The Pentateuch. The First 5 Books.

Did You Know? Matthew's Gospel is Intentionality designed with 5 Discourses (or Homilies) of Jesus to reflect the continuation of the Torah, the first 5 Books, Which relates to the Law, in the Old Testament. The Pentateuch guides Israel’s faith, covenant, and worship. It showing God’s law, moral teachings and journey from creation through liberation, shaping the people as holy and preparing them for God’s promises in Canaan. These actions "Pre-figure" Christ in the New Testament.

The Pentateuch (First Five Books of the Bible)

• Also called the Torah in Jewish tradition; means “Teaching” or “Law.”

• Includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

• Tells a single story about God, humans, and the nation of Israel.

Genesis.

The Beginning

• God creates the world and humans, intending blessing, land, and children.

• Human wickedness leads to the flood; only Noah’s family survives.

• Humanity repopulates through Noah’s sons: Ham, Shem, Japheth.

• God chooses Abraham and Sarah, promising a child and the land of Canaan.

• Abraham’s son Isaac and grandson Jacob (“Israel”) continue God’s plan.

• Jacob’s son Joseph saves the family from famine; they move to Egypt.

• Abraham’s faith prefigures justification by grace in Christ (Romans 4:16).

• Joseph’s providential care foreshadows God’s plan of salvation through Jesus (Matthew 1:20–21).

• Creation and covenantal promises anticipate the fulfilment of God’s plan in Christ as the new Adam and true Israel (Romans 5:12–21;).

• Christ is the ultimate fulfilment of the promises made to Abraham and his descendants.

• Joseph’s saving of his family prefigures Christ saving humanity from sin and death.

• The “blessing of all nations” in Genesis anticipates salvation for the Gentiles through Christ.

Exodus.

Slavery to Covenant

• Egyptians enslave Jacob’s descendants (“Hebrews”).

• God calls Moses to lead them out of Egypt.

• Ten plagues convince Pharaoh to let them go.

• Hebrews travel to Mount Sinai; God gives the Ten Commandments and other laws.

• Moses mediates when people sin, showing God’s relationship can survive human failure.

• Israel becomes a nation: with God, a leader, land, and religious tradition.

• The Passover lamb (Exodus 12) prefigures Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away sin (John 1:29).

• Crossing the Red Sea anticipates baptism and liberation from sin (1 Corinthians 10:1–2).

• God’s covenant with Israel mirrors the New Covenant in Christ, fulfilled at the Last Supper (Luke 22:20).

• God releases the Israelites from Slavery and Captivity. Jesus Frees us from Slavery to Sin.

• Moses as mediator foreshadows Christ as the ultimate mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

• God’s presence in the cloud and pillar prefigures Christ’s real presence among His people.

• The law given on Sinai is fulfilled and perfected in Christ’s teaching and sacrifice. Pre-figuring Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus going up on the Mountain and giving the Beatitudes. He came to fulfil not abolish.

  
  

Leviticus.

Liturgy Worship

• Leviticus gives Israel detailed instructions for priests, holiness, clean vs. unclean, offerings, and moral living.

• It teaches that God’s presence requires purity and obedience.

• Priests mediate between God and people, guiding worship, festivals, and sacred rituals, showing how holiness and covenant life are woven into daily Israelite practice.

• Sacrificial system points to Christ’s perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–14).

• Priestly mediation foreshadows Christ as eternal High Priest (Hebrews 7:23–28).

• Laws of holiness prefigure spiritual perfection in Christ (Matthew 5:48).

• Festivals and rituals anticipate Christ’s liturgical presence and salvific work (Colossians 2:16–17).

Numbers.

Covenant Journey

• Numbers recounts Israel’s journey from Sinai to Moab, laws, census, and wilderness events shaping covenant identity.

• God guides, tests, and protects Israel, forming a holy community ready for the Promised Land.

• Obedience, reliance on God, and communal cohesion highlight the covenant’s continuity, foreshadowing Christ’s leadership, salvation, and mercy.

• Tabernacle prefigures Christ dwelling among His people (John 1:14).

• God’s guidance during the wilderness anticipates Christ leading the faithful (John 10:27–28).

• Laws and censuses reflect God’s care, fulfilled in Christ’s pastoral care (Ephesians 4:11–13).

• God’s patience with Israel foreshadows Christ’s mercy and forgiveness toward sinners (Luke 15:11–32).

Deuteronomy.

Moses’ Final Speeches

• Moses speaks to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they enter Canaan.

• Emphasizes law, blessings, and God’s covenant.

• Ends with Moses’ death; links to the historical books that follow.

• Love of God and neighbour anticipates Christ’s Summary of the Law (Matthew 22:37–40).

• Moses’ covenant renewal points to the New Covenant established by Christ (Luke 22:20).

• The call to obedience and faith prefigures discipleship in Christ (John 14:15).

• Moses as prophet foreshadows Christ as the ultimate prophet and teacher (Luke 24:27).

• The blessings and warnings of the Law are fulfilled in Christ, bringing salvation and freedom from sin.

• Moses leading the people to Canaan foreshadows Christ leading us to eternal life.

Authorship and Sources of the Pentateuch (JEDP).

Modern German scholarship speculates multiple sources and communities of authors, know as the documentary hypothesis as the most plausible rationale of source and authorship, Known as JEPD Sources:

J (Yahwist, ca. 950 B.C.) – in German the Letter J is Pronounced and Spelt with the "Y" Sound. E.g. Yahweh.

Written in the southern kingdom of Judah, this source calls God ‘YHWH’ and tells engaging stories about God and humans, showing their choices, relationships, and the beginnings of Israel’s family

Scrolls were likely passed down orally at first, then written. Over time, J narratives were copied and preserved in Judah before being combined with other traditions.

E (Elohist, ca. 850 B.C.) – From the northern kingdom of Israel, it uses “Elohim” for God, emphasizes prophecy, dreams, and morality, often complementing Yahwist stories.

Originally circulated in the north, E was later brought to Judah after the northern kingdom fell (722 B.C.), where it was merged with J to form a combined narrative (J-E).

P (Priestly, ca. 550–500 B.C.) – Focuses on rituals, genealogies, laws, and sacred worship, preserving Israel’s religious identity during exile, emphasizing order, priestly duties, and continuity of the covenant with God.

Compiled during or after the Babylonian exile, P drew from older records, genealogies, and oral traditions to ensure religious practices and history survived; these scrolls were integrated with J-E to form a unified text.

D (Deuteronomy, ca. 620 B.C.) – A later source in preaching style, presenting Moses’ speeches, reinforcing obedience to God’s law, covenant faithfulness, and guidance for Israel before entering the Promised Land.

Originally circulated as a separate scroll or collection of speeches; later editors attached it to the Pentateuch to link Israel’s laws and history into a continuous narrative leading to the historical books. Combined over time, edited to be relevant for exiled Israel.

Reading The Pentateuch Today

• Focus on the story: Creation, God’s promises, Israel’s journey to land.

  
  

  • Creation – God makes the world and humans.

    
    

  • God’s promises – God promises Abraham, his descendants, and eventually Israel, blessings, land, and guidance.

    
    

  • Israel’s journey to the land – The story follows how the people of Israel go from slavery in Egypt, through laws and covenants, to the edge of the Promised Land.

  
  

• Historical details and sources may be debated.

  
  

• The Pentateuch is literature and It explains who Israel is (descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob).

  
  

• It lays out what makes them special (God’s covenant, laws, moral and religious obligations).

  
  

• It defines how they relate to God and each other (worship, justice, holiness).

  
  

• It sets the stage for Israel’s claim to the land and their future as a people for Israel as God’s chosen people.

  
  

• Even after destruction and exile, the text gives hope and guidance for future generations.