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Introduction to the Bible

Etymology and Meaning of the word "Bible":

The word "Bible" is from "bible" (old French) which is based on the Latin word "biblia"
and Greek "biblos" (books), plural is biblion. The word Bible refers to the Scriptures of Christian
Church, but it may also denote the canon of Jewish Scriptures.
biblos -> ta biblia -> ta bibion. ta biblia means the booklets.

The Bible has been handed down to us in more than one form. The Hebrew Bible, often
called the Masoretic Text (MT), is a collection of 24 books a few passages in Armaic. Its form is as
follows:
The Law (TORAH): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deutronomy, (the Pentateuch).
The Prophets (NEBIIM): Former prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings,
Latter Prophets: Isaiah, Jermiah, Ezekiel; the twelve minor prophets.
The Writings (ketubim): Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes,
Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehamaih, Chronicles.

The Bible is a collection of booklets. The Bible is:

a) Theological Novel: eg. Jonah, Esther, Job, Judith
b) Theological History: eg. Kings, Maccabees, Judges, Joshea, Chronicles
c) Theological Poetry: eg. Prophets, Pss, Song of Songs, Job
d) Folk Literature:
e) Full blown literature as in Job
Oral tradition was put into writing became the Bible. Myths are reinterpreted in the Bible.

The Bible is a religious literature. It talks of God who is invisible. Transcendent Reality
cannot be explained, therefore the use of symbols and myths in the Bible. Symbols of the
community can be explained by the community only. The Bible is a literature which gives
expression to their Faith Experience.
-dabar means the message of God. Word of God or Message of God is experience of a
community, writers are individuals. Scandal is also a way God speaks, eg. Solomon, Samson