First in importance in the thought of the Jews stood, and still stands, that monumental body of literature which they called the Torah—a Hebrew word meaning "direction or instruction," and so "law." In English the word "Pentateuch" is often employed in this connection, implying by its derivation that the books in question constitute a fivefold volume, the component parts of which are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. So significant, and so typical of the essence of the Jewish religion was this book of the law that it and its originator, Moses, were not seldom thought and spoken of as representing the whole of the Old Testament. Exemplifying this attitude are the familiar words of the beloved disciple John, "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
Now "the Law" provides a natural description of the Pentateuch in that so much of it consists of legal regulations which, in their simplest form, no doubt date from the Mosaic period, though they have since been elaborated by later Biblical writers. However, the Pentateuch also contains much which might rather be classified as historical material, in addition to what Josephus describes as "the traditions of the origin of mankind" (Against Apion, Book I, Sect. 8), covering as it does the period from the creation to the passing of Moses.
Genesis, as its name implies, is essentially a book of "beginnings," recording the origin of mankind in general and of the Hebrews in particular. Exodus tells of the bondage of the children of Israel in Egypt and how they escaped the tyranny of the Pharaohs under the leadership of Moses, eventually receiving at his hand that compact but comprehensive code of law which we know as the Decalogue. Leviticus, which may be termed the ritual handbook of the Levitical priests, deals chiefly with regulations concerning worship and sacrifice. Numbers records further experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness, and contains further legislation; while the Pentateuch closes with Deuteronomy, the laws of which are enlightened by teachings of love, joy, and service.
