The first five books of the Bible — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy — are known as the Pentateuch, from Greek words meaning "five scrolls". Jewish tradition calls them the Torah, often translated "Law" but meaning more broadly "instruction". They are also called the Books of Moses, because Jewish and Christian tradition has long associated them with Moses.
These books are the foundation for the rest of the Bible. Without them, much of the Old and New Testaments would be hard to understand.
Genesis: beginnings
Genesis means "origin". It has two main parts:
- Chapters 1–11: the creation of the world and humanity, the fall into sin, Cain and Abel, the flood and Noah, and the tower of Babel. These chapters explain who God is, who we are and why the world is broken.
- Chapters 12–50: God calls Abraham and promises to bless all nations through his family (Genesis 12:1–3). The story follows Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (renamed Israel) and Joseph, ending with Jacob's family in Egypt.
Key verse: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1, KJV)
Exodus: rescue
Exodus means "going out". Generations later, the Israelites have become slaves in Egypt. God calls Moses to lead them out. Through the plagues and the Passover, God rescues his people and brings them through the Red Sea. At Mount Sinai he gives the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and makes a covenant with Israel. The book ends with the building of the tabernacle, a tent where God's presence dwells among his people.
Leviticus: holiness
Leviticus contains laws for worship, sacrifice, the priesthood, clean and unclean, and holy living. Its central message is that a holy God wants to live among his people, and that sin must be dealt with. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) is especially important for understanding the New Testament's teaching about Jesus' sacrifice.
Leviticus also contains the command Jesus later called the second greatest: "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18, KJV).
Numbers: the wilderness
Numbers takes its name from the censuses of Israel at the beginning and end of the book. It tells of Israel's forty years in the wilderness. Because of the people's unbelief, a whole generation is not allowed to enter the promised land. Even so, God continues to guide and provide for them.
Deuteronomy: covenant renewed
Deuteronomy means "second law". Before Israel enters Canaan, Moses gives a series of speeches reminding the new generation of God's faithfulness and calling them to love and obey him. It contains the Shema, central to Jewish faith:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, KJV)
Jesus quoted Deuteronomy three times when he was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4). The book ends with the death of Moses.
Why the Pentateuch matters
- It introduces the main themes of the whole Bible: creation, sin, covenant, rescue, sacrifice, holiness and promise.
- It explains who Israel is and why God chose them.
- It provides the background for New Testament teaching about Jesus as the Passover lamb, the great high priest and the one greater than Moses.
Tips for reading
- Read Genesis and Exodus as stories — they are among the most gripping parts of the Bible.
- When reading Leviticus, ask: What does this show about God's holiness, and how does it point to Jesus?
- Use a study Bible or a Bible handbook for background.
Continue with the historical books of the Old Testament.