INF046

Difference Between Tanakh, Torah and Hebrew Bible

This article clarifies the distinction between three terms related to the Hebrew Scriptures: the Tanakh refers to the whole Jewish canon (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim); the Torah is its first section, made up of the five books of Moses (Pentateuch); the Hebrew Bible is simply another name for the Tanakh. The Torah is part of the Tanakh, and the Hebrew Bible and the Tanakh are synonymous.

2 min Tanakh Torah Hebrew Bible Pentateuch Nevi'im

Difference Between Tanakh, Torah and Hebrew Bible

Tanakh

The is the collection of the sacred texts of Judaism, made up of three main sections:
(Law): Includes the first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).
Nevi'im (Prophets): Includes the historical and prophetic books (for example, Joshua, Isaiah).
Ketuvim (Writings): Contains poetic books, wisdom books, and other texts (for example, Psalms, Job).

Torah

The is a part of the and consists specifically of the first five books, also called the . These books are regarded as the most sacred and are seen as containing the divine law revealed to Moses:
Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy.

Hebrew Bible

The is another term for the . It includes all of the Jewish sacred texts grouped in three sections: , Nevi'im and Ketuvim.

In summary, the and the are two interchangeable terms that designate the whole of the Hebrew Scriptures, whereas the represents only the first five books of these Scriptures. The is therefore part of the .