small, but it helps you see the story the way Jesus and the apostles did — a story that points to Him from start to finish.

We’re stepping into the ancient world of Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Canaanites, and Assyrians. Their world was harsh, violent, and unfamiliar. Reading the Old Testament without feeling that cultural shock means you’re likely dragging modern assumptions into an ancient story. Instead, we need to let these texts take us into their world — and trust that God was present, patient, and working within it.

You’ll see God use covenants, sacrifices, and strange customs to teach people who had no concept of human rights or modern morality. That’s progressive revelation — God meeting humanity where they are, not where we wish they were. It’s messy, but it’s beautiful.

The Old Testament isn’t just ancient history; it’s the slow unfolding of God’s plan to redeem the world. It’s full of raw stories, flawed people, and hard questions — but through it all, you’ll see God’s faithfulness.

If you’re on a Bible reading plan, working to read the Bible in one year, or building a daily Bible study habit, this introduction is here to help you step into the story with clarity and context.

Welcome to the Old Testament. Let’s dive in!