How is the Jewish Tanach different from the Christian Old Testament?
Yes and no.
The content of the Tanakh, the Jewish name for the Hebrew Scriptures, is the same as what Christians call the Old Testament but the books are in different order, based on the intended storyline.
The Tanakh divides the books into three categories, which also make up an acronym:
Torah (the Pentateuch)
Nevi’im (the Prophets)
Ketuvim (the Writings)
TaNaKh
The order of books in the Christian’s Bible follows the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) and is divided into these four categories:
The Law (the first five books written by Moses)
History (Joshua-Esther)
Poetry and Wisdom (Job-Song of Solomon)
Prophets (Isaiah-Malachi, Daniel, and Lamentations)
The Tanakh divides the same books into three categories:
1: Torah: The first five books are named after the opening word of each book.
Genesis—Bereshit, means, “In the beginning,” which is appropriate since whatever begins, begins here. The beginning of time. Of matter. Of history. Of life as we know it, all begins in Genesis.
Exodus—Shemot, means Names. It begins with the names of the Genesis’ families, reminding us (and them) that God keeps His promises to families by name, even before leading them out by miracle.
Leviticus—Vaykira, means, “God called near,” not a list of rules, but a call to closeness— a holy God reaching out to meet His people in covenant love expressed in worship and sacrifice.
Numbers—Bamidbar, means “in the wilderness.” More than desert, this book describes the in‑between space where Israel learned how to trust and follow God and how to develop from a group of freed slaves into a covenant nation.
Deuteronomy—Devarim means “words” or “speech.” This was Moses’ farewell address to Israel when he repeats and renews God’s covenant and law with a new generation who will live in the land.
2: Prophets: Two sections divide the books into “former” and “latter.”
Former Prophets - Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings (because it was said these were all written by prophets)
Latter Prophets - refers to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea-Malachi, called, “The Twelve.”
3: Writings: These are books of wisdom, poetry, and narratives.
Psalms
Proverbs
Ruth
Song of Solomon
Ecclesiastes, called Koheleth, meaning “The Preacher.”
Lamentations called, Eichah, meaning “how?--“How could this happen?”
Esther
Daniel
Ezra
Nehemiah
1-2 Chronicles
The Tanakh and the Old Testament tell the same story of God and Israel.
Same words.
Same God.
Same people.
From their different perspectives of faith, the arrangement suggests the story they tell.
The Tanakh ends with Israel’s restoration in the land, focusing on God’s covenant and homecoming.
Christians believe this same story is part of God’s unfolding plan that is wonderfully fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament ends with expectation, pointing forward to Jesus the Messiah.
